Sky Above Us

The characters are extremely well developed. I connected with both Adler and Violet very quickly. They were both on journeys learning to trust God. They each had a great friend that supported and encouraged them.

I was captivated by the story from the beginning. The period of WWII leading up to D-day is very compelling. It is hard facts to read about with all the lives lost on both sides. Yet I’m drawn to keep the history alive about what all the troops, in all branches of the service when through. This book did a marvelous job of that.

The connection between this book and the first book in the series is fantastic. I love the way the author is presenting the three brother, their pasts, and the presence. I’m really looking forward to the third book, Clay’s story. The wait for it to come out is going to be hard.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin transports readers to October of 1943. Lt. Adler Paxton is shipping to England with the 357th Fighter Group. He is ashamed of what he did three years prior and is estranged from his family in Texas. Adler is determined to become an ace pilot, but his commanding officer has other ideas. If Adler is to have the business he dreams of after the war, he needs to become a flying ace. Maybe God has other plans for this flyer. Violet Lindstrom wishes to become a missionary, but she will not be accepted without a husband. Violet was teaching in her hometown until she turned twenty-five and joined the Red Cross. She wants to work with children, but instead is assigned to be director of an aeroclub. Violet and Kitty Kelly work to provide entertainment and food to the men of the 357th. Violet even comes up with a program to help the local children and she recruits Adler to assist her. Slowly Adler opens up to Violet about his past and she along with Nick Westin encourage him to write to his family. Can Adler overcome his misjudgments? He needs to come to terms with what happened and ask for God’s forgiveness. Adler also needs to find a way to forgive himself. D-Day is quickly approaching, and Adler will be in the thick of the battle. Come along for Adler’s journey in The Sky Above Us.

The Sky Above Us is a well-written and captivating historical novel. The pacing is mixed throughout the book. Sarah Sundin captured the time-period and historical elements very well. I can tell that the author did her research for this series of books. Lt. Adler Paxton loves to fly, and his dream is to become an ace pilot. Major Shapiro believes Adler needs to learn to be a team player and assigns him to be the wingman for Capt. Nick Westin. You can feel the struggle Adler is going through with this new assignment. Violet wants to become a missionary, but they only accept married couples. Her former fiancé, Dennis Reeves was influenced by money and decided to take a different path. Violet now finds herself in England working for the Red Cross and managing an aeroclub. Her job is to feed and entertain the off duty pilots. Unfortunately, thefts are thwarting her mission. Violet will lose her job if she does not find the culprit. There is plenty of activity in The Sky Above Us. Adler is flying mission, Violet setting up the aeroclub, both are dealing with their past, activities with local children, uncovering a thief, and much more. I like how Sarah Sundin incorporated the Christian elements into the story. One of my favorite phrases is “only God can take away the pain”. The author provides vivid details that brought the story alive. As a reader, I could visualize the scenes and characters thanks to Sarah Sundin’s writing. It was interesting to learn more about aeroclubs and how the pilots flew their missions. I did find the book slowed down in the middle and I could have done without some of the kissing scenes (they were a bit much). I did, though, like how Violet and Adler’s relationship progressed, and how she never let go of her Christian values. The Sky Above Us can be read alone if you have not picked up The Sea Before Us. There is a preview of the next Sunrise Over Normandy novel included which features Clay Paxton and Leah Jones. Discussion questions are also provided which are a good aid for book clubs. If you are looking for an intriguing historical novel, then look no further than The Sky Above Us.

THE SKY ABOVE US (Sunrise at Normandy Book # 2) is fantastic! This book may be read as a stand alone but for the maximum reading in experience, it needs to be read in sequential order in the Series. This is the story of American Air Force Lt. Adler Paxton and American Red Cross Worker Violet Lindstrom. Each of them enlist to serve for very different reasons. Paxton is glad to be be serving his country as a flyboy because in the War effort and desperately wants to become an ACE pilot. Also, this way he can be as far away from his family as possible. Red Cross Volunteer Violet Lindstrom has been wanting to be a missionary for most of her life. She has no clue about working with soldiers as she has been an elementary schoolteacher. Both of them are in for many life lessons as they are part of the group preparing for Operation Overloard. Sundin has created characters that are realistic and complex. They are experiencing normal emotions and normal problems as they prepare to face the greatest military challenge in history. Sundin writes in such a way that you are drawn into the situations with the characters. Her descriptions of dogfights among the pilots is exceptional! The love story is beautiful because it doesn’t come easy. It takes a lot of work, a lot of encouragement from friends and mainly a whole lot of prayer. A true story of redemption and love. I was provided an ARC by Revell Publishing and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.