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Sisters Under the Rising Sun

400 pages St. Martin’s Press Publish date October 23, 2023

Pub Date Sep 28 2023 Bonnier Books UK/Jaffre publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the New York Times bestselling author of the multi-million copy bestseller The Tattooist of Auschwitz comes a story of sisterhood and survival, inspired by a true story.

A phenomenal novel of resilience and survival from bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris.

In the midst of World War II, an English musician, Norah Chambers, places her eight-year-old daughter Sally on a ship leaving Singapore, desperate to keep her safe from the Japanese army as they move down through the Pacific. Norah remains to care for her husband and elderly parents, knowing she may never see her child again.

Sister Nesta James, a Welsh Australian nurse, has enlisted to tend to Allied troops. But as Singapore falls to the Japanese she joins the terrified cargo of people, including the heartbroken Norah, crammed aboard the Vyner Brooke merchant ship. Only two days later, they are bombarded from the air off the coast of Indonesia, and in a matter of hours, the Vyner Brooke lies broken on the seabed.

After surviving a brutal 24 hours in the sea, Nesta and Norah reach the beaches of a remote island, only to be captured by the Japanese and held in one of their notorious POW camps. The camps are places of starvation and brutality, where disease runs rampant. Sisters in arms, Norah and Nesta fight side by side every day, helping whoever they can, and discovering in themselves and each other extraordinary reserves of courage, resourcefulness and determination.

Sisters under the Rising Sun is a story of women in war: a novel of sisterhood, bravery and friendship in the darkest of circumstances, from the multimillion-copy bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka’s Journey and Three Sisters.

MY THOUGHTS

One thing that gets to me when I read a Heather Morris book is how realistic they are. I love the fact that they are based on real people and situations and that I learn so much from them.


Her book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is my absolute favorite historical fiction book of all time. It’s just an incredible book.
Sisters Under The rising Sun is an unputdownable book. It’s heartbreaking, yet full of courageous moments and actions.

The women displayed such bravery in the face of adversity time after time. This was a very well researched book, and I enjoyed the author’s notes in the back of the book. We learn more about the characters and their life after the events at the end of the book.


Brave women are struggling to survive in Japanese POW camps in WWII. Their lives were a living hell, faced with starvation, abuse, deprivation of the most basic needs. A novel of sisterhood, bound together by chance and the need to survive the dark circumstances that their life has become. Let us remember these women and the many sacrifices they have given.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Heather Morris is a native of New Zealand, now resident in Australia. For several years, while working in a large public hospital in Melbourne, she studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an Academy Award-winning screenwriter in the US. In 2003, Heather was introduced to an elderly gentleman who ‘might just have a story worth telling’. The day she met Lale Sokolov changed both their lives. Their friendship grew and Lale embarked on a journey of self-scrutiny, entrusting the innermost details of his life during the Holocaust to her. Heather originally wrote Lale’s story as a screenplay – which ranked high in international competitions – before reshaping it into her debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

I hope you’re having a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping in.

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Black History Month Read: A Nurse’s Tale: An extraordinary and moving historical novel inspired by a true story of WW2!

384 pages One More Chapter publisher 07 Jul 2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Born Nigerian royalty, Princess Adenrele Ademola trained as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital in London and stepped up to serve the people of Britain when war broke out – facing both the devastation of the Blitz and the prejudice of some of the people she was trying to help.

80 years later, Ade’s great-niece Yemi arrives in London clutching the Princess’s precious diaries and longs to uncover the mysteries they hold…

MY THOUGHTS

Another beautiful read I’ve read for Black History month.
I find it so fascinating to read historical fiction book based on actual people and events such as this one is. Richly detailed, I’ll admit to having never reading about Nigeria and knew very little about its customs, people and foods and I found the learning process interesting.


This dual timeline effortlessly blends past and present this debut novel is one not to pass up.
Princess Adenrele Ademola was born Nigerian royalty, but you would not know by her actions. She only wants to help the people of Britan, training at Guy’s Hospital in London as a nurse, she receives no special treatment. She faces the devastating effects of WWII and prejudice behavior of some of those she is trying to help. She won’t let this stop her though.


Through diaries Yemi who also comes from Nigeria to London, the great niece of Ade and her friend Mike who’s relative was a friend of Ade are able to find out more about their families.


The story is magnificent and unique, I’ve never read a story taking place during WWII like this.
Though Adenrele Ademola faces many adversities she is strong, and she shines, not letting anyone hold her back.

Pub Date 07 Jul 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ola Awonubi was born in London to Nigerian parents. She grew up and attended school in Brighton and lived in Nigeria before returning to England in 1992. She now lives in London. An avid reader, she nursed the idea of getting back to writing – something she had enjoyed doing as a child and enrolled in some writing classes and went on obtain an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East London.

In 2008 her short story The Pink House, won first prize in the National words of colour competition. This was followed by another story – The Go- slow Journey, winning the first prize in the Wasafiri New writing prize 2009. Some of her short stories feature on blogs and journals and anthologies such as African writing.com, Afreada, The Ake Review, Brittle Paper, Wasafiri Magazine as well as various literary magazines, journals and on blogs.

Author of 7 books – Love’s Persuasion was published by Ankara Press – the Romance imprint of Cassava Press, Abuja. Nigeria in 2015. Her second book for the imprint – I love You Unconditionally was published in 2017. Her third book – an anthology of short stories – Naija Love Stories was published by Conscious Dreams Publishing in October 2018.

Her 4th book 14 Days and Other Stories is a romance novella and her 5th book Reasons Why I Need to Get Married Yesterday and Other Poems was published in 2019.

Her 6th book – Lovers, Leavers and Keepers was followed by her Christmas Novella – The Keresimesi Wish in 2020.

Her current historical fiction manuscript – ‘A Nurses Tale’ has been published by One More Chapter Books; an imprint of Harper Collins and is due for release in July 2023.

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All Through The Night by Tara Johnson-Review

About The Book

With her stammering tongue and quiet ways, Cadence Piper has always struggled to be accepted. After the death of her mother, Cadence sets her heart on becoming a nurse, both to erase the stain her brother has left on the family’s honor and to find long-sought approval in the eyes of her father. When Dorothea Dix turns her away due to her young age and pretty face, Cadence finds another way to serve . . . singing to the soldiers in Judiciary Square Hospital. Only one stubborn doctor stands in her way.

Joshua Ivy is an intense man with a compassionate heart for the hurting and downtrodden. The one thing he can’t have is an idealistic woman destroying the plans he’s so carefully laid. When the chaos of war thrusts Cadence into the middle of his clandestine activities, he must decide if the lives at stake, and his own heart, are worth the risk of letting Cadence inside.

Everything changes when Joshua and Cadence unearth the workings of a secret society so vile, the course of their lives, and the war, could be altered forever. If they fight an enemy they cannot see, will the One who sees all show them the way in the darkest night?

My Review

I haven’t read a Civil War book in awhile. Most historical books I see publishing recently are about more modern wars. This one is one I won’t forget anytime soon.
What makes it even more fascinating is it’s based on factual events and people.
I was drawn into the plight of a young woman who just wants to make a difference despite her father’s and society’s disapproval.
It was inspiring to read about the encouragement she gives to the troops as she shares her gift of singing and uplifting spirits.
I enjoyed the intricate plot line and the realism of the story.
There are descriptions of battleground surgery and disturbing aspects of the war but this makes the book even more realistic.
Very compelling with themes of forgiveness and the power to influence others to become better people.

Pub Date: 05 Jan 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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Elida Rumsey who the character Cadence Piper is loosely based on.

Have you read this author’s books yet? Would you read this one?

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