Red Sky Over Hawaii - by Sara Ackerman (Paperback)

About the Book

The attack on Pearl Harbor changes everything for Lana Hitchcock. Arriving home on the Big Island too late to reconcile with her estranged father, she is left alone to untangle the clues of his legacy, which lead to a secret property tucked away in the remote rain forest of Kilauea volcano. When the government starts taking away neighbors as suspected sympathizers, Lana shelters two young German girls, a Japanese fisherman and his son. As tensions escalate, they are forced into hiding -- only to discover the hideaway house is not what they expected. When a detainment camp is established nearby, Lana struggles to keep the secrets of those in her care. Trust could have dangerous consequences. As their lives weave together, Lana begins to understand the true meaning of family and how the bonds of love carry us through the worst times.

Book Synopsis

Inspired by real places and events of WWII, Red Sky Over Hawaii immerses the reader in a time of American history full of suspicion and peril in this lush and poignant tale about the indisputable power of doing the right thing against all odds.

The attack on Pearl Harbor changes everything for Lana Hitchcock. Arriving home on the Big Island too late to reconcile with her estranged father, she is left alone to untangle the clues of his legacy, which lead to a secret property tucked away in the remote rain forest of Kilauea volcano. When the government starts taking away her neighbors as suspected sympathizers, Lana shelters two young German girls, a Japanese fisherman and his son. As tensions escalate, they are forced into hiding--only to discover the hideaway house is not what they expected.

When a detainment camp is established nearby, Lana struggles to keep the secrets of those in her care. Trust could have dangerous consequences. As their lives weave together, Lana begins to understand the true meaning of family and how the bonds of love carry us through the worst times.

Review Quotes

Praise for the novels of USA TODAY bestselling author Sara Ackerman

"A fascinating novel chronicling the attack on Pearl Harbor and its aftermath... Red Sky Over Hawaii effectively deals with war and its casualties, the science of volcanoes, psychological problems during wartime, and the development of love and true friendship in the midst of tragic circumstances." -Bookreporter.com

"With effortless prose, Ackerman skillfully navigates the early days of WWII with captivating characters bonded by circumstance. Mystery and magic are woven around Lana and the pages of this book, delivering a beautiful and thoughtful novel that pays tribute to the lore of the islands, their people, and those who stand up for the ones who cannot." -Noelle Salazar, bestselling author of The Flight Girls on RED SKY OVER HAWAII

"The Lieutenant's Nurse illuminates the attack on Pearl Harbor with a riveting drama told from a unique perspective. Sara Ackerman brings a time and place to vivid life, putting a human and heroic face on events that changed history. I savored every page!" --Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Set against the backdrop of the attack on Pearl Harbor, The Lieutenant's Nurse is an emotional and heartfelt tale of love and courage. Depicting a dramatic period in history, Ackerman's richly detailed and evocative writing transports the reader, bringing Hawaii to life." --Chanel Cleeton, USA TODAY bestselling author of Next Year in Havana

"Ackerman's winning historical novel is fast-paced and rife with nonstop action, romance, and suspense." -Publishers Weekly on The Lieutenant's Nurse

"For readers who enjoy historical fiction of the WWII era and a complicated romantic novel, The Lieutenant's Nurse certainly ticks those boxes." -Bookreporter.com

"Ackerman has a real talent for writing vivid descriptions and compelling characters.... I couldn't put this one down. Highly recommended." -Historical Novel Society, Editor's Choice, on The Lieutenant's Nurse

"A dramatic saga of motherhood, loss and the possibility of renewal... With a sensitive touch and an instinct for authenticity, Ackerman depicts the fraught nature of wartime relationships... mixes romance, suspense and history into a bittersweet story of cinematic proportions." --BookPage on Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers

"A unique portrait of WWII... Ackerman's clear prose delineates how the ignorance that ran rampant could be healed by love. The interesting and well-crafted plot and characters carry the story while the backdrop will bring readers back in time. Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers is a novel of courage and compassion that is sure to satisfy fans of WWII literature." --RT Book Reviews

"A close-up look at how wartime chaos affects a tight-knit group of women living on Hawaii in 1944 at the height of Pacific combat.... [Violet's] journey overcoming her trials and grief through friendship, family, and romance is a story of strength and perseverance." --Booklist on Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers

"Strong female friendships and an unusual World War II home front setting add to this debut novel's appeal for historical fiction fans." --Library Journal on Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers

"Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers is part mystery and part history. The setting of Hawaii during the expansion of WWII into the Pacific theater is uniquely captivating. A must-read historical fiction, an emotional and evocative story of an era not so long ago when war was literally on our doorstep. Don't miss this impressive debut novel!" --Readertoreader.com