The Gods Will Sing Our Song: a World War II historical romance with magic, myth and the power of love

The Gods Will Sing Our Song by Autumn Krause is a sweeping World War II historical romance with magic, myth and the power of love. In 1942, the world is at war and two lives are set to meet and their lives will change forever. Seventeen year old Ren Hamada has a troubled past that seems to follow him. Violet Aratani seemingly has the perfect life with loving parents and a bright future with college in front of her. However, in May 1942, Ren, Violet and their community of Japanese Americans were rounded up and sent to the Manzanar Relocation Camp in the California desert. Ren and Violet have little in common except the family relics they prize. Together, they discover a god walks among them as his mortal form is tethered to the camp and only Ren and Violet have the power to release him. Would a divine favor be powerful enough to save them and their families? Will they have the strength and resilience to fight for their survival? 

I was first pulled to this story by its cover and then I knew I wanted to read it when the blurb. Inspired by the author's true family history of internment and resilience, The Gods Will Sing Our Song is a fast paced, intriguing story with emotion and tensions. The internment of the Japanese Americans during World War II is another horrible, devastating period of American history. Ms Krause describes the internment camp and its condition in vivid detail that my heart broke for these people who loved the US and their only crime was being Japanese. I enjoyed the mixture of history and Japanese mythology. Ren and Violet’s interaction with the god was fun and powerful as Ren is skeptical and Violet believes. I could not put this book down as tensions rose. I even loved reading the author’s note as she explained the inspiration for this powerful story. While this book is categorized as young adult, I highly, highly recommend The Gods Will Sing Our Song for everyone. 

The Gods Will Sing Our Song will be available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

on September 1, 2026

Promise of Tomorrow: forbidden love, family secrets and second chances

Promise of Tomorrow by Tess Thompson is the second book of the Castaway Christmas series. Millicent Cashmere appears to have a life of luxury as the only child of the wealthy family. However, she is a literal prisoner in her father’s mansion. She is forbidden to have friends or go to school. Her only company is books. Teddy Hill is the humble son of the Cashmere chauffeur. He admired Millicent from afar for years. When a series of tragic events brings them closer Teddy is determined to protect Millicent and rescue her from her prison. As family secrets reveal themselves, can she finally break free from the darkness that has filled her life? Can they find a way to forge a life together in the face of the worst circumstances? 

Promise of Tomorrow is a historical fiction about forbidden love, family secrets and second chances. It is a story of resilience and the power of love and community. I wanted to reach through the book and rescue Millicent myself. As the attitudes of the time, the book takes place in 1914, daughters were property of their father, with very little voice. I cheered as Teddy stepped up and helped Millicent out of a horrible situation. Seeing their slow growing love story was wonderful. I enjoyed visiting Castaway Cove and the characters from the first book, Come Tomorrow. Readers do not need to read the first book to enjoy Promise of Tomorrow, however, I highly recommend it as it is another wonderful story. I highly recommend Promise of Tomorrow. 

Promise of Tomorrow is available in paperback and eBook. 

A Single Swallow: a heartbreaking story

A Single Swallow by Zhang Ling, translated by Shelly Bryant is a story about the devastation of war, forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of love. On the historic day, August 15, 1945, the Jewel Voice Broadcast aired the speech of Emperor Hirohito which announced Japan’s surrender to the Allied Forces, bringing an end to World War II. Three men made a pact. After their deaths, each year on the anniversary of the broadcast, their souls would return to Yuehu, the Chinese village where they fought and survived in a war that shook the world and changed their lives forever. Now seventy years later, the pledge is being fulfilled by Pastor Billy, an American missionary, Ian Ferguson, a brash gunner’s mate, and Liu Zhaohu, a local soldier. All that is missing is Yao Ah Yan. She was the girl each man loved in his own profound way. As they retell their personal stories of the war and the woman who touched his life, the story of Ah Yan is revealed. What was her story and how did she profoundly influence the lives of these three men? 

A Single Swallow is a beautiful story told from the memories of three dead men who talk about their wartime experiences. Experiences centered around one woman. From the opening chapter, I was pulled into the interesting premise of these men visiting after death. I eagerly turned each page as I read how each man knew this woman and how they changed each other’s lives, for good and bad. It was a book I could not put down. I happened to finish it in a few hours. But the story was so engaging that I barely noticed the time. Ms. Zhang weaves a complex tapestry of cause and consequence that can forever shape one’s life and how our inner strength determines how we respond to those situations and challenges. I also enjoyed the ending and felt it was very fitting. It was a captivating read which figures a part of the World War II story that is overshadowed by stories of the European front. A few reviews I read disliked that Ah Yan’s voice is never heard; however, I enjoyed this aspect as it gave her a mysterious air. I highly recommend A Single Swallow. 

A Single Swallow is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook