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A Time to Serve #5

The Light After the Storm

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In the darkest hours of World War II, courage flares brightest.

As the storm of war intensifies, Clyde finds himself in the thrumming heart of the action. While his valor is tested on the battlefields of Leyte Gulf, Mindoro, and Corregidor, an unacknowledged yearning for the normalcy of civilian life gnaws at him.

At the same time, Shawn battles his inner demons in the unforgiving Burmese jungle, his spirit strained by the brutal realities of guerrilla warfare against the Japanese. The line between duty and darkness blurs, threatening to consume him.

Back on the home front, Abby, scarred by a personal loss and burdened by guilt, seeks solace in the adrenaline-fueled flights of the Women's Auxiliary Ferry Squadron. Her reckless escapades in the sky mirror her turbulent emotions, but a fateful encounter forces her to confront her trauma.

Across the Pacific, Frank navigates treacherous waters of passion and retribution, his mission complicated by his fervor to protect a Filipino woman whose life hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, Sal finds himself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, his quest for justice pitting him against ruthless adversaries.

The lives of the Cooper family intertwine within the epic tapestry of WWII. In the tradition of Jeff Shaara and Ken Follett, The Light After the Storm delivers an epic tale of heroism and sacrifice that will captivate readers from beginning to end.

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What readers are

★★★★★ "...wonderful."
★★★★★ "...tightly woven..."
★★★★★ "...totally engrossing..."
★★★★★ "...makes history come to life..."
★★★★★ "...fast-moving, WWII masterpiece..."

447 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2024

613 people are currently reading
64 people want to read

About the author

Chris Glatte

29 books45 followers

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5 stars
592 (64%)
4 stars
249 (27%)
3 stars
68 (7%)
2 stars
6 (<1%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
1 review1 follower
May 23, 2024
disappointment at the end

Series was well written until the end of the last book. You followed the characters in detail throughout and at the end of the last book it felt to me as it rushed to end - I wanted to read more detail about the characters coming home and starting their lives after surviving such horrific conditions.
Profile Image for David Taylor.
1,548 reviews25 followers
December 11, 2023
An action-packed war story featuring the Cooper clan.

The Light After the Strom, book 5 in A Time to Serve, does an excellent job of tying all the various character arcs together as well as tying up any loose ends that have existed throughout the series. While I’m very hopeful there’s at least one more story involving the Cooper family and their extended families, if this is the end of the series then this story did a fine job ending a series that got me reading war stories after a long hiatus. There are so many elements to this book I find it hard to focus on any one part – Abby’s experiences in this story set me on an emotional roller-coaster, Frank experiences ran the gamut between elation and despair and all the levels between, Clyde’s experiences challenged his very being, and lastly Shawn’s experiences in this episode shown a spotlight on the man he has become. Additionally, you have the interactions between Victor and Sal, that’s about all I’ll say regarding any of these characters because being specific could provide spoilers to what I considered an excellent story. I received an Advance Reader Copy of The Light After the Strom from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
Profile Image for Maria.
3,135 reviews101 followers
July 19, 2024
I requested the latest book in this series, The Light After the Storm, from NetGalley not knowing it was part of a series. This book starts where the last one leaves off, which is fine if you have read the whole series. I have not and with no non-spoiler hints as to what has happened in the previous books, it’s difficult to get a grasp on what’s going on. I tried reading the first in the series and had hoped to progress to this one but despite being about the Philippines in WWII, a favorite topic of mine, the characters were flat and it just didn’t hold my interest. This series is just not for me.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
41 reviews
July 11, 2025
Learn important WWII history of this great country

Life is short, true heroes abound, intrigue and espionage as well. Hate for Americans raged from the Japanese military. I would have liked to know how it was engendered. Humans entered the war on the Allies' side. Not all claimed humanity at the end. Heroic women stepped into often dangerous roles vacated by men necessary for the insane slaughter of all sides. Endearing life goes on in spite of the residual evils of war.
421 reviews4 followers
March 27, 2024
This is definitely a five star book for the followers of this series. (Maybe 4.5 as a first read.). All of the story lines come together with some predictable outcomes and some quite unpredictable. Action supplements the story lines as opposed to being the story line. Highly recommend
Profile Image for Richard.
442 reviews3 followers
May 11, 2024
One of the best WW2 series!

You can't go wrong when your heroes are named Cooper! I hate to come to the end of the series! I appreciate the inclusion of the WASP program in the series!
147 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2024
Highly enjoyed this entire series. Well written and progressed in a timely manner. Kudos to the Author.
I also must admit it was a little sad to see the series end.
However the ending was well done.
36 reviews
May 12, 2024
Excellent read and historically accurate. It was easy to follow and become involved with the characters which were very realistic. This gave me a better understanding as to what our parents and grandparents went through in the Pacific Theatre.
1 review
May 19, 2024
Great reading and anxious for the sequel of the next book!!!!

Great info about different parts and enemies of W W II. Any WWII buff will enjoy the dialogue between soldiers and their reactions to each other. Very realistic!
Profile Image for grace !!.
379 reviews8 followers
December 18, 2024
what am I supposed to do now!? How am I supposed to go on with my life?? I didn't realize just how connected I was to this series until I turned the last page- these books were literally INSANE but I LOVEDDDD them
807 reviews8 followers
May 14, 2024
Wonderful book/series

This book and the whole series have been wonderful. And the families aspect was great. I highly recommend this series. So get started today!
48 reviews
May 28, 2024
Great book

Book is well written and the story is a real page turner. I really enjoyed the series I am sorry that it is over.
Profile Image for Mike.
48 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2024
I like books by Chris Glatte.

Ever wonder what war is really like and the effect it has on those involved....this is a good place for answers...
17 reviews
June 15, 2025
recommended read

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this series! Nice flow of the different stories and characters contained within the over arching plot! Well done!!
Profile Image for Terri Stewart.
576 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2025
Fantastic series. 5 books and I couldn't stop until I read them all. Fact mixed with fiction. Great depiction of WWII fighting the Japanese.
66 reviews
September 2, 2025
Excellent read

Great series set during the 2nd World War. You will especially like this series if you enjoy history. Historical romantic fiction at its best.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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