My review of The Aviator by Morgan Karpiel

What's on my reading list this week? ... Wishing you a Fun and Safe Weekend an...

My review of The Aviator by Morgan Karpiel

I had a new author and book on my reading list this week, and I can't wait to share what I've found with my readers.

The Aviator promised to be a different twist on the slew of other novels in my TBR list, and Morgan Karpiel has given me something to read whose heroine appears to rival some of Hemingway's best. What do I like most about this author before I open the pages–her openness.

As Morgan says: Admittedly, I am free spirit. I enjoy living among other cultures (6 years in Europe now), while still taking great pride in my own Cafe Americana style. I love adventure, challenges, impossible odds and people who are misunderstood. I've had many jobs, many names, but I'm best found in a novel, either creating characters or living as one.

Find out more about this Ms. Karpiel at

http://www.morgankarpiel.com

Blurb:

Gilda Sinclair is known to be quite mad, a woman who drinks like a man, swears like one and takes lovers whenever she chooses, discarding her elevated standing as an aristocrat to seek her fortune as an airship pilot. After her father's death, she insists on flying for his legendary dirigible company, only to learn that he has willed the controlling interest in the business to the one man she despises.

Nathan Lanchard was Gilda's lover for one night and has endured her manipulative games ever since. In his mind, she is spoiled and reckless, intent on driving him beyond the limits of his control. As new opportunities cast doubt on his future with Sinclair Airship, and the dangers of war loom on the horizon, he will discover how ruthless her cat-and-mouse seductions can be, and what emotion truly lies at the heart of the dark lust that burns between them.

Stay tuned for my review!

Pick up your copy at :

Barnes & Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-aviator-morgan-karpiel/1104012655?ean=2940012762405&itm=2&usri=morgan+karpiel

My Review:

Steampunk is a completely new genre for me, and one that I had quite a bit of trepidation beginning. With Morgan Karpiel's The Aviator, I must say that I didn't grind my teeth, wince, and regret picking up the novel. In fact, I found that The Aviator combined all my favorite subjects in one exciting novel—adventure, other worlds, and a touch of the past.

Having nearly grown up in each other's constant company, Nathan and Gilda have always had a tough relationship. Their friendship is truly tested when Gilda's father decides Nathan is more capable of running Sinclair Airship than his own daughter. Any woman out there would understand Gilda's pain, and anger! Bitter, furious, wanting to strike out at the world, Gilda becomes known as Mad Lady Sinclair—and she can outdo any man at anything.

Their paths having gone separate ways since the blasted turning over of the company, Nathan and the Mad Lady meet again, and war (as well as lust) looms on the horizon.

I have to say first and foremost that the characters are so precisely defined in The Aviator that I was blown away. Nathan and Gilda are as real as any human, and their 'paper images' blast from the pages of this novel with a vitality that rivals many a great novel. As a reader, I could feel their pain, their anger, and the bitterness that welled up so deeply from the core of Gilda's soul. Nathan's love and his attempt to soothe the wrong done to her is believable and touching. Dare I tell you that the love scenes are delicious and steaming hot?!?!

Until this novel, I hadn't read any of the New Europa series that Ms. Karpiel has written. I have to say, I was delighted with the entire plot of the story and found the entire tale and New Europa's fantasy world thrilling!

4 stars!