Review of New Release- Shetland Sunset by Linda Shelton Matchett (The Resistance Chronicles Book 1)

 

Bonded by a cause but an ocean apart, will their love survive a world war?

After months in Norway helping his cousins with their fishing business, American Askel Westgard seems trapped when the Germans invade until he has a chance to get back at the Occupiers as part of the Shetlandsgjengen, or Shetland gang, a group of fisherman who transport weapons and equipment from Shetland to Norway under cover of darkness. Unfortunately, the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s just met refuses to join him in safety. Will he ever see her again?

Distraught when the Germans overrun her beloved Norway, Tonje Bondevik refuses to take the occupation sitting down. She joins the fledgling resistance movement, deriving great satisfaction distributing the underground newspaper and performing acts of sabotage…until the day the Nazis come looking for her, and she must flee for her life. Perhaps she should have listened to the handsome Norwegian-American when he offered to take her to Shetland.

Fans of Cathy Gohlke, Kristy Cambron, and Kate Breslin are sure to love this gripping World War II romance.

To Purchase

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, speaker, and history geek. She writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. Her books are regularly praised for their accuracy and realism. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is also a trustee for her local public library.

She was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland and has lived in historic places all her life. Now located in central New Hampshire, Linda’s favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

Her blog, History, Mystery, & Faith, contains posts on little known facts about WWII, information about writers from the Golden Age of mystery writers (1930s and 1940s), author interviews, and adventures in research. Visit her at www.LindaShentonMatchett.com.

An investigation in her ancestry led Linda to the hamlet of Shenton in Leicestershire. A keen anglophile, many of her books are set in England.

MY REVIEW

The Shetland Sunset is an intense book filled with knowledge of the Germany invasion into Norway. The story appears well researched and written. It is an exciting, brave, yet dangerous story about citizens who give their all to help rescue refugees and bring needed food and guns into the country via fishing boats. The descriptions of the missions and the countryside made me feel like I was there. The characters are well-developed with lots of layers, and I was drawn into the story from the beginning. Tonje, is resilient and brave. Askel, an American who joined his cousin to help work on the boats is also brave and helps the resistance. The growing romance between Tonje & Askel is beautiful despite a time of war. There are a lot of emotional and heartbreaking parts to the story, but then also times of blessing, faith, and God's love. I loved the ending. Highly recommended. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I received an ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.