STORY-LINE A PROMISE TO KEEP BY SUSAN GABLE:

Susan Gable's takes us back to join the Hawkins family in A Promise To Keep. Hayden, love 'em and leave 'em, Hawkins made a promise to his dying brother, Ian, to watch over his son Nick and Nick's mother Ronni. Today proved he had not done a very good job. Nick's in those awful teen years of rebellion; given a chance, rather than going to jail, Hayden agrees to Ronni's suggestion to the Judge to mentor Nick during his probationary period. Feeling he has let Ian down, Hayden agrees. However, that does not ease the hard feelings he has for Ronni and her dissertation of a dying Ian. Stirring up old hurts, wounds, and desires, this situation will be a power keg. My romance book review of A Promise To Keep follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

First, let me say how much I like the Hawkins family and the women they love. Strong, independent, and trust-worthy, the men of the family will make your heart pound and admiration for the women. A strong family with every day problems, they're not a fairy tale family, but realistic with dynamics, issues, and drama. Ex-Marine Hayden,now a high school teacher, faces a situation where he would rather dance with devil than make nice with Ronni. Ronnie's the girl he once wanted before brother Ian stepped in.

Watching Hayden come to terms with his feelings and issues gives the reader a look into the real Hayden. Through counseling Nick, Hayden comes to recognize the good in Ronni and the situations she faced. Nick is holding a hurtful secret close, protecting his mom. Seeing Nick grow through this story was wonderful; he's not a bad kid just a typical teenager; full of hormones and mouth. I saw myself in some of his attitudes. Ronni, as well, has issues and revelations to face.

Watching Ronni struggle with her permanent vegetative state husband, Scott, who came back from the Iraq war broken, made my heart bled for her. His escapades overseas were a betrayal, the struggle to raise a teenager, and earn a living, overwhelming to Ronni. I wondered if I could have been as kind and gentle as she was after the things he had done. Hayden noticed Ronni and Nick shut down when to came to talking about Scott; something's up with this shut down. Bringing Ronni back into the family, would not be easy, however, Hayden set his mind to keeping his promise to Ian. Love's in the air.

To reduce the intense emotions of the serious side of this book, Gable included laughter; I thought Hayden's problems with his spandex Captain Chemo suit so funny. Then, the family name for him was also hilarious; want everyone to know some bit of news, just tell Hayden. Oh, and when Nick...no you will have to read the book. In concluding my romance book review of A Promise To Keep, I found a wonderful romance with pacing in line with the length of the book, it did not lag or bog down. Gable included several plot lines, as well as, well-developed characters. This book has an intense love scene, which I did not find offensive. A Promise To Keep has a lot of heartache but also a lot of love; you will not regret buying this book.
A PROMISE TO KEEP RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4