A Flying Affair

By Carla Stewart

Description:

Ever since Mittie Humphreys agreed to join dashing barnstorming pilot Ames for a joyride in his airplane, her lifelong love of horses has been surpassed by one thing--a longing for the skies. It seems she's not the only one--with Charles Lindbergh making his victory tour in the Spirit of St. Louis, aviation fever is spreading across the country. Mittie knows flying is the perfect focus for the soaring ambition and taste for adventure within her, and whenever she can slip away from her duties on her family's prosperous Kentucky horse farm, she heads to the airfield. Considering their shared passion, it's no surprise that Ames begins to vie for Mittie's time. But when handsome British aviator Bobby York offers her flying lessons, he is equally surprised-and beguiled-by Mittie's grit and talent. Driven to succeed, Mittie will do whatever it takes to compete in the Women's National Air Derby alongside Amelia Earhart. But when Calista "Peach" Gilson, a charming Southern belle, becomes her rival both professionally and in love, Mittie must learn how to navigate her heart's romantic longings as well as the skies.

Book Takeaway:

Satisfaction comes through hard work and perseverance. Integrity is built by doing the right thing, and in the end, it's not winning the race that counts but fighting the good fight.

Why the author wrote this book:

A Flying Affair is one of two related books set in the Roaring Twenties, an era that fascinates me. As I dug into the research, I found that many women were pioneers in the age of aviation. I wanted to write about a character who had an untameable adventurous spirit but also a deep connection with other women. She had to be competitive, responsible, a natural leader, and driven by a God-given desire to fly. This edge, though, has consequences with spontaneous decisions that get Mittie into trouble. She's a character that I connected with the moment she stepped into my mind, and it was pure joy to bring her to life. So I wrote the book in hopes that my readers, too, will follow the highs and lows of Mittie's quest and yearn for their own adventurous spirits.