Sarah Sundin

I've read quite a few novels set in WWII recently. It's a backdrop that naturally lends itself to storytelling, and my father served the U.S. Army Air Corps during the war (later the U.S. Air Force) so that adds and extra level of interest. This novel stands out among the crowd. It's set in Denmark, primarily around Copenhagen, and the Danish record in WWII is somewhat mixed. TAthey were invaded by the Germans early in the war, surrendered, and for awhile were something of a model occupied show more country. They were allowed to avoid German governmental control and prevented the adoption of laws persecuting the Jews. But they cooperated with the Germans in terms of providing port access, ship building, etc. Resistance efforts sprang up, and eventually, the Germans took over. This is the background for the story.

The characters are superb. Elsa is a talented physicist who has dual American/Danish citizenship and has travelled there to work at the Institute of famed Scientist Niels Bohr. She faces challenges as woman in a traditionally male field, and struggles with a boss who is jealous and demeaning. She is drawn into resistance work by her best friend and boarding house roommate, who is Jewish and fears what the Nazis may do if they crack down. She is also drawn to the mild-mannered, unassuming shipyard worker, Hemming Anderson, who is slow of thought and speech, but kind and thoughtful. Hemming is not what he seems, however. At the start of the novel, he is a rich playboy with a deep grudge against his domineering father, and a growing disgust at his own useless style of living. The invasion, however, awakens his desire to become a better man and fight for Denmark. If he can't be the man his father demanded, he wants to become the man his late mother believed in. But working in the resistance requires subterfuge and disguise. Even with the brilliant house mate that he grows to love.

This story is beautifully told with lyrical prose. The love story is touching without being maudlin. The suspense is palpable. I couldn't wait to see how it came out, and at the same time didn't want it to end. Excellent job, Ms. Sundin.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own. show less

Best read so far this year! A captivating historical fiction story set in the Orkney Islands during World War II.

Dutch Resistance fighter, Cilla van der Zee, infiltrates the Dutch Nazis to gather intel on their actions. As the noose on her efforts tightens, Cilla makes the bold decision to offer up her services to the unsuspecting Germans to act as an agent. She'd do anything to get off the continent and seek refuge at her aunt's place in England to wait out the war. Upon her arrival in the show more Orkneys, she's immediately captured and turned in order to aid the British in their MI5 "Operation Double-cross". Although a fictional account, this book draws on the historic record and delivers a harrowing story of great courage and ingenuity.

Author Sarah Sundin has meticulously crafted an engaging and evocative story about this time and place in history. Her writing is superb. Her characters are very well developed and are true to their convictions. Cilla, the protagonist, demonstrates bravery, cleverness, and tremendous insight and ingenuity. The mise-en-scène spectacularly describes the barrenness and loneliness of the northern Scottish Isles. The descriptions exude the penetrating chill of an Orknian winter's night or the gentle sea breeze of a summer's day. The research put into the story is rich and well described. The author's research notes, upon conclusion of the book, are equally worthy of reading. Although this was my first foray into Ms. Sundin's writing, I assure you, it will not be my last. This is an excellent read for fans of historic fiction that hold a bit of chaste romance.

I am grateful to author Sarah Sundin and her publisher, Revell, for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: ‎Revell
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN:‎ 978-0800741860 show less

There are a lot of WWII-era novels out there. Believe me I have read a bunch. But I have to say that Sarah Sundin keeps writing fresh and unique stories. Her latest novel, Embers in The London Sky captures the very real fear when faced with an unknown future and outcome. The story revolves around a young mother who has lost her son in the escape from the Netherlands during the German invasion. She ends up in England hoping against hope that her child has been brought there as well. I can’t show more imagine what the people facing this real-life scenario went through. Themes of trusting God’s plans and goodness, the welcome/rejection of refugees by the Brits, and sacrificing desires for another’s good are all examined. This book really made me think. It also really touched me. I cried several times while reading, something that is a rare occurrence for me. The historical details were great — Sundin is a wonderful researcher, and the characters relatable. There’s some romance and a good twisting mystery. This book really has it all!

I can’t say enough about how good Embers in The London Sky is. It truly is highly recommended.

Highly recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

Lucie Girard, American ballerina living in Paris, decides to quit ballet and buy the English-language bookstore run by her Jewish friends, allowing them to escape to America before Hitler's noose closes around them. While she struggles to keep the store running with so many English speakers fleeing France or being interned, she discovers that members of the local resistance are using her store to pass messages, and she wants to help. Meanwhile, Paul Aubrey, widower with a very creative show more 4-year-old daughter named Josie, runs a factory that produces trucks for civilian use. Because he sells those trucks to the Germans, he's seen as a collaborator by all of his friends, who shun him and his daughter. He can't tell them about the work he's doing to help the US military, especially after it grows into other work for the local resistance. When the time comes for American's to flee or be interned as well, Paul and Lucie will have to trust each other in order to get themselves and little Josie to safety.

This book was beautiful and touching, heartbreaking and uplifting, and I don't think I can say enough about how much I loved it. The symbolism of leaves and the color green is woven throughout the entire book in a way I enjoyed—not always subtly, but I still appreciated how the author built a theme around it all. I adored Josie and the relationship between her and Lucie, as well as Paul's attempts to understand his daughter better. Josie and Feenee are a major highlight of the book.

It seems like it's been a while since I've given a fiction book 5 stars, but this one deserves it. The two main characters are both likeable and interesting. The ballet angle was a new one for me, and while it's not something I know much about, I really enjoyed reading about it. Paul's integrity, even in the face of undeserved hatred, and the way he relies on God to help him through it, is wonderful. The relationship between the two builds in a believable way, without much angst, and it's not the only focus of the book, all of which I appreciate. The first meet between these two is one of the best I've ever read.

Tension builds as the war ramps up, and the last third or so of the book is filled with pulse-pounding, tear-jerking scenes. I loved everything about it, and know without a doubt I will re-read this book in the future. My only real complaint is that Lucie and Josie's names are similar enough in style and appearance that a few times I was confused about what was going on in a scene or who was taking. But other than that, this book has cemented Sarah Sundin as one of my favorite authors (a distinction I don't assign freely). And though it doesn't appear to be part of any series, it is clearly connected to Sundin's previous release, When Twilight Breaks, as the two MCs from that book appear briefly in this one. And it appears that her next book, which I'm excited to read, will be connected as well! In case it's not clear, I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction from this time period in the Christian romance genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and Revell for providing me a copy of this book to review. show less