A distant melody by Sarah Sundin

Will a chance meeting in a time of war change her life forever? Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval -- even marry a man she doesn't love. While Allie has nearly resigned herself to that fate, 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 and 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? Book 1 in the Wings of Glory series, A Distant Melody is an exciting and tender story of love, courage, and sacrifice during World War II. - Back cover.

This is one of the better whole novels that I have read in a while. This is a historical romance that has all of the elements that one's heart looks for and while at the same time bringing forth events of a war time past that are true and hard to accept. Usually I am not a fan of war time novels, but this one captures my heart. In a similar manner as the films Pearl Harbor and Hanover Street except with a moral conscious. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the sequel [b:A Memory Between Us 7685251 A Memory Between Us (Wings of Glory, #2) Sarah Sundin https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1267077429l/7685251.SY75.jpg 10336772] come this fall. It starts with the cover being pure dreamy that just makes your heart sigh. Then from page one I was in love with the character of Allie and soon after Walt. Watching how romance blossomed and watch the confusion of their hearts and yearning for explanation for the other was pleasantly painful. Each chapter brought me begging for me. Sarah Sundin wrote an incredible heart rending story and I highly recommend it. Sundin is now on my favorite authors list. Thanks to Donna Hausler of Revell Books for providing a copy for review.

4.5 stars
Christian message: Five stars. It's rare now to find an author willing to take on the issue of lies and their consequences, especially “white lies” or deception by silence. Walt has an issue with making a good story, or smoothing things over, by taking a smudge of truth and stretching it, or by letting appearances speak for themselves. Allie, on the other hand, has lived her life keeping her mouth shut in order to keep the peace with her parents, instead of speaking out and standing on her beliefs. Both decisions are destined to sever this well-matched pair. The question is, if they can work their way back to each other. I loved that both are strong Christians and are wanting to seek God in prayer and Bible study.

Clean: Four stars. Two inappropriate innuendoes about Baxter (one was condemned later on, but not exactly cleared up.) Several instances of Walt enjoying the view of Allie's bare legs a trifle much, and one of him snapping pictures of her in her bathing suit. Thank goodness they moved beyond the throbs and started building a real friendship. I'd say 14+ because of those bits.

Story/characters: Five stars. Such a tale! I loved Walt and Allie so much. Their verbal sparring at the beginning had me totally on their side...especially the cow thing, which had me laughing aloud. Their friends were a colorful bunch, and the war casualties squeezed my heart way too much.

History: so wonderful! My granddad was a bombardier (loaded/fired the bombs out of the bombers) in Europe at this time, so it was neat to get a picture of what he did. I love books with this much historical detail.

Extra touch: you can't see it here, but the plane is actually painted as described. “Flossie's Fort,” name and all. Though, honestly, I'd pictured the painting of Flossie to look more like the Borden cow, only in a bomber jacket!