Angel with Steel Wings by Anne Greene

I live near a naval air station and the recent news is about women fighter pilots. But it was not always that way. This well written novel takes us back to a time when the military wasn't so sure women should be in the cockpit of anything that flew.

Mandy McCabe has escaped her Appalachian roots by becoming part of the World War II Women Air Force Service Pilot (WASP) group. She is one of several women test flying repaired airplanes. Women doing this dangerous work freed up more male pilots for combat. She is a feisty gal and when she comes head to head with Major Harvey Applegate, sparks fly.

This is a great historical romance. It is very well written and the characters well crafted. I learned so much about the role women played in this aspect of the war. Their flights were dangerous as frequently the repaired aircraft had parts that still didn't work right. Mandy also aids the defense training program by towing targets along the coast by Camp Davis.

There is lots of historical information in the book. I learned about planes of the period, V-mail, alpacas, and food. I finally found out what bubble and squeak is. I also learned about the role of women in the war effort in England such as being on timber crews.

This is a great historical romance dealing with the tension of women in the war effort in the early 1940s. I recommend it to readers who love a gutsy heroine and a strong Christian message.

Mt rating: 5/5 stars.

Anne Greene delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines, both historical and suspense novels. She has a degree in Literary Studies from the University of Texas, and is married to a recently retired Army Special Forces Colonel. You can find out more about her, including her travels, at www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.

Elk Lake Publishing, 308 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through The Book Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.