Stories Under Starlight: Book Reviews & Tours: October 2019

BEYOND THE HORIZON

ELLA CAREY

Historical Fiction / Friendship
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Date of Publication: October 15, 2019

Number of Pages: 326

***Scroll down for the giveaway!***

From the author of The House by the Lake comes a powerful novel of friendship during World War II, fighting for the truth, and making peace with the past.

At the height of World War II, Eva Scott’s dream comes true. Accepted into the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), she leaves balmy California and the man she loves for grueling training in Texas, ultimately landing at formidable Camp Davis in North Carolina.

Vastly outnumbered by men and amid contempt, discrimination, and sabotage, Eva and her closest friends, the unconventional Nina and straight-laced Helena, remain loyal to their mission and to each other. They stay focused on the horizon, determined to prove themselves capable women pilots. Until a fatal mission sends Eva’s dream crashing to earth . . .

Now, decades later, is it possible to discover the truth about the night that changed her life? Is there any hope she’ll recover all that she’s lost? When Eva finds herself embroiled in the fight to get military recognition for the WASP, she’s forced to confront the past, and to make a decision that could forever change her future.

Thrilling and inspiring, Beyond the Horizon is a portrait of love, friendship, and valor in a time of war—and a tribute to the brave women who risked their lives for their country.

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Interview with main character Eva, from Beyond the Horizon,

thirty years after the Second World War

Eva, what is it that draws you back to your time during the war? Why was it such a powerful time in your life?

For me the camaraderie that I experienced with those girls out in Sweetwater was something that I had never enjoyed before in all my life. Many of us found a home away from home during those months training out in Texas. You have to remember, we were so isolated, out on that base, flying together, studying hard, and, of course, getting up to a few pranks. It was as if we were in our own little world, we only had each other, and what was going on out there in Texas was all that seemed to matter, things were magnified. It was a chance for us to experience true sisterhood. As women, when we pulled together, we found empowerment in our friendships. Looking back, I am proud of myself for serving my country and for doing something that mattered. But, for so many of us, this wonderful experience was finite, a finite moment in time when we had glimpses of our potential. After the war, for many of us, the old order returned, so I, for one, look back on this time as a WASP as a time of unparalleled freedom.

What was it that united you so strongly as WASP?

The one thing that we all had in common was our love of flying, a love of being up in the air. The freedom to be away from the world, up in the sky was so powerful to us. For all of us, this was an emotional connection, too. While we had to be reasonably smart to be accepted as a WASP – you had to pass tests, and you needed to be adventurous and strong – the emotional connection to flying had to be there, and that was what united us; it was what we had in common with each other.

What were some of the particular challenges you faced when training out in Texas?

Sweetwater, Texas is known for its rattlesnakes, tarantulas, black widows, and scorpions. Every night we checked our beds for scorpions, we checked our boots for scorpions, and we checked our pants for them too! With temperatures over 100 degrees and constant, dusty winds, flying was always going to be a challenge out there. We flew chewing dust, we had Texas dust in our teeth, and sometimes the heat was so intense, we took our beds out into the yard to try and find a non-existent breeze. But we had to choose between sleeping with critters and sleeping in stifling barracks, that was for certain! To ensure our safe reputation, we had to follow rules that men did not have at all. We had to dress modestly, we were not allowed to smoke in town, and we were not allowed to socialize too much. Soon, we were known as Cochran’s convent. One third of us washed out of what was an extremely demanding program. We women were judged differently from men. We were judged on the way we walked, moved, and thought.

Why are you fighting for military recognition, thirty years after the WASP were disbanded? Why is it so important to you?

We are fighting for military recognition now, because the Air Force have just announced that they are training women to be Air Force pilots for the first time. But it is not the first time. We flew too. We flew 60 million miles during the Second World War, in every type of airplane the Air Force had. We were a group of female aviators who were willing to play our part. Like so many women for generations, we had done things but not been recognized. We were unofficial pilots because we were women. It is time for us to become official instead.

PRAISE FOR BEYOND THE HORIZON:

“With snappy dialogue, impressive historical details, a sense of adventure and courage on every page, and even a love story, Ella Carey has hit all the markers that make fine historical fiction.” —Ann Howard Creel, bestselling author of The Whiskey Sea

“Fans of inspirational World War II fiction will cheer on Eva and her fellow pilots as they chase their dreams, endure heartbreak, and discover their true strength. Carey’s evocative descriptions bring home the exhilaration of flight—and the everyday indignities endured by young women who challenged the expectations of their time. The story’s final twist makes for a surprising and moving conclusion.” —Elizabeth Blackwell, author of On a Cold Dark Sea and In the Shadow of Lakecrest

“A moving, beautifully written novel about the amazing WASP during WWII. True to life and packed full of emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling like I was one of these extraordinary women pilots as I read the story.” —Soraya M. Lane, Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Girls of Pearl Harbor

Ella Carey is the international bestselling author of The Things We Don’t Say, Secret Shores, From a Paris Balcony, The House by the Lake, and Paris Time Capsule. Her books have been published in over fourteen countries, in twelve languages. Her sixth novel is Beyond The Horizon, set around the Women Air Force Service Pilots during World War Two. Ella is incredibly excited to share this book with her readers, as her mother was a W.A.A.A.F during World War Two, and her father was in the R.A.F, flying airplanes over occupied France. Ella traveled to Sweetwater, Texas, to research the novel, and is grateful to Ann Hobing, the then Executive Director of the WASP museum for sharing her wonderful knowledge of the WASP. Ella also worked with two pilots to craft the flight scenes. Ella loves to connect with her readers For more information on the background to her novels and updates about her next release, and to contact her about appearances at your local book club, please visit her website.

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***GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!***

THREE PAPERBACK COPIES OF BEYOND THE HORIZON

OCTOBER 17-27, 2019

(U.S. Only)

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VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

10/17/19	Promo	Texas Book Lover
10/17/19	Promo	Hall Ways Blog
10/18/19	Review	Sydney Young, Stories
10/19/19	Excerpt	Forgotten Winds
10/20/19	Review	Bibliotica
10/21/19	Character Interview	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
10/21/19	Excerpt	Chapter Break Book Blog
10/22/19	Guest Post	Nerd Narration
10/23/19	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
10/23/19	Review	Book Fidelity
10/24/19	Excerpt	That's What She's Reading
10/24/19	Scrapbook	All the Ups and Downs
10/25/19	Review	Reading by Moonlight
10/26/19	Review	Carpe Diem Chronicles
10/26/19	Review	The Clueless Gent

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Indistractable

by Nir Eyal

Benbella Books

September 10, 2019

273 pages

Review: In Indistracable by Nir Eyal we can understand, on a deeper level, why we allow things to distract us from accomplishing more important goals. This book helps us potentially identify our “triggers,” which can keep us from finishing projects or tasks. One thing that resonated with me was that technology wasn't necessarily the reason why many of us are so distracted. I think this is key for a lot of people. We may automatically think it's because of our phones and tablets. But, that may not be the case at all. Some of us keep telling ourselves we’ll start or finish a certain project, but never actually do. Why? Well, that is the question this book will try to help you answer.

The chapters on scheduling was very informative in regards to making time for the important things and on keeping healthy relationships. The Indistracable model has four main parts: Mastering Internal Triggers, Making Time for Traction, Hack Back External Triggers, and Prevent Distraction with Pacts. Eyal goes into depth in each of these parts. He also talks about how to make your workplace indistracable, as well as your children!

Overall, a great resource on time and life management. Backed by plenty of research, this book is not only good for adults, but for teenagers too! If you find yourself easily distracted, and it is keeping you from accomplishing your goals then this book is a must read! Recommended for ages 14 and up!

*A DRC was given for an honest review

Rating: 5 Hearts!

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