Historical Fiction/Romance published by William Morrow Paperbacks 5 April 22
Lorraine Heath is one of a few authors whose books I will read, no matter the subject matter, content, or whatever she decides to take on next. The majority of her books are historical romance set in England, but her historical western romances in the American south are some of my favorites. Her decision to write about the women aviators of World War I might make a few of her fans a bit antsy. But, let me tell you, Ms. Heath can do no wrong in my eyes, and this story is one of her absolute best.
It’s 1941 and America has yet to enter WWI, but when the British invade her small Texas town, Jessie Lovelace wants to be part of teaching these new cadets how to fly to survive any fight that comes their way. Her father taught both her and her twin Jack all about planes at their family airfield and they are now some of the best flying several different types of planes. Jack is currently defying US rules against joining the Brits and their fight with Hitler, and Jessie is being told women have no place in the military or flying. She still wants to help and does her part based on what the airfield commander will allow. However, she’s one determined woman and seizes every opportunity that comes along, taking her closer to her goal. When she meets Wing Commander Royce Ballinger, a Brit who is recovering from a war injury, she is happy he doesn’t share her boss’ attitude toward women and isn’t sure what to do with the attraction that arcs between them – especially because she’s in a relationship with her high school sweetheart.
Rhonda is Jessie’s best friend. While she doesn’t fly and doesn’t want to, she does help behind the scenes, along with Jessie, in preparing the cadets for their aviation future. She and Peter, another British aviator, begin what they consider a fling, but as the story moves along, they are each caught by surprise when it comes to their feelings for one another. Then there’s Kitty, Jessie’s younger sister. She’s not yet seventeen but is fascinated by the cadets, getting to know them all when they drop by the drug store soda fountain where she works. Her mother tries to keep her interest at bay, but Kitty is lost when she meets Will.
As we follow these characters through their life during this difficult time, we get such an emotional and real-life look at the turmoil and uncertainty as brilliantly written by Ms. Heath. She keeps it very real with the loss of characters, both during training and during their actual flights against the enemy. I found myself misty-eyed numerous times throughout the last half of this book. The timeline follows events from 1941 through the bombing of Pearl Harbor and America’s entrance into the fray to the end of the war. We are given tidbits that I’m willing to guess a lot of us do not know happened during this period, all due to the excellent research on the part of the author.
This is a wonderful tribute to the women who stepped up during such a difficult era, a totally different take on keeping the home fires burning. Though the story is more historical fiction than romance, we still get love where we least expect it, along with the tragedy of losing it when also least expected. Another absolute winner from one of my all-time favorite authors. Kudos, Ms. Heath. Job well done, one that makes me love your work all the more.
Grade: A+
Summary:
1941. A talented flier, Jessie Lovelace yearns for a career in aviation. When the civilian flight school in her small Texas town begins to clandestinely train British pilots for the RAF, she fights to become an instructor. But the task isn’t without its perils of near-misses and death. Faced with the weight of her responsibilities, she finds solace with a British officer who knows firsthand the heavy price paid in war . . . until he returns to the battles he never truly left behind.
Rhonda Monroe might not be skilled in the air but can give a trainee a wild ride in a flight simulator. Fearing little, she dares to jeopardize everything for a forbidden relationship with a charismatic airman…
Innocent and fun-loving Kitty Lovelace, Jessie’s younger sister, adores dancing with these charming newcomers, realizing too late the risks they pose to her heart.
As the war intensifies and America becomes involved, the Girls of Flight City do their part to bring a victorious end to the conflict, pouring all their energy into preparing the young cadets to take to the skies and defeat the dangers that await. And lives from both sides of the Atlantic will be forever changed by love and loss…
No excerpt available.
