A Flying Affair

April 27, 2015
Stewart (The Hatmaker’s Heart) continues her rich recreation of the Roaring ’20s, this time exploring women who fly. Mittie Humphreys, an adventurous and skilled Kentucky horsewoman, dreams of flying her own plane with the likes of Amelia Earhart. Torn between her passion for the air and her fear of letting down her parents, Mittie remains close to her beloved show horses even as she pursues aviation. When Ames Dewberry, the dashing barnstormer and performance pilot, introduces her to stunt flying and air races, Mittie begins flying lessons with the handsome British pilot Bobby York. As she moves into serious competition with other women aviators, Mittie is caught between the two men, as well as between her family’s expectations and her own dreams. Danger, thrills, and heartache ensue as she opens new vistas with a growing sisterhood of courageous female pilots. Compelling action scenes, clever dialogue, and believable characters add spice and depth to a multidimensional tale. Though faith plays a backseat role, and the main character is less well-developed than others, the historical detail and vivid action scenes anchor an enjoyable story. Agent: Sandra Bishop, Transatlantic Agency.

June 1, 2015

It is the 1920s, and Charles Lindbergh is inspiring amateur aviators across the country--Mittie Humphries, for example, who dreams of becoming a barnstormer. But since her father's accident, she's been caring for their show horses on their Kentucky farm. When she meets charming pilot Ames Dewberry, he seems just the man to help her achieve her aspiration of flying. Soon Mittie is soaring through the skies while foolishly losing her heart to Ames. VERDICT Inspired by the true-life adventures of such pioneering female aviators as Amelia Earhart, Stewart (The Hatmaker's Heart) allows readers, through the wonderfully drawn character of Mittie, to experience firsthand the challenges female pilots faced in a male-dominated profession. Afficionados of historical fiction and women's fiction will enjoy soaring into the wild blue yonder with Mittie.

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