Hearts in Flight by Patty Smith Hall
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
1943 – Georgia
Pages: 288 Mass Market Paperback or eBook
Date Published: July 5th 2011
Publisher: Love Inspired Historical

Serving her country as one of the Women’s Army Special Pilots is Maggie Daniels’s dearest wish. But there are obstacles to overcome above and beyond the enemies in the Pacific, including her overprotective family, skeptical fellow pilots—and handsome, distant squadron leader Wesley Hicks. Whatever it takes, Maggie willprove herself to Wesley, until she succeeds in winning his admiration…and love.

Wesley can see that Maggie’s a first-class pilot. She’s also too fearless by half. The war has cost Wesley so much already. Can he let go of his guilt for a chance at happiness—and can he learn to trust in God…and Maggie…enough to believe in love for a lifetime?

One awesome thing that happened while I was still in Georgia (and very pregnant with AppleBlossom) was that I went to a luncheon with a fellow avid reader and authors. It was awesome! I got to meet my favorite Julie Lessman in person finally! And I met some other authors who as I’m reading them I find them to be new favorites as well (such as Missy Tippens and Patty Smith Hall)! Not only are these ladies great prayer personalities but they are such fabulous authors as well and truly keep me up at all hours (when I should be sleeping – I have young babies people!) So anyway, when Patty asked me if I wanted to read her debut novel that I knew was in the works  you better believe I jumped at the chance. Only issue being, her novel was released right about the same time that OrangeBlossom was born (you too, Julie, but I know you still love me – I’ll read it soon I promise!).

Hearts in Flight was a fabulous read. If you know me, you know I am not a fan of mass market paperback format, but the story is good. Truly entertaining. I loved the characters, I mean come on, her name was Maggie! What’s not to love there? Definitely makes me partial. This is another one that had me thinking about the hard times during a bit of economic depression and thinking of how it relates to today’s economy and what tidbits we could learn. (I recently learned near the Enginerd’s parents house there is a Hooverville! Did you know they still existed, or rather again? Times are really hard.) Maggie has spunk and it shows on every page. Then there is her romantic interest Daniel. Um. My Enginerd is Daniel, so Margaret and Daniel. Seriously even if I didn’t like the plot, I’d love Patty.

There is a great bit of suspense with the romance and a bunch of historical facts that I did not know anything about (like the WASP). I’m intrigued, I’m entertained and happy as a reader. I want more!

*Thanks to Patty for sending me a copy for review.*

Patty Smith Hall grew up just outside of Atlanta, hearing family stories of gallant men and gutsy ladies. Those early tales whetted her appetite for history and by the age of eleven, Patty had plowed through all the history books and biographies in the county library. It was about this time that she read her first romance novel and fell head long into a lifetime love affair with the genre. At age fifteen, Patty wrote her first novel, a satire of a gothic novel, for her tenth grade English class. She received an A plus, but even more, her teacher encouraged her to keep writing.

But writing doesn’t pay the bills. Patty received her degree in nursing from Kennesaw State University and worked in various areas such as research and high risk infant care. But even with her love of nursing, Patty still studied the craft of writing, listening to writing tapes during her daily commute. With the birth of her daughters, her attention shifted to her home life and raising two busy little girls. Between church activities, volunteer work and extended family, her life was full.

But that desire to write never wavered. In 2000, with her girls growing up and life settling into a routine, Patty started seriously studying the craft of writing. A founding member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, she served on the national board as well as various other regional positions. She first found publishing success with her short stories in the God Allows U-Turns series as well as Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul; a Second Dose and Guidepost magazine. Her debut novel, Hearts in Flight, won the 2008 American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis Award in historical romance and was picked by Publisher’s Weekly as a top inspirational read for the 2011 spring and summer season.

Patty lives with her husband of 28 years in suburban Atlanta and finds her greatest joy in spending time with her family and friends.

http://patty-smith-hall.blogspot.com