Wings by Cynthia Lee Cartier

I read and reviewed Cynthia's first novel,  My Way Home, and absolutely loved it. So, I was really excited about her new novel, Wings.  I was not disappointed - I adore it!

It's WWII and Liddy Hall is just trying to survive.  Her father's in a home and she's trying to pay the hefty expenses of his care while also trying to have some money leftover to pay her own bills.  She's spent most of her life with airplanes and has a desire to own a pair silver wings.

When the Army begins seeking female pilots, Liddy knows that this could be her chance, even though she is scared to leave behind her small town, friends and family.  But she is only free and at peace when she is in the air.  She passes the exams and soon finds herself in training.  Along the way, she meets many women that she befriends.  She also meets Major Reid and really falls for him even though she can't understand why he brushes her off as soon as he learns she is a woman pilot.

Liddy is not afraid to take risks.  In fact, she starts every flight with the words, "Today is a good day to die", which could be a curse to some, but comforting to her.  She learns her way as she goes and has a heart of gold, but she also has a backbone of steel.  I hated to see the end of Wings, I loved the characters and the premise so much.  Cartier writing engages the reader, investing them before they even know it.  I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! It will be hard to top this one!