Blue Skies Tomorrow: A Novel (Wings of Glory) [Paperback]

Sarah Sundin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2011 | Series: Wings of Glory (Book 3)

Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit, but at least his stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life. As he courts Helen Carlisle, a young war widow and mother who conceals her pain under a frenzy of volunteer work, the sparks of their romance set a fire that flings them both into peril. After Ray leaves to fly a combat mission at the peak of the air war over Europe, Helen takes a job in a dangerous munitions yard and confronts an even graver menace in her own home. Will they find the courage to face their challenges? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

Filled with daring and romance, Blue Skies Tomorrow will capture readers' hearts.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In a time of peril, can they find the courage to confront their fears and embrace a love that lasts?

When her husband becomes a casualty of the war in the Pacific, Helen Carlisle throws herself into volunteering for the war effort to conceal her feelings. But keeping up appearances as the grieving widow of a hometown hero is taking its toll. Soon something is going to give.

Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit. His stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life--and a convenient excuse to ignore his deepest fear. When the beautiful Helen catches his eye and captures his heart, he is determined to win her hand.

But when Ray and Helen are called upon to step out in faith and put their reputations and their lives on the line, can they meet the challenges that face them? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

Filled with drama, daring, and all the romance of the WWII era, Blue Skies Tomorrow is the captivating final book in the popular Wings of Glory series.

Sarah Sundin is the author of A Distant Melody and A Memory Between Us. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

About the Author

Sarah Sundin is the author of A Distant Melody and A Memory Between Us. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Original edition (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800734238
• ISBN-13: 978-0800734237
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1.2 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sarah Sundin followed an unusual career path for a novelist, receiving a bachelor's in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. She now lives in northern California with her husband, three children, an antisocial cat, and a yellow lab determined to eat her manuscripts. When not driving kids to soccer and tennis, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches women's Bible studies and fourth- and fifth-grade Sunday school. She has been writing since 2000 and belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers and Christian Authors Network. She is the author of the Wings of Glory series - A Distant Melody (Revell 2010), A Memory Between Us (2010), and Blue Skies Tomorrow (August 2011). In 2011 she received the Writer of the Year Award from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A Memory Between Us was featured on Booklist's Top Ten Inspirational Fiction List for 2010. Please visit Sarah's website at http://www.sarahsundin.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Heavy story. Liked the ending! August 29, 2011

By keptfree

Format:Paperback

The best part is the ending. I didn't enjoy the third book in the Wings of Glory series as much as I did the first two. Maybe it's because I don't enjoy reading such heavy material during my times of leisure. I felt the social ills that consumed the story created a sense of tension and unease most of the time I was reading.

The story begins with widowed Helen Carlisle dealing ineffectively with her young son`s temper tantrums. But it doesn't end there. Other than Lt. Novak, most of the people in Helen's life are a disappointment to her and some are actually harmful. Eventually, she learns to stand up for herself, but it takes a long time.

I also felt some of the situations were too unbelievable; especially, the section after Lt. Raymond Novak`s return from his final mission.

Blue Skies Tomorrow is a heavy story. I felt like I needed a respite from my reading--times of normalcy where nothing dramatic and harmful was happening.

I know I'm in the minority in my rating for Blue Skies Tomorrow, but I have to be honest in how the story affected me. I encourage you to read it and form your own opinion.

If you have teenage or younger daughters, I encourage you to read Blue Skies Tomorrow before giving it to them to read. This will give you the opportunity to discuss some of the issues and bad behaviors of the characters before she reads it. I made the mistake of telling my daughter she could read it before I did; based on my enjoyment of the first two books in the series. This one dealt with issues she has never been exposed to. That's not necessarily bad, but I would have preferred knowing ahead of time so I could make a more informed decision.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars What a Woman Would Want a Man to Feel and Think September 12, 2011

By Anne TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Earlier this summer we had one Saturday that was a bit of a summer "snow day" for my family. The weather outside was unbearably hot so we all stayed inside. I picked up Blue Skies Tomorrow and settled down into one of our lazyboys for a long read.

After reading The Sweetest Thing by Ann Moser recently and greatly enjoying it, I thought I would give another historical Christian fiction book a whirl. The Sweetest Thing had elements of romance in the story, but it is not what I would call a "Christian Romance". Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin is a Christian romance. It is the third book in her Wings of Glory series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone novel.

Storyline: Helen's husband, Jim, died two years earlier in WWII. She lives in a home owned by her father in law and receives a monthly stipend from him that comes from her husband's life insurance (that he named his parents custodians of). Early on in the story, you get clues that Helen acts the part of the grieving widow but does not have the feelings of one. You learn why as the story goes along. The reasons why are at the core of this story. Ray Novak is an old childhood friend of Helen. He returns from flight instructor school. His desire is to be a pastor, but knows he must serve in the armed forces during the war. His two brothers are also serving. The story primarily focuses on their romance and the journey of their coming together, apart, and then...

Writing: This story is written fine. I was discussing with my husband this weekend how the choice of words tells you a lot about the focus of the author in the story. Here's are two examples of Ms. Sundin's writing:
"Ray reached into a blue glass bowl and popped a strawberry into his mouth. His tongue savored the contrast between smooth skin and rough seeds until he couldn't stand the temptation any longer." p. 27
"His own strawberry-scented breath wrapped around her, and she drew closer to cover her memories of gregarious charm with Ray's quiet strength." p. 61
Both examples typify romantic fiction to me.

Plot: The plot becomes clear after the first third of the book. The ending is satisfying.

Social Issues: This book centers on the issue of domestic abuse. I have wondered how generations past dealt with this issue. My understanding is that it was largely kept behind closed doors or swept under the rug. I wish I knew someone who lived during this time that I could ask about it. I would like to know if the portrayal of how the families in this story cope with it is realistic.

Conclusion: Did I enjoy this story? Yes...and no. I didn't enjoy it as much as many I've read. It felt very formulaic. I have a hard time believing that a man would feel about Helen the way Ray Novak's feelings are described in the book. I think his feelings are described as a woman would long for them to be. Perhaps that is my cynicism. All in all, the story and writing are fine, but this book kind of blends into the pack for me.

Please note that I was given a complimentary copy of this book for review by Revell Publishing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Cumbersome in Some Ways Intriguing in Others August 26, 2011

By Ashley Mott VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Blue Skies Tomorrow was both interesting and annoying.

The interesting parts revolved around the secondary plot lines where the book followed Raymond Novak overseas and Helen to her job.

It was fascinating to read about the bigotry that minorities faced despite their contributions to the war, and I don't mean the bigotry that led to black men working in the kitchen - the bigotry in this book is much, much deeper. Down to the point where black men were actually prosecuted for what were basically non-issues.

Also interesting was the lack of interest in protecting a family of women who were abused by the father and son of the family. What was really irritating was watching a young person who knew certain situations were wrong accept the situations b/c she was prideful. Fear is one thing...it leads to irrationality, but pride should come before a fall, and despite Helen eventually rising above, she never really acknowledges what her problem was.

As you can see the interest and cumbersome aspects of the book were thoroughly intertwined. I read the entire volume, however, so I must have liked it more than I disliked it.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.