Book Review: In The Mood by M W Arnold

I am so excited to be welcoming M W Arnold back to Novel Kicks. He’s here with the blog tour for his new novel, In the Mood. 

During a hectic couple of weeks in February 1944, the girls of the Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club must face devastating personal loss amongst their number. A member of an illegal faction blackmails Betty, whilst a mystery at Mary’s ancestral home threatens to cause more trouble than anyone thought possible.

In the midst of what should be the happiest of times, the portents seem to be catching up and little is what it seems to be.

Can the girls find the strength to battle forces both internal and external, yet still maintain their dignity and friendship?

*****

It’s 1944 and after loosing one of their own, another member of the ATA mystery club finds herself being blackmailed whilst another finds herself in a mystery surrounding her honeymoon. Can these ladies solve the puzzles and keep themselves out of danger?

I was so pleased to be invited onto the blog tour for In The Mood, the latest book in the Broken Wings series as it meant I was reunited once again with the ladies from the ATA.

Four books in and it really feels like I’m catching up with old friends. There is not one of these characters I don’t like but I do have a soft spot for Doris and with what Bobby the dog goes through, I wanted to jump into the book and hurt the villains responsible and I’m not usually a violent person.

This fourth instalment is just as gripping as its three predecessors. Although there were some heartbreaking moments in this book, overall there is such a wonderful feeling of warmth, friendship, love and humour weaved into the heart of this novel. The characters really feel like one big family.

There’s puzzles and mysteries a plenty and enough twists and turns to keep you reading to the point where you look up to realise you’ve read the book in one go. I couldn’t put it down.

Mick has really done his research into the era. The description of Hamble and wartime England in general is done so well, I felt as though I was at RAF Hamble with these strong, brave women. The men in these books are also fantastic.

These novels really make you appreciate what was done on the Homefront – an element I feel is sometimes overlooked when talking about wartime heroes or in this case, heroines.

OK, no more spoilers.

In The Mood can be read as a standalone. However, if you’ve not yet read A Wing and a Prayer, Wild Blue Yonder and I’ll Be Home For Christmas, I recommend you do as you get such a wider picture. Plus it’s more time with these wonderful, likeable characters.

This is billed as book four of four so it looks as though it’s the last one. I REALLY hope that’s not the case and we get to catch up with the ladies of the ATA mystery club once more. Pretty pretty pretty please, Mick. I’ll provide you with the biscuits of your choice!

Many thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Netgalley for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

About M W Arnold: 

Mick is a hopeless romantic who was born in England and spent fifteen years roaming around the world in the pay of HM Queen Elizabeth II in the Royal Air Force before putting down roots and realizing how much he missed the travel. He’s replaced it somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and supporting fellow saga and romance authors in promoting their novels.

He’s the proud keeper of two Romanian Were Cats bent on world domination, is mad on the music of the Beach Boys, and enjoys the theatre and humoring his Manchester United-supporting wife. Finally, and most importantly, Mick is a full member of the Romantic Novelists Association. In the Mood is the fourth novel in his Broken Wings series and he is very proud to be a part of the Vintage Rose Garden at The Wild Rose Press.

Say hello to Mick via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

In The Mood is the fourth novel in the Broken Wings series and was released by The Wild Rose Press, Inc on 26th September 2002. Click to buy on Amazon UK, and Amazon US. 

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.