Several years ago, I met an author online whose first book was about to debut. We talked some about her novel, a WWII romance, and how my husband might like it because of the planes and battle scenes. When she asked if I’d like to be an influencer, I jumped at the chance. Why do I remember all of this? Because A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin became one of the best books I have ever read. In fact, her whole Wings of Glory series is in a regular rotation at my house for both me and my husband. So is her Wings of the Nightingale series, about air nurses in Word War II.
Fast forward to this summer, when the final Wings book, In Perfect Time, released. Yep. I jumped at the chance to read it and review it because hey, it’s Sarah Sundin. We were already five books in and I had yet to be disappointed.
In Perfect Time follows With Every Letter and On Distant Shores, this time telling the story of Lt. Kay Jobson, a recurring character from the first two books. Kay has quite the reputation and, like hero Lt. Roger Cooper, I was pretty sure I didn’t like her at all. (In fact, when I found out she was the heroine of book 3, I was definitely curious how that was going to work out!) As it turns out, while Kay has cultivated her reputation, she hasn’t necessarily earned it. (You’ll have to read to find out what I mean by that.) When Kay finally overcomes her past and the lies she’s been told about herself and Jesus, her redemption story is beautiful, and it runs perfectly with her love story with Roger. Roger’s got his own flaws, one of which is running ahead of God toward dreams that may not be his after all. I loved the theme of dreams that ran through the book and how man can twist up God’s plan for their life by chasing the wrong–or wrong version–of a life’s passion.
Well, I have to say it. I ended up loving Kay. And I ended up loving the book, although I didn’t have a lot of doubts that I would. Like I said, Sarah Sundin has yet to disappoint me. I have no idea how the woman gets any books written, because her research is so meticulous. She makes you feel like you’re living in the time. Everythig from cockpits to clothing is authentic, and she can paint them in such a way that you see every single bit of it. By the time you’re halfway through the book, you feel like these characters are real and you’re walking through the tragedy and the triumph with them. Sha manages to make the book so much more than a war story, so much more than a love story, so much more than a redemption story… It’s a blend of all three that’s like life and all of its ups and downs. Even when she puts the characters in mortal danger it feels real, not contrived or melodramatic. I think I love her books most because of that… because they simply read like they actually happened.
So, not for the first time and, with the Waves of Freedom series starting next year I’m sure not the last time… I’ve got to tell you to go get this book. Then block out weekend and start reading, because you won’t want to put it down.
-JB
Sarah Sundin says
Jodie – thank you so much for the absolutely lovely review! I’m glad you enjoyed Kay & Roger’s story!