Sarah Storme, Strength of a Promise

Strength of a Promise

Sarah Storme

Five Star, November 2006, $26.95

ISBN: 1594145172

Widow Diana Duncan gave up her nice apartment and her successful catering business to leave New York to open a B&B in Hillton, Texas because a gang of teens assaulted her eight year old child Carrie. However, her nana's beloved 'palace' is in disrepair, starting with a leaking roof. She hires local Thad Crowley to make repairs. This is his first real job since he came home from California last year because his mother needs him; Thad left Hillton almost two decades ago over a scandal in which he promised to say nothing.

As he shows kindness to a still somewhat traumatized Carrie, Thad falls in love with Diana. The two Duncan females reciprocate his deepest feelings for them. She learns somewhat about the scandal, and though he wants to tell her the truth, he adheres by his vow. He knows that it might cost him everything that matters, but if he breaks his honor, his beloved would never see him in the same light.

Readers will feel for Carrie whose fears are obvious, and admire Diana for her sacrifice to insure her daughter feels safe, but the tale belongs in many ways to the honorable Thad, who seems like a throwback to a different era when one's word means one's bond, even at a deep personal cost. The storyline is character driven, as the townsfolk loath Thad, and by association begin to not like Diana and consequently Carrie. Fans will want to know what the secret is all about, as Thad risks a chance for happiness with the two Duncan females because he concludes to break an oath would coast him Diana who expects a high code of ethics.