Giveaway of a Copy of “Why I Left the Amish”

Would you like to win an autographed copy of my memoir, Why I Left the Amish, complete with an eco-friendly fabric gift bag? If so, please link to my blog from your website, blog, Facebook, or Twitter, then come back and let me know how I can find the link. For every link I find,…

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Angels along My Way — “Megan” Part II

It was through Megan that I was able to connect with a county social worker, which gave me hope that I would be able to have someone intervene on my siblings and my behalf. That did not work out, which led me to making the decision to leave. I knew I needed help, and so…

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Interviews…

Tonight I am going to interrupt my “Angels along My Way” series to make a few announcements. Today I was interviewed for a local radio station by Daria Fisk, on her program called “Various Voices.” She hopes to air the program tomorrow, Wednesday, February 9,  from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, and then rebroadcast it on…

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Angels along My Way — “Megan” Part I

There came a time in my late teens when I often felt I had no advocates — I literally felt there was no one I could turn to when the violence in my home became unbearable. There was a shroud of secrecy around the violence, as there often is within dysfunctional families. I did not…

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Angels along My Way — Olin Clara, Part II

The tribute that I wrote back in August actually fits nicely after the one I posted yesterday, which puts this next excerpt from my book in context: I continued to go to Olin Clara’s house on Saturdays for several years. I learned her methods of baking pies and cookies, and I learned through her appreciation…

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Angels along My Way — Olin Clara, Part I

Today I start my series called “Angels along My Way.” I am starting with “Olin Clara.” In the Amish community, women get their husbands’ names before their own. I would be known as “David Saloma” if I were still in the community. For a tribute to Olin Clara, that I wrote back in August, click…

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The February Deal

It is time to reveal the February deal. For the month of February, I am offering a free handcrafted, reusable eco-friendly fabric gift bag with the purchase of my book at the full price of $19.95 plus $2.05 for shipping for the first book. I am offering free shipping and a free gift bag for…

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The Numbers — of Women versus Men Who Leave the Amish

One of the questions asked at my talk this past weekend was whether there are more women than men who leave the Amish. I didn’t actually know the answer to this gentleman’s question, but I decided to find out.I have a book called “Ohio Amish Directory; Geauga County and Vicinity,” that lists all the Amish…

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First Book Talk

Yesterday (Saturday, January 22) I had my first book talk. I had a talk scheduled here in Sunderland before, but it was rescheduled twice. I am hoping for good weather on Saturday, February 5, so we can actually have that one.This is how it happened that Burlington, Vermont, was my first appearance. It was well-attended,…

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Book Review from Seven Days

By “hardships,” Furlong doesn’t just mean living without electricity, or conforming to the dictates of a strict religious community. In her new memoir, Why I Left the Amish, she describes growing up with a father who was mentally ill and a mother who worked furiously to feed her seven children. ~ Margot Harrison, Seven Days On…

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