March, 2026 -- Into the Promised Land > Likes and Comments
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Thank you all for picking Into the Promised Land. There are a lot more questions on my website sarahheatwole.com - (and pictures) - I also have an accompanying recipe booklet if you sign up for my blog. I pulled three questions that would be interesting to me as an author to hear from readers and hopefully spur on conversation. Feel free to message me if you have any thoughts or want to converse more in-depth. Thank you!
How does the novel portray the tension between faith and personal desire or ambition?
Which character did you find the most relatable, and why?
Does the ending feel satisfying to you? Why or why not?
As a child Andy Troyer longs for a brighter future, one free from the desperate shadow of hunger and loss. When his father becomes a minister it lifts the family out of poverty, but the newfound improvement in circumstances does nothing to quell the desires in Andy’s heart. Can the peaceful life his Amish community offers provide the answers he seeks, or will his heart carve its own path? In the neighboring district, Sylvia grows up in a world painted with love and privilege. An unexpected tragedy throws her life into turmoil, plunging her into a world of darkness. One night, a dream ignites a profound transformation within her, unfolding a journey infused with faith, redemption, and changing the trajectory of those around her forever. When Andy and Sylvia’s paths converge, they find in each other a shared spirit and an undeniable connection. Their lives become intertwined as they fall in love with each other and Jesus. As they reckon with the repercussions of embracing their new beliefs, they must find the courage to follow their hearts.
Inspired by a true story, "Into the Promised Land" is an old-fashioned tale of love and loss, courage and forgiveness, and the reminder that the irresistible call of God isn’t always easy but following Him changes lives for eternity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Heatwole is a writer of Mennonite heritage from Hartville, Ohio. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she holds a BS degree in Social Work. Her short stories have been published in "Clean Fiction Magazine," and her debut, "Into the Promised Land" was a semi-finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest. She lives in Smyrna, Tennessee, with her husband, and three children.