In A Distant Melody, readers meet two young Americans, about to be separated by an ocean during World War II: 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.

My review: I’m always excited to find someone who likes World War Two with a passion that mirrors mine. Sarah is that kind of person. Her love for the time period comes out in this book that breathes the challenges and excitement of that time. Women are facing more opportunities, but some like the heroine are still trapped by expectations. The central question of the book is whether two people will be able to break free of other’s expectations and live the lives they want while traveling the paths God has for them. I have enjoyed this book, and you will, too, if you’re looking for a new World War Two novelist that is heavy on the romance.

Go here to read my interview with Sarah Sundin.

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.

Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. I did receive a copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing.