Fiction published by Acorn Publishing 3 Jan 19
I actually don’t remember how I found out about this book. What I do recall is thinking I really like the cover, along with that of the second book, Angel Flight. I don’t usually rely on covers in my decisions to read any book, but once in a while one will stick with me until I finally give in and dig in, hoping the story inside lives up to its depiction on that cover. Did that happen in this instance?
Yes, it did – in spades. Tris Miles is the flygirl of the title, and her story begins in the mid to late ’90s when she decides to become a pilot. She’s currently a first officer with dreams of becoming a captain on the quickest timeline she can carve out. So when the opportunity comes for her to join Tetrix to work her way up, she jumps in with both feet. Unfortunately, this time around Tris is met with animosity and discrimination by some of the men who have flown with the company for years. But it gets worse as her time with them moves on; lies and deceit are added to the mix, especially when an emergency situation crops up during a flight and even more so during an international route where Tris is pushed into events that could ruin her career.
Added to all of this is Tris’ guilt she still harbors about the death of her lover, Bron. That guilt tries to undermine her confidence during her training to upgrade to a larger plane, but her grit is just as strong and she shoulders her way through to the end, despite those still working against her. She gets advice from her best friend, Danny, who wants more from her, but Tris isn’t able to move forward in her personal life just yet. So she’s dealing with a double whammy, in a way, but you have to admire her determination, passion, and skill in a world where women just aren’t welcomed by all. The ’90s weren’t very hospitable to women in a male-dominated industry.
Ms. Kardon is a former pilot, so her knowledge is all-inclusive, giving believability to everything Tris goes through. I enjoyed everything about this story – well, except the blasted attitudes of the men of the times. The two worst, one worse than the other – and even that concept has an unexpected spin on it here – get well-deserved comeuppances, though at the expense of others in one instance. I’m looking forward to finishing Angel Flight, the second book in the series. So look for my review of that later this week!
Grade: A
Summary:
Reeling from guilt and grief over a tragic loss, can an ambitious pilot earn the respect she craves?
Tris Miles is held back by her job as a First Officer for tiny Clear Sky Airlines. She needs to be a Captain–the only way she knows to prove her worth as a pilot and atone for a deadly mistake that cost the life of a loved one.
Tris accepts a prestigious job with Tetrix, Inc. where she hopes to advance quickly. But as the company’s first woman pilot, she encounters resistance, marginalization, and harassment on a daily basis. Fortunately, Tris has one thing her co-workers can’t deny–skill.
In the skies over Europe, Tris, her passengers, and crew are in real danger. Will Tris lead her passengers to a safe landing? And if this is the end, can she find the strength to forgive herself?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
