Flying Angels by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Description:
Audrey Parker’s life changes forever when Pearl Harbor is attacked on December 7, 1941. Her brother, a talented young Navy pilot, had been stationed there, poised to fulfill their late father’s distinguished legacy. Fresh out of nursing school with a passion and a born gift for helping others, both Audrey and her friend Lizzie suddenly find their nation on the brink of war. Driven to do whatever they can to serve, they enlist in the Army and embark on a new adventure as flight nurses.

Risking their lives on perilous missions, they join the elite Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron and fly into enemy territory almost daily to rescue wounded soldiers from the battlefield. Audrey and Lizzie make enormous sacrifices to save lives alongside an extraordinary group of nurses: Alex, who longs to make a difference in the world; Louise, a bright mind who faced racial prejudice growing up inthe South; Pru, a selfless leader with a heart of gold; and Emma, whose confidence and grit push her to put everything on the line for her patients.

Even knowing they will not achieve any rank and will receive little pay for their efforts, the “Flying Angels” will give their all in the fight for freedom. They serve as bravely and tirelessly as the men they rescue on the front lines, in daring airlifts, and are eternally bound by their loyalty to one another. Danielle Steel presents a sweeping, stunning tribute to these incredibly courageous women, inspiring symbols of bravery and valor.

Review:

Flying Angels by Danielle Steel is another of her wonderful inspiring stories.  Flying Angels is set during World War II and 4 young American women who are nurses are eventually sent to Europe to help treat all the injured soldiers; two English nurses will in time join this wonderful group of ladies who are determined to do their jobs, despite the dangerous times.

We meet Audrey Parker, who attends nursing school, in order to take care of her mother, who has Parkinson’s disease; she meets Lizzy Hatton at the school, and they become best friends.  Lizzy will eventually fall in love with Audrey’s handsome brother, Will; but when Pearl Harbor is attacked, he is killed.  Still grieving, and after the death of Audrey’s mother, both ladies join the Army and embark on a new adventure as flight nurses. We then meet Alex Whitman, who is from a wealthy family, is also a nurse, who decides to join the elite Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron, with her family very much against her decision.  We also meet Louise Jackson, a smart black women, living in the south, and is considered an excellent nurse, who will join the group; together the four of them will be sent to England to join the RAF flight nurses, and the soldiers who fly them to rescue the injured in dangerous enemy territory.  The girls will meet Pru, a leader who knows what to do and is very friendly, and her coworker, Emma, who lacks confidence, always depending on Pru.  It will be Pru who brings the 4 girls into their group.  The six of them become close friends, and work together in the war effort, risking their lives along the way.   

What follows is an amazing and heartbreaking story, which kept me unable to put the book down.  This is a war time story, with wonderful loyal women who have so much courage and bravery, as they put themselves into danger every time they go out on the flights.  Flying Angels was a very engrossing story line, with so much tragedy, with many lives lost; and we get to learn more about each of the girls home life.   Danielle Steel once again surprises me with a different kind of story that was a masterpiece; and a tribute to these wonderful courageous women.  You need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher