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Elizabeth Byler Younts | Voices from My Amish Past
When I look back at my earliest memories I remember the flicker of oil lamps
casting shadows on the wall of our home, our buggy, and wearing plain
clothes. I
remember when my dad drove our first car into the drivewayโa green Nova with
lime colored carpet on the dashโwe were leaving the Amish. And when my
mammie (grandma) visited from across the street and my mom told me
not to
bring out my new English dress that was blue seersucker with ruffles and
smocking. But I did.
For several years I spoke Pennsylvania Dutch better than English but my
little
friends still understood me. I was still raised alongside my plain cousins
because my shunned parents exhibited great patience and unconditional love
in
order to maintain a relationship with our Amish family.
From these memories came my mammieโs memoir that shared her life
through
the Great Depression and World War Two. It was a difficult life and not the
mainstream picturesque Amish. Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl
brought voices from my Amish ancestral past. I could hear my daudy
(grandpa) telling me about being drafted to World War Two but because of his
conscientious objector status he was sent into the Civilian Public Service.
After working in a labor camp he was sent to work in a mental institution.
PROMISE TO CHERISH
is
the second book in my Historical Amish series The Promise of Sunrise.
It
takes you directly into these memories and the stories of the many Amish and
Mennonites who worked in the mental institutions alongside the English
staff.
Because of the war, there were massive gaps of unfilled jobs yet the patient
population grew. Sometimes there was only one worker to several hundred
patients.
You might be thinking that it doesnโt seem like a place to start a romanceโ
but
PROMISE TO CHERISH
will
introduce you to the wild-hearted Eli, an Amish conscientious objector
working
with an English nurse, Christine, who has lost two brothers in war. In the
midst
of the squalor of the mental institution and the tension of their
differences,
they find one thing in commonโboth have been rejected by their social
circles.
And a bond begins to form.
Comment below to be entered to win a copy of PROMISE TO
CHERISH.
***
"Yountsโs Amish background lends authenticity to the tale, informing the
real
and relatable characters in this fascinating glimpse into an often elided
part
of Americaโs history." ( Publisher's Weekly)
"Younts' characters radiate lifelike warmth, and religious faith is woven
seamlessly into their honest struggles. This deeply moving read reveals the
truth about that eraโs state hospitals, treatment of unwed mothers, and
prejudice toward Amish conscientious objectors." ( Booklist)
Elizabeth
Byler Younts is a member of Romance Writers of America and author of PROMISE TO
RETURN, a 2014 RITA double finalist. She is an Air Force Officerโs wife.
She
and her husband make their home in central Pennsylvania with their two young
daughters. Elizabeth was Amish as a child, and after he parents left the
church
she still grew up among her Amish family and continues to speak
Pennsylvania Dutch.
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Comments
18 comments posted.
Re: Elizabeth Byler Younts | Voices from My Amish Past
My Father served in the Army during WWII. Any books that
pertain to that time period automatically peak my curiosity.
When they have to do with the Amish, my radar goes up even
further. I had no idea that the Amish had to work in the
mental institutions, which had to be no easy task for them
during that time!! I would love to read your book, and it's
definately been put on my TBR list for my Fall reading!!
When you add a love story to the mix, it's way up there on
my reading list!! Thank you for taking the time to write
your Mammie's memoir, and share it with us. It's a
wonderful thing to keep History alive!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:49am October 24, 2014)
Sounds like a great book. Would love to win! Thanks for the opportunity.
(Karen Mikusak 3:03pm October 24, 2014)
I sure would love to read this book. It really does sound like a good book. I do hope I do win, good luck everyone. Thank you for allowing me to enter your contest.
(Renae Kelly 5:02pm October 24, 2014)
I really enjoy reading anything about the Amish. Your book sounds like a great read. Thank you for the contest.
(Nancy Wolfe 5:30pm October 24, 2014)
This sounds like an interesting story in a time period that
fascinates me. I'd love to read your book and become
acquainted with your work.
(Deb Philippon 2:46pm October 25, 2014)
I've never ready a romance novel involving the Amish. I might like it.
(Karen Gales 9:37pm October 25, 2014)
Elizabeth, thank you for sharing a little of your family
background wit us. I love reading Amish fiction and
historicals too. Eli and Christine's story sounds like a good
one that I would love to read.
(Maryann Skaritka 12:13pm October 26, 2014)
I love Amish romance books!
(Susan Mahaffey 1:27am October 26, 2014)
This looks so good! can't wait to read it!
(Joanne Dowson 1:51am October 26, 2014)
Wow! Thank you for taking the time to share your family story with us. I enjoy reading Historical Romance Novels but I have to admit Elizabeth, I've never read any Romance Novels about Amish. Best to all who have entered :)
(Holly Loch 3:38am October 26, 2014)
Promise to Cherish sounds like a great read!
(Teresa Stebbins 9:23am October 26, 2014)
I love it when authors share their history. Thank you!
(Denise Austin 11:52am October 26, 2014)
My family is old order Mennonite, and while I'm not a member of their church, I find that type of lifestyle so interesting. I love reading about it!
(Sydney Peters 12:22pm October 26, 2014)
My mom's family was Old Order Brethren, and I know some of
her uncles served in the civilian public service
(conscientious objectors) during WW II, too.
(Denise Holcomb 1:35pm October 26, 2014)
This historical is fascinating. Many thanks.
(Sharon Berger 4:31pm October 26, 2014)
Iii looks great
(Kent Cook 7:32pm October 26, 2014)
This book sounds fantastic
(Brenda Wheeler 9:52pm October 29, 2014)
I received notice that I am a winner. Please let me know what I need to do to confirm information.
(Karen Gales 8:18pm November 7, 2014)
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