The Promise of Jesse Woods

Written by Chris Fabry

Narrated by Chris Fabry

The summer of 1972 was the most pivotal of Matt Plumley's childhood. While his beloved Pirates battle for back-to-back World Series titles, Matt's family moves from Pittsburgh to Dogwood, West Virginia, where his father steps into the pulpit of a church under the thumb of town leader Basil Blackwood. A fish out of water, Matt is relieved to forge a fast bond with two unlikely friends: Dickie Darrel Lee Hancock, a mixed-race boy, and Jesse Woods, a tough-as-nails girl with a sister on her hip and no dad in sight. As the trio traipses the hills and hollers, Matt begins to fall for Jesse, and their promises to each other draw him deeper into her terrifying reality. One night, the wrath of the Blackwoods and the secrets of Jesse's family collide, and Matt joins Jesse in a rescue that saves one life and ends another . . . and severs the bond of their friendship. Years later, Matt is pulled back to Dogwood and to memories of that momentous summer by news of Jesse's upcoming wedding. He could never shake the feeling that there was more to the story of that fateful night, and he's determined to learn the truth behind the only promise Jesse Woods ever broke.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781501923838

Chris Fabry

CHRIS FABRY is a graduate of W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and Moody bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program. Chris can be heard daily on Love Worth Finding, featuring the teaching of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. He received the 2008 "Talk Personality of the Year" Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. He has published more than 60 books since 1995, many of them fiction for younger readers. Chris collaborated with Jerry B. Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye on the children's series Left Behind: The Kids. His two novels for adults, Dogwood and June Bug, are published by Tyndale House Publishers. Chris is married to his wife Andrea and they have five daughters and four sons.

Reviews for The Promise of Jesse Woods

[Vicki Watson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Hated the ending. :( The pastor was spineless. Couldn't stand him after he wouldn't protect Jesse.

[Diane Pater · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Again, well done, well done, can’t wait to listen to another one

[lilyroseshadowlyn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A really powerful story. Although the timeline switches in the narrative, it helps rather than detracts from the reader's experience. Masterfully woven, The Promise of Jesse Woods is a powerful tale of love, heartache, secrets, and second chances. Somethings shape our lives forever, for better or worse.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Chris Fabry can tell a story. His novels reach right to the heart of the matter while weaving a tale that fully immerses a reader into the time, place, and characters’ lives. In The Promise of Jesse Woods, Fabry returns to Dogwood, WV, a town that has seen its fair share of heartbreak and redemption. This time three kids on the verge of adulthood explore the dirt roads and woods around Dogwood. Their summer adventures are impacted by greed, betrayal, and cowardice of adults. A coming-of-age novel that will touch your heart, The Promise of Jesse Woods is a highly recommended read.Dogwood once again comes to life in The Promise of Jesse Woods. There is a dual time line (1972 and 1984) as Matt Plumley recounts his first months in the town his parents have returned to. I loved how Chris incorporated the events and fads of that year as he lays the foundation for the story. Overweight, a bit of a misfit, and with a love for all things baseball, Matt becomes friends with Jesse and Dickie. On the fringe of polite Dogwood society, these two accept Matt and include him in ways he has never been before. The three make unlikely friends, differing in many ways, yet their shared isolation, bonds them. Until tragedy rips their friendships apart. Twelve years later, Matt returns to right the wrongs done to him and Jesse.Fabry’s writing is beautiful even as it recounts the ugliness in the world. Innocence is destroyed in all three of the main characters’ lives as they deal with death, deception and plain, old-fashioned meanness. The novel is told in Matt’s first person voice which provides insight into what the characters are dealing with. Yet Matt’s knowledge is incomplete. It is not until the end of the novel when all things become clear. The events of the summer of 1972 only make sense in his return to Dogwood in the fall of 1984. That’s when Matt learns the whole truth, and comes to understand himself. The Promise of Jesse Woods is a journey of growth for more than Matt, as all characters are forced to reflect on the choices they made twelve years before.I listened to the audiobook, which I recommend as well. Fabry is the narrator, so you know that the story is told just the way it should be.I would characterize The Promise of Jesse Woods as literary fiction. It is writing at its best and a guaranteed great read!Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.

[anne_rightler-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Promise of Jesse Woods by Christ Fabry is a wonderful book that draws you into the everyday lives of his characters. It is an engaging book that brings you to small town West Virginia and tells the story of three children who are best of friends and have secrets that must be kept and promises that may change as time goes by. Fabry gives a gritty view of poverty and broken families, of racism and bullying, and the grief of wartime decisions and death. The characters are realistic and evocative and you either love 'em or hate 'em! The story unfolds through a flashback type construct and flows well and quickly with a little humor, twists and turns and a satisfactory ending. Woven throughout is the truth of faith. When horrible things happen, is God really there? Does He even care? And when you find the truth what do you do with it? The Promise of Jesse Woods is a provocative and poignant coming of age story not to be missed.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Book Club network. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If I could give this book ten stars I would. The writing is extremely beautiful and the story captivates an audience right from the beginning page. It will leave you wanting more. Be prepared for the ending, because it is a tear jerker. The story takes place between 1972-1984. An unlikely friendship has developed between Matt, the new kid , Dickie, an African American boy and Jesse the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Matt is a likeable kid and is trying to fit in at a new school and finds it hard to do at tines. His character is one that you want to be friends with because you know he is going to have a hard time making lasting friends. He is kinda chubby and of course other kids use that to make him feel self conscious . He has a great quality that a lot of people lack. He is a true friend to the end and he keeps his promises. He is also know as PK. I was a PK Aldo and know how hard it can be at times to have a dad who is a preacher. The story follows the trio as they go through some tough times growing up. I have to say that Jesse was my favorite character. She is a tough as nails girl who ferociously protects her little sister. She has made a promise to her mother. What promise did she make? Does she keep her promise or forget about as she gets older? I loved that she never backed down from a fight and would do anything for you if you were her friend. She was made fun of because she was poor . She acted like it didn't bother her, but deep down her heart was broken. It's hard to feel unwanted and to alone in the world. Dickie is a great kid but has to deal with his dad being away serving in the Vietnam War. Dickie misses his dad and is so proud of his patriotism. I loved the friendship between Dickie and Matt. Dickie has this wonderful saying that he tells everyone. "I'm looking for a breakthrough. " Does he ever find his breakthrough" Matt and Dickie seemed to be inseparable until a secret is revealed that causes their friendship to end. What secret destroyed their friendship? Will Dickie ever forgive Matt? I loved the story that flowed with ease and kept me glued to the pages as Matt's life is told with humor, sadness, and promises. The story is emotional at times and I became attached to the characters. The blooming attraction between Jesse and Matt is sweet and a wonderful coming of age story. This is one story you will never forget. Why does Matt come back after all these years to his hometown? How important is it to keep a promise? "Man looks on the outside but God looks at the heart." "If you can't keep a promise, what can you keep?" I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This made me laugh and cry. I didn't want to put it down. I loved the characters. It takes one back to a simpler time but no time is really simple. There are always weird things waiting to happen. This goes from the past to the present to help Matt figure out his life. He thinks he needs to stop an old friend from making a terrible mistake. This draws him back to his hometown. Loved it. I received this book from Tyndale for a fair and honest opinion.