A Flying Affair (27 page)

Weaving historical events into fiction is both a fascinating and challenging part of the writing process. I want to give my stories verisimilitude, but at the same time, I tremble at the mantle of portraying history accurately.
A Flying Affair
is the juncture of my imagination and a slice of the past based on the following documented historical events.

Colonel Charles Lindbergh did indeed fly the Atlantic in May 1927, a widely acclaimed feat, and in the months following, he went on a goodwill tour promoting aviation. He made an overnight stop in Louisville on August 8, 1927, landing the
Spirit of St. Louis
at Bowman Field. The conversation with Mittie Humphreys is a product of my imagination.

In an exciting decade of aviation, there were numerous events across the country. Barnstorming was generally unregulated and flight challenges sprang up frequently. The events I created were based on similar shows and events found during the research process, but none are factual until the Women's National Air Derby near the end of the book. It is based on a true event—the first Women's National Air Derby that took place in August 1929, a collaborative effort of the Cleveland Air Race officials and the National Exchange Club. The scheduled stops, mishaps, and people mentioned are based on others' accounts of this much-heralded event. Among the women who participated were Amelia Earhart, Louise Thaden, Pancho Barnes, and Marvel Crosson, whose death was a sobering reminder of the dangers of early flight. I inserted Mittie Humphreys and Calista Gilson as two of the twenty participants for the purpose of the story without changing the outcome or historical significance of the race. I pray my portrayal pays homage to these women pioneers in aviation.

I'm so grateful for the work of Heather A. Taylor, whose meticulously researched, award-winning documentary,
Breaking through the Clouds
(2010), was invaluable to me as I crafted the scenes of the Women's Air Derby. For readers who want to learn more, I encourage you to visit
www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com
.

A sidenote about women in aviation: In November 1929 there were 117 licensed American female pilots. All were invited to assemble in New York to form an organization for mutual support and the advancement of aviation. Of those, 99 charter members formed The Ninety-Nines, a group that is still active today. Amelia Earhart was elected the first president with Louise Thaden as secretary.

When I first began research on
A Flying Affair
, I thought the Humphreys farm would have Thoroughbred horses trained for racing. On a research trip, I discovered the other jewel of the Kentucky equine world—the American saddlebred, considered by many as the peacock among horses. This look into the training and showing of this magnificent breed is based on my observing a training session at a modern-day saddlebred farm and the information gleaned from reading about similar shows held during the era. Creative license was taken with the actual dates and winners.

Thank you for following the fictive dream of
A Flying Affair.
I've tried to stay the course in presenting history in a way that entices and entertains. Any errors are mine.

1. Aviation was a new frontier in the Roaring Twenties, and Mittie Humphreys' grandest dream was to fly and be part of this exciting time. Considering the era, what were some of the obstacles she faced? Would she face those same obstacles today?
   
2. One of Mittie's obstacles was gender bias. Do those issues still arise today? Discuss any experiences you might have had.
   
3. Mittie had the lifelong notion that she had to prove herself to meet her dad's approval. At the same time, she regarded Iris, her twin, as the “pretty one” who met with both her parents' approval. Do you struggle with being good enough or trying to meet the expectations of others? Do you think Mittie's dad and sister would be surprised by how Mittie felt?
   
4. Mittie's dream of flying was connected to Ames, who took her on her first flight. How much did the free-spirited Ames play into Mittie's own need for adventure? Have you ever been so enamored with someone that you didn't see their imperfections? How does the saying “Love is blind” apply to Mittie and Ames? Mittie and Bobby?
   
5. Ames gives Mittie a locket, which becomes a symbol for their relationship. Have you ever had a treasured item that later elicited negative feelings? Did you keep the item or get rid of it?
   
6. When Bobby is the surprise dinner guest, Mittie assumes her parents are trying to fix her up with someone they find suitable. Had Mittie met Bobby on her own, how might their relationship have developed differently?
   
7. Mittie's relationship with her mother is described as a “dance”—​a give-and-take that keeps peace between them. Are there people in your life that you find difficult to get along with? Do you avoid them or try to work out your differences? Was Sarah's fear of Mittie's flying justified?
   
8. Mittie puts her dream on hold to care for Gypsy when she's injured, which showed her personal integrity and work ethic. Name a time when you've had a life interruption. Was it a time of frustration or personal growth for you?  
   
9. The horse-showing circuit is a fraternity of sorts. How did this background prepare Mittie for flying competitions and the “sisters” she found among her fellow aviatrixes? Which matters more: winning or running the race?
   
10. Charles Lindbergh was a world-renowned hero after his solo flight across the Atlantic. Who are your heroes? What makes someone heroic?
    

“Romance, danger, rebellion, exploration…and it's all delivered with the intricate sensory details and historical research readers have come to expect from Stewart's work.”

—Julie Cantrell,
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of
Into the Free
and
When Mountains Move

“Rich and complex…In A FLYING AFFAIR, the world is just opening up to women aviators, and Stewart does a beautiful job of capturing the exhilaration and anxiety of the era.”

—Judy Christie, award-winning author of
Wreath, A Girl

“Deftly written, with a keen eye toward history, Carla Stewart's latest is sure to delight!”

—Lisa Wingate, national bestselling author of
The Prayer Box
and
The Story Keeper

“From a 1920s horse farm to the exciting world of women aviators, Stewart combines adventure, romance, and faith in a truly compelling story.”

—Myra Johnson, author of
When Clouds Roll By
, historical fiction winner of the 2014 Christian Retailing Best Award

“Carla Stewart has written a novel to remember...With a plot that kept me turning pages from engaging beginning to exhilarating end, A FLYING AFFAIR positively soars!”

—Karen Halvorsen Schreck, author of
Sing for Me
and
 
Broke
n Ground

“A FLYING AFFAIR is more than a great read—it's an experience!”

—Ane Mulligan, author of
Chapel Springs Revival

“Tons of adventure and a sprinkling of romance...It's a journey you won't want to miss.”

—Anne Mateer, author of
Playing by Heart

“[A] breathtaking tale of love, ambition, and self-discovery.”

—Camille Eide, author of
Like There's No Tomorrow

“Stewart has once again written a rich and delicate novel that readers will love. Nell is a beautiful person with a heart of gold. Her resilience and determination to succeed and help others is refreshing, while her struggles are relatable.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Fans of Carla Stewart's work won't be disappointed with this Jazz Age tale. With lush sensory details, Stewart brings us deep into this historical setting…readers will savor the sweet escape.”

—Julie Cantrell,
New York Times
best-selling author of 
When Mountains Move

“Carla Stewart captures this time period with amazing a
ccuracy
…​When choosing ‘never-to-be-missed' writers, put Carla Stewart at the top of your list.”

—Kim Vogel Sawyer, best-selling author of
What Once Was Lost

“Fans of the Jazz Age will cheer Nell's journey and treasure this richly rendered taste of the Roaring Twenties.”

—Lisa Wingate, national best-selling author of
The Prayer Box

“
The Hatmaker's Heart
contains love, betrayal, and family secrets—all the elements that delight fans of
Downton Abbey
.”

—Kellie Coates Gilbert, author of
Mother of Pearl

“
Sweet Dreams
is an inspiring novel and one that is heartfelt. Readers are sure to savor every page of this wonderful story.”

—Michael Morris, author of
A Place Called Wiregrass

“Carla Stewart is masterful at creating characters you care about—​and places that seem so real you feel like you've gone for a visit.”

—Judy Christie, author of the Green series and
Wreath

“[An] enjoyable, worthwhile read.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“
Stardust
is told with heart and skill and obvious love for her characters. A gripping story line that is inspiring and unforgettable.”

—Julie L. Cannon, best-selling author of
I'll Be Home for Christmas
and
Twang

“While the story is heartbreaking, there is much more to this book…​​S
tewar
t skillfully entertains and engages the reader with each character's private pain and survival skills.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“With apt descriptions and artful prose, Stewart delves into the vibrant, jazzy 1940s, at the same time creating a true-to-life present.”

—Christina Berry, award-winning author of
The Familiar Stranger

“
Coming-of-age stories are a fiction staple, but well-done ones much rarer. This emotionally acute novel is one of the rare ones.”

—
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

“A warm, compelling tale.”

—
BookPage

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