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Motty's Vow: A Novel of Family, Duty, and Resilience
A promise made in fear. A father marching off to war. A family left with nothing but each other.
When Motty’s father leaves to fight for the Union, he takes their only source of income with him. Her mother is ill and overwhelmed. And the threat that haunts Motty if anything happens to her mother becomes terrifyingly real: the children can be taken and separated. The cupboards are empty.
Motty is fourteen. She should be a child. Instead, she becomes the one holding the family together.
She vows to protect her siblings—especially Mary, whose vulnerability makes her a target for the asylum. But protection has a cost, and every choice Motty makes to keep the family together carries a new and heavier burden.
This is powerful civil war historical fiction inspired by true events, a deeply emotional family survival story led by a strong female protagonist fighting to protect her own.
Motty’s Vow follows a resilient young woman forced into adulthood in a world shaped by poverty, illness, and fear of the unthinkable. It is an intimate, character-driven novel for readers who love historical fiction for women, novels inspired by true history, and unforgettable girls who rise to the impossible.
Perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate, Kristin Hannah, and readers who gravitate toward resilient female novels and coming of age during war stories.
Includes a bonus Book Club Guide with discussion questions and historical background.
When Motty’s father leaves to fight for the Union, he takes their only source of income with him. Her mother is ill and overwhelmed. And the threat that haunts Motty if anything happens to her mother becomes terrifyingly real: the children can be taken and separated. The cupboards are empty.
Motty is fourteen. She should be a child. Instead, she becomes the one holding the family together.
She vows to protect her siblings—especially Mary, whose vulnerability makes her a target for the asylum. But protection has a cost, and every choice Motty makes to keep the family together carries a new and heavier burden.
This is powerful civil war historical fiction inspired by true events, a deeply emotional family survival story led by a strong female protagonist fighting to protect her own.
Motty’s Vow follows a resilient young woman forced into adulthood in a world shaped by poverty, illness, and fear of the unthinkable. It is an intimate, character-driven novel for readers who love historical fiction for women, novels inspired by true history, and unforgettable girls who rise to the impossible.
Perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate, Kristin Hannah, and readers who gravitate toward resilient female novels and coming of age during war stories.
Includes a bonus Book Club Guide with discussion questions and historical background.
386 pages, ebook
First published November 12, 2024
295 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Diane Wahn Shotton
4 books9 followersDiane tells stories about ordinary people navigating extraordinary choices—strong women, complicated families, and the quiet heroism that history too often overlooks. Her work explores the grit and love of everyday sacrifice, the weight of generational legacy, and the emotional cost of injustice.
She's drawn to the small, domestic histories that rarely make headlines but shape lives in lasting ways. If you've ever wondered how personal stories intersect with larger historical forces—or longed to find yourself in the quiet strength of those who endured—these stories are for you.
Her debut novel, Motty's Vow, follows a young girl's courageous stand to hold her family together during the Civil War. Her latest work, The Dictograph Case, is a historical thriller about buried truths, dangerous propaganda, and the price of silence in a small American town.
Born in Covington, Kentucky—just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, she finds her stories rooted in the places and circumstances that shaped her family. Diane lives in Cave Creek, Arizona surrounded by her family.
Follow Diane
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Author Website: dianewahnshotton
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 29, 2025
emotional
This book came across my suggestions on kindle and even though its not usually what I read, I am so glad I did. The main character “Motty, is such a strong young lady who had to deal with such hard things. She did not know how strong she was until she had to be. I stayed up all night reading this. I cried do much but I also smiled a lot. I wish their was a book 2 so I can know how Mary, Lizzy And henrY was. I felt like their should be more to the story. Definitely a great read. Be prepared to cry. This is the only book I read by this author and I am glad I did.
This book came across my suggestions on kindle and even though its not usually what I read, I am so glad I did. The main character “Motty, is such a strong young lady who had to deal with such hard things. She did not know how strong she was until she had to be. I stayed up all night reading this. I cried do much but I also smiled a lot. I wish their was a book 2 so I can know how Mary, Lizzy And henrY was. I felt like their should be more to the story. Definitely a great read. Be prepared to cry. This is the only book I read by this author and I am glad I did.
May 27, 2025
Motty, Mary, Lizzy and Henry
This is an unusual tale, and wonderfully written. This family shows it’s broken from the beginning, the love that is shown is overwhelming. The Civil war as the background and the motivating factor for many of the happenings. Death and promises, both kept and broken are one of the major factors. You will either hate this tale and probably stop reading before the end or like it as I do and think it is one of the most riveting you’ve ever read.
This is an unusual tale, and wonderfully written. This family shows it’s broken from the beginning, the love that is shown is overwhelming. The Civil war as the background and the motivating factor for many of the happenings. Death and promises, both kept and broken are one of the major factors. You will either hate this tale and probably stop reading before the end or like it as I do and think it is one of the most riveting you’ve ever read.
May 17, 2025
Excellent
I thoroughly enjoyed this well written novel about family love and sacrifice. The story is about a German immigrant family living in Ohio when the Civil War begins. A young girl, the oldest child, is faced with responsibilities no child should have to assume. The reader learns about the hardships families faced as war forged on. I highly recommend.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well written novel about family love and sacrifice. The story is about a German immigrant family living in Ohio when the Civil War begins. A young girl, the oldest child, is faced with responsibilities no child should have to assume. The reader learns about the hardships families faced as war forged on. I highly recommend.
July 4, 2025
Undying Love for now!
This book rattled my cage in the way my emotions sometimes battles between pitty, rage and undying love. These children's highs and lows made me want to help them. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a meandering story of hope. Never give up and never give in. It is what it is.
This book rattled my cage in the way my emotions sometimes battles between pitty, rage and undying love. These children's highs and lows made me want to help them. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a meandering story of hope. Never give up and never give in. It is what it is.
September 16, 2025
What a great read. Honestly, I wouldn't have ever read it, based on the cover, but my husband loved it and highly recommended it. It's a powerful story, and every single character was so well-written. I can't wait for the next novel to come out next year.
This would be a great historical fiction read for middle school and up.
This would be a great historical fiction read for middle school and up.
September 7, 2025
Great story
This author captured a clear picture of lives during the years leading up to and during the Civil War. Such hardships and disappointments on families who came to America in hopes of peace and prosperity.
This author captured a clear picture of lives during the years leading up to and during the Civil War. Such hardships and disappointments on families who came to America in hopes of peace and prosperity.
August 13, 2025
I enjoyed this book. I feel the ending could have been written better than it was. I was a bit disappointed in the abrupt ending.
July 30, 2025
review of “Mottys” Vow
Excellent telling of a girls courage in very difficult situations. The characterazions are very real for each character. The weaknesses of the parents are so real as well as a child’s need for them to be perfect. This is a book to be proud of writing.
Excellent telling of a girls courage in very difficult situations. The characterazions are very real for each character. The weaknesses of the parents are so real as well as a child’s need for them to be perfect. This is a book to be proud of writing.
September 29, 2025
Set during the Civil War, a man leaves his sick wife and four children to enlist in the union army. Motty, his young teenage daughter is in charge. Will she be able to overcome many obstacles and keep her vow to hold the family together? Historical fiction based on a true story.
"I was fourteen the day Papa rode off to fight for the Union, leaving Mama—frail, frightened, and penniless—with four children to feed. That was the day I became the one who had to hold us together.
When Mama took sick, I made a vow: I would never let us be separated. I would never let Mary go to the asylum. No matter what.
But promises don’t put food on the table. And the streets of Civil War–era Cincinnati are no place for a girl with nothing but grit, hope, and the weight of her word." synopsis copied
"I was fourteen the day Papa rode off to fight for the Union, leaving Mama—frail, frightened, and penniless—with four children to feed. That was the day I became the one who had to hold us together.
When Mama took sick, I made a vow: I would never let us be separated. I would never let Mary go to the asylum. No matter what.
But promises don’t put food on the table. And the streets of Civil War–era Cincinnati are no place for a girl with nothing but grit, hope, and the weight of her word." synopsis copied
October 24, 2025
Lovely read dedicated to the human spirit of resilience
I had a hard time putting this book down. I fell in love with the main character and her tenacity and perseverance to support her family through difficult times. Life wasn’t fair to Morty, but her strength and resourcefulness wove a beautiful story for her siblings.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I fell in love with the main character and her tenacity and perseverance to support her family through difficult times. Life wasn’t fair to Morty, but her strength and resourcefulness wove a beautiful story for her siblings.
January 16, 2026
Motty's Vow broke my heart and stitched it back together again. Motty is such a powerful, believable character, so young, yet forced to shoulder impossible responsibility. The fear of her family being torn apart felt painfully real, and I was fully invested in every choice she made. A beautiful, emotional read that stayed with me long after I finished.
November 25, 2025
Amazing read
This is a new author for me, and I am so impressed. This is probably the best I have ever read and I will be looking for other books by her. I'm sure I will never forget this story.
This is a new author for me, and I am so impressed. This is probably the best I have ever read and I will be looking for other books by her. I'm sure I will never forget this story.
September 28, 2025
finger kisses
This was a great story although I did want to see Martha marry EB..she was one tough young lady and true to her family..
This was a great story although I did want to see Martha marry EB..she was one tough young lady and true to her family..
November 7, 2025
ON KINDLE
December 7, 2025
Very good read.
Currently reading
September 5, 2025From the Author:
I wrote Motty’s Vow to understand a family story that was always just out of reach. What began as a genealogical mystery—why did my ancestor fight in the Civil War, leaving his family behind?—became something more intimate: a young girl’s promise, a family fractured, and the quiet strength it takes to hold things together.
This book is deeply personal, but it’s also for anyone who has ever had to grow up too fast, shoulder responsibility beyond their years, or love someone through grief. Set in the German-American community of 1860s Cincinnati, Motty’s Vow is historical fiction rooted in real places, emotional truth, and ordinary resilience.
I hope readers find something in Motty’s journey that stays with them. I’m grateful to everyone who’s taken a chance on her story.
I wrote Motty’s Vow to understand a family story that was always just out of reach. What began as a genealogical mystery—why did my ancestor fight in the Civil War, leaving his family behind?—became something more intimate: a young girl’s promise, a family fractured, and the quiet strength it takes to hold things together.
This book is deeply personal, but it’s also for anyone who has ever had to grow up too fast, shoulder responsibility beyond their years, or love someone through grief. Set in the German-American community of 1860s Cincinnati, Motty’s Vow is historical fiction rooted in real places, emotional truth, and ordinary resilience.
I hope readers find something in Motty’s journey that stays with them. I’m grateful to everyone who’s taken a chance on her story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews