Wings

by Cynthia Lee Cartier

Once again, Cynthia Lee Cartier has created a story with dynamic characters that many readers have said feel like real friends they don't want to say goodbye to at the end of the book.It’s WWII and daredevil pilot, Liddy Hall, dreams of leaving her small Midwestern town to fly for her country. She applies for the Women Airforce Service Pilots program, though her excitement is mixed with the apprehensions of leaving her ailing father and the only home she’s ever known. War complicates life and life complicates war as Liddy’s unconventional journey brings true friendships and true love into her life for the first time. The high-spirited and fun-loving female fliers in this novel have the time of their lives and get into their share of mischief, while they loyally serve their country and each other. Liddy Hall and her dynamic friends will endear and entertain as they all learn what it truly means to have wings. Join the adventure, feel the heartbreak of loss, and revel in the joy of triumph in this engaging and moving story that transports readers to a nostalgic and life-changing time in history.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance, World War II, War

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 18, 2012

About the author

Cynthia was born in Los Angeles and raised in northern California and Arizona. Her early life in California, living across the street from a vineyard, working in her father’s large vegetable garden and growing up around a menagerie of animals—dogs, cats, chickens, a horse, a cow, and a very surly goat—infused Cynthia with a love of country life and of watching things grow.

Cynthia has had stories popping into her head as long as she can remember and imagined her first story when she was five and later, at the ripe old age of eight, wrote it down and still thinks the story is tellable. While in school and later while raising a family, keeping a home and garden, and working as a designer and at a myriad of other jobs, Cynthia continued to write.

My Way Home, the first in the St. Gabriel series, was not the first novel Cynthia wrote, but it was the first one to be published. My Way Home captured the hearts of readers who eagerly await additions to the St. Gabriel series.

Cynthia’s novels are often about women, but her stories have a will of their own and she doesn’t allow them to be hemmed in by a single genre. In addition to novels, Cynthia has also written animation and live-action scripts, as well as children's stories.

A grateful mother and grandmother, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, cooking and traveling, especially to her very favorite Island.

Reviews

[Wendy Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and reviewed Cynthia's first novel, My Way Home, and absolutely loved it. So, I was really excited about her new novel, Wings. I was not disappointed - I adore it!

It's WWII and Liddy Hall is just trying to survive. Her father's in a home and she's trying to pay the hefty expenses of his care while also trying to have some money leftover to pay her own bills. She's spent most of her life with airplanes and has a desire to own a pair silver wings.

When the Army begins seeking female pilots, Liddy knows that this could be her chance, even though she is scared to leave behind her small town, friends and family. But she is only free and at peace when she is in the air. She passes the exams and soon finds herself in training. Along the way, she meets many women that she befriends. She also meets Major Reid and really falls for him even though she can't understand why he brushes her off as soon as he learns she is a woman pilot.

Liddy is not afraid to take risks. In fact, she starts every flight with the words, "Today is a good day to die", which could be a curse to some, but comforting to her. She learns her way as she goes and has a heart of gold, but she also has a backbone of steel. I hated to see the end of Wings, I loved the characters and the premise so much. Cartier writing engages the reader, investing them before they even know it. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! It will be hard to top this one!

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book which I downloaded to my Kindle because it was free. There is a lot of information about the WASPs -- women pilots during WWII, and the characters were interesting, fully-formed personalities. The heroine, Liddy Hall, learned to fly from her flight instructor father at an early age. When America entered WWII, she wanted to contribute and was able to become a member of the WASPs. The story follows her throughout her service and introduces other women with whom she served. One reviewer criticized the characters as being stereotypical, but I felt that they were very much like the type of females who would have volunteered for service in a man's field in those days.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely historical novel about women flyers during WWII. It had a bit of romance in it - but never got maudlin.

Great for an afternoon read with a bit of actual history thrown it! It also makes me want to dig into the history of these women. The novel suggested that some women's programs went on in time, while this one folded.

Why?

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the daughter of a WWII woman marine, I was fascinated by this tale of women flyers. It's a good read and brought back lots of memories of stories Mom used to tell about the sisterhood of these military women who pushed so many boundaries.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very pleasantly surprised by this book! Had a hard time puttng it down most days. I enjoyed learning while reading this book. The women went through some amazing things. Very courageous time for all the women and the men who served!

[Alison]

kindle 297 WWII

[Harmony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story, was a fast pace book with lots of adventure!