Customer Reviews

Memory Between Us, A: A Novel (Wings of Glory)

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4 star:		(8)
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I was delighted to find A Memory Between Us is much different than the thinly researched and even thinner plots which too often pass for Christian romance fiction. Sundin has done a commendable job of providing the reader with a well organized text that's full of rich detail while at the same time not short-changing the delicious nature of romance at its best. Her characters are flawed humans who breathe on the page as they struggle with timeless issues and eventually work their way to solutions that feel both satisfying and real.

Although some may find the large amount of aircraft and details of military procedure a little too heavy, I personally enjoyed the richness this careful research added to the story as dry historical facts that had lain for years on a dusty shelf in my mind, suddenly took on color and life. The air battles could be tasted and felt and the inside of a cargo plane refitted for evacuating wounded soldiers could be clearly seen by my minds' eye. Sandin achieved this while maintaining a good balance between transporting the reader to the time and place of WWII and the romantic relationships which serve as the main thread of the story.

A Memory Between Us is the story of how guilt forces one woman to hide from all relationships--especially those with men. It's also the story of pride and how that sin can blind a man from knowing who he really is even while outwardly holding to Christian morals. As Ruth and Jack work through these personal issues in a time of trial and national crisis the reader is privileged to see character growth as true love is born in the heart of each. There is plenty of romance in this second volume of her WWII trilogy but also a satisfying story that leaves the reader looking forward to the next book.

Set in England during World War II, A Memory Between Us finds Major Jack Novak falling in love with his nurse, Lieutenant Ruth Doherty, after he takes a bullet in the backside during a mission over Germany. But Ruth is a tough nut to crack; she fends off all suitors with a heavy hand, and isolates herself while working hard to support her orphaned brothers and sisters in the States. Jack's a determined man, however, and his winning ways at least gain Ruth's friendship over time; her heart is another story entirely.

Jack and Ruth are both wounded soldiers, though it's a wounding of the soul rather than a physical one that keeps both from being honest with themselves. Ruth's desire to help her penniless family once drove her to do things that she now finds shameful, and she cannot believe God will ever forgive her past. Jack has studied to become a pastor like his father and brother, but while he's religious, he's not sure preaching is his true calling. Both Jack and Ruth allow hurt and pride to dictate the present, and both will have to learn to forgive in order to move forward.

This book is well written, though at times I had a hard time following the motivations of the main characters. While the courtship takes place over a year, there were times when the story moved slowly. But when the action kicked in, it more than made up for the slow parts; Ms. Sundin's technical knowledge of B17s and the 8th Air Force was outstanding, and the climax is riveting. This is book two of a series, and I will be looking for the others because of my overall enjoyment of this one.

I loved this book! All 3 books in the series are wonderful. Each brother and their ladies have fears they must face and conquer. Fears at home, of the past and at war. I learned so much about WWII I never heard in high school history class. These people truly were the greatest generation in building America. The detail of the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber is amazing and the positions these men occupied in the plane while fighting the Nazi enemy was so cramped. You may as well purchase all 3 books at once: "A Distant Melody", "A Memory Between Us" and "Blue Skies Tomorrow." I can not wait until Sarah's next series about nurses in WWII come out!

I loved A Distant Melody which was book one of this series and I was so excited to see book two which did not disappoint. If anything, I enjoyed this one even more. Jack is the consummate confident fighter pilot and Ruth a dedicated nurse. Jack has always felt pressured, but not called, to be a pastor and struggles with his future. Ruth is an orphan who supports her younger brothers and sisters and fights a past filled with regret. They work through heartache and misunderstanding as they fall in love and find acceptance with each other as well as with God.

Like A Distant Melody, these characters are real and flawed. Ruth was a bit obsessive about her past sins and her inability to feel that she was forgiven. Jack's turn around and sudden increase in faith after a devastating flight was a bit quick, but I loved both characters. The flight/battle scenes are thrilling, the story riveting.

Walt and Allie show up here and we get a glimpse of what might be Ray's story in the next book Blue Skies Tomorrow (and the idea of waiting a year for that book isn't very pleasant). Also, while it's not necessary to read the books in order, knowing the back history from A Distant Melody, enriches this story.

Wow, I haven't enjoyed a read this much in a very long time! As a writer, I sometimes feel as if I'm on a "busman's holiday" when I read other people's books, and even when they're well done, that tends to rob a bit of the joy from the experience. But that simply didn't happen with A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin. Not only is this a great story, but the writing is superb! This is my first Sarah Sundin novel, but it won't be my last. Even if you're not a WWII fan (and I am!), you'll still enjoy this well-told and well-researched story. This is a romance, but so much more! Men as well as women will be captivated with it.

This is book two in the Wings of Glory series about the Novak brothers who serve as bomber pilots in WWII. Most of this story takes place in England.

In this second book we meet Major Jack Novak, pilot on a B-17 bomber plane.
When Jack gets injured and lands in the hospital, he meets Army Nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. Jack is determined to win Ruth's heart. But Ruth is not interested in men. Eventually they become friends, but Ruth cannot give more of herself to Jack, because of something awful that happened to her 8 years ago.

Jack also has fears from his past. Both Jack and Ruth let their fears control their actions and it drives them apart.
Can they let go of their fears and give it all in God's hands? Or will their own need to be in control keep them separated?

Sarah writes so beautifully that I imagined myself in the B-17 together with Jack and his crew. I also went trough the training for Flying Nurse with Ruth. That was tough, I think I never would have made it!

Although the subjects in this book were pretty tough, there was much to learn from Jack and Ruth about love, faith, and forgiveness.

This is the second book I have read by Sundin and I am just as impressed as the last book! I LOVE this series! The writing is AMAZING, the story is GREAT, and the research and work that went into the series certainly shows! If you haven't read "A Distant Melody" (the first book) do!!! I am not a reader, but I could NOT put down "A Memory Between Us" or "A Distant Melody"! Sarah is an amazing writer and I am SO happy I found her work! I would definitley recommend this book, this series, and this writer!!! =D

My Take On the Book: I love a good story! You know the type, the one that fills your heart with joy and also makes you cry?! That is what I found while reading, A Memory Between Us by Sara Sundin. This is book 2 in the Wings of Glory Series. The first book, A Distant Melody, was a book that I had not read before this one. I plan on going back and reading it now that I've finished this one.
I was impressed by the richness of the characters, especially Major Jack Novak and Army Nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction/historical romance! This one is set in the 1940s of World War 2 and the details are beautiful and full of rich character. The main characters struggles are evident and I loved reading the strong struggle of pride deep within both. I love reading books where the characters are struggling with real problems and God guides them and gets them through their difficult times.
This book was enjoyable and I look forward in reading more from this author. I hope that this series continues. I'd love to know more about some of the other characters, too!

This is the 2nd book that I've read by Sarah Sundin in the Wings of Glory series. This by far is the best of the series because it was very well researched and the message of love was so strong. We need to remember that women were not favored within the armed services during WWII and Ruth held her own among the men. She also carried around a dark secret from her past and we too must remember that women didn't go to the police to report abuse or further damage. They swallowed the incident and buried it within. Very well research book and an excellent choice. Not to heavy from a Christian aspect, but the characters held true to their beliefs. Recommended for large church libraries.

Major Jack Novak has never failed at any thing that he tired. When he meets Lt. Ruth Doherty, a nurse that take her job seriously. Ruth does not have time have much time for love due the fact that she is helping support her her brothers and sisters at home. But Jack wants Ruth and he will do anything to have her. But when his pride gets in way and cost him the lives of his men and it may cost him the woman that he loves.
"A Memory Between Us" is the second book in the "Wings of Golry" series by Sarah Sundin and it was really quite good. Ms. Sundin can create real emotions between her characters, drawing the reader in wanting more. Each book can be read on it's own but together they are so much more and I can't wait for the next book in the series.