The Reluctant Hero

by Jackie Weger

Parnell Stillman, ace pilot, is man to the bone in a lackadaisical kind of way. He has the ability to fly through anything except solid mountain. He lives alone because people are not to be trusted-especially women. Flying is his high road until one sleet-filled morning--it isn't. Mischance forces his plane down in a frozen wilderness. He can survive, but his live cargo is another matter--an annoying social worker and five orphans--the most irksome freight he' has ever hauled in his life. Rebecca Hollis is determined to force the obnoxious, disagreeable, self-centered pilot to do whatever is necessary to insure the survival and rescue of the orphans...Even if it means making the noble gesture of keeping her mouth shut-or other womanly things. But the pilot isn't having it. No way. No how. No time. He'd rather dance with a grizzly or wrestle a puma than give his heart over to a conniving, wily do-gooder. Heroics is not his thing. Rebecca Hollis has other ideas-lots of them! All artful and disingenuous-one of which is bound to work... She hopes.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adventure, Chick Lit, Amazon, Ebooks

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

I would rather write an obit than my bio, mostly because I'm one of the most boring souls you'll ever meet. I have been to interesting places and met interesting people, but none of it rubbed off on me. Some of those places and some of those people found their way into characters or settings in my romance novels which lends me about an inch of panache--on the table below the salt. With family or solo, I've traveled since I was about eleven. I spent years living abroad in Central America in little jungle villages absorbing the native culture and language. I spent months on off-islands and sailed in the Pacific with a friend until his sloop sank--not with us on it--thank goodness. I spent a New Year's in Montreal, a summer semester in the U.K and a few glorious days in Paris before returning Stateside to finish a degree in history, then it was off to Panama and Costa Rica. While my passport is always handy, I've settled down in Texas to be near my family. Since I'm sitting still, I've plugged in my laptop and started writing again. After an absence of a few years, I've jumped back into the publishing world which has changed dramatically. I love the changes. In the past, category romance novels had a shelf life between yogurt and ice cream, but with the advent of e-books they can live on the Web for years. I'm excited to be publishing my backlist. I'm working on a new novel. I live with a man, a dog, seven feral cats and go to Bingo on Friday night. The most exciting thing that's happened in my life recently is a cow wandered into my yard and ate my garden. See what I mean about being boring?

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars
Parnell is a pilot. He's a obnoxious man that wants nothing to do with women. So when the sweet social worker Rebecca comes in with 5 orphans needing him to fly her and the kids he is not having it. He puts up a fight. He tells her and the kids to leave. Rebecca wants on this flight! It's these kids only chance to get adopted and she will do anything to get Parnell to agree to it.
The weather is rough but Parnell can fly through anything except a mountain or if something goes wrong with the plane. When Parnell has to find some where to land the plane in the blizzard because of complications they all will have to work together to survive in the freezing cold until they can be rescued.
I didn't feel the love between Parnell and Rebecca. I didn't really care for either of them. The sex scenes were non existent. Nothing. I'm not sure if I can even recall a steamy kiss. lol The kids were awesome and I loved them.
I'm glad this was a KU book:))

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book free from StoryFinds and the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is an older book, but it holds up fairly well in more modern times, mostly because modern technology would not have been of any use anyway.

With a name like Parnell, how can you not like the hero? He lives up to every one of the adjectives the blurb throws around: curmudgeonly, crusty, grouchy, moody, bitter. In other words, he was perfect. Because when a man is like that in a romance, it means that underneath, he's a marshmallow. And Parnell is no different. Unwilling to get emotionally involved with the orphans, he becomes a father to them. Unwilling to get involved with their chaperon, he falls in love with her.

Rebecca is an odd mix of sweet/naive and hard, take no prisoners, go-getter. She has a heart of gold but when she wants something, nothing is going to stop her. And she wants everyone to survive with all her heart. She also wants Parnell's heart.

But it is the kids that completely make the story. I realize that some of the language and stuff the kids do is from 1980s sensibilities and frankly, that's what makes them so awesome and so real. The kids taunt each other with words that are strictly verboten today in our much more PC world. But honestly, this is what kids do, even today and it was incredibly refreshing. Even better, each of the kids has a distinct personality. They aren't plot moppets either. They bring something special to the table.

Overall, this was a great book.

[Catherine Wright (Cat's Guilty Pleasure) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling story of survival and love.

The pilot is a very grouchy character dealing with his issues of his wife leaving him years ago. The divorced social worker of the five handicapped children has issues of her own. After their plane goes down they are stranded in the wilderness in the middle of the winter.

I loved the way they were able to cope and come up with various ways of surviving, it was believable. I loves the way they were able to overcome their own issues together and fall in love, it was realistic and heartwarming.

This is the second book I have read of Jackie's and absolutely her writing. I would recommend her books to everyone. I'm looking forward to enjoying more of her work.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun adventure

When a social worker and 5 orphans show up at Parnell Stillman's hangar for s trip over the mountains, he is shocked. He did not know there were going to be children. He tries to cancel the flight but meets with resistance from Rebecca Hollis.

He did not particularly like her look as she seemed to be everything he did not trust in a woman.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parnell is pretty much a typical man who has been burned by a bad relationship and hard times, but he does have a unique history that has caused him to build extra-strong walls around his heart. He is bitter and shares that bitterness at inappropriate times. Rebecca has built her own walls, but her intuitive nature helps her realize and come to terms with her misgivings and misconceptions way before Parnell sees the light.

I could see that without having been put in these extreme circumstances these two probably would have never been able to find true happiness. Their struggle to survive in the snow covered wilderness and keep the kids safe was realistic. I especially loved the relationships between the children. They were a diverse group of unfortunate orphans who had learned to depend on and help one another rather than rely on unknown adults who had so often let them down. Parnell was unknown to them and he had to earn their and Rebecca's trust. The kids were honest and outspoken with their realistic view of the world.

Ms. Weger's writing style is honest and down-to-earth. Her characters are well developed, realistic, and draw you in quickly. As disagreeable as Parnell was I still rooted for him despite all of his bluster and scornfulness. I could tell it was going to take a strong-willed woman to temper him, I wasn't sure Rebecca was that woman or not for most of the story. She had her own insecurities and issues to deal with and work through. Although she proved to be just as hard-headed as Parnell, she eventually learned when to drop her defenses. The dance these two shared on their journey was captivating and the plot was well paced. Even though this story takes place around Christmas, it could be enjoyed year round. I think this is my favorite book of Ms. Weger's so far.

FYI: This book has some adult situations that are tastefully handled and I enjoyed them.

Format/Typo Issues: I did find a small amount of editing errors but not enough to deter my enjoyment of this book

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** December 16, 2013

[Crazychriss889 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ahm... yeah... I don't want to say that this book is bad. I mean, it kinda is but hey...

So, first, let's talk about authenticity...
Losing weight after two days? Not so likely.
The whole survival thing? The whole hey let's just stay there with the fire and build us some kind of hut. And then there's a snowstorm "outside" when there isn't really an "outside" cause they are just between some twigs, I mean, yeah, sure, noone's gonna freeze. Pas de probleme... Haha.
Also, the pilot, the reluctant hero himself, swims in ice cold water, he doesn't even sneeze afterwards. No cold, no nothing. Haha.
And then the whole food thing. Doesn't seem to bother anyone. Let's just wait til the lake freezes over and then get some food. Yeah, great idea...

Then, let me say something about the plot. Yes, there were very dramatic scenes but they then turned out to be not as dramatic as I expected them to be and I was soo bored.
Then, there is their way of talking. I mean, that was just so old-fashioned and I only later realized that this book took place some 25 years before. And still... I mean... grr...

Yeah, now let me say something about the characters.
The pilot?
I mean, my god, so what? He got burnt once in his life and now he can't get over that. No, he is totally judgmental! He is so mean and not once does he think about the fact that he can't judge all women because of his wife. Or kids. I mean, god, what's wrong with this guy?
And then Rebecca's stupid idea for her and the kids to follow him to a highway? And he agrees!! I mean, WTH.

But hey, she isn't any better. I mean, she constantly refers to the kids as orphans, also, I hate the way women are being portrayed in this book. They are weak, they make wrong decisions, they are overdramatic and totally not brave. Thanks.
And then, after all they've been through she doesn't even visit him in the hospital???

So, yeah, tell me something about being disappointed...

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca is on the last leg of her journey, at the very end of what had been a happy, fulfilling career. When the orphanage where she works has to close due to lack of funds, Rebecca is commissioned to take the remaining five orphans to California to find a home. Captain Stillman becomes a reluctant hero when he discovers that Abagail, who had booked the flight, wasn't completely honest about the passengers. Not one for children, he orders Rebecca to keep them quiet. All is well until the plane crashes, and the seven people must survive and try to find help. The end result is a test of emotions and relationships that will have the reader gripping the book to see what comes next. This is an enjoyable book that will make the reader laugh, cry, and cheer for survivors.

[Rich Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll freely admit that I helped the author format this book. And in doing that, I ended up reading it. I sm NOT a reader of romance novels. I've read a couple over the years that had tangential connections the more familiar genres (sci-fi, detective). And being a comic book aficionados, I read a wide variety of romance comics. But the average romance novel is beyond me.

On a Wing was half-action, half-romance, and it melds together in a way that it comes out simply as a good story. Ms. Weger knows how to handle characterization, and she writes a very efficient story.

Definitely worth a read.

[Judy Esposito · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Reluctant Hero!

Getting lost in the wilderness, in the middle of the winter with five orphans, would have been a challenge for anyone, but when you pit a man and a woman together who dislike each other from the very beginning, sparks will fly and not just from the campfire. I enjoyed this romance of two mismatched people who faught against falling in love while trying to survive long enough to be found. I loved the hero but it took a while for the heroine to grow on me. Sexual content and some swearing. JudyE

[Amy M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very old school 80's romance.

Hero: You know the stereotype of the grumpy old man? Mean, very non-PC and sexist? Yup he's that trapped in a younger man's body.
Heroine: Stereotypical 80's feminist. Strident one minute, then weepy the next. She really just wants a man to take care of her.
Romance: Push and pull almost the entire book.
Heat: Mild. All fade to black.
Safe: No cheating.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

**MINOR SPOILERS**
I read this book back to back with another book by this author. I had read the other book and wanted to see if I would like another book as well as or more than the first. I was disappointed in it.
The main characters, Rebecca and Parnell, do nothing but argue for most of the book. At one point, the author says they argued for half an hour. I know that arguments can hide attraction, but after while, I think they needed to talk to each other. The book describes how they had concerns about having a relationship because of their histories. Each has a bad first marriage behind them that makes them reluctant to open up and have a new relationship. Even so, they need to eventually learn to trust each other and to stop arguing.
In addition, in Parnell’s first marriage, he felt managed and disregarded by his first wife. Rebecca makes some assumptions about how they are going to proceed in the circumstances they are thrown into. Though it does not sound like Rebecca was as bad as his first wife, it did sound like they were similar. They should have talked it out.
When Parnell leaves to scout out a possible trail for them, he does not tell Rebecca he is going. He is gone all day. I thought that was thoughtless. I think the author did this for drama, but it was not handled well.
The children in the story were interesting and the dynamic between them was well done. I thought Abigail sending the kids on another trip with Rebecca and Parnell at the end of the story was unrealistic for reasons that I can not clarify without giving away a spoiler.
The author left a few things hanging at the end that I thought should have been fully clarified. Did Rebecca and Parnell adopt the kids? What happened to the investigation into the crash? What happened to Abigail’s home and the charity?
I did like the relatability of the characters.
It is a standalone book.

[PLP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

I think this may be the best contemporary romance I have ever read.

The hero was not an alpha male, was not a womanizer, and did not view himself as a anything special. He was a man who did what was right and came through for the woman and the children who needed him in a time of crisis. Which is really what most women want and need.

There was a love story but that too did not come easy for either the hero or the heroine.

I read this book through Kindle Unlimited but now I am going to buy it. I am sure when I reread it I will find nuggets which I missed the first time around.

Be prepared for a very tense, emotional roller coaster.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I obtained this free e-book from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing a review. Rebecca is charge of taking five orphans to San Francisco to a convention to find adoptive parents. The orphanage is out of funds and closing and the director booked a flight with a cargo plane carrying US MAIL with a pilot that cannot stand women or children and has a disposition of a prickly porcupine. Travel is rough due to the snow storm they are caught in. They make a crash landing in the wilderness ending up in a lake and just make it out before it sinks.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best escape novels I have read in awhile. Parts of it were laugh-out-loud funny--I was glad I was by myself when I was reading it and not in a public place. Who can resist a man who will leave a shelter, go out into a blizzard to find an imaginary horse for a small boy who is upset about living the horse outside? Then, after finding the imaginary horse, the hero leads it back into the shelter by its reins and gives those reins to the happy child. I love an author who can make me laugh with the dialogue, and Jackie Weger did that.

[Bob Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters, especially the pilot, were so jaded they seemed like late middle-aged characters. The bantering was too over the top for them to end up sneaking around having sex unless it was grudge sex. It was nearly as ridiculous as Nicholas Cage's Drive Angry hotel shoot 'em up - prostitute scene. Though I know people had sex in one-room houses, probably not when they were fearing for their survival surrounded by orphans. On the other hand, the kids were too Ozzy and Harriet to be from this century. After finishing the book I figured out why. It's a retitled rerelease of a 1988 novel.

[Pat Lehnen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventure for all

At first, I felt that the story was a little slow and I wasn't sure I wanted to spend time reading it. But I stuck with it and was glad I did. Having the kids it this gave lots of opportunities to liven the narrative and I laughed out loud in more than 1 place. The interaction between the kids gave way to thinking about our role in the journey of life that we all have. Thanks for letting me travel on this journey.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reluctant hero by Weger. Two people who can't be civil to each other, 5 kids, a plane and a blizzard. Weger pulls in the reader with her description of the pilot, Parnell, having to strip off and plunge into the freezing water to search the plane for provisions. Nothing is easy but they do find rubbishy shelter but no rescue teams. The romance blossoms here but will it survive their rescue? A conflictual story.

[Sue Lilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a slow start, I found this hard to put down. The plot wasn’t as predictable as it sounded but I was irritated by the constant switching of viewpoints mid scene. The characters were well drawn, although Parnell was a bit too “nice” for me. I expected him to be much tougher. Rebecca didn’t take long to fall in love with him but I forgave that on the grounds of a plane crash being extreme circumstances.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the story, strongly disliked the main characters

The Reluctant Hero is a good story that I would have enjoyed a whole lot more of the main characters weren't so irritating. Rebecca is whiney and needy and naggy beyond belief. Parnell is an rude, disrespectful, @ss, and I had a hard time finding any redeeming qualities in him. Based on the blurb, I wanted to live this story. It didn't happen. Honestly, if I didn't like the plot so so much, I would have been hard-pressed to finish to read past the first few chapters.

[Kat]

free ebook
she is taking orphans to sf to hope for adoption
he is the pilot of small plane taking mail, her boss tricked him into taking her and the kids
they dont get along
they crash on the way, in the snow, 40 miles from anywhere
he gets wet and cold trying to get back into the plane for matches and what little supplies he has, the plane went into a lake
the kids are gathering wood to try and make a fire to keep warm. they only have enough food for one meal. he is hurt and cold

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reluctant Hero By Jackie Weger

Great story about how the worst circumstances can bring out the best in people to survive and bring about things you didn't know you wanted and needed to be happy.. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good page turner about survival and finding love. Thanks, Jackie Weger.

[Susan Rickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved,loved loved the story!

This was a wonderful story. It was funny, full of surprises and I couldn't put it down. The things they all went through, the crash, their survival the acceptance & love. It's truly a must read.

[Brian Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

☺☺☺☺☺

The plot here is reminiscent of The African Queen meets Father Goose. Not to say this isn't original, but it has that feel. The characters are complex and engaging, and the story is well told with a nice pace. A very enjoyable read.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read though some parts seemed highly improbable. The author's sense of humor hits the right spot and gives the reader another reason to find another of her novels. The couple in this story were quite a pair.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good

Really enjoyed this surprise gem of a book. Two very different people who are actually perfect for one another. And the kids were funny and entertaining. Recommend.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad

It was a decent story even if it was very predictable. It was well edited with no obvious mistakes, spelling or otherwise.
It was a decent read moved along nicely and was fun to read.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the snappy dialog. As with other books by this author she shares her quick wit and I find myself chuckling or actually laughing. This was very entertaining. When you get to "The End", keep reading for a bit. You'll be glad you did.

[Cayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah. I found this book less than satisfying. I don't think I'll be trying out any more books from this author.

[Quinn Fforde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overall but uneven in quality

[Sharon Dubuque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty darn good

I liked the Love and adventure of this book. It is great and I’d recommend it to anyone. Good reading.