Promises to Keep

Susan Crandall
Warner Forever, March 2005
Chick-Lit/Romance

Reviewer: Kevin Tipple
Posted: October 25, 2005

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Molly Boudreau finally has what she always thought she wanted since grade school-a career as a doctor. But now that she is one, she isn't very happy with herself or her place in life. She hates the politics of her paying job at a local Boston hospital and the free clinic she wanted so much to succeed is going under due to a lack of community financial support. The clinic has seen lots of patients but most are not repeat customers for one reason or the other. Sarah Morgan is one of the few and Molly sees so much of herself in Sarah it hurts. As this novel opens, Sarah has come to the clinic seeking help because she is very far along in her labor and will not go to a hospital.

Hospitals mean questions she won't or can't answer and thanks to a storm hitting the Boston area, Molly is forced to deliver Sarah's baby herself as best she can. The baby is born and doing well as Sarah names him Nicholas and tells Molly that his father is evil and can never know about the baby. She repeats the same story a few days later when she suddenly shows up at Molly's apartment doorstep. Sarah convinces Molly to keep Nicholas safe for a day or two while Sarah makes arrangements to protect his future. It becomes clear the next day through televised media reports that whatever Sarah planned failed and it cost her life. Molly does the only thing she can do.

She runs taking Nicholas back home to her small town and as she passes him off as her own child born out of wedlock she has to deal with the inevitable fallout of her decision. Afraid for Nicholas she does not know whom to trust and it soon becomes clear, the father isn't the only one looking.

As this novel moves forward it shifts in point of view by way of handful of characters each with their own complicated storyline. While the novel is primarily Molly's story the lines between main and secondary characters are often blurred as each has a heavy interest in the outcome. Along the way, Molly finds out more about herself than she ever thought possible and more about the others folks in her life, both friends and family, and that help can come from unexpected places. Rich in characters and settings, this multi storyline read moves steadily forward in all aspects to a satisfying ending sure to delight fans of this author and genre.

About Kevin Tipple

Kevin Tipple has been the editor of the zine “The Write Advice” and was also co-editor of the zine, “The Freshwave.” His short story fiction hasappeared in such magazines as Lost Worlds, Lynx Eye, Show and Tell, and Starblade among others. Currently, while reviewing books for several different sites, Kevin also owns and moderates the group ReviewersChoice listed in Yahoo Groups. In addition to numerous short stories, which are currently making the marketrounds, he is at work on his first novel, a murder mystery.

View our OnceWritten.com Kevin Tipple profile now.

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Copyright Info

Promises to Keep, Susan Crandall
Warner Forever, March 2005

Review © Kevin Tipple, 2005

Segments quoted from this review must give credit to both the reviewer--Kevin Tipple and OnceWritten.com. The review may not be resold or re-distributed in any manner without express, written consent from the reviewer and/or OnceWritten.com.

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