A Distant Melody (Wings of Glory)

I always enjoy Sarah Sundin! This one really spoke to me personally about being obedient to God regardless of cost.

I love all Sarah Sundin's books! She can make you feel you are right there in the midst of what is going on. The characters are so real, believable. I learn so much history reading her books.

"A Distant Melody" is a Christian historical romance set in 1942 in America and England. I was sure I'd read this before but had no review of it, so I decided to read it again. I remembered that this novel was why I didn't read this author's books for so long, though so far it's the only one that I didn't much like (and I've read most of her novels). It's mostly a pet peeve: the two will tell each other about deep personal struggles and yet not talk about the important things that stand between them having a romantic relationship. Mostly it's due to pride, but the author took it to extremes (just to extend the suspense).As usual, an amazing level of historical detail was woven into the story without slowing the pacing. There was a great deal of suspense from the physical danger and emotional conflict. The main characters were complex, grew as people, and reacted realistically to events. Both had an issue with telling the truth: Walter felt that telling a "white lie" won't hurt anyone and can keep things from getting awkward. Allie sometimes just stayed silent when she should tell the truth. These white lies and omissions eventually cost each a hefty price.The other issue was obeying God. Allie agreed to marry a man who didn't value her except for her social position and money. She figured she'd bring him to the Lord and so her sacrifice would please God. Only, she finally realized that if her influence hadn't brought him to God in 5 years, getting married won't change that. The real reason she's marrying him is the approval this brings from her parents. When her future husband made it clear he'd forbid her to attend genuine worship and Christian fellowship, she must chose between God or her very, very determined parents.There was no sex or bad language.

From everything I had heard The Wings of Glory promised to be an excellent series and I could not resist the first title!I first read A Distant Melody's resume online and its appeal was such I entered a contest for the book (I was not a winner unfortunately) but I wrote a line to the author who graciously offered me bookmarks and postcards for our local library! Sarah Sundin introduced me then to her blog Under His Wings and it has been a pleasure to "visit" many times over!The setting for the books in the series sounded perfect for me since I am an avid reader of WWII homefront stories, on both sides of the pond I might add! Anyone familiar with Hope and Glory will know how my husband grew up and being married for the last 36 years to this Ex RAF lad means I love reading about flying as well.In A Distant Melody, Sarah Sundin describes both the homefront and the combat zones with such minutious details you almost feel there! Here you will read about rationing and buying War Bonds as well as the not so well known challenges many of our mothers and grandmothers experienced in war time.But Sarah Sundin goes much further by introducing us in startling details to the lives of the flyboys who for love of Country and Freedom put their lives on the line and flew B17 and B24 on countless dangerous missions, some never to return home!However this is the story of people who do not shy away from their Christian beliefs despite the challenging times that makes this book truly special.In the first book of the series you will enjoy discovering shy Allie who will do everything to please her parents including marrying someone she does not love only to discover God has another plan for her.Lt. Walter Novak loves flying and trusts the Lord to keep him safe. During his last furlough he meets Allie and finds in her a kindred spirit. But all too soon he must fly his B17 crew overseas to fight the ennemy. Through their correspondence across a world entangled in ugly conflict he soon discovers his heart is hers only!However commitments and secrets are unavoidable and only through their understanding of the grace of God will they learn to trust each other enough to share their true feelings.This wonderful story was written in such a way that men and women will relate to it in some aspect and it will captivate readers, young and old alike. This is not just another romantic historical novel for us ladies and much has to be said about Sarah Sundin's research of the Bombers she describes so vivedly in her stories.In this first book of the series, A Distant Melody is certain to strike a chord and no one will deny Allie's and Walter's feelings reflects the certainty we are all flying under His Wings.Many thanks to Sarah Sundin for bringing back countless memories and wonderful tales of bravery! I am very much looking forward to read Book # 2 in the series, A Memory Between Us and Book # 3 coming out in August 2011, Blue Skies Tomorrow!Her new series Wings of the Nightingale will come out in 2012!Note: As always, a reminder: I was not asked to review this book and this post reflects only my opinion!

This is such a brilliant story. I've just read the last page and didn't want it to end. Everything about it is great. The writing, the characters. Everything. I will say, however, *spoiler* that just as one of the other reviewers mentioned, I did find the reactions of his crew when the girlfriend lie was uncovered a bit unbelievable. I can't imagine a group of men realistically reacting that way, but then I've never known fighter pilots - maybe their emotions run deeper than normal.Hats off to Ms Sundin though. I've just recently discovered her books starting with the Sunrise at Normandy series and have kind of worked backwards from there. I generally used to shy away from war fiction, but this book, like the others I've read, is simply great - spirituality, romance and history all combined to make lovely stories. Her writing is sublime, so enjoyable and meaningful. I definitely recommend.

I confess that, having read the 'Wings of the Nightingale' trilogy, I am hooked on Sarah Sundin's stories. Hugely credibly characters and meticulously researched background give each of them the potency they need to keep the reader glued to the plot. "A Distant Melody" is no different, chronicling two people in love, yet who wrestle with the fear events are conspiring to ensure their love will never be consumated. Even towards the end, when you can see all the elements of the tale slotting together, Sarah has one last twist in it that will have you gripping the edge of your Kindle so tightly as to almost crack the screen. She is an amazingly gifted author - a purveyor of wartime romance with a Christian theme who never needs to resort to the fantastical to remain true to the belief that 'all things' will work together for good for those who place God at the centre of their lives and endeavour to live those lives accordingly.

A brand new author for me and certainly one I shall be reading again. Allie goes to a friends wedding much against the wishes of her family and fiancé Baxter. Whilst there she meets Walter Novak who is from a very religious family and is hopeless with women. Before Allie goes home she and Walter form a friendship and agree to correspond with eachother. Walter flies over to England with his crew B17 Bomber Flossie and whilst they are corresponding with eachother Allie starts to question her life and its meaning prompting her to look at itand gradually make subtle changes and then bigger ones.Walter and Allie are eeventually reunited, but under a cloud of misunderstandings. Can they overcome those misunderstandings or do they go their seperate ways?A very good book that you find yourself taken along for the ride to find out what happens. Would recommend.

I agree with a previous reviewer, I have found a new favorite author! I don't normally read books of this era but decided on a whim to give this one a go and I'm so glad I did! What a sweet story that was down right hilarious in parts, made me laugh out loud which most books don't do that for me. And some moments when I held my breath as war raged on and tears welling up in my eyes in other parts. It's not often an author can make you laugh, cry, smile, and cheer throughout the entire story. I loved this book so much that it kept me reading until 5am as I just couldn't put it down. I went and bought the following two books in the series and I wasn't disappointed there, loved them! Well done Sarah Sundin, you truly have a talent that not many others have.

I found what I read of this book so unbelievable, e.g. hero's whole crew go in huff and don't visit him in hospital because he lied to them about having a girlfriend. Really! Must not tell little white lies because they lead to bigger lies,etc. Wouldn't like to live with that kind of person and pretty sure no one else would. can you imagine it, brutally telling the truth all the time to everyone. Kindness requires little white lies sometimes . Think the writer wanted to emphasise their Christian beliefs but it just made the characters a bit ridiculous. I couldn't take them seriously at all. Sorry!