/ / Promise To Return / /
/ / Review By Madi / /
Book Title: Promise To Return
Author: Elizabeth Byler Younts
Source: Howard Publishers
Number Of Pages: 298
ISBN: 978-1-4767-3501-6
Publisher: Howard Publishers
Year Of Publication: 2013
Madi's Rating: 5 Out Of 5 Stars
/ / Book Description / /
When World War II breaks out, Miriam’s fiancé, Henry, is drafted and sent to a conscientious objector camp. But when Henry feels called to fight on the front lines, he goes against the Amish church to follow God’s will—forcing Miriam to choose between the rules of her religion and the leading of her heart.
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 that it’s only the beginning…
When Henry returns home, he brings news that shakes Miriam and their Amish community to the core. He tells Miriam he believes God has called him to enlist in the Army and fight for his country, leaving her to make an important decision. She soon must choose between loyalty to the peaceful life she’s always known and her love for Henry and her faith in their shared destiny.
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 devotion to Henry and her love of the Amish way of life. One question is at the bottom of it all: will she follow her religion or her heart?
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 that it’s only the beginning…
When Henry returns home, he brings news that shakes Miriam and their Amish community to the core. He tells Miriam he believes God has called him to enlist in the Army and fight for his country, leaving her to make an important decision. She soon must choose between loyalty to the peaceful life she’s always known and her love for Henry and her faith in their shared destiny.
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 devotion to Henry and her love of the Amish way of life. One question is at the bottom of it all: will she follow her religion or her heart?
/ / Madi's Book Review / /
I love historical fiction novels set in war time. It brings to life all the stories that I've heard about those who gave up their everyday lives to serve our country. I was especially interested in this book, because it is from an Amish standpoint. The Amish people are completely against war and violence, and don't want anything to do with it, so it's not every day that you see an Amish war novel. I could tell that this story was close to the author's heart, because every page shows how much feeling she put into it. The author bio on the back of the book says that Elizabeth Byler Younts was raised Amish and is now a military wife. Wow! No wonder! I guess one of the perks of being raised Amish is that you already know their traditions and costumes. I've done some of my own research on the Amish, and so many "Amish" novels have inaccurate information concerning this culture. Elizabeth was (as far as I could tell) right on the money with her claims of the everyday life of an Amish person. So, not only was this book very interesting, it's also a great way to see into the dying way of life that the Amish live.
Miriam Coblentz is a young Amish woman who fell for a guy by the name of Henry Mast. Henry was drafted several months ago, and Miriam is always stalking the mailbox while she anxiously awaits his homecoming. When Henry does finally return home, he brings devastating news. He is enlisting. Now Miriam must bear the shame that comes with being linked to him, and her heart is constantly being toyed with by Henry's best friend Levi. Miriam doesn't know what to do or where to turn, and when the news of her own past comes to light, she is knocked down by what it means for her future.
Henry Mast watched men die during his first bit of service, and although he has already served his time, he feels the need to go back and play a bigger role in defending his country and to those closest to him. He feels God tugging him toward the military, and despite what it might mean to his relationships and ties at home, he has to do what he thinks is right, no matter the cost. He just wished that it didn't have to be so hard on his girl Miriam.
These two fight battles on and off the battlefield, and the significance of their victory lays solely at their own feet.
~
This was a really good book! I love the historical value that it presents, and I love the passionate and in-depth descriptions that made me feel like I was living what I was reading. There isn't a thing about it that I would change! There are plot twist and suspenseful moments aplenty, and it didn't have boring moment in it. I can't wait to read more by this author!
~Madi For The Literary Maidens
Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not paid the write this review and all thoughts and sentiments expressed in this post are completely my own and totally unbiased.
Miriam Coblentz is a young Amish woman who fell for a guy by the name of Henry Mast. Henry was drafted several months ago, and Miriam is always stalking the mailbox while she anxiously awaits his homecoming. When Henry does finally return home, he brings devastating news. He is enlisting. Now Miriam must bear the shame that comes with being linked to him, and her heart is constantly being toyed with by Henry's best friend Levi. Miriam doesn't know what to do or where to turn, and when the news of her own past comes to light, she is knocked down by what it means for her future.
Henry Mast watched men die during his first bit of service, and although he has already served his time, he feels the need to go back and play a bigger role in defending his country and to those closest to him. He feels God tugging him toward the military, and despite what it might mean to his relationships and ties at home, he has to do what he thinks is right, no matter the cost. He just wished that it didn't have to be so hard on his girl Miriam.
These two fight battles on and off the battlefield, and the significance of their victory lays solely at their own feet.
~
This was a really good book! I love the historical value that it presents, and I love the passionate and in-depth descriptions that made me feel like I was living what I was reading. There isn't a thing about it that I would change! There are plot twist and suspenseful moments aplenty, and it didn't have boring moment in it. I can't wait to read more by this author!
~Madi For The Literary Maidens
Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not paid the write this review and all thoughts and sentiments expressed in this post are completely my own and totally unbiased.
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