Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin (Review)

Series: Waves of Freedom (Book 2)

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: Revell (May 3, 2016)

ISBN-13: 978-0800723439

In a time of sacrifice, what price can one put on true love?
Nothing slows Lillian Avery down--not her personal challenges and certainly not America's entry into World War II. She finally has a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The demands of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg's attentions only annoy--even if he is her brother's best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves--and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions Lillian has been filling?

As the danger rises on both land and sea, the two must work together to answer that question. But can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affection?

My Review:

This is the second book in the Waves of Freedom series by Sarah Sundin. The characters are a continuation from the first book although the main focus switches. A few of the plot details also follow over. I do not read a heavy amount of historical fiction but I have read ALL of this author's books. I can tell how much research she has done. It does not weigh the book down though. The focus of this book is on Lillian Avery and Archer Vanderberg. Lillian has a disability but she does not let it get in her way of being a pharmacist. Archer is a rich kid and he still joins the Navy. His family did not approve of his career choice. Lillian has a large family and support system. Archer is just a little jealous of that. The sparks fly between them from the beginning. The characters and plot are well developed and held my attention. I look forward to reading book three in the series.

Sarah Sundin is the author of Through Waters Deep, as well as Wings of the Nightingale and the Wings of Glory series. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force. Sarah lives in California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

Review copy provided by Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin (Review)

Series: Waves of Freedom (Book 1)

Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Revell (August 4, 2015)

ISBN-13: 978-0800723422

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.

My Review:

Through Waters Deep starts a new series called Waves of Freedom. It is a Christian historical fiction book set right before World War Two in the US. The main characters in this book are Jim Avery and Mary Stirling. This is one of my favorite authors because she puts enough historical detail without weighing the book down. I enjoyed reading this book. It had romance, suspense, and mystery. The characters and plot were well developed and interesting. The book held my attention from the beginning to end. I felt like I was a part of the book. Mary and Jim were an unlikely team. Mary comes off as timid, quiet, and shy. Jim is a good looking navy officer. They went to high school together but Jim was enraptured with Mary's best friend. Then they meet up again unexpectedly in Boston and become friends. They have chemistry but Mary is convinced he would never want her. He does not speak up when he starts to like her and almost loses the chance forever. I liked how the characters matured over the course of the book. Great start to a new series. I have read and enjoyed all of this author's books. Recommended.





Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, In Perfect Time, and the Wings of Glory series. In 2014, On Distant Shores was a finalist for the Golden Scroll Awards from both AWSA and the Christian Authors Network. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Sarah Sundin, and Cara Putman (Review)

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 16, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601426488
• ISBN-13: 978-1601426482

The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime

Three siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas

Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America’s involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.

In White Christmas by Cara Putman, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements—until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

Abigail’s brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theatre in Sarah Sundin’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete’s friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he’s no longer the bully she once knew?

In Tricia Goyer’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, “Merry” to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that’s precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.

The Turner family believes in God’s providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ’s birth and God’s plan for a future?


My Review:

I enjoyed reading this book of three Christmas novellas. They are all about the Turner family. Each story focuses on a different sibling during WWII. They flow seamlessly between stories. The rest of the family is in the background but I especially liked Grandma. The book begins with her while she is trying to get some Christmas spirit back for everyone. The authors did a good job with the characters. You cannot tell three different authors wrote the novellas. The characters and plot are consistent and well written. I felt a range of emotions while reading these books. They covered sad, funny, and sweet. Highly Recommended.


Review copy provided by Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.

In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin (Review)

• Series: Wings of the Nightingale (Book 3)
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Revell (August 5, 2014)
• ISBN-13: 978-0800720834

Bold, sophisticated, and flirtatious, Army Air Force flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson collects hearts wherever she flies, leaving men pining in airfields all across Europe. So how can ruggedly handsome C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper be all but immune to her considerable charms? In fact, he seems to do everything he can to avoid her.

Still, as they cross the skies between Italy and southern France, evacuating the wounded and delivering paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them closer to where they don't want to go. Can they confront the fears and misunderstandings in their pasts?

Sarah Sundin seamlessly weaves together emotion, action, and sweet romance into a tale that transcends time and calls us to believe in the power of love.

My Review:

This is book three in the Wings of the Nightingale series set during WWII. The characters are the same so I recommend reading the books in order. It is a great series and I loved all the books. They are Christian historical romance books. The author does a great job with descriptions and making you feel like you are there. This book centers more on Kay Jobson and Roger Cooper. Kay is a good time gal who leads all the unmarried on without going all the way. She has a past that she does not like telling people about. Her father was a tent preacher who treated her bad and told her lies. Roger has a big farm family but because of the wild way he lived his life until the military they do not think he will amount to much. Roger and Kay know each other through mutual friends and the fact he is a pilot and she is a flight nurse. They have sparks but both are cautious. Roger has decided to stay away from women especially Kay since he's attracted to her. Kay does not understand because all she knows is flirting. Most of the book happens overseas in Italy and France during WWII. The war as a setting works good while highlighting unsung heroes. The conclusion is satisfying and  ties up the series as well as this book. I really liked the whole series and recommend them.







 Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, and the Wings of Glory series. In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California, with her husband and three children. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin (Review)

Series: Wings of the Nightingale (Book 2)

Paperback: 432 pages

Publisher: Revell (August 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0800720827

Lt. Georgiana Taylor has everything she could want. A comfortable boyfriend back home, a loving family, and a challenging job as a flight nurse. But in July 1943, Georgie's cozy life gets decidedly more complicated when she meets pharmacist Sgt. John Hutchinson. Hutch resents the lack of respect he gets as a noncommissioned serviceman and hates how the war keeps him from his fiancée. While Georgie and Hutch share a love of the starry night skies over Sicily, their lives back home are falling apart. Can they weather the hurt and betrayal? Or will the pressures of war destroy the fragile connection they've made?

With her signature attention to detail and her talent for bringing characters together, Sarah Sundin pens another exciting tale in her series featuring WWII flight nurses. Fans new and old will find in On Distant Shores the perfect combination of emotion, action, and romance.

My Review:

I loved this book. Even though it is the second in the Wings of the Nightingale series it can be read alone. I think it is my favorite of all this author's books I have read and I liked them all. I fell in love with Georgie and Hutch. The story held my attention from the beginning and I read it in one day. The characters and plot came alive. The author did a good job making you feel like you are actually there without overwhelming you with historical details. I could see it play out in my head. Georgie and Hutch face a variety of issues that could overwhelm anybody and they are part of the WWII effort. He is not an officer even though he is a Pharmacist. She is a flight nurse and an officer. I liked the spiritual aspect and how it was done just right not preachy. There were also some twists that I did not expect but it ended up okay. Great WWII Christian historical fiction book. Highly Recommended. :)




Sarah Sundin is the author of "With Every Letter" and the Wings of Glory series. In 2011, A "Memory Between Us" was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

Review copy provided by Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin (Review)

Paperback: 425 pages

Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-0800720810

About the Book:

Lt. Mellie Blake is a nurse serving in the 802nd Medical Squadron, Air Evacuation, Transport. As part of a morale building program, she reluctantly enters into an anonymous correspondence with Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer in the 908th Engineer Aviation Battalion in North Africa. As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face to face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage to their past? And can they learn to trust God and embrace the gift of love he offers them?

Combining excellent research and attention to detail with a flair for romance, Sarah Sundin brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing, and true love.

My Review:

 I loved this book. The characters and plot came alive and were interesting and well developed. It was well written and held my attention from page one. Mellie's story was really touching. All girls and women can identify with feeling like not being good enough especially in the area of looks. Tom was a good hero. I fell in love with Tom and Mellie and their relationship. This is a Christian Historical fiction book set in WWII and the details were good but not overwhelming. I felt transported into another time. One of the main themes is forgiveness. This is one of my favorite books this year. Her previous series is also good. Highly Recommended! :)

Sarah Sundin is the author of A Distant Melody, A Memory Between Us, and Blue Skies Tomorrow. In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

Available now wherever Revell/Baker books are sold.

Thank you Donna at Revell for my review copy.

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin (Review)

Paperback: 427 pages

Publisher: Revell; Original edition (August 1, 2011)

ISBN-13: 978-0800734237

 

In a time of peril, can they find the courage to confront their fears and embrace a love that lasts?

When her husband becomes a casualty of the war in the Pacific, Helen Carlisle throws herself into volunteering for the war effort to conceal her feelings. But keeping up appearances as the grieving widow of a hometown hero is taking its toll. Soon something is going to give.

Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit. His stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life–and a convenient excuse to ignore his deepest fear. When the beautiful Helen catches his eye and captures his heart, he is determined to win her hand.

But when Ray and Helen are called upon to step out in faith and put their reputations and their lives on the line, can they meet the challenges that face them? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

Filled with drama, daring, and all the romance of the WWII era, Blue Skies Tomorrow is the captivating
 final book in the popular Wings of Glory series.

Sure to live up to the high praise of the previous books in the Wings of Glory series, Blue Skies Tomorrow completes the story of the U.S. Eighth Air Force in World War II, covering the infamous Port Chicago Explosion, which occurred close to Antioch, Calif., where Helen and the Novaks live, to victory in Europe.

"Both Helen and Ray learn about true courage and how to do the right thing no matter the cost," says Sundin. "They both find they're subconsciously trying to earn God's grace through good works and have to deal with that.

"I hope readers will see how they, too, can find courage in the Lord and the strength to face whatever life throws at them."

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading this Christian Historical fiction book. It is the third in the series and I really liked all the books. I recommend reading them in order because you find out what happens to the other characters in each book. This book focused mainly on Ray Novak and Helen. The book is well written and believable. The author does a good job of balancing historical detail. I was drawn into Ray and Helen's stories. Helen is a victim of Polio and spousal abuse. In the 1940s it was still a thing to keep hidden. She feels a lot of guilt over her husband dying in the war because she was so happy to be free of his abuse. She loved Ray as a child. Ray feels the call to be a minister but with a war on a lot of people make him feel bad about not being on the front lines so he volunteers to fly overseas. The book held my attention through all the twists and turns. I really felt for Helen and Ray. I don't want to ruin the ending but it was a satisfying conclusion to the whole series. I can't wait to read another book by this author. :)

 

 

 

Sarah Sundin is the author of A Distant Melody and A Memory Between Us. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

 

Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thank you Donna at Revell for my review copy.

A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin (Review)

Paperback: 439 pages
Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0800734220

From the Back Cover:

Can they overcome the past to find a brighter future together?

Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge--until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth's heart a top-priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she also is determined not to give her heart to any man.

As the danger and tension of World War II rise to a fever pitch, Jack and Ruth will need each other more than ever. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?

From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.



My Review:



I loved this book. It is the second book in the Wings of Glory series following the three Novak brothers. It can stand alone. The setting is WWII mostly in England. Jack and Ruth are Americans. The characters and plot are well developed, interesting, and unique. I also liked the secondary characters and their plot line. The author did a good job with the historical aspect of the book, I felt like I was really there. Jack is a pilot and Ruth is a nurse. When he is injured he meets her at the hospital and falls for her but that is just the beginning. The book takes twists and turns to a satisfying ending. I really enjoyed it. Highly Recommended. :)



About the Author:

Sarah Sundin is the author of A Distant Melody, the first book in the Wings of Glory series. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. is an on-call hospital pharmacist and holds a BS in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.



Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing.

Thank you Donna at Revell for my review copy.

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin (Review)

Will a chance meeting in a time of war change her life forever?

Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval--even marry a man she doesn't love. While Allie has nearly resigned herself to that fate, Lt. Walter Novak--fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women--takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas.

Walt and Allie meet and begin a correspondence that will change their lives. As letters fly between Walt's muddy bomber base in England and Allie's mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart?

Book 1 in the Wings of Glory series, A Distant Melody is an exciting and tender story of love, courage, and sacrifice during World War II.

My Review:
I had this post set to this date and I did not even realize it was today and my review was not with it. Yikes! I really did like this book. I thought the characters and plot were interesting. The time period was intriguing and it is hard to believe it was so long ago now.The only thing that bothered me was the way Allie's parents treated her. Can they really be that heart less? It really bothered me even though I know its fiction. I look forward to learning more about these characters in the next book in the series. Recommended. :)

You can learn more about Sarah Sundin and her books at her website. You can also check out Sarah's blog and where she's constantly sharing some fact about WWII history.

Review copy provided by publisher.