Mrs Witherspoon Goes to War

 

I've read a couple of the books in this series, and I have thoroughly enjoyed them, but this one just kept me on the edge of my seat.  

Peggy Witherspoon was also called Mama Bird, the WASP pilot and mother to two little girls. She was also the widow of a pilot who was shot down in Germany. While at the time, the WASPs were not part of the military, but were adjunct to the Army.  They were not allowed to fly any missions, but were used for training other troops or for ferrying cargo.  While these were important functions, the ladies in the WASPs felt they could do more.  As it was, the WASPs were required to do the maintenance, repairs, and all inspections on the planes they flew, something Peggy was quite adept at doing.  She had bought a plane before she married and with a manual, took it apart, repaired it and put it back together. 

When ferrying a plane from Connecticut back to Bolling Field in Washington, DC, Peggy notices smoke coming from the instrument panel of the plane. Major Howie Berg, the one in charge, orders her to ditch the plane and bail out, but Peggy will not do that because there is no safe place to let the plane crash without causing collateral damage in the way of civilian casualties.  With the help of another WASP pilot, she lands the plane safely, only to find out that the mechanics in Connecticut had allowed a frayed wire to pass inspection. The Major was not pleased at her disobeying his order, but in contemplating her reasoning, he would have commended a male pilot for the same actions. He just can't wrap his mind around allowing a woman to be the person she is called to be and at the same time protecting her as he'd been taught to protect women his whole life. 

On a supply run to Cuba, Peggy finds out that there are three American soldiers who have been taken prisoner and are being held on the northwest end of the island. She is not one who can let the situation lie, even though no one in any position of power will do anything about it.  She goes to the airplane graveyard at Bolling Field to find a worthy candidate for rebuilding. Nightingale and Brownie join with her in the endeavor. Somehow Maj. Berg finds out what they are doing and while he cannot give his approval for the mission, he aids them as much as he is able without jeopardizing his career. 

Mary Davis has given Peggy a full gamut of emotions and has made her a well-rounded character that is not only strong, but also likable and relatable.  Peggy has lost touch with God, but finds her way back to Him and finds the fullness of life He intends for her to enjoy.  Howie is a wounded pilot who will probably never fly a military mission again, but works hard to overcome his handicaps. He knows firsthand some of the things Peggy is going through and that makes him a sympathetic character.  Nightingale/Jolene is a "takes no prisoners" type of character who is Peggy's equal in the air and on the ground.  Brownie is an extraordinary navigator who can memorize maps at the drop of a hat.  Her abilities complement the other two. Peggy's mother and daughters add just the right amount of mischief to the plot and make it all the more enjoyable.  

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, with a fantastic dolphin rescue at sea. 

Barbour Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.