Raised in Hawai’i on her grandparents’ first-hand accounts of the war, Sara was deeply affected by the scars left behind. She believes that the best way to honor the past is by bringing these stories to light and making sure the sacrifice of those who came before us is never forgotten. She is the USA Today bestselling author of four WWII Hawai’i historical novels with a fifth on the way.
I wrote...
The Lieutenant's Nurse
By
Sara Ackerman
What is my book about?
November 1941. She’s never even seen the ocean before, but Eva Cassidy has her reasons for making the crossing to Hawaii, and they run a lot deeper than escaping a harsh Michigan winter. Newly enlisted as an Army Corps nurse, Eva is stunned by the splendor she experiences aboard the steamship SS Lurline; even more so by Lt. Clark Spencer, a man she is drawn to but who clearly has secrets of his own. But Eva’s past—and the future she’s trying to create—means that she’s not free to follow her heart. Clark is a navy intelligence officer, and he warns her that the United States won’t be able to hold off joining the war for long, but nothing can prepare them for the surprise attack that will change the world they know.
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The Books I Picked & Why
The Invisible Woman
By
Erika Robuck
Why this book?
Drawn from the life of real OSS agent, Virginia Hall, The Invisible Woman completely blew me away. It’s hard to imagine that this book is based on a true story. It has all the elements of a great thriller while also vividly drawing rich characters in an authentic setting. Impeccably researched and flawlessly written, I should warn you that you won’t be able to put this book down.
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The Book of Lost Names
By
Kristin Harmel
Why this book?
Again, inspired by a true story, The Book of Lost Names is an astonishing novel about a young Polish-French woman who risks her life forging identity documents for Jewish children. I’m a sucker for books about people helping people, and even more so when it has to do with kids. This story will rip your heart to pieces and then sew it back together again. It’s a testament to love and sacrifice. A beautiful page-turner with secrets and turns and all the fixings of a great novel.
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The Flight Girls
By
Noelle Salazar
Why this book?
The Flight Girls captivated me from the first page and never let go. Salazar’s writing is lively and fresh, as we ride shotgun with a cast of memorable characters, an epic love story, and a powerful tale of courage and sacrifice by the Women Airforce Service Pilots during WWII. This book is on the lighter side, but still packs an emotional punch. A spectacular first novel!
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Lilac Girls
By
Martha Hall Kelly
Why this book?
Lilac Girls was a huge bestseller and for good reason. It weaves together the stories of three amazing women whose lives intersect in the brutal backdrop of WWII Germany. It paints a heartrending picture of what humans endured (think Ravensbrück, the notorious women’s concentration camp), while also shining a light on the enduring power of hope, love, and friendship. One of the best WWII books I’ve read. Tissues required.
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The Huntress
By
Kate Quinn
Why this book?
Kate Quinn is one of the best historical fiction authors out there. The Huntress strings together three engrossing storylines that all converge at the end. It’s a cat and mouse game––a Nazi war criminal being hunted by those whose lives she irreparably damaged. My favorite character, Nina Markova, is a Russian female bomber pilot who is as fearless and feisty as they come. A fascinating, terrifying, and astounding novel, this one has it all.