Skip to main content

IN THE LIGHT OF THE SUN

Coming October 7, 2025

Two sisters, separated by oceans and global conflict, are bonded through music and love in this gripping novel based on true events from World War II.

The year is 1941, and in the Philippines, Caramina Grassi dreams of training in Italy to become an opera singer like her older sister, Rosa. But as war erupts, her world is shattered, forcing her to cling to the music that has always been her refuge. When her family’s lives are threatened and they are forced to flee to the jungle, she comes to understand that music is more than comfort. It becomes a muse that fuels her courage, sacrifice, and unwavering focus on the light.

Meanwhile, in Florence, just as Rosa Grassi’s long-awaited opera debut arrives, Mussolini tightens his grip on Italy. Drawn into la Resistenza, the underground resistance, Rosa feels lost in a fog of deception that clouds everything she thought to be true. In a time when family or friend could be foe, Rosa will learn that performing isn’t just for the stage. Facing a devastating betrayal, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect the one she loves.

Inspired by true events, In the Light of the Sun is an unforgettable story of sisterhood, hope, and the enduring power of music to uplift the human spirit—even in the darkest of times.

In the Light of the Sun is a hauntingly beautiful WWII novel that shines a light on wartime in the Philippines and Italy, places rarely depicted in historical fiction. Based on meticulous research and inspired by the author’s own family, two sisters are torn apart by war in a story about the unbreakable bonds between family members. This novel balances tension and tenderness, while paying tribute to one family’s bravery, hope, resilience, and the stirring power of music to help and heal the soul. In the Light of the Sun is a riveting, unforgettable must-read novel that will live in my heart and mind for years to come.”
—Sharon Kurtzman, author of The Lost Baker of Vienna
Pre-Order

Meet Angela Shupe

Award-Winning Writer

Ms. Shupe‘s debut historical novel In the Light of the Sun was a semi-finalist in the William Faulkner – William Wisdom 2018 Novel Competition. Her short work has received the SOLAS Award and recognition as a finalist in Penguin Random House’s Biographile Short Memoir Contest. Her work has also been featured in:

Read More