The Courage Chronicles
Welcome to Day 2 of The Courage Chronicles!
What a joy to partner again with my author friends Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, Karen Barnett, and Joanne Bischof. In the past, we’ve brought you the Hope Chronicles, the Christmas Chronicles, and the Trust Chronicles. This time is very special, since we’re also celebrating the release of Amanda’s absolutely lovely debut novel, Whose Waves These Are (read my glowing review here). We’re giving away copies of each of our books, plus a painting we all did together.
Since we’re talking about courage, we decided to do something new and challenging—we created a collaborative painting! We used a kit from Let’s Make Art and took turns with the watercolors, mailing the painting from person to person over the course of a month. This week we reveal our work!
Here’s some of my portion of the painting… Thrilling, isn’t it?
On each author’s blog, you can watch a video. The posts are located at:
Tues. May 7: Sarah Sundin (you are here!)
Here is my video.
I’d also like to share an excerpt from my latest novel, The Sky Above Us. In this scene, American Red Cross worker Violet Lindstrom needs a bit of courage to know when to keep silent—and when to speak. And she’s also giving fighter pilot Lt. Adler Paxton courage to do what he most desperately needs to do…own up to his past and face his family again. Enjoy!
Adler opened a case and pulled out a trumpet.
Violet sat on the piano bench with her back to the keys. “Do you play?”
He fingered the three valves in a practiced manner, but his expression drifted far away.
Holding her breath, she watched. Waited.
Before long, he plopped onto his backside, leaned back against the wall, and dangled the trumpet between his knees. “Not for”—he let out a dry laugh—“three years. That night.”
The night his fiancée died? “Is that so?”
He frowned at his fingering. “We had a party for Wyatt’s college graduation, big Mexican barbecue. Wyatt on the guitar, Clay on the violin, me on the trumpet. The Gringo Mariachis, we called ourselves.”
She studied his wistful expression. “You were all close once?”
His lips clamped together. “Wyatt and I—we struggled together, like Jacob and Esau—but we got along for the most part. But Clay and I were inseparable. Then I ruined it all. They’ll never forgive me.”
Violet’s chest crushed at the thought. “But your parents? Surely they want to hear—”
“No. Trust me, they never want to hear from me again.” He pushed up to squatting and set the trumpet back in its case. But he lingered and stroked the silver instrument.
Words stirred inside her, and she released them. “Would you like to borrow the trumpet?”
One sharp shake of his head. “The valves stick.”
“Oh!” She darted across the room to a little case on the floor. “This has a bunch of vials and things to care for the instruments. Here we are—valve oil.”
Adler stared at the vial, then at her. “You have a cure for everything, don’t you?”
She laughed. “Only for the valves. Sorry.”
He took the oil. “Don’t suppose this would work on my family, do you?”
Violet smiled down at him. “No, but apologies are remarkably effective at greasing squeaky relationships.”
Thank you for joining me today! Make sure to visit Amanda Dykes’s blog tomorrow for more words of encouragement!
Be strong and courageous, my friends! The Lord will go with you!
[…] Sarah’s Post – Available Tuesday […]
Thoroughly enjoyed this video and putting this book on my TBR list! Thanks for the chance!
Thank you, Rebecca!
Sarah, This excerpt is so precious and heartrending. It has me all the more excited to read the book!
Thanks, Joanne! I’m dying to read your latest 🙂
Great job in the video, as always. I especially like the New Testament reference you cited. It has been my favorite for many years…since my first major life crisis. It’s my go too! This is so much fun. I’m looking forward to reading the other blogs and to seeing the painting!
Thanks, Betty! I find that verse so inspiring.
Sarah I just love your books. I also enjoyed you view on courage and the Bible verses you chose.
Thanks, Patti! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I loved this story, Sarah. (I owe you a review yet.) You have such a great way of taking simple themes and both broadening and deepening them with your characters. I loved the bad-boy-yet-redemptive complexity of Adler. One of my favorite type of hero characterizations.
And also, the painting project sounds like a blast!
Thank you, Naomi! I thoroughly enjoyed writing Adler’s story.
I have always enjoyed reading your WWII novels and the series of the families involved. I just went back and re-read the Wings of Glory series!! And I have read The Sea Before Us and would love to win these books!!!
Thank you so much, Mary! I’m glad you’re enjoying the stories.
So loved “Sea Before Us” on a recommendation from Angela Carlisle; a lovely young woman you know, with whom I work! Cannot wait to read “Sky Above Us” now either!!! Am so impressed with the accurate details you have on this period of time. And the story is riveting.
Oh! I adore Angela! You must be in the pharmacy world too 🙂 I’m a former pharmacist – just quit my hospital job in March. And thank you – I’m thrilled that you enjoyed The Sea Before Us.
I love this little project. I think you are all actually enjoying it! I love the New Testament verse.
We are definitely enjoying it. Thank you!
Great video I love the bible verses
Thanks, Tammy! I do too 🙂
Sarah, It was great “seeing” you! Thank you for sharing these verses!
Thanks for dropping by, Caryl!
[…] Tuesday, May 7, Sarah Sundin’s Post […]
I love this Era of stories, looking forward to the chance to read yours!! Bless you~~
Thank you, Ramona! And thanks for visiting!
Wonderful encouragement! Violet would make a wonderful friend. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
I think so too 🙂
There was so much courage in that “greatest” generation – perseverance in the face of so much adversity
There sure was! That’s why I enjoy writing about them.
I enjoyed how you used friends as the support for your characters facing a tough task. Friends can build us up or tear down. We need to ‘know’ our friends well. This is a learned ‘know’ as we journey through life.
It certainly is!
Love your books and so anxious to read this one!!
Thanks, Jackie!
Thank you for the opportunity ?
Loved the video. Amazing information and hours and hours of research.. I appreciate your dedication…..well done!
Thanks, Carole! I’m glad you enjoyed it.