The Barnstormer

By: Jane Lewis

Narrated by: Dawson McBride

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Pilot Frankie Howard can do no wrong when he’s flying and showing off his daredevil aerobatic skills. On the ground, trouble follows him wherever he goes, especially trouble with women. Frankie adores his best friend's sister, Ruth Ann, and endures her come-ons and rejections in an effort to capture her love. When he finds out she has a new beau, he accepts the defeat until fate steps in and changes their lives forever.

Ruth Ann Douglas lives a charmed life as the spoiled daughter of the town pharmacist. She bewitches and teases all the boys, especially her brother’s best friend, Frankie. Her dream of becoming an actress takes her to an acting school in Atlanta where she meets Ronald Waters, a young actor. Ronald wants to win her heart, but Ruth Ann can’t forget the handsome barnstormer and the small town she tries to leave behind.

©2018 Pamela Hudson (P)2018 Jane Lewis

great Journey

a great journey to the passage of times I loved this book so very much it was written so good I enjoyed it very much the characters were described very well and the story in the all concept was great
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Young love....

I love the adventure of Frankie and Ruth Ann as they discover their feelings for each other. We meet Frankie as he is trying to get over the fact that his marriage was a fraud. Ruth Ann is in college and involved in the theater arts wanting to be an actress. She also has a boyfriend that has his only best interest in mind. But why does every time Ruth Ann gets near Frankie she feels a strong attraction to him. I enjoy the sweet and sour sometimes journey between these two.

I also enjoyed the narration of Dawson McBride. He does a great portrayal of the men but his women voices are soft and enjoyable to hear. He is wonderful portraying emotions as well.

Great story

Two strong headed people who could not admit their feelings for one another this is a great story of love. Without saying much to not give it away, RuthAnn (who is studying to be an actress) is a strongminded woman who drove Frankie (a former Barnstormer) crazy at one time and when he married another she was crushed beyond words. Yet his marriage did not last long and on her return visit home from school she finds out and she feels hope that there might be a chance with Frankie. It took a rough landing to bring them together. This is a well-written story that will keep you entertained and the narrator did a fabulous job in the telling.

Slipping the Surly Bonds of Earth

A love story for fliers. Set between the wars, a nod is made to the few female pilots braving a new and male-dominated field. It is always a pleasure to listen to Dawson McBride's gravely voice as he reads us this faith-based (meaning, in this case, the characters turn to God as a matter of course, not that we are preached at!) tale of headstrong and talented men and women.

The Barnstormer

This is a great audiobook. I love Dawson McBrides voice and the way he narrates. This book starts after love at 5000 feet left off. Would highly recommend

Frankie Is More Than a Pilot

This is the first story I've read or listened to by this author. Being a bit of a history nerd, I found the author's use of period events and portrayal of a simpler time, the mid-1930s, a delight. The story is a genuine slice of life in a small town during that era. Frankie is a great character and while his life has not always been idyllic, he doesn't let it get him down. However, he does tend to wear his heart on his sleeve, especially when it comes to his best friends sister, Ruth Ann. While he come from a hard knocks beginning, she has always lived a life of privilege. Neither party is good at communication and while those missed connections cause them a great deal of heartache.
Once a famous barnstormer, Frankie now works at his friend's airfield which constantly seems to put him in Ruthie's path, sometimes with disastrous results. While she is at acting school she is wooed by another student,which again causes chaos and pain.
Ms. Lewis does a good job of showing the family dynamics of Ruthie's family and the pitfalls of parents laying their mistakes on their children. She does a great job of displaying the relationships of the friends that keep Frankie bolstered the tough times. While the story has romantic elements, for me it hits more of a women's fiction or family drama. However, listening to this book was a nice respite from all of the in your face romances that are out there. It is a genuinely good story with a satisfying HEA. I will add the narrator, Dawson McBride, has a voice as mellow as fine whiskey and pulls the listener into the story. I will look forward to reading/listening more work by this author and listening to more from this narrator.

The Barnstormer

This was a wonderful story story of Ruth Ann wanting to be an actress or falling for Frankie. An actor named Ron wanted to be her boyfriend only she didn't know if he was just acting. She had a crush on Frankie but treated him bad when she was younger. Frankie married some one else and broke her heart. I loved how the story ended.

Will keep you guessing til the end...

Story Impressions –

The Barnstormer is a classic trope but with a historical twist. The author writes about unorthodox women making a name for themselves and going after what they want. Her heroines are wonderfully written but I think Ruth Ann is my favorite. She’s got spunk which I love. This historical romance will keep you guessing and melt your heart. Blending historical accuracy with descriptive narration makes for an incredible reading experience.

Narrator’s overall voice –

Dawson McBride’s voice is powerful with tone and timbre. Whether he’s narrating in Ruth Ann’s voice or Frankie’s voice, he brings the characters and story to life. The resonance of Dawson’s voice makes for an incredible listening experience.

Does the narrator fit the characters?

Yes, Dawson McBride fits the characters perfectly.

Narrator’s reading style –

The reading style is nice and slow with a smooth voice. He pauses when the story needs it and picks up speed during some intense scenes. He intrinsically knows how to pull the listener into the story.

Narrator’s impact on reading experience –

It’s all about the partnership between Dawson McBride and Jane Lewis. Jane Lewis is a prolific writer who writes with passion and Dawson brings that story to life through his vocal performance.

Narrator’s pacing –

The pacing is perfect with just the right amount of dramatic flair.

Audiobook flow –

The flow of this audiobook is seamless. As someone who has listened to her fair share of audiobooks, this audiobook is like going to a professional theatre production but from the comfort of your home, office, gym, or car.

What makes this audiobook unique –

This audiobook whisks the reader away.

Would I recommend this audiobook –

YES! This is a fantastic audiobook and I recommend it to all historical romance readers.

My Rating: 5+ stars

loved this book!

This was the first book I've read by this author. I loved her characters and it was a great story. Ruthie is in college studying to be an actress and her crush at home is her brothers best friend and partner in their aviation company. Frankie began piloting as a teen and was soon barnstorming across America performing stunts and flight aerobics. Dawson Mc Bride is one of my favorite narrators and he was great as usual!

Great Historical

Frankie Howard will warm your heart. Such a great character. After being deeply hurt emotionally, the last thing he wants is to be confronted by saucy, spoiled Ruth Ann, his best friends sister. But that attraction between the two of them is not something either can ignore.

Great historical romance set during the late 1930's that will make you feel like you've been transported in time.

I listened to the Audible version of this book and once again I was mesmerized by the voice of Dawson McBride! A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.