Christ is the anchor in all of life’s storms

Sarah Sundin explores the dangers of prejudice and preconceptions in new WWII mystery

Male and female stereotypes have always existed. World War II brought major changes to the status quo in America as necessity challenged traditional male/female roles and opportunities. Sarah Sundin delves into these dynamics in the second installment in her Waves of Freedom series, Anchor in the Storm (Revell/May 3, 2016/ ISBN: 978-0800723439/$14.99). As the needs of a nation brought millions of women into the workforce, some for the first time, ladies were suddenly finding new strengths and facing new tests, including Lillian Avery.

For plucky Lillian, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston, and although her road isn’t easy, she has high hopes for success. Her boss isn’t thrilled about hiring a woman, and Lillian has a visible physical disability that causes some people to assume mistakenly she might be weak. Sundin drew from her own life for this aspect of Anchor in the Storm’s plotline. “My oldest son was born missing his left arm below the elbow,” she reveals. “He’s never let it stop him. He’s a mechanical engineer and a black belt in karate. I’m thankful he was born in modern times when we have more enlightened views of disabilities.”

Tensions on the job are just the beginning of Lillian’s difficulties. She also isn’t thrilled about the attention she’s receiving from society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg. Arch himself is surprised to find himself drawn to Lillian. He’s typically skeptical of women; they’re usually more interested in his money than him. The war has changed his life as well, as he hunts German U-boats along the East Coast on his destroyer. His efforts seem in vain as enemy submarines sink dozens of merchant ships. Sundin says this was a time when the war was truly brought home for Americans; in the first six months of 1942, thousands of merchant marines and passengers were killed with many deaths viewed by beach-going families along the shore.

Shaken by his battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves — and with acute drowsiness. Could there be a link between their maladies and the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? Arch and Lillian work together to find the answer, while Arch works to win Lillian’s trust and affection.

Sundin truly brings World War II to life in Anchor in the Storm, offering readers an intense experience they won't soon forget. As always, Sundin had a Bible verse in mind as she wrote: Hebrews 6:18–19 (KJV), which says, “We might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” Sundin hopes readers will learn along with Arch and Lillian to allow Christ to be their anchor no matter what shipwrecks they face in life.

Readers should also keep their eyes peeled for the third book in the Waves of Freedom series, When Tides Turn, which will release spring 2017.

About the Author

Sarah Sundin is the author of The Wings of the Nightingale series and Wings of Glory series. Her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in Where Treetops Glisten was a 2015 finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Awards. On Distant Shores was a finalist for the 2014 Golden Scroll Award from both the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and the Christian Authors Network (CAN).  In 2011, Sundin received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Sundin’s latest World War II series is Waves of Freedom with Through Waters Deep and Anchor in the Storm.

A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, Sundin works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the Navy, and her great-uncle flew with the U.S. Eighth Air Force in England.

A mother of three, Sundin lives in California, where she teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. She also enjoys speaking for community and writers’ groups.

Learn more about Sarah Sundin and Anchor in the Storm by visiting www.sarahsundin.com, becoming a fan on Facebook (SarahSundinAuthor) or following her on Twitter (@sarahsundin) and Pinterest (sarahsundin).