Promise to Return - A Fabulous Debut Novel

I am absolutely thrilled to tell you about a debut novel by a delightful new author. I was blessed to meet Elizabeth Byler Younts at ACFW in 2012 and she has become a dear friend. I was deeply honored that she asked me to endorse her novel, Promise to Return--my first official endorsement! I promised I would be completely honest but she needn't have worried! This is not your typical Amish novel; she has set the bar extremely high and written a novel that will give you much to ponder. Elizabeth is a gifted author and I can't wait to see what God has in store for her writing journey.

Promise to Return
(Promise of Sunrise)
Elizabeth Byler Younts
(Howard Books)
ISBN: 978-1476735016
October 2013/320 pages/$14.99
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?


Elizabeth Byler Younts is this week's ACFW Featured Author Interview. Read that interview here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’m Elizabeth, a blessed child of The King. I’m a middle-born daughter, military officer’s wife, homeschooling mama, writer, closet DIYer, and, dare I say it, Downton Abbey addict. May I also mention that I love both my history and my coffee rich.

I am formerly Amish and my heritage is very dear to me and thankful to be so accepted among my still Amish family. I can still speak PA Dutch, too! You can learn more about my Amish family in my first book Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl.

My three book series with Howard Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) is a dream come true. The series is titled The Promise of Sunrise. In this series you will live through World War 2 from an Amish perspective and experience their unique struggles as conscientious objectors during wartime. What happened if one of their members enlisted? What was it like to serve at the Civilian Public Service Camps for years with almost no compensation? How did Amish women and families cope when a son or father was drafted? I look forward to taking you back into the richness of these years of Amish history through fiction.

I’m happily represented by the Natasha Kern Agency. I’m more than happy about this actually; I’m over the moon about it!


MY ENDORSEMENT

“With an authenticity birthed by her own familial Amish roots, Elizabeth Byler Younts brings a fresh and gifted voice to Amish fiction in her debut novel. Stirring prose and richly developed characters resonate deeply, touching the heart. An evocative portrayal of the conflicts of heart, home, and culture that arise when an Amish young man enlists in the Army during World War II, this is a must-read. I’m already eagerly anticipating Elizabeth’s next novel!”




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced copy of this book from Howard Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”