Sentimental Journey

Set against the epic panorama of WWII comes a story of remarkable men and women caught up in complex tangle of duty, passion, and heroism. U.S. Army officer J.R. Cassidy is man known for his stealth, until he finds himself on the run in the deserts of North Africa with Kitty Kincaid, the daughter of a U.S. scientist he has vowed to protect, but who is destined to be used by anyone who wants to control her father. Barnstormer Charlotte Morrison follows her passion to the skies over England, where she and other women pilots choose to volunteer for the war effort. But ferrying planes for the RAF is not the only thing that strikes a sharp passion in Charley. When her path crosses with RAF pilot George ‘Skip’ Inskip and small town Texas patriot Red Walker, she finds her most difficult choices have nothing to do with duty and patriotism. From the battlefields of Europe to the blue skies of the English countryside, from solid hometown roots in the American West to the shifting sands of the Sahara Desert, five ordinary men and women risk their lives for honor and their country, and find themselves changed forever, not merely by the circumstances of war, but by the deepest trials of the human heart.From Publishers WeeklyBestselling romance novelist Barnett (Wicked) has seen her books translated into 14 languages, and she finally makes her hardcover debut with this title-says-it-all saga about five individuals caught up in the hyperbolic WWII era, when men were fearlessly daring flyboys and women had to be both smart cookies and virgins at the same time. Despite good intentions and considerable research, however, the result is as ungainly as Bay and Bruckheimer's Pearl Harbor. Rugged, handsome J.R. Cassidy is sent to North Africa to save beautiful damsel in distress Kitty Kincaid (who is not only plucky but blind) from the Nazis. Red Walker, longing to depart his small Texas town, begins flying after he takes a shine to Charlotte "Charley" Morrison, a flygirl who in turn finds herself falling for RAF ace George "Skip" Inskip. Skip is mourning the death of his wife and child during the bombing of London by flying his missions like a man possessed. More like a costume party with a '40s theme or a heroic cartoon, the novel overflows with clich‚s, although Barnett does a creditable job of maintaining a consistent tone throughout, especially when it comes to the macho vernacular of the military types. Of the principals, the pairing of J.R. and Kitty has the most appeal, but it takes nearly the whole book before the stories of all five main characters finally intersect. As the story jets around from North Africa to America to Europe, diehard Barnett fans will follow with pleasure; others would do well to seek out their nostalgic fulfillment elsewhere. Author tour. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.From Library JournalIn a striking departure from her usual light, funny, often whimsical romances (Wicked), Barnett has penned a riveting, multilayered mainstream novel of heroism, love, and personal growth set against the emotionally charged backdrop of World War II. Fast-paced and turbulent, her story sweeps a quintet of compelling characters from their diverse and separate lives and brings them together in adventure and tragedy, linking them forever in ways they could never have predicted. Witty dialog, a refreshing sprinkle of humor, and well-chosen details of the 1940s lighten this poignant, emotionally involving novel that is definitely mainstream but still spins a series of love stories with enough romantic appeal to please even the most die-hard romance fan. Barnett, a popular New York Times best-selling writer, lives in the Pacific Northwest. This is her hardcover mainstream debut. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.