Promises Author:Charlotte Vale Allen At the heart of this poignant novel the relationship of between two sisters, orphaned during the Depression and utterly on their own. Jess, eighteen, frightened and shy, shapes her entire life around the pledge to her dying father: to take care of her younger sister. Penniless, desperate, and full of self-hate, Jess is prepared to se... more »ll herself. Tillie, totally self-absorbed and easily spoiled, refuses her sister's love with a frenzy of hatred, greed and jealousy.
Jamieson Land, a famous photographer; unwittingly rescues Jess from the streets to model for him. For the first time, he reveals to her the darker side of her nature. Desperate to get away from Land, Jess and Tillie hitchhike to Toronto with Rene, a French-Canadian trucker. Protector and only friend of Jess, Rene helps her become established and accepts the fact that he has come to love this woman that he cannot have.
Pursued by Sanford Woodrich, wealthy businessman, Jess is released from the self-loathing and sexual turmoil inflicted on her by her past. As Sandy's wife, Jess begins a wonderful new life. Delighted with the birth of her two sons, Sandy's continuing good fortune, and Tillie's perfect-seeming marriage to Prescott Ames, Jess finds peace for herself.
Her happiness is overshadowed and shattered by intrusions from her past --- Jess is blackmailed, a child is kidnapped, and her sister's old hostility becomes uncontrollable.
Pregnant with her third child, Jess next must confront the horrible fact that her husband is terminally ill. As he lies dying, she once again makes major promise: to rebuild his sagging financial empire herself. Before the crisis is resolved, there are some surprising developments and the fulfillment of several old promises.« less