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Broken Wings #3
I'll Be Home for Christmas
A mysterious key left by her murdered sister takes Air Transport Auxiliary pilot Betty Palmer on a journey of discovery and danger. Her estranged parents force themselves back into her life, motivated purely by greed and self-preservation. Penny's life is unexpectedly turned upside down by a potentially life-changing situation that causes her wounded husband to question their marriage. No one seems safe in the turmoil of the middle years of the war, and some relationships face a breaking point whilst others become stronger. Kidnap, crashes, and dogfights--the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club have never faced such dangers before. To survive may not be enough. They must find the strength to rise above their most trying times yet.
396 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2021
23 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
M.W. Arnold
8 books122 followersI grew up outside Bournemouth on the south coast of Dorset and at just shy of 18, I entered the Royal Air Force. For the next 16 years, I traversed the world having a great time!
There came a point, however, where I decided it was time to set down some roots. At about this time, I started to dabble in writing again. In 2013, I joined the Romantic Novelists Association and had my first novel, a romantic drama, 'The Season for Love', published in December 2017; then took a time out.
'A Wing and a Prayer', book 1 in the 'Broken Wings' series, is my first Historical Saga. With my longstanding love of history, this seemed a genre ready made for myself.
I am published by The Wild Rose Press.
There came a point, however, where I decided it was time to set down some roots. At about this time, I started to dabble in writing again. In 2013, I joined the Romantic Novelists Association and had my first novel, a romantic drama, 'The Season for Love', published in December 2017; then took a time out.
'A Wing and a Prayer', book 1 in the 'Broken Wings' series, is my first Historical Saga. With my longstanding love of history, this seemed a genre ready made for myself.
I am published by The Wild Rose Press.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 5, 2021
★★ 2.5 stars
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is an historical saga tale that follows the friends and women of the ATA - Air Transport Auxiliary - who ferried planes around the nation during the second world war for pilots to take to the skies against the Luftwaffe. However, when I requested this book, I had no idea it was the third in a series and, while that doesn't always matter...in this case I feel it does. From the first page, I felt as if I could never quite keep up with what was happening. As if I was always a step behind. And sadly, this spoilt my enjoyment of what essentially could have been an engaging tale.
There are so many characters in the story that I could quite keep up with who was who - whether they were Arthur or Martha, or even Tom, Dick or Harry! There was Betty, Penny, Doris (the American, I gleaned that much), Jane, Thelma, Shirley, Mavis, Mary, Ruth...is that all the women? I can't remember. And then there are the men, of which there are fewer. Lawrence, who is stepping out with Mary, Walter - I think he may be Doris' fiance, though I'm not sure, I think there was a Tom but I have no idea who he is, and then there is Major Jim Fredericks with whom Betty seems enamoured, and even Ruth has a love interest though I can't recall his name.
In all, there were just so many names thrown at me within the first few chapters, I just couldn't keep up. Maybe I needed to be abreast of the first two books to follow this one because I couldn't make head nor tail of it unfortunately. And I didn't have time to go back and read the first two before this one, or I would have.
Overall, I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is an historical tale with a mystery entwined within its plot that the girls are left to unravel with a mysterious key left to Betty after her sister's death. I think I would have enjoyed the book far more had I read the preceding two books first.
I can't say that I don't recommend it because it very probably is an engaging story to those who are familiar with all the players, and I was not. I do however recommend reading the preceding two books first as it will help to make sense of everyone involved and their parts in the story.
I would like to thank #MWArnold, #Netgalley, #WildRosePress and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #IllBeHomeForChristmas in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is an historical saga tale that follows the friends and women of the ATA - Air Transport Auxiliary - who ferried planes around the nation during the second world war for pilots to take to the skies against the Luftwaffe. However, when I requested this book, I had no idea it was the third in a series and, while that doesn't always matter...in this case I feel it does. From the first page, I felt as if I could never quite keep up with what was happening. As if I was always a step behind. And sadly, this spoilt my enjoyment of what essentially could have been an engaging tale.
There are so many characters in the story that I could quite keep up with who was who - whether they were Arthur or Martha, or even Tom, Dick or Harry! There was Betty, Penny, Doris (the American, I gleaned that much), Jane, Thelma, Shirley, Mavis, Mary, Ruth...is that all the women? I can't remember. And then there are the men, of which there are fewer. Lawrence, who is stepping out with Mary, Walter - I think he may be Doris' fiance, though I'm not sure, I think there was a Tom but I have no idea who he is, and then there is Major Jim Fredericks with whom Betty seems enamoured, and even Ruth has a love interest though I can't recall his name.
In all, there were just so many names thrown at me within the first few chapters, I just couldn't keep up. Maybe I needed to be abreast of the first two books to follow this one because I couldn't make head nor tail of it unfortunately. And I didn't have time to go back and read the first two before this one, or I would have.
Overall, I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is an historical tale with a mystery entwined within its plot that the girls are left to unravel with a mysterious key left to Betty after her sister's death. I think I would have enjoyed the book far more had I read the preceding two books first.
I can't say that I don't recommend it because it very probably is an engaging story to those who are familiar with all the players, and I was not. I do however recommend reading the preceding two books first as it will help to make sense of everyone involved and their parts in the story.
I would like to thank #MWArnold, #Netgalley, #WildRosePress and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #IllBeHomeForChristmas in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
November 8, 2021
Have you heard of the Air Transport Auxillary pilots in the war?
They piloted planes, delivering them to our forces and more.
These brave women are the heroines of this series
In which they get involved solving several mysteries!
This is the third book involving them that I've read
Bringing the era and their actions all to a head.
They're brilliantly written, making it easy to seem
As if you're involved with them all in a reading dream.
The characters I've met before are all brought back to life
In my imagination, facing all the war troubles and strife.
Betty Palmer is the one with a dodgy and troubled past
Who may be able to look forward more happily at last.
However, the war brings dangers of many a different kind
And a variety of mysteries these ladies always find!
The story is action packed and well paced, too
With many different threads running all the way through.
This time there are shocking family secrets to be revealed
And stories from the past no longer kept concealed.
There's more family drama as the tensions of war grow
For more than one of the pilots through the story we get to know.
With kidnap, dogfights, crashes, journeys and romance
This is a story I hope you'll read yourself and give it a chance!
If you're looking for an enthralling and intriguing read, too,
I certainly highly recommend this brilliant book to you.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.
They piloted planes, delivering them to our forces and more.
These brave women are the heroines of this series
In which they get involved solving several mysteries!
This is the third book involving them that I've read
Bringing the era and their actions all to a head.
They're brilliantly written, making it easy to seem
As if you're involved with them all in a reading dream.
The characters I've met before are all brought back to life
In my imagination, facing all the war troubles and strife.
Betty Palmer is the one with a dodgy and troubled past
Who may be able to look forward more happily at last.
However, the war brings dangers of many a different kind
And a variety of mysteries these ladies always find!
The story is action packed and well paced, too
With many different threads running all the way through.
This time there are shocking family secrets to be revealed
And stories from the past no longer kept concealed.
There's more family drama as the tensions of war grow
For more than one of the pilots through the story we get to know.
With kidnap, dogfights, crashes, journeys and romance
This is a story I hope you'll read yourself and give it a chance!
If you're looking for an enthralling and intriguing read, too,
I certainly highly recommend this brilliant book to you.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.
November 9, 2021
‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ is the third book in the ‘Broken Wings’ series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading both of the previous books so when I heard that the third book was due for imminent release I knew that I had to read it as soon as I could. I finally managed to get my hands on a copy and I squirrelled myself away until I had finished reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ but more about that in a bit.
I was drawn into this story from the very first word on the very first page. It was as if the book had developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. The hold lasted until I read the very last word on the very last page. As soon as I started to read, I felt as though I had been reunited with old friends. I found reading ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ to be extremely addictive. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I would become so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the men and women that I lost all track of time and I ended up reading more than a couple. This was one of those books that seemed to be constantly on my mind. If I wasn’t reading the book then I was thinking about it. If I had to put the book to one side for any length of time, then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I found ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ to be a thrilling and gripping read, which kept me on my toes and which kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ is superbly written but then so are the other books in the series. The author has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. M. W. Arnold certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read. The author has clearly done a lot of research into the time period in which the story is set and this shines through in his writing. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a steady pace throughout. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to M. W. Arnold’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more from this author in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I was drawn into this story from the very first word on the very first page. It was as if the book had developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. The hold lasted until I read the very last word on the very last page. As soon as I started to read, I felt as though I had been reunited with old friends. I found reading ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ to be extremely addictive. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I would become so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the men and women that I lost all track of time and I ended up reading more than a couple. This was one of those books that seemed to be constantly on my mind. If I wasn’t reading the book then I was thinking about it. If I had to put the book to one side for any length of time, then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I found ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ to be a thrilling and gripping read, which kept me on my toes and which kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ is superbly written but then so are the other books in the series. The author has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. M. W. Arnold certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read. The author has clearly done a lot of research into the time period in which the story is set and this shines through in his writing. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a steady pace throughout. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to M. W. Arnold’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more from this author in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
December 8, 2021
M W Arnold brings back the Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club for a festive nail-biting adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats: I’ll Be Home for Christmas.
Reeling after the tragic murder of her sister, pilot Betty Palmer was shocked when she discovered a mysterious key her late sister left behind that ends up leading her down a treacherous path of jeopardy and discovery. Poor Betty has enough on her plate and she does not want or need any more stress or upheaval – until her estranged parents force themselves back into her life! Betty’s relationship with her parents has always been strained and she is sure that their return into her life has got nothing whatsoever to do with affection and everything to do with ruthless greed and cold-hearted avarice.
Penny’s life has also been unexpectedly turned on its head by a potentially life-changing situation that makes her wounded husband question his vows and sets him wondering whether the two of them have a future together. Penny is absolutely distraught, but with life so uncertain and the future bleak and unpredictable, could the break-down of her marriage end up being a blessing in disguise and a chance to start over?
The women of the Air Transport Military Club are going to be tested like never before. As they find themselves contending with crashes, dogfighting and kidnappings that will challenge them, they will end up needing every ounce of courage and resilience they posses to triumph against all the obstacles standing in their way.
M W Arnold is wonderful at capturing the can-do spirit of wartime and at bringing to vivid and colourful life the pain, anguish, bravery and camaraderie that helped courageous men and women to get through this dark period of the world’s history. I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a terrific saga that is sprinkled with suspense, romance, intrigue and poignancy and is full of inspirational, nuanced and brilliantly layered female characters readers will cheer for and admire.
A gripping yarn that is perfect for curling up with on a cold winter afternoon, I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a highly satisfying historical page-turner by M W Arnold.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Reeling after the tragic murder of her sister, pilot Betty Palmer was shocked when she discovered a mysterious key her late sister left behind that ends up leading her down a treacherous path of jeopardy and discovery. Poor Betty has enough on her plate and she does not want or need any more stress or upheaval – until her estranged parents force themselves back into her life! Betty’s relationship with her parents has always been strained and she is sure that their return into her life has got nothing whatsoever to do with affection and everything to do with ruthless greed and cold-hearted avarice.
Penny’s life has also been unexpectedly turned on its head by a potentially life-changing situation that makes her wounded husband question his vows and sets him wondering whether the two of them have a future together. Penny is absolutely distraught, but with life so uncertain and the future bleak and unpredictable, could the break-down of her marriage end up being a blessing in disguise and a chance to start over?
The women of the Air Transport Military Club are going to be tested like never before. As they find themselves contending with crashes, dogfighting and kidnappings that will challenge them, they will end up needing every ounce of courage and resilience they posses to triumph against all the obstacles standing in their way.
M W Arnold is wonderful at capturing the can-do spirit of wartime and at bringing to vivid and colourful life the pain, anguish, bravery and camaraderie that helped courageous men and women to get through this dark period of the world’s history. I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a terrific saga that is sprinkled with suspense, romance, intrigue and poignancy and is full of inspirational, nuanced and brilliantly layered female characters readers will cheer for and admire.
A gripping yarn that is perfect for curling up with on a cold winter afternoon, I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a highly satisfying historical page-turner by M W Arnold.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 16, 2021
On the whole, I enjoyed M.W, Arnold's WWII tale. The author does a nice job of establishing the ambience of living through the Second World War as a member of the ATA. Nice detail on food shortages, living arrangements, and the ins and outs of military life for both men and women - all portrayed naturally. I particularly like the warmth and humor of the relationships amongst the women and between the women and their menfolk. There's also a believable conflict between a married ATA flyer (Penny) and her RAF husband over having children and her husband's unhappiness that his injury keeps him from flying while she is able to do so - until a dogfight changes the equation. I did have some problems with the novel, though. There are just too many characters, so it's hard to keep track of all the women and their romantic and familial relationships. Just when you think you have a handle on one bunch of flyers, another one takes the focus, then it's back to the to the other group, so you have trouble remembering what the stories of these people are. Also, there is something of a mystery involved-and when it gets going, it's exciting. Still, the tales of everyone's relationships tend to get in the way and sidetrack, undercutting attempts to build suspense or tension. There are other books in the series, and perhaps if I'd started with the earlier ones, I'd be more at home with who is who. Anyway, the book is definitely worth a try. Start with the first and work your way toward this one.
March 26, 2022
We are back with the ladies of the ATA and another mystery has landed at their feet. Betty has a mysterious key which she believes belonged to her deceased sister. Unravelling the mystery has caused some unwanted attention and resulted in the women being followed. Penny has her own issues of a more personal nature and of course the planes still have to be delivered- there is a war going on after all.
I love this series. This is the third one and for the ladies' pasts and relevance to the war effort to make sense the others in the series should be read first (both 5* from me- bk 1- A Wing and a Prayer, bk 2- Wild Blue Yonder). There are clearly hours, make that days or weeks of research gone into these books which shines through the pages to make it a very realistic read. There is really a little of everything in there- mystery, drama, saga, romance- all the things that take us through life very well portrayed which keeps the pages turning very easily. Im feeling Im getting to know the ladies now and really enjoy their company. I think there may be a book 4 on its way which I look forward to reading- so enjoyable and easy reading.
Although Christmas is in the title- this can be read any time of year ( I'm sitting here on a beautiful sunny spring day) as the main part of the story is mystery and wartime rather than seasonal.
A wonderful, highly entertaining read with an excellent plot, magnificent characters and a smile along the way. A highly recommended read.
I love this series. This is the third one and for the ladies' pasts and relevance to the war effort to make sense the others in the series should be read first (both 5* from me- bk 1- A Wing and a Prayer, bk 2- Wild Blue Yonder). There are clearly hours, make that days or weeks of research gone into these books which shines through the pages to make it a very realistic read. There is really a little of everything in there- mystery, drama, saga, romance- all the things that take us through life very well portrayed which keeps the pages turning very easily. Im feeling Im getting to know the ladies now and really enjoy their company. I think there may be a book 4 on its way which I look forward to reading- so enjoyable and easy reading.
Although Christmas is in the title- this can be read any time of year ( I'm sitting here on a beautiful sunny spring day) as the main part of the story is mystery and wartime rather than seasonal.
A wonderful, highly entertaining read with an excellent plot, magnificent characters and a smile along the way. A highly recommended read.
November 8, 2021
Quick note: For those that don't know this series I recommend you start with "A Wing and a Prayer", as this book is the third book in the series.
As we follow our amazing friends, the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club, life continue after the previous book. I love reading historical novels set during any of the WW in this saga subgenre, because of the sense of community. In this story, there is that, plus the context of the plot, and the characters background.
There is still mystery and action, and despite knowing the characters and their life, I still was surprised. They felt like family members that I got to spent vacation with. Not a tropical setting, but the historical aspects that the author used took me to another place and time, which was just as good for me.
Overall, it was amazing to go back to this series and see where the story would go next. The danger, the mystery, the resilience and the action that got things going and got me curious and focus at each page.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and M W Arnold for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
As we follow our amazing friends, the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club, life continue after the previous book. I love reading historical novels set during any of the WW in this saga subgenre, because of the sense of community. In this story, there is that, plus the context of the plot, and the characters background.
There is still mystery and action, and despite knowing the characters and their life, I still was surprised. They felt like family members that I got to spent vacation with. Not a tropical setting, but the historical aspects that the author used took me to another place and time, which was just as good for me.
Overall, it was amazing to go back to this series and see where the story would go next. The danger, the mystery, the resilience and the action that got things going and got me curious and focus at each page.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and M W Arnold for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
November 10, 2021
The third in the Broken Wings series, this was a fantastic piece of wartime fiction brought to life through it's pages & I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
A steady paced, thrilling read. Very well researched, beautifully written & utterly compelling. I'm definitely going to download the other books in the series.
Before now I had never even heard of the Air Transport Auxiliary Pilots, so I've learnt something too.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot & gifted copy.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
A steady paced, thrilling read. Very well researched, beautifully written & utterly compelling. I'm definitely going to download the other books in the series.
Before now I had never even heard of the Air Transport Auxiliary Pilots, so I've learnt something too.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot & gifted copy.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
November 14, 2021
My review of I'll be home for Christmas is on my blog.
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
September 15, 2022
Was ok but jumped about with the story a bit too much for my liking
November 3, 2021
Set during WWII, I’ll be Home for Christmas is book 3 in the Broken Wings series, and as always, I join the series midway through. This is also the first book I’ve read by M W Arnold.
As the blurb says, there is plenty of action packed into this novel, and I loved the historical details which were dropped in here and there. There is humour too, which made me smile. I did however, find it very slow at times, with too much description given to what I felt were unimportant actions. Despite that, I had to keep reading right to the end to get all my questions answered.
As the blurb says, there is plenty of action packed into this novel, and I loved the historical details which were dropped in here and there. There is humour too, which made me smile. I did however, find it very slow at times, with too much description given to what I felt were unimportant actions. Despite that, I had to keep reading right to the end to get all my questions answered.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews