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I am so happy to be on the blog tour for A Wedding For The Spitfire Girl today, sharing an extract and giveaway! Do check out the other stops on the tour.
About The Book
The second Spitfire Girl novel from bestselling author Fenella J Miller.
The ATA training base, Hampshire, 1940 Ellie Simpson is attached to an Air Transport Auxiliary base in Hampshire. Life as an ATA pilot is tough, but despite the long hours and danger, Ellie can think of nowhere she’d rather be.
Not only does she love flying, but doing important war work, alongside new-found friends, provides a welcome distraction from worrying about loved ones fighting on the front line. Being an ATA girl is definitely exciting, but as Ellie soon finds out wearing the distinctive blue uniform also means putting her life on the line every time she takes to the skies.
It will take friendship and a strength she didn’t know she possessed to help her county – and those she loves – to survive.
An inspiring story of an incredible girl going above and beyond during World War II
The Extract
Jack, having his own cycle, was usually first to arrive at his base. Pointless really, as often it didn’t get light enough to fly until after nine o’clock. He’d joined the ATA a couple of months ago and so far had had no difficulty flying even the most damaged Spitfires and Hurricanes. With only one arm, flying single-engine fighters was a doddle but he doubted he’d ever graduate to twin engines.
He was resigned to his limitations and as long as he was doing his bit for the war effort, most of the time he was just grateful he was alive. He wasn’t sure how he felt about the Yanks arriving and acting as if they were God’s gift. They didn’t have a bloody clue about how things were in England at the moment. Their home country had never been bombed or endured rationing and blackouts.
The ops room guys and gals were always there early as they had to organise the pilots’ duties and write the chits that would send them off to deliver and collect whatever kites needed to be ferried about the place. The weather was dire, as soon as one lot of snow thawed and life went back to normal a second cold front rolled in and it all started again.
He’d been fortunate to get an extra day’s leave over the Christmas period and had been able to spend it with Ellie at Glebe Farm. Her parents, Fred and Mabel, were his family now and he had their support in his wish to marry their daughter. His mood lightened a little as he thought about the woman he loved. She didn’t feel the same way about him, wasn’t in love with him, at least not how she had been with Greg.
He sat nursing his mug of tea. The more he dwelt on the situation the more fed up he was. He couldn’t have competed with a ghost even with both arms – what bloody chance did he have now?
‘Reynolds, for God’s sake, man, wake up. You’re wanted on the blower.’
Jack slopped his tea and swore. ‘Right, coming, I wasn’t asleep – was thinking – not something you do much of.’ His grin took the sting from his words. Billy Walker had become a good mate of his, although anyone listening to them would think they were deadly enemies.
One of the girls in the operation room handed him the phone. He raised an eyebrow and she shrugged. Whoever it was obviously hadn’t identified themselves – he’d hoped it might be Ellie.
‘Reynolds here. To whom am I speaking?’
‘Jack Reynolds? Former Squadron Leader Reynolds?’
‘Yes. Who the hell are you?’
The rich, plummy voice continued as if he’d not interrupted. ‘You are required to report to Oriel College, Oxford, immediately.’ The line went dead leaving Jack staring in astonishment at the receiver.
What the blazes was that all about? He could hardly abandon his duties here and scuttle off to Oxford. He’d have to speak to the pool commander before he did anything else. The chits were already being spread out on the shelf outside this room and he didn’t have to look at them to know that he’d have at least half a dozen ferrying jobs allocated to him.
Frankie Francis, pool commander –– met him at the door. ‘Good show, was coming to find you. There’s a car outside for you. You’re off the rota for today.’
‘Some toffee-nosed guy, who refused to identify himself, told me to report to Oriel College. What for?’
‘Buggered if I know, old chap. Something hush-hush, that’s for sure.’
About The Author
Fenella J Miller was born in the Isle of Man. Her father was a Yorkshire man and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker, hotelier, chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer. She has over thirty eight Regency romantic adventures published plus four Jane Austen variations, three Victorian sagas and seven WW2 family sagas. She lives in a pretty, riverside village in Essex with her husband and British Shorthair cat. She has two adult children and three grandchildren.
You can buy the book here: Amazon {affiliate link} | Google Play | Kobo | iBooks
But how would you like to win an e-book copy? If so, just fill in the widget below. The giveaway ends at 11.59pm on the 6th of December 2019 and is UK only. Good luck!
Love a good book to curl up on the sofa and read
To be honest, this is probably not a book for me but my Mum would love it. Great timing as I need present ideas! 🙂
(This is the first I’ve heard of a book blog tour! How do I find out more?)
Sounds like a great read.
The extract from the book is intriguing and makes me want to know what happens next, why and who called him to Oxford. Sounds like an interesting book to read.
This sounds like a really interesting read. I have to admit I don’t read to much of this genre of books but this one interests me.
My current reading craze is anything set in the first half of the 20th century – romance, thrillers, literary fiction – anything as long as it gives me the sense of almost-recent history.
Sounds like a great story, you can’t beat some female empowerment. Especially as it’s in a time when this wasn’t considered the norm x
Sounds like a great book to read on the dark winter nights tucked up on the sofa
The book sounds like a really interesting read. I’ve not read any books for ages – might be one for the Christmas break.
This is exactly the type of book my grandma loves! I’ll note it down for her to get
I enjoyed the first Spitfire Girls book! I didn’t realise there was a second. I’ll look out for it.
I wanna read this book, I am curious about Jack and about Ellie, definitely want to know what the hush-hush call was about.
I am looking for some new books, thanks for the recommendation. I always tend to read more in Winter.
I would love to win this for myself it sounds a really interesting read
I love reading books set in this era