Thank you @bookmarked for the #gifted copy of this book!

✔️ Learned something new
✔️ Story featuring unbreakable friendship, bravery and heroism

What it’s about:

Annie Fox is an army nurse serving her country. She was transferred to Hickam Field which is an air force base in Honolulu Hawaii. The fateful day of December 7, came when Japanese bombers bombed Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field. Annie used her quick decision making and leadership skills to rally anyone and everyone to help try and save the casualties. She used prostitutes for blood donations and some of the nurses she rallied were Japanese Americans. What a tense and frantic day!

Thoughts: I always say I love to learn something in books and this book taught me quite a bit! This is my first historical fiction book about Pearl Harbor and the first time even hearing about Hickam Field. First of all, I had never even heard of Hickam Field so I definitely appreciated the background on it! Also, in the authors note she discussed how 130,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned and transferred to concentration camps in the USA. Just for being one/sixth or more Japanese. I had no idea! 😱 in addition, the island dealt with martial law for 3 years after the bombing! Wow.

Ok so back to this story…it was filled with such heroic acts and determination, love, loss and unbreakable friendships! It immediately sucked me in and I couldn’t help but feel so saddened by what those poor people felt like in real life! Thank you Diane for writing such a wonderful book about the first woman to earn a Purple Heart! If you’re looking for a unique historical fiction book make sure to grab yourself a copy of this one. It’s out this week!

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark & Netgalley for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Lieutenant Annie Fox is unexpected transferred to Honolulu right before Pearl Harbor is struck. The book goes on to show how her determinations and temperament both helped and hindered her in the days following Pearl Harbor. I was shocked to see that she was a Canadian in the US Army. Another shock was the sex workers donating blood to those wounded by the attack. Diane Hicks writes Annie wonderfully and it was like being a fly on the wall the entire time I read. Definitely a different perspective than I’ve previously read regarding the Pearl Harbor attack. Highly recommend.

The Woman with a Purple Heart is based on the real life of Lieutenant Annie Fox. In November 1941 she is transferred to Hickham Hospital in Honolulu. She's not thrilled with the change at this late stage in her career but she does her best as always. That includes getting to know her community which includes Japanese Americans. Then her friend is arrested as a suspected subversive. Annie knows better. Can she find her?

The story gives us the story of the bombing of Pearl Harbor from the hospital's point of view. We can easily see the death and destruction going on. Annie is the right woman for the job.

This book is filled with action but it's also about personal relationships. The story continues after Pearl Harbor as we see how things began to play out.

There were some things that made the story less enjoyable at times like Annie inexplicably developing a crush. I also felt removed from the characters at times.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for access to this arc.

Sadly I am putting this one aside. Despite the amazing blurb the writing itself is fairly flat making the story dull. I also don't like that Annie is basically spying on a group of vulnerable people as well as going all swoony over the medical director. I did like that although they're treating her like a mother hen, she does seem to (practically) care for her nurses. Still that isn't enough to keep me going. Sorry but this is a DNF for me.

I love a WWII story and love it even more when it is based on a true person. Added bonus that it is a woman who made an impact in the war.

This book kept my attention from the first page and I loved learning things about the war and of course about the amazing woman in the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the chance to read and review this book.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for my copy of The Woman With the Purple Heart by Diane Hanks.

Based on the real-life of Lieutenant Annie Fox and her work as the Chief Nurse at Hickham Hospital during the attack on Pearl Harbor, this was an interesting WWII Historical Fiction about the work of the Army nurses stationed there. I enjoyed learning about Annie and how she was the first woman to receive a Purple Heart for her efforts in 1942, she was one of the few to receive it without being wounded (later rescinded due to the criteria changing and in 1944 she received a Bronze Star).

I liked that the author wanted to show the experience of Japanese Americans and the discrimination and prejudice as a counter to what happened, but I wanted to know if Kay was real and if Annie really did the things in this book. I was kinda surprised the author's note didn't mention that at all. I love historical fiction but when they are based on a real person, I want to know in the author's note what was real and what was fiction.

If you're looking for historical fiction about a nurse's experience during Pearl Harbor you'll enjoy this book.

Poignant, informative, and incredibly absorbing!

The Woman with a Purple Heart is an intriguing tale that sweeps you away to the shores of Oahu and immerses you into the life of seasoned U.S. Army Nurse Corps Lieutenant Annie Fox as her knowledge, heart, strength, compassion and skills are all tested to the max when the Japanese unexpectedly rage war on Hickam Field and Pearl Harbor in December of 1941.

The prose is eloquent and vivid. The characters are complex, resilient, genuine, and endearing. And the plot, including all the subplots, intertwine and unravel subtly into a captivating tale of life, loss, family, heartbreak, secrets, betrayal, friendship, courage, determination, self-discovery, forced incarceration, racial prejudice, and the devastating consequences of war.

Overall, The Woman with a Purple Heart is an atmospheric, evocative, beautifully written novel by Hanks about a remarkable woman that grabs you from the very first page and does an exceptional job of blending historical facts with fiction that’s both moving and wonderfully captivating.

The Woman with a Purple Heart is an achingly beautiful Historical Fiction novel which takes place during WWII in Honolulu. Not only are details about the author's research and inspiration described but also factual information about the harrowing lives of Lt. Annie Fox, Chief Nurse of Hickham Hospital and her team. The significance of the purple heart is explained as well as the critical need for blood donation. There is a trigger warning in the book for war horrors and other violent situations with good reason...but such stories are important for us in the present, too.

Honolulu is a tropical lush world with a glorious climate but during the war that changed. Everything did. All it took was a minute to shift history. Nurses risked their lives every single day and were true heroines. What they witnessed and did was more than enough to last many lifetimes. They were always "on" and present and filled with unspeakable terror. In her late 40s Annie hopes for retirement but throws herself into what needs to be done, her country before herself. But that is not the only storyline...there are betrayals, divided loyalties and survival.

Historical Fiction stories with medical information (nursing in particular) always, always pull me in. This is one of the most emotionally crushing and engrossing. My heart hurt for those who faced and did the impossible in the direst of times. The writing magnificently conveys the kaleidoscope of all-sensory horrors. If you seek a lesser-known setting and perspective, this should be on your list. Well worth immersing yourself in.

My sincere thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenal novel.

I really liked reading about Hickman Field, we often hear stories about Pearl Harbour but know little about the Army side. I found The Women with a Purple Heart captivating however I found some parts repeated, and a little slow. I’m not sure about the ending either, I felt it was a little unfinished and sad.

Lt Annie Fox’s story is incredible and inspiring, she dedicated her life to the Army and as a nurse, maybe you could even say she played a part in paving the way for women.

I would highly recommend reading the novel based on a true story and make your own mind up, especially, if you enjoy reading novels based on WW2 with strong, independent, inspiring characters.

The book also opens your eyes to the treatment of the American Japanese citizens living in Hawaii and how courage and friendship can prevail.

I would like to thank Sourcebooks Landmark, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“The Woman with a Purple Heart” is based on the life of Annie Fox, the first woman to receive the Purple Heart. Born in Nova Scotia, she joined the US Army Nurse Corps serving in various postings before becoming Chief Nurse at Hickam Field in November 1941. The army nurses she served alongside are also based on real women.

I was thrilled to be approved an advance copy of this book. You’ll feel as though you are at Hickam Field under attack that fateful morning when the Japanese caught the whole island by surprise. As if you’re in the hospital working alongside the nurses and staff watching the horror unfold through the lens of those trying to pull off miracles and save the wounded from Hickam Field and Pearl Harbor. You’ll watch as nurses Monica, Sara, Irene, Kathy, and Winnie move past fear, hunger, and exhaustion to do the unimaginable remaining calm while triaging and treating patients, both military and civilian. You’ll cheer for the friendship found in Kay, a civilian nurse at the community centre who happens to be Japanese American. You’ll be beside Annie and Kay, as the two operate on a young soldier close to being lost. And you’ll shed a tear when, despite joining with her nurses to help Annie at Hickam Hospital, Kay is suspected of being a traitor and is taken into custody. You’ll be outraged at the way these citizens are treated as a result of their race and, for some, position in the community. After Executive Order 9066 is enacted we see the removal of all Japanese Americans to inland camps, ostensibly to ‘protect them’ from others who may treat them differently because of their race. You’ll shake your head at this irony. And you’ll wait with bated breath as Kay’s family awaits months for any news of her disappearance.

I had never heard of Hickam Field and found this story fascinating and engaging. Diane Hanks’ writing puts you right in the action, making the characters relatable and believable while describing the setting and happenings in a way that pulls you in from the start and at the end, Hanks tells what happened to the real life people and places that inspired her story. This novel is released November 7, 2023; preorder today so you don’t miss out on this fantastic book that I read in only a couple of days. I will definitely be reading Hanks’ next novels. Thanks Sourcebooks and NetGalley for this advance ebook! I loved it!

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I was pleased to discover that Hanks's book is based on the true story of Annie Fox, the first woman to be awarded a purple heart. Fox was an army lieutenant and the head nurse at Hickam Hospital, located near Pearl Harbor. Following the surprise Japanese attack that brought America into WWII, Hickham needed more medical supplies, nurses, and blood to treat all of the wounded. Annie drove into town, and after being refused nurses from two other hospitals, asked Japanese-American nurses to help. They agreed, and proceeded to treat men who viewed them as the enemy. Fox also brought prostitutes back to Hickam, where they donated blood and volunteered to help the wounded soldiers.
Soon after the Pearl Harbor attack, President Roosevelt signed an executive order authorizing the detaining of Japanese-Americans in concentration camps for the duration of the war. President Bush formally apologized for this horrific treatment of American citizens many decades later.
The book contains some vivid descriptions of war and horrible injuries and death, as well as racism. Annie Fox had to balance her loyalty to the military against her feelings of betrayal and outrage at actions taken against Japanese Americans who had done nothing wrong. And when the criteria for a purple heart changed to include only those wounded in battle, hers was rescinded and replaced with a bronze star.

This book was very moving and touched my heart. It was so beautifully written and based on a real Army nurse during the bombings at Pearl Harbor. Lieutenant Annie Fox's dedication to her military service exudes throughout this novel. Anyone that enjoys storytelling that's set during World War II will greatly appreciate and enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.

I love WW2 centered historical fiction, especially outside the European geography. This one is set just before and during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The story continues to tell Annie's story for the next year with an epilogue set in 1946. The book focuses on the women nurses that risked their lives to save the sailors, soldiers, and civilians that were injured that day. Annie Fox was the chief nurse of the Hickam hospital in Honolulu. She was a veteran of WW1 and knows what she has to do when the bombs started falling. Annie was resourceful to secure extra nurses and blood donors to help the injured. Kay was a nurse who ran a Japanese American Community Center with her friend and fellow nurse Mak, a native Hawaiian. Annie volunteered at the center and became friends with Kay and Mak. As the Executive Order came down to collect and put all people with Japanese blood in internment camps, Kay and her family were eventually sent to camps on the mainland. Annie never gave up trying to help Kay for the next five years until they could all come back home.
Annie Fox was a real Army nurse and many of the other nurses in the story are based on real people which is something I enjoy reading about. Kay was fictional but represented the many Japanese Americans during that time. The author notes provide a great details about Pearl Harbor and the after effects. This book will pull at your heartstrings and I recommend it if you are looking for WW2 historical fiction.

Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Fans of historical fiction might appreciate this fictionalized glimpse into the Hawaiian part of the career of Annie Fox, a US Army nurse who was decorated for her actions on 7 December 1941 and in the days after. Fox is 48, she's been through multiple assignments in war zones, and she's only just arrived at Hickam when it becomes apparent that something bad is going to happen. And it does. This is also the story of Kay Kimora, a Japanese American nurse and community leader who brought her colleagues to help after the attack and then found herself in custody and charged with treason thanks to her husband, who had returned to Japan. It's got some graphic parts (as with any novel about war). The writing is awkward in spots (especially early on) and would have benefited from another polish but the larger issue is with the relative lack of back story for Annie. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Don't miss the afterword, which provides info on what happened after the war to various people you'll meet.

What an amazing story based on true facts! I absolutely could not put this book down. Based on the life of Annie Fox, this story takes place during WWII. The research that Ms. Hanks dug into to bring out facts I've never heard before puts this story at the top of my all-time favorites list.

I highly recommend this story to those who love to read about history, strong women and their resilience, and the spirit of Americans everywhere.

I received an early reader copy from the publisher. However, this review and my opinion are my own and done of my own free choice.

This book is based on the real life of Lieutenant Annie Fox, Chief Nurse at Hickman Hosptial during WWII. Annie was the first female American to receive the Purple Heart. The story outlines her commitment, courage and willingness to see Japanese Americans as "true" Americans when the rest of the world was suspicious and suspect of them. If you like delving into historical fiction and learning about strong female characters, you will want to check out this book.

Annie was transferred to Hickman Hosptial, an air force base in Honolulu. When she initially arrives, she wonders what's the Army's motivation to move her to such a serene play - is this a move to get her away from the action? All of that changes on Dec. 7 when Japanese pilots bomb the air base. Annes is used to taking charge and she immediately does what needs to be done - including some very unconventional approaches. These include getting prostitutes to donate blood and Japanese Americans to serve as fill-in nurses.

Annie also takes on a personal battle when her Japanese American friend is arrested and detained because of suspicions of her being a spy for her husband who is back in Japan - something that impacted many Japanese Americans during WWII.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

#TheWomanWithAPurpleHeart #DianeHanks #Sourcebooks

This is a powerful book about one of our nation’s darkest hours, the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The author does a great job at contrasting the life in paradise before the bombing and horrors of that terrible day. I really liked the main character, Annie, as she struggles with doing what’s needed as an Army nurse while also protecting the innocent Japanese Americans whose lives were turned upside down by the government’s policies. It’s a sad time in our nation’s history, and I thought the author did a good job at showing both the heroism of the armed forces on that day and the horrible ways the Japanese Americans were treated. I’ve been to Pearl Harbor and it was brought to life by this book.

Note to HSPs, some of the medical descriptions are detailed and graphic. You can skim over them if necessary.

This was an interesting read that revolved around the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is based on a true story in which a military nurse, Annie Fox, receives the first Purple Heart ever awarded to a woman. The story is mainly set in the aftermath of bombing and the chaos, destruction and horror in a small military hospital. The book tells the story from the viewpoint of Annie Fox and the nurses that she commands. The story also brings to life the Japanese American nurses and the prejudice between them, the military, and the natives. This book should appeal to many different people. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing for the digital ARC. This review is my own opinion.

Wow, this was a stellar read. I have read several Pearl Harbor stories but never from the voice of a nurse that was up front and center in the aftermath of the attack. Well told, research was excellent and it is written to make you feel as if you were right there with them.
It also covers the events of how the United States treated the American Japanese so unfairly. I highly recommend this story. It shows the bravery, courage and the importance of nurses to provide our military with the best care. High 5 stars.
I was provided an uncorrected ARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a voluntary review if I so wished, I thank them. This is a 5-star.

I adored the author's writing and the intense research that made me full of emotions andi was absorbed with the story regarding the events in 1941 WWII between Japan and the USA.

The author brought history to life and I couldn't put it down.

Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for giving me this arc for an honest review

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else