Mallory Hammond wants to save a life. At 17, her parents prevented her from donating her kidney to her young cousin, who died soon after. Several years later, Mallory is once again prevented from donating a kidney when she discovers she has a minor medical condition. Despite having a loving boyfriend and family, as well as a job from which she receives great satisfaction, Mallory feels an emptiness inside. She is sure she was meant to save someone and determined to find a way. When the cousin of a good friend presents an opportunity, Mallory jumps in with both feet, only to find she has landed on dangerous foreign soil. The only way back will be through faith, love, friendship, and the promise her boyfriend made to bring her home.

"Wiseman uses her excellent storytelling skills to share an event that impacted several lives and opened the eyes and heart of her main character."

Tate Webber loves Mallory and wants to spend the rest of his life with her, but senses reluctance whenever he mentions marriage. His beloved girlfriend seems to be searching for something she needs to find before settling down. He wishes it was the faith he feels so deeply --- a faith that Mallory touches but does not fully embrace. Tate has more on his mind than Mallory, however, as one of his young piano students has been dropped off at his house...with a suitcase. Orphaned and living with his aunt, Verdell has sadness by the busload. Tate likes the kid and feels sorry for him, but doesn’t know what to do. When the boy says his aunt isn’t coming back, Tate knows he has some tough decisions to make.

Mallory has faced a tough decision as well and feels certain she has made the right choice. Her boss’s cousin in Pakistan has a teen daughter with cancer and cannot come to the U.S. to get the medical treatment she needs. But if Mallory marries the father, Abdul, they can all come to the U.S. Once the daughter receives her lifesaving treatment, Mallory and Abdul can divorce. Abdul is handsome and charming when they talk and Skype, making Mallory ignore warnings from friends and family, who tell her of the dangers of being an American in Pakistan, especially the area she’s planning to visit. But to Mallory, it’s worth the risk. And after all, it’s just for two weeks.

Tate races to the airport to stop Mallory, but nothing he says makes a difference. Back home, he and Verdell are getting closer, and it’s looking like the boy’s aunt is gone for good. Each time Tate tries to make the call that will place Verdell in foster care, he hangs up before connecting with anyone.

While Tate turns to God for guidance and prays for Mallory’s safety, Mallory is discovering the dark side of Abdul. Nearly everything was a lie, from his daughter’s cancer to his sweet personality. Sick and captive, Mallory is forced to marry Abdul. As with many lost souls, she finds God in her darkest hour, and pleas with Him to protect her and Abdul’s wife and daughter, as all three face the deadly wrath of Abdul.

Bestselling author Beth Wiseman strays far from her Amish books with THE PROMISE, a captivating novel based on a true story. Though I found it difficult to fully relate to Mallory’s decision to go to Pakistan, it didn’t stop me from turning page after page to see what happens next. Wiseman uses her excellent storytelling skills to share an event that impacted several lives and opened the eyes and heart of her main character. She truly captures the heartache, fear, loyalty and strength of everyone involved. I would consider this a “crossover” book as both Christian and secular readers will find it riveting.