Promise of Tomorrow: forbidden love, family secrets and second chances

Promise of Tomorrow by Tess Thompson is the second book of the Castaway Christmas series. Millicent Cashmere appears to have a life of luxury as the only child of the wealthy family. However, she is a literal prisoner in her father’s mansion. She is forbidden to have friends or go to school. Her only company is books. Teddy Hill is the humble son of the Cashmere chauffeur. He admired Millicent from afar for years. When a series of tragic events brings them closer Teddy is determined to protect Millicent and rescue her from her prison. As family secrets reveal themselves, can she finally break free from the darkness that has filled her life? Can they find a way to forge a life together in the face of the worst circumstances? 

Promise of Tomorrow is a historical fiction about forbidden love, family secrets and second chances. It is a story of resilience and the power of love and community. I wanted to reach through the book and rescue Millicent myself. As the attitudes of the time, the book takes place in 1914, daughters were property of their father, with very little voice. I cheered as Teddy stepped up and helped Millicent out of a horrible situation. Seeing their slow growing love story was wonderful. I enjoyed visiting Castaway Cove and the characters from the first book, Come Tomorrow. Readers do not need to read the first book to enjoy Promise of Tomorrow, however, I highly recommend it as it is another wonderful story. I highly recommend Promise of Tomorrow. 

Promise of Tomorrow is available in paperback and eBook. 

Come Tomorrow: a chance meeting and single act of kindness

Come Tomorrow by Tess Thompson is the first book in the Castaway Christmas series. It is a story of how one chance meeting and a single act of kindness can change the course of two young lives. Christmas Eve 1904, twelve year old Luci Quick is left to raise her newborn sister when her mother dies during childbirth and her father would rather spend his days at the gaming tables. She is sure they will starve as the community looks down at the Quick family. When fourteen year old Wesley Ford stumbles upon the shambles of the Quick home, his heart is moved to help. He secretly brings a basket of food and then disappears. Luci wonders what happened to her savior? Six years later, Wesley returns after the death of his father. He shows her that he never forgot her. As the two grow closer, family secrets and whispered rumors threaten to tear them apart. 

Come Tomorrow is a sweet romance story filled with Christmas magic and acts of kindness that can change one’s life. I enjoyed the themes of hope, love, and kindness to others. I loved Luci’s resolve, resilience, and determination to survive and rise above the community’s expectations. I also love Wesley’s kind heart and determination to help someone in need. One of my favorite quotes from the book: “A man can’t save the whole world, but he can surely save his neighbor.” It’s a reminder that one act of kindness may not change the world but it can change the world for one person. It could be the change in the tide that their life flows in a new and better direction. A great book to read at Christmas or any time of the year when we need reminding that love is worth fighting for. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend Come Tomorrow. 

Come Tomorrow is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook