With Love, Wherever You Are

by Dandi Daley Mackall

Everyone knows that war romances never last . . .After a whirlwind romance and wedding, Helen Eberhart Daley, an army nurse, and Lieutenant Frank Daley, M.D. are sent to the front lines of Europe with only letters to connect them for months at a time.Surrounded by danger and desperately wounded patients, they soon find that only the war seems real—and their marriage more and more like a distant dream. If they make it through the war, will their marriage survive?Based on the incredible true love story, With Love, Wherever You Are is an adult novel from beloved children’s author Dandi Daley Mackall.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical, World War II, Christian

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2017

About the author

A professional writer for over 20 years, Dandi Daley Mackall has written dozens of articles for popular magazines and published around 500 books for children and adults alike, with sales of over 4 million.

A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.

Reviews

[Sarah Sundin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting and endearing, With Love, Wherever You Are tells the real-life story of the romance between the author’s parents. With spunk and humor, Frank and Helen navigate the hardships, loss, and dangers of war. Dandi Daley Mackall paints a sweet but accurate picture, and I was hooked. Thoroughly engaging!

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet love story based upon letters sent between the author's parents during WWII.

While I enjoyed the entire novel, I especially liked the section of the book when Helen and Frank first met and were serving at the same stateside hospital. My heart melted at the kindness they each showed to the patients, especially the three friends.

The author did a nice job of weaving historical details and bits of humor throughout the novel. Well done!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! It was a bit slow at one point, but overall, a great read. I have so much respect for what these men and women did for their country, and this hit home even more so because it is based on the author's parents and their real letters. You can tell she put her heart and soul into this book, and it's an inspiring story. Full review to come.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like chocolate candy for a historical fiction lover like me! The author chose to take the letters that her parents wrote to one another while serving the in the military during WW2, as well as the stories she remembered them telling during her childhood, and weave them together into a novel.
And what a marvelous job Dandi Daley MacKall did! She crafted a historical fiction story based on the lives of two members of the “Greatest Generation” and their experiences during one of the most horrific times the world has ever seen. It is a testimony to what absolute true love can accomplish, even in times of great sorrow.
I highly recommend this to any and every historical fiction lover!

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dandi Daley Mackall’s With Love, Wherever You Are is a stirring and emotional WWII novel. I became invested in the characters, seeing the war through their eyes and circumstances. I smiled often, and more than once, I cried. Already I miss spending time with Frank and Helen and the doctors, nurses, and patients who surrounded them, all of them ordinary people thrown into extraordinary and often painful circumstances. Put this novel on your Must Read list for 2017.
— Robin Lee Hatcher, RITA and Christy Award winning author of You’ll Think of Me and Keeper of the Stars

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Love, Wherever You Are was a really good romance. The story was a slower one, but I actually quite enjoyed it. The letters grew on me and I loved how it showcased how a relationship/marriage progressed beautifully. It was awesome to learn that the story was based on the author's parents' love story.

The book had some difficult scenes and I never knew how things were going to go. I felt bad for certain characters at times and the ending was unexpected (it happened to quickly; I wanted more!).

All in all, With Love, Wherever You Are was very good and I recommend it to fans of historical romance novels -- especially if you like WWII novels.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit it. I'm a sucker for wartime romances. This one caught me immediately. Because it's based on the author's parent's love story. I loved everything about this book. Both Frank and Helen were well written. My heart rejoiced and broke for them as they navigated a war separated marriage. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. Their letters made me feel like I really knew these characters.

At the end of the book, the author, in her note, explains how she came to write her parents' story. I think that was probably my favorite part.

I loved this book.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher for free in order to share my honest opinions about this book. I was not compensated in any way. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of WWII, historical fiction, Sarah Sundin

Rating - 5 stars

[Chautona Havig · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book. I had gone into it expecting a mostly-epistolary novel, but it's only somewhat so. While I did like the book and thought it was well written, I did have trouble keeping focused on it at times.

Still, I loved watching simple faith become deep faith, and infatuation turn to sincere, deep love. Well done.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love stories about real life happenings. This book was created from a trunk of letters that Dandi Daley Mackall read through after her parents passed. How neat to create the lives of your parents from old stories and letters! This book is fiction but there are letters included and it really wraps the whole story up nicely. You are taken to the middle of war after Pearl Harbor and you get to see two different sides on what all goes on. I thought this was a well written book. At times it was a bit slow for me, but I still enjoyed it!



Four stars.



"I received this book from Tyndale Publishers for free. All opinions are my own."

[Abigail Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I really loved this book........ Should I review it in full?!

I forgot to come back to do a full review this but here's a little more depthful review...

The characters are developed well, the story while longer than most was one that I would have loved to have more to, the romance was just so well done and I fell in love with the whole darling thing!

[Karen R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely WW2 romance based on the author's own parents' story, told mainly through correspondence. The narrative between the letters is well-written, filling in the story, giving a perspective from both Helen and Frank, with a touch of humor sometimes. Their frustrations of being separated, determination to find a way to see each other, and remain loyal to their vows, is conveyed well. Their love story is a bright contrast to the daily challenges they face as Army medical personnel, and the ugly reality of war that surrounds them. Faith, hope and love shine through the darkness that they face. I couldn't rest until I found out how it ended for them, and their siblings too. I really liked the added index with details of the real people, including pictures and actual letters, plus the author's personal account.

Highly recommend for mature readers who enjoy an authentic romance tale set in wartime.

(An e-book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.)

[Hannah Brigmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

this one was extra special because it’s written by my great aunt about my great grandparents — their love made a special impact on three generations and counting!!!

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 4 out of 5]

of my favorite two fiction genres to read is World War II. The second is mysteries, suspense, and thrillers. World War II grips my imagination because of the heroic men, women, and boys of the 1940's. I enjoy how they didn't think twice about lying about their age or enlisting to defend our country. It is hard to believe that it has only been a little over seventy years since World War II, and America's values has gone so far south that there really isn't values anymore. The heroines of World War II wouldn't even recognize our country anymore. With a World War II novel, I expect to be taken through a number of war-torn countries with characters who are fighting horrible odds.

In Dandi Daley MacKall's debut adult novel, With Love, Wherever You Are, she has taken the liberty of recreating her parents' World War II adventures and love affair and making it come to reality of me. The story is written in a normal prose pattern to show the action between Helen and Frank, but there are authentic letters from MacKall's parents thrown in to show the emotions and true conflict these two were pressed up against. The novel begins around Easter in 1944 and ends right after the Japanese surrender in the middle of August 1945. The pace of the novel seemed long-winded. This was a 460 page novel, so it is a lot longer than most stories, which I don't mind if they're written well. MacKall had a lot of repeated scenes, so the novel appeared to move slowly for me.

The writing was clear and concise, allowing me to follow the war marriage between Helen and Frank. The letters enhanced the story, bringing the characters to life. I can't imagine all the research and the numerous drafts that MacKall had to go through to bring justice to her parents' love story. I'm sure it was plenty. It is hard enough to bring history to life when writing a story that I don't have an emotional attachment to. This story was her parents' story.

I enjoyed spending time with Helen and Frank. They were truly heroes of this generation. They didn't think about themselves until they found someone they wanted to spend the rest of the their lives with. Helen was a take charge nurse who thought of her patients and wanted the best for them. Frank, on the other hand, worked really close to the enemies' lines and MacKall didn't have him complain once, knowing he could die at any moment. Even though MacKall was trying to recreate her parents, I think both characters were static. Neither one of them had a character transformation through the novel. There was mention of God, but I really didn't know where either character stood in their relationship with God in the whole story.

While I admire MacKall for wanting to bring her parents' love story to life with all the research she did, I believe the story should have been shorter with more meat to the made-up characters. As an avid reader of World War II novels, I wanted more.

I could be the only one that feels this way too. I think fans of World War II romances could pick up this book and think I'm crazy, wanting to read more of With Love, Wherever You Are. That' s okay too. We all have our own opinions.

I received a complimentary copy of Dandi Daley MacKall's With Love, Wherever You Are from Tyndale Publishing, and the opinions stated are all my own.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being entrusted with hundreds of your parents' love letters with the caveat that you can't read them until both mom and dad are gone. What a bittersweet moment that must have been when the author finally got to open that first letter. As she read of their wartime romance, creative juices started to flow and the result is the astounding fictional account of Frank and Helen love's story. And it is totally brilliant.

Be sure to read the author's note at the back of the book which includes the most spectacular pictures. There's one of Helen sitting on Frank's lap. She's smiling at the camera but he only has eyes for her. Besotted about sums him up -- in real life and the fictional one Mackall has created.

Just to be clear -- this isn't a biography -- from what I understand, the author used the letters and her parents' wartime service as inspiration. Only she knows fact from fiction but vivid first-hand details make this one outstanding novel. From the hospital scenes to the outrageous banter between nurse and patient to the infuriating actions of the army (I hope they've evolved since the 1940s!) an authentic period vibe rings true through the entire read.

I loved the format -- letters interspersed with actual scenes. Everything flowed together so well that I just couldn't put this book down. I wanted to savor every glorious moment of Frank and Helen's story. It was pretty much love at first sight for him. Not so much for her. Helen carries some wounds from childhood which makes her wary of love -- especially committing herself to marriage. But war sharpens emotions. There's conflict and tension, hope and despair, laughter and tears. In short -- the stuff real life is made of.

A magnificent, remarkable, glorious read!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Love, Wherever You Are, written by Dandi Daley Mackall, is a historical romance set in WWII. The story is based off love letters written by her parents.

Helen Eberhart joined the Army as a nurse after Pearl Harbor. She is given the assignment of caring for severly wounded soldiers.

Frank Daley joined so he could finish medical school. He was hoping that he would not have to face battle. However, he ends up going to bootcamp and then to Europe to serve in a battlefield hospital. While serving the two met. The couple encountered love, faith and sacrifices as they had a whirlwind courtship and wedding. Then while serving the two had to cling to the thread of their love as they faced the dangers and struggle of taking care of their patients.

The author was able to make this couple come alive as she took the letters and was able to show the love this couple had as they faced uncertainty from the beginning. You can tell the love Dandi has for these two as she creates strong, yet loving characterizations of Frank and Helen. This is a well-written romance that touches the heart of the reader.

I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sweet love story about Helen, an army nurse & Fank, an army doctor, who meet while serving soldiers during World War II. I enjoyed their adventures, getting lost in the time period, and the letters sprinkled throughout the story. I think just about every scene where Helen interacts with wounded soldier boys made me cry—or at least brought tears!

Helen & Frank’s compassion, faith & sacrifice are truly inspiring. I’m so glad that this book is based on their true story because these two selfless heroes deserved a real-life happy ending!

Reading Dandi Daley Mackall’s novel took me back to many happy childhood hours spent devouring the Cherry Ames & Sue Barton books—two series about nurses that were popular with tween girls in the 60s & 70s.

For me, this was a 5-Star read!

[Lily]

Sale alert! $2.99 paperback on Christianbook right now!

https://www.christianbook.com/with-lo...

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Love, Wherever You Are is based on a true love story of newlyweds, Helen Eberhart Daley and Frank Daley. They find themselves separated when they are sent to Europe during World War II. Helen works as an army nurse and Frank is an army lieutenant and a doctor. The two are only able to connect through their letters to one another. Between the distance and danger will their marriage make it through the war?
I thought With Love, Wherever You Are to be a pretty good read. I felt like I was transported back to the World War II in Europe and the emotions the nurses and doctors must have went through treating the wounded. I love reading Helen and Frank's letters. So heartbreaking and emotional at times and sweet and tender at others.
I would definitely rate this book 5 stars and believe it to be a must read.
I received this book from Netgalley.com, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

WITH LOVE, WHEREVER YOU ARE, by Dandi Daley Mackall
Helen Eberhart has aspired to be a nurse since she was a girl. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurs, she decides to enlist as an Army nurse. While she is in training for a wartime assignment—she hopes in Europe, since she hates heat—she meets Frank Daley, a doctor who is undergoing basic training before being sent to a battlefield hospital—he hopes in the Pacific, because he hates being cold.
After their memorable first encounter, they begin a friendship which quickly blossoms into love. Despite the almost unanimous disapproval of their family and friends, Frank and Helen marry after a whirlwind courtship. First Frank, then Helen, are sent to separate duty stations in the heart of the European conflict.
Beginning a marriage by correspondence—“With love, wherever you are”—forms the basis of this gripping novel. But the hospital scenes and wartime conditions are fully as much a part of the story as their romance. The realism of the situations they encounter in their separate fields of medicine left me with images I won’t soon forget.
Based on a true love story, With Love, Wherever You Are, is an outstanding novel. I couldn’t put it down. Readers who enjoy World War II-era fiction will want to put this one at the top of their list. It’s not to be missed!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew that I was going to like the book when I read it's "blurb". Well....I more than liked it. It was definitely a book that I'll keep and remember - probably even read again in a year or so (which I rarely do). Actually, I had a hard time putting the book down and finished it within a few days - unusual for me with a paperback, as I usually only read when my Kindle isn't available. Although fictional, the story is based upon letters (and probably stories she heard) between the author's Mom and Dad - during WW II. The characters were so vividly portrayed that you didn't know if they were real or fictional. One of the things that I especially liked about the book was the fact that the author showed that even during the war there was time for some "fun" which we tend to forget. This was the first I've read anything by the author, but I'll be checking out her other books, definitely. Highly recommended for anyone, actually, but especially for readers of romance, Christian, and historical.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet, endearing story of love that survives war and is sustained by letters and a few romantic rendezvous. I absolutely love that this was based on the author’s parents’ marriage and wartime experiences. There are so many great characters to enjoy (and be annoyed by- Victoria, anyone?), and although some of these events feel so dramatic, they’re also completely believable. A longer novel than most, but so worth it.

[Courtney Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the authors' real parents, this story of love unfolds during the tumultuous times of WWII. It's a story of compassion, of working hard to serve where you are, of finding a peace only God can sustain, and most of all, of the strength of love. Longer review to come.

[Tammy K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic war true love story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book once it got going. I was not wanting it to end. I so enjoyed reading a chapter a day. Great inspiring about true love and how they handled different situations, making mistakes along the way, and walking with God. Wow.....truly enjoyed the wartime stories as well. I highly recommend this book.

[pais ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"With love, Daddy Frankie"

this 5 star review was for daddy frankie

-realistic
-based on a true story
-super cute my gosh
-SWOONING

I'm begging you, please go read my kindle highlights

link:
book highlights

[Raechel Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4

This was a sweet WWII fiction, but what was better was that it was based upon the true story of the author’s own parents. That fact I found most touching.
Frank and Helen had a bit of a whirlwind marriage – a war marriage – and they went months in between seeing each other, yet their love for one another remained strong. They chose one another, and that was very sweet.
The story was well written, and I think very realistic. Sometimes I found it a tad bit slow, but not at all uninteresting – it’s a very good story.
I’ve read quite a few WWII fiction books and this was one that really felt authentic – the real story of it shone through beautifully and added a great depth to it. Truly, I think my favourite part of this book was the end bit where the author gave us a look behind the fiction into the fact. That was so neat to read, and see a copy of one of the original letters – what a special keepsake!
Fans of good WWII Fiction will definitely enjoy this one. :)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Tyndale Review Program. All thoughts are my own.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I savored it. I tried to make it last, but alas, all too soon, it came to the end. What did I discover at the end? This book was based off of real stories, letters of real WW2 heroes/heroines.

If you love WW2 and the real people that were involved, you will love this book. It really gives a unique insiders look at a war romance, without really hiding the hard stuff. It is not graphic, but it gives the clear picture of the hardships they faced. You have to get it!

[Neva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the true story of the authors parents, but does not read as a documentary. Gives a peek at the true horrors people went through and the way people coped. At the same time the love and reality of a courtship and marriage during the war.

[Reeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book.
It feels 'real.' I know she is telling a true story, but this is good writing so it isn't just real, it 'feels' real because of the way you feel like you're in it yourself.
It has that laughter and tears combo that is irresistible to me.

[Rose Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming portrayal of one couple's tumultuous relationship during the Second World War. Mackall's characters, based as they are on real people ring true. This gentle historical romance has just the right balance of sweetness and realism and I really enjoyed it.

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book to read by Dandi Daley Mackall. It was wonderful! The writing was great, the words used for picturesque — the whole book painted a wonderful portrait of life as a war nurse and doctor.

This was a beautiful, true story of two young people trying to find their own way in life, and of the Lord’s calling them to Himself when they came to the end of themselves, written by the daughter of the couple in the book.

The scenes when the two were in a courtship were portrayed with a hint of fun and tenderness. The letters between the two were timeless. The separation of the two was written with heartbreaking pathos.

The main story line was about a young doctor and a young nurse from two different states who met in one camp. They were together a short time before he left the camp. But he came back. And they were married. And within a couple days of the marriage they were sent to the front line of their choice — chosen before they knew each other. One liked warmth and one liked cold, so were sent in two different directions. And they exchanged hundreds of letters while they were separated, as fast as the war-time mail would carry it. At every opportunity they would slip off to be with each other, if only for a few hours.

This would be a book I would recommend for older readers — both of them were sent to the front lines of World War II in medical positions. She was a nurse, and as such, there are several heartrending — and true — accounts of recovery for “the boys”; descriptions of family reunions, of mothers and fathers seeing their sons for the first time. There are several emotions expressed that may be complicated for younger readers. He was a doctor, and was sent with the British unit to the front lines in France, where there are some gruesome injuries encountered and treated.

While this was about a “war romance”, the subject of marriage was addressed very little and the majority of the content was focused on the medical aspect of the war and the history surrounding it. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book because I was able to read about two different parts of the war in the same book — more like “parallel history”. It’s no secret to many of you that I enjoy reading and learning about history in a different way than most, learning what was going on in the history of our world in a certain time frame from all different aspects. For instance, during the war between the states, while the eastern U.S. was focused on fighting, the western territories were focused on getting a functional mail system set up — the pony express. In England, Queen Victoria was ruling…..get the idea? ;-) And WWII happens to be a favourite part of history since there was so much going on over so much of the world at different times, and so much of it has impact on our lives today. Anyways…..

Would I read this book again? Yes. Would I pass this on to someone else to read? Absolutely =)

I recieved a free copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in return for an honest review.
I was not required to enjoy this book.