10 Great Authors, 10 Unforgettable Adventures. With every “Today’s Adventure” post between August 1 and August 13, you can register to win the featured book and the grand prize of all 10 books. We’ll announce winners on August 14. You may enter today’s giveaway and the grand prize at T.J.’s blog, https://teribrownbooks.com/tjblog/. You’ll find links to all the authors below–follow any of them to keep up with the latest adventures.
And now, T.J. on WWI Women and Their Flying Machines:
Come Josephine in my flying machine
Going up she goes! Up she goes!
Balance yourself like a bird on a beam
In the air she goes! There she goes!
Up, up, a little bit higher
Oh! My! The moon is on fire
Come Josephine in my flying machine
Going up, all on, Goodbye!
Aeroplanes play a big part in the Summerset Abbey trilogy and the eldest sister, Rowena, becomes a volunteer pilot in World War One. Did I stretch the truth too far or did I not go far enough? Through my research I found that while the numbers were small, there were women who flew actual combat and reconnaissance missions during the war and many more who worked in aeroplane production. The following women were pilots during the war when aircraft technology was in its earliest stages:
- Helene Dutrieu flew reconnaissance flights from Paris to check on German troop movements.
- Marie Marvingt flew bombing missions over Germany and was probably the first women to fly actual combat missions.
- Russia had several such daring aviatrixes: Princess Eugenie M. Shakovskaya, Helen P. Samsonova, Princess Sophie A. Dolgorukaya and Nadeshda Degtereva all flew during the war, though in different capacities.
It’s important to remember just what a fledgling science aircraft actually was. For the first two years of WWI, the average life expectancy for pilots was 10-15 days to three weeks due to the rushed training and the rapid increase of the quality of German planes.
In Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening, Rowena volunteers to transport newly built aeroplanes, as well as flying key officials, to various military bases. When the series begins, Rowena is diffident and a bit lost. She is searching for her purpose in life. When she takes to the air for the first time as a passenger, she knows immediately that she has found it. Flying becomes her passion and she does most of her growing as a character while in the air. Volunteering for the war effort gives her adventurous spirit an outlet and changes her outlook on life.
Don’t forget to enter at T.J.’s blog, https://teribrownbooks.com/tjblog/. Keep up with the latest adventures and chances to win through any of the authors:
Alison Atlee, The Typewriter Girl Facebook
Jessica Brockmole, Letters from Skye Facebook
T.J. Brown, Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening Facebook
Sarah Jio, The Last Camellia Facebook
Susanna Kearsley, The Firebird Facebook
Katherine Keenum, Where the Light Falls
Stephanie Lehmann, Astor Place Vintage Facebook
Kate Noble, Let It Be Me Facebook
Deanna Raybourn, A Spear of Summer Grass Facebook
Lauren Willig, The Ashford Affair Facebook
I hadn’t heard of this series before, but it sounds great (and the first 2 books are on sale for Kindle right now)! How do we enter the contest?
Just by commenting:)
Thanks!
Would love to win your book! So glad this contest is introducing me to new authors.
Just bought A Bloom in Winter and I am still laughing over your Eight Things I Want to Say to Book Bloggers/Reviews but Won’t post
I actually bought these recently. Can’t wait to read them.
“Summerset Abbey” looks intriguing and scandalous. Can’t wait to see what the story brings to me. It has a decadent and luscious air to it from the cover and blurb. Thank you, T.J. Brown, for writing it.
I think what amazes me the most is just how new (and to some degree, untested) the flying technology was at the time and yet, there were so many people who volunteered to fly. They were so brave! Even now, I would be way too scared to pilot my own plane!!!
Hi. I just read the story line behind Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening! I can’t wait to read it 🙂
I have this whole series on my wishlist so am super excited for this contest! Thanks so much for having it!
Oh boy! A new WWI series to read. . . I can’t wait. I always thought the early years of flight is such an interesting time. Imagine. All you had to do was buy or build your own plane and start flying. No licenses, no regulation. Of course that learning curve could be treacherous!
I love reading new authors, so I’m thankful to have found you!
sounds like a wonderful read!
I think it sounds great! Can’t wait to read it!
Definitely on my “to-read” list!
Ohhh — more books to add to my TBR pile! Hurray!
I look forward to checking out your books.
Oh! More books to read! I’m in! 🙂
Pleased to learn about this trilogy! Also, love the graphics on your site. 🙂
So excited to read this whole series…thanks for the opportunity to win some fantastic books!
I have been so intrigued to read Summerset Abbey. This was such an amazing time in history when so many things were changing in the world. The differences between the “haves and have nots” were finally beginning to dissolve and people were being accepted for who they were. In addition, women were gaining more rights. Of course, there was the sadness and stress of World War I which essentially reinforced change. The war was bad but the eventual change was good.
Thanks for sharing this today. Cannot wait to read it!
I love that this contest is introducing me to new, awesome writers! Looking forward to reading your books!
I would love to win, please enter me!
passagestothepast@gmail.com
Thank you!
Hi Teri –
This is such a fun way to get to know new authors. Historical fiction is my favorite so I will definitely be adding your books to my list. 🙂
These are for sure going on my to read list 🙂
I would love to win your book! So excited to hear about these great authors and books through this contest!
This is on my want to read list already. Would love to win a copy, but I’ll be reading it either way.
Looking forward doesn’t even come close to expressing the fun of winning these books.
It’s always so exciting to find new authors! This giveaway is wonderful!
I loved the first two books in this series, and I can’t wait to read this one. I’m dying to see how things are going to end up for all of the characters.
I love hearing that!
Hi Teri! I picked up Spring Awakening last night after work and running errands, at 8:30pm! I’ve already read most of the book and it’s definitely my favorite of the series. I hope you eventually end up writing more stories with these characters. You mentioned Elaine in a previous post and I would be thrilled to read & learn more about her.
-Erika
I loved it to and I really want to tell Elaine’s story too! Hopefully, I will get a chance to!
This book sounds great! I can’t wait to read it!
Love the synopsis for the book. Added it to the TBR pile.
This sounds like a wonderful series. I love reading about this time period.
Very excited for the opportunity to win a copy of your book. Thank you for being apart of this fantastic giveaway.
Whitney