Lane Hill House: Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin, © 2016

Waves of Freedom series, Book 2
World War II era; story: December 11, 1941-July 30, 1942

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 stedfast. --Hebrews 6:18-19

My Review:

Lillian Avery finally sees her life take off. She has been accepted as a pharmacist in Boston! Amid war and the lack of qualified male pharmacists, she has been selected. When she arrives for her first day, her employer at Dixon's Drugs keeps her initially behind the counter because of what he sees as a detriment to his business. Her prosthesis showing beneath her dress hem.

Lillian's life brightens as she is beckoned to play her elderly neighbor's piano. Soothing music floats through the sitting room as her heart heals ~ from unease, uncertainty, and her acceptance being questioned. Strains fill the air, and her heart.

To a Wild Rose - written by Edward MacDowell (1860-1908)
Piano Cover by Violet Heart

Away from home for the first time beyond college, her trepidation lifts as she is soothed. Mrs. Harrison's welcome has done wonders in a bleak day, as she set the sheet music before Lillian. Wisdom of a friend.

Long Island, June, 1942

Her brother Jim and his long-time friend, Archer Vandenberg, are stationed out of Boston, assigned aboard the US Navy destroyer warship, the USS Ettinger. It is helpful to have her brother nearby when they come ashore. Lillian is not too sure about any attachment with Arch, although he frequently comes along.

Lillian questions the quantity of habit-forming sedatives in stock at the pharmacy, prescribed in unusual large doses at a time. Mr. Dixon isn't concerned about it. When does your job as pharmacist become detective work because of conscience?

Building friendships and bonding together bring stresses beyond war. Those aboard the Ettinger are on alert for the next mission, with lives in peril. Some businesses are choosing not to follow black-out, to not lose customers, making those at sea easier targets as they patrol. Exhaustion and the need for keen awareness bring to light other difficulties.

The characters are well-developed. The story progresses amid the internal setting of World War II. I enjoy reading Sarah Sundin's series. Although this is book 2, it can be read as a standalone novel without feeling like you are lost in the story. Author Sarah Sundin works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. This storyline within her profession will be first-hand for Lillian.

***Thank you to author Sarah Sundin for including me as a reviewer for her novels and providing a copy of Anchor in the Storm. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

Waves of Freedom Series

During World War II, the Avery family finds adventure on the high seas, intrigue on the Home Front, and love where least expected. From Revell.