Customer Reviews

Distant Melody, A: A Novel (Wings of Glory)

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to admit that I typically wouldn't buy a book labeled "historical romance". I must also admit I judged this book by its cover and I was not disappointed. You can read the synopsis from all the other reviews but I will tell you I was especially drawn to the detail involved in the accounts of B-17 combat during WWII. I have toured a B-17 and I could recall every aspect as the author described it in perfect detail. With my busy schedule as a pastor, husband and father of three, it would typically take me a couple of weeks to read a book of this size, but I was so drawn into the story that I completed it in just two days. I finally set it down at 2:00 a.m. this morning! I am looking forward to the continuation of the series.

Distant Melody, A: A Novel (Wings of Glory)
Move over Janette Oke. Look out Nora Roberts. There is a new writer on the scene, and I think she's going to be very successful. Sarah Sundin's A Distant Melody, the first in a trilogy about WWII pilots, combines history and romance into a story that not only entertains, but leaves the reader with a desire to be a better person. The story alternates between Allie's struggle to find meaning in her pampered existence and Walt's challenges to overcome his insecurities in order to lead his team. Faith in God provides the foundation for both characters to conquer their fears and reach for the sky.

Allie Miller has never been able to please her parents. In order do so, she will married a man that she does not love. But when is has a chance meeting with Walt Novak. Walt is everything that Allie wants in a man and the two begin to write. In their letters Allie and Walt find love and faith. But there are secrets that may keep them apart for ever.
"A Distant Melody" is the debut novel by Sarah Sundin and it was pretty good. As a fan of war-time romances I really wanted to read it. I enjoyed it but there times that I thought that Ms. Sundin was kinda of dragging the story out. I have the second book in the series and I will read that but I am not sure if the are "keepers"

A Distant Melody was problematic for me.

While I enjoyed the heroine, Ally, I found that the plot was convoluted and far too drawn out. Moreover, while I would usually applaud a Christian author's foray into groundbreaking territory ( well, ground-breaking for the genre at least: one of the male leads is painted in a homosexual light), I found that this strand of the plot was forced and tried too hard to provide shock-value.

The flaws of the main characters: Allie's inability to see her true beauty beyond societal ideal and Walter's propensity for lying--- did not resonate with me. While their friendship-turned-romance was interesting to follow and while I ( as I often do in frustratingly delightful romances) cheered for them to resolve their nonsensical trivialities and see the light, I did not identify or embrace their plight.


This is the first in what promises to be a trilogy: each spotlighting one of the Novak brothers and his quest for Romance circa WWII America.

I will read the next because I do like the time period and the ambience.


I felt that this was, at best, a good "test flight." Hopefully by the next trip, our author will have found smoother-sailing wings.

This book has everything that I wanted in a book. Great love story and the author really did a great job of making you feel like you were there. Best book I have read by far. I also love the fact that the author is not afraid to speak of god. I just ordered the other two in the wings of glory series!!!

A Distant Melody is set during World War II.

Allie Miller is the daughter of wealthy parents. They arranged a marriage with a man she doesn't love. She hopes to get the approval of her mother with this marriage. So far she could never please her mother.
When Allie is on her best friend's wedding, she meets Walter Novak. He is the first person who seems to understand her.

Walter Novak is a pilot in the Army Air Force and flies a bomber plane B17. Shortly he has to leave for England.
Walt is hopeless with women. But Allie is the first woman he can talk to and have fun with. Allie stays for a week with her friend and after the marriage she's going home again. Walt has fallen hard for Allie and when she returns home they share addresses and promise to write each other.

Walt leaves for England and is fighting against the Germans. His crew respects him, but he told a little white lie to earn their respect.
Through their letters Walt and Allie get to know each other and fall in love. But Allie still has her boyfriend and soon is engaged to him. But Allie is unhappy. She's willing to marry Baxter, but the Lord shows her that she can't marry an unbeliever. Will she obey the Lord, or will she please her parents?

Allie is praying for Walt and his crew. When they are in trouble the Lord wakes her at night to pray.
Walt is falling more for Allie with every letter he receives from her. He decides he can't love a woman who is soon to marry another man. It's best to stop writing and Walt tells another lie in his last letter to Allie. Allie is devastated by Walt's news. Soon she wakes up again in the middle of the night and must pray for Walt. It's the last time that the Lord awakens her to pray. What happened that night to Walt? Can Walt tell Allie about his lie before it's too late?

This book was a nice surprise! Never before have I read a WWII book so very well written. I loved the historical accuracy, the growing love between Walt and Allie, to read about the normal life in the US during the war and the hard life for Walt and his crew in Europe. I learned rich lessons from reading about sacrifice and obedience.
I simply fell in love with this book and I'm looking forward to read the other books in this series: A Memory Between Us and Blue Skies Tomorrow.

I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book! The story is so great and has a wonderful ending! I have never read a book faster in my life!!! I was so into the story! The characters are so rich and the story isn't far fetched like some fiction. Sundin is an amazing author and you have to read the rest of this series if you haven't! I loved the entire series, but if I had to pick a favorite, A Distant Melody would be it!

I really didn't have high expectations going into this book. I've been wanting to read more Christian fiction, but let's be honest... the good stuff is kinda hard to come by. Basically, I just picked it because I find WWII an interesting historical time period, and I didn't want to read another "bonnet book" Christian novel. I read the line on the back -- "Will a chance meeting in a time of war change her life forever?" -- and sighed, "Probably." But I plunged into it anyway... and couldn't put it down!!! I was impressed my Sarah Sundin's technical and historical knowledge, the realism of her characters, and her skillful story-telling that never felt contrived. Definitely a must-read. I'm on Amazon now to order the next Sundin book, and I can't wait to get it! Also, Sarah, please write more!!!

This is the first I've read this author. I loved this book and am now reading #2 of the Wings of Glory series. I will read #3 when it's available.

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!