Flying angels by Danielle Steele

​"Flying angels" by Danielle Steele - A historical fiction!

This book is published by Macmillan in 2021 and has 288 pages.

It’s WW II.  Americans Audrey, Lizzy, Alex, Louise and British Prudence, Emma come from very different backgrounds. They have little in common in upbringing. They are all driven. They are beautiful. They want to serve their country. They are all nurses. They fly. 

Do they meet each other? Will they be friends? Where will they serve? Will they survive the war?

Audrey becomes nurse to take care for her mother suffering from Parkinson's. Lizzy comes from a family of doctors but is denied becoming a doctor because she was a girl. Alex comes from an aristocratic family and doesn't subscribe to the idea of 'coming out' and finding a husband. Louise is only child and a black beauty brought up in the times of racism. Prudence is daughter of Lord and Lady Palmary. She isn’t snobbish. Emma is from poor neighborhood of East London. She fights the perils of poverty. 

The story happens on either side of 1940, the time of WWII. All of them enroll in army and further into the flying nurses division tasked to airlift the injured soldiers and try to save them. It’s a hard work but they do it willingly. During the war some of them also meet their love. But not everyone survives. 

Although they are exceptionally brave girls working in perilous situations, they are essentially girls next door. They too have aspirations, they have their more than fair share of losses. 

Author has narrated the story matter of factly. She doesn’t create any drama. This lack of drama and emotions make it appear more like sequence of events rather than a story. 

When one starts reading the book, one thinks that this is Audrey and Lizzy’s story. But then the other four characters enter. If author has shortened earlier part and has given more time for background of other four characters, it might have created balance. Characters are good. Readers connect with them. 

Why did I read this book? Author

What I didn't like? Two quick deaths. 

What did I like? Characters. 

Read if you have a lot of time. 

Second chance by Danielle Steel

​"Second chance" by Danielle Steele - Easy story!

This book is published by RHUK in 2005 and has 272 pages. 

Fiona Monaghan, editor of Chic magazine, was a woman admired by males and envied by females. She had never married and never wanted to. She had everything. She meets John Anderson, Head of 3rd largest Ad agency in the world. Compassionate. Not intimidated by crazy fashion world. Sparks fly. 

Will they come together? Will they marry? Will it work? What's the second chance?

Fiona has fear of rejection. Fear of having to compromising all life by marrying and having to live alone due to divorce or death.

It's a story of marriage, divorce and remarriage. Is it easy to take a plunge second time after being hurt once. With this buildup, I expected the climax to be exciting, but it's tepid. Otherwise it's an easy going story. Not much drama, not much excitement, not boring. 

The book portrays Fiona as a high flying, hot shot with crazy lifestyle who marries and her only fault is that she doesn't change much. Such an outstanding woman gives in to the temptation the second time? All her resolve, all the efforts she takes to reconstruct her life dissolve just like that. John is a very understanding, handsome hunk who marries her knowing her lifestyle. But he leaves her because of her life style. He behaves like an ass. This behaviour of both characters is irrational and incongruous their personality.

A few days ago I read another book of same author titled 'First sight'. Protagonists of both books (Timmy and Fiona) have uncanny similarities. Both are in glamour world. Both are frequent flyers. Both have crazy lifestyle. Both are humble. Both are in mid forties. Both shun commitments. Both have difficult childhood. Both yearn for true love. Looks like a 'Buy one get two' affair. 

Danielle Steele has sold more than 600 million copies of her novels. What I like most is that, she doesn't write series and sequels. She doesn't capitalize on past success. Each of her novel is a stand alone novel. Her novels are not thrillers. They deal in emotions. Her protagonist is a female. Usually they are interesting

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Tepid climax. 

What did I like? Fiona's character.

Read if you have spare time and nothing else to do.