Review/Giveaway: A Distant Melody

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: A Distant Melody
Author: Sarah Sundin
Genre: Christian historical romance

How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.

Entry deadline: May 10, 2010

Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway.  This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.

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Publisher: Revell
Physical Description: 422-page paperback
List Price: $14.99
ISBN: 978-0800734213
For More Info/To Purchase:  http://www.sarahsundin.com/
Blog Tour Info:  http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/a-distant-melody-by-sarah-sundin.html

Synopsis:

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.

About the Author:

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.

What I Liked:  The author created some very believable, authentic characters, and I found myself relating very much to the main female character, Allie.  The quiet one who wants to please everyone and finally realizes she can't; God must come above all.  I'm gratefully not cursed with parents like hers, but I could definitely understand some of the struggles she goes through.

The WWII historical aspect is interesting, as well.  I'm not well-versed in the aircraft of the time, so enjoyed learning more about the B-17 bombers.  Flossie the cow added a touch of humor, too.

An ongoing theme throughout the book is the little white lie - and much of the drama and suspense comes from "harmless" white lies.  The point is also made that silence, or the omission of truth, can be just as significant.  Definitely a practical lesson that readers can take away.

There are enough teasers in the book that, while it is a stand-alone, I definitely want to read the next books in the series!

What I Didn't Like:  Nothing, really.  When I picked up the book, I wasn't feeling well and was looking for an easy "escape" type of read.  While the book is on the long side and deals with some tough scenarios such as the death of friends in war, it is an easy read with enough action and romance to keep me engaged from beginning to end.

Thanks to Litfuse for the review copy of this book.


Posted by Jane at Mozi Esmé