Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 511

Blue Skies Tomorrow - Release Day Giveaway!

[image error] Blue Skies Tomorrow  officially releases today! To celebrate, I'm holding a drawing for a copy of my novel and for a gorgeous apron sewn by my friend Marci Seither - the apron is made from vintage fabric with a vintage pattern and has the book cover printed on the pocket! Here's a picture of the apron Marci made for A Distant Melody - shown with my writing buddy, Julie Elder.

Blue Skies Tomorrow is the third book in the Wings of Glory series, which follows the three Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II. Each book stands alone.

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?

Reviews!

The reviews are starting to come in...I'm so thankful they're good!
 
RT Book Reviews gave it 4 1/2 Stars (the highest rating) and said, "With strong historical detail and superb characters, this may be the best yet. A great read for those who love romance, WWII-era settings or just satisfying stories."
 
[image error] Booklist said, "In her third WWII-set Christian romance, Sundin skillfully addresses several difficult issues-domestic abuse, the overtly racist policies of the U.S. military, and the temptations of worldly ambition and vengeance-and invests her protagonists with the resilience of hope born out of faith."
 
To enter the drawing, please leave a comment and say whether you'd like to be entered for the book, the apron, or both. PLEASE include your email in the comment in this format - sarah [at] sarahsundin [dot] com. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law, side effects may include sudden death, etc.

I'll conduct the drawing and post the winner on Friday, August 5.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 1, 1941: First flight of Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 31, 1941: Göring orders Reinhard Heydrich, head of SS police, to solve the "Jewish question." Cease-fire in Peru-Ecuador border clash, but Peruvians occupy large part of Ecuador.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 30, 1941: Seventeen Japanese fishing boats with naval officers & radio transmitters detained off Hawaii.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 29, 1941: Dutch freeze Japanese assets; now Japan has lost 75% of foreign trade and 90% of its oil supply.

Got Barriers?

[image error] "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'" Matt. 19:14.

We agree with those words. We go out of our way to make church an inviting and welcoming place, with smiling greeters and warm décor. But are there barriers we may not even be aware of?

Culture

Each church has its own culture—how you dress, whether or not you applaud after music, whether you text during service, what you do with crying babies. These unwritten rules may not be known by visitors—but can earn withering looks when broken.

Language

We love our church language. We "fellowship" in the "sanctuary," "worship" to the music, do our "quiet times" and "devotions," and "activate the prayer chain." We also talk about glory, righteousness, salvation, grace, and sin—concepts that might be foreign to the newcomer.

Cliques

One of the joys of the church family is the close relationships. After a long week, it's refreshing to chat with people who love you. We sit with our friends, chat with our friends, and go out with our friends. But do we welcome visitors—or leave that to the ushers?

Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple for disrespecting God's house and for impeding worship. We don't want to be guilty of the same sin.

Church culture will remain—but let's show grace to the rule-breakers. Church language should be embraced for the wealth of meaning—but let's be careful to define our terms. Church family should be nurtured—but let's open our eyes, watch for those outside our circle, and make an effort to include them.

What can you do to break down the barriers?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 28, 1941: Japan freezes American assets. Soviets advance into Smolensk pocket. 40,000 Japanese land in southern French Indochina.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 27, 1941: Peru takes Puerto Bolivar, Ecuador in first paratroop combat in western hemisphere.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 26, 1941: Roosevelt embargoes shipments of iron and gas to Japan, closes Panama Canal to Japanese shipping. US & Britain freeze Japanese assets. Gen. Douglas MacArthur recalled to service and placed in charge of US Army in Far East (US & Filipino troops).

Launch Party for Blue Skies Tomorrow!

[image error] You're invited to a launch party for my third novel, Blue Skies Tomorrow , on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at El Campanil Theatre in Antioch, California.

This gorgeous theater is pictured on the cover of Blue Skies Tomorrow and figures into several story scenes. The party is in conjunction with a showing of the 1946 classic movie, The Best Years of Our Lives, a touching portrayal of the post-war adjustment of three World War II veterans, including a B-17 bombardier.

[image error] The doors open at 1 pm, and the movie starts at 2 pm. Meet me in the lobby before or after the movie. I will be signing books, giving away some fun things (books, Big Band CDs, and vintage aprons!) - plus there will be free popcorn!

To find out how to get a free ticket for the event, please send an email to Sarah's Email, letting me know how many guests to expect.

For more info, please visit El Campanil's Website. While you're there, check out the photos from the amazing restoration process.