The Land Beneath Us (Sunrise at Normandy #3) by Sarah Sundin

Title: The Land Beneath Us (Sunrise at Normandy #3)

Author: Sarah Sundin

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 4, 2020 

Genre: Historical Romance (WWII)

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

     This is the final book in a true series. Though each book has a stand-alone story, they all have a continuing story running through them. 

About the book:

     In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the U.S. Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers’ betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for—fulfilling the recurring dream of his death.

     Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family—the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago.

     After Clay saves Leah’s life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-Day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grown between them before Clay’s recurring dream comes true?

My review:

     This is an amazing historical romance!

     I absolutely loved both Clay Paxton and Leah Jones. They are very strong characters who are extremely well developed. They each have deep doubts about their self worth but they are striving to live upstanding lives. Their interaction with each other throughout the book is marvelous. They are striving to help the other.

     I was completely caught up in all of the wonderful historical details that are included in this story. That includes things from the home front as well as the training and battle on D-day. 

     I have truly come to trust the accuracy of the historical content in any book written by Sarah Sundin. I have read information on all of the research she does before writing one of her novels.

     I loved this book so much that I have to give it 5 stars. I am highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Sky Above Us (Sunrise at Normandy #2) by Sarah Sundin

Title: The Sky Above Us (Sunrise At Normandy #2)

Author: Sarah Sundin

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 5, 2019

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

About the book:

     Numbed by grief and harboring shameful secrets, Lt. Adler Paxton ships to England with the US 357th Fighter Group in 1943. Determined to become an ace pilot, Adler battles the German Luftwaffe in treacherous dogfights in the skies over France as the Allies struggle for control of the air before the D-day invasion.

     Violet Lindstrom wanted to be a missionary, but for now she serves in the American Red Cross, where she arranges entertainment for the men of the 357th in the Aeroclub on base and sets up programs for local children. Drawn to the mysterious Adler, she enlists his help with her work and urges him to reconnect with his family after a long estrangement.

     Despite himself, Adler finds his defenses crumbling when it comes to Violet. But D-day draws near. And secrets can’t stay buried forever.

     Bestselling author Sarah Sundin returns readers to the shores of Normandy, this time in the, as the second Paxton brother prepares to face the past—and the most fearsome battle of his life.

My review:

     This is an absolutely incredible historical romance!

     The characters are extremely well developed. I connected with both Adler and Violet very quickly. They were both on journeys learning to trust God. They each had a great friend that supported and encouraged them.

     I was captivated by the story from the beginning. The period of WWII leading up to D-day is very compelling. It is hard facts to read about with all the lives lost on both sides. Yet I’m drawn to keep the history alive about what all the troops, in all branches of the service when through. This book did a marvelous job of that.

     The connection between this book and the first book in the series is fantastic. I love the way the author is presenting the three brother, their pasts, and the presence. I’m really looking forward to the third book, Clay’s story. The wait for it to come out is going to be hard.

     I have to give this fantastic book a rating of 5 stars. I am definitely highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Sea Before Us (Sunrise at Normandy #1) by Sarah Sundin

Title: The Sea Before Us (Sunrise at Normandy #1)

Author: Sarah Sundin

Pages: 375

Release Date: February 6, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance - WWII

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a “Wren” in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Dorothy pieces together reconnaissance photographs with thousands of holiday snapshots of France—including those of her own family’s summer home—in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt will turn into naval bombardment plans.

     As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn to love. Dorothy must resist its pull. Her bereaved father depends on her, and her heart already belongs to another man. Wyatt too has much to lose. The closer he gets to Dorothy, the more he fears his efforts to win the war will destroy everything she has ever loved.

     The tense days leading up to the monumental D-Day landing blaze to life under Sarah Sundin’s practiced pen with this powerful new series.

My review:

     This is an absolutely incredible historical romance!

     The main characters are fantastic! They are so well developed that I felt like I was their friend and just sitting down with them for a cup of tea. The heartaches that both Wyatt and Dorothy were carrying around were deep and very easy to understand. 

     I have one favorite quote that grabbed my attention and held me fast on one page for a good 5 minutes. “At least God had forgiven him. Thank you, Lord. Your forgiveness is all I need, but you know it isn’t all I want.”  There have been many times and situations in my life that I have felt that way. I was just never able to put it into words so clearly.

     The way that Wyatt and Dorothy slowly built a solid friendship was wonderful. They supported and encouraged each other so much. 

     I loved seeing what was involved in the planning of D-Day! It was also a lot of fun to get a look at how the U.S. Navy and the British Navy worked together and some of the differences in their terms and procedures. I had heard about the Blitz in London. This book really helped me to understand more fully how terrifying that had to have been.

     This marvelous book is getting a 5-star rating from me. I have to highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

When Tides Turn (Waves of Freedom #3) by Sarah Sundin

Title: When Tides Turn (Waves of Freedom #3)

Author: Sarah Sundin

Pages: 400

Release Date: March 14, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     In a time of war, sometimes battles take place in the heart.

     Tess Beaumont is tired of being thought of as just a pretty face. Eager to do her part for the war effort, she joins the Navy’s newly established WAVES program for women. Perhaps there she can convince people that there is more to her than meets the eye.

     Lt. Dan Avery has been using his skills in the fight against German U-boats and hoping to make admiral. The last thing he wants to see on his radar is a girl like Tess. Convinced that romance will interfere with his goals, Dan is determined to stay the course, no matter how intriguing a distraction Tess is.

     But love, like war, is unpredictable. When Dan is shipped out at the peak of the Battle of the Atlantic, he finds himself torn between his lifelong career goals and his desire to help the beguiling Tess root out a possibly spy on shore. Could this fun-loving glamour girl really be the one?

My review:

     This is a stand-alone story within a series.

     The two main characters in this book have appeared in secondary roles in the previous books. Also the main characters from the previous books make appearances in this one. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how life is progressing for all of these characters.

     We finally find out what makes Quintessa “Tess” and Dan tick. We learn what events from their past shaped them. They each have past memories that act as road blocks to entering into a relationship. I really like seeing how they are trying to figure out what God wants them to do.

     The mystery develops very naturally. Tess is very aware of others around her and the way they act. When their behavior changes she notices. Most people are dealing with heightened patriotic fervor which causes many clashes. Who is hiding sinister motives?

     I love the passion for country that is displayed by many of the characters. I have never given the mixture of nationalities represented within the United States and how they would clash during World War II any thought before reading this series.

     Sarah Sundin has done a marvelous job of bringing this period of time in America to life for me. I have to give this incredible book a rating of 5 stars. I am definitely highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*