"When Tides Turn" by Sarah Sundin

Lately, I've been in a bit of a reading slump. It's not that I haven't read enjoyable books, but I've only had three 5-star reads so far this year, and I finished the last one (For Love & Honor) at the end of February. I was absolutely ready for another "I love this book so much and I can't put it down and I wish it wouldn't end" kind of read ... and, happily, that's exactly what I found with When Tides Turn.

"anchor in the storm" by sarah sundin

Each year, I do a little happy dance when Sarah Sundin's latest release hits my mailbox. Usually, I dive right in, but this year a little thing called yearbook stood in my way. I finally (finally!) was able to start reading yesterday, and let me tell you, Anchor in the Storm is every bit as fantastic as I'd hoped it would be!

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One plucky female pharmacist + one high-society naval officer = romance-and danger

For plucky Lillian Avery, America's entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg's attentions only annoy---even if he is her brother's best friend.

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 for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affection?

Sarah Sundin brings World War II to life, offering readers an intense experience they won't soon forget.

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I've said it before, and I'll say it again: no one writes World War II era fiction like Sarah Sundin! Her writing has a way of bringing the time period to life, and the vividly drawn characters feel like friends.

Anchor in the Storm is the second book in Sundin's Waves of Freedom series, which follows members of the Avery family. This book is Lillian Avery and Arch Vandenberg's story. (Book one, Through Waters Deep, follows Lillian's brother Jim.) Though they come from vastly different backgrounds, Lillian and Arch are largely the same—both are running from past shame and are hesitant to open themselves to the possibility of love, though for vastly different reasons. Lillian wants someone who will see her as whole, rather than damaged goods due to her prosthetic leg, and Arch longs to be loved for who he is, not for his money.

Arch and Lillian are drawn together as they try to bring down a prescription drug ring, and I loved watching them inch closer and closer to one another. I also wanted to slap some sense into each of them at times, but their reactions to certain circumstances always rang true, even when I was frustrated by them. Also, Arch's journey goes in a direction I did not ever anticipate, and it's so perfect and satisfying.

Anchor in the Storm is a book that will captivate you from beginning to end while transporting you into the fascinating world of Boston during World War II. I loved every second I spent reading it, and I almost wish I could start it all over again! 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Sundin's Through Waters Deep (5 stars), With Every Letter (5 stars), On Distant Shores (5 stars), In Perfect Time (5 stars), and Blue Skies Tomorrow (5 stars).

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Sarah Sundin is the author of Through Waters Deep, as well as Wings of the Nightingale and the Wings of Glory series. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force. Sarah lives in California.

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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.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"through waters deep" by sarah sundin

To say my experience reading Sarah Sundin's newest novel, Through Waters Deep, was interactive would be an understatement. I actually spoke to certain characters as the book progressed because their actions, while noble, were also incredibly frustrating! And the fact that I cared so much is a testament to just how engaging Sundin's novels are.

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It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war.

Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. 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.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.

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While I enjoy reading a wide variety of books, I only really keep up with a handful of authors, eagerly anticipating their next release. Sarah Sundin is one of those authors, and I've been looking forward to Through Waters Deep for the past year.

It did not disappoint.

I loved Jim and Mary, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them fall in love. Their romance was a bit frustrating, though, as they both did a great job of keeping their emotions hidden. In fact, their romance (or lack therof) caused me to do something I haven't done in years—I actually flipped to the back of the book and read the last few pages when I was only about halfway finished with the book because I just had to be sure everything would turn out well!

From the moment Mary's friend Quintessa was mentioned, I figured I knew where the story was headed--and I did have it figured out for the most part. What I didn't count on was the depth of Jim's character, and he took the story in a bit of a different direction than I expected.

Mary has to be one of my favorite heroines in recent memory. She reminds me a bit of myself--like Mary, I hate being the center of attention, an incident in my childhood caused me to withdraw from the limelight, I've never been a guy magnet, and I would probably respond like Mary did if I was in a situation like she found herself in with Jim! So while her actions were at times frustrating, I understood--and I was thrilled for her when she faced her fears and went after what she wanted!

In addition to the romance between Mary and Jim, Through Waters Deep contains a fascinating mystery about a saboteur at the Navy Yard. The mystery unravelled slowly, and it was fun to watch Mary put the pieces together.

Overall, Through Waters Deep fits perfectly into Sundin's brand, and I can't wait to get my hands on next year's novel! 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Sundin's With Every Letter (5 stars), On Distant Shores (5 stars), In Perfect Time (5 stars), and Blue Skies Tomorrow (5 stars).

Note: Shoutout to my friend Jen, who commented that she thought the guy on the cover looked like Ryan Reynolds. Now when I look at the cover, all I can see is Ryan. (It's all in the top half of his head--the mouth isn't quite right.)

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Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, In Perfect Time, and the Wings of Glory series. In 2014,On Distant Shores was a finalist for the Golden Scroll Awards from both AWSA and the Christian Authors Network. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

Find Sarah online: website, Facebook, Twitter


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.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."