The Bravest Soldiers: A WWII Historical Novel of Romance, Love, and Longing (The Immense Sky Saga)

A mother’s love. A new love. As the Pacific War looms ever closer to Australia, will waiting and wondering break their hearts? September 1939 . Sophie Parker nursed wounded soldiers in France during the Great War. She knows the physical and mental devastation war can wreak on hearts, minds, and bodies. When WWII breaks out, and Australia is called to join the effort, Sophie knows all too well what her sons will face when they enlist to fly and fight. Marianne Ryan grew up in a French town battered by the Germans during the Great War. But while she spends WWII in Sydney, far from her home and family in occupied France, the new love she never expected to find could break her heart beyond repair. With the war looming ever closer to Australia, Sophie and Marianne must watch and wait as the Japanese cut a swath through the Pacific. Can the two women be as courageous as the men they love? As they are in all wars, the women who wait at home must be the bravest soldiers. The Bravest Soldiers is the next chapter of romance, love, and longing in the Parker – Ryan family story begun in Dare Not Tell, but can be read as a standalone. “A sweeping portrait of life on the Australian home front during the second World War.” – The BookLife Prize by Publisher’s Weekly “”A compelling story told with insight and understanding… Wonderfully awash in the early twentieth century atmosphere, this hard-to-put-down historical tale is a must-read.”” – The Prairies Book Review “”…an emotionally rich reading experience that beautifully captures the profound impact of war on individuals and relationships. Schroller’s writing combines a keen sense of historical accuracy with relatable emotions, deep dialogue exchanges, and close, raw narrative skill, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a truly meaningful level.”” – Readers Favorite 5-star Review “”Elaine Schroller has written a really beautiful family saga in The Bravest Soldiers… The novel spans years but, in crafting the story, Schroller is careful not to sacrifice the daily details in order to whittle down an epic.”” – Readers Favorite 5-star Review “”I could easily enter the mindset of many of the characters and needed to pause several times due to tears that fell. I now feel compelled to seek out the first book in Elaine Schroller’s brilliantly written account of what it is like living during a major world war, as I have lost so many family members to both World Wars and many other battles between and beyond. Having grown up in Queensland and Canberra, I smiled as I visualized the Blue Mountains and was shocked at what people in Australia had to do back home while the men were away fighting.”” – Readers Favorite 5-star Review “Despite Ms. Schroller being American, she does an outstanding job writing about the Second World War in Australia, from understand the language and slang, attitudes towards people of Japanese descent, enforcing the black out and building trenches in backyards, rationing, role of the women’s land army, coast watchers and native messengers, Aussie soldiers fighting in the jungles of New Guinea and the physical and mental toll it took on them. …I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.” – Goodreads 4-star Review – Goodreads 4-star Review “I can’t wait for a sequel! Historical fiction lovers need to source out this saga – I’m confident they’ll enjoy the Parker-Ryan family story.” – Goodreads 5-star Review “I suspect readers will come to love the Parker family, as did I. It is such a great story that I savor it still. A 5-Star rating from me.” – Goodreads 5-star Review Winner – 2023 American Writing Awards Historical Fiction & Historical Romance Winner – 2023 BREW Project 20th Century Historical Romance Award Semi-finalist – 2023 CIBA Hemingway Awards for 20th Century Wartime Fiction —- ISBN: 9798985261639