Customer Reviews

Blue Skies (Mira)

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

 

 

I have to agree with an earlier review written. The story was good, but not very romantic. The details of the airline industry did get rather tedious to read about. Wish there had been more of a romance theme since I did buy it in the romance section of the bookstore.

I wish I could give it 3 1/2 stars. I didnt' think it was quite up to the standards of the Virgin River series, but still a good read. I personally enjoyed reading all the details about the airline industry. It made me think she had done her research on the topic. Plus, the story is about her job and her role in the company. Romance is there, but sex is not the main part of the story. It is about a strong woman raising her children and dealing with life's surprises. It also involves the true meaning of friendship, trust and family.

After eagerly waiting a year for her next book, I am sorry to say that it was a big letdown. I have found her other books to be fun and sweet (especially the trilogy), but this book kept me wondering if it was really written by her. The romance label on the spine is misleading, since there is very little romance at all in this book--it is more a behind-the-scenes look at a start-up airline. I found myself skipping pages--the explanations of the airline were dull, and far too detailed. The characters were one-dimensional and cliched. The suspense at the end was only slightly interesting, and the 'and they all lived happily ever after' ending felt trite.

From the back cover description, and even from the cover photo, this sounds like fairly frothy chick-lit, a tale of three friends starting new lives to get away from disappointing or even hurtful pasts. I'd have enjoyed it if this was actually what the book is about.

It's not. It's mostly about a new airline start-up in the post-9/11 world, with frequent jabs at cabin crew and pilots who have the temerity to complain about being underpaid (which, in that industry, unfortunately tends to be very true), and at passengers who dare to expect decent service and respect from staff. (Yes, I'm aware that some passengers do go too far and behave badly enough to deserve public humiliation but, again, there's no need for such a focus on it).

In reality, the only character the author spends much time and attention on is Nikki, the brilliant pilot who never puts a foot wrong in her working life - but is something of a disaster in her personal life, so much so that her gay best friend and her two kids have to find her a house and organise all the moving. We just scratch the surface of Dixie, the experienced cabin crew member with a bad habit of falling for the wrong men, and her romance with Danny Adams, who is very different from her usual type.

As for the third member of the trio of friends, Carlisle barely gets any attention whatsoever. He's a victim of partner abuse, so there could have been a very interesting story there focusing on his recovery process, and also on the way he is viewed by those handling his police and legal complaint - after all, victim support services for relationship abuse are generally geared towards women, and even carry that in their names/service descriptions: support programmes for 'woman abuse', women-only shelters and so on. But, no, Carlisle somehow becomes Nikki's nanny cum babysitter, until he gets a convenient 'happy ending' which is completely out of the blue and ignores any trauma he may still be experiencing.

We get to know minor characters far better than either Dixie or Carlisle, and it's clear that Joe Riordan, the airline owner, is based on Carr's personal hero, lauded in the author's foreword - who, again, gets far more page space and general rounding than Nikki's eventual HEA. As for the incompetent Bob Riddle, what was the point of his inclusion? Or of Nikki's painstaking researching of his faked credentials and of his mistakes around the airline, in the end?

What, too, is the point of the cover photo?

Don't waste your time - or your money. It's not terrible, but it's not what it says on the tin, and what you get instead isn't particularly riveting.

Robyn Carr does it again! Gives us wonderful real characters we can cheer for along with a good story. I loved the in-depth look at the airline industry and the people who make it fly. Robyn has a gift for building strong heroines with vulnerabilities that make them real and human. And I love her touches of humor. Give yourself a treat and read BLUE SKIES!!!!

This is a fabulous novel about strong and funny women finding their way to success and fulfillment. It's flawlessly written, filled with authentic details about the topic and most importantly, a moving tribute to the strength, humor and joy of women trying to make their way through life. Carr's voice shines through with vibrancy and heart. DON'T MISS IT.

In Phoenix forty-seven years old, wealthy tax law specialist Drake Cameron apparently dies of a massive coronary though he seemed in perfect health. His fourteen year old daughter April found his boy in their bathroom. His ex-wife commercial pilot Nicole Burgess knows that the funeral does not have that many attendees because when the domineering Drake labeled a person as an enemy combatant, they would be freed from Gitmo fast, regardless of the alleged incident. She felt lucky to escape with her sanity from their marriage but still feels depression and guilt that she lost custody of her children to him.

Drake's nasty lawyer informs Nikki that her former spouse left his children with nothing and even her child payments vanished without a trace. She is irate and her trust in men is devastated further. She marvels how her airline's friend Dixie McPherson can still seek about everlasting love. As a potential dangerous situation occurs with lives on the line, Nikki learns loving relationships with no time for hatred and ire are what matters, but will she and her copilot live longer enough for her to display the lesson learned?

BLUE SKIES is an engaging character study that provides insight into airline personnel. The story line predominantly soars with Nikki as the pilot, but also adds depth by a solid glimpse at Dixie and another pal. The suspense comes late in the plot, but besides adding tension, this is the device that enables Nikki to finally see clearly the BLUE SKIES smiling at all she has. This is one author who proves a Carr can fly.

Harriet Klausner

I loved this book!!!! From the glimpses into the aviation industry, to the relationship Nikki had with Opal--from the old to the new, Robyn Carr covered it!! Her handling of the 9/11 issue was well done without being maudlin--and without taking political sides. Her characters are witty, sharp and bright--believable!! If you want a wonderful read, I highly recommend you grab a copy of Blue Skies!!!

Good story about a female pilot and a fledgling airline, family and of course, a love affair. Holds your interest. More of a chick book.