Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin

Another great read by talented author, Sarah Sundin!

Let's begin with the summary:

Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit, but at least his stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life. As he courts Helen Carlisle, a young war widow and mother who conceals her pain under a frenzy of volunteer work, the sparks of their romance set a fire that flings them both into peril. After Ray leaves to fly a combat mission at the peak of the air war over Europe, Helen takes a job in a dangerous munitions yard and confronts an even graver menace in her own home. Will they find the courage to face their challenges? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

And now, my review:

I’ve enjoyed all of the books in Sarah Sundin’s “Wings of Glory” series. I’m not usually one for WWII novels, but her work wins me over, every single time. She has such an amazing attention to detail as if she were there during the war, serving as a pilot, facing down the fears, the enemy, the horrors. Her extensive research leads to some intensive mid-air battle scenes. I’m not one for enjoying picturing the horrors of war, but Sarah stories and the inclusion of battles aren’t gory. She is tactful, but accurate.

The hardships her hero and her heroine had to face in Blue Skies Tomorrow were in many ways relatable. Their lives coaxed out their heroic sides. Helen had to overcome lies and both characters had to overcome cowardice. It’s amazing what you can find inside yourself when pushed to the limit. I was cheering for Helen as she faced the bullies in her life.

And Ray… Every one of the Novak brothers has come alive on the page. All of them noble and strong. Ray’s inner battle chased him into the real battles of war where he had to prove himself just to stay alive. The story produced some powerful scenes and my only regret was I was reading on an airplane where I could release a few chuckles, but I didn’t have any tissues handy.

And speaking of transcending fiction to suddenly become applicable to everyday life—Helen’s struggle to shove off the lies of the past that told her she was weak and clumsy and incapable suddenly helped me analyze the lies I’m bombarded with. It’s when we stop and examine the lies that we can begin to overcome them with the light of the truth. I have a feeling that application will remain with me long after I’ve shelved this fantastic book. (Just like with the author’s message of shoving off shame from another book in this series.)

This novel will immerse you in WWII history, both on the home front and on the front lines. A phenomenal close on this enjoyable series.

Highly recommended. I’m very much looking forward to Sarah’s next series, “Wings of the Nightingale,” which will launch in September 2012. Can’t wait!

Also, click over to her website (www.SarahSundin.com) for a chance to "tour" a B-17 bomber. She has other fascinating info on her site as well, including a diagram of the plane her characters fly.
~~~
Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.