I absolutely loved the first two books in this series--and yet, this one might be my favorite. I adored Leah; she was just such a loveable character. Her feelings of being unlovable and a desire for a family were so poignant (but not overly sappy). I also loved Clay, who is so relatable--he's been wronged and he's hurt and struggling to forgive his brothers. His journey was so realistic; forgiving his brothers didn't come easily to him and wasn't without relapses of anger. This book was just beautifully written and so interesting. It's definitely one of the best books of 2020!

Five stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

In the final installment of this series, we follow Clay, the youngest brother, through his journey with the Army Rangers. Clay proves to have a strength of character that his two older brothers had to work harder at -- beginning with his first encounters with Leah and maintaining through to the end of the story. There is a section at the end of this book that ties together all three books neatly. The worst part about this book, however, is ending the series and knowing we'll have to wait another whole year for a new Sundin book!

Unparalleled in her research and exposition of American World War II history, Sundin draws on the Biblical tale of Rachel and Leah in this deftly woven treatise on two people yearning to belong amidst a time of tragedy and loss.


Clay Paxton is certain of death. He dreams it every night over and over again, seeing the same minutiae of detail that will signal his untimely end. Leah Jones is desperate to belong after living as an orphan: ridiculed and judged.

Both meet at a training center in Tennessee where Clay is soon bound for war and Leah is a librarian. Amidst their warm, believable friendship, a brutal attack forces Clay to act. If he is to die anyways, why not enter into a marriage of convenience to secure a future for a young woman who has no one?




Sundin balances Clay's time in the European theatre with Leah's adjustment to life building a home-- his home--- even though she believes his morbid destiny.

It is achingly romantic to see two genuine good people find each other despite the tragedies of their past. Readers of the previous two books in the trilogy are familiar with Clay's brothers Adler and Wyatt and will understand how their actions have so wounded the youngest sibling.

An exploration of the battle of forgiveness and redemption is at the crux of each character's emotional journey even as their nation is at war.


I really liked Clay. I loved his Southern American charm, the polite way he handled himself and the way he talked to Leah.


Great hero.

Exceptional research

and dialogue that reads so perfectly structured that if you took it out of the book and threw it up on stage it would feel theatrically natural. That's hard to pull off. But so is Sundin's astonishing amount of knowledge on her country's involvement in WWII.

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This book y'all!! This author!! She sure knows how to tell a story. Blew me away!
This story hit too close to home for me.
The only difference is Leah was able to accomplish her goal where I wasn't. Sometimes letting go is the best thing. I really admired Leah. I mean I sat down and bawled right along with Leah.
I love the gentle reminder that was in the book. Our Father in Heaven loves us very much. There are certain things and reminders that we need to have as an eye opener or it could be something else. Either way, He never leaves us or forsakes us and for that I will always be eternally grateful.
I really didn't like how Clay kept repeating the same thing all the time. It did get on my nerves after awhile but he is a good man. I loved how he took his responsibility seriously and I really enjoyed how he carried his weight through the war. He's my hero minus the theory he had set for himself.
I really loved how he finally prayed and asked for help. People can be so stubborn sometimes.
The second thing that I loved about Clay was his music. See, I'm a musician myself so I could feel it when he played. Just beautiful!!
No one knows their future. Only God knows. He is the one who knows when our time is up.
The other reason I enjoyed this book so much was because my grandfather fought the Germans in this war. This is what got me started loving ww2 stories! Of course over the years his stories changed up a bit as he got older. some were funny and others well, let's just say sad. As he told them I could picture him over there fighting. He brought all kinds of German stuff home! I didn't know this until after my grandma passed away. .
Forgiveness goes a long way too. Do it for yourself that way you'll have some sense of peace, Chances are the other people that done you wrong will accept it and or vise versa.
This is truly an amazing story!
Sundin has gone above and beyond in this book.
I couldn't put the book down because it was so good!!
The cover of this book is simply gorgeous as well. Revell has done an amazing job as always.
I highly recommend this book! My thanks to Netgalley and Revell for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. NO compensations were received.

THE LAND BENEATH US..Sarah Sundin
We meet Clay half white, half Indian, feeling he was unwanted, a dream after. seeing a poster to be a ranger. He also has the recurring dream of death. Leah was raised in an orphanage, finding a job as a librarian, Which was a blessing, since she was looking for a baby sister. Feeling like she was unnoticed with her long braid, and clothes that fit like a potato sack on her. .This was a new life to raise above her beginnings in the orphanage. Clay became her savior when he rescued her and a man of honor, they have a marriage of convince, The War was on, and so apart, letter will bind them, and one hopes love will come. They both have dreams,his is of death. Good story of the hardships, separation of one’s during a war, Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and publisher.

I really enjoyed reading this third book in the Sunrise at Normandy series.
This is a continuation about the Paxton brothers, and this book gives us Clay's story.

The youngest son, the one wronged by both his brothers. The half-brother who believes he is not wanted....this is where we find Clayton at the beginning of the story.
We are also introduced to Leah, an orphan who finds herself in the middle of soldiers taking basic training. In search of a job, she finds one at a library, which is right down her alley.

This is their story. I hesitate to say too much more, because I don't want to give any spoilers.
But, I really enjoyed seeing their characters grow, both in their relationship and in their personal lives.
Leah is a heroine I would love to have known, to have as a friend. She is strong, determined, and courageous. Her strength becomes more apparent as she is pushed into even more hard times.
I found her search for her birth family also to be quite intriguing. She has faint memories of her childhood, those days before her parents died, before she and her little twin sisters were left at the orphanage. If only she could remember more details.

If you enjoy reading historical fiction, especially books about WWII, you won't want to miss this one!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

*This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell, through Interviews & Reviews.*

A story captured with encouraging lessons and characters portrayed with authenticity in a setting of a war that affected the world.

I adored Clay and Leah from the start. I knew before I began this one that it would be a completion of the trilogy that was necessary and beautiful. But as I read, I soon realized it very quickly reached my favorite by this author. Clay needed something to live for. Leah needed a family to love her. Their struggles and trials and the beauty of their relationship were woven so well. I adored the romance and how it played out. I felt this story so deeply, and the stunning cover matches the book perfectly. What I especially loved about Clay and Leah's story is that there's a strong message of joy amid difficulties. This is a topic that has been much on my heart over the years. And it was written so well.

This is a story that will affect your heart and bring smiles and tears. Be sure to read the series in order, so that when you pick this one up, you will be even more taken in by the war, love, family, and trials that come Clay and Leah's way.