The Land Beneath Us

(Sunrise at Normandy #3)

by Sarah Sundin

Description

In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the US Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers' betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for--fulfilling the recurring dream of his death.

Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family--the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago.

After Clay saves Leah's life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?

Biography

Sarah Sundin is the author of The Sea Before Us and The Sky Above Us, as well as the Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory series. Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Her popular Through Waters Deep was a Carol Award finalist, and both Through Waters Deep and When Tides Turn were named on Booklist's "101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years." Sarah lives in Northern California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

My Perspective ~

The Land Beneath Us is the third in this series, and I had not read the first or second books. There was only one reference to a person that I did not recognize, so in my opinion this book can easily stand on its own. The cast of characters is diverse and well described, and the settings throughout were very well documented. It is obvious that a lot of research went into this book, particularly of D-Day, and the preparation that went into it.

This book evoked a wealth of emotions that at times brought me to tears, and other times I rejoiced. Prejudice, empathy and forgiveness are highlights through this touching story. I have read several of this author's books, and find that she weaves deep human emotions into her characters that have a major impact on the reader. Family issues are at the core of both main characters, and overcoming those obstacles is an important part of healing and reconciliation. I enjoyed this book very much, and will more than likely pick up copies of the prequels to it. I highly recommend this book.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through a LibraryThing giveaway. All expressed opinions are honest and my own.