Noela Nancarrow reviews PROMISE TO CHERISH by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Promise to Cherish (Promise of Sunrise, Book 3)

by Elizabeth Byler Younts

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!

Diana Reviews Promise To Cherish By Elizabeth Byler Younts

Promise to Cherish by Elizabeth Byler Younts
Howard Books, 2104

Reviewed by Diana Flowers
~5 stars~*****

Promise to Cherish is a lovely, heartrending story of the seemingly ill-fated romance between a young couple whose lives intertwine during a raging war that threatens to tear the whole world asunder.

Christine Freeman is a nurse at Hudson River State Hospital when she meets the handsome Eli Brenneman, an Amish conscientious objector during World War II. In spite of their immense differences, Christine and Eli develop a friendship based on physical attraction and mutual respect.

Christine is flattered when an old school crush, handsome and popular Jack Delano, offers to take her riding after a New Year's Eve party. But that promising night forever changes the course of her life when a violent act occurs, leaving her with no recourse but to return with Eli to his Amish community. Both Eli and Christine are faced with tough, seemingly insurmountable challenges when their initial attraction begins to grow into love. Especially when Jack resurfaces and wants to take Christine back with him....

Elizabeth Younts has written a hauntingly beautiful love story that is not your typical Amish romance. The harsh realities of war, forbidden love, and violence perpetrated on a young woman are tough issues, but the author deals with them with finesse and dignity. Be sure to have the tissue box nearby -- you will need them! Truly a well written story of God's faithfulness, redemption, and healing, be sure to put Promise to Cherish at the top of your wishlist!

You may purchase this book through Amazon, CBD, and your local bookstore.

SORRY, but comments are CLOSED on this post. Come by next week to read NOELA's review of Elizabeth's book for a chance to win a copy. Comments will be open on that review. Prayers for Diana are appreciated!

Three Reasons to Read: Promise to Cherish by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Buy this book now at CBD, B&N, or Amazon. Promise to Cherish is published by Howard Books, 2014, and is part of The Promise of Sunrise series.

Three Reasons to Read Promise to Cherish by Elizabeth Byler Younts:
1) This book made my list of Top 10 Books for 2014.
2) Runner up for Bibliotherapy of the Year because of the many strong therapeutic elements.
3) The author is adorable! (I had to just throw that in!) She's also very talented!!!

Elizabeth Byler Younts and Carrie Fancett Pagels ACFW 2013

Elizabeth Byler Younts is proving herself as a story teller extraordinaire. I loved her last novel, also an Amish story. Elizabeth's extended family is Amish so she has a unique and genuine perspective. As far as this novel goes, the reader should be sure to read the blurb about the book because the book includes a somewhat detailed sexual assault. However, one can infer this fact from the blurb, plus it is necessary to understand the heroine's motivations and the struggles she faces. The way the scene is written it is done well and integral to the plot.

Because my father worked in a state hospital near my home (and I spent a fair amount of time on those grounds), I was interested in Elizabeth's descriptions of the setting and the treatment in a New York state asylum just after WWII. Very disturbing. I would like to think that the mental institutions in Michigan were much better than this, at that time. Shocking.

Lovely story about forgiveness, mercy, and redemption. Beautiful love story. Just when you think you know what will happen there is a hairpin turn. Highly recommend!


Bibliotherapy: Date rape, PTSD, pregnancy, rejection, forgiveness, mental illness, and God's provision.

Giveaway: A copy of Promise to Cherish, which made my top 10 list of favorite books for 2014 and was runner up for bibliotherapy for the year.

Carrie Fancett Pagels Reviews A Passion Redeemed (Daughters of Boston) by Julie Lessman

A Passion Redeemed

Daughters of Boston, Book Two

By Julie Lessman

(Revell, 2008)

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

5 Stars *****

World War I has ended and Charity O’Connor determines that she will have Mitch for her husband. Except that because of his relationship with her sister, Faith, Mitch does not want Charity as a wife, because she does not have the Lord in her life. This is the second of the current five novels in this and the next series of the O’Connors, an Irish Catholic family, living in Boston and Ireland.

In some ways Charity represents we as sinners who act in the flesh, looking only for our own wants. While she uses her physical attributes to entice the man she wants to consider marriage she is also manipulating another, and dangerous, man. Her plan backfires with serious repercussions and Charity must leave Ireland and return to America. She lies and schemes but struggles, knowing on some level that what she is doing is wrong. 

Readers may love to hate Charity, but she makes the right choice, after being taken under the wing of the same strong Christian man, John Brady, who led her former beau, Collin, to the Lord.  The sisters have to learn how to renegotiate their relationships after  all Charity has done to destroy what she shared with her older sister. 

Julie Lessman’s books are full of “Passion with a Purpose” and this big book, so make room for time in your schedule because you will not want to put it down. 

Spoiler alert/bibliotherapy: There is a reason that Charity behaves so provocatively.  Part has to do with losing her older sister Hope to polio and losing her position as Daddy’s girl when her father sinks his energies into his relationship with the surviving twin – Faith. And something happened to Charity. In this current story there are two violent attacks that could trouble some readers.  Most of it is off the page, but not all. I still gave this book a five star review as it was extremely well done. It takes some savvy to take such topics and handle them well, and Julie has done so!

I love Julie's books and can hardly wait until her next release!!!  

Julie Lessman's books can be purchased on CBD, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Lifeway, and other book stores.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Julie's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback. Three giveaways this week!

Diana's Corner - Book Review of Surrendered Hearts

Surrendered Hearts

(2011)

by Carrie Turansky

Reviewed by Diana Flowers
4 1/2 Stars!!!

Romance Among The Pines!

"Surrendered Hearts" (Kindle Edition)

In Carrie Turansky's lovely novel, Surrendered Hearts, I was immediately drawn to the hometown atmosphere of this beautiful, lush Vermont setting; with its small shops, fireworks in the park, wildflowers and pine trees, and small townsfolk camaraderie!


Our heroine, Jennifer Evans, a city girl, arrives in the small town of Tipton, Vermont, to attend the wedding of her brother, Wes, with little more than a duffle bag and the clothes on her back. Jennifer is loaded with alot of inside baggage, however...a low self esteem from being raised by relatives who showed her no love, and a body covered with scars to match the ones she carries inside. Jennifer, the victim of a fire that claimed the life of her beloved dog, and left her with nothing, feels that God has abandoned her, just as her ex-fiance did when he took one look at her scarred body in the hospital.


Bill Morgan, her brother's roommate, sees past the scars to the lovely lady inside, but holds back because she doesn't share his faith in God. Jenn is drawn to Bill and the beautiful small town where she finds love and acceptance, but can she learn to love and accept herself? When Bill is offered a job in NC, will he accept the position, knowing the way things stand with Jenn, and her refusal to accept healing that comes only from God? And when Jenn's ex-fiance shows up, will she accept his proposal of marriage?


I loved this touching story, and that's saying alot coming from this historical fiction addict! This was a quick, relaxing read, but Ms. Turansky tastefully dealt with some heavy issues...pregnancy as a result of a date rape, low self esteem stemming from childhood neglect, and low body self image, to name a few. I loved her use of imagery in describing the setting in Vermont, and her realistic characters with human flaws. With a VERY strong spiritual thread throughout, and a satisfying ending, I knew I had become a new Carrie Turansky fan!


Giveaway:  Carrie is giving away two e-book downloads this week.  Leave a comment and your email address to enter!