Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 515

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 1, 1941: Germans occupy Riga, Latvia. US agrees to take over the security of Iceland from Britain. CBS & NBC begin offering fifteen hours per week of TV programming in New York City, but few people have sets. Bulova Watch buys first network TV commercial ever—for $9.

Book Beat - The Preacher's Bride

[image error] Don't let the bonnet on the cover fool you. The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund is not an Amish book. Rather it reflects a growing and refreshing trend in Christian historical fiction to explore different eras. The Preacher's Bride is set in 1659 England, when Cromwell's Puritans were in power, and it is loosely based on the life of preacher and author John Bunyan.

Plain and outspoken Elizabeth Whitbread only wants to serve the Lord. When John Costin's wife dies in childbirth, Elizabeth feels led to care for his four children, especially the starving newborn. A tinker by trade, John also travels as a Puritan preacher. He draws the ire of Royalists, who dislike Puritan rule and especially dislike tradesmen presuming to preach—a role reserved for educated gentlemen. Elizabeth and the children soon learn to love each other, but John resists Elizabeth's presence while drawn to her quick tongue. As John's enemies turn their venom on those close to him, he begins to see Elizabeth's worth, but will he be forced to choose between those he loves and God's calling?

The Preacher's Bride is historical fiction done right. The setting and period details are rich and fascinating and well researched, but never overwhelm the story. And the story is beautiful. Both John and Elizabeth are characters of depth and integrity, while still having human failings that make them ring true. Their romance is sweet and gripping, and an underlying sense of danger provides just the right amount of tension.

I highly recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially for Anglophiles.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jun. 30, 1941: Luftwaffe pilot Werner Mölders shoots down 3 Soviet bombers, for 82 victories, breaking WWI record by the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen. Germans close Bialystok pocket and take 290,000 Soviet prisoners.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jun. 29, 1941: Germans take Minsk, the capital of Byelorussia. Romanian troops kill 10,000 Jews in Jassy.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jun. 28, 1941: US forms Office of Scientific Research and Development for atomic research. American Defense Service Medal authorized, to be awarded for service from 9/1/39-12/7/41.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jun. 27, 1941: Hungary declares war on USSR. Germans surround Bialystok-Minsk pocket.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jun. 26, 1941: Spain organizes volunteers to fight with Germany against USSR.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jun. 25, 1941: Luftwaffe's first night intruder mission attacks British bombers landing at bases. President Roosevelt signs order banning discrimination in defense industries and government.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Jun. 24, 1941: Spanish crowds in Madrid demonstrate in favor of German invasion of USSR. Germans take Vilnius, Lithuania. President Roosevelt issues $40 million in credits to USSR.

Book Beat - While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin

[image error] This has been a good year for those who love fiction set during World War II. Lynn Austin, one of the premier writers of Christian historical fiction turns to the American Home Front in While We're Far Apart .

Twelve-year old Esther Shaffer is furious with her father for enlisting in the Army soon after the death of her mother, especially since her little brother, Peter, has suddenly gone mute, and she has to put up with boring Penny Goodrich as her caretaker. Penny has secretly loved Esther's father all her life, and she hopes taking care of his children will cause him to return her love - and it allows her to get away from her overprotective and manipulative parents. The Shaffers' landlord, Jacob Mendel, is angry at God for the death of his wife and the disappearance of his only son in Nazi-occupied Hungary - and shaken by how Esther and Peter insert themselves into his life.

As these people become unlikely friends, secrets are revealed, hearts are opened, and lives are changed. This is a lovely story with compelling characters, filled with detail about life on the Home Front. Jacob Mendel's storyline shows how anti-Semitism was alive and ugly in America as well as in Europe. I highly recommend this novel, even if World War II is not your favorite time period.