Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock
February 1, 2011 by Bethany House
Paperback, 368 Pages
Review Copy
Eleven-year-old Roz (Rosalind) Anthony and her family have just moved to Mills River, Illinois, to escape an abusive situation. Only days after settling into their new home, they are surprised to find the previous owner, Tillie Monroe, on their front porch reading the newspaper. Though her sons have sold the house and sent her to a facility for the aged, she is determined to die in the place she lived her life, and somehow manages to find her way "home" day after day. Feeling sympathy for the elderly woman, Roz's mother allows Tillie to move back in.
Mara Nightingale becomes Roz's first friend in Mills River. In spite of their many differences, the girls discover they have something in common that binds them together--both are hiding secrets. So they make a promise--"cross my heart and hope to die"--never to tell anyone else. When danger stalks the Anthonys, Tillie exhibits unimaginable courage and selfless love in her determination to protect the family she has adopted as her own.
Review
A little girls father should be the protector in her life and the hero of her young soul, for Roz her father is a man of spilt personalities. One side of him is loving and caring, but the more frequent side, the one that comes after a night of drinking whiskey is violent and scary. Desperate for change and fearing for the life of her kids, Janis leaves Alan and moves her three children next to her father where they can start a new life.
A little girls father should be the protector in her life and the hero of her young soul, for Roz her father is a man of spilt personalities. One side of him is loving and caring, but the more frequent side, the one that comes after a night of drinking whiskey is violent and scary. Desperate for change and fearing for the life of her kids, Janis leaves Alan and moves her three children next to her father where they can start a new life.
Shortly after moving into their new house they are greeted by an elderly woman named Tillie who shows up every morning on their porch. The daily visits uncover the fact that Tillie was the previous owner who landed herself in the hospital after an accident. Her sons thinking it was best sold the house and moved her into an elderly home. Well with spit and fire Tillie demands her home back and stats her main goal is to die in the house that she helped her husband build. At first Janis is annoyed by the disruptions but soon see’s Tillie’s insistence as a blessing. She lets Tillie move in and slowly over time they become family.
Not all is sun and roses in the Anthony’s life though, Wally the eldest son is struggling with anger and starts contemplating enlisting in the war, Janis is working full time and trying to move past her abusive marriage by dating the first schmuck that shows interest. Mara, Roz’s new best friend is struggling with having bi-racial parents and Roz is secretly seeing her father (the one they ran from) when he beckons her to come. As Alan manipulates Roz into secrecy he uses her to find out about Janis and things that are going on. He’s promised Roz that things will be different, that he’s getting help and saving up for them to be a family again and while Roz feels a twinge of fear from lying to her mom she cant help but hold unto the hope that her father really has changed. As the story unfolds though we readers know that Alan has a much more different outcome in mind than the cheery painted picture he has shown Roz.
This was a fun (and by fun I mean getting to know Tillie) fast-moving sometimes tenderhearted and at times suspenseful novel. Being my first Ann Tatlock novel I was happy to discover yet another inspirational writer who takes her stories to the edge with character and plot development. Even though most of the characters in Promises to Keep play a background role, Roz’s first person narrative brings them to life. As the reader I wanted to protect Roz from her father, I wanted to jump in and tell Janis to wake up…I wanted to scream at Mara to go tell her parents….I wanted to give Wally a big hug….and I wanted to see justice come for Alan. I found myself caring about all the characters, I found myself loving Tillie and overall while predictable in spots the story moved along nicely and ended with lovely closure. Lovers of family drama's, the 60's era and wholesome suspense will enjoy.
"So our young men, who are suppose to be our up-and-coming leaders, mind you, they're all turning themselves out like Timothy Leary and getting high on that marijuana tobacco and singing about some answer that's blowing in the wind. Blowing in the wind my foot! The answers plain as day,and its blowing right over their long-haired heads."........pg.177 (Tillie's thoughts on Vietnam and the state of America....)
Rating
Promises to Keep can be enjoyed by adult and mature teen readers. Content includes: Violence, domestic abuse, alcoholism, drug use, Vietnam War discussions and racial slurs.
4.5/5- Christian Fiction-Contemporary-60's
Thanks to Bethany House and the Cfba for review Copy
Sounds intriguing. I'm a sucker for a good cover.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it has wonderful characterization and that's always what I look for most in a book:) I can't even imagine being in the position Roz is in, wanting to believe her father but secretly knowing he probably hasn't changed. Beautiful review Tina!
ReplyDeleteA story with a little of everything it seems. With content that sounds so heavy in the premise, I wouldn't expect fun and fast-moving, but I love it when a story surprises you.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, T.
Oh, I've not heard of this one, but it sounds lovely! And, after all the dreariness of late, I have to say. . . this might be a great book with a solid ending that a person who needs a pick-me-up can read. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete@Michele- I love the braids!
ReplyDelete@Jenny- I know you dont read inspy but this would really be a great one for anyone who wants wholesome and not preachy.
@Missie- You know by fun I was refering to Tillie's character...she brought so much humor to the book. It was never a sad book...more of a characters overcoming book...:)
@BiblioB- It has the making for pick-me-up due to its hopeful message,there is serious stuff in it but overall just enjoyable.
Whoa. Sounds powerful. I bet I would have the strong inkling to slap this daddy.
ReplyDeleteGreat review.
PS Thanks for your advice :)
The characters sound amazing. Definitely one for my wishlist. Wonderful review :)
ReplyDeleteWhen there's danger comes from Anthony, exhibitions Tillie unimaginable courage and selfless love in his decision to protect the family.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy picking up a novel by Ann Tatlock, because they are so easy to get lost inside I became completely immersed in the story and characters feel like.
ReplyDelete