In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a “Wren” in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Dorothy pieces together reconnaissance photographs with thousands of holiday snapshots of France–including those of her own family’s summer home–in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that … that Wyatt will turn into naval bombardment plans.
As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn to love. Dorothy must resist its pull. Her bereaved father depends on her, and her heart already belongs to another man. Wyatt too has much to lose. The closer he gets to Dorothy, the more he fears his efforts to win the war will destroy everything she has ever loved.
The tense days leading up to the monumental D-Day landing blaze to life under Sarah Sundin’s practiced pen with this powerful new series.
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Great read. A story of World War II and two people whose paths crossed during a difficult time. Their story keeps you reading. The action teaches you even though it is a fictional book
Insightful to see what women did during WWII.
Another WWII story that makes you realize the sacrifice made by these men & women who served.
Would like to read more books by this author.
The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin is the first book in her Sunrise at Normandy series. Wyatt Paxton is stationed in England awaiting D-Day. He meets Dorothy Fairfax, who is a “Wren” in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. She studies snapshots of the coast of Normandy in order to create accurate maps for the allied landings. Wyatt transforms those maps into naval bombardment plans for D-Day. As they spend more time together will they learn to forgive or will they let their past rule their future? I loved the way that Wyatt clung to God during his trials instead of pushing Him away. It’s a lesson we all should learn. At times Dorothy was a little too thick-headed for my liking, but overall, she was a great heroine. Stories of World War two have always held a special interest for me. I have actually stood Omaha Beach and it was a very moving experience. So, it was easy to picture all the scenes as they unfolded. Dorothy’s love and devotion to her father was very touching. The humor that was woven through-out the story came at just the right times. Ms. Sundin is a very talented author. Her research was woven into a very moving story.
While serving as a British WREN (British women’s Navy active duty), she was serving in the Allied Supreme command intelligence unit, part of a select team planning the Allied invasion into France. That’s where she meets Wyatt, he’s a U.S. Navy officer in the same offices. That’s also where she renewed the family friend she’s crushed on for the last decade. Two have famously baggage. Romance and twists and turns keep the reader turning pages all through and right after the Normandy Invasions. Great plot! Pay attention or you will miss the many surprises! Great narration! Highly recommend this book!
I think the book was a learning experience, in the way life can be. A very good book
I lived the book. the way the characters in the book was fanaciting. how a guy from the U.S. and Britain getting together and the adventures they had. must read WW2 story
Sarah Sundin is a gifted writer. This was the 2nd of hers which I have read, and I couldn’t put either one down! The tales of realistic persons engaged in the Military during World War II’s European Theatre makes for exciting and rewarding stories, and the romance is clean and holds one’s interest throughout.
I absolutely loved this book. Being a Texas girl myself, I was a huge fan of Wyatt. It grabbed me from the first page.
Great read with inspirational characters, good story, and happy ending.
Good depth of story with realistic characters. I learned a lot about the war and the United States military role with Europe. It captured and kept my interest throughout. Wonderful characters.
I loved this book. I love all of Sarah Sundin’s books and stories. The spiritual values are consistent with traditional Bible-believing teachings. The characters hold one’s interest in following their lives. There is great historical accuracy in her WWII era stories. I highly recommend and anxiously await my next opportunity to read one of her novels.
Sarah Sundin comes through again. A historical romance, the research was well done and kept me turning pages. I could relate to the flawed characters and appreciated how they grew throughout the story. The end of the book set the stage for book 2. Looking forward to reading the next one.
Great book! I really enjoy books by this author.
I loved this book. I’m reading the second one now and love it also.
Historical fiction at its best.
I love Sarah Sundin’s book, all of them. She tells a story we all know of wars past. Her characters make history come alive. You feel like you are there. Sometimes you feel like you are that character, feeling what they feel, loneliness, happiness, grief, strength, love, loss. Once I begin to read, I cannot put the books down. The Sea Before Us is the continuing story of three brothers torn apart by their own egos, but brought together by war, love and the need for mended relationships. I can’t wait for the next book.
Sarah Sundin has done it again. She creates characters that are relatable, easy to fall in love with and who you want to cheer on from the beginning. After reacquainting myself with Sarah’s writing just a couple of months ago I with this story and it’s sequel, I have gone back and read 2 of her 3 completed series. Looking forward to book #3 in this series in 2020.
Sarah Sundin is a WWII expert! Her research into this era shines through in her writing and attention to details in the story she writes. The Sea Before Us is a fantastic beginning to her Sunrise at Normandy Series!
Dorothy’s character is strong and capable yet naive and vulnerable all at the same time. When it comes to her work she knows exactly what she doing. She does her job well and knows it. On the other hand, her relationships struggle. She’s been through a lot and is insecure. She grows leaps and bounds throughout the story and it’s beautiful to watch.
Wyatt is incredibly charming. He has a strong faith, but struggles to forgive himself of his past. As his story unfolds it’s easy to see why he’s so wonderfully likeable. Wyatt trusts God and continues to lean into Him as he works through his struggles.
Dorothy and Wyatt have a beautiful friendship as they help each other process the trials their each working through. That relationship deepens as they confide in one another and discover things they never expected.
This story is extremely well written, well researched, and well thought out! I cannot wait to read Book #2!
The Sea Before Us #1 Sunrise at Normandy by Sarah Sundin
With historical accuracy and in-depth descriptions placing the reader right in the middle of the action, the frantic days (January-June 1944) leading up to D-Day and those involved in developing the perfect plan to implement on that day unfold in this powerful story. We are taken to three countries: England, France and Scotland over this time period. Much of the historical information shared of those days leading up to D-Day I was not aware of. In the midst of all the planning and urgency love is in the air; but is it advisable to begin a romance in the middle of war? Dorthy Fairfax, a Wren (Women’s Royal Navy Service), and American Lt. Wyatt Paxton face that very question. They both have past heartaches, circumstances and problems in their lives; will they learn to rely more on the Lord in these times as well as in good times? Long held secrets are revealed and surprising twists and turns in the characters’ lives and the war. I appreciate the spiritual elements woven within the story-line. I enjoy reading the historical notes the author includes at the end of the book. A powerful, heartwarming story.
~I also received a copy of this book from the author/publisher (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~