A PROMISE TO KEEP

Author: Ann Durand ISBN: 1554042151 2/2005 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: DOUBLE DRAGON PUBLISHING

The tidy world of schoolteacher Karen Hudson turns upside down as she embarks on a reckless chase from a small town in California to a jungle in Mexico, searching for the truth about the man who has captured her heart. One day after Michael Browning professes his undying love for Karen, he vanishes. Then she learns he is wanted for murder. Stunned and disbelieving, she sets out on a dangerous quest to unravel the mystery, making her the next target for murder. Michael Borbeau, alias Michael Browning, never intended to mislead Karen, or fall in love for that matter. Only the need to protect his daughter forced him to choose a new town and a new name. Now, the whole mess is threatening to surface, and he must flee to keep his daughter safe. Has he lost his beloved Karen? Will she discover the truth before the killer strikes again? Will they succeed in finding each other before the killer finds them?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Maybe it's the short length, or maybe it's the far-fetched plot. Whatever it is, A PROMISE TO KEEP by Ann Durand, did not keep me entertained.

I need more "meat" with my story. Everything seems so rushed here, with details missing or crammed in at the last minute. A lot of time is spent describing past incidents and not enough is spent of carving out what is happening in the present. Relationships are skimmed over and there is never a chance to get to know the hero at all. There is absolutely no chemistry between the two mains, since they are together only in the very beginning of the story.

As for the plot, a school teacher dates a man for six-months (they have never been intimate) and yet she decides to traipse all over Mexico and California hoping to prove he is not guilty of murdering his wife's lover, while he goes into hiding with his daughter once again. Huh?! I am not questioning falling in love in that span of time, or even being framed for murder. I am questioning why the hero doesn't even try to clear his name—at all. Instead, a woman he barely knows (and his sister) are doing detective work while being trailed by the FBI and stalked by the crazy wife. Hmmmmm...that's pretty out there to me.

As for the framing, this guy is like a lamb to the slaughter. Sure, his wife does a decent frame job, but wouldn't you at least try to prove your innocence? Write a letter or something, do some sleuthing, anything! He has a daughter to protect so I try to cut him some slack, but then again, he barely moves away from the town the murder happens in! Not too smart, in my opinion.

The bottom line here is that the author has something cool to work with, but it's not fully developed. It is quick and choppy, with a true need for a hero with some gumption, and a whole lot more details.

Shannon Johnson