Blue Skies [Paperback]

Ali Vali (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2009

Commander Berkley Levine is content with her life as a Top Gun instructor in Fallon, Nevada, flying F-18s for the Navy and trying to get over the death of her sister. A change of government and a new equality initiative places Captain Aidan Sullivan at the helm of the Navy's newest carrier, the USS Jefferson. Her first mission could have serious international consequences if she fails. Aidan's orders are to destroy two sites housing the nuclear program of an unfriendly nation, and she can think of only one person she trusts enough to get the job done: her old lover Berkley.

Blue Skies will take you from Fallon, Nevada, to the Sea of Japan and beyond, as Berkley leads an elite group of pilots over enemy territory. As they embark on this adventure, Berkley and Aidan try to rediscover what they gave up for family, duty, and country.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602820775
• ISBN-13: 978-1602820777
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Originally from Cuba, Ali Vali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which carries till today. She has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Top Gun meets Cagney and Lacy, August 31, 2009

By 

Geekgoddess (Fayetteville, AR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Skies (Paperback)

Lets get the bad over with first so we can get to the great stuff. This story was fun to read but complete fiction. None of the military protocol or procedure is correct in any way. The chain of command in both the military and government is way off. Yes women serve as pilots and commanding officers...that much is right. Yes we are having military and foreign policy problems with North Korea. Other than that the story holds no water in reality. Being a navy veteran I like believable military fiction. Even though this story did not fit my criteria I still gave it a good read. The story grew on me. Ms. Vali is obviously setting us up for a sequel in the end with all the conspiracy and terrorists plots left hanging. My suggestion to Ali is find a military veteran or service member to advise on protocol. It would make it more believable.

Her characters were well rounded and extremely likable. They were easy to picture and follow. Berkley was strong and conflicted but not cold. Her nursing that broken heart is what made me like her most. She is exactly the fearless and fun type that fly jets. Aidan reminded me of so many women I worked with in the navy...and one that I fell in love with as well. There really are kick ass and take names later types that leave no room for relationships. This book took me down memory lane a few times and for that I gave it four stars. If you are not a military vet and can ignore the inaccuracies this will be a flawless enjoyable read. I still recommend it highly as one of the better women in the military fictions I have read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Would have gone with 4 stars but...., July 9, 2009

By 

CC (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Skies (Paperback)

I own all of Ms. Vali's books and have loved her style of writing from the depth of characters to her description of surroundings, especially when she writes about New Orleans....this book plot was definitely different then her others in a good way - bringing in current events in politics (I wonder after this book if the FBI or CIA may not start a file on Ms. Vali..smile), taking us overseas on the adventure, strong characters, good detail to sub-characters (love the parents on both sides). Now to why 3 and not 4 stars, the text mistakes with typos were just not like Ms. Vali's other books (those seem to have more careful proofreading?). I don't know if Bold Strokes hired new folks or if Ms. Vali changed proofreaders with this one, but go back-this book was just loaded with mistakes in text and it just throws you when you read a story (at least it does me). I know mistakes can happen and I see it in other books, but this one was unordinary high with text mistakes. I still will always buy Ms. Vali's books and am really looking forward to her next Cain series one....just next time (and the way this booked seemed to end there will be a next time and I will plan to buy it) go with someone else on the proofreading!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ali Vali Has A Timely Winner, November 10, 2009

By 

Lucie Mathieu "We must be the change we wish ... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Skies (Paperback)

This is the first Ali Vali book I've ever read and the first review I've written. Keep in mind that I am not a purist but I found this book to be a quick enjoyable read. I'm sure there are people who'll nitpick the terms or procedures and all that. I just read the story of two women in non traditional jobs, who are more than competent, who get the assigned jobs done.
Having an old romance rekindled, dealing with DADT(Don't Ask, Don't Tell), parents, fighter jets, sex, co-workers, naval carriers and espionage make it interesting to say the least. Current events are intertwined seamlessly into the story making it even more interesting.
Commander Berkley Levine and Captain Aidan Sullivan make fine role models. Not perfect, but very human with love, integrity and determination. I think people 17+ would enjoy this non-traditional, action romance story. That the main characters are lesbian just adds a dash of reality. A dash of this and a dash of that just proves variety is the spice of life.