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 … 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?
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Such a wonderfully, satisfying conclusion to an excellent series. Clay and Leah’s story made me believe in love and forgiveness all over again. They both had so much to overcome and found the freedom to focus on their blessings rather than their traumas. All intersecting story lines are powerfully concluded and I was deeply moved by this family.
This book was packed full with lessons to last a life time.
Sweet, little Leah is one of the most meek characters I’ve ever read about. Orphaned at a young age and growing up in an orphanage is sure to leave brutal marks on the mind of any individual but the way Leah took hers in stride warmed my heart over and over again. Even when life in an army base threw her a mean curve ball, Leah was still strong. Her story inspired hope.
I loved how the love of books and libraries brought her and Clay Paxton together.
Clay had his own history and dreams. His relationship with God was the most admirable character of his. I enjoyed reading how he sort God in resolving issues with his family. I loved how he took God even into the battlefield against the Germans.
The history in the pages of this book about the war with the Germans was very enlightening and educative.
One beautiful theme that ran through this book to me was God’s love and our identity that is found in that love.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I was so excited to be chosen to read and review this book through Revell Reads. I have read other books by Sarah Sundin and I have never been disappointed. This book was no exception.
This is the third book in the series Sunrise At Normandy. Each book tells one brother’s views and experiences after a tragic accident. This book is about Clay Paxton, the youngest son. It shows how Clay felt about the treatment he received and how he dealt with those feelings. It also tells his part in the war and how his past shaped the way he acted and thought.
This is a Christian book without being preachy. It shows how the main characters use their faith in their daily lives. It shows how depending on God is the best. It is also a war story and a love story all combined.
Sarah Sundin did a wonderful job of weaving these stories together and bringing her characters to life. She made you feel you were not just reading a book but that you were actually getting to know these people.
I give this book a 5 out o 5-star rating. I would recommend this book to my friends. I was given this book by Revell but a positive review was not required. This is my own view of the book and my own words.
World War II fiction is one of my two favorite genres, and Sarah Sundin is one of my favorite writers. So I figure I can’t loose with any of her books. Again, I was proven correct. If readers had read the first two books in the Sunrise at Normandy series, The Sea Before Us and The Sky Above Us, then they have already met two of the Paxton brothers. In those books, readers are introduced to Clay Paxton, our hero in The Land Beneath Us, but readers finally see his love story. The path of forgiveness for Clay and all three boys is finally laid out in the final story. I really liked it. Sundin handled it really well. The story does have a lot of romance and the buidling of Leah and Clay’s relationship as the story progresses. In With Every Letter, another Sundin novel, she uses letters as a way of a couple to fall in love. I adore this element. Not many people write letters anymore. It is such a wonderful element of historical importance. Clay Paxton is a Ranger at Normandy, so I love how Sundin shows the training leading up to the final battle. Lots of research and it shows. I truly enjoyed this novel, and it will be going on my forever shelf with the rest of her novels. I’m curious to see what Sundin crafts next.
I received a complimentary copy of The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
What motivates Clay Paxton, a handsome young man from Texas, to risk his life and change his future? The reasons are actually more complex than they seem on the surface. A powerful, recurring dream of his death influences Clay to join the U.S. Army Rangers in 1943. While doing his Ranger training at Camp Forrest in Tennessee, Clay meets a lovely young woman, Leah Jones, a new librarian on the base.
Clay struggles with his inclination to heal and a strong interest in medicine with his need to fulfill his mysterious dream. Leah, raised in an orphanage, fights a battle of self-worth and personal identity and works continually on an ongoing search for her twin sisters from whom she was separated at a very young age. A traumatic event conspires to bring about a marriage of convenience for Clay and Leah before he leaves for Europe. Can the friendship they had and the shared letters and hopes they share during the war bring them into a lasting relationship?
The Land Beneath Us is an outstanding historical fiction story interspersed with real people and events from this dramatic time during the war. The author’s detail of the war and the specific battles she details is impressive. She gives personality and depth to the characters bestowing them with a very real, unique presence in the story. The themes of unrelenting courage, forgiveness and reconciliation, the meaning of family, faith, hope, love, and friendship all play strong roles in this story. The book is an excellent read for people who enjoy inspirational historical fiction or any reader of historical fiction.
This ARC copy was received from Revell and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#TheLandBeneathUs #NetGalley
A stunning conclusion to the series!
I’ve been looking forward to reading The Land Beneath Us, but now that I’ve finished, I’m a little sad this wonderful series has concluded. So now that I know how things worked out – I’m so glad!! It was the perfect conclusion. I even got teary at the end.
I could easily fill this review about all the things I loved about Clay. His innate need to heal. His compassion. His protectiveness. His kindness. The way he didn’t question whether to do the right thing. The way he wanted to play by the rules – even in a time of war. His insecurity caused by being a “half-breed”. His brokenness. His need to forgive from his heart, which he longed to do – he just didn’t know how.
Clay’s struggle to forgive his brothers had him realizing his role in the prodigal story of his family. And he didn’t like it one bit! He struggled with pride, hurt and unforgiveness, as many of us do. Thankfully, he had a much stronger desire to have a right relationship with God. It was humbling and convicting to watch his spiritual journey.
The recurring dream Clay had of how he would die allowed him to display a bravery he might not have had otherwise. “This isn’t how I’m going to die”. It allowed him to not second-guess his choice to marry Leah when she discovered the rape had resulted in a pregnancy. After all, she would be able to get his pay and his benefits and he wouldn’t be losing a thing. Poor Clay hadn’t realized that this marriage would make him want to live and question his resolve.
Instead, I could fill the review about Leah and why she tore at my heart. An orphan who had been separated from her twin baby sisters when she was only four. Who had been treated with contempt because of her Greek heritage. Who had grown up knowing little but want. Who still understood love and forgiveness in a way many never will. Who was full of kindness and grace. Who exemplified such strength after being treated abominably.
Leah’s longtime desire was to be a librarian. She had an incredible love for books and words and sharing them with the world. Though her I learned so much about wartime efforts to bring books to the soldiers through book drives.
She also had a heart for orphans, understanding personally what it was like to be cast aside. I was so surprised to see the attitudes of people towards orphans – as if the very fact of them not having parents was a reflection on them. She had been questing her entire life to discover who she was, where her sisters were, and to finally belong.
But if I only told you of the way I loved Clay and Leah, I would be negligent in telling you many other wonderful things about this story!
I loved the way Clay and Leah’s relationship was mostly established through their letters. And how they struggled to navigate their marriage of convenience with an expiration date.
I don’t remember loving Clay’s mom in the other books in this series as much as I loved her here. Her mother’s heart and the way she so quickly embraced Leah and cared for her in such a beautiful way touched my heart.
As with the other books in the Sunrise at Normandy series, I learned so much about the preparations for the D-Day invasion and the events that ensued. I was fascinated to learn the ways the Rangers trained and their role on the ground. Keeping the focus on the action and away from gore, Sarah Sundin made history come to life.
While I could gush on, I’ll spare you and simply recommend you read The Land Beneath Us and read it. After you’ve read the first two books of the Sunrise at Normandy series, of course. You could easily read this as a stand-alone; however, the author does not reiterate the details she has already covered in the first two books here so you will miss out on so much if you skip the others.
Read my review of The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I loved this book! Clay Paxton is a young man from Texas who is drafted and sent to Florida. Leah Jones is a young lady that grew up in an orphanage and now has a job in a library on the Army base in Florida. She and Clay become friends and when Leah is attacked and raped, Clay marries her to provide for her. Leah tries to find her birth name and her sisters throughout the story, while Clay wants nothing to do with his brothers throughout the story. There is so much going on in this book. It is not just a simple story but it is such a fulfilling story. It reaches in and grabs your heart. Throughout the story are Biblical references that make you examine yourself as the character examines himself. I would definitely recommend this book!
Loved every page of the final installment in Sarah Sundin’s Sunrise at Normandy series. Typically, historical romances don’t grip me right away, but this one really did. Leah’s story is beautiful and I think I felt every slight with her, and celebrated the small but significant victories. Clay’s character is beautiful and I really enjoyed seeing him wrestle with his love of medicine and compulsion to serve as a ranger. For anyone who enjoys the WW2 time period, this is a must read.
A book that may keep you up most of the night! The Land Beneath Us takes place during WWII and the Normandy Invasion. Leah is a wonderful protagonist who feels abandoned by everyone but is determined to become a better person. She was placed in an orphanage when her parents were killed in an accident when she was small. Then her adoptive parents decided they could not care for her and left her in an orphanage. She remembers having twin sisters and knows a few Greek words so feels she must have Greek heritage. I felt sorry for Leah when she arrived at her job in a military base library poorly dressed and groomed wearing her only dress which was ill-fitting. Private Clay Paxton is an excellent male protagonist who becomes acquainted with Leah at the library and saves her life when she is attacked and raped! Clay believes he will be killed in action and persuades Leah to marry him so she will be protected by his name and receive his check and life insurance. Leah is a determined, independent woman for 1941. You will face action with Clay as he trains and is part of the Normandy Invasion! The Land Beneath Us is part of the Sunrise at Normandy series but can be enjoyed as a stand alone book. I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley and the publisher. This is my honest opinion.
Thank you in advance to Revell Books for providing a complimentary review copy through Interviews and Reviews. A positive review was not required. All words and thoughts are my own.
This is the third and final book in the “Sunrise at Normandy” series. I was not able to read the previous two, but this could be a solid stand-alone read. Though I would HIGHLY encourage reading the previous two to get the full impact of this emotional saga.
This, much-anticipated release; is also one of the first to be featured on Revell’s Facebook page – “Beyond the Book” for the first “read-a-long”. It took me about 12 hours over three (3) days to finish.
As someone who isn’t into historical fiction, let alone “war stories”, I was drawn to this novel. The striking and stunning cover balances the love stories of the time with the brutality of World War II. Not only was the war itself brutal, but a brutal attack on Leah is also present. In fact, it sets the stage for what happens.
I was also drawn to it because of the fact that my grandfather served in the Navy during World War II. He was on an escort carrier that had been hit by a Kamikaze. The ship miraculously stayed afloat, and there was no loss of life.
Sadly, he would pass in 1980 before I would get to hear his stories. While he told my mom some, there were others he never told.
Right off this story is going to have a sad undertone due to the setting. This was a time that changed everything for the United States. Yet, despite knowing what was going to happen (at least on the war front), this was a novel I couldn’t put down. Nor, did I want to. I could barely take notes for the read-along and my review. This story had messages of hope and inspiration throughout it despite the overwhelming sadness and despair.
The author’s writing was so vivid that I felt pulled back into the time. So much so that I could almost hear the “big band music” while reading it. For those who don’t quite know what that is, think The Andrews Sisters “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”, or Glen Miller.
I immediately fell in love with Leah and Clay. As in chapter two (2) “immediately”. Clay came off as such a sweetheart, and I found myself praying for him and hoping his “dream” wouldn’t come true. I kept praying he’d take the route he was being offered during his training.
Leah’s background tore at my heart. She was such a pure and innocent soul. I passionately despised a certain couple from her past. And, like her, I have found myself wondering why things happened to me.
As I didn’t read Sundin’s prior two books; which I will definitely purchase (as soon as I can afford them); I don’t know if the other two novels contained this intense story-telling, but this was intense. Sundin doesn’t back down from sensitive issues either.
There was one character I had a bad feeling about right off.
At times it is heart-breaking, hopeless, and sad. Yet, there was overwhelming redemption, hope, and charity throughout.
Other themes were those of one’s past being held against them, false accusations, and prejudices. Sundin also delves into the different societal roles, particularly with orphan children and people’s perception of them.
The marriage of convenience is more in line with “biblical, charitable” love. Both Leah and Clay begin to care for each other throughout the novel.
There are a lot of Christian references. They are not overwhelming, nor preachy in tone. But, context due to the time the story takes place in, it is completely understandable.
What really grabbed me was how one character came to their epiphany. And, in reading it, I was moved to tears. It is an emotionally moving end to the saga.
It is no wonder that the men and women of that time are called “the greatest generation”.
There was a recurring theme of sexual assault and murder of young women though.
This is absolute perfection! 5/5 stars. It will be high on the re-read list.
Sarah Sundin is brilliant when it comes to WWII fiction. This, the 3rd in her Sunrise at Normandy series, is a re-sounding conclusion to the trilogy. I found myself immersed in this story from the very beginning, following the story of Ranger Clay Paxton and Leah Jones.
What I love most about Sundin’s work is her ability to create a tale that brings history to life. I felt as if I were living the pages of this book, walking alongside characters that I cheered for every step of the way. With their relatable flaws, admirable bravery, and yearning for belonging, they quickly took root within me. This book was hard to close, knowing I was saying goodbye to a place and people I had grown to love.
This book is amazing, but I do recommend reading the series in order.
I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Sarah Sundin did it again! The Land Beneath Us is the perfect conclusion to the Sunrise at Normandy series. I can’t even begin to describe it. A must-read if you love Christian fiction, WWII, and stories of love and forgiveness. I highly recommend reading the series! The Paxton family will welcome you!
Oh my – what a satsifying conclusion to this series! I loved both of the other books, but I believe this one was my favorite. This is book 3 in the Sunrise at Normandy series, and while the story-line itself could stand alone, I’d definitely recommend reading the other books first so you can get the overall family dynamics of the Paxtons, as well as get the full effect of the epilogue. Fans of the series will be glad to see the youngest brother, Clay, finally get his story. I know I’ve been anxiously awaiting this final installment.
Clay Paxton is the youngest of the 3 Paxton brothers and was greatly wronged by both of his older brothers before they left home. After working for the family business for a couple of years, he was drafted into the Army and joined the Rangers, thus bringing in the “land” of the land, air and sea raid at Normandy. While in training, he meets Leah Jones, a young girl working at the base library. Leah grew up as an orphan and didn’t even remember her birth name, but she has found the good in all of her circumstance, and the 2 of them help each other to heal from past wounds.
While being rich in historical details of D-Day, this story was a beautiful tale of love and forgiveness. This book had wonderful characters and was so well written. The action had me on the edge of my seat, and the romance was so sweet – Clay and Leah are a couple worth rooting for. The faith thread was strong as they both learned to give up their dreams into the arms of their Savior and seek out healing and forgiveness. There were even some good mystery elements as Clay tried to find out who the “villain” of the story was and Leah sought the details of her past. This book had a little bit of something for everyone and I absolutely adored it! I would strongly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction.
Speical thanks to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
THE LAND..BENEATH US..Sarah Sundin….
….book.3/
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 and Net Galley and the publisher.
How fun to read a book about a character who loves books! From the beginning, I wanted to befriend this librarian because of her strength and faith. A relationship with an Army Ranger developed, D-day approached and tension increased. During this time, both characters learned difficult lessons about forgiveness, family, belonging and the meaning of true love. I enjoyed the romance that developed as honest letters were exchanged. Then a beautiful picture of community emerged as the librarian looked for a place to belong. This gripping story and these characters will stay with me. Sundin obviously did her research and with that crafts a memorable story. With climax and closure, this book was simply a wonderful way to end this incredible series. It is not necessary to read the previous books in the series to fully enjoy this novel, but you don’t want to miss these characters and their stories. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I loved this book, and the only thing I didn’t like was that it ended! The whole series was wonderful, and loved how it all tied in together, and each son did his own part on D-Day.
This is the third son of the Paxton family’s story, Clay, we have previously met Wyatt and Adler, and if you haven’t read them, their books are just as good!
We also met a girl who has grown up in an orphanage, and is searching for her identity, she wants to know who she is, and the world has tried its hardest to put her down. As you can see from the description Clay comes to her rescue, and how he helps her is endearing, but what of the future?
The author made this book more special for me personally as she had Clay taken to the USS Texas, my Dad’s ship during the war.
Don’t miss the ending, or the author’s notes!
I received this book through Library Thing and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
The Land Beneath Us is the third book in Sarah Sundin’s Sunrise at Normandy series. Each book in the series follows a Paxton brother and their lives after a fateful night where life in a warm, loving family changed for good. Angry words, feelings of revenge and unthinkable behavior. Each young man was a time bomb full of anger and, remorse.
Sarah Sundin is a renowned author in the Christian fiction world. Her research on the complex theater of World War II is amazing. Her characters come alive amid battles the reader may have seen distant descriptions of yet in reading Sarah’s books find themselves in the midst of the story. I have long been a fan of her work. It makes me appreciate all the more, the brave men and women who served our country in dark times.
Clay and Leah’s story is one beautiful love story. Both have baggage that could upset the perennial apple cart. They are both courageous beyond their young ages. I believe that could be said of many young people faced with the challenges of a war that caused so much uncertainty in the world. Their faith yielded a strength of character that kept them going. From Leah’s upbringing in an orphanage to Clay’s bitter feelings toward his brothers, this book came alive and has a strong message of forgiveness and difficult choices. This is a book that historical fiction readers will enjoy. It is engaging, entertaining and full of compassion. Yes, even a few tears showed up. I am sad to see this series end, but I am confident that Sarah Sundin has more stories to write.
As soon as I saw the striking cover of this book with Sarah Sundin’s name on it, I knew I needed to read it. The Land Beneath Us is the last book in her Sunrise at Normandy series, and it’s a compelling and beautifully crafted story that is full of rich historical detail. The settings are vividly painted and easily visualized, and it was fascinating to learn more about the invasion of Normandy during WWII. Sundin’s impeccable research and knowledge about this era are readily apparent.
The characters are realistic, colorful, and flawed but engaging, and I enjoyed seeing them come to life on the page. Leah Jones and Clay Paxton are fantastic main characters with poignant backgrounds. I loved seeing their relationship develop and grow through unthinkable trials.
Uplifting messages of forgiveness, courage, faith, and joy despite trials are seamlessly woven into the story, along with the importance of family relationships. Although this book is part of a series, it can also be read as a standalone story. I recommend this book to those who enjoy inspirational historical fiction. I’ll definitely be looking forward to reading more from this excellent author.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own.
COMPELLING!
THE LAND BENEATH US (Sunrise at Normandy Book #3) by Sarah Sundin is Compelling! I highly recommend this book and the entire series. This
book needs to be read in sequential order to fully appreciate and understand all of family dynamics that are mentioned and dealt with in this book.
This is Private Clay Paxton’s account of training with the US Army Rangers at Camp Forest, TN and follows his journey for more training in England and then on to France and his date with destiny at D-Day. Clay has a deep sense that God has a specific plan of sacrifice for him while he’s serving in the War. He is at complete peace as he heads off into battle. While in TN, he meets Leah Jones, who is working in the library at Camp Forest. Leah has not had an easy life but against all odds is taking advantage of all available opportunities to better herself. She is like a sponge, absorbing something from everyone and quickly to differentiate between good and bad. One thing she’s known about all her life is bullying. These two young people are brought together when Clay saves Leah’s life by rescuing her during a brutal sexual attack. There lives will be forever changed from that moment on.
Sundin is a consummate researcher as is evidenced in each of her books. Her detailed descriptions of people, places and things are exquisite! Sundin has the ability to make readers feel as though they are active participants in the story. We see the action, feel the pain, taste the salt from the tears running down our face, feel the emotional stress, feel the heartache, feel the fear as well as feel the love and feel the bliss. Sundin covers it all! Themes covered in THE LAND BENEATH US are: good v. evil, dysfunctional families, abandoned children, orphanages, war training, war, home front during the war, deep personal friendships that last a lifetime, faith that grows immeasurably and the discovery that LOVE NEVER FAILS.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
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.