A Promise of Safekeeping

by Lisa Dale

A beautiful new tale of redemption from the author of Slow Dancing on Price's Pier Nine years ago, Lauren Matthews prosecuted the case of a lifetime. But her error in judgment sent an innocent man to prison for a long time. Now Arlen Fieldstone has finally been released, and Lauren has only one thing on her asking forgiveness. How can she make up for nine years of his life?

To get to Arlen, Lauren must first get through Arlen's best friend, Will Farris. Will hasn't forgotten Lauren from those days, and he hasn't forgiven her for destroying his best friend's life. He is Arlen's keeper, protecting him from suspicious neighbors as well as from Lauren.

In the steaming summer streets of Richmond, Virginia, three people's lives collide. Lauren needs forgiveness. Arlen needs hope. And Will? He needs something too, something that no one can know-especially not Lauren...

Genres: Fiction, Romance

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2012

About the author

A lifelong bookworm, Lisa Dale is a firm believer that there are few things in life better than curling up with a novel and a cup of tea. Lisa Dale grew up in rural Northwestern New Jersey before attending McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. She worked briefly in publishing before going back to school to get an MFA in fiction at Fairleigh Dickinson University. A nominee for Best New American Voices and the Pushcart Prize, her writing appears in many literary magazines, such as The Writer, Fourth Genre, Flyway, Fugue, Sou’wester, The Southeast Review, The MacGuffin, Many Mountains Moving, and more.

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Expected Publication Date: January 3rd 2012

A Promise of Safekeeping was kindly provided to me by Netgalley for Penguin Group (USA).

Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!

2.5 stars
Nine years ago Arlen Fieldstone was convicted of murdering the wife of Senator Juan Raimez. Today, he’s been exonerated of all charges and is now a free man. Lauren becomes so distraught over her role in putting away an innocent man and taking away 9 years of his life, she travels down to Virginia to apologize to him.

“Lauren had thought she’d wanted to give something to Arlen: her apology. Her willingness to step up and take some responsibility for what had happened to him.”

This was a novel about forgiveness and second chances, but I didn’t relate with the characters which made their actions hard to understand.

The one section of the story that I would like to point out is a letter to the editor that Lauren’s brother actually wrote and submitted:
”Dear Editor: Everyone is pointing at Lauren Matthews for Arlen Fieldstone’s wrongful conviction. But here’s the truth: She’s not a cop, so she didn’t gather evidence. All she could do was interpret it for the jury. If you want to blame someone for Arlen’s mistreatment, blame the jury that convicted him. Blame the cops who botched the evidence. Blame a weak defense. But don’t blame Lauren Matthews for doing her job.”

Despite the fact that this was a biased statement, as the writer was her own brother, it still has a ring of truth: in the long run it really wasn’t her fault. She was presented the evidence from the police and it was her job as a prosecutor to convince the jury that the defendant should be convicted. I understand this and I especially think that anyone who has studied law would feel the same.

Will’s quick infatuation with Lauren seemed ill-placed with the rest of the story. This is supposed to be a woman that he can’t stand because in his eyes she’s the sole reason for why his best friend was put away for 9 years for a crime he didn’t commit. Yet by their second time around each other he’s already considering how good looking she is and by the fourth he’s imagining her in bed. Just seemed like a wrong piece in the puzzle that shouldn’t have been included.

Essentially, I enjoyed the story; however, I really had a hard time understanding the main characters guilt over the conviction of an innocent man. It happens, it will continue to happen, but you learn from it and you move on. You don’t let a single case from 9 years ago cause you so much grief that you develop heart problems and you feel the need to travel across several states in order to apologize to the man. A side story regarding her brother played a part in the reasoning for her guilt, but I still had a hard time accepting it.

The ending was quite predictable and everyone lived happily ever after. My main issue was that I didn’t connect with any of the characters and that made me lose major interest in this novel as a whole.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good read from Netgalley! Interesting storyline, complex characters and positive themes of facing the truth, forgiveness and second chances.

Lauren sends Arlen to jail for a crime he doesn't commit and he loses nine years of his life as a result. Will, Arlen's best friend, spends those years hating the woman who ruined his friends life and thus, had a negative effect on his own. When she shows up in his store looking for Arlen, Will isn't too quick to let her back into Arlin's life or his own. Lauren claims she's only seeking forgiveness for her mistake but Will doesn't trust her as far as he can throw her. (Not, that he's throwing her anywhere.)

But when his hopes for Arlin's reacclimation into society aren't going as smoothly as he'd hoped, Will decides to give Lauren a chance but only if he gets something out of it. He needs short term help "picking" for his antique store and she needs access to Arlen so together, they come to an agreement for the few days she's in Richmond. Things don't work out quite the way they planned, in fact, they begin to head in a direction neither one of them expected but is exactly what they both need.

Will and Lauren are both harboring secrets, ones they aren't ready to divulge to their families, leaving them no choice but to confide in each other. This not only brings them closer together but allows them to see each other more clearly. Will realizes maybe Lauren isn't so morally bankrupt as he originally thought and she realizes maybe there's more to this backwoods guy then he's letting on. (That and it might be really nice to run her hand through his slightly messy hair...)

Lauren also comes to the realization that Arlen may never forgive her and if so, she'll have to find a way to live with that. Will will have to figure out how to let go of not only the anger he's held towards Lauren for so long but a lot of other stuff too and Arlen, well, Arlen just has to learn to live again.

This book focuses a lot on the importance of truth within the justice system but also touches on the need to face the truth in our lives. What are we hiding from? What do we use as our safety blankets? Forgiveness is a running theme but it comes with a price and while we may seek it, it may not be readily given.

I enjoyed this book but thought the ending was a little abrupt. It was heading in the right direction but it would've been nice to have glimpsed the future, maybe five or ten years down the road to see how or if the characters had overcome their issues. (Go Team Epilogue!)

Book Club Fans will enjoy the Q&A in the back as well as the author's personal invite to have her join your book club session. (How cool would that be?!)

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Matthews was just starting her legal career nine years ago when the case of a lifetime was handed off to her. She was successful, the jury found the man guilty of murder and sent him to prison.

Now she finds out the man was innocent. How could she have been so wrong? There is only one thing she can do. She must find him and beg him to forgive her. The idea that is was her determination and drive that sent an innocent man to prison is eating her alive. Arlen Fieldstone has lost nine years of her life because of her.

To get to Arlen she has to go through his best friend, Will, the man that was there to pick up the pieces after his friend’s release. He remembers Lauren from the trial and he holds her responsible for his friend’s fate. He is not about to let her near his friend just to ease her pain.

These people’s lives collide. The outcome is yet to be determined. Will they each get what they need to move on with their lives?

Dollycas’s Thoughts

This story was much more than I expected from the snippet I saw prior to receiving a review copy. There are so many layers to this story and to each character’s life. The author peels the layers slowly drawing the reader further and further into the lives of Lauren, Arlen and Will. She does this with the skill of a true storyteller. She also lets the reader get comfortable with the characters and then throws in a zinger that sends us reeling. Masterful, just plain masterful.

[Writer's Relief · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and intense. A story that looks at serious themes of wrongful incarceration, but without being unbearably dark. Fun insight into reading body language because the main character is a jury consultant. The hero is an antiques dealer/picker, which results in a lot of fun historical information. There’s a love story in the middle that is more than just a superficial subplot, and it all leads to a fast-paced ending. A recommended read.

[Erin Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me as a Blind Date book, and it was a decent read. The characters are a bit generic, but given that the setting was in Richmond, not far from me, it was interesting reading about familiar places from someone else's perspective. Lauren the Prodigy is struggling to do what's right, but as she fights to accomplish it, she finds herself questioning if that's the only reason she is there. Will doesn't seem to be the mysterious type, and the one big secret he has sort of falls a bit flat, possibly because it's somewhat predictable. Arlen's struggle with whether or not to forgive, trying to reintegrate into a world that grew without him, and being changed from the years he spent in prison made for a believable element in the book. It was a good, light read, but I don't feel that it has rereadability.

[Allison Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. The characters were flawed, but still very interesting. The ending was a bit abrupt, but still a good one. I liked Will and when they went out "picking". She really evoked Richmond, VA during the summer.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading this author. Her style flows well, and I enjoyed her characters. At times, the plot was predictable, yet I loved reading for fun on this one. :)

[Marie Pasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good easy and fast read. It ends rather abruptly, but it kept me interested.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Promise of Safekeeping by Lisa Dale is everything I want in book. It is by far the closest thing to my "perfect" novel I have ever experienced. Discovering that such a book exists elates me, as I set the bar very high in all aspects of my life. A Promise of Safekeeping is a splendid book because of the sociological and psychological aspects; the complex and sophisticated, yet realistic, storytelling; and the underlying social justice implications.

As a sociology minor, I adore books that allow me to learn about a place, a culture, a career, a lifestyle. I love how Dale delves into life in Richmond, the protagonist's lawyer/consultant profession, collecting antiques ("picking"), and the effects of incarceration. However, A Promise of Safekeeping does even more. The beginning of each chapter is preluded by a first-person narrator, which differs from the rest of the story (third-person omniscient narration, for those of you curious). These four or so introductory paragraphs explain the art of reading body language, with a focus on different aspects, perhaps lying, love, eye contact, and so on. These then were a precursor to the further exploration of the theme: life does not always go with what we have planned. No doubt Dale's intimacy with her characters through psychological analysis and understanding aids her storytelling because while the characters are very different from each other and complex individuals, their actions, dialogue, and innermost thoughts teem with verisimilitude.

As a voracious reader, I have read my fair share of good and bad books. As such, I tend to judge books very harshly: either their plots and characters are successful in suspending my disbelief (a la Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, etc.), they are very realistic, or they are just ridiculous. A Promise of Safekeeping is very believable. In fact, its verisimilitude had me wishing I could go out picking with Will, join Masie and Lauren and friends for margaritas, and organize Will's cluttered house (yes, I love to organize things; yes, I know I'm weird). Additionally, Dale's diction and syntax perfectly blend together to assist the complex plots. Dale's diction was appropriately advanced, but did not have me reaching for a dictionary on every other page. Lastly, the romance scenes are tastefully done. I know in the whole scheme of things, this does not matter, but I often wish reviewers would comment on how racy the love-making scenes are. There is a reason I bought A Promise of Safekeeping and not Fifty Shades of Grey at Barnes and Nobles: I want more plot than sex, and more than anything, I want to see character development. A Promise of Safekeeping is plot-centered and character driven for sure. The few scenes' explicitness is similar to Glee's "The First Time" episode where Blaine and Kurt and Rachel and Finn first have sex. Overall, while I do enjoy watching -errr... reading- about romance, I don't want it to be the focus, and Dale does a good job with that balance. Dale also juggles the heavy subject of wrongful convictions in A Promise of Safekeeping.

I picked up A Promise of Safekeeping about a month ago, but had to finish other books before I could start it, so I had barely creased open the spine when I grabbed it as I headed out the door yesterday morning for my first-ever experience with jury duty. What irony as the main conflict of it focuses on a supporting character's wrongful incarceration! While I did have to sit through juror selection this morning, I was not chosen, which was probably just as well considering the heavy text-to-self connections I would have made if I had had to pin on one of those juror name badges as I rapidly neared the final pages today. However, the combination of gentleness yet insistence that Dales prods the sleeping giant that is the imperfect justice system with is core-altering.

Dale has crafted the perfect novel, something that I thought I could only dream about since I could never pinpoint what the ingredients for such a book would look like. Apparently, for me, it is sociologically detailed -perhaps with psychological undertones as well-; has a realistic, sophisticated, and complex plot; and hints at a social injustice that we, as society, need to be more aware of so that we can improve it. I will most definitely be recommending this book to friends and family who want a lighthearted, yet meaningful, read.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Dale’s fourth novel A Promise of Safekeeping is intriguing in many ways and has many different strands and emotions to it to keep you hooked. I haven’t read any of Dale’s previous novels so I had no experience of her before I began A Promise of Safekeeping, but the beautiful cover (which has added meaning now I’ve read the book!) and the synopsis were enough to make me read it. And, like I said, it’s an intriguing read.

Firstly, put yourself in Arlen’s position. If you were sent to jail for a crime you didn’t commit, and were released 9 years later, how messed up/angry would you be? I’d be pretty angry. Furious, in fact. Then, put yourself in the shoes of Lauren Matthews, the woman who put Arlen in jail, believing he was guilty. Arlen’s subsequent release would give you pause, no? Would make you want redemption from the man, who by rights, should hate you? Then you have Will, Arlen’s best friend and the man who’s putting him up now he’s out of jail. Will is massively protective of his friend, but there’s something about Lauren that makes Will agree to help her in her bid to make amends with Arlen… As Lauren tries desperately to prove to Arlen she’s sorry and as she and Will spend their days together, picking, Arlen tries to get his life back onto some semblance of normal… They all have issues, and they all have stumbling blocks to overcome, but can they?

It’s really quite a simple novel in terms of how it all is. Lauren wants forgiveness; Will wants to protect his friend; and Arlen doesn’t necessarily know what he wants. The way the novel is written allows you to see all of the characters as they are. We see Lauren struggle with issues pertaining (it seems) to her guilt over Arlen. We see Arlen struggling to re-adjust to life outside of prison. We see Lauren and Will bonding which seems improbale, but isn’t. That was probably my favourite part of the novel, actually, the bonding between Lauren and Will, who both want the best for Arlen in their own way and for that to happen, they need to trust each other, which they don’t. So Will tells Lauren that if she wants to get closer to Arlen, she’ll need to help him with his picking (Will owns an antique shop, so he needs to “pick” his, er, things to sell) and so we get to see a lot of interaction between the two and Will begins to see Lauren in a different light.

It’s the kind of novel that has you asking questions. There must be many, many people sitting in jail cells across the world who were wrongfully convicted and it’s nice to see that covered in a Chick Lit/Women’s Fiction novel. I found Arlen’s re-entry into society to be fascinating and heart-breaking (after all, he was innocent! Nine years wiped away!). But, mostly, the novel is about truth and forgiveness and second chances. Those are the themes and Dale writes them all very well. It’s not a case of Lauren simply apologising to Arlen and it all being rosy. It’s real. At the end of the day, why the hell would Arlen want to see Lauren ever again? Y’know? But it also shows the other side of that, that although Arlen may not trust/believe Lauren, Will is willing to, somewhat and I just enjoyed the complex characters, I enjoyed the situations and I thought the setting, of Richmond, Virginia was somehow perfect.

I really, really enjoyed A Promise of Safekeeping. From the troubles the characters face, to how they all try and sort through those troubles. I’d have liked an Epilogue at the end of the novel, set perhaps a year later, because the ending is a bit dramatic, and it is a bit rushed, so an Epilogue would have rounded off a pretty good novel perfectly. I thought it had the brilliant line between romance (yes, there is romance, woohoo!) and between the serious stuff. I’d really recommend the book, because it was a book I enjoyed and a book that will speak to a lot of people. It makes you think, but it also has its lighter moments, it isn’t just a novel about what’s wrong with the Justice system, it isn’t saying everyone that’s convicted is innocent, instead it covers all bases and I just found it all so fascinating and the characters really bring the novel to life.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed A Promise of Safekeeping, the first novel I have read by Lisa Dale. The premise is an interesting one with themes of forgiveness, truth and moving forward.
Lauren Matthews is on the cusp of achieving her life long dream to be named a partner in a prestigious jury consulting firm when she begins experiencing heart problems. She is convinced the cause is the recent exoneration of a man she helped convict for murder and if she is able to apologise the symptoms will disappear. Arlen Fieldstone is not willing to forgive the prosecutors error, he has lost nine years of his freedom, his wife and his dreams. He is a still a prisoner of his experience, hiding in the small flat above his childhood friends antique business. Will knew his best friend could not have been responsible for the murder of a senator's wife and hopes Arlen will be able to rebuild his life. He wants to hold Lauren responsible, but the ruthless and cold lawyer he sees on television is in reality a warm and vital woman. Arlen and Will are wary of Lauren but perhaps letting go of their anger will be the first step towards healing for all of them.

While I admired Lauren's desire to apologise, her motives seem a bit naive for an accomplished officer of the court. The author explains Lauren's drive to seeking forgiveness is rooted in her brother's brushes with the law and her professional pride in her ability to read people. As a body language expert (think TV show, Lie To Me) Lauren is appalled that the case that kick started her career was a sham and despite the relentless pressure as she strives to make partner and a recent relationship break up, Lauren is certain that her health crisis is caused by her role in Arlen's incarceration and only apologising will make it stop. Lauren's self imposed break from her work and routine, and a developing relationship with Will, leads her to reexamine her life. In her own way, she has been imprisoned by her own expectations and those of her family, and she is surprised to find herself reconsidering her future.
I strongly sympathised with Arlen's feelings of disorientation and depression upon being released from prison. Nine years is a tremendous amount of time to have lost and for Arlen it was compounded by the divorce from his wife and the loss of his mother while he was falsely imprisoned. That he had no desire to hear Lauren's apology or justifications was perfectly understandable, even though his anger and resentment left him mired in fear and hopelessness. I was glad when he was able to consider moving forward and take steps towards reclaiming his life.
As Arlen's self proclaimed champion, Will is initially as angry at Lauren and the injustice she had a part of as Arlen is. However Will is an intelligent man and he realises that though Lauren may have been the public face of the trial, she cannot be held solely responsible for Arlen's conviction. Will is not willing to let her off lightly though and accepts her offer to help him 'pick' for a few days in exchange for considering smoothing the way between Lauren and Arlen. Will has secrets of his own though and Lauren's ability to know what people think they are successfully hiding concerns him. He is surprised however to discover an attraction to Lauren and despite his best intentions, and at the risk of betraying his best friend, a relationship develops.
In a dramatic conclusion to the novel, the tenuous links between the three protagonists, Lauren, Arlen and Will, are cemented when a stranger decides to hold Lauren to account for her role in exacting justice. It's an unexpected ending though one that reinforces the themes of the story.
A novel about forgiveness and redemption with interesting and well developed characterisations, A Promise of Safekeeping is a satisfying read.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Matthews is a successful attorney. Her career is definitely on the right track as she's being considered for partner at her firm. Everything else is slightly off-kilter including her physical health. Arlen Fieldstone was and is an innocent man. Wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn't commit, he spent nine long years in prison...nearly one-third of his life. He has been exonerated and released but all that he's known is gone. Will Farris is an antiques dealer and good friend to Arlen, but he knows that there is something missing from his life. Lauren, Arlen and Will are the key characters in A Promise of Safekeeping by Lisa Dale.

The Arlen Fieldstone conviction made Lauren Matthews career. She was sure that he had committed the crime and has felt no guilt or worry about the case until he was vindicated, proved innocent and released. The pressing weight of the role she played in his conviction sends Lauren to Virginia to apologize. She knows that an apology won't really help but she knows she doesn't really have a choice in this matter. The big question confronting her at this point is if the apology is for her sake or truly for Arlen?

Upon her arrival in Virginia she encounters Will Farris. Will has given Arlen a place to stay and is the only childhood friend of Arlen's that is still in the picture and it helps that Will has always believed in Arlen's innocence. Lauren and Will begin to build a friendship that quickly turns to a budding romance, but they both have secrets they're keeping from one another. Can they trust one another with their deepest and darkest fears and create a lasting relationship?

Arlen has spent nine years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. During that time, his mother died, he lost his childhood home, his wife divorced him and he's also lost his marital home. The only thing he has left is his friendship with Will. Arlen no longer feels comfortable with all of his new found freedom and is having an extremely difficult time adjusting to being out of prison. Will tries to help him by giving him a place to live and offering him money for hours he spends working in Will's shop but he needs more. Arlen needs to find the quiet confidence he had as a young man and try to rebuild his life, but more than anything he wants his life and wife back.

A Promise of Safekeeping is classified as a story of redemption and that it is, but it's also a story of second chances. While Arlen, Lauren and Will face their second chances in life, they must also decide what exactly they want from themselves and others. Their characters were well-developed so that it was easy to understand their fears and hopes. The story doesn't go too in-depth into many of the issues touched upon but they are discussed in an clear and open manner: such as Lauren's brother's mental illness or Will and his problems (I cannot disclose what his problem without spoiling the storyline but it is integral to the story line and quite timely). I enjoyed reading the story and even though it deals with some weight issues, I felt it did so in a manner that was respectful and responsible without being dark and gloomy.

[Lydia Laceby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

I really enjoyed A Promise of Safekeeping which explores wrongful incarceration, the effects on all involved and who is to blame. Is anyone? Everyone? Just one person? Or the system? The prosecution? A weak defence? The jury? And what about personal guilt involved? Everyone has a different opinion A Promise of Safekeeping, including the wrongfully accused, his loved ones, and especially the woman responsible for his imprisonment.

Lauren’s guilt sets the novel in motion with her quest to apologize to Arlen whose wrongful incarceration made her career. The short time she intends to take off work to apologize becomes a much longer affair as Arlen refuses to see her, and the longer he avoids her, the more she avoids work. She finds herself spending time with Arlen’s best friend Will trying to gain favour with the man who watched hatefully as Lauren put Arlen behind bars and who took him in years later after his release. The longer she stays the more she begins to question everything including her unexpected attraction to Will.

Lauren’s struggles felt real and I immediately related to her character who was just trying to do what she felt was right, regardless of what everyone else wanted her to do. The connection between Lauren and Will was palpable and unavoidable and their hesitation understanding. How Will’s initial misjudgment of Lauren’s character gradually crumbles held my attention as did Lauren’s ability to read people’s faces and body language. How would having that ability have impacted my life if I had it? Would I have been just as bamboozled in love by untruths? This novel inspires some interesting questions.

Arlen’s release into the world after incarceration for nine years was fascinating. His inability to step outside was understandable and his initial observations were eye opening. I thought often to how many things have changed in the last nine years that one would be completely ignorant of and how each decade there are enormous changes that without exposure to would lead to complete incomprehension.

The subtleties to this novel were outstanding. For the most part we mostly bob along at a gentle pace like down a meandering stream, but its one that you know could turn into a ranging river at any time. The undercurrent of danger lurked throughout the entire novel and it was so subtle, but had enough effect to keep me on the edge of my seat wondering if anything would happen to Lauren, whether Arlen would turn violent or what explosions would occur should Lauren and Arlen ever meet again.

Unfortunately the quick ending though left me surprised and a little confused, specifically regarding the last few pages. After all the emotion and suspense I wanted more from the ending and ultimately came away a little disappointed.

I will definitely read more from Lisa Dale!

[Amy Lignor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Matthews was a prodigy. This is a woman who stood for putting the criminal away, and found herself in the spotlight when she was young - prosecuting a man who had killed a ‘politico’s wife.’ Lauren was seen by the world as the ‘best of the best’ when she put Arlen Fieldstone away. Unfortunately, she was also dead wrong.

Nine years have gone by and Arlen is free; turns out he was absolutely innocent of the crime and Lauren can barely deal with the fact that she’s the one who took those nine years of his life away from him. It also doesn’t help that her own brother was in a similar situation, once upon a time, when he was put in jail for a crime he didn’t commit.

Lauren is no longer a prosecutor. She was heralded as a woman who could ‘read people.’ She knows the signs of everything from a lie to the truth to nervous tics that appear on others’ faces. Unfortunately, she never paid Arlen any attention when he was being sent to prison for life. As she does her daily job, she knows that Arlen has gotten out of prison, and finds herself on the floor during a jury selection ‘job,’ having a nervous breakdown. She knows she must head to Richmond, find Arlen and apologize; only then can she have closure and even a shot at living her life without all the guilt.

When she arrives, she meets a man by the name of Will. Will was Arlen’s best friend since they were kids and has rented him the room above his antique store. He’s extremely angry with Lauren for showing up, however, this ‘picker’ of antiques also finds himself extremely attracted to the prosecutor who ruined his best friend’s life.

As the novel moves forward, readers are offered a look at Arlen, and how this innocent man’s life changed once he had to deal with the daily stresses of prison. He’s lost it all - job, home and a wife he truly loved more than life who divorced him the minute he was found guilty. Turns out, even she is sitting in Virginia completely horrified that she’d left an innocent man.

As the romance becomes deeper between Will and Lauren, Arlen shows signs of perhaps becoming the ‘guilty’ one simply because he can no longer see a life ahead of him. The author has done a remarkable job of delving into four very different lives and showing how the consequences of one’s actions can be far more damaging than any crime. Memorable characters and a fascinating storyline will keep you intrigued to the very end.

Until Next Time,
Amy

[Laura Kay Bolin · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2012...


Lauren Matthews became a big shot prosecutor nine years ago. She walked in and successfully prosecuted a high profile murder case convicting, Arlen Fieldstone. Nine years later, the verdict is overturned and Arlen is pronounced innocent. During those nine years, Lauren made a name for herself as a jury consultant with her amazing knack for reading people…while Arlene’s wife divorced him and his mother died.

Reeling from the shocking news of Arlen’s innocence sends Lauren running to Richmond, Virginia to find him and to apologize for her involvement in his wrongful conviction. Expecting to just to apologize and go home to her job and promotion, Lauren finds Arlen hostile and his best friend, Will working somewhat as a go between. Lauren realizes she can’t read people as easily as she thought, remembering the most important rule: people are always surprising.

I really enjoyed A Promise of Safekeeping. When Lauren first arrives in Richmond she is quite uptight and all business. Though I could respect and admire what she was doing she felt less than genuine. I really enjoyed watching her open up not only to Will, to the reader, but mostly to herself. She slowly started to ‘think’ about her own life instead of living out a plan.

On the other hand, I went back and forth about Arlen. I began with having all this sympathy for him, but then began thinking how he was always on the verge of becoming the criminal he wasn’t before. I understood but also felt frustrated. Then the more and more I read, I began liking him and routing for him. I also really enjoyed getting to know Will. I wasn’t really sure what to make of him and thought him to be a really good friend to Arlen. The characters were all really well developed and enjoyed watching how they moved forward when they realized they were each at a crossroad.

I felt the story moved at a fairly good pace, but the end came fast and I didn’t really get to fully appreciate or savor the ending. The book comes to a very dramatic end, which I really wasn’t expecting. This was the first book I’ve read by Lisa Dale and I will definitely read her again. I definitely recommend A Promise of Safekeeping.

[Samantha March · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Promise of Safekeeping by Lisa Dale is an eye-opening tale of redemption, a beautiful story filled with hope that will tug at heartstrings. Lauren Matthews was a fresh-paced young woman just starting her career when she got thrown on the case of a lifetime. Using her skill of “people-reading” to help lock up the case, she was the victor – and an innocent man went to jail because of her error. Arlen is now released from prison after nine years behind bars for a murder he did not commit, and Lauren seeks him out, hoping for forgiveness. She runs into his friend Will, about the only friend Arlen has left upon his release. In her quest for Arlen’s forgiveness, an unexpected friendship is formed between the person who helped Arlen go to his prison and his childhood friend.

I thought A Promise of Safekeeping was a fascinating story, and one that I could not put down. It’s impossible not to feel incredibly sad for Arlen, a man who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and a legal case that got hurried along to be “solved.” It was interesting to watch how Lauren felt and how she tried to take action to make up for a past mistake. Will’s character was loyal to Arlen yet struggled with his feelings for Lauren, and he also had a secret that he was keeping hidden from everyone – family included. The story moved at a quick-enough pace for me, not real fast but it didn’t drag along, and the ending – oh the ending. No spoilers, but the ending bumped this up from a 4 to a 5 star review. One to read!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my beach read for day 1 at the beach. Finished it, pretty much in one sitting. I enjoyed it a lot. This book touches on a lot of interesting subjects. Of course it's about how one goes about his life after having been wrongfully imprisoned for nine years. And about how the lawyer who prosecuted might feel about her role in that. It also touches on the issue of hoarding. And schizophrenia. And the lawyer-turned jury consultant is kind of a prodigy of the type that might have been found in the now defunct "Lie to Me" series -- she reads people's nano-expressions and body language. I'm rating this a 4 because I thought all these issues were interesting, and because I liked the characters, but I considered dropping it to a 3 rating just because the author may have tried to do too much in one book. I'd have liked a bit more focus on any of these issues rather than her trying to cram them all in. But it was a perfect beach read.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

A PROMISE OF SAFEKEEPING by Lisa Dale is a wonderful,charming contemporary romance set in present day Richmond Virgina.It is an emotional story of second chances,ex-convicts,the justice system, hope,wrongful conviction, redemption, forgiveness,secrets,love,romance,female lawyers,hoarding,and nine years of a lost life. This is the story of Lauren Matthews,prosecuted and who made an error in judgement that cost Arlen Fieldstone,nine years of his life,and Will Farris,friend of Arlen and who has a secret no one can know especially Lauren. A must read for any one who enjoys a charming,emotional story of three people who lives collide and who needs forgiveness,hope,second chances and love. Received for review from the publisher. Details can be found at Berkley Publishing Group Group,published by the Penguin Group and My Book Addiction Reviews.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional story about secrets, righting wrongs, facing personal demons and letting grudges go. A Promise of Safekeeping is not a story where Lauren finally apologizes and all is rosy, we are taken on an emotional roller coaster involving three very complex characters trying to come to grips with the pain and difficulties of the past nine years.

I was very impressed by the depth of emotions of each of the characters, the twist at the end add an extra bit of drama. I am an epilogue junkie, so I do have to say I would have enjoyed a "where are they now" epilogue.

To read my entire review please visit
http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews...

[Jenny - Book Sojourner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. When I got it I quickly set aside the book I had been reading so I could start this one. The cover is beautiful and the snippet about the book pulled me right in. I loved the slow but steady character development of Lauren, Arlen, Will, and Eula. I liked getting to know the characters: what made them tick, what they were hiding, what they thought they wanted, what they really needed, who they were before, now, and becoming, and so on. I loved the interweaving themes of forgiveness, redemption, honesty and truth, fear and trust, love, faithfulness. It is a beautiful story. And yes, the ending seems a bit abrupt, but it was tied up well enough for me to feel hopeful for the character's futures and that they were changed for the better.

[Ilene · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. An enjoyable poolside read. It was sweet and I did like the characters. I thought the author could have been more creative with showing the need Will and Lauren had for each other than sex (this book is so much more than those few pages of passion, I promise). That particular sectiong seemed out of place since the lead up to Lauren and Will's coming together was sweet and nice. I could see what the author was trying to illustrate by having Will and Lauren be so strongly attracted to each other but it seemed that more could be done other than them just jumping back in bed every time Lauren was ready to leave.

[Johnnayea Edmond · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a nice read. I enjoyed the coming together of two people from totally different backgrounds-- people who were almost from two different worlds. The ways they were different (although they did have subtle commonalities) is what made them perfect complements for each other. I do wish the author had felt it more worthwhile to develop this more. Further, I didn't really like the ending. Albeit, a happy ending, the author did not do enough to mold it and shape it to where it could be believable. Other than those two major issues, I found the book to be a decent read, and I did enjoy it.

[Lora Osborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dale has spun a beautiful cast of characters that are hard not to love. Lauren, with her charge to excel in her career; Arlen, unsure of where he stands in life or among his family and friends; and Will, a man that is lost in the midst of his passion, looking for someone who will help him become the man he is meant to be. On top of an elegant prose, Dale integrates some shocking discoveries throughout the book that will keep you on edge and ready to see how the characters tackle the next challenge in front of them.

Read my full review at www.crazybookreviews.com!

[Jami · Rating 2 out of 5]

The lessons at the beginning of each chapter were the best part of the book as the reading people info was interesting. That being said, this book went nowhere fast. Nothing interesting happened until page 320 and there were only 328 pages. The premise and sub plots were good, but they were not explored in any detail. Will's big secret was so obvious from the get go and many of the characters' actions were implausible. I found myself doing a lot of eye rolling as I read. I thought by the description it would have a legal thriller aspect to it, but it never went there.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a well written character driven tale of four troubled people. An innocent person has been in prison for 9 years. Lauren needs to get forgiveness from Arlen, the person she put in prison. Will is the one person standing in Lauren's way. He is Arlen's best friend. All three of them are on a collision course. But who will come out of this mistake better? What happens when three people joined by one thing comes together? You'll have to read the book to find out. I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were awesome and the story was to told wonderfully.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though there are some lovely descriptions in this novel, overall, I found it to be a bit predictable and even repetitive in places. The aspects I was most interested in--Arlen's wrongful conviction and his re-entry into the world after nine years in prison--were not very fresh or imaginative and were overshadowed by the primary focus of this book: a fairly obvious love story that is apparent very early on in the novel.

[Rossana Snee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad at all. It dealt with a man wrongly convicted of murder and the prosecuting attorney trying to get his forgiveness after it's discovered he wasn't guilty. In order to meet up with Arlen, she must go to Richmond. There she meets Will, Arlen's friend and protector. The trip turns out to be more than she expected. All the characters are dealing with baggage and faced with difficult choices. Overall, I enjoyed it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Promise of Safekeeping is a moving novel of self-discovery, redemption and second chances. It is an emotional read with multi-faceted characters and a realistic storyline. To read my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy....

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be honest, the reason I ended up reading this book was because it was set in Richmond. The description seemed intriguing, but not enough to hook me, and then I saw where it was set and it because a must read. I liked it, but didn't love it. And, some of the Richmond details actually seemed a tad bit inconsistent, but... it was a nice, quick, Saturday afternoon read.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Slightly more involved than a simple feel-good book but not intensely suspense driven. That being said, I haven't slept a wink since picking up at page 124 last night. Love the behavioural analysis scattered throughout... thinking of pursuing something along those lines myself so it was perfectly suitable for me atm.