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05 February 2015

Noela Nancarrow reviews PROMISE TO CHERISH by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Promise to Cherish (Promise of Sunrise, Book 3)
Howard  Books (October 7, 2014)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****

 A tale that is as hard-hitting as it is gentle; a ‘Promise to Cherish’ jolts the reader with shattering and cruel realities but then carries you along on the wings of courage and hope, love, and faith in God. It is a beautiful, raw, and honest story taking place nigh the end of WW2, capturing your heart as misunderstood characters struggle with unexpected events that significantly impacts their future.

As a conscientious objector to the war, Eli Brenneman has been sent instead to work at an appalling and understaffed hospital for the insane. He is determined to make a difference and to arrive back to his Amish community with far more integrity and maturity than when he left. It is at the hospital that Eli befriends Nurse Christine Freeman, a beautiful albeit non-Amish girl, and soon finds his affection burgeoning although the outlook is grey. Christine’s feelings are directed elsewhere but when she’s assaulted and feels abandoned and unsure, he throws caution to the wind and invites her to stay with his family as his war service finishes.

Eli becomes hopelessly ensnared between his Amish community and the Englisher girl he’s fallen in love with. How can his family see that he’s any different when they look no further than the outsider he’s brought home? Or when they listen to rumors spread by an Amish girl besotted with Eli, giving credence to his previous character as one reckless with his affections? But then how can he give his all to Christine when she insists she can’t become Amish? When Christine’s former love interest arrives to take her back home, will this man be her saving grace or a nightmare come to re-visit?

‘Promise to Cherish’ delivers realistic insights into asylums of the war era, the controversies of civil public service in lieu of fighting, and an authentic depiction of the Amish. Poignantly conveyed was the tragic and traumatic experience Christine endured, but overall this gentle love story was about hope and healing, and features in my opinion, a true hero. ‘Promise to Cherish’ promises a rewarding read!

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You may purchase this book through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and other bookstores.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy! E-book for international winners!


49 comments:

  1. A beautiful review on a beautiful, yet somewhat different, story line than the average Amish story - Noela!! Thank you!! I love learning about the asylums, the controversies re: WW2 obligations, the drama and healing involved. My father was one of those who didn't fight in WW2 - he was a farmer.

    Shared post!!

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    1. Thank you Bonnie! We have that in common... My dad wasn't one who fought in the war either, as he was also a farmer and lived and worked on his family's farm. Promise to Cherish was a fascinating book and gives great insights into those subjects you mentioned, plus a whole lot more!

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    2. I hope you enjoy reading it sometime! this book is off the beaten path for sure in the Amish Genre...and it comes from my own family history!

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  2. What a perfectly beautiful review, NOELA. Promise to Cherish was a poignant journey for this young heroine, as it was for everyone during this awful war that threatened to consume the world. My dad fought in it and was never the same. I really enjoy Elizabeth's writing.

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    1. Thanks Diana, and yes, that war did extend far and wide, even affecting Australia's shores. Our mainland came under direct attack for the first time with Japanese aircraft bombing towns in north-west Australia and their submarines attacking Sydney Harbour. Darwin was also bombed. And we'd also sent off a million men & women to serve in WW11... Which was quite a lot for the population at that time!
      Elizabeth's wonderful story of course didn't feature a great deal on the war, but there were many ripple effects from it..

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  3. What a wonderful review! I heard this book was excellent but never had the chance to read it yet!

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    1. Thanks Liz and I sure hope you get to read this excellent book soon!! God bless!

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    2. I hope you get your chance!!! Best of luck with the giveaway!

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  4. What an interesting sounding story, thank you for the chance to win a copy of the book.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. It certainly grabbed my attention Wendy and wasn't easy to put down when reading either!! ;) Blessings!

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    2. Good luck!!! And I hope you get the chance to read it & that you love it!

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  5. lovely review. I would love to read your book! rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net (Rhonda Gayle Nash-Hall)

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    1. Elizabeth Byler Younts would be thrilled I'm sure to have you read her book!! Thanks Rhonda and God bless!

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    2. I hope you get the opportunity!!! Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. This is a new to me author. I like the way this book sounds different from what I've read in the past.
    Please throw my name in the drawing to win a copy.
    Thanks!!

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    1. Cindi, I don't read many Amish books but what I've heard, this one is very different from your typical Amish book. I can confidently say however, that this story drew me in from the beginning and held me captive throughout! :) All the best with your entry!!

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    2. I hope you get the chance to read it!!! It is different from many Amish books and it comes from my own family history!

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  7. Such a lovely review, Noela! I love reading WWII era stories and this one sounds beautiful! Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of Promise to Cherish!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks Britney! I'm sure you'll love this story Britney and you are more than welcome for the chance to win, all the best and God bless!

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  8. I loved your review. You had my attention from the first sentence. I wish I had your way with words. fishingjan[at]aol[dot]com

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    1. Bless you Jan, and thanks for your encouraging words... which I thought were great btw! ;) All the very best in this giveaway, you will love this book!!

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    1. It is, and I hope you get to read it Becky!! :) God bless you!

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  10. Sounds great!I am looking forward to reading this book.

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    1. That's awesome Jackie, and I hope you get to read it soon too!! :) Blessings!

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  11. I really like the premise of this book. I will be adding it to my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. That's great Loraine! All the best in the giveaway and God bless!!

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  12. Love you reviews Noela. I have been wanting this book since I first time I saw it. And, like that it comes truly from Elizabeth's family. I had family and family friends in WW ll. Only lost two friends tho. As to the others if they had problems I never heard of them. They just picked up the pieces of life and went on. I'm sure they had thoughts about it. Who wouldn't? My brother that served got to visit the memorial wall for the first time this year and will be 90 in June. A group from Houston sponsored this trip. Traveled by plane and all had a chaparone. I would love to win. Maxie
    > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. Thank you dear Maxie! And thank you for sharing the story of your family and friends involvement in the war. That is so special that your (almost) 90 yr old brother was able to visit the Memorial wall for the first time!
      Maxie, I found that fascinating also that this story comes from Elizabeth's own family history. I'd love to hear more about that. All the best lovely lady and God bless!!

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  13. This does sound like a very deep book and unlike your typical Amish book, which I don't really read. It does interest me because it is set during WWII. I had uncles who fought in that war, my parents were adolescents. It always interests me reading about that time period. And this is a new perspective. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Nancy, to someone like myself who doesn't normally read Amish either, it really is very different from the few I have read and is a very compelling read. You're exactly right in saying that this is a new perspective! Don't you just love how different books give us that?! Thanks and many blessings to you!

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  14. A wonderful review thank you. Very helpful.

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    1. Thanks Mary, I'm so glad it was helpful! God bless!!

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  15. This sounds like a page turner! Thanks you for bringing this book to our attention, great review!

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    1. It's a page-turner for sure, Bonnie! Thank you for coming by to read about it, and also for your sweet and encouraging words! God bless you!!

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  16. Sounds wonderful. Looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for a great give away.
    seraphinangel7(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome Juanita, and thanks! We hope you get to read it soon!! Many blessings!

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  17. Another wonderful review NOELA! I have this on my kindle can't wait to read it! :-)

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    1. Awesome, Teresa!! I know you have a full plate atm, but I hope you get to read it sometime soon. Hugs and blessings Sissy! :)

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  18. This sounds like something I'd enjoy reading...

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    1. I think you would too, Deanna! Let's see if your name comes up! :)

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  19. Great review Noela. Thank you for bringing Elizabeth's new title to Overcoming With God! Sounds as though it has plenty of plot twists and will be a great book to read! Hi, Elizabeth! Are you coming to ACFW in Dallas--my stomping grounds--this year? Hope to see you there! Blessings to all from Texas!

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    1. Can't wait to come to Texas myself, Caryl!! Blessings to you, Elizabeth, and everyone from Australia also. And thanks for your comment Caryl, it is a great book to read indeed!

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  20. I was "drawn in" to this review because it is so different from the traditional Amish Christian fiction books I've read. I'd love to read this book!
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. I hope you get that chance soon Susan!! :) Thanks for coming by and God bless!!

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  21. I hope I am not too late to enter. I love amish books. Patty wright. Patty.wright1958@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks for your entry Patty!! You may just be in time! :) All the best and God Bless!

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