Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge—until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth’s heart a top-priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she also is determined not to give her heart to any man.
As the danger and tension of World War II rise to a fever pitch, Jack and Ruth will need each other more than ever. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?
*Starred Review!* “Sundin’s second wartime inspirational romance…is an exceptional read. Sundin’s novel features characters living large under emotional and physical stress, while the setting provides invaluable details and insights into the wartime mindset.”
*4 ½ Stars!* “Strong historical facts woven together with persuasive characters makes A Memory Between Us…a gripping tale of war, intrigue and love. Tight, skillful writing is an added perk to this must-read romance.”
*Note: Walt’s plane in A Distant Melody, and Jack’s plane, Sunrise Serenade, in A Memory Between Us, are both B-17Fs, which lack the chin turret designated by #2 in the diagram. Jack’s other planes, and all Ray’s planes in Blue Skies Tomorrow, are B-17G models as shown in the diagram.
I sure did! In May 2011, the Experimental Aircraft Association visited Buchanan Field in Concord, California, and I had the privilege of flying in their beautifully restored B-17G, Aluminum Overcast. I’ve e
njoyed walking through this plane every year, and then one of my readers, who volunteers with EAA, arranged for me to participate in the media flight. I took a YouTube video of the flight and wrote a blog post describing my experience. It was a rollicking fun ride!
To learn more about the B-17 Flying Fortress and the men who flew in them, please see my articles on the B-17 Flying Fortress and on the B-17 crew.
All towns are real, and so are the Army hospitals, the 94th Bombardment Group, and the 815th Medical Air Evacuation Squadron.
All health care characters are fictional, and I changed a real date for the 815th to fit my story timeline—they didn’t actually arrive in England until March 20, 1944.
Due to Jack’s high rank, I had to include real-life commanders in the 94th as characters—Col. Frederick Castle and Lt. Col. Louis Thorup. I hope I did these outstanding men justice. Other real-life people mentioned in the book are Col. John Moore, Brig. Gen. David Grant, Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, Col. Curtis LeMay, Maj. Gen. James “Jimmy” Doolittle, Lt. William Cely, Brig. Gen. Russ Wilson, Col. Charles Dougher, Gen. Paul Hawley, and barber Mr. Noia.
Please see my four-part blog series on Army Nursing in World War II:
Part 1: Who Could Serve in the US Army Nurse Corps
Part 2: Recruitment, Training, and Military Rank
Part 3: Uniforms
Part 4: General Nursing Practice
Please see my three-part blog series:
Medical Air Evacuation in World War II
Medical Air Evacuation in World War II–One Patient’s Journey