The Girls of Bomber Command

The Girls of Bomber Command
Author: Vicki Beeby
Publisher: Canelo
Total Pages: 372
Release: 2023-11-09
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1804365599

With an enemy in their midst, can they still protect their fighters in the skies? Pearl has given up on her dreams of being a journalist after being denied a promotion because of her gender. Joining the WAAF as a radio telephone operator for Bomber Command, Pearl's new job at RAF Fenthorpe serves two purposes – providing an income for her grandmother, and keeping a close eye on her younger sister, Thea, an instrument repairer at another Lincolnshire bomber station. Pearl befriends Met WAAF Jenny as well as Australian pilot Greg, who she guides home safely during an emergency. Pearl's journalism background doesn't go to waste, however – a series of thefts from pilots rekindles her investigative fire and she is soon caught up in the mystery. But when all signs point to the perpetrator being her sister, she finds herself up against the clock to prove her sister’s innocence... A captivating and heartwarming WWII saga for fans of Daisy Styles and Johanna Bell. Praise for The Girls of Bomber Command ‘I absolutely adored The Girls of Bomber Command. It's a real page-turner and a wonderful mix of love, loss, friendship, action and romance. There were parts of the book that had me on the edge of my seat for all kinds of reasons!’ Johanna Bell ‘What a read! Fast-paced, exciting and superbly researched, this story brings World War II to life’ Lesley Eames ‘When I was asked to read Vicki Beeby’s new book, I jumped at the chance! The Girls of Bomber Command is an exceptional tale that had me on the first page. Readers will delight in period details, a tight and pacy plot, and beautifully flawed characters. I couldn’t stop reading!’ Andie Newton, USA Today bestseller ‘Another brilliant WW2 saga from the queen herself. Loved this book and hoping for more from the Bomber Girls. Fantastic read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Vicki Beeby has done it again! An enthralling read. The author’s notes on the research undertaken to inspire and also to make this story authentic were fascinating. I can’t wait for the next book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘There’s a couple of wartime authors that I always read as soon as they have a new book out and Vicki Beeby is one of them! She writes the most perfect wartime stories.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘A well-researched and well-written book... All in all a thoroughly good read – which actually brought me to tears at one point – a sign of a good book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘What a great start to a new series!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

The Ops Room Girls

The Ops Room Girls
Author: Vicki Beeby
Publisher: Canelo
Total Pages: 396
Release: 2020-07-16
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1800320884

Shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Saga of the Year AwardWhen Evie’s dreams come crashing down, she’s determined to still make something of herself in these trying times... It is 1939 and working class Evie Bishop has received a scholarship to study mathematics at Oxford when tragedy turns her life upside down. Evie must seek a new future for herself and, inspired to contribute to the war effort, joins the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force as an Ops Room plotter. Posted to a fighter station on the Sussex Coast, Evie befriends two other WAAFs – shy, awkward May and flirty, glamorous Jess. Faced with earning the approval of strict officers and finding their way in a male dominated world, the three girls band together to overcome challenges, navigate new romances and keep their pilots safe in the skies. But the German bombers seem to know more than they should about the base’s operations, and soon Evie, May and Jess are caught up in a world more dangerous than they ever imagined... This heartwarming, dramatic World War II saga is perfect for fans of Daisy Styles, Kate Thompson and Rosie Clarke. Praise for The Ops Room Girls ‘A fabulous tale of courage, comradeship and romance.’ Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan ‘A lovely book. Vicki Beeby is a saga author to watch.’ Margaret Dickinson, Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author 'Full of excitement, energy and romance, this story kept me turning the pages eagerly.' Lesley Eames, author of The Brighton Guest House Girls 'An exceptional historical saga about young women forging new paths in an uncertain world at war... rich with historical detail, and a must read for historical fiction fans.' Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind 'An utter joy to read, from the first page to the last. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone with a liking for strong characters, a taste for danger, and a deeply romantic soul.' Terri Nixon, author of Penhaligon's Gift ‘Entertaining from beginning to end. I can’t recommend it highly enough.’ Gemma Jackson, bestselling author of the Ivy Rose series

Christmas with the Ops Room Girls

Christmas with the Ops Room Girls
Author: Vicki Beeby
Publisher: Canelo
Total Pages: 341
Release: 2020-09-24
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1800320892

When there’s so much to be afraid of, can May help bring festive cheer to the Ops Room? After failing to help evacuee siblings whom she witnesses being separated, May wishes she’d had the confidence to speak up. When Jess suggests a pantomime to boost morale on the station, May is desperate to help – but is held back by her own insecurities. With her low self-esteem also affecting her relationship with Squadron Leader Peter Travis, May is fed up with being her own worst enemy and decides to take charge of her destiny. But the past she ran from, plus a crisis with one of the evacuees, throw May into the midst of a drama that will test all of her newfound confidence. May, Jess and Evie must work together once again to help each other through the challenges of war and of their own hearts. This heartwarming WAAF saga is perfect for fans of Daisy Styles, Kate Thompson and Rosie Clarke. Praise for Vicki Beeby 'A fabulous tale of courage, comradeship and romance.' Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan 'A lovely book. Vicki Beeby is a saga author to watch.' Margaret Dickinson, Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author 'Entertaining from beginning to end. I can't recommend it highly enough.' Gemma Jackson, bestselling author of the Ivy Rose series 'This is a wonderful story of hope, love and friendship during the Second World War.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review 'Another wonderful book in this series, characters that come alive, and a storyline I enjoy following from book to book. Saga lovers this is a series for you.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review 'This was the most charming, evocative and beautiful book. The friendship between May, Jess and Evie, the ops rooms girls, is joyously written and their characters lovingly drawn and expanded. This is a many layered book, it will leave you wanting more!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

A New Start for the Wrens

A New Start for the Wrens
Author: Vicki Beeby
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023
Genre: Domestic fiction
ISBN: 9780750550574

Following a humiliating experience involving the man she thought she'd marry, Iris Tredwick signs up to the Wrens in order to escape - and please her mother by finding the right sort of man. After a bumpy start, she befriends outspoken Mary and dreamer Sally as they are sent to their first posting in Orkney. There she meets mechanic Rob, whose flirtatious nature both charms and confounds strait-laced Iris. Much more appropriate for her is local doctor Stewart - if only she felt the same spark for him as she does for Rob... As Iris, Mary and Sally work to interpret signals from incoming ships, they realise the enemy is somehow one step ahead of their manoeuvres, dropping sea mines under the cover of darkness. Could there be a spy on the island? And can the Wrens prevent disaster striking before it's too late?

The Codebreaker Girls

The Codebreaker Girls
Author: Ellie Curzon
Publisher: Orion Dash
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2021-12-16
Genre: History
ISBN: 1398702943

'Saga lovers will really enjoy this book and i look forward to more' NetGalley reviewer 'What a fantastic read. This book pulled me in from the get go, so naturally was finished in one sitting' NetGalley reviewer 1944. Rosie Sinclair is full of pride to be doing her bit for the war effort as a driver at Cottisbourne Park - the secret heart of Britain's fight against Germany, where a team of brilliant and eccentric codebreakers are battling to save the country. But when she's given a new mission to drive Major-General 'Bluff' Kingsley-Flynn down to Cottisbourne, Rosie finds herself on the frontline of a new battle - to uncover a possible spy at the Park who is jeopardising their vital work, and to resist her own growing attraction to the dashing Bluff himself... As the threat to her fellow codebreaker girls grows ever stronger, Rosie realises her country needs her more than ever. Can she save the day without losing her heart? A heartwarming, funny and utterly charming World War II saga, perfect for fans of Kate Hewitt, Jenny Holmes and Annie Murray.

A Wedding for the Bomber Girls

A Wedding for the Bomber Girls
Author: Vicki Beeby
Publisher: Canelo
Total Pages: 384
Release: 2024-04-25
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1804367206

As wedding bells ring out, joy will be found amidst the tensions of war... At RAF Fenthorpe, instrument repairer Thea is helping her sister, Pearl, plan her wedding alongside fellow WAAF and maid of honour Jenny. A misfit amongst the women on the base, though, Thea is struggling to get others onboard. When Flight Sergeant Fitz makes a point of befriending and standing by her, sparks fly between the two. And when Fitz’s crew member, Jack, faces being stripped of his rank due to cowardice, Thea throws herself into seeking justice and support for him. Just as she begins to be accepted by her fellow WAAFs, a shadowy figure from her past has returned and is determined to ruin not just Thea, but also Pearl’s wedding. Will Thea's reputation be marred once more? And will she face this struggle alone...? A page-turning and feel-good Second World War saga, for fans of Johanna Bell, Daisy Styles and Kate Thompson. Praise for A Wedding for the Bomber Girls ‘A great read and very well-written’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘I absolutely loved this book! It felt like reuniting with old friends... This was Beeby at her best’ Johanna Bell ‘The second in this series and it is as good as the first one. Great to be back with them all and can’t wait for the next book’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Thea, Pearl and Jenny are a fab little trio and seeing them develop from the first book was great. It was a great and compelling story and had me flicking through the pages in frustration and excitement...’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘I enjoyed reading this book... it felt like catching up with old friends’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘A feel-good novel that is well-written and well-researched... thoughtful and enjoyable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Another great read in this wonderful series. The characters are so interesting and funny’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Thoroughly enjoyed catching up with the ladies once again, was gripped from the start and really couldn’t put the book down until I got to the end’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Vicki Beeby has such a lovely way of writing that reading is effortless and flowing. I will admit to not wanting to stop at the end of the chapters and to often sneaking off to read when I should have been doing other things’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘I loved it... so atmospheric, the story and the girls bring this book alive’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

The Girls of Bomber Command

The Girls of Bomber Command
Author: Vicki Beeby
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023
Genre: Air pilots
ISBN: 9781038656926

With an enemy in their midst, can they still protect their fighters in the skies? Pearl has given up on her dreams of being a journalist after being denied a promotion because of her gender. Joining the WAAF as a radio telephone operator for Bomber Command, Pearl's new job at RAF Fenthorpe serves two purposes - providing an income for her grandmother, and keeping a close eye on her younger sister, Thea, an instrument repairer at another Lincolnshire bomber station. Pearl befriends Met WAAF Jenny as well as Australian pilot Greg, who she guides home safely during an emergency. Pearl's journalism background doesn't go to waste, however - a series of thefts from pilots rekindles her investigative fire and she is soon caught up in the mystery. But when all signs point to the perpetrator being her sister, she finds herself up against the clock to prove her sister's innocence.

Men of Air

Men of Air
Author: Kevin Wilson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 610
Release: 2019-02-05
Genre: History
ISBN: 1643130994

Bomber combat crews faced a wide array of perils as they flew over German territory. Bursts of heavy flak could tear the wings from their planes in a split second. Flaming bullets from German fighter planes could explode their fuel tanks, cut their oxygen supplies, destroy their engines. Thousands of young men were shot, blown up, or thrown from their planes five miles above the earth; and even those who returned faced the subtler dangers of ice and fog as they tried to land their battered aircraft back home.The winter of 1944 was the most dangerous time to be a combat airman in RAF Bomber Command. The chances of surviving a tour were as low as one in five, and morale had finally hit rock bottom. In this comprehensive history of the air war that year, Kevin Wilson describes the most dangerous period of the Battle of Berlin, and the unparalleled losses over Magdeburg, Leipzig and Nuremberg.Men of Air reveals how these ordinary men coped with the extraordinary pressure of flying, the loss of their colleagues, and the threat of death or capture. Brilliantly placing these stories within the context of The Great Escape, D-Day, the defeat of the V1 menace, and more, Wilson shows how the sheer grit and determination of these "Men of Air" finally turned the tide against the Germans.

Blood and Fears

Blood and Fears
Author: Kevin Wilson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 443
Release: 2017-02-07
Genre: History
ISBN: 1681773791

The US 8th Air Force came of age in 1944. With a fresh commander, it was ready to demonstrate its true power: from Operation Argument in February—targeting German aircraft production plants—to bringing the Luftwaffe to battle over Berlin, the combined US Air Force-Royal Air Force forces’ round-the clock campaign bottled up the German army in Normandy.In this authoritative history, Kevin Wilson reveals the blood and heroism of the 8th Air Force. At the same time, he opens up the lives of the Women's Army Corps and Red Cross girls who served in England with them and feared for the men in the skies, and he hasn't flinched from recounting the devastation of bombing or the testimony of shocked German civilians.Drawing on first-hand accounts from diaries, letters, and his personal audio recordings, the author has brought to life the ebullient Americans' interaction with their British counterparts, unveiling stories of humanity and heartbreak. Thanks to America's bomber boys and girls, the tide of World War II shifted forever.

Soldier at Bomber Command

Soldier at Bomber Command
Author: Charles Carrington
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Total Pages: 264
Release: 1987-01-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 0850520819

It was certainly not through the foresight of his senior officers that Charles Carrington, a veteran of the First World War, was enabled to put his experience in that earlier conflict to good use in the Second, as readers of this remarkable book will soon learn. However, by great good fortune, he found himself in a position where his experience of things past could be adapted to the needs of a virtually untried aspect of warfare- that of Army/Air Force Co-operation. As an Army Officer in a world of high-ranking Airmen, it was his task to walk the tightrope between the two Services in an effort to persuade both parties that neither could win the war without the other and that co-operation was preferable to self-interest. The words 'prima donna' crop up frequently in the story and one is not surprised when the author remarks 'while we were organising signal exercises..and such necessary menial chores, at which the Services worked together without a hitch, our problem was to get the Great Chiefs to stop quaralling”. Although he describes his experiences with cheerful modisty, it is clear that this unsung 'armchair soldier' played a vital role in the back room battle that had to be resolved before the war proper could be waged with efficiency Apart from his being privy to much information that remained 'Top Secret' for many years after the war. Readers will soon see that his views on some of the Top Brass might have had unpleasant repercussions had they been aired too soon! But those who have read his earlier works, as well as those who come afresh to the work of this fluent and clear-sighted writer will surly agree that the wait has been worthwhile,