Book Review: When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin

The last thing naval officer Dan Avery wants to see on his radar is glamour girl Quintessa Beaumont—even if she has joined the WAVES.

When fun-loving glamour girl Quintessa Beaumont learns the Navy has established the WAVES program for women, she enlists, determined to throw off her frivolous ways and contribute to the war effort. No-nonsense and hoping to make admiral, Lt. Dan Avery has been using his skills to fight German U-boats. The last thing he wants to see on his radar is a girl like Tess. For her part, Tess works hard to prove her worth in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Unit in Boston—both to her commanding officers and to the man with whom she is smitten. When Dan is assigned to a new escort carrier at the peak of the Battle of the Atlantic, he’s torn between his lifelong career goals and his desire to help Tess root out a possible spy on shore. The Germans put up quite a fight, but he wages a deeper battle within his heart. Could Tess be the one for him?

With precision and pizazz, fan favorite Sarah Sundin carries readers through the rough waters of love in a time when every action might have unforeseen world-changing consequences.

SERIES: Waves of Freedom #3
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Mystery/Romance
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2017
PAGES: 400

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“A kiss like that makes a man want to go to sea just so he can come home.”

I have so enjoyed this series by Sarah Sundin and, while I’m sad to see it end, When Tides Turn is a great sendoff.  The history incorporated seamlessly into the story continues to intrigue me. In this book (which can be read as a standalone if you really must), the focus is on the French resistance gathering momentum on American soil as well as overseas, and a deliciously mysterious spy possibility. Dan’s time at sea and the naval battles also add to the well-timed tension as well as the development of his character.

The WAVES element to the story – Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service – really made me appreciate the sacrifices that these women made for our country. At times, they got very little respect, evaluated on their looks despite being chosen for their intelligence and skills.  I’m proud of the legacy that women like Tess and Nora and the others left behind for us today.

And the romance… I have to admit, from the past two books, Tess has not been my favorite character. But she completely redeems herself in When Tides Turn. I love the color she adds to Dan’s life, and the way she upends his best efforts to maintain a cordial distance. Dan’s journey through the novel – as well as Tess’ – makes the romance all the sweeter and the kisses all the more passionate.

Bottom Line: When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin is a must-read for fans of historical mysteries, WW2 buffs, and anyone who enjoys a great romance! If you’ve been reading the series since the beginning, you will appreciate the time spent with beloved characters, getting to see a bit more of how their own stories play out. (If you are new to the series, this can be read as a standalone too.) History and mystery collide intriguingly, framing the romance and the faith elements perfectly. I’m sad to see this series end but I’m looking forward to the next one from Sundin!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / Love it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / Will forget to breathe on occasion!

Sarah Sundin is the author of the Waves of Freedom series (Through Waters Deep, 2015, Anchor in the Storm, 2016, and When Tides Turn, March 2017), the Wings of the Nightingale series, and the Wings of Glory series, all from Revell. In addition she has a novella in Where Treetops Glisten (WaterBrook).

Her novel Through Waters Deep was a 2016 Carol Award Finalist, won the 2016 INSPY Award, and was named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years.” Her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in Where Treetops Glisten was a finalist for the 2015 Carol Award. In 2014, On Distant Shores was a double 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 mother of three, Sarah lives in northern California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. She enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers’ groups, and has been well received.

She belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Authors Network, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

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Enter Sarah Sundin’s When Tides Turn giveaway going on now on her blog!