From Publishers Weekly
Drawing on her husband's experiences as a pilot and executive in the commercial airline business, Carr (Down by the River, etc.) spins a detailed but none too compelling tale focusing on the career ups and downs of pilot Nikki Burgess. After the death of her ex-husband, Nikki decides to move from Phoenix to Las Vegas to take a job at start-up airline New Century Air. Her friends Carlisle Bartlett and Dixie McPherson, both flight attendants and both recently separated from their lovers, follow her to Vegas. Unfortunately, Nikki's narcissistic mother, Opal, does too. Present ostensibly for comic relief, Opal continually refers to Carlisle as "that nice young homosexual man," which is less hilarious than the author seems to think it is. Nikki's battles with Bob Riddle, vice-president of operations, also grow tiresome. Though Nikki and Dixie eventually develop solid relationships with fellow pilots, the book focuses more on the inner workings of the airline industry and the challenges Nikki faces at work than on the characters' relationships. These airline details can be fascinating, but too often, the story descends into tedium. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Blue Skies FROM THE PUBLISHER
Nikki Burgess has survived a terrible marriage and an even worse divorce. And she's just about given up hope of ever finding love and happiness. But when her ex-husband suddenly dies, she gets custody of her kids again and a chance to start over and do it right.
Dixie McPherson, on the other hand, has had way too much love. She has eleven tennis bracelets, dozens of trinkets, piles of sexy lingerie and a tarnished reputation when all she ever wanted was true love, a partner and a family.
Carlisle Bartlett is loyal, generous, kindhearted and the funniest guy slinging drinks in the back of an airplane. But he has an ugly little secret. The only kind of love he's used to comes with bruises.
They are three people who could seriously use a break. A fresh start. A shot at success and a chance to shine. Maybe a little romance the kind that sticks. And some adventure wouldn't hurt. So when they're presented with the challenge of joining a team starting a new airline in Las Vegas, they don't hesitate. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, these three friends are going in search of their own blue skies.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Drawing on her husband's experiences as a pilot and executive in the commercial airline business, Carr (Down by the River, etc.) spins a detailed but none too compelling tale focusing on the career ups and downs of pilot Nikki Burgess. After the death of her ex-husband, Nikki decides to move from Phoenix to Las Vegas to take a job at start-up airline New Century Air. Her friends Carlisle Bartlett and Dixie McPherson, both flight attendants and both recently separated from their lovers, follow her to Vegas. Unfortunately, Nikki's narcissistic mother, Opal, does too. Present ostensibly for comic relief, Opal continually refers to Carlisle as "that nice young homosexual man," which is less hilarious than the author seems to think it is. Nikki's battles with Bob Riddle, vice-president of operations, also grow tiresome. Though Nikki and Dixie eventually develop solid relationships with fellow pilots, the book focuses more on the inner workings of the airline industry and the challenges Nikki faces at work than on the characters' relationships. These airline details can be fascinating, but too often, the story descends into tedium. (May) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.