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Thursday, September 8, 2011

BLUE SKIES TOMORROW by Sarah Sundin - PART 2

Welcome Back! This is Day 2 of the blog tour for Sarah Sundin, celebrating the release of the third installment of her Wings of Glory Series - BLUE SKIES TOMORROW. If you're just joining us, please visit yesterday's post for the special giveaway. Hurry, though, as the Grand Prize contest ends this Saturday!

If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you will know how much I admire Sarah's work and am fortunate to have her as a friend. We met at Mount Hermon in California several years ago and had the distinction of being "debut" authors together last year. Enough about that. Please read to the end - I have a special surprise for one lucky reader.

MY REVIEW of BLUE SKIES TOMORROW: 

Blue Skies Tomorrow is a stunning conclusion to Sarah Sundin’s Wings of Glory Series. Lt. Raymond Novak steps to the forefront in this one, but unlike his hero brothers, he really wants only to be a pastor and feels his stateside job as a flight training officer doesn’t measure up to the sacrifice and courage of those who’ve gone into combat. A job change that he views as a demotion brings Ray back to his home area in California. There he reconnects with a childhood friend, Helen Carlisle, who is now widowed and has a small child. As a romance begins to kindle, Helen confesses a dark secret to Ray, and in a panic, tells him she never wants to see him again. Defeated even in love, Ray volunteers for flight duty in England.

What I love about Sarah’s books is that her characters are flawed or have great obstacles to overcome, but falling in love doesn’t erase those problems and often highlights them. She brings her characters through the fire of their shortcomings, and as the romance develops, so does trust, accountability, and even being willing to let go of the other person if it benefits him or her more. Ray and Helen’s story was, for me, the most heart wrenching in the Wings of Glory Series. Helen’s character as a childhood polio victim and then a victim of another kind as an adult had me hoping desperately she would find courage and happiness. The ending tied all the stories together beautifully. Please don’t miss out on this great series.

Now for the surprise. In the comments section, tell me your favorite genre and favorite setting for a book, past or present. Also, you'll need to leave your contact information so I can notify the winner. At noon on Sept 15, I will draw for the winner of Blue Skies Tomorrow. Chat away!

Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher for my honest review. Void where prohibited. Chances of winning dependent on number of entries.

22 comments:

Sarah Sundin said...

Carla - thank you so much for the lovely review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. And don't enter me in the drawing ;)

carla stewart said...

My pleasure, Sarah! Hope your release is going well.

Gina Conroy said...

I've heard so much about Sarah's books and am intrigued with the WWII era. I don't have a favorite genre, but recently my favorite settings have been ancient civilizations. TL Higley does a great job with bringing these fictional times to life.

Jo said...

This sounds like it is going to be a good book to read.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Giveaway Lady said...

Please enter me. I already have the book but my sister is dying to get a copy, I would love to get her one:) My favorite genres are suspense and historical. The funny thing is I am not a big fan of WWII books but Sara Sundin is one of my favorite authors! Love her books!! Thanks for the chance at winning:)

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Camille Eide said...

Well, I'm totally intrigued and sorry to say I haven't gotten to read Sarah's series yet. Will be remedying that soon! It sounds so good.

That's a tough one.... I like a strong love story set in any believable setting. My favorite genre I guess is relational drama, with or without romance. The WWII era has always been intriguing, having heard from several who served including my father in law.

I hear nothing but raves about Sarah's books and can't wait to get the series. Thank you for hosting her and for sharing the review!

carla stewart said...

Gina, you just have to read Sarah's books. They've such a great WWII flavor and her latest one has some plot points that you'll understand with the WWII story you're writing.

Jo - thanks for stopping in!

Charity - I'm the same way - not much on historical, but I think it's because of the depth Sarah puts into her books that makes them great reads!

carla stewart said...

Camille, I think you'll love Sarah's books because of what you're saying - the strong love story in a believable setting. Talk about great details and putting you right there - Sarah is masterful. I know it sounds like a Sarah commercial, but she's not paying me to say this. Really.

Maybe you can meet her at conference.

Camille Eide said...

I got to meet Sarah briefly at the same Mt Hermon conference where I met you, Carla. I've been watching her publishing career since and am so happy to see so many people talking about her books. Looking forward to seeing you BOTH at ACFW in a few days. :-)

carla stewart said...

That's right - that's when I first met her too. We ended up having a late evening chat in the cafeteria wondering if we would EVER be published. MH that year was a turning point for both of us.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Carla & Sarah -

I loved the first two books in this series. Please enter me in the drawing.

susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com

My favorite genres are historical romance and action/suspense.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Patty Wysong said...

Sarah hooked me with A Memory Between Us. LOVED it.

Historicals are my favorites, and I pretty much love any time period if the story is good--even prairie romances, after all these years. LoL.

The WWII time is a new one to me, though, and it has me captivated. I have an Air Force uniform that I need to sell, but I'm reluctant to because it's so full of history and it makes my imagination soar.

patterly {at} gmail {dot}com

Shannon McNear said...

I LOVED Sarah's first book ... and I'm afraid I don't have a favorite setting, since I love all types--historical, fantasy, and some contemporary. To me, it's all about how vivid the author can make it for the reader, whatever the genre or setting!

Blessings to you both!

sdmcnear AT gmail DOT com

Jo Huddleston said...

I love Sarah's writing and she's so good with her descriptions of settings. Hope I win her book. Thanks.

Ann Lee Miller said...

Sounds great!

Ann_Lee_Miller[at]msn[dot]com

Liz Johnson said...

I have her first two books and would love to finish the series! Thanks for the chance!

liz[at]lizjohnsonbooks[dot]com

Merry said...

My favorite genre are historical romance and romantic suspense. As for setting I love the Regency time period yet for suspense a modern setting. Please include me in the drawing, thanks!
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

Sandee61 said...

I enjoy alot of different genres and settings, but two favorites are WWI and WWII, as well as those set in the South. I'm curious about the different wars, my Dad was in WWII and my Mom worked in a parachute plant during that time so its fascinating to me.
Thank you for the entry.

Blessings,
Sandee61

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

misskallie2000 said...

I love Romance and mystery, suspense and love all Christian Fiction authors books. I read "A Memory Between Us" and am looking forward to "Blue Skies Tomorrow". I do enjoy reading books that are set in the South and books about American history. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

It sounds like an intriguing book. I am interested in writing Christian fiction and the more I can read and study it, the more successful I will be.

carla stewart said...

Thanks, y'all for your wonderful comments! I'm excited about your interest in reading Sarah's new book. And to Carolyn, who was the last commenter, you nailed it - the more you read the better your writing will be.

Blessings!

lorlyn63 said...

I have read a lot about Sarah's book and it sounds like something I would enjoy reading. Please throw my name in the hat for your drawing. Thank you and blessings!

Lori
triplel(at)evertek(dot)net