Promise to Return A Novel (Part of Promise of Sunrise) By Elizabeth Byler Younts

About Book

When World War II breaks out, Miriam Coblentz’s peaceful Amish world is turned upside down... 

It’s 1943, and Miriam Coblentz and Henry Mast are nearing their wed­ding day when the unthinkable happens—Henry is drafted. However, since he is a part of the pacifist Amish tradition, Henry is sent to a conscientious objector Civilian Public Service camp. When he leaves for the work camp, his gaping absence turns Miriam’s life upside down. Little does she know it’s only the beginning... When Henry returns home, he brings news that shakes Miriam and their Amish community to the core. Henry believes God has called him to enlist in the army and fight for his country, leaving her to make an impor­tant decision: whether to choose loyalty to the peaceful life she’s always known or her love for Henry. Two worlds collide in this unforgettable debut novel, providing a fasci­nating and rare look into Amish culture during World War II. While Henry is battling enemies across the ocean, Miriam struggles between her devotion to Henry and her love of the Amish way of life. One question is at the bottom of it all: will she follow the rules of her religion or the leading of her heart?  

See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Promise-to-Return/Elizabeth-Byler-Younts/Promise-of-Sunrise/9781476735016#sthash.XkC78CLI.dpuf

 Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD


About Author

Elizabeth Byler Younts is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She is an Air Force officer’s wife and a homeschooling mom with two young daughters. She makes her home wherever her family is stationed. Elizabeth was Amish as a child and after her parents left the church she still grew up among her Amish family and continues to speak Pennsylvania Dutch.

Where to find Elizabeth:
Website: http://elizabethbyleryounts.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorElizabethBylerYounts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizabethYounts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ElizabethYounts/

My Thoughts

Miriam Coblentz can't seem to stop thinking about her intended Henry Mast.  Henry has been drafted into the military and sent to a camp for conscientious objectors.  The Amish have always been pacifist.  When he returns home Miriam is shocked to find out he has decide to leave the camp and join the military and the war.  He feels as if God has called him to fight  in World War II.  Miriam can not turn her back on her family and most importantly the her Amish beliefs.  Will she turn her back on Henry the man she loves?

I have read many Amish books but this is the first where I get a better look at the Pacifist side during World War II.  To me it is apparent men are bred to defend their families and country.  Yet I understand the Amish's belief and the pacifist.  Women want to nurture and prevent harm coming to anyone.  But in times of war we have no choice but to defend.  The author has done a wonderful job in depicting the Amish stand of remaining pacifist.  

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Howard Publishing/Simon & Schuster for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

A HEARTBEAT AWAY by S. DIONNE MOORE

About A Heartbeat Away: 

When a band of runaway slaves brings Union-loyal Beth Bumgartner a wounded Confederate soldier named Joe, it is the catalyst that pushes her to defy her pacifist parents and become a nurse during the Battle of Antietam.

Her mother's mysterious goodbye gift is filled with quilt blocks that bring comfort to Beth during the hard days and lonely nights, but as she sews each block, she realizes there is a hidden message of faith within the pattern that encourages and sustains her. Reunited with Joe, Beth learns his secret and puts the quilt's message to its greatest test---but can betrayal be forgiven?

• ISBN-13: 9781426752704
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Publication date: 5/15/2013
• Pages: 232

Series: Quilts of Love

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/liQMG


 Meet Dionne:

Dionne Moore is a historical romance author who resides in South Central PA with her family, surrounded by the beautiful Cumberland Valley and lots of fun, historically rich locations. She is a weekly contributor to "The Borrowed Book", a blog for book-lovers and "Cozy Mystery Magazine", for all things cozy mystery. 

Learn more about Dionne at http://www.sdionnemoore.com


My Thoughts

Beth Bumgartner desires to be a nurse, so she moves in with her grandmother and assists in caring for wounded soldiers in the height of battle almost at their front door.  Nursing means caring for not only the Union soldiers but also the Confederates. This is difficult for Beth and can't help but feel bitterness toward her enemy of the south.  But there is their first patient an injured soldier which happens to be a Confederate yet she feels some tenderness towards this man even though she despises what he stands for.  Joe has been unconscious since he was brought to them.  It was said he was injured while protecting a group of blacks.  Why would a confederate do such a thing?  Beth and her grandmother work themselves beyond physical and emotional needs to care for these injured and dying soldiers.

The author writes about this woman sitting and working on a quilt her mother has sent her, even though she hated to sew anything.  The quilt becomes a source of healing for her soul and she is drawn to the quilt for Hope and comfort.  This author must have a beautiful tender heart to write such an endearing story set in the middle of trials and tribulations of the Civil War.  She paints a very realistic picture of the aftermath of the battles and the bloody fields.  She writes that with God there is always Hope.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/Abingdon Press for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.