The Flapper and the Flyboy: A Novella of the Roaring 20s

by Loucinda McGary

After his plane was shot down over the French countryside, Gideon returned home to New Orleans from the Great War broken in mind, body, and spirit. He has struggled for three years to heal himself and find his place in the world. Will his beautiful new nurse, Ida Mae offer him the redemption he seeks?The loss of her husband and her father to the Spanish Flu set Ida Mae on her own healing path. But the life she's determined to live helping others does not include the assistance of a man. Can these two deeply scarred people find happiness with each other?Set in the free-wheeling 1920s of vibrant New Orleans, The Flapper and the Flyboy brims with dynamic characters, historically rich settings, and the redeeming power of love. This story was previously published in a significantly shorter format in 2017.

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2020

About the author

Blessed with the gift of "Irish Blarney" Loucinda McGary (everyone calls her Cindy) became a storyteller shortly after she learned to read. If she didn't like the way a story ended, she made up her own ending. In high school, between history and algebra homework, Cindy wrote stories featuring herself, her friends, and their favorite movie and rock stars. After college, she published a couple dozen poems in "little magazines" (the equivalent of e-zines in those pre-internet days) and even wrote a couple of novels. Then life intervened. Family and career became her top priorities, though she could never quite stop dabbling in writing. Also along about this time, vacations became a must and she developed an almost legendary love of travel that took her all over the United States and abroad in one and two week stints.

A long-time reader of romances, Cindy discovered and joined Romance Writers of America in 2001. But her stressful career as the manager of a multi-million dollar State and Federally funded program prevented her from doing much writing or traveling. She still managed to squeeze in a little of both, but not enough of either to be truly satisfying. Finally, at the end of 2003 she decided to take an early retirement from her career to fully pursue her twin passions of travel and writing. Cindy likes to set her novels of romance and suspense in some of the fascinating places she has visited.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few books set in the roaring twenties lately and very much enjoying them, the 1920’s were a time of big changes and of decadence, and there were a lot of men returned from the Great War damaged both physically and mentally. This is where this story starts in a home for these men returned and needing help to get back to their normal lives at a large house on Beechwood Lane in New Orleans, where we get to meet Gideon DeWitt and Ida Mae Collier.

Gideon was flying in the war and is now residing in Beechwood Lane and is doing remarkably well considering what he has been through not only during the war but also when he arrived home to his family, finding love and a woman who can see past his wounds is not something that Gideon had expected to happen for him but when Ida Mae walks into the house there is an instant pull like never before. Will he be able to overcome his fears and see to the future?

Ida Mae is divorced and determined to never rely on a male again, her mother is always pushing available men towards Ida Mae but Ida Mae wants to be a nurse and aims to get to college and study, she works as a live in housekeeper and has now taken up some work helping Dr Jonas helping men recover from their wounds, and meeting one of the residents Gideon seems to start a spark in her could this mean love.

This is a well written story that delves into the emotions of these patients and what they will need to go forward, there are a lot of characters that add to the story of Gideon and Ida Mae as they journey an up and hill battle to find the love they truly deserve. I would have loved and epilogue on this story to see a bit more into their future, or another story to continue their journey, a thoroughly enjoyable story that was quick read filled with feeling and emotion.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book set in the 20’s. A fun historical romance with characters you actually like. The hero was not perfect and it made it all the more believable. The effects of war on young men returning from war was well done, and incorporating it into the story was not expected but made for a more intriguing romance.

[Dorajane Grummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It should be a series. Recommend it totally.

[Lynette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

a novella --his nick name is flyboy and they meet during the war

[Bonnie Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGray digs into the emotions and insecurities of returning from war with both emotional and physical injuries with compassion and insight. No soldier is the same before as after the experience. Set in the roaring 20s the book explores the changing roles of women through the heroine who dreams of becoming a nurse and living an independent life. Set in New Orleans, the story is filled with historical detail and characters that capture your heart.