Anchor in the Storm

The one thing that Lillian Avery wanted more than anything was to be strong. She never wanted to be an imposition to anyone especially to her family. She had long given up on the hope of ever finding love again after being devastated in her last and final relationship. It is what gave her the determination to find a career so she could take care of her own needs. Being part of a large family, comprised of three older brothers and a twin sister, Lucy, she never wanted to be a burden to any of them. Lucy was the sickly one in the family and while she found a way to rub things in Lillian's face whenever she could, Lillian would not let herself be a victim. When she lost her leg in a hunting accident, she vowed to do all she can to learn to stand on her own two feet again.

Archer Vandenberg has tired of all the women in his life only wanting one thing from him, the chance to be Mrs. Vandenberg, heir to the Vandenberg fortune. His escape was to join the Navy. He just never expected to survive the sinking of his destroyer. Now the only thing holding him back is the raw nerves and shaking he experiences whenever he remembers being trapped inside the sinking ship. He can't seek any medical help because the Navy would remove him from service and send him packing under the medical care he might need. All he can do is pray that God will help him figure out how to heal him from the nightmares keeping him trapped.

When Archer is invited to Lillian's home for a two week stay, courtesy of his best friend Jim, Lillian's older brother, he jumps at the opportunity to escape going home to deal with all the drama unfolding at his own home. He wants nothing to do with Bitsy, who left him high and dry when he said he was joining the Navy. He finds solace in however, with Lillian who is not at all impressed with the charm Archer tries to pour on him. In fact, it seems to make her draw away from him even more. Jim warns him that Lillian is fragile when it comes to men trying to flirt with her and suggest they simply become friends instead. So when Lillian and Archer working on their friendship, it takes them to the unlikeliest of places, right in the middle of an apparent prescription drug ring that connects them both on board Archer's ship and at Dixon's Drug Store where Lillian works at a pharmacist. Just what is the connection?

I received Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Revell Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and personal opinions. This is the second novel in the Waves of Freedom Series and one I am enjoying from first to last page. Sarah Sundin is an expert at taking an idea from factual history and incorporating her story lines and characters around it. I love Lillian's attitude of not feeling sorry for herself despite her disability. She is willing to take risks most wouldn't including being one of the first female pharmacists. She utilizes the assets she still has to be the very best she can be, no matter what she faces. I love that the chemistry develops slowly over the course of the novel and Lillian doesn't simply fall for Archer despite all the attention she receives from him. Add in a bit of mystery and you have the recipe for a successful and wonderful novel. For me this really hit a 5 out of 5 stars in my book. A Reader's Guide Discussion Questions are included which makes it perfect for book clubs and even a sneak peek into the third novel coming soon. Fans of WWII fiction will absolutely LOVE this novel!

For more information about Anchor in the Storm, Sarah Sundin or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin

You can find Sarah Sundin on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

For more reviews on Anchors in the Storm, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page. 


In a time of sacrifice, what price can one put on true love? Pharmacist Lillian Avery and Ensign Archer Vandenberg are about to find out in Sarah Sundin's new book, Anchor in the Storm. 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?

Celebrate the release of Sarah's Anchor in the Storm by entering to win her All Hands on Deck Prize Pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A signed copy of Anchor in the Storm
• Nautical tote bag lined with anchor fabric
• Anchor necklace made from copper reclaimed from the USS Constitution in Boston during restoration
• 365 Devotions for Hope by Karen Whiting
• Shine: Nautical Inspirational Adult Coloring Book
• "Hope Anchors the Soul" journal
• Set of two nautical tea towels

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on June 8th. The winner will be announced June 9th on Sarah's blog.

Through Waters Deep

One of the things I most enjoy when reading any novel from Sarah Sundin, is her attention to detail and keeping the accuracy of her historical novels genuine. Some of my favorite have been her WWII novels and Through Waters Deep is the debut novel in the Waves of Freedom Series. It takes me back a bit in my own life as we see the main character, Mary Stirling, a Boston Navy Yard secretary referencing her love of Nancy Drew novels growing up. I too, was a girl detective at heart. Mary's ability as a secretary is the perfect skill she needs not only to complete her job but while she is taking reports, she is also talking with the men who are working on the building of our Navy's fleet. It seems that at the launch of their latest vessel, the champagne bottle used to celebrate the official launch was tampered with, and instead was filled with gasoline.

Mary was the first to notice that something was amiss with the bottle's appearance, but her boss thought nothing of it. However, she feels that her tasks at walking around the navy yard gives her access to the men who work there, and she is bound and determine to use everything she has to discover if there is a saboteur in their midst as the nation prepares for war. What she doesn't expect to discover is that her childhood friend from school, Jim Avery has grown up and had now enlisted to serve as navy officer in charge of escorting British convoys across the North Atlantic. Jim feels there is no chance of any chemistry since he usually goes for the bubbly blonde type not the quiet reserved brunette that is Mary.

But the more time they spend together as Jim waits for the USS Atwood to be prepared for deployment oversees, they begin to realize that they have more feelings for one another than they had hoped for. Only they realize it just as Jim is about to be shipped out. Will they have a second chance at seeing where those feelings might develop if given the opportunity or will the sabotage take a toil on one of their lives before love has a chance to gain hold?

I received Through Deep Waters by Sarah Sundin compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Revell Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of the book for my honest review and the opinions are strictly my own. I love the story of these two characters that come together after some time, to see how they have each grown in different ways. Not like an Officer and a Gentlemen, this one felt real to me as both of my parents served in the Navy and subsequently fell in love much like these two do without solving a mystery along the way. Perhaps that is why I could relate to this one so much and saw these characters taking the place of my own parents in a different time from the past. Absolutely LOVED it and well worth all 5 out of 5 naval stars in my book. At the conclusion of the novel are some notes from Sarah about the story as well as some group discussion questions.

For more information about Through Deep Waters, Sarah Sundin or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Through Deep Waters by Sarah Sundin

You can find Sarah Sundin on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

For more reviews of Through Deep Waters, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.


strong>Dive into Sarah Sundin's explosive new series, Waves of Freedom, with book one, Through Waters Deep. 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 in the midst of their budding romance.

Join Sarah in celebrating the release of Through Waters Deep by entering to win an Anchors Aweigh prize pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Through Waters Deep
• A nautical tote bag
• A set of compass rose notecards
• A "Hope Anchors the Soul" journal
• A Boston Tea Party earl grey tea set
• A Through Waters Deep apron
• A set of nautical tea towels

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 24th. The winner will be announced August 25th on Sarah's blog.