I'm a big fan of Sarah Sundin's novels and I really enjoyed this one.
The Sunrise at Normandy series follows three brothers and in this volume we meet Private Clay Paxton, a man who was betrayed by his brothers and who has recurring dreams about his own death.
Leah Jones is a librarian, searching for the sisters she was separated from many years earlier.
When Leah is savagely attacked one evening in the Library Clay saves her life, and later - believing he is destined to die young - he marries her to give her a 'name' and respectability. When he's deployed to England ahead of the D-Day landings, their letters connect them and their feelings for each other deepen, but will it be too late?

I've read quite a few 'marriage of convenience' books, and some work much better than others. This is a believable read. The friendship between Clay and Leah builds nicely and their developing relationship doesn't feel false. The settings, both at Camp Forrest and in Europe, are well written, well researched, and involving. And the sense of tension is just what's hoped for in a suspense novel.
I strongly recommend reading the other two books in the series to find out the paths of the other two Paxton brothers, too.

It's not often that a marriage of convenience story will draw my attention quite as well as The Land Beneath Us. Sarah Sundin writes with incredible detail and draws the reader in. Her attention to detail and the way her characters always have deep wounds to work through means that I cannot leave these stories without learning something. The historical aspect is never boring, and the romance between Leah and Clay burned slow and steady. Leah's drive combined with Clay's determination and made them a unique couple.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is one of the best stories I’ve read in a while. I was drawn in from the first page and I was sorry when I reached the end. This was an amazing conclusion to this series and I know it is a series I will revisit in the future. Exceptionally written. Some readers may have trouble with one scene and I normally would as well. However the results of that scene are necessary to the plot of the story.

The Land Beneath Us is the third and final book in Sundin's Sunrise at Normandy series and it was the best possible finale to an unbelievably amazing series. I've read many Sarah Sundin books and this series has been by far my favorite. I loved each book and couldn't read them fast enough. :)

This book was Clay's story and it features a marriage of convenience (did NOT expect that!). I loved Clay and how he was protective of Leah. Their romance was so sweet and I loved seeing Clay grow throughout the story.

Something I loved about this series was how each book features prominent themes of forgiveness, grace, faith, etc. Such moving stories and I definitely consider this series a favorite.

All in all, The Land Beneath Us was amazing and I definitely recommend it.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

I'll be honest, recently historical fiction and I haven't been a good match. I just haven't been able to get into them. This one however, was amazing! I instantly fell in love with the main characters, and they really intrigued me. I was quickly drawn into the storyline, and I couldn't get enough of it. I found myself wondering what was going to happen next, and what was with this recurring dream that Clay keeps having? I just kept going and going until I was finished. I absolutely loved this book, and while I haven't read the others in this series, I felt like it probably could stand alone since I didn't feel lost at all. However, after reading this one, I think I may have to check out the previous two books in the series!

**I received this book for review from Revell Reads. I was not required to write a posititve review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sarah Sundin’s Sunrise at Normandy series follows three brothers fighting for their country in three different branches of the armed forces. In the first two books, readers follow naval officer Wyatt and pilot Adler. Now in this final installment in the series we follow ranger Clay.

This trilogy was consistently enjoyable and very well researched. I learned so much about the roles each branch played in the Normandy invasion. Not only did it follow the Paxton brothers, but their romantic interests and their individual roles they took on for the war effort.

While it is clear that I enjoyed all the books in this series, it was this one; The Land Beneath Us, that was my favourite. Like the others, a common theme was forgiveness and acceptance. The plot moves along quickly and I flew through the pages.

I appreciated how the author showed that despite all the tragedies that come with war, there are still other important issues within societies that are still relevant. Sarah Sundin told this through her character Leah and her involvement at a local orphanage.

This is the only book in the series that I listened to in audio format and thought that Sarah Zimmerman’s narration did the characters justice.

Although I would advise caution to those sensitive to triggers, I would highly recommend The Land Beneath Us and the entire Sunrise at Normandy series.

The Land Beneath Us was written by Sarah Sundin. It is book three in the Sunrise at Normandy series. I think you could read this book as a standalone if you wanted, but the other two in the series are definitely worth reading.

Summary: Clay Paxton is serving his country with the U.S. Rangers. He is relieved to finally be leaving home-and leaving behind all of the drama and heartache his brothers have caused him. But has he left it all behind? Can he learn to truly forgive them?

Librarian Leah Jones has been through many tough trials in her life, and through it all she has forgiven those who have hurt her, and looked on the bright side of life.

But when the unthinkable happens, all of her dreams for the future are shattered. Will she be able to withstand more tragedy after all she has been through? Can her friendship with Clay help see her through?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book, and think it is the best out of the three books. I enjoyed the characters, and was rooting for them the whole way. And, the plot was so riveting, I literally stayed up until 2 a.m. to finish the book. I haven’t done that in a long time. It was definitely a fitting end to the series.

If you enjoy war time romance, stories about redemption and forgiveness, or anything about WWII, this would be a good book (and series) to read.

I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin is a beautifully written historical romance. This author is my absolute favorite historical fiction writer. She has studied World War II history to such depth and it comes across seamlessly in her writing. I adore her character development and the very real struggles she gives to her characters. I have loved all the books in this series, but this is my favorite by far. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

When I was in school history was my LEAST favorite subject, but I absolutely love the historical fiction novels by Sarah Sundin. I think I've read about 90% of her books and have loved them all. Yes, there is almost always a semi-predictable romance, but I love the turns and twists in the plot, and she always keeps me coming back for more!

The Land Beneath Us, the third installment from Sarah Sundin's series, Sunrise at Normandy. It is probably my favorite of the series. I am giving it five plus stars.

This is the third and final installment in the Sunrise at Normandy series and is best read in order.
Leah Jones is an orphan who has not had a true home or family since her parents died when she was four years old. She was adopted separately from her two sisters, and soon after that she was left at another orphanage. Now she is eighteen, and she gets a job working in Tullahoma, Tennessee as a library aide at the Army Rangers facility in 1943, at the height of World War II. When Leah is assaulted and left for dead, Clay Paxton comes to her aid. Clay saves her virtue by marrying her, since his recurring dream seems to be telling him that he will die soon anyway. Clay is still hurting from his brothers' betrayal and is having a hard time forgiving them. Clay and Leah will try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, but could they possibly learn to love each other in the process?
I loved this book just as much as the first two. The characters, setting, and situations seemed so realistic. The D-Day invasion was described with such detail that I felt like I could have been watching a good war movie. My heart broke for Leah, and I found myself tearing up a couple of times as I read. Clay was also a likable character, as well as Rita Sue. Sarah Sundin is a master at writing historically accurate novels that touch the reader's heart while being convicting and encouraging at the same time. She also weaves biblical truth unapologetically into her books. As a word of caution, I just want to warn readers that upsetting events occur, including a rape, though it is dealt with in a way that isn't graphic. I recommend this book and the rest of the series to teens and adults who enjoy historical fiction. I will definitely be reading more from this author and am looking forward to her next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and I purchased a paperback copy from Amazon. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I found The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin to be a long read. It was wrapped around the war in the 1940s. As a historical fiction, this author paints the times before, during, and after the war really well. It’s disturbing and heart wrenching some things that took place. In this story, there is a special thread of redemption and hope running through it. That was my favorite part. If you like war historical fictions, you’ll want to check this one out.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


***Also posted on CBD, B&N

Wow, how easily you come to like and cheer for these characters!
Read the plotline and you'll know it's not an easy read. You know Leah and Clay can only end up together, still, you don't know how, not to mention the purpose of the author regarding the dream... I'll let you pick this book up and discover :)

This has been one of my favorite World War II series ever, and I’m sorry that this is the last book in the Paxton family series. However, this book is the perfect finish to this terrific series, and I loved every chapter. As always with Sarah Sundin’s books, I felt as if I got a personal look at the war and how it affected the lives of individuals.

I think the stories of Leah and Clay may be the most compelling of the series. We all need Leah’s attitude of finding the good in every situation, no matter how bleak it might seem at time. She could have used her background of growing up in an orphanage as an excuse to feel sorry for herself, but she had a strong faith that sustained her in hard times. Clay is an example of selflessness and was willing to give his life for his country and his fellow soldiers. His story of learning to forgive was touching and brought the storylines of the three Paxton brothers to a wonderful conclusion.

You do not have to read the books in this series in order to enjoy each individual story, but I’d recommend reading the series because it’s an outstanding saga of life, love, faith and sacrifice during wartime.

(Note: There is scene in the book of a violent attack on a woman. It’s written with sensitivity and appropriate language.)

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Sarah Sundin is a great author and I have enjoyed most of her books. The Land Beneath Us was not a favorite. It was a difficult read with a difficult scene of the main character getting attacked. But in spite of my personal preferences, this book is filled with some really great themes of forgiveness, redemption., and restoration. Leah and Clay had to learn to trust God in tough times and thru tough choices.

For me, Leah was a little too “Pollyanna” . Clay was an interesting character. I read the first book of this series and really wish I had read book 2 to maybe get a little more background on Clay. Clay was a man of integrity. Leah’s sweet nature will I am sure be an attraction to many. I admit being drawn in to her mission of finding her family. Sarah Sundin does a great job researching her historical facts. I received a complementary copy of The Land Beneath US and the opinions expressed are my own.

The great thing about getting approved to read/review book 3 in a series is that I can completely binge-read the entire series all at once, without waiting for the next book to come out before I find out what happens.

Sarah Sundin does an incredible job both with this book and the series as a whole. She took 3 brothers and put them in 3 branches of the US military, all called to Europe around D-Day. It’s crazy, all the little details that came together! I honestly don’t know how she did it, and feel this series really exemplifies her talents as a writer. The amount of history included is remarkable as ever, and character development remains spot on as well.

A few plot developments gave me pause at first; I feared they’d lead an excellent series thus far into “been there, done that” predictability (and couldn’t we keep up with the heretofore originality?). Thankfully, Sundin proved me wrong and my concerns baseless.

I loved how she brought everything together for the characters both in this book and from previous ones. An admirable finish to an incredible series, showcasing the power of forgiveness and an even more powerful God.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What I Loved: Everything. Am I allowed to say that? But seriously, there are some authors who always manage to cross off everything I could hope for in a book, and Sundin is one of those. 
The Land Beneath Us is the final of the Sunrise at Normandy series. The series can be read out of order, but I'd recommend you read it in order. Besides, there's no reason why you'd want to miss any of these fantastic novels. But being the last of the series, we're given the final ending for the memorable Paxton brothers. 
I have loved each of their stories. And just like the others, Clay had some deep spiritual lessons to learn. Leah's spiritual lessons were centered around acceptance while Clay's were on forgiveness. I always appreciate the way Sundin weaves a solid message for the soul in an equally solid entertaining story. 

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving The Land Beneath Us 5 stars and recommending it to those who enjoy WWII fiction or Christian historical fiction. 

~ I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin is the final installment in Sunrise at Normandy series. It can be read on its own, but, if you want to get the full experience of the brothers’ saga, I recommend reading them in order. I thought The Land Beneath Us was well-written with developed characters. I enjoy Sarah Sundin’s word imagery which brings the scenes alive. The author creates such strong characters. Leah Jones has had a rough life. Her parents died when she was a small child. At the orphanage, Leah was separated from her baby sisters. She then endured horrible adoptive parents who felt Leah’s Greek heritage was disdainful. They took away her heritage and her real name. Just when things are turning around for Leah, she is violently assaulted. It takes a strong woman to overcome so much tragedy. Leah has such a tender and caring heart. I love how she enjoyed books. Leah is an avid reader like me. I admit that I wanted to shake Clay at times. His dream confounded me, but Clay is a man of strong convictions. I enjoyed reading this engaging story as well as the whole series. The author did her research for this trilogy. She captured the U.S. Army Ranger training as well as D-Day. Sarah Sundin portrayed the time period beautifully. My favorite line from The Land Beneath Us is, “Since the Lord knows everything, I reckon that makes Him the ultimate library.” The epilogue was a delight and wrapped up the series perfectly. The Land Beneath Us is a captivating historical tale with a death dream, a terrible tragedy, battling brothers, a library lover, and a raging war.

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin – Loved this book and Didn’t Want It to End.

Sarah Sundin has quickly become one of the writers whose work I love to read. Her newest book, The Land Beneath Us was wonderful. This is the third book in Sundin’s Sunrise at Normandy series and this book focuses on the youngest of the Paxton brothers, Clay. Readers of the first two books, The Sea Before Us and The Sky Above Us, will already be familiar with the Paxton’s story. But it doesn’t take away from this book because you’ll get to see things through Clay’s eyes.

I loved the characters in this book, especially Clay, Leah, and the Paxton family as well as their close friends. The characters are decent, honest, and caring people whom I’d like to know. They are kind, but not perfect and have areas they need to grow in. Forgiveness is a big theme in this book. It’s was thought-provoking to see Clay and Leah wrestle with forgiveness and see them come to the realization that though they have been wronged they too have sins they need to deal with.

I loved learning about the training and preparation the Rangers and Army went through as they prepared for D-Day. While this is a small picture of what the men endured in WWII, it gave me a renewed appreciation for what they did as we come up to the 75th Anniversary V-E Day, May 8, 1945. D-Day was a critical part of winning that battle.

I appreciated that the Christian faith was included in the storyline and that the book was clean and not filled with sexual immorality and vulgarity. I found it interesting to learn what it may have been like to be an orphan growing up in the 1930s and 40s and the prejudice orphans may have faced. I loved the courage that Clay demonstrated in battle, in relationships, and looking in the mirror at his own flaws. Leah also demonstrated and lived out courage and chose to look at the good instead of focusing on the bad.

Though The Land Beneath Us is the 3rd book in the Sunrise at Normandy series, it would make a good stand-alone book. The author does a good job of filling in the background of what happened with the characters in the first two books.

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin was wonderful and I was sorry to see it end. This is a book and series I would want to read again. I loved this book and highly recommend it. If you haven’t read the first two books, you may want to read them as well, but it’s not necessary to enjoy this book.

I would like to thank Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Land Beneath Us. I was supplied with a complimentary e-book and was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.

My heart was shredded and stomped on and then stitched back together in a way that made it beat better than before.

This book—the whole trilogy, really—was spectacular. I keep discovering new favorites by this author, and I want more. It would be really fun to have a bonus book on Leah’s sisters at some point… but I’m not sure what the author’s plans are.

Tough topics were tackled in this book, but they were managed beautifully. The evil was not dwelt upon, yet the rawness of the events was tangible. It was very clear that an evil deed had been done and that it was wrong and sinful. This set the stage for a beautiful tale of God’s love conquering all and making something exquisite from the evil intentions. It also showcased the human spirit rising above obstacles and hard times to discover better, brighter days and a life worth living and dreams worth striving for. The lessons to learn from this book are bountiful, and I think many future readings will be needed to glean everything I can from it. I love a great tale of courage that pushes through all sorts of heartache and crushed dreams in order to find one’s place and make one’s mark. This story definitely fit the bill.

This series is best enjoyed in order, as the problems and story builds with each addition. I especially loved that it was a series featuring brothers. That is so rare in this era of such blatant feminism. The one thing that disappointed me about the series was that the brothers weren’t featured on the covers! (Don’t get me wrong; I adore the covers. They just would have been made better if the brothers had been the featured models, considering this series revolved so much around them.)

I want more brother stories, writers. Please help a gal out! And take note: This series of Sarah Sundin’s is a great example of what “brother stories” means. Wyatt’s, Adler’s, and Clay’s stories overlapped in places, their problems all started on the same night (which meant we eventually got to see this night from all three brothers’ perspectives, which was fun), and there were heart-deep issues they each had to deal with in order to find healing and (hopefully) reconciliation. I was so amazed at the intricate ways in which these stories stumbled over each other and tumbled into each other. It was clearly by design, and what a gorgeous design it was! And well pulled off! I’m not sure I’ve ever before seen such a complex, interconnected, and greatly pulled off trilogy.

I mean no offense to the other wonderful trilogies out there. I’ve read some really fantastic ones that I consider favorites and keepers. There are many, many authors who pen fantastic trilogies.

This one just happened to completely take my breath away multiple times throughout the reading of it.

Trust me: I’m taking notes for any future brother stories (and trilogies) I might end up writing down the road.

The sea, air, and ground battles at Normandy on D-Day during WWII were described so vividly that they burst into my mind in full color and with stunning sound effects. It was easy to feel like I was there—and wish I were back at home! (Thankfully, I was already safe at home, but it did take some reminding and looking around the room to make sure.) This is clearly a testament to the author’s attention to detail and thorough research. She’s a talented storyteller, and it is such fun getting lost in one of her stories.

Little Helen was adorable, and there was a certain moment that involved an ear that made me laugh out loud. Enjoy that when you get to it!

Libraries were featured in such a sweet way. Several sweet ways, actually. I particularly enjoyed the scene in the library near the end of the story. I let loose a large happy sigh when I read that one. So romantic! It was made even more romantic because of how important libraries were throughout the entire novel.

I love that the leads were both of unique heritage. One was Mexican American, while the other was Greek. The details surrounding their heritage which the author trickled in throughout the book added such richness and depth to the tale that it kept me completely invested in the characters and made it super easy to imagine them in three-dimensional detail.

I’ll be getting paperback copies of this entire series, and I’ll be binge reading it again sooner rather than later. Such a wonderful series is meant to be enjoyed multiple times.

Trigger: Rape

Content: rape, tobacco, drunkenness, Greek mythology