Rumspringa by Shakuita Johnson
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The Past
Harper Smith had only loved one person for as long as she had known what the word meant…Julie, but the laws of their people strictly forbade it. Her future was already decided for her and she didn’t have a say in it at all. Who she would marry, when she would have kids, and what she couldn’t and couldn’t do…she hated it. When she’s told that she was expected to have her first child, she secretly rebelled and with the help of her best friend and love of her life, Julie, she made a decision that would later come back to haunt her... The Present What would you do for love? Would you sit by and let it pass you by, or would you grab onto it no matter the cost? Sy Cole wants what all sixteen-year-old girls in her coven want. To master one of the four elements, move out of her parents' home, and into her new one with her chosen husband. It seemed all that was within her grasp, when it was brutally snatched away. Instead of sitting by and letting her life be dictated, she acted. When faced with having to choose family over love, she chose love. She took control of her life and went on a journey that would turn all she knew and was always told upside down. On the run and looking over her shoulder Sy along with her love Jamie look for the only people she believes can help them now…her brothers. Join Sy as she undergoes the ceremony that changes her life forever. Whether it's for good or bad is still to be determined. |
Rumspringa ...
I grew up among the Pennsylvania Dutch folk, complete with horse-drawn buggies, covered bridges, and hex signs on barns, and still find this Amish rite of passage mysterious and somewhat romantic.
Rumspringa, sometimes spelled Rumschpringe or Rumshpringa, means running or jumping around and is used to describe the time of adolescence in the Amish community. It begins around fourteen and ends around sixteen or seventeen, when the teen makes the ultimate decision as to whether to be baptised into the faith or choose to 'live among the English.'
During this period, teens are permitted to date (with the intent of finding a spouse), and the average ridged life of the Amish is a bit more relaxed. Offenses that would usually result in shunning are likely to be overlooked or treated with less severity, at this time. Defying one's parents, 'dressing English,' smoking, drinking alcohol, even owning a car and traveling outside the community for a year is common.
A small percentage of teens decide never to return to Amish life.
I grew up among the Pennsylvania Dutch folk, complete with horse-drawn buggies, covered bridges, and hex signs on barns, and still find this Amish rite of passage mysterious and somewhat romantic.
Rumspringa, sometimes spelled Rumschpringe or Rumshpringa, means running or jumping around and is used to describe the time of adolescence in the Amish community. It begins around fourteen and ends around sixteen or seventeen, when the teen makes the ultimate decision as to whether to be baptised into the faith or choose to 'live among the English.'
During this period, teens are permitted to date (with the intent of finding a spouse), and the average ridged life of the Amish is a bit more relaxed. Offenses that would usually result in shunning are likely to be overlooked or treated with less severity, at this time. Defying one's parents, 'dressing English,' smoking, drinking alcohol, even owning a car and traveling outside the community for a year is common.
A small percentage of teens decide never to return to Amish life.
With such an exotic tradition within such a secretive community in this modern age, it's not hard to understand how Shakuita Johnson could spin a supernatural tale of fantasy focused around Rumspringa ... A ceremony where teens, instead of leaving for a year to sow their oats, come together to be tested in their abilities to control the natural elements, earth, air, fire, and water, and have their lead element declared on their 16th birthday.
As happens with some of my favorite projects, the cover for Rumspringa started with a project outline and morphed into something completely different before it was done. My favorite part? It's hard to say. I was a real challenge to represent the basic elements in a way no one has seen in a movie or on a book before. I also spent a lot of time on the horse and buggy. Maybe it was the moon? lol. What's your favorite part?
Shakuita tells me release has been delayed because her story has taken on a life of its own, as did its cover. Maybe the two are connected? lol
Once she gets me a blurb, I'll share it :D {edited; final blurb above.}
As happens with some of my favorite projects, the cover for Rumspringa started with a project outline and morphed into something completely different before it was done. My favorite part? It's hard to say. I was a real challenge to represent the basic elements in a way no one has seen in a movie or on a book before. I also spent a lot of time on the horse and buggy. Maybe it was the moon? lol. What's your favorite part?
Shakuita tells me release has been delayed because her story has taken on a life of its own, as did its cover. Maybe the two are connected? lol
Once she gets me a blurb, I'll share it :D {edited; final blurb above.}
