Thursday, April 22, 2010

Review/Giveaway: A Distant Melody

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

58 comments:

Linda said...

This is a definite 'must read.' Please enter me. Thank you.
deseertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a follower through Google Friend.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

pamelarm said...

I love historical romance, sigh!

pamr@mts.net

misskallie2000 said...

I love books set in this era as it was just before my birth but close enough to be very interesting to learn the why, how, when, where the story goes. Plus a war story.
Thanks for this great giveaway and the opportunity to enter.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I am a old follower


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Sandy Jay said...

This sounds good. Please count me in.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Sandy Jay said...

I'm a follower.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Julia M. Reffner said...

I've heard so many good reviews I definitely want to read this one.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Ticia said...

Fingers crossed that I win.

Ticia said...

I follow.

Katy said...

Ooh, I want to read this one!

srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com

Katy said...

I'm a follower!

traveler said...

An extremely interesting novel which interests me greatly. thanks. rojosho(at)gmail(dot)com

vvb32 reads said...

oh, would love to read this especially with your good review.
vvb32 at yahoo.com

Benita said...

Please count me in.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Email subscriber.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

email subscriber

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

i'm a subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

apple blossom said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to be entered.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

grannyvon said...

I love reading about military people and would love to read this book. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

grannyvon said...

I am a follower and also a subscriber. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv,com

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds like a great book. I am definitely interested in it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am a follower/email subscriber.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

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CATHIE said...

Please enter me. Thank you.

lovemybabysquid@yahoo.com

Renee G said...

I would enjoy reading this one.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Anonymous said...

Id like to read this one, sounds very good!

frogz60@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I LOVE TO READ CHRISTAIN FICTION

Nicole C. said...

I would love to read this.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

EVA SB said...

I would love to read this. Please count me in.
eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com

EVA SB said...

I'm a follower
eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com

mindy said...

this sounds just wonderful thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow with google reader.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Amanda said...

I love that there was nothing you didn't like about the book - sounds great!!
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

Amanda said...

I follow on GFC!
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

Sarah Sundin said...

Jane - I can't believe Google alerts didn't send me here earlier! Thank you so much for your lovely review - I'm glad I could "sit" with you while you were sick :)

Jenn S. said...

Love this genre. Adding it to my to read list. :) Thanks for the review!

Rhonda said...

I enjoy books set in WW11
Please enter me

rhondastruthers atyahoo dot ca

Rhonda said...

I follow

rhondastruthers atyahoo dot ca

irish said...

I love heartwarming books and this one sounds exactly like the ones which tug at your heartstrings and has chacters which you remember long after you have finished the book.

irish said...

Follower.

SeahorseLady said...

This sounds like the type of book that I really enjoy reading.

SeahorseLady said...

I follow your blog.

cman said...

Please enter me :)

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a must read
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

susansmoaks said...

i would love to win this

susansmoaks said...

follower

susansmoaks said...

subscriber

susan1215 said...

follow via GFC

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in :)

busiemommie said...

Looking for good books to enjoy over the summer!!

Kayla Pease said...

PLease enter me in your giveaway
kaylapease1990@live.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I would love to read A Distant Melody!
zestywonderland@gmail.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW!
ZESTYWONDERLAND@GMAIL.COM