Highlighting Historical Romance with Sally Brandle on the facts behind Sapphire Promise
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. That fact I knew. Within hours, they also bombed Guam and the Philippines (also US possessions) and the British colonies of Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaya. Within days, Japan occupied Guam and the Philippines. Even though my father fought in the Pacific to free the defenseless people living in the Philippines and New Guinea, I was clueless about thousands of other people who died on that fateful day. My father, like many soldiers, never spoke about the traumatic things he experienced during that part of history.
Eighty years later I collaborated with Iris, a dear, 97-years-young, Dutch-American friend to tell her uplifting and inspirational story and learn her reasons to revere American soldiers. Her idyllic childhood took place in Batavia, (now Jakarta) Indonesia. A privileged colonial life and her sweet romance was impacted in a wonderful and then horrible manner by the bombs dropped 6,700 miles away on December 7th.
A sensitive and accurate portrayal of my heroine’s scenes with her live-in Indonesian servants led me to request help from members of The Indo Project. Indos are people of Indonesian and European descent. I felt relief after reading this comment. “The words take you there. Sapphire Promise is truly a gem that will transport you through time, to a place from long ago. The details honor the wonder of the Dutch East Indies — a place where European structure and grace met the natural beauty and warmth of the Tropics. These vivid details captured the essence of what my dear Oma deeply yearned to return to, but never could. This coming-of-age story occurs during a time of great turbulence. The author takes such care in reminding the reader about what it means to be human, love, care, survive, and heal.” Jamie Stern, Director of Research, The Indo Project Trauma Therapist, Family Counselor.
About the Book
Loyalty to family. Trusting instincts. The will to survive. These virtues are deeply embedded in a mature Dutch teenager, Annika Wolter. Her attributes prove useful as she navigates typical coming-of-age insecurities and a blossoming romance with a handsome lieutenant in 1939 Batavia, Java.
Nothing prepares her for the distress of Hitler’s attacks on European countries followed by Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor, toppling her idyllic life in the Dutch East Indies colonial society and separating her from the man she loves. Uplifting events from a true story showcase how determination, nursing basics, and language skills keep a young woman and her mother alive in the worst Japanese internment camp in the Pacific. If you admire clever women and unfailing love in a tropical wartime setting, you will be captivated by Sapphire Promise.
Sapphire Promise is available from:
Amazon in eBook, paperback, and Large Print https://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Promise-Based-loyalty-unfailing/dp/194423201X
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sapphire-promise-sally-brandle/1139543401
Google Books: https://books.google.com/books/about/Sapphire_Promise.html?id=I9ZqzgEACAAJ
About the Author
Multiple-award winning author Sally Brandle weaves slow-burning romance into edgy suspense, motivating readers to trust their instincts. Growing up as a tomboy alongside helpful brothers prepared her to work in a male-centric industry and raise respectful sons. She takes pride in creating action-packed stories featuring strong women who find men deserving of their love. Her unintentional heroines conquer their vulnerabilities and partner with heroes to outwit cunning villains. Historical research and consultations with a variety of experts proved invaluable while she penned her fourth published novel, Sapphire Promise. Sally’s rescued Tuxedo cat, Shepherd dog, and Blue Heeler are her companions during long spells of writing or bouts of tormenting weeds in her garden. Afternoons she often spends riding on the wind with her thirty-one years young Quarter Horse.
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