Book Review: The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

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Title: The Sea Before Us

Author: Sarah Sundin

Series: Sunrise at Normandy #1

Genre: Historical

Audience: Adult

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 ~

**5 stars**

Oh my heart! This was breathtaking, fun, and beautiful! I don't know why I worried I might not like this book. For one, almost everything I've read by Sarah Sundin has been phenomenal! From the new series, SUNRISE AT NORMANDY, The Sea Before Us may just be my new favorite from this author. Seriously, people ... this book! It reminded me why I love reading. Why I love Sarah Sundin's work. And why I love this era.

The Sea Before Us is set in the 1940s, in England during World War II. D-Day is approaching and preparations are being made. English native, Dorothy Fairfax and American, Wyatt Paxon both work with the Royal Navy. During this tumultuous time, and each with personal family issues, they form a beautiful friendship. But for various reasons, things began to crumble as their feelings deepen ...

All Sarah Sundin's novels are set during WWII, but she manages to make each unique and fantastic! Perhaps because of the research and authenticity she puts into her work! I'll admit, at the beginning of The Sea Before Us I was having a hard time getting into the story. But that quickly changed and I started flying through the pages as I became fully absorbed and invested in Wyatt and Dolly's lives.

I love them, these characters! Wyatt Paxton. *swoons* Okay, he's not as swoon-y as he is godly, gentle, protective, tender, mature, humorous, and just completely adorable! (That makes him swoon-y to me, hehe!) What a man. He had his struggles, for sure, but he pressed into the Lord through them and grew such strong character because of it. A Texan cowboy with a dark past but a sweet, sincere smile. His prayers. His tender pursuit of Dolly. He passion for God and His love. Eep! (Must stop fangirling now ... *grins unashamedly*)

Dorothy is a different story, but, oh, I grew to adore her as well. Her painful childhood and struggles with insecurity and feeling unloved tugged at my heart. Ah. I just want to spill out the whole book in my excitement and love of it ... but alas, I must not spoil it! Go read it, fellow historical-fiction lovers! *winks*

I simply can't wait to read more from this series. Meet more delightful characters. Find myself immersed in an era gone by. Experience pivotal historical happenings. Go on the sweetest and most soul-touching journeys of faith. Fall in love ... (for real, these two make the most adorable, marvelous couple.)

Ah yes. Sarah Sundin is a favorite author of mine. She writes with authenticity, beauty, humor, and grace. The situations and struggles she writes about are so believable! Her characters are so believable! ^_^ Her latest novels, including this one, have had an exciting bit of mystery. Her faith themes are raw and real and speak so much to me! I love an author who glorifies God and speaks the love of Jesus Christ in her fictional books.

I quite recommend!

I received a copy of The Sea Before Us from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

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Title: Through Waters Deep

Author: Sarah Sundin

Series: Waves of Freedom #1

Genre: Historical

Audience: Adult

~ MY REVIEW ~

**5 stars**

Sarah Sundin’s novels never disappoint! I’ve read two trilogies by her, both set in the WWII time, and Through Waters Deep (set in 1941) still didn’t fail to thrill me! I can’t say enough good things. Just thoroughly intriguing and satisfying. I loved it!

In the first book of this new series, WAVES OF FREEDOM, we meet Mary Stirling, a quiet secretary in the Boston Navy Yard, and Jim Avery, a naval officer. Jim’s had his heart broken by a beautiful, out-going blonde … Mary can’t stand being in the spotlight because of an on-going struggle with fear and shame. And outside their personal crisis, a war is going on that America is still not a part of. But all is about to change.

From beginning to end, I was hooked. I find more and more that I love novels set in the time period around World War II. And Sarah Sundin’s are just so historically rich! I’m always just captivated by the depth, freshness, and vibrancy of her stories. In her last series, we were up in planes, and now we’re on ships with Ensign Jim Avery. It was very interesting to explore this aspect; and also learn about how things were in America before the joined the second world war.

On that note, I loved the mystery entwined through this historical fiction. And how it fit so perfectly with all the strain and feuds because of the war going on overseas. It kept me wondering and guessing. I thought Sarah did a great job with it; and keeping a nice list of suspects, so you couldn’t quite pin the real culprit! Loved Mary’s “Nancy Drew” side, *grins* Such, such fun! Rich history paired with a dangerous, little mystery.

I so, so appreciate the deep themes of Through Waters Deep. So many meaningful messages! The characters are real, with real struggles. They capture your attention and interest, and you really want the best for them! With a beautiful faith aspect, and romance of friendship, loveliness, and depth—this book couldn’t help being on my favorites list! ^_^ But yes, it was just wonderful. I love everything about the faith aspect and romance of Through Waters Deep. It was simply beautiful. Touching. So, so sweet!

All I can think to say now is, I am so very excited for Book 2 in the WAVES OF FREEDOM series! Anchor in the Storm, please release quickly! *wink* I can’t wait to read more by Sarah Sundin. Her stories are incredible; and I think will always be favorites for me!

If you like the history of World War II, and also deep faith themes and a beautiful romance … not to mention, an exciting mystery … you must check out Through Waters Deep. It is not to be missed!

I received a copy of Through Waters Deep from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Cover Reveal: Cinderella's Shoes

     We have a beautiful cover reveal with Shonna Slayton today! :-) I'm currently reading Shonna's first novel, Cinderella's Dress, right now and quite enjoying it! So I'm excited to share the cover of the sequel!

     Take a look at Cinderella's Shoes...!

 

About the Book

 

Cinderella's Shoes

by Shonna Slayton

Release Date: 10/06/15

Entangled Teen

 

The war may be over, but Kate Allen’s life is still in upheaval. Not only has she discovered that Cinderella was real, but now she's been made Keeper of the Wardrobe, her sole responsibility to protect Cinderella’s magical dresses from the greed of the evil stepsisters’ modern descendants. 

But Cinderella’s dresses are just the beginning. It turns out that the priceless glass slippers might actually exist, too, and they could hold the power to reunite lost loved ones like her father—missing in action since World War II ended. As Kate and her boyfriend, Johnny, embark on an adventure from New York to Italy and Poland in search of the mysterious slippers, they will be tested in ways they never imagined.

Because when you harness Cinderella's magic, danger and evil are sure to follow...

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 First book in the series:

 

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks

 

 

 

About the Author

SHONNA SLAYTON is the author of the YA novels Cinderella's Dress, (Summer 2014) and Cinderella's Shoes (Fall 2015) published by Entangled Teen. She finds inspiration in reading vintage diaries written by teens, who despite using different slang, sound a lot like teenagers today. When not writing, Shonna enjoys amaretto lattes and spending time with her husband and children in Arizona.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

 

Cover Reveal Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

 

 

     Hope you enjoyed this magically lovely cover reveal!! :-) I so can't wait to read Cinderella's Shoes and see what happens next with Kate!

    
     What about you? Does this series sound intriguing?

Book Review: In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin

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Title: In Perfect Time

Author: Sarah Sundin

Series: Wings of the Nightingale #3

Genre: Historical

Audience: Adult

~ MY REVIEW ~

**4 stars**

No one can write World War II tales quite like Sarah Sundin. In Perfect Time is the third book in the series Wings of the Nightingale, and we dive back into the world of flight nurses, plane crashes, and unexpected true love.

Kay's story finally comes to life. Being the group beauty, she accustomed to men flocking behind her, and having a new date for each day of the week. With her looks, she seeks to control men, and get back at her father for the deep wounds he caused her. Meanwhile, Cooper is a fun-loving guy who plays practical jokes and flies planes, some of which Kay is a nurse on. But beneath his smiling exterior, he also holds deep scars, and has a mysterious aversion to women.

In Perfect Time was an interesting, historically-rich tale. It was fascinating to look beneath common exteriors, and into what was going on in a seemingly “figured-out” person's life. I enjoyed the surprising twist Sarah Sundin put at the near end also. Watching everything come to a lovely conclusion for all the dear characters was wonderful! *smiles* The faith matters were deep, and poignant, and that was very appreciated as well! The message was really good. I loved some of the analogies Cooper used when speaking of God!

A down for me of the story, was the seemingly repetitive nature of Cooper and Kay's relationship. It got a little tiring after awhile, and I wished for a different tension/conflict. It ended so sweetly, that it was just about made up for. But throughout the book, it just seemed to make it drag. Also, the physical side of some relationships seemed to come too quickly ... that's just my opinion with that anyway.

Still a great tale though. I just love reading about World War II through this author's writings! The flight nurses are fascinating. The different army routines intriguing. Sarah Sundin definitely puts plenty of spice and intrigue into her stories. I am looking forward to reading her upcoming series!

I received a free copy of In Perfect Time from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.