I have always loved books set in the World War II era, and P.T. Deutermann’s “Pacific Glory” (St. Martin’s Press, $25.99) is no exception.

It’s got the military angle, plus a romantic quadrangle. Naval Academy buddies Marsh, Mick and Tommy were each in love with Gloria. Gloria, a Navy nurse, ended up with Tommy, but his death at Pearl Harbor changed things for all of them.

This story tells of the experiences of Marsh and Mick in their respective positions as they navigate through the wins and losses of World War II.

Deutermann was in the military and also worked for the government before his retirement. He and his wife live in North Carolina.

Karen White’s “The Beach Trees” (NAL, $15) is the perfect beach or poolside read. Julie Holt travels to Biloxi, Miss., in search of answers as to why her friend Monica left her an antique portrait, along with custody of her son.

Monica has never told Julie anything about her life in Mississippi and New Orleans, and Julie discovers interesting connections between Monica’s life and her own. You can’t go wrong with one of Karen White’s books.

“Silver Sparrow” by Tayari Jones (Algonquin, $19.95) is a captivating novel about half-sisters Chaurisse and Dana.

You have to keep reading when the first sentence of the book is “My father, James Witherspoon, is a bigamist.”

Dana is from the “secret” family, and Chaurisse and her mother don’t know that she and her mother exist. When their paths keep crossing, the girls become friends, yet Dana continues to keep her secret. It’s a compelling story that’s difficult to put down.

Jane Borden’s hilarious memoir “I Totally Meant to Do That” (Broadway, $14) proves that you can’t take the South out of a girl — even if she moves to New York City!

This former debutante grew up in Greensboro, attended UNC-Chapel Hill and then moved to the big city, where she has had diverse occupations, including as a secret shopper helping to track down knockoff handbags. There were times when I laughed aloud while reading this book.

“Broken Promises: A Novel of the Civil War” by Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman (Ballantine, $15) features some historical figures as well as fictional characters. Hoffman relates the story of Charles Francis Adams, son of John Quincy Adams, and his son, Henry, as they serve the Union in England.

Part of their mission is to convince the English government not to support the South by sending supplies. While in England, Henry runs into his old college friend, Baxter Sams, a Southerner who is attending medical school. As tension mounts back home, Henry and Baxter find themselves on separate sides. An interesting note: This book was self-published as “In the Lion’s Den.”

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com.