Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin is a standalone World War II novel. However, some of the peripheral characters in the book have been the main focus of other stories. Sundin has a way of inviting the reader into the lives of her characters. Right from the beginning, there is a powerful emotional attachment.
Cilla van der Zee is quite an extraordinary protagonist. She is softhearted, but when it comes to her values, she is strong and forceful. Her fortitude and persistence are admirable. Her story starts off with intense action scenes and then settles into a temporary calm. The excitement at the end is well worth the read.
Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie represents all that is good in humanity, but the author does it is in such a way as to keep Lachlan from recognizing his own goodness. The story unfolds and readers can’t help but cheer for Lt. Mackenzie and hope he will find a way to peace and happiness. He is a character worthy of emulation.
Amidst all of this turmoil and strife, there is forgiveness and romance. This story is more intense than a casual romance and readers should be prepared for this. However, the ultimate beauty rests in characters learning to trust God and one another.
Review of an Advance Reader Copy Provided by the Publisher
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: A character witnesses a man beaten to death and bleeding; multiple references to a character threatening to kill someone’s family; a character is grabbed and arrested; characters are involved in serval scenes involving weapons being pointed at and fired at others, including cold-blooded fatalities; several buildings or vessels are intentionally destroyed with bombs.
Sex/Nudity: Vague, but heavily implied report of a character having been sexually abused in the past, no details; non-married characters kiss and embrace.
Mature Subject Matter:
Acts of war, death of friend.
Drug/Alcohol Use:
A character has beer on her breath; a character is drinking whiskey; multiple mentions of a character being drunk.
