Sapphire Promise: Based on a true story of loyalty, trust, and unfailing love

by Sally Brandle

Loyalty to family. Trusting instincts. The will to survive. These virtues are deeply embedded in a mature Dutch teenager, Annika Wolter. Her attributes prove useful as she navigates typical coming-of-age insecurities and a blossoming romance with a handsome lieutenant in 1939 Batavia, Java.

Nothing prepares her for the distress of Hitler’s attacks on European countries followed by Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor, toppling her idyllic life in the Dutch East Indies colonial society and separating her from the man she loves. Uplifting events from a true story showcase how determination, nursing basics, and language skills keep a young woman and her mother alive in the worst Japanese internment camp in the Pacific. If you admire clever women and unfailing love in a tropical wartime setting, you will be captivated by Sapphire Promise.

Here's what readers are

"Annika's story is so amazing, I had to keep reminding myself it is true. She was a woman before her time in her determination and perseverance." Amazon reader

"This coming-of-age story occurs during a time of great turbulence. The author takes such care in reminding the reader about what it means to be human, love, care, survive, and heal." Jamie Stern-Member at Large, Director of Research, The Indo Project

"Brandle's exhaustive research coupled with her natural storytelling abilities combine to give us a complex, entertaining, and powerful tale." Amazon Reader

"I’m excited to share the compelling story of The Sapphire Promise with my book group! The study questions at the end will ensure a lively, thoughtful discussion of this fascinating memoir." Beta reader

430 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2021

About the author

#1 Bestselling Amazon author, Sally Brandle, weaves slow-burning romance into edgy suspense stories. Sally left a career as an industrial baking instructor to bring to life stories motivating readers to trust their inner gifts. Sign up for her newsletter at www.sallybrandle.com for freebies. The Hitman’s Mistake opens her Love Thrives in Emma Springs series of stories (without intimate scenes). Torn By Vengeance, Book 2, and The Targeted Pawn, Book 3, continues showcasing friendship, courageous women, and the men who deserve their love. Her latest book, Sapphire Promise, presents the enhanced memoir of a woman who grew up pre WWII in the Dutch East Indies. It's a privileged life to POW true saga.
Website: http://www.sallybrandle.com
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallybrandle/

Monthly writing tips column: www.writer-writer.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sallybrandle/
Sally’s Blog link: https://smpauthors.wordpress.com/auth...

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven]

This review is for the audiobook.

Summary –

Nothing will stop Annika Wolter from living her dreams, not even war and imprisonment at the hands of the Japanese. In this riveting, based on true events, historical fiction story, Sally Brandle takes the reader into the heart of a young Dutch woman named Annika and her harrowing experience in Java (Dutch West Indies). Annika is living a carefree life when she meets and falls in love with a handsome soldier in 1939. With the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor and its sights set on Java, Annika’s life is torn apart. Vowing to keep her mother safe at all costs, she learns how to survive while living in one of the strictest internment camps in the Pacific. Grit and determination fuel Annika as does her love for her soldier. Will she make it out alive to live out her dreams with her true love?


Narrator’s overall voice –

With a pleasing, soft voice, the narrator breathes life to the eloquent prose in Sapphire Promise. She uses her voice to express the emotion peppered throughout this book.


Does the narrator fit the characters?

I enjoyed how the narrator embodied the characters as she narrated.


Narrator’s reading style –

The narrator’s reading style is smooth, poignant, and perfect for the subject matter.


Narrator’s impact on reading experience –

The narrator does a superb job with this book. While the story is engaging and tension-filled, she does an excellent job conveying the emotions.


Narrator’s pacing –

The pacing is perfect, not too fast and not too slow.


Audiobook flow –

The audiobook flows well. I found myself caught up in the story. I cried in parts and smiled in others. A truly marvelous listening experience.


What makes this audiobook unique –

Blending the emotional prose and the natural narration, Sapphire Promise is an emotional reading experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it.


Would I recommend this audiobook –

Yes, I recommend this to all readers/listeners, especially those who love historical fiction.


My Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Mrs. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Cyrene Olson]

I’ve actually had this book read for a bit, but I think it took a while for me to digest this book well enough to write a review. This book is not like anything I’ve read, and mind you, I don’t read biographies or even war era books often and I know this is all based on a true story. The amount of research to tell this story correctly is mind blowing to me, but this author has done her due diligence and has told a story so engrossing that once you start reading, you won’t put it down. The story of Annika is not only heartbreaking at times, it’s also heartwarming. The love she has for the lieutenant and her mother is unwavering and inspiring.

The author is able to take us back in time, with her beautiful descriptions that enhance the reading. There isn’t too many books that I can compare this too and what is great about these type of books, is that I learn when I read since it’s all based on true events and people. Highly recommended. Too bad 5 stars is the limit.

[CarolKat]

I have always been a bit of a history buff and when you take that history and add to it a true life romance it's an unbeatable combination. This book takes us on a journey through the eyes of Annika Wolters, with a view the pre-war island of Java and the life during and after WWII.

The book opens with the present and quickly reverts into the past with a scene that is part of the book later.

We first meet Annika as she is recovering from Mumps, not an auspicious beginning but also important as she first views Lieutenant Phillip Von Hoven from her bedroom window. To say she is immediately smitten is an understatement.

She has to wait to be introduced since she is under quarantine and she will finally have the opportunity after she dances at the celebration of her mother's birthday. Her parents are hoping for a match between her cousin Emily and Phillip and have told her she should refrain from flirting. You have to know that's not happening. She's already decided he will be her husband not Emily's.

Annika is a talented dancer and choreographed a number to perform at the celebration. Phillip couldn't take his eyes off her as she danced and afterward they would dance the night away together. Although at this point Phillip doesn't know her real age.

We follow these two through their courtship, with tours and dinners, to their engagement and marriage. Only to be separated by the war.

The invasion of the Japanese, the camps and the horrors that due to her nursing training is a bit more bearable for both herself and her mother. The hardships, family and longing for those who are off fighting the war or perhaps prisoners.

This book was as hopeful as it was heartrending. Truly a love story for all time.

[Malena Crockett]

Annika's story - a memoir set in biographical novel form - is a powerful read from beginning to end. There's something here for pretty much every reader: Wartime romance; WW2 and early 20th century military history; YA coming of age; Pacific Island culture and ethnic food ways; history, politics, and colonial relations; horses and dressage; pets and other animals; race, class, and gender relations; family dynamics.

Brandle's exhaustive research coupled with her natural storytelling abilities combine to give us a complex, entertaining, and powerful tale. The characters and their challenges will stay with you long after you finish reading. Well done. Looking forward to whatever Sally comes up with next.

[Valri Western]

This story was truly amazing! Better yet, it's a true story! I was reeled in from the very beginning and had a hard time putting it down. The courage of Annika and all she went through touched my heart and soul. I will never forget her. I didn't know the story of the Dutch East Indies at all during World War II and it was every bit as enthralling as the "rest of the stories" we usually hear about. I'm a history buff so I loved hearing about the historical part of it but more importantly, I loved Annika's story. Her endurance and courage is front and center in this story. She was truly an independent and heroic woman. Her love story is wonderful too! The research that the author did was phenomenal! Kudos to her!

[InD'tale Magazine]

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Fans of historical WWII stories and stories based on true life events will thoroughly enjoy this book and cheer for Annika and her family!

Read full review in the 2021 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Angelique Migliore]

A must-read!

I'm calling this a cross between the Diary of Anne Frank and Call the Midwife.
The world needs more stories of young women being clever and courageous in love and war, and Sally Brandle has delivered.
Set during WWII, we see a version of the war on the other side of the planet, in modern-day Jakarta, with the Japanese as the oppressors instead of the Germans.

This true story is a Women's History Month imperative!

*note: I also listened to this book on audio, and Justine Eyre was the perfect choice to narrate.

[Debra Palmquist]

War time romance in a part of the world we don't often think about here. The author really helps you to feel what life was like in the Dutch East Indies just before and during WWII.
Especially appreciated the second half of the story that takes p0lace in the internment camps. Amazing.

[Kristi Kat]

Sapphire Promise is an amazing book about a unique love story in the time of World War II. I loved the author's descriptions in the writing. It made me feel like I was 16 again reliving the time period of having my first boyfriend/love. Throughout the entire book I had a vivid picture in my mind of each event happening. The book moves at a good pace and no slow parts at all. I only put it down due to needing sleep for work the next day. I recommend this book!

[Diane]

This enhanced memoir takes place in the Dutch East Indies and centers on a woman who falls in love and marries a military man just as WWII changes their lives forever. The love story is touching but her personal growth as a result of the struggles she faced during Japanese occupation is what will stay with me for a long time. Annika grew up as part of the privileged Dutch class but had parents who taught her responsibility and good values. These teachings allowed her to survive the war that included internment by the Japanese. This is a part of WWII that I knew little about and appreciate this aspect of the book as well.

[Sarah]

I would like to 'give' this book a 'no star' rating. The book is written at a middle school level at best. Many unfinished thoughts, unclear character references with pronouns used incorrectly (ugh, in English the her/him are NOT interchangeable). The first pages offer a map that is not legible. The entire story is dilute. But thee most disturbing and pickling part are all the typos!???! How can this be with our present software choices?!!??!