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A Time to Serve #4

The Last Test of Courage

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As WWII surges forward, the Cooper family struggles to survive on the front lines…and on the home front.

Clyde Cooper and his fellow paratroopers have returned to Australia after a highly successful operation in New Guinea. But the respite is brief as a new mission looms on the horizon. Jumping onto Nooemfor Island will push the veterans to their limits, and plunge them into deadly combat against an enemy that refuses to admit defeat.

Clyde’s brother, Frank, has escaped the iron grip of the brutal Japanese POW camp and landed in a tropical paradise. But he’s not content to let the war roll on by. With help from his native hosts, Frank braves the seas, determined to rejoin the fight. But when he finally re-enters the fray, he may regret his decision.

Cousin Shawn remains deep inside Burma battling side by side with the Kachin Rangers as an OSS operative—taking the fight to the enemy in their own backyard. But the Japanese are far from defeated, meeting the offensive with unexpectedly stiff resistance. Unfamiliar with the Burmese jungles, Shawn’s OSS cadre and the Kachin Rangers struggle to gain the advantage. But they must retain a foothold in Burma at all costs…or risk losing one of the most important Allied supply routes in the region.

Meanwhile, back in the US, Abby Cooper is embracing her new role flying for the WASPs. But she quickly realizes her profession entails dangers beyond what she ever imagined. Now, Abby is questioning everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.

There is no end in sight to this worldwide calamity. Tragedy and sacrifice surround the Cooper family on all fronts. And the only way forward is through their strength, resolve, and faith in one another.

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2023

978 people are currently reading
2200 people want to read

About the author

Chris Glatte

29 books44 followers

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5 stars
506 (55%)
4 stars
296 (32%)
3 stars
79 (8%)
2 stars
19 (2%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for David Taylor.
1,532 reviews25 followers
October 5, 2023
An excellent addition to A Time to Serve!!
There was a time when I wouldn’t read WWII stories, however in the last couple of year Chris Glatte and a couple of other authors have changed that mindset. The last Test of Courage is by far the best book in this series, not only is it filled with action, but several “loose ends” from the first three books are starting to coalesce. At this point I feel like I grew up with the Cooper boys and following them on their adventures throughout the pacific theater is addicting, of course following Abby’s adventures is just as addicting even if the action is of a different nature. I will have to say Chris put a scene in this book that wasn’t just unexpected, I have to say I had no clue it was coming. Unfortunately, now I’ll have to wait patiently for the next book to see where that bit of misdirection takes the story. I receive d an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher and chose to provide my review.

Profile Image for Lynn.
1,328 reviews
September 14, 2024
War has its ups and downs. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The highs of hope and the lows of despair. Frank Cooper, Neil Winstad and Larry Grinning Bear have fought bravely and successfully against the Japanese during WWII. We feel their euphoria and their fear. Now, after their transport ship sank, they have been lazing around on a lush Pacific island for a month. They are now leaving. In canoes fashioned by the natives. And the story begins.

Frank’s brother, Clyde, is a paratrooper in Australia. Clyde’s wife Abbie is a WASP pilot, ferrying planes between locations in the US. All involved in the war effort

They all worry about each other. Anxious for news of their families and friends. Wanting this nightmarish war to end.

I read this EARC courtesy of Edelweiss and Severn River Publishing. 2023
89 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2023
War in the Pacific

Fighting Japanese on bug infested islands is grueling. The descriptions of carnage are precise and heart stopping. The scenes described as men huddled in their foxholes, hoping the grenades and bombs launched at them did not find their foxhole caused me to tremble as I continued to read.

There was war going on in the U.S. as well. Sal was home from his military assignment and found he was enjoying his time getting to know the baby. But he was involved in a project to bring the owner of a manufacturing plant before authorities and expose what damage he had caused to other manufacturers with the destruction of the competition’s plant.

So the tensions are on every page. Stay strong and keep reading.
4 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2024
Another abrupt end to an interesting story

If this author had written The Lord of the Rings, it would have been divided into thirty separate books instead of three. Each volume in this series is short and ends abruptly -- like a television series whose objective is to have you tune in next week, rather than telling you a complete story this week. But it is a good story and I won't long be able to resist buying the next installment
145 reviews
October 24, 2023
I received an advanced reader copy of this book for my honest review. This is a continuation of a great series about experiences of a family during WWII. The story does jump around a bit as it moves around to different family members. The characters and their stories are great. It would be best to read these books in order. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
3 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2023
Goodreads Giveaway win.
I have read many WW II books, but this is the first that follows different members of the same family. It is an exciting story and for me somewhat gory in a few parts (weak stomach here). I wasn’t prepared for it to end in a cliffhanger and now I have to read the next book to find out what happens with each person.
39 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2023
fantastic story

Another great book in the series written by Chris Glatte. The family of patriots struggle with the horrors experienced by many during WWII.
Chris is able to flip back and forth between the 4-5 main personalities of the book seamlessly while having the reader anxious to continue reading each family members experiences.

Great read.
Profile Image for Hannah Cooper.
173 reviews21 followers
December 27, 2023
I received this book from the publisher and a good read giveaway.

I really enjoy this type of novel as we can venture into different experiences within the war whether it be a soldier or a WASP and so on. I did not know this book was part of a series but you don’t really need to know it unless you want to know more about the characters relationships.
Profile Image for Richard.
387 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2023
Cooper family still fighting the war!

The storytelling from different people involved in the war is brilliant! I especially appreciate the addition of the WASP program, so little is shared in most books about WW2! I share the sane last name so that is a bonus!
805 reviews8 followers
October 31, 2023
Really good series

This series is fast paced and really interesting and passionate. It is interesting to me as I have not read much of WW 2 in the Pacific. The battles are realistic and brutally protrayed. I highly recommend this series.
29 reviews
November 6, 2023
Book 4 A Time to Serve Series

A very good book with the world war 2 back ground. While reading you learn about OSS in Burma and the women who fly aircraft around the USA. Glatt develops the characters vey well and makes the book and series a very good read.
1 review
November 13, 2023
These are great and well written.
A suggestion might be that the author put in a prologue to remind us of what has happened previously and who is who.
The movies that we stream do this. It wouldn’t hurt.
6 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2023
wonderful read

Wonderful read. I particularly like his story isn’t about the horrors of war, but the intimate stories of the soldiers & the civilians left behind, both struggling to return to their lives.
I truly enjoyed these books.
Profile Image for Mary.
2,638 reviews
October 3, 2023
Wonderful read even though it has a cliffhanger ending.
5 reviews
October 11, 2023
I am not a fan of WW II books as a rule but this may have just changed my mind. I will definitely be on the lookout for the sequel.
1 review1 follower
Want to read
October 24, 2023
I won, but didn't realize it was a Kindle book. Si I dud not access it because I prefer physical books.
64 reviews
November 30, 2023
Cooper family series set in WW2

Another superb follow up in the series. Chris Glatte continues to deliver on the brilliant story. Great battle scenes and personal struggles.
3 reviews
December 2, 2023
Burma

I found the scenes in Burma quite interesting. My father served there in the war and so little is written about that, mostly forgotten, part of WWII.
364 reviews
Read
May 16, 2025
Quality reading

Great story line, lots of excitement, adventure and life. A real family story taking place at a terrible time.
Rock on!
Profile Image for Terri Stewart.
523 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2025
On the the fifth and final book in the series. Looking forward to having it all tie up with the end of the war.
7 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2024
While this may be a great series when read from the first book, as a stand alone, Book #4 does not engage the reader and is like trying to follow a conversation heard only in short bursts of words. I managed about 100 pages and gave up on the characters (who I had trouble matching up) and the theaters of action. This was a free book from the publisher and would have been better served going to a dedicated fan of the series. This is not a criticism of the author, merely a reflection of my previous reading choices.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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