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When Heroes Flew #5
Where the Dawn Comes Up Like Thunder (When Heroes Flew, #5
Amidst the turmoil of World War II, a daring Army Air Forces aviator is swept into an odyssey that will carry him to the far corners of the earth. Military duty and personal quest converge in this remarkable tale of grit and perseverance.
Despite suffering grave injuries in the savage terrain of Burma, Major Rod Shepherd is returned to active duty to support war efforts against Japan. But his mission extends beyond official Rod is determined to locate missing Army nurse, Eve Johannsen, even as top Army brass deny her very existence.
Rod’s primary mission sees him braving treacherous flight conditions and grappling with the horrors of the Japanese regime—all while he conducts his clandestine search for answers. In the end, Rod must risk challenging the highest levels of command if he has any hope of learning the truth…and finding Eve.
In Where the Dawn Comes Up like Thunder, the latest installment of the When Heroes Flew series, former Air Force officer H.W. "Buzz" Bernard immerses readers in the heart-pounding aerial exploits of WWII.
Despite suffering grave injuries in the savage terrain of Burma, Major Rod Shepherd is returned to active duty to support war efforts against Japan. But his mission extends beyond official Rod is determined to locate missing Army nurse, Eve Johannsen, even as top Army brass deny her very existence.
Rod’s primary mission sees him braving treacherous flight conditions and grappling with the horrors of the Japanese regime—all while he conducts his clandestine search for answers. In the end, Rod must risk challenging the highest levels of command if he has any hope of learning the truth…and finding Eve.
In Where the Dawn Comes Up like Thunder, the latest installment of the When Heroes Flew series, former Air Force officer H.W. "Buzz" Bernard immerses readers in the heart-pounding aerial exploits of WWII.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2025
621 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
H.W. "Buzz" Bernard
16 books87 followersH. W. “Buzz” Bernard is a bestselling, award-winning novelist.
His debut novel, EYEWALL, published in 2011, became a number-one bestseller in Amazon’s Kindle Store.
Three of his next four novels won Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition (EPIC) eBook awards in the suspense/thriller category.
In 2020, with the publication of WHEN HEROES FLEW, Buzz switched from writing suspense/thriller novels to WWII historical fiction and began a new series. The first three novels in the series were awarded Gold Medals by the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). Buzz himself was honored with the MWSA’s highest accolade in 2023, the Founder’s Award.
WHEN HEROES FLEW: THE ROOF OF THE WORLD, the third book in the series, in addition to garnering an MWSA Gold Medal, won the 2023 Nancy Pearl Book Award for genre fiction. The award is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.
Buzz is currently working on his fifth WWII historical fiction book.
Before becoming a novelist, Buzz worked at The Weather Channel as a senior meteorologist for thirteen years. Prior to that, he served as a weather officer in the U.S. Air Force for over three decades. He attained the rank of colonel and received, among other awards, the Legion of Merit.
Buzz is a past president of the Southeastern Writers Association as well as a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Willamette Writers, the Military Writers Society of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Atlanta Writers Club.
Although a native Oregonian, Buzz lived for 35 years in Atlanta, and now resides in Kennewick, Washington, with his wife Barbara and their fuzzy Shih Tzu, Stormy . . . who doesn’t live up to his name.
Buzz’s website can be found at www.buzzbernard.com.
His debut novel, EYEWALL, published in 2011, became a number-one bestseller in Amazon’s Kindle Store.
Three of his next four novels won Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition (EPIC) eBook awards in the suspense/thriller category.
In 2020, with the publication of WHEN HEROES FLEW, Buzz switched from writing suspense/thriller novels to WWII historical fiction and began a new series. The first three novels in the series were awarded Gold Medals by the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). Buzz himself was honored with the MWSA’s highest accolade in 2023, the Founder’s Award.
WHEN HEROES FLEW: THE ROOF OF THE WORLD, the third book in the series, in addition to garnering an MWSA Gold Medal, won the 2023 Nancy Pearl Book Award for genre fiction. The award is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.
Buzz is currently working on his fifth WWII historical fiction book.
Before becoming a novelist, Buzz worked at The Weather Channel as a senior meteorologist for thirteen years. Prior to that, he served as a weather officer in the U.S. Air Force for over three decades. He attained the rank of colonel and received, among other awards, the Legion of Merit.
Buzz is a past president of the Southeastern Writers Association as well as a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Willamette Writers, the Military Writers Society of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Atlanta Writers Club.
Although a native Oregonian, Buzz lived for 35 years in Atlanta, and now resides in Kennewick, Washington, with his wife Barbara and their fuzzy Shih Tzu, Stormy . . . who doesn’t live up to his name.
Buzz’s website can be found at www.buzzbernard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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March 22, 2025MWSA Review
When Heroes Flew: Where the Dawn Comes in Like Thunder by H.W. “Buzz” Bernard continues the series about World War II aviators. In particular, this book picks up where Book 3 of the series, The Roof of the World, leaves off. It’s likely a good idea to read that book first, since many of the characters reprise their parts from the first book.
The book takes place in the India/Burma/China theater of WWII, as Major Rod Shepherd is eager to reconnect with nurse Eve Johannsen. They had shared harrowing experiences previously, and Shepherd thought they had an understanding. But amid the fog of war, Eve has disappeared and no one seems to know what happened to her. As he goes about his new duties after being grounded from flying by injuries, Shepherd searches surreptitiously for Eve. But he is not sneaky enough to avoid the attention of a certain general who seems to have it in for Shepherd.
Like The Roof of the World, the historically accurate book takes us into a little-known theater of WWII, keeping the reader interested as the Allies work to establish a base from which to bomb Japan. I recommend the entire series for glimpses into otherwise unknown aspects of the war.
Review by Betsy Beard (February 2025)
When Heroes Flew: Where the Dawn Comes in Like Thunder by H.W. “Buzz” Bernard continues the series about World War II aviators. In particular, this book picks up where Book 3 of the series, The Roof of the World, leaves off. It’s likely a good idea to read that book first, since many of the characters reprise their parts from the first book.
The book takes place in the India/Burma/China theater of WWII, as Major Rod Shepherd is eager to reconnect with nurse Eve Johannsen. They had shared harrowing experiences previously, and Shepherd thought they had an understanding. But amid the fog of war, Eve has disappeared and no one seems to know what happened to her. As he goes about his new duties after being grounded from flying by injuries, Shepherd searches surreptitiously for Eve. But he is not sneaky enough to avoid the attention of a certain general who seems to have it in for Shepherd.
Like The Roof of the World, the historically accurate book takes us into a little-known theater of WWII, keeping the reader interested as the Allies work to establish a base from which to bomb Japan. I recommend the entire series for glimpses into otherwise unknown aspects of the war.
Review by Betsy Beard (February 2025)
March 30, 2025
Another Good Read, Continue the Saga It’s a Great Story
Getting near the end of the story through book 5. Looking forward to the next in the series. Entertaining reading, well worth the time!
Getting near the end of the story through book 5. Looking forward to the next in the series. Entertaining reading, well worth the time!
March 21, 2025
Another excellent read in this series. I am captivated from the first page to the last. Love these stories.
April 14, 2025
Dv
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2025
A nicely done tale about one of Bomber Command's worst decisions.
January 31, 2025
"Where the Dawn Comes Up Like Thunder" is a novel that combines suspense, history, and an intense reflection on themes of resilience and hope, set against a backdrop that blends the apocalyptic and the mysterious. Bernard, with his fluid and engaging narrative style, takes us to the heart of this disaster, conveying a sense of urgency, helplessness, and determination.
The characters are well-developed, with personal stories that intertwine interestingly, revealing both their courage and vulnerability. The author does an excellent job of making people's reactions in the face of impending destruction realistic, and the dynamics between the protagonists evolve in a believable and captivating manner.
Bernard's writing is rich in detail, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. While there are moments of great tension, the story doesn't lack introspective moments and reflections on human connections and the hope that can emerge even in the most difficult circumstances. It is an exciting and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of thrillers and survival stories, as well as those looking for a novel that explores the complexity of human emotions in times of crisis.
The characters are well-developed, with personal stories that intertwine interestingly, revealing both their courage and vulnerability. The author does an excellent job of making people's reactions in the face of impending destruction realistic, and the dynamics between the protagonists evolve in a believable and captivating manner.
Bernard's writing is rich in detail, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. While there are moments of great tension, the story doesn't lack introspective moments and reflections on human connections and the hope that can emerge even in the most difficult circumstances. It is an exciting and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of thrillers and survival stories, as well as those looking for a novel that explores the complexity of human emotions in times of crisis.
January 18, 2025
Hands down the best of the series.
When Heroes Flew is my favorite WWII Pacific theater series. When I sat down to read Where the Dawn Comes Up Like Thunder it was like sitting down with old friends you haven’t seen in a long time. Before you sit down you have no idea how much you missed them but once they begin recounting their adventures it becomes obvious just how much you missed their company. These adventurers with Rod Shepherd and Eve always put me right in the thick of the action, and this latest book was no different. This time around we get to see just how far Rod will go to set things right. I enjoyed Rod’s interaction with General Stone a bit more than the flying and war action scenes in the story. Once again Buzz brought in a few new characters who were immediately likeable and well developed, and then there is General Stone who was so easy to despise. I received an advance reader copy of Where the Dawn Comes Up Like Thunder from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
When Heroes Flew is my favorite WWII Pacific theater series. When I sat down to read Where the Dawn Comes Up Like Thunder it was like sitting down with old friends you haven’t seen in a long time. Before you sit down you have no idea how much you missed them but once they begin recounting their adventures it becomes obvious just how much you missed their company. These adventurers with Rod Shepherd and Eve always put me right in the thick of the action, and this latest book was no different. This time around we get to see just how far Rod will go to set things right. I enjoyed Rod’s interaction with General Stone a bit more than the flying and war action scenes in the story. Once again Buzz brought in a few new characters who were immediately likeable and well developed, and then there is General Stone who was so easy to despise. I received an advance reader copy of Where the Dawn Comes Up Like Thunder from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
January 2, 2025
This book has it all. A thriller with great characters, story line that functions On several levels, and fast moving action. Highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews