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Wings of a Dream

by Anne Mateer (Goodreads Author)

4.08 of 5 stars 4.08 · rating details · 264 ratings · 70 reviews

Debut Author Delivers Sweet Heartwarming Historical Fiction
Rebekah Hendricks dreams of a life far beyond her family's farm in Oklahoma, and when dashing aviator Arthur Samson promised adventure in the big city, she is quick to believe he's the man she's meant to marry. While she waits for the Great War to end and Arthur to return to her so they can pursue all their plans,...more

Paperback, 319 pages

Published September 1st 2011 by Bethany House Publishers

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Oct 30, 2012 *Babs* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, fiction

Rebekah would love to follow her love Arthur to the training camp near Texas and when she learns her Aunt Adabelle is sick with the fever she is amazed her parents are willing to let her go take care of her. Rebekah arrives just in time before he aunt passes away. She learns she will be taking care of 3 children while their father is off at war. All she wants if for Arthur to come get her or go see him. When she does finally take the chance to see him she learns he is engaged. Rebekah feels upse...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars

What kind of book do you prefer? Are you drawn to nonfiction? Maybe you’re looking for a fiction book that lures you into the story and makes you really think. Or perhaps you’re looking for a novel that allows you to put up your feet and relax for a while as you immerse yourself in the story. If you currently fit the latter category, then the book Wings of a Dream just might be what you’re looking for. An easy read with colorful characters and a sweet romance, this book is perfect for a rainy d...more What kind of book do you prefer? Are you drawn to nonfiction? Maybe you’re looking for a fiction book that lures you into the story and makes you really think. Or perhaps you’re looking for a novel that allows you to put up your feet and relax for a while as you immerse yourself in the story. If you currently fit the latter category, then the book Wings of a Dream just might be what you’re looking for. An easy read with colorful characters and a sweet romance, this book is perfect for a rainy day, or really any day when you need to unwind for a while.

The Story

Rebekah Hendricks longs for a life outside of her parents’ Oklahoma farm, so when Arthur Samson comes along, a young, handsome aviator, Rebekah becomes convinced this is the man she is intended to marry. But the Great War (World War I) is going on, so she must be patient in waiting for it to end before she and Arthur can start their adventurous life together. When her aunt contracts the Spanish flu, Rebekah journeys to Texas to care for her. Surely, she thinks, this will be more interesting than her mundane life at the farm. Her plans, however, are not meant to be. Left in charge of four young children, Rebekah searches for God’s will as the dreams of her heart seem to slip farther and farther from her grasp. Will Rebekah allow her dreams to change for something better, something entirely unexpected? Or will she miss happiness as she clings to her long-held goals?

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In Wings of a Dream Anne Mateer weaves a story of romance, heartache, and dreams realized. Her characters are engaging, and as they work through their struggles, she expertly captures the reader’s attention and carries it throughout the book. Written in the first person, the reader gets to know Rebekah well and roots for her as she struggles to learn what God’s will is for her.

I enjoyed the sweet romance Mateer creates throughout the story. From soaring on the clouds of love to plummeting to the earth in a mushroom cloud of heartbreak (okay, so maybe not that dramatic), Mateer keeps her readers guessing.

Rebekah’s struggle to know God’s will for her life is one that I think all believers in Jesus Christ can identify with. Sometimes the path before us is black and white and what we should do is clear, other times a gray fog seems to overwhelm us. When God’s will seems to differ from what Rebekah wants, she must learn to trust Him, a good lesson for us all.

While I’m on the subject of the book’s spiritual content, it should be noted that though it is clear that Rebekah is a Christian, the name of Jesus was not used as much as I would have preferred. The reason I say this is because Jesus Christ is the one who saves. Many different religions believe in a ‘god’, many people say they believe in God, but only belief in Jesus Christ saves us (see John 14:6 and Romans 10:9). That being said, Mateer did use Jesus’ name several times, but I personally felt that there should have been more of these references so there is no doubt in the reader’s mind who the Redeemer is.

About the Author

By her own admission Anne Mateer has been writing her whole life, but in 2001 she finished her first novel, thanks, in part, to the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge. From this time on, she began to study the craft of writing, being named a finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest three times before succeeding in publishing her first novel, Wings of a Dream. Mateer’s passion for history and historical fiction is evidenced in Wings of a Dream as well as her second novel At Every Turn, which is currently available, and A Home for My Heart, due to hit the bookstores in September of this year. Mateer currently resides near Dallas, Texas with her husband and their three teenagers.

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I really enjoyed Wings of a Dream. I was in need of a good book for the weekend and ended up reading this novel in two days. Mateer draws readers into the story in a way that makes them care about what happens to the characters, maybe because we see a little of ourselves in Rebekah as we search for God’s will in our own lives. Whatever the reason, be it the characters, easy-to-understand writing style, or theme, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read after a long day.(less)

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Dec 07, 2011 Lacy Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rebekah Hendricks is stuck. Stuck in the small Oklahoma town that she’s always known. Stuck under her protective mother’s watchful eye. Until she meets Arthur, and believes her dreams of escaping to the big city have come true.
And then an influenza epidemic hits and all her plans go awry. Will the changes be for the better, or worse?

Anne Mateer has crafted a beautiful story of a young woman growing up and finding that the things she once valued might not be so important—and she finds solace in...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

Follow the journey of Rebecca Grace who has just turned 19, her heart is captivated by Arthur, an aspiring aviator. By request of her mother she is sent to tend an ailing Aunt in Texas, close by to where Arthur is stationed. But what Rebecca found when she arrived challenged her in ways she never imagined. Taking her Aunt's place she is entrusted to care for 4 children. The Spanish flu has taken ahold of Texas, bringing with it heartbreak. Rebecca longed for adventure away from home and somewher...more

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Nov 04, 2011 Sunflower rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-book-reviews, bethany-reviewed

"Wings of a Dream" by , Anne Mateer, is a delightful read, that is set in 1900's Texas. In the grips of the Spanish flu and WWI, the protagonist, Rebekah, uses the opportunity to visit her aunt, to escape the grips of a domineering mother, the slowness of farm life and a hopeful reunion, with her fiance' Arthur, all the while, dreaming big dreams that takes her away from the life she knows, to a bigger life that she doesn't know.

"Wings of a Dream" doesn't end as easily as many readers would expe...more "Wings of a Dream" by , Anne Mateer, is a delightful read, that is set in 1900's Texas. In the grips of the Spanish flu and WWI, the protagonist, Rebekah, uses the opportunity to visit her aunt, to escape the grips of a domineering mother, the slowness of farm life and a hopeful reunion, with her fiance' Arthur, all the while, dreaming big dreams that takes her away from the life she knows, to a bigger life that she doesn't know.

"Wings of a Dream" doesn't end as easily as many readers would expect and despite the setup, isn't a historical romance, but instead, more of a strong, well written, historical fiction, about a young girl, learning to trust God in the smaller details of her life, and learning, that not everything turns out like we dream, but that doesn't mean for the worse.

There is a fantastic blend of the modern, such as the presence of automobiles and planes, with the traditional, where butter is still churned, and the luxury of air conditioning and heater isn't available yet, but a strong sense of family and community is always available.

What I enjoy about "Wings of a Dream" is that the reader doesn't get a routine ending where girl falls in loves and falls happily ever after in love, but instead, Ms. Mateer's main character, Rebekah, finds herself growing from a naive young farm girl, to a mature, strong woman who in addition to find herself learning what does it mean to fall in love, to sometimes the life we think we want, is often the life we didn't expect.

The reader will find detailed snippets that will bring them in the homes of 1900's family life while at the same time, experiencing, even in brushes, the horrors that the Spanish Flu visited upon families and towns.

"Wings of a Dream" is an example of historical fiction that, using realistic historical events, bring to the reader, not only a rich and detail background, but the characters will draw the reader in and this is not a simple read, but instead a story that develops into a life of its own.

By the end of the reading, you will find yourself becoming a part of the Prater Junction, Texas town, while at the same time, learning like Rebekah did, that sometimes the things that are worthwhile isn't quite exactly like what we may imagine them to be, but often, even in the simpler things of life, isn't what we try to run away from, but what we run into.

"Wings of a Dream" is a story of trusting God and what He places in our lives and also appreciation for what He brings into our lives, even if it may have run contrary to what we wanted or thought our lives would be.

With the cold winter nights upon us, grab a copy of, "Wings of a Dream" and let Anne Mateer whisk you back in time.

****Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book****(less)

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Oct 29, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wings of a Dream by author Anne Mateer is a heartwarming story set during the first world war.

Rebekah Hendricks is a young woman with big dreams. Unfortunately, she is stuck under her controlling mother's thumb on the family farm in Oklahoma. When she meets Arthur Samson, a dashing aviator, she thinks her dreams might come true because he promises her an adventure in the big city and woos her into thinking that promise comes with a ring on her finger.

While she waits for Arthur to return from the...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was so interesting that I finished over half of it in one sitting!

The story is told through the eyes of Rebekah Grace Hendricks who is bored to tears with life in the sleepy little town of Downington, Oklahoma. Rebekah longs for excitement and adventure and when an opportunity arises for her to temporarily get out of Downington, she thinks it’s the big break she’s been waiting for. Sure that the life she’s always wanted awaits her, Rebekah eagerly travels to Texas to care for her aili...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Carrie Padgett rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved it!

I’m not a big historical fan but I was hooked from the beginning. Anne drew me in with real characters and a compelling story.

Rebekah Hendricks yearns to live a life of adventure, far from her small Oklahoma hometown. She and a visiting young aviator plan a soaring future. Arthur returns to his air field in Texas and Rebekah’s presence is also needed in Texas: to tend to her ailing aunt. Arriving just before her aunt dies of the Spanish Influenza, Rebekah finds herself with her aunt’s...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, christian-historical-fiction, christian-action-adventure, romance-fiction

Rebekah Grace has a deep longing to get away from the small town of Downington, Oklahoma and she feels that Arthur Samson is just the ticket. Just before he is scheduled to leave town and begin to learn how to fly, he proposes an idea to her, that he will return once his is done. With that promise sealed between them, Rebekah agrees to wait.

However finding things to do to keep busy is hard to do, especially when her mother insists on bringing around other suitors. Her sound advice to Rebekah, "I...more

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Aug 25, 2011 Regina Jennings added it

When Rebekah Hendricks' suitor leaves Oklahoma for aviator training in Dallas, the months ahead of her look bleak. Struggling against the uncertainties of World War I, Rebekah dreams of the day when Arthur will return and she can start her real life with him. In the meantime, she goes to help her widowed aunt in Texas with the hope that her sweetheart will visit from his training base nearby.

Rebekah arrives at her aunt's to find the town devastated by the Spanish flu epidemic. Not only is Aunt A...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Lydia (Overweight Bookshelf) rated it 5 of 5 stars

First reviewed here

This may be Anne Mateer's publishing debut, but nothing about this book screams novice. Her style is unique and refined, bringing a fresh perspective to the Christian historical fiction market.

First person narration is difficult to sell to readers because the writer is asking us to internalize and imbed ourselves instantly in a foreign persona. Rarely have I been so immersed (and so easily) in the psyche and heart of a character as I was with Rebekah. At first her emotional f...more First reviewed here

This may be Anne Mateer's publishing debut, but nothing about this book screams novice. Her style is unique and refined, bringing a fresh perspective to the Christian historical fiction market.

First person narration is difficult to sell to readers because the writer is asking us to internalize and imbed ourselves instantly in a foreign persona. Rarely have I been so immersed (and so easily) in the psyche and heart of a character as I was with Rebekah. At first her emotional frailty and naiveté called out to me as someone who needed nurturing and guidance. As the story progressed, she conquered one obstacle after another lacking grace and perfection, but maturing with every step. Anne Mateer has penned a character who is, for better or worse, honest with readers about what she is feeling, hoping, and dreaming. The result is a poignant and insightful character spotlight with a fresh voice and approach.

An engaging supporting cast of characters appeared throughout Rebekah's journey with a natural ebb and flow. The children were written by someone who clearly understands the daily demands and ups and downs of motherhood. They were not saints nor terrors-but realistic children in mourning who had witnessed devastation and were learning to open their hearts again. Rebekah's new friends infused the story with humour and companionship that relieved her isolation.

Not to be outdone by the strength of the characters, the plot continually builds with tension throughout the book. The time period and setting of the American rural homefront during the First World War and the accompanying terror of the Spanish Influenza epidemic are rarely depicted in Christian historical fiction. It was a time plagued with uncertainty as the world waited on the cusp hovering between old and new. It was a new kind of war built on old political tensions, and old way of life infused with modern advances, old daily routines with new burdens. When one conflict reached a conclusion, another one was waiting off-stage so that there was never a lag in flow.

When I finished this book I yearned for more. I hope we won't have to wait too long to see what Anne Mateer has for us next.

Rating: 9/10

**Review copy provided by Bethany House Publishers**(less)

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Oct 12, 2011 Holly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-2011

Rebekah is a girl who dreams big, especially for someone bound by society's expectations of women in 1918. She meets a man, Arthur, who seems to be her escape to exploration until moving to Texas to take care of her Aunt throws off her plans. There she finds a calling taking care of the children who are left behind, which split her between returning to her dreams, and settling to take care of them.
This book was an improvement in comparison to other historical romance I've recently read. Rebeka...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Carly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-favorites

I read in the ‘About the Author’ section of this book that Anne has actually written five novels and finally got a contract for Wings of a Dream. I am so glad that Bethany House recognized the talent that Anne has been working on all these years. Even though Wings of a Dream is not technically Anne’s “debut novel”, I could tell that this story really had her heart in it. The Lord used her to show the reader that when we earnest seek God’s will for our lives, he will show us the way. Poor Rebekah...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a good book if you want something to read but not 'focus' on too much. A 'fluff' book, as some folks call it. It's definitely a romance, and, although I try to steer clear of them most of the time, every once in a while it's fun to pull one out. However, it does frustrate me that people can't seem to write a realistic 'romance'. The reason I try to not read these often is because it does make you start having 'wishful thinking' that your own romance story (in real life) would go like th...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Christy rated it 3 of 5 stars

It always pains me when I come across a book that others really enjoyed and I didn't. It's even worse when it's a brand new author. Each book is like a new baby to an author, and I imagine new authors are doubly sensitive when they read reviews of their "firstborn." But unfortunately, Wings of a Dream just wasn't my cup of tea.

There's not one clear area that I can point to as to where this book went wrong for me. I could name several things that didn't appeal to me, but I really don't want to ge...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Bethany rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-books-i-own, read-kindle-books, wish-list

This was a special book that I got a free Kindle edition of when Amazon/Bethany House had a free special for one day. It was the first book I read on my new Kindle, and the first of Anne's books that I've read. I LOVED it! At first I really didn't know what to expect since I'd not read any of this author before, but I'm sure I'll be reading her newest book in the future!

One of the biggest things I liked about this book was how it had the same Janette Oke type writing style. It was very similar...more This was a special book that I got a free Kindle edition of when Amazon/Bethany House had a free special for one day. It was the first book I read on my new Kindle, and the first of Anne's books that I've read. I LOVED it! At first I really didn't know what to expect since I'd not read any of this author before, but I'm sure I'll be reading her newest book in the future!

One of the biggest things I liked about this book was how it had the same Janette Oke type writing style. It was very similar to Love Comes Softly and Roses for Mama {Both written by Janette} in the sense that it had a very motherly feel to it. I loved how this book was supportive of being a mother versus a working woman gone from her home all day, which you certainly don't see in many books now days. I just loved seeing how Rebekah grows in her faith throughout this book, and how she learned to trust God with ever area in her life. At the start of the story, Rebekah has her life all figured out. She plans to marry this boy whom she has known for awhile, and be a successful woman. She doesn't really think about having children until, through a series of events, she finds herself the guardian of four small children, until their father comes home from the war. God drastically changed her plans and teaches her through these children, what being a mother is all about.

God also teaches her about trust in the story, especially concerning who to marry as she had 3 proposals of marriage in the story! However, even though their was obviously some suitors involved, I loved how the main story wasn't focused on romance, but rather Rebekah caring for the children. There was just the perfect balance of clean romance, which I really liked. I loved the ending, especially the part were Janie speaks for the first time! It was also neat how the author based a part of the story off a real event that happened to her grandmother! Overall, their wasn't a single thing I didn't like about this book. I loved every ounce of it and would highly recommend it!(less)

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Oct 18, 2011 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christianfiction, historicalfiction, forpleasure, forreview

Masterful debut. I loved that it was in first person POV, which is not common for historical novels, but the style worked very well. Wings of a Dream totally captured my heart. I loved how the author took what was essentially a self-centered young woman and matured her through a variety of painful circumstances over which she had no control. I felt bad for Rebekah because she wanted to do the right thing, but she was afraid of being passed over entirely if she said no, so she struggled with it....more Masterful debut. I loved that it was in first person POV, which is not common for historical novels, but the style worked very well. Wings of a Dream totally captured my heart. I loved how the author took what was essentially a self-centered young woman and matured her through a variety of painful circumstances over which she had no control. I felt bad for Rebekah because she wanted to do the right thing, but she was afraid of being passed over entirely if she said no, so she struggled with it. That made her very easy to relate to and likable.

I read this book in two sittings. I simply couldn't make myself break away from the story from page 81 to the end. I fell in love with those children as much as the heroine did. The author showed them in all of their good and bad behavior so well they seemed like real kids to me and not fictional characters. I could see how she felt overwhelmed at times, but on the other hand them needing her gave her a sense of purpose.

This is a passionate story about finding true love. The hero was a great guy all around, but he had his weaknesses, making him that much more real to me. I wanted to kick him in the butt and tell him to go after her and not let her get away. Thankfully, he must have heard me mentally yelling at him while I read because he did just that (much to my delight and pleasure) and so rather than being sad at the end, I sighed with relief. This book is enthralling. I can't say much more without giving some spoilers.

I found it necessary to be vague in my above description because half the fun of this story is not knowing what she will do or who she will choose. My heart was very satisfied with how everything came together in the end. Even more than that, I loved the strong faith message in this story that God's path often doesn't match ours, but when our paths become one we are truly satisfied.

What's the takeaway value of this book? The message that God will give us the desires of our heart, but that usually comes with necessary changes because rarely do our desires match God's at the outset. He knows just what we need. If nothing else, this book is great when it comes to encouraging us all to wait on God and to allow Him to direct our lives until we are fully and completely aligned with His will. But we can't do that if we don't surrender to Him and listen for His prompting. Well done!(less)

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Nov 29, 2011 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rebekah Hendricks wants nothing more than to escape her mundane Oklahoma farm existence. When a handsome flyer turns her head with promises of excitement and adventure, she's sure he's the man she is meant to marry who will save her from a conventional life. But the Great War still rages in Europe, and with her aviator training at an army camp in Texas, Rebekah jumps at the chance to travel to her aunt's home in Texas, sure the time spent tending her ailing relative will be but a brief stop on h...more Rebekah Hendricks wants nothing more than to escape her mundane Oklahoma farm existence. When a handsome flyer turns her head with promises of excitement and adventure, she's sure he's the man she is meant to marry who will save her from a conventional life. But the Great War still rages in Europe, and with her aviator training at an army camp in Texas, Rebekah jumps at the chance to travel to her aunt's home in Texas, sure the time spent tending her ailing relative will be but a brief stop on her road to adventure. But nothing in Rebekah's sheltered life has prepared her for what she faces when she arrives. The dreaded Spanish flu is ripping through the small farming community, leaving scores of grieving family and friends in its wake. When her aunt succumbs to the flu, Rebekah is left as the reluctant caretaker of her aunt's charges -- the four young Gresham children, left orphaned by the death of their mother in childbirth while their father fights in Europe. As the children and community wend their way into her heart, Rebekah is faced with an unexpected realization when the life she's always scorned becomes the dream she can't bear to live without. But is she brave enough to surrender her dreams to God's plan?

With her debut offering Anne Mateer focuses on an aspect of history that I have seen little (if ever) addressed in fiction -- the World War I American homefront and the horrific and devasting impact of the Spanish Influenza epidemic. Wartime homefront stories always intrigue me as I think too often books and films about either of the two World Wars focus heavily on the overseas action. But as Mateer so deftly illustrates here, the shadow of war cast a heavy pall over every aspect of homefront life, from rationing ("Hooverizing") meal plans to empty places at dinner tables and the fragile hope that loved ones would return unscathed. The ruinous impact of the Spanish flu and the fear and sorrow an outbreak left in its wake is one of the strongest aspects of the novel. Mateer really shines when bringing to life the stress and dangers associated with this epidemic -- in an age of vaccines and advanced medical care it is hard to fathom the utter devastation of this outbreak, but Mateer recreates the emotional toll of this epoch in America's history with aplomb.

As a heroine Rebekah has much to recommend her -- despite the occasional lap into rather excessive levels of immaturity she has a strong sense of right and wrong and responsibility to family and those less fortunate than herself. In many respects a child herself, merely on the cusp of womanhood, Rebekah has a lot of growing up to do in this novel -- though she doesn't yet realize it, her quest for adventure is really a journey of self-discovery, and a powerful reminder that life is lived best when one surrenders to God's leading. Rebekah possesses a lot of spunk, often overshadowed by her immaturity, a point driven home by the first-person narration. First person narration and I can be rather hit-or-miss, and personally I would have preferred third-person, and greater insight into secondary characters such as the children's father, Frank, or Irene, Rebekah's first friend in town. With first-person, Rebekah's internal dialogue and propensity for rashness and immaturity got a bit repetitive, slowing the narrative. Mateer has a knack for creating a compelling supporting cast, and I hope that in future novels characters of Frank and Irene's ilk will receive more "screentime."

My favorite aspect of this debut was Rebekah's atypical romance. Her realization that the greatest adventure is in a life well-lived, surrounded by loved ones, is powerfully brought to fruitition. Wings of a Dream is an engaging, promising debut and I look forward to Mateer's next offering. Her affinity for exploring less "publicized" aspects of history intrigues me and marks her as an author to watch.(less)

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Sep 05, 2011 Carla Stewart rated it 5 of 5 stars

In Wings of a Dream, Rebekah Hendricks, a small-town Oklahoma girl, dreams of an adventurous life . . . and escaping from her controlling mother. When she’s called to Texas to care for an ailing aunt, she’s certain that God has granted her desire and that adventure is just around the corner. Set at the end of WWI against the backdrop of the Spanish flu epidemic, debut author Anne Mateer, gently guides the reader through one surprising twist after another. It reminded me of the old adage to be ca...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Deborah rated it 5 of 5 stars

It is 1918, and Rebekah Hendricks has her life planned out perfectly: marry the dashing, handsome, pilot Arthur, see the world and the experience the excitement it has to offer. But some things stand in the way of her dreams; the small town that she lives in is so stagnant nothing ever happens there. And her overbearing, obnoxious mother who really isn't doing a thing by constantly matchmaking her to the local grocer, is unknowingly fueling Rebekah's dreams for life outside of their tiny town in...more

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May 02, 2013 Cindy rated it 3 of 5 stars

If you don’t know who Henrietta Lacks was you are not alone. If you have never heard of a HeLa cell or what it is used for you are again not alone. Henrietta unknowingly was instrumental in changing the worlds of science and medicine forever when her cells were taken from during a radiation treatment with her knowledge or permission. These cells (referred to as HeLa cells) became the most commonly used immortal cell line used in scientific research. This book talks not only about the life of Hen...more

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Oct 24, 2011 Catherine Richmond added it

Rebekah dreams of marrying a pilot to escape the drudgery of farm life. She figures taking care of her ailing aunt is only a way station on her journey, but many surprises await her in Prater's Junction, Texas.

This is one of the books I sought out at ACFW. As a pilot's wife, I was cheering for Arthur to be the hero, but the poor boy didn't have it in him. I wondered about Frank, too - the author draws the emotional journey of this strong, reticent farmer with depth. Wings of Dreams shows life o...more

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Dec 06, 2012 Valerie (Val's Vicinity) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rebekah is young and somewhat naive, and the situation she finds herself thrust into is more than most 19-year-old's would be prepared to handle. Instead of caring for her ill aunt as she originally thought, she finds herself the sole caretaker of a stranger's farm and four young children! It's way more responsibility than excitement and adventure-seeking Rebekah expected, and the last thing she wants is to be stuck on a farm like her parents before her were.

Though it interferes with her life pl...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had the privilege of seeing this book move through the stages of editing, and each time the book grew stronger and more beautiful. If you're a lover of historical fiction and you enjoy a good, honest love story, you won't be disappointed in this sweet, coming of age novel about spunky Rebekah Handricks and her dream to soar above the circumstances of her life. She, like many of us, experiences a strange rearrangement of her circumstances and expectations, and must learn how to grow up in the m...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Beks rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: already-reviewed, 2011

I wish that goodreads would let me put half-stars because for me this is really a 3.5 star book. I really have to be in love with it for it to be 4 star and if it's going to be getting 5...well then that means that it would be one of the books that would be on my desert island.

This is by far my favorite Christian fiction that I read this school year. If I am going to like the book I am going to really have to like the leading lady and Rebekah is likable. She is hard working and willing to go out...more

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Sep 28, 2011 Terri Harr rated it 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this books so much. Watching Rebekah grow from a young girl into a young woman was a process that took her through many difficult situations, not unlike our lives today. It was true to character how from time to time the young 19 year old selfish attitude and childlike behavior came out. She wasn't a person who was too good to be true. You saw her weakness and her strength.

I would recommend this book to young ladies planning their futures as well as those of us who have lived...more

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Oct 24, 2011 Casey rated it 5 of 5 stars

I cringe to think I was *this* close to not requesting “Wings of a Dream” to review. When I closed the cover on this book last night, after staying up nearly two hours past my bedtime on a Sunday night, I couldn’t have been more thankful for one of the best finds I’ve had this year in Christian fiction.

Several things I loved about this book right off: it’s a historical, first person novel and the heroine is one I love to read about. She’s strong and faces each instance head on, but is tender and...more

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Apr 20, 2013 Loraine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-to-z-challenge, historical-fiction, new-author-challenge, romance

This is my first read by Anne Mateer but it won't be my last. The story line was very well done, the historical research spot on, and the characters felt like every day small town neighbors with all their strengths, weaknesses, tragedies, and triumphs. I really identified with the main character Rebekah as she sought what her life's path should be and wished for adventure and something different in her future. But as she learns to lean on God's directions for her life, she finds that sometimes w...more

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May 11, 2012 Rachelle Rea rated it 4 of 5 stars

What I Loved

I'm staring at my copy of the book right now, trying to narrow down exactly what it was that I loved...so many things to choose from!

I love how Rebekah grows. She seemed to me to be a little shallow at the beginning of the novel, but she travels states to care for the children her aunt was responsible for.

And she falls in love with the children. I love the children. They were each unique with true-to-childhood voices. I've read books where the children seemed stilted. Wings of a Dr...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Paula Phillips rated it 5 of 5 stars

As a female girl in the 1918's , it seems that our role in life is to be a society wife and get married and play house. Rebekah Hendricks has one goal in mind to exit out of her small town of Dowington, Oklahoma and marry Aviator Arthur Samson. So when she is offered the chance to go out of town to care for her sick Aunt , she agrees as it is an exciting opportunity. However, once Rebekah arrives , it seems that she has come in the time of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and her aunty passes away...more

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About Anne Mateer

While I have been writing for what feels like my whole life, I began seriously studying the craft in 2000. Since then I have completed five novels, had several pieces published in local periodicals, attended six writing conferences and managed to final in ACFW's Genesis contest in 2006, 2008, and 2009. My first historical novel, Wings of a Dream, released in September 2011. My second, At Every Tur...more

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