Love and Promise is a story played out against the backdrop of a rural Upstate New York community where the grandson of Lebanese and Italian immigrants endeavors to overcome prejudice. A farm boy struggles to be accepted for his accomplishments rather than his ethnicity and lineage. James Rahin, tired of living the life of a dirt-poor farmer, dreamt of the good life. He wanted a nice house, a new car, and clothes that were not hand-me-downs. He observed that the glaring differences between his poor friends and relatives, and those who had the things he craved to have, was wealth. People with money either own a successful business or they were educated professionals. In his junior year of high school Jim became obsessed with the idea of attending college. His goal was to attend college and law school. Jim''s attitude about life and women hardens when his older brother married an attractive blond. Jim saw the responsibilities of marriage forever alter Joe''s priorities. Attending college could no longer be one of his brother''s goals. Jim vowed that he would never allow anything or anyone to deter him from his dream. In high school Jim met Laura, a winsome girl who introduced him to a woman''s warmth and passion. She tried to possess him with her body, but her carnal pleasures were not enough to sway him from his self-promise. Connie broke Jim''s heart and set him on a path of distrust. Women were only visitors to his affection. He took what was offered but avoided the pitfalls of love. Through personal loss, an enlistment in the Marines, and bigotry at home and away- Jim stayed true to his promise. Then he met Hope.
