Item: Shetland Sunset
Rating: 5
Author: Luann

ABOUT THE BOOK

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Book: Shetland Sunset
Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Suspense

Release Date: January 18, 2026

Bonded by a cause but an ocean apart, will their love survive a world war?

After months in Norway helping his cousins with their fishing business, American Askel Westgard seems trapped when the Germans invade until he has a chance to get back at the Occupiers as part of the Shetlandsgjengen, or Shetland gang, a group of fishermen who transport weapons and equipment from Shetland to Norway under cover of darkness. Unfortunately, the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s just met refuses to join him in safety. Will he ever see her again?

Distraught when the Germans overrun her beloved Norway, Tonje Bondevik refuses to take the occupation sitting down. She joins the fledgling resistance movement, deriving great satisfaction distributing the underground newspaper and performing acts of sabotage…until the day the Nazis come looking for her, and she must flee for her life. Perhaps she should have listened to the handsome Norwegian American when he offered to take her to Shetland.

DEVOTED TO HOPE'S REVIEW OF SHETLAND SUNSET

I finished Shetland Sunset thinking about the faith journeys more than anything else.

The fear was real. The danger was heavy. And yet God!!!!!

His protection. His guidance. His Word. His love.

I loved being in Norway and Shetland, and I loved how much the sea became part of the story. Beautiful one minute. Dangerous the next. Askel could look at it and see God’s majesty, then be reminded very quickly how little control he actually had.

I enjoyed Askel’s faith journey. He believes in God, but trusting Him personally is something he is still learning. He prays when he is afraid. He asks whether he is doing what God wants him to do. He thinks about whether the men around him know the Lord and whether they can see God in him.

“Help me to rest in Your plans for me.” I highlighted that one.

Tonje has much harder questions about God and suffering. Aksel does not pretend he can explain everything God allows, and I appreciated that honesty.

Then there is this: “Forgive me, Lord. Help my unbelief.” Aksel is afraid, remembers Jesus’ authority over the storm, and turns to Him. I loved that.

God was not somewhere off to the side of this story. He was in their prayers, their questions, the Scripture they remembered, and the moments when fear was very real.

I learned a lot about the Shetland Gang and this part of WWII. The crossings between Shetland and occupied Norway, the fishermen, the resistance work, and the risks ordinary people were willing to take completely immersed me in this piece of history.

I loved these characters, appreciated the details about this part of WWII, and loved how naturally faith belonged in every part of it.

I received a digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit Publicity Group and the author. All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from
Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state, immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors, and drinks copious amounts of tea.

MORE FROM LINDA

Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands, is an archipelago of about one hundred islands, with fewer than twenty being inhabited. Originally a base for Norwegian Vikings, Shetland came under Scottish rule when King Christian I pledged the island as part of his daughter’s dowry when she was betrothed to James III of Scotland. The island continues to feature an intriguing mix of Norwegian and Scottish heritage in customs, language, and celebrations. Interestingly, Shetland is geographically closer to Norway than Scotland.

The Shetland Bus is the nickname for a World War II clandestine operation during which fishermen smuggled supplies, weapons, radio operators, and agents into occupied Norway and ferried refugees out of Norway to Shetland and England. From 1941-1945, two hundred missions were carried in winter because of the nearly twenty-four hours of darkness that occurred during those months, but that meant crossing in rough, unforgiving seas. Additionally, the risk of being caught by German aircraft or patrol boats was high, and forty-four members lost their lives.

Authors get their ideas and inspiration from many sources, and I learned about the Shetland Bus from an episode of Shetland, a modern-day BBC mystery show that featured a fictional cold case associated with the “bus.” I was able to read multiple memoirs and autobiographies and watch oral history interviews with Shetland Bus participants. It is my hope that Shetland Sunset honors the brave ordinary men who did extraordinary things.