Ruth Saberton

The Promise by Ruth Saberton is a 2019 Millington publication.

This book has not only been languishing on my Kindle for a little while but is also a Kindle Unlimited book I checked out a really long time ago- so, it was time to read it or return it. Overall, the book seemed well received and I have not read a historical fiction novel in a long time…. So here we are.

The story switches back and forth between the present and Cornwall during the second world war. After her father’s death, Nell is going through his things when she discovers a faded photograph, she knows will unlock the key to her father’s heritage. When she arrives in Cornwall, she eventually finds Estella, a woman who knew her grandfather during the war.
As Estella lies in a hospital bed facing down her final days, she finally tells her story to her neighbor, Josh and to Nell, who will finally get the elusive answers to what really happened to her grandfather, a black man accused of desertion…

This is a really good story. It is emotional and bittersweet, compelling and mysterious. Unfortunately, the pacing is just too slow and there were some issues with the writing, as well. A bit of editing would have done wonders, but as it was, I did find myself skimming here and there- feeling like it was time to get things wrapped up, especially as it was clear where the story was heading.

The author definitely has the right idea, and her story is absolutely one worth investing in- but it does require patience and one will have to overlook the rough draft quality of the book. The story has real potential; it just needs some professional spit and shine work done to give it a good polish.

Although the story is worthy of at least a four-star rating, I do feel I should consider the reading experience, which was rocky at times, which unfortunately brings it down to 3 stars.

Despite some issues with the writing, I would like to give this author another chance someday.… (mais)

This book has been on my Kindle for some time and I finally decided to give it a chance. The setting is Cornwall and that was probably the biggest selling point for me when I purchased it. There are two story lines here, one set in current times and the other a romantic mystery set in 1914.
First we meet Chloe Pencarrow, a widow of two years who has moved from London to Cornwall, hoping to get away from the constant memories of her deceased husband Neil. It's well established that Chloe is still deeply grieving for her husband who died from cancer at age 32.

Chloe is an artist and teacher but she has put her love to paint on hold these past two years. When she moves to Cornwall and away from looks of pity and unsolicited advice from her mother she finally has a chance to breathe.

Matthew Enys is a historian and huge fan of the Cornwall poet Christopher "Kit" Rivers. Matt is doing restoration work at Rosecraddick manor, trying to salvage a part of Kit's life and perhaps bring his poetry to the attention and distinction of other famous war poets. Kit's image is imortalized in a stain glassed window in the church. Little is known about his life other than he was heir to a Rosecraddick manor and surrounding lands, a very upper class family yet a very down to earth young man.

Chloe, with her eye for artistic detail, notices a daisy in the stained glass, something so glaringly out of place that it has to represent something very important about Kit. As she helps Matthew go through old documments and treasures she accidently stumbles upon a great clue. In her rental there is an old floorboard which was a hiding place. Chloe pries it up and finds a diary and letters in an old biscuit tin. At this point in the novel we land in 1914 before the first world war.

The story of Daisy and Kit

It's 1914. A young woman named Daisy was sent to Cornwall for health reasons. She was visiting her godfather in Cornwall when she and Kit meet unexpectantly at the beach. They end up getting better acquainted, have a whirlwind romance and their dedication to one another was almost too much.

They keep their relationship secret, planning on spending their lives together once Kit can speak to his class conscious parents. When the war begins Kit does what every young man did then, he enlists. It was necessary to overdo the romantic dedication here, in my opinion, so you can keenly feel the loss of young women who lose their fiances and husbands. The novel then leaps back to the present day and you can see the mystery of Kit and Daisy from an entirely new perspective.

This book addresses PTSD and the consequences for those who are battle scarred physically and mentally. It addresses grieving from the families in the 1914 era and also Chloe's grief over losing her husband to cancer at a young age.

I would certainly read more by this author and I found the book very engaging.… (mais)