The Light of Sound by Sarah Sundin

In my opinion, Sarah Sundin is one of the greatest novelists of WWII fiction. Her newest novel, The Sound of Light just released on 02/07/2023 and it is a sure winner!

Set in Denmark in the early 1940s, we follow the lives of Dr. Elsebeth Jensen (Else for short) an American physicist working in Copenhagen, and Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt an aristocrat who has taken on an alias of Hemming Andersen so he can aid in the Danish resistance against the Germans. Both end up working for the resistance.

I found the book a little slow for me in the beginning but it picked up its pace and I found I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I think part of the reason I found it slow is that Ms. Sundin used Danish words throughout and in the beginning, I flipped to the back of the book to find the pronunciation and meaning of the foreign words. In time I didn't need to do that so the journey through the pages picked up. I do appreciate the glossary and pronunciation guides Ms. Sundin included. I have read some books where a glossary wasn't provided and I had to look up the words for their meanings on the internet.

Ms. Sundin's characters were well-developed and multi-layered which brought them true to life on the page. I found myself glued to the edge of my seat at times and I loved watching the relationship between Else and Hemming grow.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and especially books set during the WWII period I would highly recommend picking up a copy of The Sound of Light.

I give this book 5 Stars!

I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of The Sound of Light. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron

As an avid fan of World War II historical fiction, I took a leap of faith in reading Kristy Cambron's debut novel, The Butterfly and the Violin (read my review here.). The characters were so real to me that they have stayed with me since I finished the book last July. Needless to say, I was very anxious for Ms. Cambron's sophomore release to come out. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Her second book, A Sparrow in Terezin continues the story of William Hanover and Sera James from the first book. In fact it begins with their wedding day.

As in The Butterfly and the Violin, Miss Cambron takes the reader on a journey in modern day and another journey set during World War II. The reader may begin to wonder what one story has to do with the other but this masterpiece is woven together so well that the reader's questions are answered about midway through.

While both story lines are strong on their own, my favorite was Kaja Makovsky's story. Kaja is a young women who is half Jewish and because of her Jewish heritage, her parents force her to flee Prague with her sister and brother-in-law just as the Nazi's are beginning to invade. We soon catch up with her five years later where she is living in London during the Blitz. It is here where she meets Liam Marshall, a journalist at the newspaper she works at. Their relationship starts off slow but in time. Well, we can't give out spoilers now can we?

Ms. Cambron has the ability to masterfully craft a scene that takes the reader right into the heart of the story. Then her characters introduce themselves and you know it's real. It just has to be real. Doesn't it? The reader is pulled into a story that is so real, so well researched that it is hard to believe that the creation only lives inside the mind of this wonderful new author. I am just so thankful that I discovered her as a new voice.

Both the contemporary and historical parts of this book are about love, faith, trust, hope and courage when faced with difficult circumstances. They will both take the reader on an emotional journey in which you may shed a few tears. I know I did.

I would highly recommend A Sparrow in Terezin to anyone who enjoys a good emotional read. While you don't need to read the two books in order I would highly recommend it.

On a 5-Star scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Lituse Publicity for my copy of A Sparrow in Terezin. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma

Liz Tolsma has quickly became one of my favorite authors. First with her debut novel, Snow on the Tulips (read my review here) followed by her second book Daisies are Forever (read my review here). I could hardly wait for her newest book, Remember the Lilies. I loved each and every book, but I must admit Remember the Lilies is hands down my favorite.

Remember the Lilies is set in the Philippines during World War II. The Prologue begins the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the reader is introduced to the male lead, Rand Sterling a wealthy, womanizing American who owns two clubs in Manila and Irene Reynolds, a missionary. Their meeting was memorable for both of them even if it was close to being tragic. 

By Chapter One, both characters are being held prisoners in the Santo Tomas Internment camp in Manila. The story takes them through the war until the time Santo Tomas is liberated. The story that takes place is based on fact and I must say that Ms. Tolsma definitely did her homework regarding the camp. After I read the book, I searched on line to learn more about Santo Tomas and the pictures I found were exactly how Ms. Tolsma painted the camp. Her words made it real.

I fell in love with Rand, Irene and Irene's Aunt Anita. They were without a doubt the most well crafted characters I have encountered in my reading experience in a long time. They are believable, charming and memorable. Well done, Ms. Tolsma!

This isn't just a love story set during WWII, it's a story of two lost souls who found each other and learned to trust and forgive while trying to survive the atrocities of war. There are some twists and turns and a bit of a mystery within the pages of this wonderful book too.

The Christian thread was woven delicately through the pages and on page 343 Rand explains forgiveness to Irene and how if God could forgive him, he should be able to forgive the Japanese. It was an extremely powerful moment.

I would highly recommend Remember the Lilies to anyone who love reading a good historical novel. 

On a 5-Star scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my copy of Remember the Lilies. I was given my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

  

Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman & Sarah Sundin

I truly love reading stories set during WWII, especially if they are written by Sarah Sundin, Cara Putman or Tricia Goyer. These wonderful writers of historical romance have joined together to write three wonderful stories tied together by family and love.

I really enjoyed the way the book was set up and that the titles are all song titles. The Prologue is titled, "Winter Wonderland" and was written by Sarah Sundin. The first story is "White Christmas" by Cara Putman, followed by "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Sarah Sundin and then "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Tricia Goyer. The Epilogue is titled "Let it Snow, Let it Snow" by Cara Putman.

Where Treetops Glisten yields three stories surrounding the Turner family of Lafayette, Indiana. Let's start with Cara Putman's "White Christmas". This was the story of Abigail Turner and Jackson Lucas. Abigail is a student at Purdue and works a part-time job at Glatz Candy. When she encounters Jackson she feels he needs a friend and finds herself trying to help him with a family issue. This particular story had a little mystery to it and was a story set in the homefront in the early days of the war.

The second story, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is the story of Pete Turner, Grace Kessler and her precocious daughter, Linnie. Pete is a Lieutenant and pilot in the Army Air Corps and is home on leave when he encounters Linnie. This story was my favorite of the three mainly because I absolutely fell in love with Linnie. Sarah Sundin created her so well that she stepped off the page, took my hand and invited me into her world. This story was absolutely charming and was also set on the homefront.

The third story, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is the only story that was actually set on the war front. It is the story of the youngest Turner daughter, Meredith, or Merry, as her family and friends call her. She is a combat nurse stationed near the front lines in the Netherlands when her story begins. She had been in love while she was going to nursing school and found herself betrayed by a young man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with but one day he disappeared leaving signs behind that he wasn't who she thought he was. 

All three authors have similar voices and at times I had to check to see who had written the portion I was reading. In my opinion, they are all excellent authors and I always look forward to their newest books and I keep their books on my 'keeper' shelf.

The characters in Where Treetops Glisten seem so real and the settings make you feel right at home. I will say that Cara Putman tied all three stories up quite nicely in the Epilogue and I must admit, as I finished the last few words I let out a big sigh. I hated to see the book end.

I would highly recommend When Treetops Glisten to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction set during WWII and books set during Christmas. To be honest, I believe if you love good fiction in any genre you'll love this book.

On a 5 - Star Scale - 15 HUGE Stars!!!!!  Yes, I said 15, after all there are three authors and I'm giving 5 Stars to each of them. 

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and WaterBrook Press for my review copy of When Treetops Glisten. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

 

Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

When I had the opportunity to read and review Liz Tolsma's debut novel Snow on the Tulips (read my review here) I took a chance, as we all do, on a debut novelist. I was blown away by her writing so when the opportunity arose where I could read her sophomore novel I jumped at the chance. I have to say she out did herself with her newest release, Daisies are Forever.

The book begins during the final days of Nazi Germany in the year 1945. Gisela Cramer is an American living with her cousin Ella and Ella's two little girls and her grandfather who is not well. They are residing in a town named Heiligenbeil and they receive word that the Russians will be invading soon and they must leave. Gisela's grandfather refuses to go and Ella tells Gisela she must go and asks her to take her daughters with her. Gisela doesn't want to leave them because of situations in her past but she finally agrees to flee.

When Gisela started her journey she was just with her nieces and Ella's neighbor and his senile daughters. As time progresses more and more join her in her quest to reach safety in her home in Berlin. During her journey she overhears an SS officer speaking with a very poor German accent. In fact Gisela soon realizes he is British and she comes to his aid when he is about to be discovered. She tells everyone he is her husband who has been wounded in the war. From that point on, Mitch Edward takes on the persona of Herr Josep Cramer husband to Frau Gisela Cramer.

This period of time covered the Russian's invasion of Germany and the eventual fall of Berlin and the Third Reich. Ms. Tolsma based the first half of this book on the inspiration of one seventeen year old who lived through the atrocities of war and the second half of the book was based on stories her Aunt shared. Her Aunt was born in America but much like Gisela's story, her parents took her to live in Germany in the 1930s and she lived through the terrible war that raged on German soil just like Gisela.

Most everyone knows how Nazi Germany treated the Jewish people during WWII. What I didn't know before reading this book is the terrible atrocities the Russians did to the German people as well. War is ugly no matter where it happens or who is involved.

Ms. Tolsma's definitely has a knack of creating believable characters and placing them into a world torn by the agony of war. At times I heard the air raid sirens, the bombs going off, and I could almost smell the acrid smell after the bombs had exploded. Her book definitely ignites all five senses. It is a must read!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Daisies are Forever and the meaning behind the title of the book is beautiful. I would highly recommend this book to adults who enjoy reading good Christian historical fiction. Because of some of the terrible atrocities that are exposed within the covers of this book I would not suggest it for young readers.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 HUGE stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publishing and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my copy of Daisies are Forever. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin - My Review

From the moment I read the last sentence of With Every Letter, Sarah Sundin's first book in her "Wings of the NightingaIe" series (see my review here) I have been waiting patiently, okay, if the truth be known, impatiently, for Ms. Sundin's newest book, On Distant Shores, the second in the "Wings of the Nightingale" series.  Let me tell you, I was not disappointed.  Ms. Sundin worked her magic once again and presented her readers another masterpiece of romantic Christian fiction set during WWII.  The series follows the lives of Flight Evacuation Nurses on the European war front.

While, On Distant Shores can be read as a stand alone book, I'm glad I read the first book in the series first as I was introduced to Lieutenant Georgiana Taylor and Sargeant John "Hutch" Hutchinson in book one and I fell in love with Georgiana's character. Lt. Georgie Taylor is from the south and volunteered to be a flight evacuation nurse because her best friend Rose wanted to volunteer.  Georgie soon feels she not quite good enough to do the job.  She knows her fiance, Ward, and her family all want her to give it up and come home.  When tragedy strikes she begins to feel that maybe she should give up, but all during her time in Sicily and Italy she has befriended Sgt. John Hutchinson, Hutch to his friends.  Hutch believes that Georgie is strong enough to do the job when no one else believes she can.  She and her fellow nurses are rotated home for additional training where Georgie meets opposition from Ward and her family.  They insist she quits the volunteer program.  But Georgie finds that she can do the job and her group of nurses are rotated back overseas where Georgie faces her worst nightmare..."ditching" (you'll have to read the book to discover what it is).  Will she succeed in being strong and doing her job or will she fall apart once again?  Will she and Hutch find a way to be together or will oppositions be too strong to overcome?  Ms. Sundin built this story so masterfully that when you turn that very last page, you will let out a sigh and days later you will start wondering, "I wonder what Georgie, Hutch and the rest of the group are doing?"  Serious, the characters are that real. 

I am now sitting, waiting as patiently as I can, for In Perfect Time, book three in the "Wings of Nightingale" series.  It is scheduled to release in August 2014.  Wow, that's over a year to wait but believe me Ms. Sundin's books are worth waiting for.

I would highly recommend On Distant Shores to anyone who enjoys good clean historical fiction.

On a 5-star scale - 5 HUGE stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review copy.  I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,