"Timely romantic suspense"

For the past five years, widow Suzanna Quinn has diligently worked as the principal of Fairholm High School in New York. Her philosophy is openness and honesty with the faculty, students, and parents. Until recently that has proven quite successful, but popular student Zach Riley changes the climate when he shockingly commits suicide leaving a note behind that warns Suzanna of a threat to her.

Secret Service Agent Joe Stonehouse pushed the formation of the School Threat Assessment Team after a gunman killed his beloved niece and four other teenagers. Now he believes Fairholm High School could be in jeopardy based on Zach's suicide note and an alleged hit list. He goes underground as a crisis counselor at the school. However, he finds himself very attracted to Suzanna and knows he violates everything she believes in with his covert activity.

With all the incidents in schools over the past decade and the post 9/11 homeland security question, PROMISES TO KEEP is a timely romantic suspense. The story line is well written as Suzanna epitomizes the struggle when community safety tramples on individual rights and the need to know. The romance between the lead protagonists augments the dispute between Joe and Suzanna on what needs to remain cloaked in secrecy. Kathryn Shay provides no easy answers to the safety and security vs. freedom debate, but the audience will feel they have read a completely thrilling tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 15, 2002

Summary

As Fairholm High principal, Suzanna Quinn was proud of her school and her students. She'd worked hard to keep things as open and as safe as possible, and although a recent tragedy had shocked and saddened everyone, she was determined to develop better communication between the students and teachers as well. But there was no reason for the district to hire a Crisis Counselor-especially without her knowledge or approval.

Secret Service Agent Joe Stonehouse knew he could never tell Suzanna his real reason for being at the school. But he also couldn't deny his feelings for her. Still, he had to stay focused on the critical nature of his assignment- one which grew increasingly dangerous with every passing day. He made a vow, and although it meant threatening all that he loved, he intended to keep it...