Book Review: On Distant Shores

Caught between the war raging around them and the battles within, two souls long for peace—and a love that remains true.

Lt. Georgiana Taylor has everything she could want. A boyfriend back home, a loving family, and a challenging job as a flight nurse. But in July 1943, Georgie’s cozy life gets more complicated when she meets pharmacist Sgt. John Hutchinson.

Hutch resents the lack of respect he gets as a noncommissioned serviceman and hates how the war keeps him from his fiancée. While Georgie and Hutch share a love of the starry night skies over Sicily, their lives back home are falling apart. Can they weather the hurt and betrayal? Or will the pressures of war destroy the fragile connection they’ve made?

With her signature attention to detail and her talent for bringing characters together, Sarah Sundin weaves an exciting tale of emotion, action, and romance that will leave you wanting more.

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter and the Wings of Glory series. In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, and 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. Visit http://www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

My Impressions:

For WWII romances, no one does it better than Sarah Sundin. Her novels capture the courage and determination of the era as well as portraying a depth of faith and love. Her latest novel, On Distant Shores, book 2 in the Wings of The Nightingale series, follows flight nurses and evacuation hospital staff as the US army invades Italy. Filled with complex and endearing characters and real life army experiences, this novel is one you don’t want to miss. And although it can certainly be read as a standalone, I would recommend putting book 1, With Every Letter, on your TBR list to ensure you get the most from your reading enjoyment.

Lt. Georgie Taylor is a flight nurse with a not so hidden fear — failure in the face of crisis. The other women in her group encourage and support her, but deep down she worries that, just as her family and fiance say, she is really not meant to be overseas in the midst of danger. Sgt. John “Hutch” Hutchinson believes he is right where he is supposed to be — a pharmacist without a commission making sure the patients in the evac hospital get the care they deserve. But he longs for the respect that comes with being an officer and is doing all in his power to get the coveted prize. Despite the fact that they are both engaged to people back home, the attraction between Georgie and Hutch is undeniable. But their differences in rank and their engagements make them just friends until the war changes things.

There is a lot to like about On Distant Shores. Sundin writes characters that have doubts and fears and also perseverance and strength. Georgie and Hutch learn to depend on God for their purpose instead of the safety of others or the respect of rank. I loved that their relationship grew along with their spiritual growth. The realties of nursing care and army hospitals, as well as the conditions found in worn torn Italy, are well researched. This book is a sure winner, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance set amid the heroic times of WW II.

Recommended.

(Thanks to LitFuse and Revell for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image below. 

 

Sarah is celebrating with a Romantic Weekend Getaway giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (good for a perfect couple’s getaway)
• With Every Letter and On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 2nd. Winner will be announced September 3rd at the “On Distant Shores” Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills, announcing the winner of the Weekend Getaway, and giving away a ton of books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she’ll also be giving party goers an exclusive look at the next book in the Wings of the Nightingale series.

So grab your copy of On Distant Shores and join Sarah on the evening of September 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

 

 

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 3RD!