Rife with authenticity and tension, Airborne is a story that will earn your respect and attention. DiAnn submerges herself into factual information that medical experts, FBI, and other professionals provide. Then she pours out the story of her heart, which amazingly commands the ability to reach into her readers. Could that be because DiAnn is so familiar with the situations and people involved that her computer keys naturally reveal the essence that makes stories great? Yes, I think that is why!
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Characters DiAnn introduced in Airborne made this reader feel as though she’d known them for years! The hero and heroine are complicated, engaging, and hamstrung with issues to overcome, which pulled me into this story so powerfully that I didn’t want to leave. I’m not naturally one to read about pandemics, earthquakes, or even watch Godzilla movies. Sorry, Godzilla! But this story’s layers were intriguing, meaning, and hopeful, so much so that I had to trail through until the very end! I must say that I finished this story in record time. I love suspense that twists with unexpected turns and causes me to care for more than the situation. This is a highly recommended read that offers more than entertainment. It provides hope in times that try our souls.

DiAnn Mills is an award-winning spunky writer who I am honored to recommend! Find out more about this very author-reader engaged writer on her website, https://diannmills.com/.

London, England
September 28, 1914
 
The elusive Mr. V appears, presenting a dangerous task for thief and violinist, Willa Forsythe. But she would be alone, in a strange town in a strange country, Aberystwyth, Wales, with none of her family to help. Since her heart and soul are tethered to creating music, and she is a prodigy, that makes her absolutely perfect for the assignment of gaining the attention and trust of a man who holds vital information for the war effort.

The hero, Lukas de Wilde, is famous and handsome and knows it. He keeps secrets and hides pain that most people never pick up on. His recognizable appearance keeps him from saving those, he loves most because he'd endanger his family with any resque he'd plan.

Roseanna pulls her readers into the very heartbeat and motivations of her characters. The intimacy of her storytelling is precious and believable. Roseanna weaves dangers and intrigue onto the pages, creating tension throughout the story that put you right into the events of England 1914. I was flipping these pages like mad!

This is the second novel in the SHADOWS OVER ENGLAND series. These unusual ragtag heroines and heroes will no doubt steal your heart away like they did mine! I recommend A Song Unheard and the whole series really. You may read my review on the first novel in SHADOWS OVER ENDLAND, A Name Unknown on this page 8/24/2018.
 
QUESTIONS FOR ROSEANNA:

Why did you pick the violin as the instrument for the main characters to play? (I love violin music so I applaud you—good choice!)
I've always loved the violin and wished I'd learned it (in addition to the piano, organ, and clarinet, LOL), so when I learned about the orchestra of Belgian refugees, I knew I wanted to work that into a story so created Willa to play an instrument that would have been in such an orchestra. =)

Have you studied the effects of abandonment of children? (You write those characters so well.)
I actually make it a point (strange as it may seem) never to study for my characters--otherwise I tend to write too stiffly, trying to stick to "facts." Instead, I write characters from the gut, just digging down deep and imagining what they'd experience and how they'd view the world. Sometimes I'll then have an expert read through it to make sure it rings true.

Would you like to tell your readers more about the characters' journey or about the research that you accomplished to write this story?
Most of my research for this one involved reading quite a lot about the settings--Belgium during the German occupation that began in 1914, and Wales. I took a lot of Google-Street-View tours of Aberystwyth, took copious notes on my Belgian research books, and otherwise just let the characters come to life. =)

You home school your children. Do you use the research for your novels in history or writing lessons for your children?
Not exactly; we use a curriculum that comes with books and assignments. Though I occasionally borrow the history books we read in school for my research, LOL, and when I've learned something in my research that goes along with the lesson, I always pause to say, "And also..."

Has anyone inspired the main storyline or a scene in A SONG UNHEARD?
All just imagination in this one. =)

Do you have a map or photo you would like to share on this review?
I don't really have anything I own like that, but I'll attach a few memes I'd created.

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

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This novel combines both Contemporary, and 1856 Marietta, Ohio, character threads, offering the best of both worlds and merging two time periods into one sweet tale of courage and so much more.

Contemporary, Marietta, Ohio

LuAnn, Tess, and Janice spring onto the page with fresh enthusiasm that only those newly retired and showing almost fearlessly pursuit of dreams can! What a fun story of trust, challenge, and characters that must confront the local mystery head-on, which just may include an interesting building linked with an 1826 Underground Railroad! Who will these three sweet ladies trust? Maybe Mr. Grimes, or maybe not?  Will they have what it takes to follow through and reach their goal? These are unlikely women for such a situation, but Becky Melby skillfully flips the impossible into quite probable—causing this reader to think—sure these situations could happen! LuAnn Sherrill, Tess Wallace, and Janice Eastman have the right background of loss and experience that merge their trust to move past usual boundaries friends share.

1856 Marietta, Ohio

Prudence and Jason Willard have a story of their own, and Becky weaves the essence of their courage and sacrifice with these modern-day ladies who hold a vision that would complement the past if everything goes they hope. My one regret about reading this story is my disappointment that LuAnn, Tess, Janice, and Prudence can’t sit down and take tea with me at a local coffee shop. This story kept my attention, offered surprise, and entertained me with these adorable characters! I love the accents of the 1800s and will return to visit my new imaginary friends from time to time. This is a story that I highly recommend! You can find this series at www.shopguideposts.org/books.

QUESTIONS FOR BECKY:
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I love the write up that you did about the building featured in this story! The historical candy you sprinkle throughout fascinates me. But I must know is the Ohio Star quilt a real historical quilt?
Yes. The Ohio Star quilt is made of nine-patch blocks formed by quarter-square triangles around a central square. The pattern is believed to have been created in the early 1800's, but similar patterns were used by Martha Washington and Dolly Madison well before that time.
 
What was your favorite historical tidbit that you used in LuAnn, Tess, and Janice or Prudence’s story?
My husband and I took a research trip to Marietta. Visiting the Levee House, the inspiration for Wayfarers Inn, was the highlight of the trip. Over the years, the building served as a dry goods store, hotel, barber shop, tavern, brothel, and an automotive shop where Studebakers were assembled. Looking at the pressed tin ceiling and weathered brick made me feel like I was seeing it for the first time right along with LuAnn, Tess, and Janice. I could easily imagine Prudence sneaking in after dark with people she’d ferried across the Ohio River on their journeys to freedom in Canada.
 
Your characters are rich and feel as though they are real. How do you start choosing their personalities?
The Guidepost editors create the characters for their cozy mystery continuity series. Each author receives a description of their age, appearance, family and career situations, and a tiny bit about their personalities. I was honored to write the first book of the Wayfarers Inn series, so I got to flesh them out with likes, dislikes, quirks, and past experiences. Since I’m in the same age bracket as the Inn Crowd, it was easy to “steal” some hopes, dreams, worries, habits and traits from myself and my circle of friends. (Don’t tell them!)
 
Where is your favorite place to dream and plot stories?
I don’t actually have a special place. I carry plots and characters around in my brain and they are quite undisciplined—jabbering at me at all hours of the day and night. I have to make sure I have pen and paper or my phone notes app handy so I don’t lose anything they’re saying. My writing desk overlooks the old farmhouse across the street and acres of open fields with only one giant oak in the middle. Always inspiring.
 
Is there anything you would like to share with your readers about the emotional journey these contemporary women or sweet Prudence Willard shared on your pages?
Newly retired and all single, LuAnn, Tess, and Janice could have chosen a quiet life of rest and relaxation, but their college pact to “Never be boring or bored” and never to act their age, created a mindset that allowed them to be open to the seemingly crazy idea of buying an old, run-down building and turning it into a Bed & Breakfast. I hope their gutsy choices and perseverance in the face of obstacles inspires women of all ages to live full, vibrant lives.
 
Where do you want your readers to find you? 
Please come and visit me at beckymelby.com, Becky Melby Author Page, or Fill My Cup, Lord, where I blog every Friday.
 
Thank you, Susan, for the opportunity to spend time with your readers. Happy reading, everyone!
 
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