Welcome to the Blog Tour for Heart's Promise by Linda Hoover, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: Heart's Promise
Series: Heart's Desire #3
Author: Linda Hoover
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: June 23, 2025
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
From Amazon:
In 1893, their son Justin is eleven. and daughter Annaliese is ten. When Jacob and Julia adopted Annaliese as an infant, they were told God had a special plan for her. As Annaliese grows up, she wonders if her purpose will be world-changing.
Julia's old friend, Edward Harrington, comes to visit from England, along with his wife and son, Robbie. Their time at the farm is the beginning of a like/hate relationship and later something more between Robbie and Annaliese. When the families traveled to San Francisco in 1900, a shocking revelation from Edward's wife could change everything, beginning with taking Annaliese to England.
If this is God's plan, Annaliese is disappointed. It's nothing like she imagined, and her heart's desire is to go to veterinary college. This could mean a very different future for her.
My Take:
A tender Gilded Age romance full of charm, conviction, and impossible-to-ignore chemistry
If you enjoy sweet historical romances with strong heroines, richly drawn settings, and heartfelt spiritual themes, Heart’s Promise by Linda Hoover is a story you’ll want to curl up with this season.
The novel follows Annaliese, a bright and determined young woman raised on an Iowa farm who dreams of becoming a veterinarian—an unconventional ambition for the era. Her world expands dramatically after traveling to England, where she is swept into the refined society of Nottingham and introduced to the well-mannered (and opinionated!) Robbie Harrington.
What unfolds is a courtship full of sparks, clashes, and the kind of deep, emotional tug-of-war that keeps the pages turning.
A Heroine Ahead of Her Time
Annaliese is instantly likable—hardworking, intelligent, and unwavering in her sense of self. Her time in England exposes her to a life of privilege and comfort she has never known, but it never softens her resolve to pursue education or establishes her independence. She is refreshingly modern in her convictions about a woman’s place in the world, particularly in the Gilded Age setting where expectations were far more rigid.
Her inner strength is one of the brightest parts of the novel.
A Gentleman with Firm Beliefs
Robbie Harrington is charming, well-raised, and deeply principled but his worldview is firmly rooted in tradition. He believes a woman's place is in the home and that the man should be the family’s decision maker. His attempts to back up this viewpoint using scripture lead to moments that are honest, sometimes humorous, and often revealing about his own internal struggles.
Their differences create tension, but also growth, forcing Robbie to confront what love truly requires.
Rich Settings on Both Sides of the Ocean
Hoover's attention to detail shines in her descriptions of both the rugged Iowa farmland and the genteel English countryside. The contrast between these two worlds enhances the emotional divide between Annaliese and Robbie.
From bustling farm mornings to stately English manors, the settings become part of the story—and add texture to every interaction. You feel the crisp air, hear the rustle of animal pens, and sense the hush of drawing rooms lit by gas lamps.
The historical atmosphere gives the romance an authentic Gilded Age glow.
A Romance Guided by Faith
One of the novel’s loveliest aspects is how both Annaliese and Robbie turn to God for guidance. Their relationship isn’t driven merely by emotion it’s shaped by prayer, thoughtful reflection, and the desire to walk the right path, even when that path is unclear.
Family members on both sides offer advice (sometimes confusing, sometimes helpful), adding depth to the spiritual and relational journey.
Final Thoughts
Heart’s Promise is a beautifully told, emotionally engaging romance about two young people learning who they are, what they believe, and what they’re willing to sacrifice for love. It’s filled with tender moments, heartfelt faith, and historical details that bring the Gilded Age vividly to life.
I was invested from the very beginning, eager to see whether Annaliese’s progressive dreams could find a home beside Robbie’s traditional upbringing. The push and pull of their values and their affection felt authentic and deeply human.
If you enjoy sweet, faith-centered historical romance with characters who grow, change, and challenge each other, Heart’s Promise is a wonderful choice.
Linda lives in west central Ohio with her husband and grandson. She earned a degree in psychology from Anderson University where she learned the voices in her head were actually characters from stories waiting to be told.
Linda has been writing since childhood, but her publishing career started with writing columns and a middle grade serial for the South Charleston Spectator. A retired librarian, she now enjoys being a fulltime author in her home office.
You are invited to visit her website, Linda Hoover Books, to find out more about her and her books. You can stay in touch when you subscribe to her newsletter, and as a thank you, you’ll receive a novella.
https://www.lindahooverbooks.com
This link will take you to all the places you can find Linda. http://linktree/lindahooverbooks
Giveaway!
(2) winners will each receive an ebook copy of Heart's Promise and a $10 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 17, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 24, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
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