#TuesdayTreasures: Guest Post by Sarah Sundin

Good Morning!

I pray your Memorial Day weekend was blessed and in the  midst of your relaxation, you took a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday.

With that in mind I am pleased to bring you today's Treasure with author, Sarah Sundin....

More Than a Letter Opener

Most people wouldn’t notice my letter opener, but it’s rich in meaning to me. 

When my grandfather, Fred Stewart, retired from a long career in business, he wanted a new hobby. He took woodcarving classes, discovered he had a gift, and soon began winning awards. More importantly, he enjoyed the work and the joy it brought to others.

When I started pharmacy school, my grandfather was tickled. During World War II, he’d served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the US Navy in the Pacific. He’d always been fascinated by medicine and was delighted that his granddaughter shared his interest. 

One Christmas he carved me this letter opener with the pharmacy symbol. I treasured it from the beginning.

My grandfather passed away in 1992, eight years before I began writing, but he is one of the main reasons I write novels set in World War II. You see, Fred Stewart was a storyteller. While so many veterans didn’t talk about their wartime experiences—for good reason—my grandfather did. He told harrowing stories. He told heartbreaking stories. And he told hilarious stories. My grandfather loved to laugh and he loved to make others laugh.

Because of my grandfather, I decided to focus on the Navy for my third World War II series, Waves of Freedom. The heroine in Anchor in the Storm is a pharmacist, and she unravels a mystery—the pharmacist’s mate on the hero’s ship may or may not be involved. I like to think my grandfather would be tickled.

The letter opener on my desk reminds me of the grandpa I adored as a man of integrity who loved his family. It reminds me of my chosen profession. And it reminds of why I write novels set in World War II—to honor the real-life heroes who served.

Awww, Sarah your letter opener is definitely something to treasure!

 Sarah Sundin is the author of eight historical novels, including Anchor in the Storm. Her novel Through Waters Deep was named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years,” and her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in Where Treetops Glisten was a finalist for the 2015 Carol Award. A mother of three, Sarah lives in California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school. http://www.sarahsundin.com

Here's a sneak peek into Sarah's latest novel, Anchor in the Storm!

 For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. She loves the wartime challenges of her new job but spurns the attention of society boy Ens. Archer Vandenberg. As Arch’s destroyer battles U-boats along the East Coast, Lillian uncovers a black market drug ring. Arch and Lillian work together on the investigation, but can he ever earn her trust and affection?

Anchor in the Storm can be purchased at Amazon in Hardcover, Paperback and for Kindle.

Hope you enjoyed today's Treasure! Tune in each week for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time...take care and God Bless.

PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: Guest Post by Sarah Sundin!

Good Morning Friends,

Well, I made it back safe and sound from my little vacation. I'll be sharing treasures from the trip sometime in the near future.

Meanwhile, enjoy this Tuesday Treasure from Sarah Sundin, brought to you by Litfuse Publicity Group....

Wearing History

When I was young, I collected buttons. Hundreds of them—from vacations, political campaigns, events, and funny ones that caught my fancy. In my college dorm room, I mounted them on my bulletin board on a piece of fabric. Instant conversation piece! However, one button stayed at home to keep it safe.

My grandmother gave me this button from her childhood, when schoolchildren around the country saved their pennies to restore the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides” herself.

Since I come from old New England stock and my parents love all things nautical, I was familiar with the Constitution and the story of the young United States Navy’s historic victory in the War of 1812. So I treasured this little metal piece of history and my grandmother’s small role in preserving the nation’s flagship.

When I was researching Through Waters Deep, which is set in Boston in 1941, I visited the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. Since the book’s heroine works at the Boston Navy Yard (as it was called in 1941) and the hero serves on a destroyer, I spent a full day taking pictures and notes and touring the Constitution and the restored World War II destroyer USS Cassin Young.

Of course, I had to visit the gift shop. This bracelet caught my eye immediately. Then I read the attached tag. The jewelry was made from copper reclaimed during the recent restoration of the Constitution. From her very hull! So I bought it. And the earrings too.

With my pennies, I was able to continue the work my grandmother helped start ninety years ago.

And that’s something to treasure.

Sarah Sundin is the author of seven historical novels, including Through Waters Deep (Revell, August 2015). Her novel On Distant Shores was a double finalist for the 2014 Golden Scroll Awards. A mother of three, Sarah lives in northern California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. She also enjoys speaking for church, community, or writers’ groups. You can find her at http://www.sarahsundin.com

Through Waters Deep can be purchased at Amazon in Hardcover, Paperback and for Kindle.

Well Friends, hope you enjoyed this week's treasure! 

Have collected similar items? Share them with us.

Until next time...take care and God Bless.

PamT