A Mother's Promise

Who knew a fresh start could be so hard?

Not single mom Lisa Marley. She'd made her share of mistakes, but now she just wanted a chance to rebuild trust – and to raise her daughter, Cecily. All she needed was her new faith, not all-too-sure-of-himself Ethan Vance from New Beginnings at church. Widower Ethan could tell secrets hid behind Lisa's quiet facade.

Between the challenges of raising three children, his church duties and pursuing a long-cherished dream, he took every opportunity to know her better. As their relationship grew, he wondered if Lisa held the key to his own new beginning, too.

About the author

Ruth Scofield grew up in Kansas City, Missouri in a time when “Let’s pretend…” and “What if…” were everyday phrases based on only movies and books. No TV or video games. She graduated from Paseo High School, then married Charles Schmidt at nineteen. They have lived in Chicago, New York State, and Washington, D.C. Ruth gained her first professional writing experience by writing small features and social news for The Independent-Leader, a weekly newspaper, which served all of Rockland County, New York. Nevertheless, Ruth’s heart was always in fiction. A few years later, while living in a Washington, D. C. suburb, Romance Writers of America came to town in its third annual conference. Ruth raced to join. From there she joined a hard working critique group and sold her first novel in 1992.Now back in Missouri, Ruth continues to study the craft and art of writing. She enjoys family gatherings, her grandchildren, and studying Missouri/Kansas history, especially, the rich lore of the westward trails–Louis & Clark, Santa Fe, California, Oregon, and Mormon.