Sunday, October 23, 2011

Hearts in Flight / A Family of Their Own

Two romances -- one historical, one contemporary for your reading pleasure.


Title: HEARTS IN FLIGHT
Author: Patty Smith Hall
Publisher: Love Inspired Historicals
July 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-82878-4
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Maggie Daniels has long dreamed of flying in the Women’s Army Special Pilots, instead of just the family crop dusting business. She has a family emergency when a family member is killed in the war, but she is anxious to do her part—so when Captain Wesley Hicks shows up on at her crop duster she is quick to jump at his job offer.

Wesley is hesitant to take on a woman. He has all sorts of questions for her, questions that Maggie feels is unfair—no man would have to answer them. She knows she’ll have to prove herself.

Wesley recognizes that Maggie is a good pilot—but she is too dangerous. The war has already cost Wesley more than he wanted to pay. Can Wesley learn to trust God—and Maggie—to believe in a lifetime of love?

I had the pleasure of reading the first few chapters of this in a critique group and I always wondered how it turned out, so I was glad to see it come to print. It has changed considerably since the days of the first draft, and the final draft is much more polished.

Wesley is a dreamy hero. Strong. Courageous. And hurting. Maggie is a tomboy, bound and determined to get her way in life—a very strong heroine. Set during the days of World War II, this is a book that will tug your heart strings. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.75. 278 pages.

***


Title: A FAMILY OF THEIR OWN
Author: Gail Gaymer Martin
Publisher: Love Inspired
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-87694-5
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance

Kelsey Rhodes’ eleven year old daughter has a serious disease. She’s founded a support group for mothers with seriously ill children. Kelsey is blessed. Lucy is doing a lot better and is making friends and adjusting well. But a wedding introduces Kelsey to Ross, a single father with a seriously ill daughter. He wasn’t welcome in Kelsey’s support group and he wonders why.

Ross Salburg’s daughter, Peyton, is twelve, and she has the same disease that her mother died from. Peyton is bitter and unfriendly, willing only to spend her days in solitude and bitterness. But Ross isn’t satisfied with that. Despite not being allowed into Kelsey’s support group, he tries to befriend Kelsey, knowing he needs help with Peyton.

Ross and Kelsey are attracted, but her friends are warning her away. She’s stand-offish with Ross, not wanting to encourage a friendship, but she can’t help but feel more alive around Ross. Can these two hurting families find away to meld into one?

A FAMILY OF THEIR OWN is a very well-written story about two individuals with children that have serious diseases. I’ve never heard of the diseases that the girls had, but it was apparent that Ms. Martin has done her research on the topics as she put information into the book about them. The parents were smart enough to find support groups and had friends that loved them enough to warn them to be careful.

A FAMILY OF THEIR OWN is an excellent book for potential Love Inspired authors to study if they want to be published by that line as it is a perfect example of their contemporary romances. Cleanly written, hurting characters, children, and a relationship that is doomed—unless a miracle happens. Also perfect for romance lovers who prefer a sweet romance and not the more edgy fiction. $5.75. 216 pages.

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