Soaring & Swoony

Hotshots

by Ginny Sterling

Against all odds, two people from different backgrounds find love while journeying from the ruins of Egypt to distant shores.

Noah ‘ Memphis ’ Bennington has the entire world before him. Cruising the seas, exploring new cities, and soaring among the heavens - but nothing could prepare him for her.

Dr. Madeline Smith studied civilizations that existed long ago by excavating ruins and searching for treasures. She never expected to find something just as priceless or incredible, lurking deep within a handsome pilot’s eyes.

Now, trapped and facing with a tough choice, the two perfect strangers come up with an ingenious plan. One conversation, one promise, and one desperate kiss have two individuals struggling with how to move forward from here.

How do you let go of the past when it’s your job… and how do you maintain a fake marriage when things suddenly become very real?


***

HOTSHOTS takes you on a thrilling global adventure with fearless pilots - and the women who adore them. Emotions run high as daring souls embark on relationships they never imagined amidst the skies.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2024

About the author

Ginny Sterling is an avid romance writer. She lives to tell sweet, inspirational, tender tales that tug at the heart, leaving the reader smiling, laughing, or crying. Her book series include many titles such as FLYBOYS, Healing Hearts, Flirt’s Battalion, Reserve Ranch, Hotshots, and more.

Each book written is sure to be an adventure, bringing laughter and love to your heart!

https://linktr.ee/ginny_sterling

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting jump into a new series! This story threw the two main characters together fairly early on with a harrowing situation that was definitely life threatening.

The author did a great job at showing that Noah (Memphis) and Madeline had some instant attraction. That attraction remained as they ran for their lives, had to trust each other, and agreed to marry as a last ditch effort to safely get Madeline out of Egypt.

The way these two got to know each other through texts, video chats, and emails made Noah's remaining deployment feel very real. I loved the tension that built between them as they wanted to be together but had to instead be apart.

The emotions in this book built between these two and the way Noah cared for Madeline as she had never experienced before was so sweet. This is a closed door romance with a married couple. There were some fade to black scenes and the characters did not shy away from talk of intimacy.

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Koren | the_blue_eyed_bluestocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my lanta. ✈️

This new Navy airmen inspired sweet romance series is 🔥🔥. There is some nuclear-level chemistry between these two amazing MCs. Noah, aka call sign 'Memphis', is so interesting. He starts off acknowledging that he is not the kind of guy for a relationship, but once he decided to be all in, he was fabulous... protective, caring, and patient. Madeline is stubborn and insecure, and it is amazing being able to read her thoughts as Noah cracks her shell piece by piece. According to Madeline, there are at least 30 or 40 swoony points for Noah, and I so enjoyed her calculating and registering each one.

The novel bookends with some real tension and danger while also exploring the difficulties of deployment life. We also get a look at the airmen team, and you know that they can produce stories for days... which bodes well for all of us hoping for another installment! A fake marriage might be the overarching trope here, but the reality is that it is just what brings the characters together, and the resolution is so satisfying. We don't get tons of misunderstandings, but really good communication and so I can fully give my stamp of approval!

A content warning might be appropriate just to know that there is some bawdy talk among the airmen and some fairly open (but not explicit) references to married s*x. This is a closed door, fade-to-black book.

I was given a complimentary copy of the author's exciting story to read and review. All thoughts contained here are my own.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hotshots are off to a fabulous start. This new book and new series does not disappoint. Think Indiana Jones and high priced artifacts, as well as a harrowing opening scene.

Noah "Memphis" Bennington only cares about flying. Right now he is living his life on an aircraft carrier that occasionally docks on dry land. Noah never misses an opportunity to sightsee when they are docked, which is how he runs into Dr. Madeline Smith. Madeline is an expert on ancient ruins and artifacts and is working on a project in Egypt. Noah becomes her rescuer when she realizes something is amiss on her current project. She has to flee from Egypt. What better way to hide in plain sight than a fake marriage.

Once again Ginny Sterling hits one skyward with this new book. The main characters and all supporting characters are incredibly likable and come to life off of the page. There is, of course, a speedy romance, some comedic moments and some action scenes which make this book a must read. The ending was classic and perfect. Now I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[HEATHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I say this every time but Ginny Sterling did it again!! This was such a great book. I absolutely loved Noah aka Memphis "Hotty McHotness". He will have you swooning like crazy in this book. Dr. Madeline Smith was such a sweet character. I loved watching these two perfect stranger come together through a fake marriage. This book will have you swooning, laughing out loud, and make you smile from all the love from friends and family. You will also get some suspense in this as well. This new HOTSHOTS series is going to be amazing. I'm so excited for the next book. This book will have you hooked from the beginning. The characters and the story are so well written and enjoyable. Grab you favorite drink, this book and sit back and enjoy it. You won't be disappointed. I highly recommend this book and anything Ginny Sterling writes.

Thank you Ginny Sterling for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

[Courtney Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I saw this book described as Indiana Jones meets Top Gun in the foreword, I knew I was going to love it—and it did not disappoint! This is my first Ginny Sterling book, but it certainly won't be my last because it was such a fun read! Packed with adventure, suspense, a man in uniform, and a realistic portrayal of long-distance relationships during deployment, Swooning and Soaring had it all. We meet Noah "Memphis," a globe-trotting pilot, and Dr. Madeline Smith, an archaeologist uncovering treasure in Egypt. When circumstances force them into a fake marriage, their plan quickly becomes complicated by real emotions. I was here for all of it! The fake marriage trope was executed perfectly, and the raw, genuine emotions made their connection feel like two puzzle pieces fitting together. Plus, I think I’ve found my new book husband! I'm convinced everyone needs a Memphis in their life—someone who fights for them and helps them see their true worth. This was incredible! Thank you, Ginny, for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bill Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was the swooneyest!

I loved this story from start to finish. I lived the Navy wife life for a while, living in San Diego watching the ships come and go as I worked on the docks. I watched the emotion of the families as their loved ones went out to sea for six months’ deployment, and then the joy coming back home to face changes in their family, grown kids, a new car, home, or even divorce.

The emotions in this book are real and it was really nice to go back in memory and in time to San Diego to a sunny day when I watched my own love when he come back after being out for six months. The ships coming back in, the majesty, the men are lined up on the deck Sharply in uniforms.

The Love between Noah and Madeline seems so real, even under the circumstances they met and married. They made it work better than some that just fall in love spur the moment, and live to regret it.

Awesome book!

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all! I said it when I first posted about this story and I’ll say it again. This story is absolutely phenomenal. It is in my top reads for the year and that is saying a lot for as many stories as I have read by Ginny Sterling.

This story is the beginning of a new series and what a way to kick it off! It is a dual pov, closed door romance. You get immediately sucked into the story and can’t get out because of all the adventure, action, romance and drama. Seriously such an amazing story.

I loved Noah’s character and the relationship he has with his team. They are so close and more like brothers than friends. Madeline’s character is something that made this story. Her lifestyle and sense of adventure is what landed these two in the mess they found themselves in.

Seriously a 10/10 must read in my book.

[Mitzi Neiderhiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing new series

Ginny has done it again. What a great way to start a new series! This is the first book in Ginny's new Soaring and Swoony series.

Madeline and Noah is a wonderful story of love at first sight, turning into love forever. Madeline is introduced to the reader in a quick drive by attraction, while Noah is a pilot on leave caught in her sights. Madeline starts out a damsel in distress but she shows her true strength and spirit as the story progresses. Noah is a heroic military man who steps up to help Madeline and finds the missing part of his life.

This story has so much action and adventure that you can't put the book down. I literally read the entire book in one day. Every quiet moment meant one more page. I definitely recommend this story. I can't wait for the next story.

[My_every_day_chilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 4,5 for me.
When you read a Ginny Sterling book, you know you'll be swooned and that alone blinds you for anything else, lol. Yes, it's possible.
I loved how the story started with all that action and our MC's running for their lives. How our MMC stepped up and put on his protective jacket - I love it when that happens!
Although this romance was laced with suspense, solutions did come a bit too easy, but like I said you'll be so swooned it won't bother you.
It was great getting an intro to the team in this series starter. Lots of fun characters to come.
This is the 1st fade-to-black book I've read from Ginny and she warns us about it in her "trigger warnings". She does say this book is full of innuendos AND it's a fade-to-black, so if you're not into that, if you're used to wholesome reads, this is not the book for you. I don't mind them so I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sandra White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series! This is the first book in - and it does not disappoint!

Noah Bennington planned a nice easy tour of the Pyramids of Giza. What he did not expect was to see a woman that he would love to enjoy an afternoon with. Madeline Smith just wants to study the artifacts in the pyramids. As an archeologist, the pyramids are the culmination of her life work. Little did either know that their lives would be tossed together in danger. Their chance meeting was just the spark that lit the fuse and put them on the run without any idea of their next move.

I absolutely adore Ginny Sterling stories. There is not a book that she has written that I have not bought in all formats. If every author could be this consistent with their stories, the world would be a much happier place.

[Allegra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was so amazing that it pulled me out of my reading slump; I couldn't put it down. This is a super swoony, suspenseful, closed door but with innuendo between a married couple, marriage of convenience, long distance, a Navy Pilot, an Archaeologist, lots of MY WIFE; he saves and protects her, and add in a meddling mother. This book begins with a bang and ends with one, and the pink gun near the end made me laugh. Both Noah & Madeline grow throughout the book, and it feels like you're right there with them as they face long distance while he's still deployed. I always love it when I walk away from a story and the characters feel real enough that I could be friends with them in real life. This is the first in a new series, and I can't wait until the next book!

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, sassy, suspenseful aviator romance

Romance, sweet, but with some innuendo and fade; series but stand alone read
Memphis/Noah and Madeline’s story was a chance meeting, or more of a rescue by Noah. Getting chased by people out to get Madeline, leads to a quick marriage for them, and flight for her back to the states.
A bit of normalcy after the escape, emails, small gifts, occasional phone conversations, it all leads to them seeing each other again after his deployment finishes.
Loved their sweet fall and commitment. for each other. Giving each other their hearts was a sweet lovely read. Seeing all the guys come to assist them in the City wa a good way to introduce them all.
Grateful for their HEA.

[Patty McGovern Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!! 10 stars good

Soaring And Swoony was an amazing book! I love romance books but this book was specially good because it took you from Egypt to multiple cities including New York with mysterious going’s on. He was a pilot in the Navy she was a archaeologist. They met at the pyramids and their adventure began. I loved all the twists and turns you never knew what was going to happen next. This was a page turner make time to read it stay up all night to finish it book. He was on the ship for long periods of time and it was so romantic to see how they kept their love alive. The ending was romantic and made me smile. His Mom was such a great character in this book. Ginny Sterling is a very talented author and I highly recommend this book.

[Kimberly Prytherch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a start to this adventure. What’s better than Indiana Jones? When he’s a she! Madeline is working in Egypt in one of the pyramids when she and Noah have their meet cute, although in true Indiana fashion, it’s a crazy adventure. Noah plays the protective Navy pilot to perfection and they find themselves in a fake marriage. The glimpses into Navy life for both the officers and the family were beautifully heartbreaking, and learning about the difficulties and the joys was so needed. The characters were all so well done and I can’t wait to read future books about all of his friends. The way they all have each other’s backs is commendable! Seeing them grow as people and as a couple was so much fun, and the drama was on point. I loved every minute of their story!

[Julia Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like most of the book, and it is classic Ginny Sterling funny. I enjoyed the plot and the eventual coming together as a couple when they realized what was important in life. As a Spouse of retired military, it touched me in many ways, because I remember so cleanly the coming and going Of deployments. I definitely felt the emotion in her writing.
The only reason I gave it a 4 it was because for me personally, I'm not really fond of the sexual innuendo.
Because I prefer sworny but clean. I have read most of the author's books, and it's only seems lately that they've been a little Less on the wholesome side.

[Wren Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-stopping start to the series

You read this with a little smile on your face the whole time. I’m already excited for this new series about naval aviators, the camaraderie, the found family, the crazy banter, the we’ve got your back. It’s military so it gets a little saucy among the men, they are also newly married so there is innuendo and talk, but it’s closed door.
I was wondering when the story would get back to what started their relationship at the first, and when it did it was heart stopping. Noah was determined that he would protect her, but was also emotionally vulnerable-pure masculinity in the best way. Ginny did it again.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in an interconnected series. It focuses on one couple but will meet some of the men featured in future books. Noah is in the Navy, and just docked in Egypt. How is he to know that the next few hours will change his life dramatically? Instant connection from afar, running into each other again, married while running for their lives? Will they stay married? What have they gotten involved with? When will they be safe?

Looking forward to reading the rest of the books.

I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

[Amanda Benkendorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
I enjoyed Memphis & Madeline's love story that began with a fake marriage. As a Navy spouse, this was a fun read with lots of sentimental reminders for me. I love that the author is sticking with military aviation stories but in a new direction from Fly Boys. The adventure plot in this book did not spark my interest but it was well written & fun to read.

Soaring and Swoony is full of sweet moments and action moments. If you enjoy military romance or fake marriage books read this one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah's Navy ship docks in Egypt, and he has gone to Giza to visit/tour the pyramids. On the first day in port, he made eye contact with a pretty lady on the street. Interesting, he thought. Never in his wildest dreams did he anticipate seeing her again - especially as a damsel in distress.
Threatening situations lead to desperate maneuvers on Noah's part.
This one is action-packed and will have you on the edge of your seat.
Well done!

[Kayla H | Mom Devours Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been so excited to start this new series, and Ginny did not disappoint! Noah "Memphis" Bennington has a second chance to meet a lovely lady he sees on a bus, but they find themselves in quite a sticky situation.

This book is full of suspense, surprises, and plenty of swoon! You'll be hooked and anxious to see what happens next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kathy Gilbride · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book with all the feels. Adventure in far off places, mystery, romance, witty banter, and tender moments. This book is all your favorite things in one place. It’s reading like you can’t get enough, then reading to savor every single word. It’s a story you’ll love and will want to read again and again. I’m so excited it’s just book one in what I know will be another amazing series! I can’t wait for the next adventure to begin in book two.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the Remembering Home, Flyboys, and Flirts Battalion series and loved every book, but I have to say if the rest of the books are as good as this one it will be my favorite. There is so much mystery and intrigue I could not put it down. It has everything you could want in a book, including a fantastic romance with a HEA. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book. Ginny Sterling writes the best Behind Closed Doors books I have ever read.

[Nancy Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Ginny, what a great start to your fantastic new series with Noah's and Madeline's story. It is so intriguing and fast-paced that l fell in love with them that I couldn't put the book down until the end. The storyline is so interesting with its twists and turns along with remarkable and incredible characters. Grab this book and let it take you on an incredible journey. You won't regret it.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soaring & Swoony is a clean, swoony, military romance with suspense. Noah and Madeline had quite a meeting as they plunged head first into danger. I was up way too late finishing this well written adventure. Noah could melt anyone’s heart but he only has eyes for Madeline. This is one of my favorite of Ms. Sterling’s books. I could not put it down!

[Karen Brasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soaring And Swoony

Noah and Madeline have an adventurous story with danger following them from Egypt to New York. Noah goes sightseeing in Egypt and literally runs into Dr. Madeline Smith and danger. They pretend to be husband and wife to her unscrupulous boss. What happens when the danger follows Madeline to New York. Will Noah be able to rescue her again?

[Debbie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ginny Sterling’s Hotshots series definitely started with a bang with this one! From the very first page, I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what happened. Madeline and Noah were so cute together and it was definitely not a typical fake marriage story. I loved every minute of it and can’t wait to read more about Noah’s friends in the next books!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginning to new series

Right from the first chapter this couple captured my attention. The adventure in Egypt started things off and showcased Noah and Madeline's instant chemistry. The storyline was unique and was a wonderful start to this new series. Cameos by the other pilots give a glimpse to upcoming stories and I look forward to reading each one!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good to start a new series. This story takes place in Egypt with a plot involving Madeline. There's some action and of course a HEA. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Debbie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start on new series!

Oh wow!!! I loved reading about Memphis (Noah) and Madeline, This new series is going to be great! I like the added suspense too! It is fun to have a new series about swoony men from the Navy this time!

[Renee Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a series. You will travel around to several places and with the author's descriptive writing, you will feel like you are there. The characters are well written. Loved the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.