A Wing and A Prayer

 A Wing and a Prayer- Mick Arnold-Crime/ WW2 mystery drama

A book I loved from the very first page!  It is the beginning of the second world war and three women have joined the ATA (air transport auxiliary), each with their own backstories of how they got to this point. Already there are a couple of others and one who recently lost her sister in what was deemed an accident but she thinks was murder. This tells the story of a close group of women helping the war effort and finding out more about the murder putting themselves at risk.

I loved several things about this- there's a warmth of character from the start and the camaraderie comes across clearly. A skill of writing portrays the bravery of the women who also had a very human side to them and yes, loved their fish and chips in a time of rationing- who wouldn't! I liked the addition of one being American which added that nuance and a little zest and humour, all which come across very well. A book of mystery and determination, of hope and different times. Of bravery and of justice a smile and camaraderie of the very best kind. Loved this. 

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The Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club! Four ladies of the Air Transport Auxiliary bond over solving the mystery of who was responsible for the death of one’s sister. Battling both internal forces and those of the country’s mutual enemies, the women find that both love and dangers are cousins cut from the same ilk. This is a sweeping story of love, death and betrayal set against the backdrop of war when ties of friendship are exceptionally strong. A Wing and a Prayer - Extract “Mind the duck!” Mary’s warning was a smidgeon too late. Betty turned her head toward the shout just when she needed to do the exact opposite and keep her eyes on the path. “Aargh!” cried Betty as she was sent sprawling to the ground. A loud, angry, “Quack! Quack!” was followed by a flurry of wings and feathers as the slightly stunned duck half flew and half staggered to the sanctuary provided by the river. “I did tell her to watch out for the duck,” Mary muttered in her own defense as they rushed to help Betty to her feet. Penny and Doris took an arm each as Mary reached to retrieve Betty’s handbag. It had landed precariously close to the edge of the river, and the dastardly duck was snuffling at it before Mary seized it and handed it back to Betty. “Mary!” cried Betty. “Grab that envelope!” Swiveling, Mary saw a large brown envelope and stooped for it before it could fall into the water. “Got it!” she yelled, waving it in the air. Unfortunately, the envelope being upside down, the contents spilled onto the ground around her, luckily missing going into the river. She bent down to pick them up and was surprised to discover they were all newspaper cuttings.

Author Bio – Mick is a hopeless romantic who was born in England and spent fifteen years roaming around the world in the pay of HM Queen Elisabeth II in the Royal Air Force before putting down roots and realizing how much he missed the travel. This he’s replaced somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and supporting fellow saga and romance authors in promoting their novels. He’s the proud keeper of two Romanian Were-Cats, is mad on the music of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, and enjoys the theatre and loving his Manchester-United-supporting wife. Finally, Mick is a full member of the Romantic Novelists Association. A Wing and a Prayer will be his second published novel, and he is very proud to be welcomed into The Rose Garden. Social media links – https://www.facebook.com/MWArnoldAuthor Twitter – mick859 Instagram – mick859 YouTube links – Blooper - tinyurl.com/y222fr9f Prologue - tinyurl.com/y3z4slff Extract - tinyurl.com/y63kne6x Buying links – Amazon UK tinyurl.com/y2xhx4d4 Amazon US tinyurl.com/y446pzgv Amazon Aus tinyurl.com/y5bqqtta iBooks - tinyurl.com/y63fmdol Nook - tinyurl.com/y53fmoap