What do you think?
The Vow
A passionate tale set in the Old West finds headstrong Annabel McKeige having difficulty resisting the husband whom she had left behind years earlier.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
548 books3,296 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 3, 2022
This is a historical western set in the 1800s. Annabel fled the ranch where she resided with her husband after the death of their infant daughter. Unable to cope and fearing her husband was turning elsewhere she took their son hoping her husband would follow and finally choose her. When he let her go her heart was in tatters and then their son Nicholas wanted to return home to the ranch leaving Annabel alone. It’s twelve years later and she’s back wanting Gabe to finally set her free something he has no intention of doing.
I decided to read this mostly due to nostalgia I read a lot of this author's historical paperbacks back in the day and she was definitely an auto-buy for me. This is one I hadn’t read before and I had a hankering for a bit of western so I thought I’d give it a whirl.
This definitely wasn’t my favourite by this author by any means and I’m going to have to reread a couple of others by her to see if it’s just nostalgia that made me remember my experiences with this particular author so fondly or maybe my tastes have shifted dramatically but i definitely struggled with this.
The writing had such a formal undertone and there seemed to be a lot of narrating here rather than the immersion I was after. It’s hard to explain I just felt very removed from the story and it had almost an impersonal feel which coloured my whole experience. There were also a lot of outrageous and unbelievable scenarios and I definitely guessed the big twist.
I struggled to like either Annabel or Gabe thinking they were both very self-involved and proud and that their poor son was definitely collateral damage in the fallout of their immaturity. I also felt this lacked resolution when it came to Gabe’s close friend and supposed mistress Julia it just wasn’t resolved to my satisfaction I wanted further clarification over their intimacies and then it just fizzled out like some non-issue when initially it was the main bone of contention between these two.
Both Gabe and Annabel had been faithful throughout their marriage even separated which yes I could see on her part with the times and restraints on women and all that but I was slightly sceptical regarding Gabe after all he is a man not bound by these conventions and it has been twelve years. He also supports her fully financially whilst they are apart. It also confounded me that he never not once considered collecting her and bringing her home he just didn’t seem that bothered and that hardly smacks of true love to me. Annabel just wanted a grand gesture for Gabe to prove he loved and chose her over Julia and he totally tanked.
These two never had a deep and meaningful conversation on page and acted like a pair of teenagers throughout. They didn’t discuss the past beyond the superficial and I was left feeling incredibly dissatisfied. I’m a bit bemused because I used to love this author I’m hoping this is an anomaly so I’m going to read a few more for some added clarity.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/63435390
July 17, 2010
Annabel hasn't seen her husband or son in twelve years, after losing her beloved daughter she grieved deeply. Wanting to find love again and to have children once more, she comes back to Nevada, (all the way from England) and asks Gabriel for a divorce. However, Gabriel has totally different plans, now that Annabel has returned he has no reason to let her go this time. Gabe always has had a deep love for Annabel, but had too much pride the first time to go after her, this time he wants it to be different. He has no intention of letting her get a divorce, but showing her how strong they are together. After coming back to Parable, Nevada she is eager to see her son that she had to give up. Knowing that she has hurt him deeply she vows to herself to make amends and prove to him that she has always loved him even though she wasn't always there for him. Things are definitely rocky for this small family but their love is strong and will be proved time and time again, which will only draw them closer together.
I enjoyed this one that Linda Lael Miller has written, it definitely was a deep love story, the kind that always pulls at your heartstrings. I have always loved reading Linda Lael Miller, she writes in a way that takes you back in time to the old westerns, with the plains, and indians and the kind of life that is very different, but which is portrayed so vividly. What I didn't like about this book was that Annabel didn't return home sooner, after all she lived in England for about twelve years, and its understandable in some ways, but I just didn't agree with a mother not raising her son. But I guess its better late than never, and I loved how not only did Annabel and Gabe were driven to forgive one another and become closer as a couple; but Miller also developed a relationship between mother and son, that definitely forced out a tear or two out of me. So if you are looking for a deep, emotional love story that has its tense moment but has a happy ending this one is for you!!!!
I enjoyed this one that Linda Lael Miller has written, it definitely was a deep love story, the kind that always pulls at your heartstrings. I have always loved reading Linda Lael Miller, she writes in a way that takes you back in time to the old westerns, with the plains, and indians and the kind of life that is very different, but which is portrayed so vividly. What I didn't like about this book was that Annabel didn't return home sooner, after all she lived in England for about twelve years, and its understandable in some ways, but I just didn't agree with a mother not raising her son. But I guess its better late than never, and I loved how not only did Annabel and Gabe were driven to forgive one another and become closer as a couple; but Miller also developed a relationship between mother and son, that definitely forced out a tear or two out of me. So if you are looking for a deep, emotional love story that has its tense moment but has a happy ending this one is for you!!!!
January 13, 2008
This is a historical western and I really wanted to like this book, but the two main characters needed to grow the heck up. The constant bickering was horrible and I had to struggle just to finish this book.
The whole story line was awful for me. What mother abandons her 8 year old son and husband? They were both selfish, pigheaded and spoiled. She returns 12 years later for a divorce. BIG thumbs down from This Reader.
The whole story line was awful for me. What mother abandons her 8 year old son and husband? They were both selfish, pigheaded and spoiled. She returns 12 years later for a divorce. BIG thumbs down from This Reader.
November 17, 2012
Annabel McKeige returns after 12 years to the town where her husband and son live. She left after the death of her daughter and because she thought her husband was having an affair. He allowed her to assume that something was going on between him and another woman. Gabe McKeige refuses to give Annabel the divorce she requests. They work together to try and defuse potential trouble there son is getting into. Slowly they work thru there issues and misunderstandings. Very good.
January 23, 2023
After twelve years, the headstrong Annabel McKeige is back in the frontier town of Parable, Nevada. Back to face the husband she left behind ... the son she never saw grow to manhood ... and the home where her heart broke when she lost a beloved daughter. But her intentions regarding their marriage are soon clear --- even if her motives are not.
Gabe McKeige loved Annabel too fiercely to let a chance like this slip away. But the iron-willed rancher is also too proud to beg --- he didn't twelve years ago, and he won't now. So, Gabe sets out to woo Annabel the only way he knows ... with passion-filled kisses and sensual touches that conjure the sweet firestorm of their marriage bed. And Annabel is finding that the man she once left is unbearably hard to resist ...
Gabe McKeige loved Annabel too fiercely to let a chance like this slip away. But the iron-willed rancher is also too proud to beg --- he didn't twelve years ago, and he won't now. So, Gabe sets out to woo Annabel the only way he knows ... with passion-filled kisses and sensual touches that conjure the sweet firestorm of their marriage bed. And Annabel is finding that the man she once left is unbearably hard to resist ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2024
Though I no longer read much romance I always enjoyed Miller's books and I'm now working through a pile of them that have been on my TBR shelves for years (ok, decades). Nothing special about this one, if you've read anything else by Miller this is just like that. One thing I did like was the "twist" ending - though I saw it coming from a mile away and it didn't make sense that it happened the way it did when the bad guy had the perfect opportunity to do his dirty deeds with no one around to stop him and he passed it up, only to then show his true colors when surrounded by people who could put a stop to him. Still it was an exciting climax (no pun intended).
May 2, 2020
My favorite"historical romance", The Vow has been with me since I was in college.
Now, as an adult who has lost her only child, this book resonates with me.
Annabel and Gabe's relationship is one of love and heartbreak. You get to come into it years after life has happened. You get to see everyones point of view. A fantastic mystery helps it along as well.
Now, as an adult who has lost her only child, this book resonates with me.
Annabel and Gabe's relationship is one of love and heartbreak. You get to come into it years after life has happened. You get to see everyones point of view. A fantastic mystery helps it along as well.
December 18, 2018
Dobrovolně bych si knihu tohoto formátu určitě nevybrala. Ale tyjo! To bylo tak čtivé, že i učení na zkoušky šlo stranou :D
Konec byl sice trošku pomalejší a zápletka nepřirozeně vyšroubovaná, ale byla to skvělá oddychovka. Chápu, proč si tyhle knihy některé ženy kupují.
Konec byl sice trošku pomalejší a zápletka nepřirozeně vyšroubovaná, ale byla to skvělá oddychovka. Chápu, proč si tyhle knihy některé ženy kupují.
July 27, 2024
1.5. Did not like FMC. Could not get over her leaving her 7 yo child & not even trying to see him for 12 years. She was self-centered & immature. Author tried, but nothing could make Annabel likable.
October 28, 2017
TBH I love the main couple's story but their son's love story had me feeling so uncomfortable that I skimmed it most if the time.
February 18, 2020
Great story
January 17, 2020
A Great Story
This was a great book just wish it would have been a series. Am in the process of reading all her books.
This was a great book just wish it would have been a series. Am in the process of reading all her books.
January 2, 2025
3.5 rounded to 4
November 23, 2011
Story about a woman who leaves her family because she doesn't feel loved and wanted. She thought the hero would come after her but 12 years go by. She goes back to home and wants a divorce. The story worked because the couple learned to communicate.
December 6, 2011
I can't remember who recommended this book to me. I found out there are several with this title. Obviously, this wasn't the right one. :-(
February 3, 2012
Didn't love it....:(
Read
March 27, 2013Ned. Titel: nu weet ik het zeker
March 31, 2016
Slow moving. Not as good as Linda's later books.
August 11, 2010
Much better than I expected!!!!
July 11, 2011
Not one of her best, but still enjoyable.
Want to Read
May 20, 2017I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14554297
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14554297
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews