A Distant Melody

by Sarah Sundin

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800734211
• ISBN13: 9780800734213
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
• Length: 426 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up

Customer Reviews

Story of love and sacrifice before, during, world war ll

This book was a delightful easy read, basically centered around two young people Allie, and walt.. who happen to meet on a train ride.. not knowing they were both going to the same place to attend a best friends wedding. As events unfold during their week together with their friends before the wedding, they both feel a strong attraction to one another.This attraction turns into a deep friendship, and Allie's heart is leaning more towards walt, than to the man that works at her Father's Factory,(Baxter) who her parents are determined to see her in an arranged marriage with . She feels nothing at all for this other man, and now that she's met walt, her heart is really in a turmoil...how is she going to stand up to her parents and tell them she doesn't love him, or that he even loves her, it's more of him marrying her, to eventually take over her Fathers Factory! That she doesn't want to ever Marry him, and make them listen and treat her like the 23 yr old young adult she is , who can make her own decisions, and stand on her own two feet. The story. ..dives deep into the relationship between Walt and Allie, through their letter writing, as he is sent over seas, as a Lt. In the 306th Bombardment Group, fighting Hitler's war. The story line was a very easy read, alot of different Characters that are relatable, likable, and easy to follow.Its a tender love story, with plenty of exciting parts, so that it keeps you interested, and dying to find out what happens in their relationship. There is sadness at times, with the losses walt experiences with the fighting of the war, and there is also sadness for Allie, who at one point is told by her parents, if she doesn't do as told by them and marry Baxter,(arranaged marriage guy) they will disown her as their daughter! Can you imagine...an only child ! I will say ..as much as I totally enjoyed this story.. I was never aware that when I purchased it, it was a soft Christian Story. It may have been listed as such, and I just over looked it. I can say .. it didn't take anything away from the story, and the bible viruses that were put around the story played a part in the whole thing.I was glad it was just the right amount, any more.. and I probably would have been put off..It was just enough .. that it didn't feel as though you were being preached to..It had a nice ending..for Allie and Walt..but Not anything you would predict. A really nice story !

A Wonderful WWII book!

Allie Miller has never been as pretty as her mother. And because of that, its caused her mother to look down on her. Lt. Walter Novak is a rather plain man, and when he talks to women he's completely tongue tied! When the both of them meet through a common friend they hit it off splendidly! And then continue to correspond when he's sent oversea's to fight. Things begin happening in Allie's life and she questions her role in life, who she really is, whats her purpose. Can she break away from the hold her family has on her and do what God's calling her to do? I LOVED This book! Allie was easy to connect with, as was Walt. I loved getting to know them and their friends and family. This is one of my favorite books by Sarah. The characters were so real. Not only was it a wonderful story, but I learned so much history about WWII and about the planes. Sarah is very descriptive, giving you a true feeling for their surroundings. A Must Read for sure.

A great book for guys too...

I have to admit that I typically wouldn't buy a book labeled "historical romance". I must also admit I judged this book by its cover and I was not disappointed. You can read the synopsis from all the other reviews but I will tell you I was especially drawn to the detail involved in the accounts of B-17 combat during WWII. I have toured a B-17 and I could recall every aspect as the author described it in perfect detail. With my busy schedule as a pastor, husband and father of three, it would typically take me a couple of weeks to read a book of this size, but I was so drawn into the story that I completed it in just two days. I finally set it down at 2:00 a.m. this morning! I am looking forward to the continuation of the series.

Remarkable storytelling

Relive the treacherous time of World War II in this story of sacrifices on the battle fronts and at the home front. Allie and Walt have an unimpressive history in the romance field. But at the week's end prior to a mutual friend's wedding, they wonder if their futures may have changed. Allie chooses not to mention that she has a boyfriend of several years and she and Walt relish their instant attraction to one another. When Walt, an Army Air Corps pilot, ships overseas they write letters in which each of them lies to the other by omission. Aided by the distance between them, their small lies compound their perceived differences. Their study of Scripture convinces them they must stop lying and confess to each other. What will be the consequences of their confessions? Can they unravel the tangled web their lies have woven in time to stop Allie's wedding to the man of her parents' choosing? Sarah Sundin's remarkable storytelling and well developed characters will keep you turning the pages. Anxious to read the next book in this series.

A Distant Melody

Set in World War II Sarah Sundin's debut novel is a hit! She has brought the words to life as she has told a beautiful story of love and redemption. This book was a great book, I loved it from beginning to ending. Walter Novack is a pilot in the service, on his last leave home before going into action he meets Allie Miller. Allie is engaged to her father's business manager, but is not in love with him, nor is he in love with her. Walter spends a whirlwind week with Allie, never knowing that she is in engaged. Until she leaves going home after the wedding of her friend that she came to town for, the friend that went to the station with her and Walter, tells him about the fiance'. Devastated by her lack of telling him, he vows to not write her, but the attraction is so strong he ends up finding her address and thus begans a wonderful friendship via mail. Both falling deeply in love with each other but neither telling the other, because of the things they think keep them apart. With the War often wearing him down and causing him great grief as friends die in battle, Allie's letters, friendship and prayers are a life line for Walter. Will he ever be able to tell another man's fiance' that he is in love with her? A must read book! This is book one in a series, the next book will be focused on Walter's brother Jack who is also a pilot. Definitely cannot wait for that next book! Sarah Sundin is a new favorite on my author list! 420 pages $14.99 US 5 stars This book was provided by Revell for review purposes, no payment was received for this review. Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

A beautifully written novel that truly sings

This novel itself was a beautiful song, woven so seamlessly it sails far beyond the standard of most historical romance. Author Sarah Sundin's way with words is masterful and each character jumps from the page. It was only when the pages ran out that I was disappointed. The research and attention to detail is so well crafted it doesn't overwhelm the reader, but rather uproots you and plants you in the co-pilot seat of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Be ready to pull on your wool-lined leather flight jackets. The other elements of the society - the rationing, the travel, the mannerisms - is all so realistic, I really felt I was back in 1942. This brought me back to the reason I love World War II fiction - it was a more honest time in the world. Men were gentlemen, and relationships grew out of letters that took weeks to arrive across the world. A Distant Melody has tension on every page and a love story unlike most typical, formulaic romances. Along with the brutalities of war, Sundin raises issues of race and class as well and the misconceptions of the time. This is a novel that will leave you laughing out loud and inching closer to the edge of your seat. This is what a historical novel should be - accurate and entertaining.

Authentic, Enchanting Debut

Once in a while a book comes along that wraps its arms around you and so enchants you that you don't want to the story to end. Sarah Sundin's debut novel, A Distant Melody, is one of those books. At the height of WWII, a chance meeting brings Allie Miller and Walt Novak together, but Allie's upcoming marriage, arranged by her wealthy parents, and Walt's dispatch to pilot a B-17 bomber from an airbase in England, halts the romance before it has time to spark. Only the letters which cross the Atlantic keep the flames burning. At times I felt I had a front row seat in a Bing Crosby/Frank Sinatra/Betty Hutton movie. The story is warm and witty, with authentic characters and poignant situations. While Walt deals with the tragedy of war, Allie is consumed with wedding preparations to a man she doesn't love and volunteers for the war effort stateside. Multi-layered with tender subplots, Sarah weaves this lovely story with finely drawn details and finesse. Did I mention I didn't want it to end? The good news is that this is the first book of three in the Wings of Glory series. I can't wait until book two. Highly recommended.