The inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War 11
Ms. Landdeck is an associate professor and teaches courses on the twentieth century United States and global war. What an interesting read her book is.
“The Women with Silver Wings” is the culmination of her 20 years of research on the Women Airforce Service Pilots. The WASP were the first women in history to fly for the U.S. military, serving between 1942 and 1944 at the height of World WAR 11. These daring female aviators who helped the United States win WW 11 only to be forgotten by the country they served.
It has been a privilege for Ms. Landdeck get to know these women over years and to tell the stories of these amazing women in action. At the height of WW 11 more than 1000 women volunteered as civilian pilots to relieve men for overseas duty. They ferried planes across the country from factories to points of embarkation, towed targets behind planes to train ground and air gunners, test flew planes after repairs and other domestic flying duty that the Air Forces needed done. The author describes in details their day to day life: the months of training, were they were stationed, the types of aircraft they flew and their down time.
The WASP were deactivated in December 1944 up to 1977 they continued their battle to be officially recognised as part of the Military. In 1984 each pilot was awarded the WW 11 Victory medal and others the American Theater Ribbon and Campaign Medal. In 2009, after decades-long battle, the women contributions finally honored and were granted the Congressional Gold Medal and officially recognized as military veterans. The status fully recognised in 2017.
This book is superbly researched and consists of numerous vignettes of the remarkable pilots. It is smoothly written with relatively short chapters to keep us interested. In whole an easy read and a great educating tool.
On the down side: I found too much was said for a regular size book, information seemed cramped in. I was deeply into this book for most part but ¾ in, things started to turn in circle, became repetitive and dragged somewhat. I was anxious to see the ending by then. Having said this, I still would recommend this book to those who love this time in history.
I received an ARC from Crown Publishing via NetGalley for my thoughts.
Ivy Nash Thriller book #1
Redemption Thriller book # 7
Ivy Nash is the second sub-series of the Redemption Thriller Collection. In the past few months I have been reviewing the Alex Trout Thrillers, the first of the sub-series and enjoyed them immensely, so I was eager to get my teeth (hands) on the Ivy Nash experience hoping to be as much entertained as in the first series.
John Mefford is a talented author and knows how to build his characters for us to relate to them and he does a good job in doing so. “In Defiance” starts by telling us a bit of Ivy’s background, a system kid growing up in foster care. As an adult Ivy became a special investigator for Child Protective Services and would do anything for the wellbeing of children. So, when a volatile hostage situation at a foster home happens Ivy is right there to help but unfortunately the situation reaches a bitter end and an investigation is launched. The story that follows is a series of twists and turns, accusations, abuse, connections to drugs and a shockwave of horrific childhood memories.
Ivy is a character you simply love: she is strong, independent and is not afraid of trouble. Her past will not dictate her present and she will go all out to prove that a 10 year old boy is not guilty of murder. There is some heart breaking moments.
The tempo is moderate and keeps the same pace from start to finish. Although I did find Ivy’s drama entertaining I was not as captivated by it has I was with Alex’s stories, anyways so far. . Having said this, “In Defiance” is still a page turner and a good opening for another exciting series. Looking forward to story #2.
Zeb Carter book #5
What can I say except this is one exhausting read and a heck of a good one on top. For those looking for thrilling and never ending action, this latest will more than satisfied your craving. In “Traitor” Mr. Patterson does not leave Zeb any time to rest now that he is the target of all the assassins around the word. The best and most respected operator has been framed, labeled a traitor and a kill order has been placed.
The story line is a riveting one and could easily be ripped from headlines. In Libya, Zeb is in pursuit of the world’s deadliest terrorist when the first kill team attacks him. But this is the start of a hunting game…Can he stay alive….well of course he did …as in all good series the protagonist is needed for the sequel (no secret there).
This is by far not a boring story, from the first chapter till the very last we have Zeb jumping many hurdles and killing many to stay alive in order to accomplish what he came to do. Along the way, we are into one crazy scene after the other giving us lots of excitement with many of twists and turns popping out continually. Mr. Patterson also did not forget to give us plenty of violence to make us cringe. This thriller is so vividly describe that you can picture every move in your mind. As for the characters, the usual gang eventually shows up to save the day, they play strong parts as expected. All good by the end…good guys win and bad guys lose…
This is another good suspense written by one of my favourite authors.
Mercy Harbor Thriller book #2
I discovered this author not too long ago with “River Girls” book #1 in this series I found it so riveting that I couldn’t pass reading the 2nd installment and now I confess that I have an eye on book #3.
Eden Winthrop and detective Nessa Ainsley are the main characters in this series. In this latest our two players are recovering from the tragic events that occurred in the previous book. Trying to keep the vulnerable residents at Mercy House safe is not an easy task, so when one of the girls goes missing they discover that a serial killer may be lurking in the shadows. Not giving a second thought and determined to stop him at any cost they go all out and right into danger. 7 girls have already gone missing and now presumed dead. Has the killer set his mind on Girl Eight? Seems so…..
“Girl Eight” is definitely a page-turner, very suspenseful and one that it is hard to figure who is really behind the murders/kidnappings. As Eden pursuits the killer Leo Steele, a recurring character, investigates his mother’s death… The cases collide and as the events unfold the link between the two cases becomes clear but before we go any further I am warning you…. we are giving a very twisty ride to follow. What a story.
As for the characterization, we have a multitude of secondary players: investigators, officers of the law, doctors, some good guys and some not so good, all are drawn with a skillful hand to push forward this thrilling mystery. This story is tightly written, is action packed and moves at a steady pace. I was so into this story I had the hardness of time putting this book aside. Saying more will spoil the enjoyment so I say no more.
As the character development progresses with each installment, I suggest reading this series in order. But if you start here, you will definitely want to read “River Girl”, the first novel…
I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Opinions expressed are my own.
Ashley Grant book # 3
This Rapid Reads is a slim book with huge characters that says a lot in less than 150 of printed pages. This is a fast, easy and relaxing read that stand well on its own.
Of course a story so small has no frills or long sentences. The style is clear, concise but all good things are there. Ms. Delany knows how to make a captivating plot within the limited number of pages.
Ashley Grant is our main character, working as a paramedic in the Caribbean. Her parents are visiting her from Canada but bored stiff her father meets Paul one of the neighbors and gets friendly. But when Paul disappears, Ashley`s father makes it his mission to find out what happened to him but he soon finds out there is a deferent side to paradise….
Overall, this is an enjoyable book that is well put together. Of course the mystery is easily solved but what makes this little story so good is how we get there. This is a cute drama with good characterization and not taxing at all especially for those pressed for time.
I received the ARC through the Early Reviewer Program
Roy Grace book #5
The plot in this 5th installment is more of a conventional police-procedural than in the previous novel. Although, not particularly original in itself it is by far not your ordinary run of the mill bad cop/good cop story we find in most story of this genre. We may think that after so many books the vitality and freshness may have started to dwindle but I had no fear that Mr. James would deliver another blockbuster and he did.
In a few words:
When a dredger uncovers the body of a young man on the sea bed, Roy Grace is called in to investigate a crime that offers no clues other than an empty body cavity, leaving him totally baffled to find out what had happened. But when similar corpses are later uncovered it became clear to the investigators that they were dealing with murders of young people and the harvesting of their organs for sale.
“Dead Tomorrow”, ties the desperation of a mother with a daughter suffering acute liver disease to the vulnerable street kids and the burgeoning trade in human organs.
More thoughts:
In every good story we have a leading man, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, is not the stereotype characters we find in many novels. Roy has no alcoholism, misogyny and psychological disorders rather he is stable, reliable, sensitive and hard working. He is a hell of a cop. We will also find that all the supporting characters are so very human: from victims, to the pressured, to the investigators. In interweaving plot we learn of their personal lives, the nitty-gritty portrayal of teenagers and their emotions.
This is a most realistic portrayed plot I have read in a long time. It plays out more as a chase than an intricate layering of clues and red herrings. Its 500 or so pages move like the breeze even with the many details the tempo never bogs down. Mr. James created another world for us to temporarily become part of and for us to actually care what happens to his characters. What holds together this long novel is a strong narrative….
I certainly got my money’s worth
