Sunrise at Normandy The Land Beneath Us, Book 3, (Paperback)

All three of the books in this series were wonderful, but this one was my absolute favorite for so many reasons. The depth of the story as it brought World War 2 to the pivotal battle that turned the tide in the Allies favor, the incredible characterization of Clay the youngest of the Paxton brothers, the sweetness and fortitude of Leah, the rich historical detail of this war period as the US prepared it's soldiers, particularly the Rangers, for the Battle of Normandy, and the focus on trust and forgiveness all combined to make this an unforgettable conclusion to a series. Sundin's research into the preparation of the Rangers and the details of the Battle for Pointe du Hoc was incredible. Her plot pulled me deeper and deeper into the story of Clay and the estrangement between he and his brothers as well as the backstory of Leah's life as an orphan and her hunt for her twin sisters. Kudo's to Sarah Sundin for ending this series with a story that is the best of the best. **I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin is the third book of the series Sunrise at Normandy. Ms. Sundin has given us another gripping glimpse into a pivotal time in WWII history. A horrific personal incident and war have torn three brothers from their home in Kerville, Texas. Can forgiveness and God's love bring them back together? This story is primarily about Clay, the youngest of three Paxton brothers and his journey to D-Day in Normandy but also about reconciliation from an event that ripped their family apart. Clay has been brought up in a wonderful Christian family so he likens his situation to that of the patriarch Joseph in the pit before his brothers sold him. My favorite character is Leah Jones who works in the library at Camp Forrest, Tennessee where Clay is stationed. She is an orphan with a very tender heart for the downtrodden because of her background. She loves books because they were her only friends growing up. “Words make delightful playthings. They cost nothing, they never wear out, and no one can take them away from you.” Her goal is to find information about her younger twin sisters who were adopted separately from her and discover her true identity which was hidden from her. Clay meets Leah at the library at Camp Forrest where he is in Ranger school preparing to join the war in Europe. After an attack, he saves Leah's life and offers a marriage of convenience. Though separated, they get to know each other through letters. Can war possibly bring healing to the brothers? Has Clay truly forgiven his brothers? Ms. Sundin has a firm grasp on how to convey faith and human nature and pours this knowledge into her characters, making them come alive. Her extensive research shines in the scenes about training and the invasion of Normandy, as well as the everyday hardships of the folks left behind at home. Faith in God is portrayed as the backbone of the Paxton family and forgiveness is seen as a struggle but so worth the outcome. The underlying theme of the series is The Prodigal Son. An excellent wrap up to a remarkable series. It is no wonder that it is one of my very favorites. *A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*