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Over A Spitfire
Ava Greatbach is a ferry pilot in the Air Transport Auxiliary during World War Two. She has two admirers at the Ferry Pool where she's based, one male, one female. One is a flirt, the other she is more seriously drawn to.
Wilhelmina Schmidt causes every head to turn as she strides into the room and gives her name at the desk.
She and Ava become close but it isn't to last as Will is killed in an accident.
However she is a strong spirit and is determined to return to Ava, her one true love, but is there such a thing as reincarnation and will she have any control over whether she can return to earth?
Wilhelmina Schmidt causes every head to turn as she strides into the room and gives her name at the desk.
She and Ava become close but it isn't to last as Will is killed in an accident.
However she is a strong spirit and is determined to return to Ava, her one true love, but is there such a thing as reincarnation and will she have any control over whether she can return to earth?
222 pages, Paperback
Published August 21, 2017
About the author
Sherrie Lowe
32 books52 followerswebsite www.sherrielowe.co.uk
I am a divorced mother of two adult sons and I have five lovely grandchildren. I was working as a learning support assistant in a mainstream high school when I became ill with ME (also called chronic fatigue syndrome) in 1995. I have since written eleven novels and two memoirs and Song of the Phoenix although the fourth to be written is the first to be published, mainly because the first three are more or less a trilogy.
As of June 2012 - all novels and the memoirs are now published and available in paperback from http://www.feedaread.com/
and Kindle editions from http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_n...
Writing has kept me sane through what is an extremely debilitating and isolating illness and my aim is to earn my living from it.
I am a divorced mother of two adult sons and I have five lovely grandchildren. I was working as a learning support assistant in a mainstream high school when I became ill with ME (also called chronic fatigue syndrome) in 1995. I have since written eleven novels and two memoirs and Song of the Phoenix although the fourth to be written is the first to be published, mainly because the first three are more or less a trilogy.
As of June 2012 - all novels and the memoirs are now published and available in paperback from http://www.feedaread.com/
and Kindle editions from http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_n...
Writing has kept me sane through what is an extremely debilitating and isolating illness and my aim is to earn my living from it.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 19, 2019
I particularly enjoy books set during and immediately after the Second World War, and Over a Spitfire was not an exception. Author Sherrie Lowe has written a fascinating story with engaging and believable characters, as well as presenting readers with a wonderful look at family life over the four decades spanned by the book.
The story revolves around a wartime friendship that develops between two women pilots in the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary). From the outset, pretty and popular Ava Greatbach and newly arrived tomboy Wilhemina (Will) Schmidt feel inexplicably drawn to each other, despite Ava’s evident attraction to the flirty Clark Gable look-alike, Henry Bailey. Their friendship soon becomes a romance, their relationship seeming held together by an unbreakable bond, described by Will as a feeling that they’d travelled other lifetimes together. They were soul mates.
Both women love their work, despite its evident dangers during wartime. To them, the freedom of the open skies as they fly fighter planes such as Spitfires and Lancaster Bombers to wherever they are needed by RAF pilots, is exhilarating and fulfilling, Neither of them ever want to do anything else in life.
When tragedy strikes, Ava must hide the true depth of her grief. To others, she and Will had simply been good friends. Although Ava knows she will never forget Will, life must go on, and we follow her story over the decades after the war when her marriage and child-rearing become her priority. It is when she befriends another mother and her two children that events become complicated and the possibility of reincarnation eventually resurfaces.
I found this an intriguing and thought-provoking book, particularly regarding the possibilities of an afterlife and reincarnation – which the author weaves cleverly into the ongoing tale. The characters are realistic and convincing, as is the dialogue, and settings of the time period are vividly described. I particularly enjoyed being reminded of 1950s-60s rationing, everyday foods and meals, household items, music, hairstyles and clothing and so on, as well as popular opinions and attitudes of the time. The book is a lovely window to the 1940s-80s, brought to life through the telling of a fascinating story. I look forward to reading the sequel.
The story revolves around a wartime friendship that develops between two women pilots in the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary). From the outset, pretty and popular Ava Greatbach and newly arrived tomboy Wilhemina (Will) Schmidt feel inexplicably drawn to each other, despite Ava’s evident attraction to the flirty Clark Gable look-alike, Henry Bailey. Their friendship soon becomes a romance, their relationship seeming held together by an unbreakable bond, described by Will as a feeling that they’d travelled other lifetimes together. They were soul mates.
Both women love their work, despite its evident dangers during wartime. To them, the freedom of the open skies as they fly fighter planes such as Spitfires and Lancaster Bombers to wherever they are needed by RAF pilots, is exhilarating and fulfilling, Neither of them ever want to do anything else in life.
When tragedy strikes, Ava must hide the true depth of her grief. To others, she and Will had simply been good friends. Although Ava knows she will never forget Will, life must go on, and we follow her story over the decades after the war when her marriage and child-rearing become her priority. It is when she befriends another mother and her two children that events become complicated and the possibility of reincarnation eventually resurfaces.
I found this an intriguing and thought-provoking book, particularly regarding the possibilities of an afterlife and reincarnation – which the author weaves cleverly into the ongoing tale. The characters are realistic and convincing, as is the dialogue, and settings of the time period are vividly described. I particularly enjoyed being reminded of 1950s-60s rationing, everyday foods and meals, household items, music, hairstyles and clothing and so on, as well as popular opinions and attitudes of the time. The book is a lovely window to the 1940s-80s, brought to life through the telling of a fascinating story. I look forward to reading the sequel.
August 6, 2016
Another great Sherrie Lowe novel.
Bymaureen turner-books by maureenon 2 July 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
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Verified Purchase
This is an easy book to review because I loved it. What an unusual concept for a story, a love affair that spans decades and even endures the death of one of the characters.
I have to say that I had never heard of the organisation, Air Transport Auxiliary which operated during W.W.ll. All credit to Ms Lowe for her research into this.
I easily connected with the main characters, Ava, Will, Henry and Michael as all were very believable.
There is nothing like a good shock to startle the reader and this is achieved by the unexpected death of one of the leading characters early on in the book. From here on we are drawn into the possibility of re-incarnation.
The story spans four decades and the reader is allowed to follow the lives of Ava and Henry as they leave the war years behind, moving on through the fifties, sixties and seventies. Along the way Ava connects with Ethel and Charlie a couple who would be responsible for bringing Ava's past back to haunt her. I make no apologies for being cryptic because this is a novel worthy of reading and I won't give away any spoilers. Another very deserving five star rating for Sherrie Lowe's latest book.
Bymaureen turner-books by maureenon 2 July 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
|
Verified Purchase
This is an easy book to review because I loved it. What an unusual concept for a story, a love affair that spans decades and even endures the death of one of the characters.
I have to say that I had never heard of the organisation, Air Transport Auxiliary which operated during W.W.ll. All credit to Ms Lowe for her research into this.
I easily connected with the main characters, Ava, Will, Henry and Michael as all were very believable.
There is nothing like a good shock to startle the reader and this is achieved by the unexpected death of one of the leading characters early on in the book. From here on we are drawn into the possibility of re-incarnation.
The story spans four decades and the reader is allowed to follow the lives of Ava and Henry as they leave the war years behind, moving on through the fifties, sixties and seventies. Along the way Ava connects with Ethel and Charlie a couple who would be responsible for bringing Ava's past back to haunt her. I make no apologies for being cryptic because this is a novel worthy of reading and I won't give away any spoilers. Another very deserving five star rating for Sherrie Lowe's latest book.
January 7, 2017
A May-December romance, lesbian/bisexual characters, extra-marital affairs, atonement and forgiveness, past life regression under hypnosis and female pilots in a world at war combine to produce a very interesting story which is told in a straightforward and accessible way. I enjoyed this historical romance very much.
November 25, 2021
Over A Spitfire has been waiting patiently on my bookshelf for far too long but you know what they say about good things coming to those who wait. This book has most definitely been worth the wait, although I am now sorry that I didn’t get to it sooner.
When we meet Ava, during World War Two, she is a ferry pilot in the Air Transport Auxiliary. It sounds like an exhilarating but dangerous job. Not one I would have liked as I like my feet firmly on the ground. Ava loved it though and was sad to have to give it up when the war ended, although obviously overjoyed at the same time. It must have been quite a shock to the system to go from fulfilling such an important role in the war to looking towards her future as a housewife and mother. This is especially daunting for Ava having shared a fiercely passionate relationship with her colleague Wilhelmina (Will) who is sadly killed. They connected in a way neither of them had with anyone before. How do you move on from that?
Ava has no choice but to move on though and is soon married to Henry. They have two children and are happy for the most part. They make it work anyway, despite struggles and an infidelity, but Ava has never forgotten Will. Will has never forgotten Ava either and her spirit is determined that they will be together again one day, one way or another. Their souls are connected and will find a way, she is sure of it.
Do you believe in reincarnation? I most definitely believe that some of us have been here before. I loved how this book explores this idea. I was completely captivated.
The way the afterlife is portrayed through Will’s passing to the other side is quite beautiful. It’s lovely to think there is someone waiting for you to help with your transition and that we can always be there for those we leave behind whenever we are needed. It is also comforting to think that our soul might get another chance at life, in a different body ready to live a different life. And those souls who are meant for each other will always find a way back to one another.
I could talk about this book for hours, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. I loved how the story progressed though. My heart broke for Ava. I had goosebumps on more than one occasion, and it did leave a smile on my face at the end.
Beautiful, beautiful writing.
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2021/11/2...
When we meet Ava, during World War Two, she is a ferry pilot in the Air Transport Auxiliary. It sounds like an exhilarating but dangerous job. Not one I would have liked as I like my feet firmly on the ground. Ava loved it though and was sad to have to give it up when the war ended, although obviously overjoyed at the same time. It must have been quite a shock to the system to go from fulfilling such an important role in the war to looking towards her future as a housewife and mother. This is especially daunting for Ava having shared a fiercely passionate relationship with her colleague Wilhelmina (Will) who is sadly killed. They connected in a way neither of them had with anyone before. How do you move on from that?
Ava has no choice but to move on though and is soon married to Henry. They have two children and are happy for the most part. They make it work anyway, despite struggles and an infidelity, but Ava has never forgotten Will. Will has never forgotten Ava either and her spirit is determined that they will be together again one day, one way or another. Their souls are connected and will find a way, she is sure of it.
Do you believe in reincarnation? I most definitely believe that some of us have been here before. I loved how this book explores this idea. I was completely captivated.
The way the afterlife is portrayed through Will’s passing to the other side is quite beautiful. It’s lovely to think there is someone waiting for you to help with your transition and that we can always be there for those we leave behind whenever we are needed. It is also comforting to think that our soul might get another chance at life, in a different body ready to live a different life. And those souls who are meant for each other will always find a way back to one another.
I could talk about this book for hours, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. I loved how the story progressed though. My heart broke for Ava. I had goosebumps on more than one occasion, and it did leave a smile on my face at the end.
Beautiful, beautiful writing.
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2021/11/2...
August 9, 2020
In the prologue to this book we have a young man undergoing hypnotherapy. He can see planes, Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster's and this man is called Will and it's 1965.
During WW2 three young women were ATA pilots (Air Transport Auxiliary) based in the Midlands, Ava, Joyce and Will. Will was short for Wilhelmina, she is half german but has never met her father as he died shortly after WW1. The three women spend their time delivering new aircraft and were happiest when they were delivering Spitfires. Before long a special friendship develops between Ava and Will. After Will is killed, Ava marries Henry and goes onto having a son who theyname Will. Things are not always rosy in the marital home though, Ava wishes she could still do some flying again and Henry wants what he shouldn't have in the name of Violet, the secretary from work. After a bad patch, things seem better and then baby daughter Jane is born. Things go sort of smoothly and Ava becomes friends with one of the other mums from school Ethel. Ethel gets a job at the hospital and asks Ava to look after her two youngest children Janet and Michael who is in William's class. Over the years the two families become firm friends but for two people that friendship becomes too much, no spoilers here but you will find yourself turning pages well into the night go find out what happens.
This book covers supernatural life, reincarnation and real life, but it is a very addictive read as you can't help but want to find out what happens.
Set during WW2 and the years after, finishing in the early 1980s, it will appeal to readers who enjoy books set in this period and the front cover I absolutely love, it is very appealing and certainly stands out, with the Spitfire picture.
Now onto reading the sequel Over a Spitfire II The Sequel.
During WW2 three young women were ATA pilots (Air Transport Auxiliary) based in the Midlands, Ava, Joyce and Will. Will was short for Wilhelmina, she is half german but has never met her father as he died shortly after WW1. The three women spend their time delivering new aircraft and were happiest when they were delivering Spitfires. Before long a special friendship develops between Ava and Will. After Will is killed, Ava marries Henry and goes onto having a son who theyname Will. Things are not always rosy in the marital home though, Ava wishes she could still do some flying again and Henry wants what he shouldn't have in the name of Violet, the secretary from work. After a bad patch, things seem better and then baby daughter Jane is born. Things go sort of smoothly and Ava becomes friends with one of the other mums from school Ethel. Ethel gets a job at the hospital and asks Ava to look after her two youngest children Janet and Michael who is in William's class. Over the years the two families become firm friends but for two people that friendship becomes too much, no spoilers here but you will find yourself turning pages well into the night go find out what happens.
This book covers supernatural life, reincarnation and real life, but it is a very addictive read as you can't help but want to find out what happens.
Set during WW2 and the years after, finishing in the early 1980s, it will appeal to readers who enjoy books set in this period and the front cover I absolutely love, it is very appealing and certainly stands out, with the Spitfire picture.
Now onto reading the sequel Over a Spitfire II The Sequel.
May 5, 2018
This enjoyable historical romance takes place during WWII in England. Ava flies spitfires for the Air Transportation Auxiliary, ATA. After meeting the love of her life, Ava is shaken to the core when it’s unexpectedly torn from her. Eventually she recovers. In the following years many good things occur along with some heartache. In spite of all Ava’s emotional up and downs, the author still managed a satisfying ending.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews