Welp. I didn’t think I could squeeze in one more book in 2020, but I did it! Flew right through this one at work today (excuse the terrible pun).

Lieutenant Casey Tompkins has just started the most difficult flight training program in the world. She just wants to fly planes in the air force and not get washed out. Captain Kathryn, “Hard-Ass” Hardesty is an excellent instructor, but she doesn’t take any BS from her students, and she doesn’t play favorite. But Casey has talent and a willingness to learn, and maybe a spark of something else. Even though they are attracted to one another, there are so many reasons a relationship would be a bad idea, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a student-instructor relationship, and Kathryn’s still mourning the love of her life who died in a plane crash five years ago.

Look, I don’t know anything about planes, except my tindery when I travel, but I felt like I was in the cockpit with these ladies time and time again in this book. I loved the romance, of course, but this one has a little more than just that. If you’re into military romance, learning new things, and or planes, definitely check this one out.

I love tension done well, and the many reasons these two shouldn’t be together make for some excellent buildup. Even once the initial tension is broken, there are still dangerous waters to navigate if they want to have some semblance of happily ever after, and some things seem to large to overcome.

I enjoyed Casey and Kathryn’s different personalities, and the minor characters are endearing. I’m sorry I waited so long to crack this one open, but I’m glad I got to it before this year is over. My backlog is your gain, because this one is available now, no wait.

One of the best elements of this book was the knowledgeable detail included within. Beyond that, there were interesting characters and an interesting, developing plot. Definitely worth a read

I enjoyed the premise of the story, however, the details for each flight, simulators etc were too much for me. I think this book would have been more interesting if it was a followup to another because then there would be two couples with stories interspersed with the flight training details. After a while, it became mind-numbing even though I usually enjoy such novels.

I was SO excited to be able to read this novel by Ms. Tizard.  What more could someone want, romance, flying, friendship and some bumps along the way.  I was also in the Air Force but a few years before women were even allowed to be pilots.  My dream was to become a flight nurse but I ended up nursing at a base instead.  Ms. Tizard’s descriptions of the “good ole boy”, male dominated, men get away with what women can not, and still get promoted, is all right on target!

The book takes place primarily at a school for pilots though there are several visits to other places as well.  The descriptions of flying, what it meant to these women, and the lengths they had to go to in order to pass the program was captivating.  I always though piloting an airplane would be a great adventure, but after reading this book I can’t even begin to imagine how much work it takes.  Yes, some reviewers thought there was too much detail, but I enjoyed it, I learned vicariously through the characters and experienced their ups and downs right along with them.

The romance between the two main characters was poignant, not too graphic, and had that forbidden quality to it.  If anyone is wondering, before allowing gays/lesbians to serve, there were many who lived in constant fear of being found out.  If found out, one was either dishonorably discharged or, if given the opportunity, resigned a commission.  

This book is a great start and I hope that Ms. Tizard will be writing some other books.  She definitely knows her stuff and her writing is captivating.  I received a copy of The Road to Wings through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  My thanks to Bold Strokes Books and Julie Tizard for the opportunity.

One of several books recently set in an environment I know nothing about that made it seem real to me. I think that was accomplished by the detail and this writer gave enough detail for me that the setting became part of an alien environment, but not a barrier and not dismissed. The best analogy I can give is being in a different car that is well driven. At first you notice the environment then it becomes the norm but you are aware it is the new norm.
However for me the comfort left in the first sex scene and in some dialogue. 
I think the writer may have been a pilot so that explains her ability describing the environment - more slickness in dialogue and sex scenes needed.

This is the debut book for Julie Tizard. Set around the Air Force and the attraction between Casey and Kathryn, JT really knows her stuff about flying and the training program and if flying is your thing then your in for a treat

If romance is your thing then you may be disappointed as it takes second place.
I didn't feel the connection between the two main characters, their story was a bit lackluster.

But saying that I would recommend as an easy read

I was unable to review this book because of a conflict in my schedule. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused the publisher or the author of the work. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review for you and  I look forward to reviewing for you in the future.

Casey Tompkins is a lieutenant in the Air Force who is training to be a pilot.  Readers will follow Casey through her 12-month training program to fly jet planes.  Ms. Tizard has written a very detailed book and it is apparent that she has done her research.  Not only does she write about the program, she explains how to fly the jet planes.

Casey falls for her flight instructor, Kathryn Hardesty.  It just so happens that Kathryn is also attracted to Casey.  The story is set in 1992 when a relationship between the two women could be career ending for both of them.  

I found that the romance was not the main theme of this book.  Instead, Ms. Tizard was writing more about the training program and how to fly a jet plane.  Unless a reader is interested in flying, the author’s focus on aviation resulted in a slow, dry book.  After reading several chapters, I was ready to have the author move on to the relationship between Casey and Kathryn.

Although I rate this book only 2-1/2 stars, I would still give Ms. Tizard’s future writing another try.   

I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

WOW, wow!  I could keep saying wow but it wouldn't make a very interesting review. But seriously, wow!. Let me just say Tizard has set the bar really high for her first novel. Honestly, I can't wait for her second. This book isn't for everyone but for me it pushed all the right buttons. I can imagine that there will be a wide variety of reviews for this book. But for me it was a 5 star novel without a doubt.


Casey Tompkins proves to be a very proud and brave woman fighting against a male privileged area of the U.S.Air force. She is learning to be a pilot. Kathryn Hardesty is one of Casey's instructors and they quickly form a bond. Yeah they fall in love but due to the air force still being anti gay they had to down play their relationship. They could both loose everything. I really liked that there was a kind of underground where these women could connect even with their jobs on the line.


There was a hell of a lot of technical jargon which will put many off.  But I found it added to the authenticity of the book. No I didn't understand it all but I guess unless you are a pilot a lot will go over your head. I didn't always understand but I got it. What I also loved was the visual she gave the reader. You spend about three quarters of the time in a jet and it felt so real. There was such a feeling of freedom even when they hit bad situations. The instructors really knew their stuff. You could actually feel their love of flying.


That's what made me give this book 5 stars. You could feel the passion. You could feel their connection. You could feel their love. This book felt personal. Maybe we will get to know more about Casey and Kathryn as I really expect good things from this author. Thanks for sharing with us. Enjoy!


*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2141780897


https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R7DAO3YRPY8FI/ref=pe_1572281_66412651_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This was a fairly typical lesbian romance as far as the romance went. With maybe just a little bit of a May/December romance in there.

It was about Kathryn, a Captain in the Air Force as well as a flying instructor and the Chief of Flight safety at the base this takes place at, Willie.

And Casey, a first lieutenant also in the Air Force who has wanted to fly for a long time and is just starting her flight training at Willie, which I guess is the hardest flight training program in the Air Force (hey, that's what it said in the book).

They cross paths a few different times and slowly their orbits get closer and they start falling for one another.

I liked most of the characters (and didn't like them if that was what the narrative prescribed). And I definitely liked the airplane stuff and flying stuff too, those parts really flew from the page (okay, okay, that may have been really bad, I apologize).

Here and there some of how the description fit into the narrative was a little off and here and there the dialogue seemed a little stilted.

But overall it was a fun read and a helluva ride for sure.

Also, as an aside, whoo hoo to those who fly the non-flashy Air Force planes like the tankers and C-130s and the like!

I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Bold Strokes Books.

This is a book that when I first started to read, I didn’t think I’d like it as much as I do. Casey Tompkins always dreamed of being a pilot, not just any pilot but she wanted to train with the US Air Force. Finally her chance has come. Kathryn Hardesty is tough but considered one of the best instructors. This story begins in 1992, when being a lesbian was reason alone to dismiss you from the Armed Forces despite how good you are. By the time I finished this book I felt like I could actually fly. This book is somewhat full of description but not enough to bog you down. All in all a really great read. Looking forward to reading more from Julie Tizard.

I absolutely loved this book. I could not believe what it took for Air Force pilots to earn their wings. The Road to Wings was fantastically detailed and enthralling to read. The author effectively took the reader along for all those training rides and maneuvers completed by the main character, Casey.  The  thought process of the  pilot in training was masterly described and this allowed the reader to be totally engaged in the story.
There was also a romantic element between Casey and her instructor pilot Captain Hardesty. The romance had to take a back seat to Casey concentrating on earning her wings and not only the taboo of student-instructor romance, but a same sex relationship as well since the setting was 1992. This was written in a realistic manner in line with the personalities and behaviors of the characters. 
I applaud the author for educating the public on all the hard work and dedication that goes into the training to become an Air Force pilot. This was a fantastic read and very highly recommended. I look forward to more books by this author.

So this book is listed under Romance.  I'm not sure how accurate that is.  While there is certainly a romance, the story is much more general fiction than romance.  I enjoyed getting to know A LOT about flying Air Force training planes, but after a while it became too much detail.  The relationship really went to the backseat and when it did pop up it was much to quick to the "I love you" stage.  It felt a bit forced.  I guess I just got swamped by all the technical aspects of the story.  It's not like that would dissuade me from reading another book by Julie Tizard, but hopefully it would be on a different subject.  I gave this story 3 stars.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36282773-the-road-to-wings" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Road to Wings" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1506051306m/36282773.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36282773-the-road-to-wings">The Road to Wings</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17150150.Julie_Tizard">Julie Tizard</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2155078638">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Rec'd an ARC from NetGalley/Bold Strokes Books for an honest review. <br />Casey and Kathryn lead in this romance about women in the Air Force during the early 1990's. While there was lots of technical jargon related to flying and aircraft, the author's writing was not overwhelming. A gripping read with just the right amount of romance. Excellent debut book. I will look for Ms. Tizard's future books. I recommend it.<br />4 stars.
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/31134832-gail">View all my reviews</a>

Wow the writer really knew her stuff about the Air Force Academy! Once I got to the end of the book I figured out why, and now it makes sense how it was so detailed. That was my big take away from reading this. She goes so in detail about each step Casey needs to do to make it as a Pilot that I feel like I almost went through it myself...minus the G force. If you're in to that, ala top gun without the fighting, then this book will be very interesting. 

The relationship between Casey and Kathryn took a little of a backseat to the whole going through the Academy bit. It doesn't really pick up as a "romance" book per se until the last bit. It's fine, just know what you're getting in to. 

It had a nice flow and I never felt like it was particularly slow. I was curious about how they could get around the whole teacher/student and no gays in the Military ban and to be honest I was a little disappointed. I'm not going to say much since I don't want to spoil it, but I just felt like the resolution was out of character for Kathryn. 

Overall, its a pretty decent book that's an awesome account of being an Air Force Pilot in the 90's.

Casey Tompkins is one of the lucky few to be selected to learn how fly fighter jets in the Air Force. She has gruelling months ahead of her in a program that's already hard enough without the extra test of being one of the only women in the program and the men trying extra hard to wash her out of it. Captain Katheryn Hardesty is a flight instructor and chief of safety on the base. She sees a kindred spirit in Casey and takes her under her wing, flying with her every chance she gets. Casey progresses quickly but so does their attraction for each other.  Will the two risk their hearts and risk their careers or will they find true love and make all their dreams come true. 

There was a lot of detail in this book, which I could see some people getting bored off and find the book too slow. But I loved it! It worked so incredibly well whenever Casey was in a test or emergency situation, and second by second you worked with her through each step and you're not sure if she's going to make it. I stopped breathing at least a dozen times during this book because it was so intense. It worked, it so worked. 

I didn't love the character descriptions at the beginning of the book. So and so had blue eyes, blond hair and was tall etc... I would have liked to discover the characters a little more organically. But the characters themselves I loved. Kathryn was so cool- I had so much respect for her. She's a real life inspiration. Casey, gosh she was so fierce, I was so proud of her. My heart just welled up for our two leading ladies, they work so hard and their connection was incredible. I loved Bulldog too, and his wife, he was surprising and wonderful and added a nice dimension to the story. 

The oppression of women and LGBT people in the military not so long ago is staggering and I'm sure its not much better now. It's so frustrating but I was always so pleased to see the little ways the ladies made safe spaces for themselves and had an absolute blast. It's so special. 

You could tell that this book was a labour of love, and it shone through the characters and the writing. I hope the author will write another book because I will gladly pick it up. 

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book!  Could not put it down.  Loved the action scenes.  I liked that the romance didn't take over the entire storyline.  The characters were well developed and likeable.  I wish I can hang out with them and hear all their amazing stories. The author described the feeling of piloting a fighter yet so well that I had heart palpitations every time they went up in the air.  The romance was realistic and it was both interesting and heartbreaking to read about what military personnel in the US had to put up with during that time. I really hope she writes another pilot book very soon!

I believe this is the Author's first book.  I had some difficulty with the style in the beginning but settled into it about 1/4 of the way through.  I felt this was more a book about becoming an Air Force pilot than a romance between two women in the Air Force.  It brought attention to how hard it was to have a family as a gay/lesbian in the military with DADT.  I can't imagine how hard that must have been for thousands of people-having to choose between career and family.  Anyway there is a lot of really technical talk about flying.  I found myself skipping over a great deal of it toward the end.  The author did manage some beautiful imagery that made me think how cool the view from those planes must be...
All in all it was just ok for me.
3stars

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley.  I loved this book, reading about Casey's training got me into this zone where I was so interested.  The author did a fantastic job putting everything one needs to know about flying fighter jets into terms that the reader would relate with and love.  The relationship was more of a backstory than Casey's struggle to get her wings.  This was an awesome read, and I will be looking out for this author in the future.