Tuesday, February 20, 2018

The Sea Before Us

GIVEAWAY
SUNDIN, SARAH
THE SEA BEFORE US

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 Review:

A book that is as luscious as this cover promises! And how exciting to be at the beginning of this new series. I adore the way Sarah Sundin brings her historical novels to life. From characters to setting to the World War II backdrop -- this author has a talent for weaving facts and fiction together in a most compelling way.

And I especially appreciate the strong faith thread she has woven into the fabric of this story. Bold but not preachy,  I was never in doubt that I was reading Christian fiction. And honestly, that deeply tangled and sometimes frayed inspirational thread makes this story so much richer, transforming this book into an experience to be savored.

Wyatt is my favourite kind of hero -- emotionally wounded and valiantly trying to compensate. Here is a man anchored by his faith, even though he still wrestles with his past. I love that he's a work in progress -- just like me! And while Dorothy is just as committed to contributing to the war effort, she has let her faith slide as she wrestles with finding God in the midst of the ravages of war. These two have some amazing discussions as their friendship deepens.But, honestly, Dorothy can be such an addlepated ninny at times that I just wanted to box her ears and send her home on more than one occasion. :-) Luckily Wyatt is more patient than I am.

So, along with the angsty romance, Sundin treats her readers to epic battle scenes filled with action (but not bogged down by too much technical detail). And there are some disagreeable secondary characters that need a good purse whomping. Gah! But I do so enjoy being all righteously indignant on behalf of a hero and heroine and the author provides plenty of those moments here. And to top it all off there's even a bit of mystery percolating in the background -- one that brings Wyatt and Dorothy closer together and then threatens to pull them apart.

And can I just say that Sarah Sundin is the queen of epic blockbuster endings?! I'm still all twitterpated over this one.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Sea Before Us, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 25, 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

57 comments:

  1. All you gotta say is Sarah Sundin and you have me all twitterpated...lol!! I ADORE this cover and the story within it sounds intreuing...this is on my absolutely-must-read list!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. We can be twitterpated together, Trixi. And yes, that cover!!!!!!!! You need to read Dorothy and Wyatt's story! Good luck.

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  2. What a cover! What a book! What an author! I'm all in, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Yes and yes and yes! You better be in, Melanie,'cause this is a definite not to be missed read. Good luck.

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  3. whaat a great review. I have read When The Tides Turn and I could not put it down. Sarah makes her book captivating to the point that putting it down is torture. Yet I felt that I was going through life with them and rooting them on. I would love to read this story. Another brother.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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    1. Exactly -- this author has the knack for making readers feel like they are living the story, not just reading it. Good luck, Lori.

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  4. You're welcome, Kate. Good luck.

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  5. Oooh, I'm in the first few chapters of this one right now! I agree - Wyatt is a perfectly flawed hero. :) Don't enter me - I can't wait to finish it!

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    1. Oh -- I'm kinda jealous that you're still in the thick of things, Susan. Enjoy!

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  6. I enjoy each and everyone of her books that I read. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. She's a master at her craft.Good luck, Kim.

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  7. I LOVE Sarah Sundin's books! I'm excited to read this new series.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. What's not to love, right? Good luck,Caryl.

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  8. I'm so looking forward to reading this book! Thanks so much for your wonderful review and the chance.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. I'm excited for all of you guys to read this book. Eeeeppp -- it's almost as exciting as reading it myself. Good luck, Pam.

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  9. Have this on my wish list. Thank you so much.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  10. Beautiful cover and great synopsis. I love Sarah’s books and would love to win a copy of this one. Thanks for the giveaway. 😍
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

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    1. Yay -- another Sundin fan! Good luck,VanG.

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  11. I enjoy Sarah's books, though her last series is still on my "want to read" list. Since this is the beginning of her new series, it seems to be a good time to start reading her books again. Thanks for the chance to win The Sea Before Us.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Yes -- here's the prime opportunity to start reading her again. Good luck, Pam.

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  12. Love the cover and your review has me wanting to read the book. On top of that, I love stories of this time frame as I can envision the time of my parents. Add to that the fact that I'm a military brat which means I love historical, military themed books.

    I'd love to read "THE SEA BEFORE US" and appreciate the chance to win a copy.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. This book sounds perfect for you, Kay. Good luck.

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  13. Love World War II stories, Kav. Count me in! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  14. Oh ... Sarah's new book! *smiling big* Love Sarah's writings, so please add me in the draw. Thanks! :)
    mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

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  15. I have been waiting for her to "move back" to a European Theater setting for this series, as I think my favorites of all her books were the first series. I had family plus peers (of my parents) involved in direct D Day action, and Sarah always does such wonderful historical research. Thanks!

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    1. You know, I've been watching Foyle's War which is a BBC mystery series set in England in WW II and they've incorporated a lot of historically accurate war issues into those mysteries. Imagine my surprise when I started reading A Sea Before Us and felt like I'd slipped into Foyle's world. I kept expecting the inspector detective to show up. But what was neat was that this book also addressed some of those same issues. It's such a complex time in England's history and I am thoroughly fascinated by it all. Good luck, CC.

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    2. Thank you for the heads up on Foyle's War! I have just Googled and will check to see if any of my stations are carrying it or if library has any DVD's. Would definitely be of interest in my household! Appreciate your mention!

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    3. I am getting DVDs from my library. There are 8 'series' and I'm about to start #7. Such brilliant characterization and storytelling and the mysteries are superb! Hope you'll be able to find it somewhere. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it. Glad I could share.

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  16. Yes, would love to read this book. Thank you. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  17. Wanting to read this book. Thanks. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  18. Ohhh! I had forgotten she started a new series! I'm so behind, I haven't started the last one yet. So many books, so little time.lol My grandpa took part in D-day, and my grandma's name was Dorothy. Guess those are signs that I must read this book.😉

    ladepooh AT hotmail dot com

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    1. Ohh -- definite signs!!!! And yes, it's really hard to keep up with all the great books coming out but it sure is fun trying! Good luck, Lea.

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  19. I've never read a historical fiction book that has one of the World Wars in it
    Thanks for the chance iamabho AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Really? There's a nice selection out there -- especially World War II novels and Sarah Sundin is one of the best authors. Good luck, Linda.

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    2. Ya not that I can remember
      Historical isn't my normal genre not that I wouldn't enjoy them I usually just read Contemporary
      Thank You

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  20. My favorite part of your review is when you said, "Sarah Sundin is the queen of epic blockbuster endings." She has been on my TBR list! Thank you for this chance! Becky lelandandbecky [AT] reagan [DOT] com

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    1. Her endings!!!! Would totally make it on the big screen. I don't know how she does it every single time. Good luck, Becky.

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  21. I really, really need to read her books. Why is it that I have yet to do that?! Your review was fantastic. tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Ooooohhhhhhhhhh -- yes you really, really must!!!!! And here is the perfect place to start it being a new series and all. Good luck, Terrill.

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  22. I love Sarah Sundin’s writing style! I’m always looking for more of her books to read.

    rosebudsinjune at gmail dot com

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    1. She's knows how to captivate her readers. Good luck, Deborah.

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  23. A Distant Melody (Wings of Glory Book #1): A Novel Kindle Edition
    by Sarah Sundin is FREE Right now if you know of anyone interested 😀

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    1. Ooohhh -- that's a great deal! You can't go wrong with a Sarah Sundin novel. Thanks for sharing that, Linda.

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    2. Exactly I know Right and I just said I haven't read a WW book yet at least not one that I remember and Now I have one from this Author, too

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  24. Every time I find a Sarah Sundin book, I send it to my grandmother. She LOVES them!

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    1. Hope you read them first! Good luck, Dianna.

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  25. Thanks for the GREAT review, Kav! I had to laugh when you used the word 'twitterpated'! I haven't heard that word used in quite a while....well done! :) ~Alison Boss

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It's time twitterpated made a come back, don't you think? Especially if we keep reading books like this. Good luck, agboss.

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  26. Oh, I so want this book. I have been waiting and missed getting on the publisher's book tour. I've been recuperating from torn rotator cuff surgery and I am just now getting able to type with both hands at home.

    Thank you for the chance to win.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. I've missed you, Cindy. Knew you were recovering from surgery. Glad you can type again. Good luck.

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  27. Oh, I want this book so bad. I have request my library get it, but so far they haven't.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Bad library! They should get all of Sarah Sundin's books! Good luck!

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  28. She has gorgeous covers! Love WWII Era books!

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