I’m delighted today to be helping launch the blog tour for Something in the Air by Helen Rolfe, the third book in her Skylarks series, and sharing my publication day review: published today (17th January) by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
Having missed the first book in this series about the lives of the air ambulance crew at Dorset’s Whistlestop River, Come Fly With Me (available free with Kindle Unlimited), I absolutely loved the second, Written in the Stars. It was such a lovely emotional read with two damaged people finding strength through each other, and with quite a few difficult issues so sensitively handled – and the book’s emotional depth was all the greater because of Christmas, that time of year when everything should be festive and bright. It was superbly researched – the air ambulance operation, responding to emergencies, dealing calmly and efficiently with so many difficult calls – and the whole story was nicely dramatic at times, and very real (you can read my full review here). The books could certainly be easily picked up as standalone reads – and, although I rarely make comparisons, if you’re a fan of Jo Bartlett’s books (either the Cornish Midwives or the Cornish Country Hospital) I think this is a series you’d really love. Let’s take a closer look at the latest…
A surprise arrival
Working with the Whistlestop River air ambulance is Nadia’s whole world. She adores her job and the team – they’re family. But when a baby is abandoned on the steps of the base, Nadia is forced to confront events from her past she’d rather forget.
A difficult change
Hudson is trying to get his life back on track after his divorce. It’s not easy juggling his work as a patient and family liaison officer and being the primary parent for his children. He wouldn’t change it for the world. But when his teenage son’s behaviour spirals out of control, Hudson begins to wonder if he can really be there for everyone who needs him…
A chance for something special?
Nadia and Hudson have always been friends, but the arrival of baby Lena pushes them closer than ever, and as their feelings start to grow, they’ll have to decide – do they have space for love when their families need them? And could they put themselves and each other first, just this once?
Nadia is a key member of the ground staff at the air ambulance base at Whistlestop River, a former nurse, always calm and in control – although the presence of Hudson, their family liaison officer, can make her a little hot under the collar, while knowing that his complicated family life puts him firmly off limits. But when abandoned baby Lena – obviously well cared for, in a cardboard box and with a note bearing her name – is found outside the doors of the base on a very cold night, it brings back particularly painful memories. And while struggling with all the feelings that have been rekindled, her secret past begins to catch up with her in the most unexpected way – with the possibility that she has a closer connection to the foundling that anyone realises.
There’s a lot of heartache and raw emotion in this book – Nadia’s situation repeatedly had me in tears, and I so wanted everything to work out well in her life. And Hudson proves to be her rock through it all – while problems with his difficult ex-wife and a teenage son who’s going off the rails mean he also has a great deal to cope with in his own life (and he does it SO well – what a lovely man!). But there are plenty of lighter moments too, of camaraderie and banter among the crews, fundraising events and celebrations.
Yes, there’s a tentative romance, perfectly handled and very real – but there’s also a great deal of well-written drama as Nadia’s scenario unfolds and also through the day-to-day situations encountered by the air ambulance crew. The author’s research, and the way she uses it to bring both the quiet and dramatic moments vividly to life, is really excellent – when I finished this book, I felt like I’d spent time on the Whistlestop River base, and had a real understanding (and admiration) for the situations they handled so efficiently and in such a matter-of-fact way. The friendships between the team members constantly warm the heart – and although some of them have continuing stories, and I’d missed some of the background, there was enough gentle catching up with anything I really needed to know.
Such a lovely read, and this is a series I’d thoroughly recommend if you enjoy the same books that I do – I’m just really looking forward to the next book in the series.
About the author
Helen Rolfe is the author of many bestselling contemporary women’s fiction titles, set in different locations from the Cotswolds to New York. Most recently published by Orion, she is bringing sixteen titles to Boldwood – a mixture of new series and well-established backlist. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.
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I can’t help wanting to add the word ‘tonight’ to that book title and hum a Phil Collins song.
Rather sadly, I went back even further – I think you might be too young to remember Thunderclap Newman…!