🌄 "The Land Beneath Us" 🌄 [Sunrise at Normandy #3] (2020) - Book Review
 |
| [Sunrise at Normandy Series - Sarah Sundin. Graphic from the author's website.]
MY REVIEW
Series: Sunrise at Normandy (Book 3)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (February 4, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800727991
“In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard
with the US 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 grow between them
before Clay's recurring dream comes true?”
Thank you in advance to Revell Books for providing
a complimentary review copy through Interviews and Reviews. A positive review
was not required. All words and thoughts are my own.
This is the third and final book in the “Sunrise
at Normandy” series. I was not able to read the previous two, but this could be
a solid stand-alone read. Though I would HIGHLY encourage reading the previous
two to get the full impact of this emotional saga.
This, much-anticipated release; is also one of
the first to be featured on Revell’s Facebook page – “Beyond the Book” for the first
“read-a-long”. It took me about 12 hours over three (3) days to finish.
As someone who isn’t into historical fiction,
let alone “war stories”, I was drawn to this novel. The striking and stunning
cover balances the love stories of the time with the brutality of World War II.
Not only was the war itself brutal, but a brutal attack on Leah is also present.
In fact, it sets the stage for what happens.
I was also drawn to it because of the fact that
my grandfather served in the Navy during World War II. He was on an escort
carrier that had been hit by a Kamikaze. The ship miraculously stayed afloat,
and there was no loss of life.
Sadly, he would pass in 1980 before I would get
to hear his stories. While he told my mom some, there were others he never
told.
Right off this story is going to have a sad undertone
due to the setting. This was a time that changed everything for the United States.
Yet, despite knowing what was going to happen (at least on the war front), this
was a novel I couldn’t put down. Nor, did I want to. I could barely take notes
for the read-along and my review. This story had messages of hope and
inspiration throughout it despite the overwhelming sadness and despair.
The author’s writing was so vivid that I felt
pulled back into the time. So much so that I could almost hear the “big band
music” while reading it. For those who don’t quite know what that is, think The
Andrews Sisters “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”, or Glen Miller.
I immediately fell in love with Leah and Clay. As
in chapter two (2) “immediately”. Clay came off as such a sweetheart, and I
found myself praying for him and hoping his “dream” wouldn’t come true. I kept
praying he’d take the route he was being offered during his training.
Leah’s background tore at my heart. She was
such a pure and innocent soul. I passionately despised a certain couple from
her past. And, like her, I have found myself wondering why things happened to
me.
As I didn’t read Sundin’s prior two books;
which I will definitely purchase (as soon as I can afford them); I don’t know
if the other two novels contained this intense story-telling, but this was intense.
Sundin doesn’t back down from sensitive issues either.
There was one character I had a bad feeling
about right off.
At times it is heart-breaking, hopeless, and
sad. Yet, there was overwhelming redemption, hope, and charity throughout.
Other themes were those of one’s past being
held against them, false accusations, and prejudices. Sundin also delves into
the different societal roles, particularly with orphan children and people’s
perception of them.
The marriage of convenience is more in line
with “biblical, charitable” love. Both Leah and Clay begin to care for each
other throughout the novel.
There are a lot of Christian references. They
are not overwhelming, nor preachy in tone. But, context due to the time the
story takes place in, it is completely understandable.
What really grabbed me was how one character
came to their epiphany. And, in reading it, I was moved to tears. It is an
emotionally moving end to the saga.
It is no wonder that the men and women of that
time are called “the greatest generation”.
There was a recurring theme of sexual assault
and murder of young women though.
This is absolute perfection! 5/5 stars. It will
be high on the re-read list.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐–
Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐–
Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐–
Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other books in the “Sunrise at Normandy” series
(click pictures for purchase link):
Series: Sunrise at Normandy (Book 1)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (February 6, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800727975
ISBN-13: 978-0800727970
“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.”
Series: Sunrise at Normandy (Book 2)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (February 5, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800727983
ISBN-13: 978-0800727987
“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 air, as the second Paxton brother prepares to face the past--and
the most fearsome battle of his life.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
|
SARAH SUNDIN is the author of The Sea Before Us
and The Sky Above Us, as well as the
Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory series. Her
novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library
Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Her popular Through
Waters Deep was a Carol Award finalist, and both Through
Waters Deep and When Tides Turn were named on Booklist's
“101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years”. Sarah lives in Northern
California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com
for more information.
She can be found on the following social media
accounts:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahsundinauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahsundin
*Post contains affiliate link
Comments
Post a Comment