Promises to Keep

By: Ann Tatlock

Narrated by: Barbara Caruso

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Christy Award winner Ann Tatlock is a top name in inspirational fiction. In Promises to Keep, 11-year-old Rosalind finds 70-year-old Tillie on her front porch - again. Wanting to die in the place where she lived for half a century, Tillie continues leaving her senior living complex and finding her way “home.” Annoyed at first, Rosalind’s mother finally lets Tilly live with them. And when danger nears, Tillie selflessly determines to protect the family she has adopted as her own.

©2011 Ann Tatlock (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Love and Real Family

Roz, who's eleven years old wants her daddy . . . what girl doesn't? And she, her brothers and her mother have left him and moved to a new town . . . where her mom now has a job . . . Her daddy cried like a baby when they left . . . he said he'd change . . . Now, of all the things, Tillie, the old woman who used to own the house that they've bought, comes sitting on the front porch, saying it's HER house. Tillie wants to die in their house. She and her husband built that house. Well, her mom needs a babysitter . . . so I guess Tillie's moving in! It's just all too much for Roz . . . who dreams of her mom and daddy reconciling . . . and living happily ever after. And Roz' new friend, Mara has some daddy dreams of her own . . . so they make a pact, they will keep each other's daddy dreams a secret. It's just that some things about daddy just don't exactly add up . . .

The insights of an adult, told through the voice o

Where does Promises to Keep rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best I've read in a long while, and as good as Tatlock's I'll Watch the Moon or All the Way Home.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Promises to Keep?

The last few chapters were great, but could only have been so because Tatlock wove such a gripping story with such great characters.

Which scene was your favorite?

Tilly to the rescue! I'll not give it away.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Too many to mention.

Any additional comments?

I love the warmth of Barbara Caruso, and often buy a book because of her reading. She obviously pays close attention to the characters in the books she narrates, which is a bonus for the listener.

Loving family and loving friends

A story of heartbreak in a family and a old woman with a big heart. When the family moves to a new town, the
former owner moves right in with them, despite the reservations of the mother of the house.
But the older lady is their salvation from an abusive marriage and a chance for a new life! Great
narrator - I could listen to Barbara Caruso for hours, really..

Promises of longing and hope

Would you listen to Promises to Keep again? Why?

Yes. I read this book in print and enjoyed it. The narration was OK, but Tatlock can weave a coming-of-age tale with longing and hope in such a way that a so-so narration doesn't destroy it.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Her narrative passages were pretty good, but her dialogue was prety weak. Also, it's hard to listen to an older narrator try and play so many young characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both laugh and cry in spots.

Any additional comments?

I am not a big Barbara Caruso fan, but this book stands up to her mediocre performance. It is a wonderful read, full of the hope and longing and denial of a young girl who is having to understand a grown-up world that she really doesn't want to know. Even placing this book in 1967-68 indicates the changing morres of a society whose youth wholeheartedly embrace change while the grown-up world wants to stay separate. Beautiful outing for Tatlock.

Wonderful Story

What did you love best about Promises to Keep?

I loved the characters in this book. All of them just came to life as I listened. The story was intriguing and I couldn't put it down. I especially liked Roz, Tillie and Beatrice.

Have you listened to any of Barbara Caruso’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.