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Angel of Mercy #1
A Promise for Breanna
The Angel of Mercy series follows the adventures of certified medical nurse Breanna Baylor as she seeks to serve her fellow man and restore her relationship with her true love-John Stranger of the Journeys of the Stranger series-in the post-Civil War West. A Promise for Breanna finds the heroine face to face with Frank Miller, the man who once broke her heart and led her to mistrust men, sabotaging her relationship with John Stranger. Suspense, danger, romance, and spiritual truth each play a part in this compelling story that draws readers into the life of an angel of mercy.
321 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
10 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Al Lacy
111 books91 followersAl Lacy has written more than ninety novels, including the Angel of Mercy, Battles of Destiny, and Journeys of the Stranger series. He and his wife, JoAnna Lacy, are coauthors of the Mail Order Bride, Hannah of Fort Bridger, and Shadow of Liberty series. The Lacys make their home in the Colorado Rockies.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 24, 2025
Al Lacy has succeeded. I have absolutely no desire to read anything else he has penned. Poorly written, unrealistic, unidimensional characters, and multiple story lines without resolution or climax made this a two star book.
Lacy, however, doesn't stop there. This is preachy. Annoyingly preachy. Disgustingly preachy. As a Christian I find this kind of literature appalling. This isn't sharing your faith. This is abrasive and insulting.
Avoid at all costs!!!
Lacy, however, doesn't stop there. This is preachy. Annoyingly preachy. Disgustingly preachy. As a Christian I find this kind of literature appalling. This isn't sharing your faith. This is abrasive and insulting.
Avoid at all costs!!!
March 30, 2018
What a good book! Breanna Baylor is a certified nurse. She is in love with John Stranger, but he is no where around. The man she hoped to marry, Frank Miller, had left her for another. After a period in town full of adventure, she joins a wagon train on the way to California. Her skills are never unneeded. Then the Indians begin their attack for seemingly no reason. There is no end to the suspense of her life. Her obvious walk with Jesus keeps her looking to Him rather than the help of man. A very good read.
not-interested
May 6, 2024DNF
I read 2 chapters and found them boring. The style of writing held no interest to me. The characters were blah and I didn't care what happened to them. I jumped ahead to see if things got better, but it didn't look like it. It actually looked like lots of drama and one page of resolution.
Just not something I'm interested in.
I read 2 chapters and found them boring. The style of writing held no interest to me. The characters were blah and I didn't care what happened to them. I jumped ahead to see if things got better, but it didn't look like it. It actually looked like lots of drama and one page of resolution.
Just not something I'm interested in.
June 14, 2018
I enjoyed this book!
September 18, 2018
Western Indian War novel with a religious twist. I enjoyed reading it.
January 14, 2022
This book was the most unrealistic book I’ve read in my entire life I think!
August 6, 2025
Awesome read. Loved the ending
March 1, 2017
A lovely book - and a nice brain break from all the healthy eating research I've been doing! Looking forward to reading the other two books in this series.
February 22, 2010
After working in a small, frontier town as the only medical staff, Breanna finds herself a traveler on a wagon train heading towards San Francisco to visit her sister. She treats patients, performs surgery, delivers babies and fights off Indian attacks. All the while, she nurtures and teaches those around her.
I will admit that my first reaction to looking at this book was that it was a shallow romance novel. It captured my attention though and, for the most part, I enjoyed it. Filled with some romance and some drama, this is Christian fiction and somewhat preachy in that Breanna is forever teaching and bringing others to find Christ. It's also enthralling and enjoyable.
Set in the nineteenth century frontier, I found the historical aspect fascinating, especially Breanna's explanations of the history and evolution of medicine, as well as the biblical references to healing.
I like Breanna, although I think she's much too perfect and good. She has no flaws or faults, and always says the right thing and does the right thing.
This is the first of the Angel of Mercy series, but not the first time Breanna has appeared in an Al Lacy book. She and John Stranger appeared in at least one other series. This series is meant to stand alone however, with a brief history given at the beginning. I haven't read any of the other series' yet, but I assume that the characters, especially John Stranger, would seem more personal and developed if one was already familiar with them.
I believe my library has most of these other books and I look forward to checking them out and finding out more about Breanna and John.
I will admit that my first reaction to looking at this book was that it was a shallow romance novel. It captured my attention though and, for the most part, I enjoyed it. Filled with some romance and some drama, this is Christian fiction and somewhat preachy in that Breanna is forever teaching and bringing others to find Christ. It's also enthralling and enjoyable.
Set in the nineteenth century frontier, I found the historical aspect fascinating, especially Breanna's explanations of the history and evolution of medicine, as well as the biblical references to healing.
I like Breanna, although I think she's much too perfect and good. She has no flaws or faults, and always says the right thing and does the right thing.
This is the first of the Angel of Mercy series, but not the first time Breanna has appeared in an Al Lacy book. She and John Stranger appeared in at least one other series. This series is meant to stand alone however, with a brief history given at the beginning. I haven't read any of the other series' yet, but I assume that the characters, especially John Stranger, would seem more personal and developed if one was already familiar with them.
I believe my library has most of these other books and I look forward to checking them out and finding out more about Breanna and John.
November 1, 2015
This could be a typical western, from back in the 50's and 60's! Girl loves guy... Guy loves girl... Girl jilts guy... but in the end it all turns out "Happily Ever After!" And "out west" there has to be Indian attacks and then the Calvary rides in and saves the last of the people!
Only thing about this it does have a good Christian base as the main characters are introduced!
Lots of geographical history but to much repetition with that! This tends to want you to pull out a map and figure out where you are!
This is the first I have read of Al Lacy and not sure I will read anymore! Great Christian writing but typical beginning and ending!
Only thing about this it does have a good Christian base as the main characters are introduced!
Lots of geographical history but to much repetition with that! This tends to want you to pull out a map and figure out where you are!
This is the first I have read of Al Lacy and not sure I will read anymore! Great Christian writing but typical beginning and ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 5, 2011I enjoyed this story but it wasn't one of those that really drew me in. There is a good bit of historical information kind of added to the story. Most I found very interesting and some I just glanced through without reading. A principal I respected in this story that I sadly find missing in a lot of Christian stories is that every Christian character sought a Christian mate as is instructed in God's Word.
June 21, 2011
I read this whole series and loved every one of them. Al Lacy ties in all his series of books one way or another and causes you to want to read them all. He gives the Gospel of salvation in every book he writes. His books always pretty much end up with a western setting......I highly recommend them all
February 1, 2014
I started reading this series when I was in high school. All I remember is that it was one of those books I had a hard time putting down until it was read. I am definitely planning on reading it again soon. GREAT BOOK an GREAT SERIES!
Read
July 9, 2012Set in the post-Civil War American west, this story follows a travelling nurse, a topic close to my heart. My knowledge of this era of American history was enhanced by reading this book. For anyone fascinated with the pioneer days, this is a worthwhile read.
Read
June 4, 2010awsome book. couldnt put it down
April 29, 2013
This is a very spiritual series...I learned so much about the Bible just by reading it... :). It also it also taught me a lot about history.
May 14, 2013
I love ALL of Al Lacy's books and this series is probably my favorite!
August 13, 2013
Good book to read. Has suspense, some intrigue and romance. Breanna has a mistrust of men because of someone she was betrothed to. Now he has come back into her life. Can she ever trust him?
August 10, 2014
Such a good book! Keeps you on the edge the whole time. Defiantly a book worth taking the time to read.
September 12, 2014
I'm not a fan of this book. 318 pages of boring history details, names, waiting, undeveloped characters and one page of resolution. I don't think I'll finish the series.
October 7, 2018
This book is about a nurse working in the West during the time of the California Gold Rush. It’s an enjoyable read, but there are many secondary characters that muddy the story a bit.
October 16, 2015
Loved the book.... It was a little bit slow in the middle but jumped into action around chapter 13.. Cant wait to find the rest of the series to read them..
June 23, 2016
I liked it better than Legacy, a book by the same author. However, I found it preachy a little. I prefer a more subtle approach.
June 10, 2020
A great book to read again and again I read it once a long time ago and read it again today for a summer reading challenge as a book I read 10+ years ago
April 30, 2009
Al Lacy continues to write good Christian historical fiction.
July 1, 2009
My review is posted here: http://quivermom.blogspot.com/2009/07...
February 29, 2016
Review by C.H.: "This book was awesome."
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews