Customer Reviews

Blue Skies

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I have always been a big fan of Ali Vali and anxiously await publication of her new books. `Blue Skies' certainly did not disappoint.

Take two women in love, split them up due to a huge misunderstanding (read... lack of communication), then throw them back together years later and see what happens. Pilot Berkley Levine is the best in the Navy. Her former lover, Aidan Sullivan, has been assigned to lead a dangerous mission to North Korea. Wanting to corral the best team available, Aidan chooses Berkley to join her on the mission.

Reunion is difficult for Berkley because she has never moved on since Aidan. She believes the career-oriented Aidan is happy, but discovers soon that one should never assume anything. Even with Don't Ask, Don't Tell, both of their fathers - career military men - directly and indirectly play a pivotal role in rectifying their rift. All of this goes on while they are trying to save the world.

Certainly not surprising that she could pull it off, Vali delivers a real winner here. It's a complex story with well-defined, likable protagonists and a colorful supporting cast. What more could a reader want?

Bottom Line - Get a copy as soon as you can so you can enjoy it today.

I own every book that Ali has had published thus far. I love her work. Her writing is crisp, clear, simply wonderful and she has no problem keeping the reader interested. This new book, "Blue Skies" I am sorry to say is not quite to her usual standards. It seems that she became too involved in technical and governmental;not to mention sexist aspects of her story and forgot about her main characters. However, in all fairness when she focuses on them; she does tell a beautiful tale. They are likable enough, but the story is too convoluted. It leaves you thinking what the heck was all that about. Definitely not as satisfying as all her prior books.

blue skies is a disappointing work from an author who has written several books that i absolutely love. while vali's previous novels had me craving more, blue skies was a miserable, painful read. the entire book is littered with grammatical errors and typos that made reading it more like trying to solve a puzzle with no solution.

i could hardly get through the entire book, and admit to skipping ahead when the textual errors had utterly flabbergasted me. i hope that this was a one time mistake, but i cringe to see what ali vali has in store for her readers next.

This book is so current it is almost frightening. Intense in action, I found it to be quite feasible that this scenario could easily happen in current American culture/counter culture.

The characters were interesting and believable. Their humanity showed through in spite of almost super-human accomplishments in the line of duty.

This book shows that sometimes it is hard to know who the good guys are from the bad, and that love truly can win a war. I found the ending to be a bit abrupt...more of a beginning than an ending. Room for a sequel, perhaps?

Top Gun Instructor Commander Berkley Levine flies a secret sortie over North Korea that is complicated by political intrigue and treason. Berkley's lover and superior officer for the mission is Aidan Sullivan, Captain of the Navy's newest aircraft carrier. This romantic adventure is escapism at its best - two courageous women with potent military toys on a dangerous operation in enemy territory.

Ali write a good book, only one con is too many women in front positions. I know this is fiction, but in real life, that doesn't happen and to me it takes away from her great writing. The story flows very well.

The plot is a little too much 'ripped from the headlines' of the current political climate; where a militaristic/sexist prior administration's hanger-ons are determined to sabotage the new administration's efforts to open up the military. Even the two protagonists, both career Navy, are a little too risky with their relationship onboard a carrier.

What Ali Vali does do well is bringing out the feelings of her characters in a realistic manner, both in dialogue and their actions. Both of the women are independent, dedicated and honorable. This creates a conflict with their feelings for each other that in the past led to a bad choice. The plot circumstances bring them together and they are given one last chance to decide what course is important to them and how much duty will drive their decision.

If you are looking for a great summer page-turner and are willing to overlook the hyperbole of the plot/bad guys, it is a fun read. Vali does keep the plot moving and does great a great action/adventure that hums alongside the rekindling of the protagonists' romance.