A Flying Affair

I love books where I learn so much about the subject that drives that character. Her first love is horses, and she has a beautiful saddlebred named Gypsy that adds a beautiful undercurrent to the story, with interesting facts and incidents surrounding her family's stables and involvement in saddlebred shows. I had no idea that the saddlebred shows were quite so interesting, since it's usually the thoroughbred shows that get the press notice.

But what really drives Mittie's dreams is the idea of flying. In the 20s, flying is still very young; Lindbergh had just completed his epic journey and is on his victory tour across America when Mittie first takes the controls of a plane. Ames, a friend of hers who she really doesn't know that much about, takes her up for her first taste of “barnstorming,” which is basically trick flying. He also introduces her to the world of wing walking, which brought a cold sweat to my palms just thinking about it. (I had no idea such a thing existed, and I have no desire to witness it!)

Soon, her father introduces her to a young man that both of her parents think is infinitely more suitable to their daughter than the drifter Ames, whose family they know nothing of: Bobby York, a young Englishman with his flying license and an international training license. Before she knows it, Bobby York is her flight instructor, to her great delight, and she's learning all the ins and outs of plane flying and construction.

Some of my favorite things about this were learning of how close-knit the women pilots were, and of how they were able to put rivalry aside for an admirable sisterhood. I loved the epic journeys described, and could almost feel the scenery and camaraderie. Carla Stewart is most definitely adept at pulling you into the story and keeping you there.

The romantic angle and the Christian angle are fairly subtle, but present. I do love the emphasis on the historical aspect and greatly appreciate Stewart's attention to detail.

**I received an ecopy from Netgalley for my review, but purchased my own paperback copy between the time of request and approval, so this review is of the paperback edition.