A Promise of Forever

by Anita Stansfield

Bryson and Ilene Davis have it all-a wonderful temple marriage, five beautiful children, a secure and happy future. Then, overnight, their lives are forever altered by two words: breast cancer. Suddenly, their passion for life-and for each other-is deeply affected by the reality of Ilene's fragile hold on mortality.

In A Promise of Forever, Anita Stansfield has woven a masterful plot that will satisfy from beginning to end. Here you'll find romance, undying love, tragedy, surprise, renewal, and a keen insight into the challenges and blessings of life. Anita, the incurable romantic, will make a believer of you, too!

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Lds, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Religion, Christian

238 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Anita Stansfield, the LDS market's #1 best-selling romance novelist, is an imaginative and prolific writer whose romantic stories have captivated her readers.

"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."

"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."

Reviews

[Diana Ware · Rating 2 out of 5]

So you say, why if these books are only ok do I keep reading them? Good Question, my friend keeps giving them to me and asking me how I liked them, They are not that well written, nor do they keep my interest at all times, I am not "pulled-in" like many books I read - but I have came to relize that these books to serve a purpose and are loved by many people. In my reading I'm sure if I had read them years ago, I would have loved them, however I have read many "happy every after books" and I have gotten more picky you could say. So, if you are starting out, read and enjoy, if you are bored and looking for a book, they will fit the bill, if you are looking for a good book to lose yourself in . . move on, they are out there, these are just not them.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very touched by this story. I had no idea that Bryson would come to love and care for his late wife's sister. It brought on a whole new meaning for me about what it could mean for someone to love, lose, and then love again. Another favorite of mine by Anita Stansfield.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this may have been the first Anita Stansfield novel I ever read, a few years after it was published. I remembered a lot of the story, but there were some parts that I had not recalled.
Overall, I liked the story, especially the focus on becoming a better spouse, not hiding away, but choosing to face daunting obstacles with courage and faith.
(note that this book is written and told from a Latter-day Saint worldview, which may not be interesting to all)

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

An LDS romance novel, this story promises eternal life. Cancer is a tough disease to handle; I can't even imagine the pain and endurance needed to deal with it.

[Adree · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Not my favorite - I ended up skimming parts of the book.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would actually give this book 3.5 stars. Definitly my least favorite of this series. I did feel like I learned a lot more about what people with cancer go through, I gained a lot more empathy for them just by understanding it more. I did enjoy reading it for the most part, but I probably cried through the first half of the book reading about emotions the family was experiencing. To me it was a bit depressing, realistic, but depressing. The second half wasn't near as emotional, but it was difficult for me to read about the romance that grew from the situation and how quickly it happened. Toward the end it was easier to accept and enjoy, but I wasn't crazy about it.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer. It tells the story of her family and how they deal with the impending loss and the aftermath of losing someone to such a horrible disease. at times, this book brought tears to my eyes. At the same time, there is the story of a new love and Anita does a great job of tying in happiness where most think would just be devastation.

[Kaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh!! Want a tear-jerker? I've read this book probably four or five times and I bawl my head off every time. It is pretty emotionally intense. Like always with Anita Stansfield the things the characters say to each other seem unrealistic and overly cheesy, but I love her books anyway!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really touched my heart, I loved it even though I cried and cried! I learned a lot from it and it helped me to have a different perspective on many different things about life, love and marriage.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great book by Anita Stansfield but this one made me cry. It was very touching and makes you think about how short this life really is and how much we probably take the people we love for granted. It is a really fast and easy read, and a little sad, but a great book.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of her books get a little overkill in the emotional scheme of things. Sometimes I just want to yell at the characters to get over it. This one hit me as a little truer to life and I really enjoyed it.

[Dacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cried a lot reading this book. What I really like about this book is how it illustrates that everything in life happens for a reason and in the end we're stronger and happier people than we ever thought we could be.

[Janaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It opened my eyes to all the emotion and trauma involved with cancer. The only relative of mine that has had cancer was my grandma. I can't imagine having a spouse die from this horrible disease!

[Debra Cryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hard book to read as I lost a very good friend to breast cancer in 1995. She had also left children behind.

[Dawnetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Anita Stansfield. She has taught some of my greatest lessons in personal relationships through her books.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

About breast cancer.

[Annemarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was very hard for me to read. I think it was because it's about a lady with cancer. It was hard for me to get into it. I like her books, but this one I just didn't.

[Kimberly Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of my favorites. This book helped me to realize that I have more Charity than I thought I did. *The pure love of Christ

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it's one you cry the whole way through.

[Kristilynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

gr8!

[Apzmarshl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cried a lot.

[Liesl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Anita Stansfield books get a little too sappy here and there in my opinion, but they are definately a good fun read.

[Princess Jen Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad but teaches you to have integerity and to have faith.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much detailed sexuality for me to finish the book.

[Annelisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite Stanfields.

[Nancy Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book I love the way Anita Stansfield writes and can hardly put her books down.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prepare to cry. Oh my! It was a really good book, just made me really emotional.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brought a great pain to my heart for the people in it and the trials that they went through. I was able to put myself in their places and to feel their pain as if it were my own.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually cry when I read this particular Anita Stansfield book. I like it, and I am especially touched by Ilene's dignity.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about cancer, and the emotions that are common when dealing with it.