Utter Predictability Dulls 1996 Stansfield Novel© Eric Jordan Jensen
Aug 28, 2001
A Promise of Forever fits neatly into the niche Anita Stansfield has filled with her collection of novels, namely that of sappy LDS romantic fiction. This one, like many other Stansfield titles, offers an utterly predictable story line, peopled by a cast of mostly generic, uninteresting characters. The result: a mediocre novel that is easy to read and easy to forget.
The story centers around Bryson Davis, an LDS father of five, who has just learned that his wife, Ilene, has breast cancer. The illness progresses rapidly, and before Bryson has had a chance to face his own fears, Ilene is lying on her death bed. To add to the already tense situation, Ilene's obnoxious younger sister, Melissa, arrives from California. Although Melissa soon enmeshes herself in her sister's household, becoming an invaluable help, his sister-in-law's tendency to speak her mind grates on Bryson's nerves. When Ilene finally succumbs to the inevitable, Bryson must find a way to keep himself and his family from falling apart. He knows Melissa must soon get on with her own life, but he can't help admitting that he needs her, not only to care for his children, but also because he has fallen in love with her. Melissa realizes she also has feelings for Bryson, and the two proceed to have a quick, smooth courtship and marriage. The only thorn in their path occurs years down the road when Melissa finds a lump in her own breast. Suddenly, Bryson finds himself in a recurring nightmare. Will he lose Melissa the same way he lost his beloved Ilene? Once again, Bryson finds himself groping for the faith to accept the Lord's will. Luckily, the hero is saved by a happy ending. Although A Promise of Forever sags under the dullness of predictability, it will probably still appeal to Stansfield fans. The novel certainly does not showcase Stansfield's best work, but it still follows her tried-and-true pattern, offering an inspirational tale of love overcoming all barriers. To her credit, Stansfield tackles tough, even taboo subjects, making her stories more true-to-life. She also sticks to clean, faith-promoting topics, making her an ideal author for readers who enjoy romantic fiction without all the smut of a Harlequin. In short, Anita Stansfield is worth reading, but don't start with this novel: it's simply too generic to be memorable.
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