Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin

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?

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SERIES: Waves of Freedom #2
GENRE: Historical Romance, Christian
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: May 3, 2016
PAGES: 400

I adore reading Sarah Sundin’s books – the mystery is well-done, the characters are vibrant and endearing, the kisses are toe-curling, and the humor is natural and aptly timed. Anchor in the Storm fits the bill perfectly!

This Waves of Freedom series especially intrigues me because it touches on what to me at least are little known facts about America’s involvement in World War 2. (You can read my review of Through Waters Deep, the first book in the series, to see the insight I gained about American sentiment before we joined the war.) In Anchor in the Storm, Sundin incorporates another element of the war that I never remember reading about in textbooks – how close the German U-boats actually came to U.S. harbors. And how lackadaisical American cities were about protecting themselves – and the ships that used their ports – from attack.  I L-O-V-E learning while I read fiction, and Sundin’s books always give me an entertaining story with a fascinating history lesson as a bonus!

Lillian and Arch both have handicaps that they must overcome to succeed in relationships and in life. Lillian’s physical disability (the loss of her leg) has led to some emotional handicaps that keep her shut down and hesitant to trust a man. Arch’s upper class background & his wealthy bank account also have him keeping potential love interests at arm’s length, so keen is he on avoiding any more gold diggers.  But, he’s also dealing with “combat fatigue” – a condition he needs to hide if his Navy career is going to succeed.  When they meet through Lillian’s brother Jim (the hero in Through Waters Deep), their chemistry is palpable.  Watching their friendship slowly develop and then gradually blossom into something more lasting is full of smiles and heart-melting moments that are sure to delight any fan of romance!

The mystery to be solved in Anchor in the Storm is foreshadowed by Lillian early on when she jokes with her family that she won’t solve a murder mystery like her roommate Mary (Jim’s girlfriend) – with her occupation as a pharmacist, she says, “…it’ll be a drug ring.”  Yep. Got it in one. The drug ring is far reaching and I loved watching Lillian really come into her own strength (and God’s) as she worked on cracking the case.

But more than the history and the romance and the mystery, I most loved the spiritual theme weaving through Anchor in the Storm. Both Lillian and Arch – for their own separate reasons – had to come to the understanding that Jesus is the only secure Anchor in any storm, that His hope does not disappoint. Words that are true for their fictional situations, for the world during World War 2, for the world today, and for you and me today as well.

Bottom Line: If you like a blend of history, romance, faith, and mystery, then you for sure need to add Sarah Sundin’s Waves of Freedom series to your TBR list! Anchor in the Storm is sweet and funny and poignant, and it will gently challenge you to cling to the only secure Anchor in a turbulent world.  Kisses aplenty, hunky sailors, a feisty independent heroine, and the backdrop of 1940s Boston will treat you to a delightful afternoon of reading with truth to take with you. Anchor in the Storm can be read as a standalone but you’ll love Through Waters Deep too so make sure you start there!

(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)

My Rating: 4 stars / Loved it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion

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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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.