"Promise To Cherish" by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Book Description

Publication Date: October 7, 2014

As World War II draws to a close, nurse Christine falls in love with roguish Amish boy Eli and must choose between a new, uncertain life in the Amish faith or face the judgment of a conservative postwar American society for her past mistakes.

It’s 1945, and Christine Freeman is a nurse at Hudson River State Hospital, where she works alongside members of a Civilian Public Service unit. Eli is one of the conscies—conscientious objectors to the war—and he is doing his best to become a man of character instead of the immature heartbreaker he used to be back home in his Amish community.

Christine and Eli are friendly, but when an old acquaintance, Jack, returns home from the war, Christine’s world is violently turned upside down. Eli, heartbroken to see his friend so hurt, offers her an escape within his Amish community. Despite her misgivings, Christine is fully embraced by Eli’s community. She slowly begins to feel valued and loved as she learns the Amish way of life.

Christine finds herself falling for Eli. But soon, the abusive Jack discovers Christine in her Amish hideaway and starts causing trouble for the quiet community. Christine can’t see herself becoming Amish, and she knows that if Eli leaves the church to be with her, he will be shunned. Will she escape Jack and possibly have to give up the one thing she holds most dear, or will she follow her heart and promise to cherish the Amish man who loves her?

Author Bio: 

Elizabeth Byler Younts is an Air Force officer's wife and a homeschooling mom with two young daughters, currently living in central Pennsylvania. 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. Elizabeth is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.

Elizabeth's first book SEASONS: A REAL STORY OF AN AMISH GIRL, her Amish grandmother's memoir, was an #1 Amazon Bestseller and winner of a BRAG Medallion. PROMISE TO RETURN, her first novel in the Promise of Sunrise series through Howard Books (Simon & Schuster), is a finalist for a 2014 RITA Award. Through her love for storytelling and her Amish heritage, Elizabeth shares with readers worldwide authentic stories filled with little known Amish history, faith, and romance.

Go to www.elizabethbyleryounts.com to learn more.

My Review: 

"Promise To Cherish" by Elizabeth Byler Younts is just as good as "Promise to Return". 

I have to be honest and say that this story deals with a subject that I was not aware that was going to be touched upon and at first I was not sure I was going to finish reading the book but I am so glad that I did.

I hope I am not giving a spoiler but the subject I am referring to is rape. I just think if I had known the issue was in the story I might not have been caught so unaware, this subject is just too close to home for me to come upon it with no warning, that is why I am including it in this review! 

I was so upset that this was included in the book and I was talking to another reader and friend and this was her reply to me "Think about it...it happens all the time, in real life. It's something to talk about. Something that should be spoken about. And what happens? How does the character deal with it? How does the character get over it? Can she forgive? Can she forget? Can she get past the hurt and the scars? It is a very sensitive topic. But sadly,it's a real one. Abortion is also a sensitive topic we don't like but it is a real life issue. But it's something a lot of people deal with. Like rape. The author wants a person to be there, in the story. Even slightly, a good author shows you those feelings. Makes you feel them, somewhat. She was frightened. Scared. Anxious. Trying to get away. While this and that was happening. It should be handled sensitively, but realistic. And rape isn't pretty or sugar covered. Get what I mean?" Her comment made me think the book wouldn't have been the same without this happening and the storyline wouldn't have been as great and yes now that I have finished reading the book I can say if it had been left out the ending wouldn't have been as truly remarkable as it was! So I say read this book and know it belongs , even if it makes you cry. Since I added the part about abortion in my discussion with my friend I do need to let you all know that abortion isn't in the book, just part of the conversation.

Eli is Amish and has been sent to Hudson River State Hospital to work since he is a conscientious objectors to the war. He is trying to make up for all his not quite so honorable actions back home at Sunrise. 

Christine is trying to be a good daughter and take care of her parents since her father was injured in World War 1.

This book is a book full of heartaches and forgiveness and Love. Yes, this book made me experience many emotions which is what a good story does!

This book is really wonderful and the characters are truly human. I absolutely loved the ending and am anxiously awaiting book 3 in this series (The Promise Of Sunrise Series). This book is getting five stars!

I was given a copy of the book by the author for my honest review!