Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 380
July 6, 2014
Today in World War II History—July 6, 1944
Princess Elizabeth with B-17G Rose of York of the US 306th Bomb Group, Thurleigh, England (US Army Air Forces photo)
70 Years Ago—July 6, 1944: A fire erupts in the Barnum & Bailey big top in Hartford, CT; 169 killed. King George and Princess Elizabeth visit US 306th Bomb Group at Thurleigh and christen B-17 Rose of York in honor of the princess’s 18th birthday. Future baseball star Lt. Jackie Robinson refuses to give up bus seat at Camp Hood TX, is arrested, court-martialed, and later acquitted.
July 5, 2014
Today in World War II History—July 5, 1944
70 Years Ago—July 5, 1944: In US, inner tubes are removed from rationing, but tires are still rationed. US Fifteenth Air Force bombs German sub pens at Toulon, France, sinking two of the ten U-boats remaining in the Mediterranean.
July 4, 2014
Happy Independence Day! Looking Back for Inspiration
Happy Independence Day! This poster seemed appropriate with its Revolutionary War theme.
In 1943, the United States and the rest of the world, faced its greatest threat. Germany, Japan, and Italy with the other Axis powers, had conquered vast areas of the globe. The Allies were beginning to make progress, clearing North Africa, invading Sicily and Italy, and conquering some Pacific Islands, but the road ahead looked long and difficult. It would prove to be so.
This poster reminded the people of 1943 of their heritage, that Americans fight for liberty. In the Revolutionary War, the American colonists faced the greatest military power of the time and prevailed. Their example inspired World War II soldiers to fight for freedom at home and abroad despite the odds.
Likewise, we can learn much from the past. When I think of what men and women of the 1940s endured so we could be free in 2013, it inspires me to embrace their values.
This Fourth of July, remember what made America great – our love of liberty, our willingness to fight for what’s right, our ingenuity, our flexibility, our sense of humor, our diversity, and our moral strength – and embrace it. Keep America great by keeping Americans good.
Today in World War II History—July 4, 1944
70 Years Ago—July 4, 1944: Millionth Allied soldier lands at Normandy, less than one month after D-Day. In Normandy, 1100 US guns fire 4th of July salute at German lines. Soviets launch offensive into Baltic States.
July 3, 2014
Book Giveaway Winner – Yankee in Atlanta
I’m so excited about all the interest in Jocelyn Green‘s Yankee in Atlanta (which I loved!). You can read my review here. There were 49 entries on my blog and on Goodreads!! Using a random number generator, the winner is…Amanda M.! Amanda, I’ll email you today so I can mail the book to you.
Today in World War II History—July 3, 1944
70 Years Ago—July 3, 1944: French and Algerian forces take Siena, Italy. Soviets take Minsk.
July 2, 2014
Book Beat – A Place in His Heart by Rebecca DeMarino
I’ve been waiting to read this book for several years, since I met Rebecca DeMarino at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Her story idea fascinated me, and I was delighted when she was offered a contract by Vicki Crumpton at Revell Books – my editor too!
A Place in His Heart is based on Rebecca DeMarino‘s family history, of Barnabas and Mary Horton, who came to America in the 1630s and settled on Long Island. This early segment of American history is so intriguing – leaving behind family members, probably never to see them again, the long and perilous sea voyage, arriving in an unknown land filled with danger. In this novel, Barnabas and Mary experience all of these and more as they adapt to life in the colonies.
Barnabas has lost his dearly loved wife, Anne, and he struggles to raise his two young boys alone. Mary Langton longs to avoid marriage to the man her father has chosen, and she finds herself falling quickly for the heartbroken widower. For both Barnabas and Mary, marriage seems like the obvious solution to their problems. But will Barnabas ever be able to love another woman? And will Mary be able to bear the burden of unrequited love while adapting to the harsh life of colonial Long Island?
Rich in historical detail and family lore, A Place in His Heart makes a fascinating read. Barnabas and Mary have their strengths and weaknesses, and you root for them to overcome. The difficulties of preparing for the journey, leaving loved ones, the sea voyage, and creating a new home in the New World make you appreciate the comforts of modern life. I strongly recommend this novel and look forward to the second novel in the Southold Chronicles.
Today in World War II History—July 2, 1944
US Marines in Garapan, Saipan, 2 Jul 1944 (US Marine Corps)
70 Years Ago—July 2, 1944: US Army troops land on Noemfoor Island in Geelvink Bay, New Guinea. US Marines take Garapan, Saipan; Japanese fall back to final defensive line on northern Saipan.
July 1, 2014
Today in World War II History—July 1, 1944
Map of Allied advance in Normandy from 6 June-1 July 1944, showing secured Cotentin Peninsula (US Army Center of Military History)
70 Years Ago—July 1, 1944: US First Army secures the Cotentin peninsula in France. UN Monetary Conference begins in Bretton Woods, NH; will establish International Monetary Fund and International Bank for Reconstruction & Development.
June 30, 2014
Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green – and Book Giveaway!
Caitlin McKae has disguised herself as a man to fight for the Union, but when she’s injured in battle, she ends up in Atlanta – believed to be a Confederate hero. Concealing her Yankee identity is vital to her survival.
German immigrant Noah Becker feels compelled to fight for the Confederacy, and hires Caitlin to care for his beloved motherless little girl. Both Caitlin and Noah deny their mutual attraction due to the necessities of war. As the battle pushes closer and closer to Atlanta, starvation runs rampant and Caitlin struggles to keep Noah’s daughter and several war refugees alive.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Ruby O’Flannery works at the Waverly home and watches her young son grow, and enjoys her friendship with kind-natured pastor Edward Goodrich. As Edward’s interest becomes romantic, Ruby’s anxiety grows – can she ever be worthy of the love of a good man? Wartime tensions grow into riots in New York, and Ruby’s past comes back to threaten her future.
Yankee in Atlanta is the third book in Jocelyn Green‘s excellent Heroines Behind the Lines series. You don’t need to read them in order, but don’t miss any of these stories!
Once again Jocelyn Green weaves together the intensity of war with the impact on human lives. In Yankee in Atlanta, we see two women on opposite sides of the battle lines, each experiencing the deprivations of wartime, each reeling from historical events, and each struggling with personal problems. This is Civil War fiction at its best.
I ended up with two copies of Yankee in Atlanta, so I’m giving one away!! To enter the drawing, please leave a comment and include your email in the following format: sarah [at] sarahsundin [dot] com. I’ll announce the winner on Thursday, July 3, 2014.
