Hover

April 1, 2015
A former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot's debut novel about a sailor who overcomes her fear of drowning to assist a Navy SEAL team on a top-secret mission. After losing her twin brother in a kayaking accident, Lt. Sara Denning would feel safer flying helicopters for the Navy if her training didn't require so many simulated emergency water landings. As Sara details the procedure for freeing herself from the helicopter cabin and swimming to safety-"Left hand on bulkhead, right arm across torso, grab and pull"-we are fully submerged in the minutiae of military life, rarely coming up for air except when Sara's roommate, Emily, encourages her to take a break. Sara is too busy living out her brother's military dreams to have a life outside work. For Emily, succeeding in a male-dominated industry means balancing work with predictable but reasonable feminine pursuits, like reading romance novels and dressing up when she's not in uniform. For Sara, succeeding in a male-dominated industry means working twice as hard as the men without standing out-and we soon see why. When Lt. Eric Marxen recommends Sara for a Navy Commendation Medal for keeping her cool in a smoke-filled helicopter, Eric's sudden interest in Sara inevitably breeds resentment among the other pilots; and her boss, Cmdr. Claggett, can't hide his disdain. Fortunately, their opinions don't matter: a group of SEALs needs an ace pilot for their latest mission, and after they've seen her in action, Sara is now at the top of their list. Sara's earnestness pays off as the worst-case scenarios she simulated in her training come to fruition in a nail-biting rescue mission. Tightly written training scenes make for a smart, absorbing thriller when the reluctant heroine is put to the test.

May 15, 2015

Wilson's invigorating debut offers refreshing and realistic characters, as well as a much-needed voice and perspective in contemporary women's fiction. Lt. Sarah Denning is a strong, smart, skilled helicopter pilot for the U.S. Navy. She's spent years blending into the predominantly male environment, proving to herself and those around her that she can do what is asked of her and that her gender is irrelevant to the work at hand. In her continued efforts to fit in and not be seen as too feminine or womanly, she has foregone knowing all the layers of herself as a person and tolerates more than she should from her male peers. Fortunately, she's able to question her barriers and framework after meeting the intriguing Lt. Eric Marxen, though she is conflicted when he singles her out as the exclusive pilot for SEAL flight operations. VERDICT Wilson offers a must-read that merges suspense, intrigue, and romance in a dynamic setting. It is foreseeable that this could be a recurring character and series that would garner a large following.--Anne M. Miskewitch, Chicago P.L.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2015
Twenty-six-year-old Lieutenant Sara Denning is a helicopter pilot on the Kansas City, a U.S. Navy replenishment oiler supplying a battle group stationed in the Pacific Ocean. A talented pilot, the straitlaced Sara often finds herself out of place among her outgoing colleagues and subject to the ire of her harsh commander. When a routine pickup goes awry, Sara facilitates a successful yet difficult landing on another ship, where she meets the earnest, attractive Lieutenant Eric Marxen. Sara returns to the Kansas City, yet their paths cross again when Eric is brought on board to lead large-scale counterterrorism-training exercises. As the sessions progress, Sara is persistently tapped as pilot, causing strain between her and her shipmates and raising other nagging questions about Eric, even as sparks fly between them. As Sara attempts to navigate the imbalance of her professional relationships, while coping with the long-hidden trauma of her past, she lands at the center of a harrowing international mission. Wilson's experience as an active-duty U.S. Navy helicopter pilot brings a nuanced perspective to her thrilling debut.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)