The Solace of Water: A Novel

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Description

A glimpse into the turbulent 1950s. Two grieving women and a heartbroken child. And unlikely friendships that rise above religion, race, and custom with the power to transform souls from the inside out.

After leaving her sons grave behind in Montgomery, Alabama, Delilah Evans has little faith that moving to her husbands hometown in Pennsylvania will bring a fresh start. Enveloped by grief and doubt, the last thing Delilah imagines is becoming friends with her reclusive Amish neighbor, Emma Mulletyet the secrets that keep Emma isolated from her own community bond her to Delilah in delicate and unexpected ways.

Delilahs eldest daughter, Sparrow, bears the brunt of her mothers pain, never allowed for a moment to forget she is responsible for her brothers death. When tensions at home become unbearable for her, she seeks peace at Emmas house and becomes the daughter Emma has always wanted. Sparrow, however, is hiding secrets of her ownsecrets that could devastate them all.

With the white, black, and Amish communities of Sinking Creek at their most divided, there seems to be little hope for reconciliation. But long-buried hurts have their way of surfacing, and Delilah and Emma find themselves facing their own self-deceptions. Together they must learn how to face the future through the healing power of forgiveness.

Younts has set herself apart with this exquisite story of friendship and redemption . . . Ill be talking about this book for years to come. Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress

Reviews

'. . . a riveting and (sadly) relevant historical novel about racial tensions, religious divides, and an unlikely friendship forged in grief. . . Ultimately hopeful, this eloquent, painful story addresses the darkness we carry, the damage our sin causes to others, the freedom of forgiveness, and the ways grief can both blind us and bind us together.' * Christianity Today *
'VERDICT Younts's powerful novel reverberates with love that crosses religious and racial boundaries to find the humanity that connects us all. Highly recommended.' * Library Journal STARRED REVIEW *
'Byler Younts is a marvel with dialect and highly charged emotional scenes. Like a turbulent river, water is ever-present in this story of love, anger, and regeneration.' * CBA Market Magazine *
'The Solace of Water is a gripping coming-of-age historical fiction story that will stick with readers for some time after the final word is read. Hauntingly beautiful prose is bountiful in this tightly woven tale . . . The characters demonstrate the impact secrets, guilt and unforgiveness can have on a person in this emotive gem.' * RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars, TOP PICK *

Author Bio

Elizabeth Byler Younts gained a worldwide audience through her first book Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl and is a RITA nominated writer. She is also the author of The Promise of Sunrise series. She has consulted on Amish lifestyle and the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect two award-winning television shows. Elizabeth lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, two daughters, and a cockapoo named Fable. Website: ElizabethBylerYounts.com; Twitter: @ElizabethYounts; Facebook: AuthorElizabethBylerYounts; Instagram: @ElizabethBylerYounts.