Monday, December 10, 2018

Our December/January Pick: Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman

I love historical fiction, especially when it is set during World War II and even more so when it gives different perspectives of the war and snippets of life during this tragic, historic time, so I am pleased to pick Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman for our December/January book. 

It seems especially timely as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day was this past Friday and it has been 77 years since the surprise attack on Oahu by Japanese military put America into the war. The book is set in Honoka'a Hawaii, north of Hilo a few years into the war.


From the Publisher:

"Hawaii, 1944. The Pacific battles of World War II continue to threaten American soil, and on the home front, the bonds of friendship and the strength of love are tested.

Violet Iverson and her young daughter, Ella, are piecing their lives together one year after the disappearance of her husband. As rumors swirl and questions about his loyalties surface, Violet believes Ella knows something. But Ella is stubbornly silent. Something—or someone—has scared her. And with the island overrun by troops training for a secret mission, tension and suspicion between neighbors is rising.

Violet bands together with her close friends to get through the difficult days. To support themselves, they open a pie stand near the military base, offering the soldiers a little homemade comfort. Try as she might, Violet can’t ignore her attraction to the brash marine who comes to her aid when the women are accused of spying. Desperate to discover the truth behind what happened to her husband, while keeping her friends and daughter safe, Violet is torn by guilt, fear and longing as she faces losing everything. Again.
"



2019 will mark my 18th year of living in Hawaii and I've been wanting to host a book that's set in this beautiful state that's full of delicious food and that I now call my home. Author Sara Ackerman was born and raised in Hawaii. She studied journalism and earned graduate degrees in psychology and Oriental medicine and she lives on the Island of Hawai'i where this novel (her debut) is set. (Her second book, The Lieutenant's Nurse is set at Pearl Harbor on Oahu.) Check out her website and her Instagram account for more details. 

There is drama, mystery, friendship, family, romance and of course, pies and other local food in this novel and I look forward to seeing what it inspires you to create.

The deadline for submissions for this round is Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Aloha,

Deb

10 comments:

Debra Eliotseats said...

I've got my book! It's second on the "to-read" list! Can't wait.

Simona Carini said...

Thank you Deb!
Hard to believe but for once I am right on schedule, at least for the reading part :)

Deb in Hawaii said...

I hope you both enjoy the book Debra and Claudia. ;-)

Camilla M. Mann said...

Finishing up the book tonight! Despite the holiday craziness, I've carved out time to read before I head to bed each night. Loving this book.

A Day in the Life on the Farm said...

Just ordered it up. Can't wait to find time to delve in.

Mae Travels said...

After many trips to the Big Island and a few to Maui and Kauai, I’m also a lover of the most. beautiful state. I’ll have to add that book to my list.

best ... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Claudia said...

My post is up. Thanks for the selection Deb, celebrating our State!
https://honeyfromrock.blogspot.com/2019/01/hawaiian-food-for-island-of-sweet-pies.html

Amy said...

My post is up! Great Book! https://www.amyscookingadventures.com/2019/01/hawaiian-rolls.html

Terri Steffes said...

My post is up!!! https://www.terristeffes.com/2019/01/flaky-mini-pies-for-island-of-sweet.html

Simona Carini said...

Here's my contribution
https://www.pulcetta.com/2019/01/recipe-pan-fried-banana-macadamia-nuts.html

Thank you Deb for hosting :)