MY REVIEW:

“Lies are like incendiary bombs, burning and melting and mangling everything—trust, hopes, everyone you love.”  — page 395

A Distant Melody is truly a breath of fresh air as a historical romance with unique characters. Both Walt and Allie have been convinced that they are not attractive enough to find true love. Allie has even settled for an engagement to a man who doesn’t love her just to make her parents happy. When she and Walt meet at a wedding, their new friendship begins a long distance correspondence that changes both their lives. Can their friendship endure the little white lies and lies by omission that each is guilty of to salve their own pride? Will Walt survive the rigors of war and reveal his true heart? Will Allie give in and marry Baxter to ensure her future? Or will the truth be revealed too late?

Rich with historical detail, examples of courage and sacrifice, and full of spiritual insight, A Distant Melody is one of the best books I have read in awhile. I was amazed to learn that this book accumulated a pile of rejection letters between 2005 and 2008 before finally being accepted for publication. I am so glad that Revell decided to give Sundin a chance and that I have had the opportunity to read this excellent novel.  I am looking forward to her future books and can’t wait until A Memory Between Us is released this fall. A Distant Melody is definitely a keeper.

This book was provided for review by Donna Hausler,
Publicity Assistant with Baker Publishing Group.

A war and an ocean separate them… Will their love for music and each other be enough to reunite them?

A Distant Melody is the debut novel in the new World War II-era series from Sarah Sundin, Wings of Glory.

In A Distant Melody, readers meet two young Americans, about to be separated by an ocean during World War II: Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval–even marry a man she doesn’t love. Lt. Walter Novak–fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women–takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas. Walt and Allie meet at a wedding and their love of music draws them together, prompting them to begin a correspondence that will change their lives. As letters fly between Walt’s muddy bomber base in England and Allie’s mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart?

A Distant Melody is the first book in the Wings of Glory series, which follows the three Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II.

Sarah Sundin is an on-call hospital pharmacist and holds a BS in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. This is her first novel.

Endorsements
“Sarah Sundin is an extraordinarily gifted storyteller who puts the reader in the cockpit of B-17 bombers as easily as she crafts an achingly emotional World War II romance. This is not only the best World War II love story I’ve ever read, but it may be the best book I’ve ever read.”

— Cheryl  Bolen, Holt Medallion Winner, Best Historical

“I loved A Distant Melody! Sarah Sundin is a master at lyrical writing, and she has that rare talent of being able to combine humor with heart-pounding action. I couldn’t stop turning the pages, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget Sarah’s compelling characters or their poignant story about honesty, redemption, and grace.”
— Melanie Dobson, author of Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana and Refuge on Crescent Hill

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.