Book 1 in the Wings of the Nightingale series
Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she’s never met–even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence–he’s been trying to escape his infamous name for years.
As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other’s true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?
Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing–and true love.
SEEING YOURSELF AS GOD SEES YOU
AUTHOR SARAH SUNDIN THRILLS READERS WITH A WWII TALE OF ROMANCE AND FORGIVENESS
Seattle: Combining a flair for romance with exceptional research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of World War II aviation and nursing in her latest release. With Every Letter(Revell, September 1, 2012, ISBN 978-0800720810, $14.99)launches Sundin’s new Wings of the Nightingale series in which three WWII flight nurses will discover friendship, love, and peril in the skies and on the shores of the Mediterranean.
In With Every Letter, readers meet Lt. Mellie Blake who is looking forward to her training as a flight nurse. What she’s not as enthusiastic about is writing a letter to a man she’s never met as a part of a morale-building program, even if it is anonymous. The recipient of Mellie’s letters is Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa. Tom welcomes the idea of anonymous correspondence, especially since he’s been trying to escape his infamous name and family history for years.
With every letter written back and forth across the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie get to know one another and develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other’s true identity. Each has always felt uncomfortable in his/her own skin, but the letters allow them to shed some of their insecurities. However, when both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?
In addition to the war raging around them, both Tom and Mellie face the inward battle of learning to see themselves as God sees them and grow into the people God wants them to be. Mellie has always seen herself as merciful as she cares for the sick and wounded, but the brutal events surrounding her stretch her understanding of mercy. Both Tom and Mellie also learn new depths of the true meaning of forgiveness.
With the Wings of the Nightingale Series, Sundin is able to uniquely combine her affinity for the WWII era with her medical knowledge and training as a pharmacist. “Although medications have changed significantly in the past seventy years, the basic concepts remain,” explains Sundin. When asked about what draws her to writing about this particular period of time, she shares, “Not only do I love the clothes, uniforms, and music, but there’s an inexhaustible supply of dramatic stories and settings-a novelist’s dream. This was a time when ordinary men had to do extraordinary things, and when women explored non-traditional roles-while remaining ladies. As a pharmacy resident at a VA hospital, I had the honor of caring for many World War II veterans. As a rule, they were cheerful, kind, and chivalrous, with the solid strength of someone who has been tested-and passed. What more could you want in a hero?”
For more information about Sarah Sundin’s books and the events her stories are based on, visit www.sarahsundin.com.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book has it all--romance, history, and a beautiful Christian message. I love historical fiction, and this is exactly what I love. I appreciated the fact that the hero and heroine both struggled to fit in--maybe because I oculd somewhat identify. I saw some of myself in Mellie, and probably less of myself in Tom, but I enjoyed these characters immensely. Every character was well-developed and played a part in the development of the story.
I appreciated the fact that the author tried to stay as true to the historical accounts as possible. This is what makes historical fiction my favorite genre. I also appreciate that God took an active role in the life of the characters. I was most touched when mercy was shown and God worked things out in unbelievable ways. It really made me stop and think about how I allow God to work in my life.
Okay, this is truly romanctic. I never felt that it was "sappy." I have never seen "The Shop Around the Corner," but I saw "In the Good Old Summertime" (which was based on the former movie). I found myself charmed by the romantic interactions, and what could be more romantic than falling in love through the mail?
If you like WWII, romance, and old-fashioned charm, this is a must-read! This book will continue to hold a special place in my heart.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
I appreciated the fact that the author tried to stay as true to the historical accounts as possible. This is what makes historical fiction my favorite genre. I also appreciate that God took an active role in the life of the characters. I was most touched when mercy was shown and God worked things out in unbelievable ways. It really made me stop and think about how I allow God to work in my life.
Okay, this is truly romanctic. I never felt that it was "sappy." I have never seen "The Shop Around the Corner," but I saw "In the Good Old Summertime" (which was based on the former movie). I found myself charmed by the romantic interactions, and what could be more romantic than falling in love through the mail?
If you like WWII, romance, and old-fashioned charm, this is a must-read! This book will continue to hold a special place in my heart.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
View all my reviews
Sarah Sundin is the author of the Wings of Glory series (A Distant Melody, A Memory Between Us, and Blue Skies Tomorrow). In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Her latest release,With Every Letter, is the first in the new Wings of Nightingale series.
A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.
I really like the sounds of this different plot!!
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