Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Promise to Keep: Promise of Sunrise Book 3 By Elizabeth Byler Younts

I received this book from Howard Books for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.


Book Description:

World War II Marine Joe Garrison returns home from war longing to be a father to his deaf daughter, Daisy, only to find that she is attached to Esther Detweiler, the Amish woman who has raised her since his wife's death in this touching historical romance.

Orphaned as a child, Esther Detweiler is used to caring for herself and her ailing grandmother. They made the best out of a hard life and poverty without asking for help. They even take in her shunned cousin's deaf daughter, Daisy, when her mother dies and her father goes off to war. When Esther's grandmother dies, Daisy is all she has.

When war veteran Joe Garrison returns, all he can think about is recovering from the horrors of war and building a relationship with his seven-year-old daughter. Daisy, however, is unwilling to leave Esther, whom she loves. Joe and Daisy get to know each other again, but Joe struggles with nightmares and fatherhood is proving to be more difficult than he imagined. Esther loves Daisy and despite her Amish ways, Joe finds himself drawn to her as a woman and not just a caregiver.

As their love blossoms, Joe decides to send Daisy away to a school for the deaf which propels their lives into turmoil and a battle for love and family.


My Thoughts: 

Promise to Keep is book 3 in Elizabeth Byler Younts Promise of Sunrise Book and I really enjoyed it. I have not read any books by Elizabeth Byler Younts so I was excited to have the opportunity to read a new to me author. Especially a new to me Amish Fiction and Christian Historical Fiction author. As a HUGE Amish Fiction and Christian Historical fan I am always excited to learn of new authors to read.  Promise to Keep is the 3rd and last book of the Promise of Sunrise series but it definitely doesn't need to be read in order and this book can definitely be read as a stand alone.  This book takes place during WWII and the impact it had on the Amish and English alike. Esther Detweiler was orphaned as a child living with her grandmother and taking care of her. When Esther's cousin died, Esther and Orpha took in her deaf daughter, Daisy because Irene's husband Joe decided to enlist in the military. Irene was raised Amish but left when she married Joe Garrison and was shunned by everyone except Esther and Orpha.  Until Esther took in Daisy no one knew she was deaf, they all thought she was "simple" but eventually Esther figured it out and taught herself and Daisy to communicate mainly through sign language and their own ways. Esther knew Joe would be back for Daisy after his service was done but that didn't change that Esther has been a mother to Daisy and the only parent she has really ever known so when Joe comes home, Daisy doesn't understand and is very angry. Esther is afraid of what will happen when Joe is ready to take Daisy back and raise her. As Esther works with Daisy and Joe, Esther and Joe start to have feelings for one another past being in laws and co parents for Daisy.

I really enjoyed this book by Elizabeth Byler Younts! As a huge fan of Amish and Christian Historical fiction this book is the best of both worlds. When I requested this book I was not aware it was the third and last book in a series and didn't know until I finished the book and read the acknowledgements at the end. This book definitely can be read as stand alone. I could NOT tell that it was part of a series and I did not feel like I was missing any parts of the story. Elizabeth Byler Younts grew up in an Amish Community so there is a knowledge and authenticity to this story that really stands out. I found myself learning so much more about the Amish and their role in WWII, the military in general. Elizabeth Byler Younts paints a realistic, honest look at Amish life, not just the happy or pleasant. I found myself taken in with this story from the start and had a hard time putting it down. This story is great and I have definitely found another author to add to my list! I look forward to reading Elizabeth Byler Younts other books! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish and Christian Historical fiction, you will not be disappointed. I give this book 4 STARS.

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