Helpful Score: 1
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 reader a thrilling complete tale.
Harriet Klausner
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 reader a thrilling complete tale.
Harriet Klausner
Helpful Score: 1
As Fairholm High principal, Suzanna Quinn was proud of her school and her students. She'd worked hard to keep things as open and 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. 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 that grew increasingly dangerous with every passing day. He'd made a vow, and alhtough it meant threatening all that he loved, he intended to keep it...
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 that grew increasingly dangerous with every passing day. He'd made a vow, and alhtough it meant threatening all that he loved, he intended to keep it...
Helpful Score: 1
Since I have taught high school, this book grabbed me from the first page. Great romantic suspense. Order this book, you won't be sorry you did.
Loved this book. It was the first one I had read of Kathryn Shay's and I have read all of her books since.
I enjoyed this story. It deals with undercover agents in a school environment. The principal is a woman who dislikes government interference and control. The main undercover agent lost a niece to school violence. There's a secondary romance between a teacher and another agent who's posing as a student that was a bit disturbing but was dealt with. I think what I enjoyed most about this story was that I was able to see both sides and understand how each person felt about what they believed in and why they felt that way. I didn't agree with how the principal ran the school letting the students decided punishment, etc yet enough of her background is given to understand why she feels the way she does.
Very good read!
This is a great book! It's a story about A high-school principal that resents the new Crisis Counselor named Joe Stonehouse who is assigned to her school,But he is really an undercover Secret Service Agent.Quick read and good story. I just couldn't put it down.
I have a problem with books that appear to cash in on personal tragedies. This book also was high on the ick factor for me due to a burgeoning relationship between an undercover agent and a teacher. The agent was posing as a high school student.
Great story on violence in todays schools, and romance to boot.
