Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 167
January 11, 2021
Pre-Order When Twilight Breaks and Receive Goodies!
When Twilight Breaks is coming February 2, 2021! My publisher, Revell Books, and I have put together a fun package of goodies for anyone who pre-orders a copy (or has already done so) and enters by January 31, 2021!
You can pre-order at your local bookstore or online (find links here). Any version counts, including e-books! Baker Book House has an amazing pre-order deal (40% off, plus free shipping)!
As my thanks to you for pre-ordering When Twilight Breaks, you will receive:
A downloadable map showing the sites in When Twilight Breaks.A sneak peek at chapter one of the story! Plus a video of me reading the chapter.A recipe for Herr Gold’s Krapfen (Bavarian donuts)!A chance to be a virtual travel buddy on my virtual photo tourA signed customized bookplateWhen Twilight Breaks bookmarks and postcards
A chance to be my virtual travel buddy on my virtual photo tour of the locations from When Twilight Breaks!
Virtual travel buddy??? For the past few years, I’ve conducted photo tours from my research trips. However, my 2020 trip to Munich was—of course—canceled. So, like everything else this year, I’m going virtual. But since I’m going virtual, you can “join” me! My lovely daughter has volunteered to Photoshop my photo and reader photos into photos of Munich! Anyone who pre-orders can enter for a chance to be my virtual travel buddy! The raffle will end January 19, 2021, the winners will be notified January 20, and I’d need your photo by January 22 so my lovely daughter has time to do her photo magic.
To receive your goodies, pre-order your copy of When Twilight Breaks—or find your confirmation number if you’ve already done so! Then contact me at sarahsundinbooks@gmail.com with the following information (you can copy & paste this list into your email):
Herr Gold’s Krapfen from When Twilight Breaks
Name:
Mailing address:Where did you pre-order When Twilight Breaks?Order confirmation number (if you have one):Would you like bookmarks? How many?Would you like postcards? How many?Would you like signed bookplates? To whom would you like them autographed?Note: I reserve the right to limit quantities of bookmarks & postcards mailed to addresses outside the US.
Offer ends January 31, 2021, so don’t wait! By pre-ordering, you’ll receive the book first—and you create interest in bookstores that helps the book succeed.
Also, please join me on Facebook Live Video on my author page January 11, 2021 at 10 am Pacific Time/ 1 pm Eastern – I’ll share about each of the items! The video will be available for viewing later too.
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January 6, 2021
All Through the Night by Tara Johnson
As the Civil War is raging, Cadence Piper longs to help. She isn’t needed in her father’s shop. She isn’t needed at home. She is rejected as a nurse. But her sweet singing voice soothes the patients in the hospital in Washington, DC.
The last thing Dr. Joshua Ivy wants in his hospital is a pretty songbird distracting the men. But Cadence’s grit and determination slowly win him over. However, as much as he’s attracted to the woman dubbed the Songbird of the North, Joshua dares not let her close. His work in buying slaves in order to free them is too important – and has gained him some powerful enemies.
The tumult of the Civil War serves as a fitting backdrop for this story of two wounded people searching for purpose and approval. Cadence and Joshua are endearing characters, each seeking to bring healing to a broken world, no matter the cost. Tara Johnson has penned an exciting, romantic tale that also highlights a little-known and sinister aspect of Civil War history. All Through the Night is a memorable novel not to be missed!
Winter Fiction Giveaway!
If you’d like a chance to win a copy of All Through the Night, plus Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz, and my novel When Twilight Breaks, enter the Winter Fiction Giveaway, running January 5-February 4, 2021. More details here.
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January 5, 2021
Winter Fiction Giveaway!
Between winter weather and sheltering-in-place, reading is the best activity! So Tara Johnson, Laura Frantz, and I decided to give away books! Here’s what you could win:
Tidewater Bride by Laura FrantzSelah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in the Virginia colony who has no wish to marry. True, Jamestown has a shortage of potential wives–but Selah has her hands full assisting in her family’s shop. Xander Renick is the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. But can he convince Selah to become his Tidewater Bride?
All Through the Night by Tara Johnson
Cadence Piper wants to become a nurse but is told she’s too young. So she begins singing to the soldiers at the hospital–butting heads with Joshua Ivy, a doctor with a compassionate heart and clandestine plans. Things become even more complicated when Joshua and Cadence unearth a secret society. Can they fight this unseen enemy?
When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin
In Munich, American foreign correspondent Evelyn Brand is determined to prove herself in her male-dominated profession–and spotlight the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. Working on his PhD in German, fellow American Peter Lang is impressed by Germany’s prosperity and order. But when the Reich’s brutality shows itself, will he work for its downfall instead?
To enter, please enter the Rafflecopter below and follow all three of us (options listed in the Rafflecopter). You can get bonus entries for sharing about it on social media. Giveaway runs January 5-February 4, 2021. The winner will be notified by email. US mailing addresses only please.
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December 26, 2020
Today in World War II History—December 26, 1940 & 1945
Shoulder patch of the British Combined Operations in WWII (albatross for the RAF, submachine gun for the Army, anchor for the Navy)
80 Years Ago—Dec. 26, 1940: Movie premiere of Philadelphia Story, starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart.
75 Years Ago—Dec. 26, 1945: British Admiral of the Fleet Roger Keyes, Chief of Combined Operations 1940-41 (commando raids coordinated between British Army, Royal Navy, and RAF, dies in Tingewick, Buckinghamshire.
Adm. Chen Shaokuan is relieved of command of the Chinese Navy for refusing Kai-shek’s order to attack communist forces.
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December 24, 2020
Today in World War II History—December 24, 1940 & 1945
President Harry S. Truman lights the National Community Christmas Tree, Washington, DC, 12/24/1945 (US National Archives: 199275)
80 Years Ago—Dec. 24, 1940: US refuses to admit Jewish refugees, believing it will lead to expulsion of all Jews from Europe.
Bonus Christmas ration is distributed in Germany—26 ounces of rice & vegetables, 1 pound of sugar, coffee, and jam.
75 Years Ago—Dec. 24, 1945: President Truman lights the National Community Christmas Tree in Washington, DC, lit for the first time since 1941.
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December 20, 2020
Today in World War II History—December 20, 1940 & 1945
RAF Spitfire Mark VB, No. 222 Squadron, North Weald, Essex, 1942 (Imperial War Museum: COL 188)
80 Years Ago—Dec. 20, 1940: Two RAF Spitfires strafe Breck and Le Touquet, France, in first RAF “Rhubarb” daytime offensive fighter operation.
Captain America comic book premieres, cover dated March 1941.
75 Years Ago—Dec. 20, 1945: As a result of Austria’s elections, acting Chancellor Karl Renner becomes president and Leopold Figl becomes chancellor.
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December 10, 2020
Today in World War II History—December 10, 1940 & 1945
Sir Alexander Fleming, in his laboratory at St Mary’s, Paddington, London,1943 (Imperial War Museum: TR 1468)
80 Years Ago—Dec. 10, 1940: British troops take Sidi Barrani and push Italians out of Egypt.
Nobel Prize Committee gives out no awards this year due to the war.
75 Years Ago—Dec. 10, 1945: Nobel Prize in medicine is awarded to Sir Alexander Fleming, Ernst Chain & Sir Howard Florey for the discovery and development of penicillin.
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December 9, 2020
The Mulberry Leaf Whispers by Linda Thompson
1942 – Japanese naval officer Matsuura Akira is on guard at sea when the ships of the famous Doolittle raid pass by. His ship sunk by the Americans, Akira is the only survivor. Akira’s father has impressed on him the deep shame of being captured, so Akira tries to take his own life – but fails. He knows he can never go home again. Then in 1949, he meets one of the Doolittle Raiders, and his life changes forever. But do any members of his family still survive – and will they accept him?
1587 – Omura Sono is pledged in marriage to Matsuura Hisanobu in her family’s effort to establish peace between the warring houses. But the Matsuura promise to allow Sono to keep her Christian faith and raise their children in that faith quickly unravels. When Sono’s first son is born prematurely, her mother-in-law insists the baby be “sent back,” and Sono struggles to save her son and her marriage – and to keep her faith.
In lovely prose, The Mulberry Leaf Whispers describes the beauty and the danger of feudal Japan as well as the difficulties for Japanese prisoners of war during World War II. Full of fascinating detail, the story highlights two family members, hundreds of years apart, who face difficult choices. Linda Thompson does an excellent job with this gorgeous, not-to-be missed novel.
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December 7, 2020
Remember Pearl Harbor!
Seventy years ago, on December 6, 1941, twelve B-17 Flying Fortresses left Hamilton Field, north of San Francisco, bound for their new station on Mindanao in the Philippines. My great-uncle, then Lt. Roderick M. Stewart, served as a navigator on one of the crews.
The first leg of their journey would take them to Hickam Field in Honolulu. Weighted down by gasoline for the thirteen-hour flight, they were unable to carry ammunition. But why would they need it? The United States of America was at peace.
When the B-17s neared Hawaii the next morning, they were pleased to see fighter planes approach – to escort them to the landing field, they assumed. Imagine their shock when the fighters opened fire on them! When the fighters careened past and the Americans saw the red circles on the planes! Japanese Mitsubishi Zeros. The United States of America was no longer at peace.
Wreck of B-17C bomber at Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii, 7 Dec 1941 (US National Archives)
The twelve unarmed bombers dodged both enemy bullets and friendly antiaircraft shells and landed where they could on fields cratered by bombs. Eight landed at Hickam Field, two at Haleiwa Field, one at Bellows Field, and one put down on Kahuku Golf Course. One of the planes was destroyed, and three were damaged. Six men were wounded, and one man was killed.
Plot from the Opana Radar Station from 7 December 1941, showing the Japanese planes approaching Pearl Harbor (Valor in the Pacific Museum. Photo: Sarah Sundin, 7 Nov 2016)
In an interesting historical side note, the brand-new Opana Radar Station detected the Japanese planes coming in for the attack, but the officer in charge, who had started duty that very morning, dismissed the findings, certain the radar blips depicted the expected B-17s. We’ll never know if an extra half hour of preparation could have prevented some of the day’s tragedy.
Lt. Col. Roderick Stewart
Lt. Rod Stewart emerged unscathed, served illustriously as a B-17 pilot in the Army Air Force in the Pacific and then in Europe, ending up as a lieutenant colonel in Eisenhower’s Headquarters. He lived a long life and passed away in 2000.
However, on Dec. 7, 1941, over 2400 Americans lost their lives.
The horrific results of the “Date Which Will Live in Infamy” still shock us, as they should. The cost of unpreparedness must never be forgotten. We commemorate those who gave their lives for their country, not even knowing that country was at war, and give thanks for the millions who fought to end that war.
We must never take freedom for granted.
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Things We Didn’t Say Book Giveaway Winners
Thank you to those who entered the giveaway for Amy Lynn Green’s outstanding WWII novel, Things We Didn’t Say! We had 418 entries, and Amy is so thankful for each of you who subscribed to her email newsletter (sign up on Amy’s website) or visiting her on Instagram (@amygreenbooks).
Here are the winners, who will all be notified by email:
Crystal Grant
Crystal Stewart
Susan Grondin
Thank you again! Happy reading and Merry Christmas!
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