Sunday's Child: Book I in the Pea Island Gold Trilogy

by Tom E. Lewis

The novel chronicles the early life of Sunday Everette, a living legend on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, who comes through many adventures—good and bad—before rescuing the love of her life—the Captain of a secret German U-boat that sneaks ashore with millions in stolen Nazi gold.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, World War II

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time, there was the United States Coast Guard and there was Life Saving Stations. In 1915, the two parties combined. One of those Life Saving Stations was manned by an all African American crew. Those guys went above and beyond the call of duty. The location was Pea Island. (North Carolina) This book is not specifically about any of those guys in particular, but loosely based on the circumstances. It is about an all African American crew and one girl, raised by the seven men.

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[Susan Poling · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about Pea Island on the OBX around the time of WWII. At that time Pea Island was used as an outpost for a Life Saving Station. Since it "cameout" of Manteo, thepostmen were all african american. When the illegetimate daughter of the cook is thrust into their lives the baby girl, named Sunday, becomes their daughter. Growing up with a bunch of men is quite an experience for Sunday. She developes skills foriegn to most women of her era. Eventually she becomes a "healer" for people on the neighboring islands using the herbs et.al. as she learned from the previous woman in that position. She also starts her own commercial fishing business and become quite successful.
Sound boring, well that's only because I don't want to give anything away, It is so good that I have embarked on the second in this trilogy.

[Andee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read centering around the life and adventures of an interracial girl raised by the crew of an all black Life-Saving Station on the coast of N. Carolina... yet it is about so much more than just this. It is about the struggles of blacks and mixed race people, it is about self pride, WW2, racial bias, forgiveness, compassion, and an inner determination to not only survive but also to be proudly and fiercely independent. Filled with characters you can care about, a tad rough in spots but over all... it's one of those books you can curl up with a in comfy chair and never notice time rushing by.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://elleisforliterature.blogspot....

On North Carolina's stormy Outer Banks. Sunday is raised on the Pea Island Life-Saving Station by the influence of the Station's heroic all-black crewmen. Under their loving protection, she blossoms into a strong and beautiful young woman with a spirit to match. But Sunday's secluded paradise cannot last. Her calm, simple days by the sea must inevitably give way to the fast-approaching storms of life. Unexpectedly, those darkening skies bring with them an unlikely mix of forbidden love, murder, and revenge along with a Nazi submarine carrying millions of dollars in gold stolen from Hitler's Third Reich. First in a trilogy, Sunday's Child begins the saga of three unique families from across the world, flung fatally together by three of mankind s most basic traits: war, love, and greed.

I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of this book with it's well developed characters and interesting story-line. As other reviewers have mentioned, the last 1/4 felt so far fetched and written with an forced sequel in mind that it was very off putting. As much as I enjoyed this book, I won't be reading any more from this series.

[Janet Hartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging story by a local author. Sunday, the main character, strains belief at times being such a quick learner and becoming an expert at everything she tries, but I was able to largely overlook that.
Lewis writes well and I want to read the next book in the trilogy.

[Eileen Prussman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Two dogs were killed. Can’t like this book.

[Debra Slonek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunday Everette, of course, had a set of parents who began her life. She was conceived by a white prostitue and a traveling, black cook who had unknowingly fathered several other children. Sunday was raised and strongly influenced to live an abundant life by the exceptional Pea Island Life-Station crew, all men and all black. Pea Island is a barrier island along the North Carolina coast. This work of historical fiction took place during World War II. I am now aware of the strong German, military presence along the U.S. Atlantic coast and how they were responsible for the loss of many lives and many shipwrecks. An unlikely and yet, very believable and fulfilling romance developes. Even though Sunday lived through and experienced many hardships and sufferings, her struggles never festered into bitterness. An engaging story about an exceptional young woman, who continually chose to live her life abundantly, no matter what obstacles were placed in her path.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn't do much for me. I thought the premise was worth a read: A girl named Sunday grows up the only child/girl at the Pea Island Life-Saving Station in the Outer Banks, NC. We had visited a similar station in Michigan two summers ago, and I learned alot about what these crews did in the past. So I suppose that also drew me to this book. However, the station and it's activities were really no part of the story. I would have thought there'd be at least one life-saving event! And the book moved so quickly -- Sunday is dropped off as an infant, then the next page she's 5, then the next page she's 13, her first love gets just a few pages, etc. I felt like I needed more from the story throughout the whole book. This is the first book in a trilogy, but I didn't enjoy this enough to go keep going with the next books.

[Luckngrace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about the outer banks of my home state of North Carolina, Tom Lewis gives us an entertaining read. I enjoyed the history lessons concerning the islands of NC, the crew of black life-savers who patrolled the beaches, U-boat intrusions throughout the Outer Banks, folk medicines and sailing/fishing off the coast.

I liked Sunday Elliott and intend to read the other two books in the trilogy soon. As a Tar Heel myself, I especially enjoyed reading about my home state in the 1930's and 1940's. Descriptions were good, but not too overpowering. I read it quickly and enthusiastically and particularly enjoyed learning that Mr. Lewis spent his entire working life traveling with an orchestra; then, upon retirement, began to write. How cool is that!?!

[Jeanne Julian · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I liked: that the author is a local guy, who knows the nautical setting on North Carolina's Outer Banks, and its fascinating history. That the hero is a spunky young African American woman. What I didn't like: that she is super-human. There are some situations that really put a strain on my credulity. In that way, it's a sort of old school Gothic Romance, sort of like Young Adult fiction with "adult themes," as they say. I think people in my book group liked it much more than I did. That'll be interesting to see, since we haven't discussed it yet. I regret saying I wouldn't recommend it (though the local librarian said, "You're in for a treat") because I wish the author well. This is the first book in a trilogy.

[Chris Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned that there were prisoner of war camps in North Carolina during WWII. It was interesting to be exposed to the various herbs used for treatment. The lard for burns and the spiritual practice for healing was intriguing. She recommended vanilla extract as a bug repellant. I wish I could have some of her sassafrass tea. I didn't know that there were so many sunken ships & subs along the shoreline. The relationships were believable. The issues between Sunday and her dad, the rescue crew, the healers, the CCC camp members and the captain from the sub stimulated thought. It is a trilogy and I wanted to learn more about Hitler's right hand man Bohrmann so I ordered the next book.

[laurenpie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enough already! Back off and give us a more believeable heroine!

Appreciated the first third of the book, but the main character becomes more and more unbelievable after that. Why not just stick with one thing? Why does Sunday (the heroine) have to be the world's greatest expert at everything under the sun? And, worst of all, why would this incredible fantastic blessed best-ever super-girl think it's okay to harbor an enemy soldier? Give me a break!

I did enjoy meeting Captain Benjamin Searcy and the men of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station, those sections were interesting and heartening.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't feel this book was particularly well written, but the plot did keep me interested. I picked it up because of its setting on the Outer Banks where I vacation with my husband's family and because it was historical fiction. The story about a young girl growing up on the remote Pea Island with a collection of fathers but no mother to raise her is just the beginning of Sunday's many adventures in life. There is a sequel to this book, but I don't know much about it yet. I read this on the Kindle- I think it was a free download.

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't feel this book was particularly well written, but the plot did keep me interested. I picked it up because of its setting on the Outer Banks where I vacation with my husband's family and because it was historical fiction. The story about a young girl growing up on the remote Pea Island with a collection of fathers but no mother to raise her is just the beginning of Sunday's many adventures in life. There is a sequel to this book, but I don't know much about it yet. I read this on the Kindle- I think it was a free download, or was very cheap.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read and introduced me to an incredible writer. I couldn't help but to have a personal relationship with nearly every character. I wasn't aware that this was the beginning of a trilogy, but I have already gone through Kindle and not only bought the entire trilogy, but 6 more of Lewis's books as well. Would recommend to anyone who loves character stories. Don't let the historical fiction genre throw you off if you're not really into that, the story is what makes a book worth reading, and this one is truly terrific!

[Jean Cogdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This caught my eye for 2 reasons, 1 it was on sale by Kindle for only a $1 and it was written about NC. The time period pre and post WWII. The author a Tar Heal helped too. When I first began reading I was not too sure. But as the story began to unfold it sucked me in. I don't know how to classify it. The story just is, like much of life.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book quite a bit....It is just more of a 'beach read' than anything. If possbile, I would probably have given it a 3.5. It was a nice short, quick read. The idea for the storyline, although often predictable, is intriguing and the characters are believable....It just never goes to the depth that could have been achieved....especially with the lead character, Sunday.

[Karen Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story! The author did a good job developing Sunday's character from small child to young woman with all the events that occur in her life. I have already read the second book, "Hitler's Judas". Not as good aa the first one but they are interrelated. Look forward to the third book.

[Kristie Baeumert · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a while for me to get into this book due to a slow beginning, but in the end I really enjoyed the strong female character Lewis created. I also appreciated how much respect he gave to the role of a midwife. The story was touching and I had a hard time putting this book down. I'm looking forward to the planned sequel.

[Jackie Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know how I would feel about this book because I am very "picky" about period stories. But I really got into the story and loved it! I enjoyed the different personalities between the men on the ship and how they were able to live and work together and nurture the wonderful little girl who strongly impacted their lives.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. I like historical fiction books and this one didn't disappoint. I liked the story of Sunday and her strong will. I loved her determination and appreciated her level of morals.
I didn't like the swearing in this book. I found it unnecessary and I'm not sure if I will read the other books in this series.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could never feel like I really KNEW the characters well in this book. Good story covering maybe 30 years, but it always felt distant...like it was a story that was told to someone and that person was telling it to me leaving out lots of particulars.

[Donna Dishman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book and I enjoyed it alot. It written about the time of Hitler and a small island . The people on the island were unique. Mostly Black Americans during a time of war and peace. Mostly war.
I loved the suspense and the characters. It is a must read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really surprised with this one. I actually am not sure what I was expecting but it kept me reading and waiting for the next event.
it is just a great read about a strong woman. So love those books

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

i couldnt put this book down it was so interesting and well written and it was a great read.

[Velda Dedeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book!

[Shanyn Money · Rating 3 out of 5]

A freebie from Amazon

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Really hard to put down.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story with fantastic character development. The history is interesting, but doesn't take over the book and it is a great perspective on a woman's struggle throughout her life.

[Tara Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book.