Sunday, October 17, 2021

when the pilot falls

About the Book

Book: When the Pilot Falls

Author: April Hayman

Genre: Christian Historical Mystery, Fairytale

Release date: September 7, 2021

HAYMAN-When-the-Pilot-Falls-sm In 1923, there aren’t many pilots, but Willie Labeau didn’t let that stop… her.

A bear of a man, Hugh Taylor, needs a stunt plane pilot, and despite their rocky introduction, Willie sets off for golden California and a new life as his pilot. There’s just one little thing she has to do in addition to flying.

Leave his past alone. Period.

When the flame of her own curiosity becomes fanned by encouragement from Willie’s sister, the feisty pilot can’t help but do just a little investigating.

And Hugh vanishes.

Friends rally around her, and with all the information she can find in hand, Willie sets off to rescue Hugh and battle the evil family holding him hostage.

A fierce air race, a sincere act of humility—are they enough to free Hugh and give Willie a chance to be with him… forever?

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. When the Pilot Falls offers a retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch hearts soar and daring dos.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

april April Hayman lives in the high desert of California with her husband and their three sons. During the day, she focuses on homeschooling the boys and working on client projects. She writes at night when the temperature outside is only somewhat cooler than during the day.

Her passion for reading began in grade school and her teachers often reprimanded her for reading when she should have been completing her math assignments. Now she reads whenever she likes and writes for those who love to read.

April collects fountain pens, has too many pen pals (and always looking for more), journals sporadically, creates art when she can squeeze it in, and hordes stationery.

More from April

I’ve always loved to write. I still remember pounding out a science fiction story about a lizard man on my Grandmother’s typewriter, with its sticky ‘e’ key, then excitedly asking to read it to her. She patiently listened and praised my writing. I was thrilled even though, now as an adult, I realized she was humoring me. I continued to write on an off for the next twenty years, but it wasn’t until I found National Novel Writing Month that I really began to write in earnest.

I’d already begun my search into story structure and, one day while researching, NaNoWriMo popped up on my browser window. Interested, I clicked over and I was intrigued. Here was a chance to write 50,000 words in thirty days with a support group of other writers! And, with a day to go, I signed up. After all, how hard is it to write 50,000 words?

Turns out, it’s super hard. Especially when you’re new to story structure, developing characters, and correct pacing. It was a fabulous disaster of a story, but I did manage to hit my mark and “win” that year. And, best of all, I’d met Chautona Havig. She and I became friends and her brilliant writing advice and support has meant the world to me.

Every year after that, except when I moved away, I participated. Eventually I became a Municipal Liaison, the head volunteer and writer wrangler, for our area. It was a lot of fun but not one of those books has been published. They’re just for me and I love them, even if they’re awful.

Eventually, my participation was noticed by my three boys. While all of them enjoy reading to varying degrees, writing was always hard for them. Not that they don’t love to tell a good story. It’s the writing part that’s hard. Anyway, my eldest son finally decided to join the Young Writers Program (NaNoWriMo for pre-teens and teens) one year and got bitten by the writing bug. We’re currently working on his latest story. I’m so happy to have passed on my love of writing to him and his brothers!

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed reading about a woman pilot with the setting in the early 1920s. Willie is an exception character with fierceness and skills that other pilots wish they had. She wasn’t well received as a pilot because who ever heard of a woman pilot. I cheered when she took to the skies and did stunts that took my breath away. Her life changes when she goes to Hollywood as a stunt pilot. What an exciting time she had as she improved her skills.

Hugh was a large man but I think his demeanor was quite gentlemanly when it came to being around Willie. His size may intimidate others, but not Willie. She finds him intriguing but he will not share anything about his family. Willie was a little upset that he didn’t trust her enough to confide in her.

I wasn’t familiar with the fairytale this story was loosely based on so I had to read it. My curiosity got the best of me and I had to know more details to see how the author interpreted the fairytale. I must say her creativity was amazing and I love the direction she took readers where greed, power and jealousy are found in several characters. I liked how Hugh protected Willie by going away. There is where the story really gets good.

We are introduced to Queenie who happens to be a pilot like Willie. I did not like Queenie at all because she was arrogant, prideful and deceitful. There is much at stake for Queenie and her family as they are involved with dealings that could put them behind bars. Her tricks find Hugh in a situation that could cost him his happiness. The action starts when Willie and Queenie decide to fight for the person they love. The author captivated me by how these two women were going to duel it out. What an edge of your seat moment as the planes come to life as danger draws near. Who will win the race? Can Hugh be saved from making a big mistake? These questions can be found in the pages of this story that draws on the emotions of greed and deception to take what they want. In the end, does greed pay off?

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.