The Test Pilot’s Wife by Mark Wayne McGinnis
The Test Pilot’s Wife is the bittersweet saga of Lura Lee Dunn and WWI flying ace Eugene Hoy Barksdale. Written in the spirit of The Aviator’s Wife and The Second Mrs. Astor, this historical fiction novel features cameos from such notable characters as Jimmy Doolittle and Amelia Earhart.
WWI is waning in Europe, but Lieutenant Barksdale’s near constant aerial combat missions have taken their toll. Homeward bound—his physical wounds are healing, while haunting mental wounds linger.
Lura Lee Dunn is an aspiring concert pianist, whose own personal battle is just beginning. The women’s suffrage movement is on the rise, emboldening her to break free from her prominent father’s outdated expectations. Unexpectedly, at a posh Hollis House gala, she meets a young pilot, one just home from fighting the Jerries over France. There is no ignoring Barksdale’s quick wit and Southern charm. But try as she might to avoid the young aviator, Lura finds herself drawn to him.
Barksdale quickly rises in the ranks as one of America’s top test pilots. Soon, Lura hears accounts of the young pilot’s dramatic exploits—breakneck aerial races, parachuting from planes, and so many death-defying crashes—that the man seems to border on the suicidal.
Lura readies to leave—to study at Chicago’s renowned Perfield Music School. Tying her fate to the enigmatic pilot, will only bring disaster into her life. But even as dark clouds form in the skies above, she cannot ignore the pull, or the need, to stay.
Advance Reader Reviews:
Best Historical Fiction Book I’ve Read in Years!
I love wwi and wwii historical fiction. I read the Aviator’s Wife last year and found myself craving more of this type of book. Mark Wayne McGinnis is a new author for me, but I will definitely be checking out his other books. What a fantastic family sage historical fiction book!- Kelly S
The Test Pilot’s Wife
I’m drawn to aviation historical fiction books. I’ve read the Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin as well as The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Sherve. The Test Pilot’s wife is an adventure historical fiction book that follows the lives of Hoy Barksdale and Lura Lee Genz during the 1920s. The book covers romance, the struggles of the suffrage, south vs north, aviation, and family drama. There are many books out there that talk about these things, but this book is special… it really touched me and with each page I read I found myself more enthralled in the story.
Best WWI Historical Fiction Book I’ve Read in Ten Years!
Mark Wayne McGinnis has captured the 1920s to a tee. I felt as if I were there plopped in the middle of New York in the early part of the twentieth century. I’ve read The Aviator’s Wife and The Personal Librarian, and I thought this book, The Test Pilot’s Wife was right on par with these two best-selling historical fiction novels. If you love books about pilots or historical fiction books for women, you will love this one. - Katie H.
Love The Test Pilot’s Wife!
What a nice surprise. This was my first time reading this author, and I’m so glad I took a chance on him. I love New York historical fiction, especially the early 20th Century. I could tell right away that this novel, The Test Pilot’s Wife, was well-researched and that it was likely edited by multiple professional editors. The writing reminded me of Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict. Perfection.
New York Historical Fiction.
What a fun adventure historical fiction novel. There were many unexpected twists and turns. I loved how much detail the author went into placing the characters into a time and place in the 1920s. I have read Mark’s other books, which are largely in the Military science fiction genre… Scrapyard Ship, USS Hamilton, The Simpleton, etc., but his latest was just as entertaining…. In a very different way. Five well-deserved stars for The Test Pilot’s Wife.