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

About the book:

In the midst of a global war, two forsaken souls search for personal peace

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?

My rating:
5 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

The Land Beneath Us is the third and final book in Sundin's Sunrise at Normandy series and it was the best possible finale to an unbelievably amazing series. I've read many Sarah Sundin books and this series has been by far my favorite. I loved each book and couldn't read them fast enough. :)

This book was Clay's story and it features a marriage of convenience (did NOT expect that!). I loved Clay and how he was protective of Leah. Their romance was so sweet and I loved seeing Clay grow throughout the story.

Something I loved about this series was how each book features prominent themes of forgiveness, grace, faith, etc. Such moving stories and I definitely consider this series a favorite.

All in all, The Land Beneath Us was amazing and I definitely recommend it. 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above 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 and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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

About the book:

Facing the past may be the most fearsome battle of his life.

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 wants to be a missionary, but for now she serves in the American Red Cross, arranging entertainment for the men of the 357th and setting 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.

My rating:
5 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

The Sky Above Us is the second book in Sundin's Sunrise at Normandy series and it was SO good. After finishing the first book I couldn't wait to start this one and continue the brothers' journey - this time through Adler's perspective.

I thought I knew all the details on a certain event from the first book, but I was wrong. The Sky Above Us showcased there was more to that day than first thought. The book told a powerful story of redemption and grace. I absolutely loved that aspect. I also loved the transformation in both Adler AND Violet.

All in all, The Sky Above Us was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it...just be sure to read the series in order. 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above 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 and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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

About the book:

Nothing but love could heal the wounds of war

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, who pieces together reconnaissance photographs with holiday snapshots of France--including those of her family's summer home--in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt turns into naval bombardment plans for D-day.

As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn into something more. But both of them have too much to lose to give in to love . . .

My rating:
5 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

I've had this book on my tbr pile for years and it was an even better read than I had anticipated. The story started out with such an emotional and gripping scene, so my attention was definitely hooked right away.

I didn't realize going in that this series was about a group of brothers that had a falling out. I love stories about families and this one was SO good. I loved reading Wyatt's story and I cannot wait to start the next book.

All in all, The Sea Before Us was an amazing read and I definitely recommend it. Written very well with great characters, a believable storyline, and rich with history. I loved it! 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above 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 and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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Giveaway + Review: Church People Movie

About the movie:

CHURCH PEOPLE is a Christian comedy about the megachurch megaproduction sub-culture and getting back to the simplicity of the Gospel, starring Christian comedian Thor Ramsey, Hallmark Channel’s Erin Cahill, Stephen Baldwin, Donald Faison, and NSYNC’s Joey Fatone

Synopsis: Weary from the showiness and materialism that has overtaken his ministry efforts, Guy (Ramsey) goes on a journey to get back in touch with the heart of ministry and be a real role model to his youth group kids. He makes the difficult decision to cut short his speaking tour managed by his money-focused agent (Faison) after realizing that his reputation has become more fame based than Gospel-driven. 

But when Guy attempts to return to regular youth ministry, he is thrust into the throes of dissuading the youth group from performing a strange and potentially blasphemous stunt for the upcoming Easter service, starring a young, zealous new Believer, Blaise. In attempting to manage his youth group while navigating an unexpected love interest in the Senior Pastor’s daughter (Cahill) and being a new father to his grown daughter (Manfredi), Guy ultimately rediscovers and puts on a powerful presentation of why we all need to put our hope in Jesus and not in ourselves.

Trailer:

My thoughts:

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Review: Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

About the book:

When You Stare Into the Abyss It Also Stares Into You

The bullet that rips into Cole "Tox" Russell was never meant to kill. It was meant to send a message. Only one man is skilled enough to have taken the shot, a rogue Special Forces operator who vanished months ago.

 

Alec King is perhaps the only person as skilled as Tox, and he's out for justice. Furious with orders that got his men killed, he intends to make those responsible pay. And he insists Tox join him, believing they are the same breed of soldier.

Afraid his old friend could be right, Tox battles a growing darkness within himself as he and his team are forced into another deadly encounter with antiquity. It appears Alec is harnessing the power of a mysterious artifact, a crown that history has linked to some of the worst slaughters in humanity. Racing to stop Alec before his vengeance is unleashed, Tox must fight the monster without becoming one.

My rating:
2 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

Crown of Souls is a book that took me a long time to read. I think I started reading it in August of 2020 and finally finished it January of 2022. I had to take a break from reading it, as it was just not holding my interest. 

I enjoyed the main characters and present day sections (for the most part), but the supernatural elements and sections of the story from the past were just not for me.

All in all, Crown of Souls was an okay read. Parts of the story were interesting, but mostly I had a difficult time following everything and there were some things I didn't like. I do plan on finishing the series, though, as I already have the third book in my TBR pile.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above 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 and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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Review: The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson

About the book:

In this charming rom-com, two enemies find something they never expected in one another—taking "all's fair in love and war" to a hilarious and heartwarming new level.

Actress Bree Leake doesn't want to be tied down, but just when it's time to move on again, Bree's parents make her an offer; hold steady in Abingdon for one full year, and they will give her the one thing she's always wanted—her grandmother's house. Her dreams are coming true . . . until life throws her some curve balls.

And then there's her new neighbor. Chip McBride.

For the first time in her life, she's met the person who could match her free-spirited air—and it's driving her to the ledge of sanity. She would move heaven and earth to have him out of her life, but according to the bargain she's struck, she cannot move out of her house and away from the man who's making her life miserable. So begins Bree's obsessive new mission: to drive Chip out of the neighborhood—and fast.

Bree isn't the only one who's a wee bit competitive, and as Chip registers what Bree's up to, he's more than willing to fight fire with fire. But as their pranks escalate, the line between love and hate starts to blur.

Good fences make good neighbors—and sometimes love and hate share a backyard.

My rating:
3 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

The Cul-de-Sac War is a book I was really looking forward to reading and, while I liked it, I didn't love it as much as I had expected to.

I thought the book was written well and I did laugh a few times, but some of the characters actions/pranks went a little too extreme and were just silly to me. I also found certain aspects unbelievable.

The romance was cute and I did like how Chip at one point did something very selfless in order to care for/help Bree (trying not to be specific in order to avoid spoilers).

All in all, I liked The Cul-de-Sac War. It was a fine one-time read.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above 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 and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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Review: The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer

About the book:

For Years They've Been Nomads for Justice, but a Final Mission May Just Lead Their Hearts Home.

Members of the legendary Hanger's Horsemen, Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks arrive in Llano County, Texas, to deliver a steed, never expecting they'd help deliver a baby as well. Left with an infant to care for, they head to a nearby foundling home, where Mark encounters the woman he nearly married a decade ago.

After failing at love, Katherine Palmer has dedicated her life to caring for children, teaming up with Eliza Southerland to start Harmony House. Eliza understands the pain of not fitting society's mold, being illegitimate and of mixed ancestry. Yet those are the very attributes that lead her to minister to outcast children. The taciturn Jonah intrigues her by defying all her stereotypes of men, but there are secrets behind his eyes--ghosts from wars past and others still being waged.

When the Horsemen hear rumors of missing children, they stay to investigate, sticking close to Harmony House and its beautiful owners. As they work together to uncover the truth, love and danger grow hand in hand until a final sinister scheme threatens to destroy them all.

My rating:
5 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

The Heart's Charge is the second book in Karen Witemeyer's Hanger's Horsemen series and another wonderful story.

I was first introduced to Jonah and Mark in the first book, At Love's Command, and was so excited to read their story. It's not often that a book has two different romance stories, but The Heart's Charge does and it was great. I loved the two romances and felt like they were both the "main" story. The book had some danger and I couldn't read fast enough to see what was going to happen. 

All in all, I loved The Heart's Charge and am eager to read the next book when it releases. I recommend this book, but I think you should read the series in order. :)

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above 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 and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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Q & A with Francine Rivers Author of The Lady’s Mine

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers has published numerous novels—all bestsellers—and she has continued to win both  industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels  have been awarded or nominated for many honors, and in 1997, after  winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. In 2015, she  received the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction  Writers (ACFW). Francine’s novels have been translated into over thirty different languages, and she enjoys bestseller status in many foreign countries. She and  her husband, Rick, enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

1. You refer to The Lady’s Mine as your “COVID story.” Can you please explain? 

What does a writer do when she is sheltering in place? Write. And write. And write some  more! Sometimes it is so much more fun to live in a created world than the real one, and  during the first and numerous succeeding shutdowns, that was what I did. Other than work  in the vineyard and garden, I immersed myself in a fictional world. By the time I finished  the manuscript, it was 194,000 words! It needed major cutting. But as I was still sheltering  in place out here in California, the job of cutting turned out to be almost as much fun as the  writing process. 

2. What motivated you to return to the California frontier? What about this setting  intrigues you? 

I’m a native Californian, and I’ve always loved our state history, especially the gold and  silver rush periods. Redeeming Love takes place from 1849 to 1851. The Lady’s Mine jumps forward to the 1870s silver rush. Men from around the world and all walks of life  poured into the state, hoping to strike it rich. A few women came—some by wagon train,  some by ship, some willing, and some not. It was a time of high drama, boom and bust. I  think that’s what appeals to me most—the dreams that brought people, the grueling hard  work that awaited them, the myriad stories of success and failure. 

3. You have said that your stories often start with a question. What question  prompted this story? 

There were several questions. How does a person cope with being cast out of a family? Do we determine the course of our lives, or is there a plan already in place? Can one  person change the character of a town? How can we offer a hand up rather than a handout  to those in desperate need? 

4. What themes in this story, set in the 1870s, have particular relevance today?

One of the themes is the oft-unfair treatment of workers. During the silver rush, it was  common to have a mine owner rolling in wealth while holding workers in debt bondage.  This is a common practice these days in human trafficking. We have laws now to protect  workers, but without naming anyone, news stories abound of how one man at the top can  rake in billions while paying workers minimum wage with few benefits. The nice side of  fiction is to suggest other possibilities in how to conduct a business. 

5. Your novels look deeply into characters’ motivations and emotions. What do you  hope readers will learn from delving into the inner thoughts of the characters in The  Lady’s Mine? 

Don’t let the unfairness of life embitter you. Strive to do good no matter what others around  you are doing. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Stand up and find practical  ways to help the less fortunate. A handout is good for a day. A hand up can change a life  forever. Speak truth no matter the cost. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh. Enjoy life. Don’t hold too tightly to your own opinion. Listen and learn from others. And above all, live  to please the Lord. 

6. In talking about this book, you reference the apostle James, who said, “Pure and  genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for the orphans and  widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” What is one  practical way we can work toward not letting the world corrupt us?  

This will sound like a simple answer, but the best place to find out what and how to do  something is through reading the Bible. It’s also the best place to learn what not to do. Lately, I’ve been writing out a few verses a day from a book of the Bible. Romans. It will  take weeks to do it, but it is already helping me concentrate and think about what God is  saying, the instructions He is giving. This isn’t something I’ve always done, but now find  invaluable. Writing longhand slows me down and helps me concentrate on each word,  phrase, and sentence. When we’re focused on the Lord, He shows us practical ways to  live in this fallen world without becoming part of it. 

7. What character in this story did you most enjoy crafting? Why? 

Kathryn Walsh! She has strong faith, seeks the Lord, and does what she believes is right. She isn’t a quiet little lady in the pew. She’s fiery, opinionated, earnest, and determined to  make the town she lives in better (whether men agree or not). When she realizes she’s  wrong about something, she changes her mind. When she’s right, she plows ahead no  matter the cost. She looks for ways to help people rise from poverty. Though she has few  resources herself, she shares what she does have. She doesn’t judge anyone (except  Matthias Beck!), though she is frequently judged by others (Beck being one). And she has  a sense of humor. Frankly, I enjoyed getting to know her during the COVID shelter in place  orders. And, of course, Matthias Beck also had his fascinating character traits.

8. Did this story develop in any surprising ways?  

Kathryn’s business management scheme came as something of a surprise. So did the  next venture that leads to the real change in Calvada. But I can’t explain all that without  giving the story away. 

9. Working on this story during the COVID lockdown, you said that one of your  goals was to address serious issues with humor and grace. You commented, “Life  had become too somber to add heaviness to it. We all need to laugh, even when  days are dark—maybe even more so during those times. And we all want changes  for the better and a happy ending.” How did this project accomplish these goals? 

Writing as much as I did helped me pass the time while sheltering in place. In some ways,  my life didn’t change. As a writer, I spend most of my life at home working. I was able to  get through the frustration of the ever-changing rules and opinions by creating characters,  scenes, and dialogue. There are so many situations in life that challenge us to trust God. It  is so true there is nothing new under the sun. The “new normal” isn’t all that different from  trials we’ve faced before. We all have a choice. Grumble and growl over the way things  are. Or look for the good and the humorous aspects of life. I choose the latter. 

10. What do you hope your readers come to know about God through this story? 

Broken relationships don’t have to mean broken lives. Let (agape) love be the motivation  for what you do and how you live. God can mold the most unlikely people into wise and  gifted leaders. One person can change the course of a community. The Lord can make  beauty from ashes. 

The Lady’s Mine by Francine Rivers 

ISBN 978-1-4964-4757-9 | Hardcover $27.99 | February 8, 2022

Preorder today: Amazon (aff link)

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