Listen For the Chickadees

is out in the world!

She’s loved him forever.

He’s never seen her as more than a memory from home.

Then Pearl Harbor changed everything.

December 7, 1941, shattered the illusion that anyone is safe.

Navy nurse Gloria Bloch wakes to the thunder of enemy planes over Pearl Harbor, certain of only one thing: John Walsh, the boy she has loved since childhood, is far from danger aboard an aircraft carrier. Or so she believes.

When panicked American gunfire brings John down over the harbor, their reunion is brief and breathtaking, forged in chaos neither can escape.

As the Second World War drives the United States into the Pacific conflict, Gloria and John are swept onto separate paths of duty. Gloria serves aboard the hospital ship USS Serenity, tending shattered bodies and wounded souls. John flies combat missions as a Navy fighter pilot and combat photographer, risking everything to document a war that refuses to leave him untouched.

Their paths cross again and again in fleeting moments between air raids and surgeries, courage and fear, longing and loss. With every meeting, the feelings they have buried deepen. But war demands more than love. It demands sacrifice, tests faith, and steals time without warning.

When separation stretches into silence, Gloria must face the terrifying possibility that hope itself has become another casualty of war.

As war and distance threaten to pull them apart, only the smallest signs remain: a whistle, a painted bird, and a promise worth holding onto.

Listen for the Chickadees is a Christian World War II historical romance set against the backdrop of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy, and the Pacific War. It is a story of steadfast love, quiet faith, and the courage it takes to trust God when tomorrow is uncertain.

 Book Recommendation: Anna of Arimathea

Joseph of Arimathea’s daughter Anna was cruelly wounded by a Roman soldier’s whip, scarring her face and hand, and a horse’s hoof that crushed her hip. Hidden away at their Arimathean estate, she practices the healing arts, isolated and lonely. Then Andrew, a disciple of Jesus, comes with a message for her father. Seriously wounded by bandits, she tends to his injuries and they fall in love. But how can someone crippled like she endure the nomadic life of a follower of Jesus?

Susanne Blumer has written a Biblical novel on the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea. It’s a fascinating look at what might have been. (A sequel, Anna of Bethsaida, is now available.) I asked author Susanne Blumer a few questions.

 

 

I love your portrayal of Andrew. How did you decide to pick him to be the main character disciple? Oh, my sweet Andrew! When I first started working on the book, I knew I needed a disciple. But which one? Peter was already married. John is said to never marry. James is killed in Acts. I ideally wanted one of the inner circle and one that could fall in love with Anna. Andrew made the most sense. He was the first to be called, is involved in many of the important stories, but he also felt like a disciple I could make my own. So Andrew it was, and I'm so happy with my choice. He was perfect for the series! Have you visited Israel? No, I have not been, but it is at the top of my bucket list! My husband and I had an amazing trip planned in 2024: Israel, Egypt, Turkey and Greece. We had everything booked and ready to go. Then the war broke out in Israel. We were scheduled to leave a month later. Without knowing what would happen during those weeks, we cancelled the trip. We still hope to do it! The world just needs to calm down a bit first. I cannot wait to go and see all the places I've been writing about! You own four bookstores in North and South Carolina. How do you decide what books to stock? Do you have a “My Favorites” display? Each of my bookstores is different. They have different customers who read different things. Of course, we have a lot of books the same between them, but we also have a wide variety that are not. My Beaufort store carries a ton of coastal books, Pat Conroy and authors local to the area. And beach reads. Lots of beach reads!       My mountain stores each have their own flavor. Even though Black Mountain and Waynesville are just 40 minutes apart, the books we stock vary widely. Our customers simply like different things.       And yes, we have Staff Picks. It's always fun to see what my staff loves, and our customers like it too! _______________________________________________________________________________ The Bookworm is an online reader's guide featuring wholesome Christian and Clean books from indie, small press, and traditional publishers. Over 100 books are featured in a variety of genres. Grab your free copy here.