Grounded Eagles: Three Tales of the RAF in WWII
A Stranger in the Mirror
A Stranger in the Mirror
A Stranger in the Mirror
David Goldman is shot down in flames in September 1940. His face burned beyond recognitions, he is told he will never fly again. As the plastic surgeon reconstructs his face one painful operation at a time, the 22-year-old former fighter pilot must discover who he really is.
A Rose in November
A Stranger in the Mirror
A Stranger in the Mirror
Rhys Jenkins, a widower with two teenage children, has finally obtained his dream: "Chiefy" of a Spitfire squadron. But an unexpected attraction for an upper-class woman threatens to upend his life.
Lack of Moral Fibre
A Stranger in the Mirror
Lack of Moral Fibre
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In late November 1943, Flight Engineer Kit Moran refuses to fly on a raid to Berlin, his 37th "op." He is posted for "Lacking Moral Fibre" to a mysterious DYDN centre. Here, psychiatrist Wing Commander Grace must determine if he needs psychiatric treatment -- or disciplinary action for cowardice.
AWARDS and Review Excerpts
AWARDS
Grounded Eagles is the winner of :
- Maincrest Media Award for military fiction
- Chanticleer Award for Short Stories, Novellas and Anthologies
- the Indie BRAG Medallion.
Grounded Eagles was a Finalist for:
- Book Excellence Award
Kirkus Review
Grounded Eagles offers “…compelling psychological explorations of men grappling with the traumas of war and attempting to find places for themselves in civilian society. …a grimly vivid portrait of what the average RAF serviceman might have experienced while also limning the contradictory ideals that they attempted—and often failed—to live up to during wartime. An impressive and memorable trio of works about the many costs of war.” -- Kirkus Reviews (See full review here)
Foreword Clarion Review
"Connected by their concern for the mental toll that the war took on people, these character-focused stories build up their leads with relatable details; each works toward a heartfelt resolution. The characters’ experiences of pain and joy are palpable, and are juxtaposed ably to their experiences of the war. Rich secondary characters provide additional perspective and context." (Read full review here.)
Blue Ink Review
"Schrader excels at examining the nexus of physical and psychological trauma…. Grounded Eagles will appeal to any fan of WWII fiction." (Read full review here.)
Tom Gauthier for Readers’ Favorite
"Helena P. Schrader delivers complex plots through the eyes of characters you will wrap your arms around and cheer for to the very end.... These are human stories of the finest qualities to be found among warriors. ... a delicious experience for her readers." (Read full review here.)
Feathered Quill
"....a trio of powerful tales expressing a myriad of viewpoints - male, female, young, old – with rich historical detail to underpin and enrich each offering." (Read full review here. )
Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorites
"Grounded Eagles is a truly outstanding collection of three stories that pull at the reader’s heartstrings for totally different reasons." (Read full review here.)
Leonard William Smuts for Readers' Favorites
"This book comes at a time when memories of World War II are fading and is thus a celebration of what good can come from a desperate situation, as well as being a timely reminder of the human cost of warfare. It is an excellent publication! This is one of the best books about the RAF in WWII that I have ever read. " (Read full review here.)
Review Excerpts
Kirkus Review
In September 1940, David Goldman experiences a devastating fate as he is shot down in flames. With his face burned beyond recognition, he learns he will never fly again. As the plastic surgeon painstakingly reconstructs his face one operation at a time, the 22-year-old former fighter pilot embarks on a journey of self-discovery, reflecting on themes often explored in historical fiction and literary fiction. His story could easily resonate with readers of aviation books and even those interested in the works of authors like Helena P Schrader, who delve into the complexities of identity and transformation.
Foreword Clarion Review
Rhys Jenkins, a widower with two teenage children, has finally achieved his lifelong dream of becoming the 'Chiefy' of a Spitfire squadron. However, an unexpected attraction to an upper-class woman threatens to disrupt his life, reminiscent of the complex relationships often explored in historical fiction. As he navigates this new emotional terrain, he reflects on his love for aviation books and the influence of authors like Helena P Schrader, whose works often delve into the depths of human experience, much like the tales from the Middle Ages.
Blue Ink Review
In late November 1943, Flight Engineer Kit Moran refuses to fly on a raid to Berlin, marking his 37th 'op.' As a result, he is posted for 'Lacking Moral Fibre' to a mysterious DYDN centre. Here, psychiatrist Wing Commander Grace is tasked with determining if he requires psychiatric treatment or if disciplinary action for cowardice is necessary. This scenario could be a compelling chapter in historical fiction, much like the narratives found in notable aviation books or even in the context of books on the Middle Ages. Readers interested in the psychological complexities of such characters might also appreciate the works of Helena P Schrader, which delve deep into the human experience.
Tom Gauthier for Readers’ Favorite
"Helena P Schrader excels at examining the nexus of physical and psychological trauma in her historical fiction. Grounded Eagles, a compelling addition to Aviation Books, will appeal to any fan of WWII fiction and those interested in the rich narratives found in Books on the Middle Ages." (Read full review here.)
Feathered Quill
Helena P. Schrader delivers complex plots through the eyes of characters you will wrap your arms around and cheer for to the very end. These are human stories with the finest qualities found among warriors, making her historical fiction a delightful experience for readers. Whether you’re interested in Aviation Books or Books on the Middle Ages, her literary fiction will captivate you from start to finish.
Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorites
A powerful trio of tales showcases a myriad of viewpoints – male, female, young, old – all enriched with rich historical detail, making it a compelling addition to any collection of historical fiction. For those interested in Aviation Books or Books on the Middle Ages, this work by Helena P Schrader offers a unique exploration of the past through literary fiction. (Read full review here.)