Kristina Hall certainly knows how to grab her reader’s attention and keep them burning the midnight oil just to read one more chapter. Promises Unbroken is Ms. Hall’s first book in the Moretti Trilogy and it is reminiscent of historical mafia stories about a criminal head of a family that has been embroiled in criminal activities for more than one generation.

ACTION: The action begins on the very first page as Mae Ashton realizes someone is following her. Mae has left her family and home to go in search of her sister, whom many believe is dead, but Mae can’t shake the feeling that Hazel is still alive. Danger cranks the action up a notch as Mae is threatened and the fiance she left behind shows up determined to take her home or help her in her search.

ADVENTURE: Adventure and danger seem to follow Mae and her fiance, Davis, everywhere they go, even when they make an attempt to make it look like Mae has left town to return to her hometown. Eventually, the adventure and danger all come to a head in a daring rescue attempt that includes a very unexpected twist.

ROMANCE: The romance in Promises Unbroken is not at the forefront of this story, and there are actually two love stories woven into all of the danger, action, and adventure of this novel. There is a love story between Mae and Davis as well as a dysfunctional love story between two other characters in the novel. Both love stories are subplots to the mystery/suspense and are presented clean and tastefully.

RELIGION: The religion in Promises Unbroken is clearly Christian and is most prevalent through Davis and his interactions with Mae and a ruthless henchman for a corrupt businessman, Alberto Moretti. There are quotes from the Bible, but no footnotes anywhere to give the scripture reference or which translation of the Bible was used.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This book was definitely a good read and I found it unique compared to the majority of mystery/suspense novels on the current market. The two love stories and the obvious dysfunction of one and the more healthy relationship of the other make great parallels that add to the depth of the story. Though this is the first book of a trilogy, the ending is satisfactory and doesn’t leave the reader hanging on the edge of a cliff anxiously awaiting the next book.

I recommend this book to mystery/suspense fans and readers who like surprising twists, as well as anyone who really likes unique stories and stories reminiscent of a past era.