Sentimental Journey

As a baby boomer born shortly after the end of WWII, I would often ask family members who served during thr war to tell me about their experiences and ercollections. For those who were at home I would also ask hwo the war impacted them esepcially if they were part of the war effort at home. I therefore learned a great deal about the war from my parents, uncles, aunts, cousins and survivors of the Holocaust. As an avid reader I also found myself learning about WWII and the Holocaust through books such as The Winds of War by Herman Wouk, The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk, Exodus by Leon Uris, Waterloo Station by Emily Grayson and Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally. Recently the title Sentimental Journey by Jill Barnett was recommended to me and I found myself once again deep into the war in several digfferent locations. Sentimental Journey now ranks among one of my favorite fiction books about WWII. So well does the author present her material and characters, that I am now looking foward to reading more books by this author and more about WWII as well. Sentimental Journey begins with a flashback and as we read we sense that the characters the author so vividly portrays will meet up with one another someday. Stretching from the mideast to the plains of Texas to England and the skies over Eurpoe, we meet five very special inviduals which include a blind woman held cative by the Germans, a female aviator, a Texas youth who longs to fly, an English pilot and lastly an American who finds love in the desert. How these characters meet and influence each other's lives and survive during the war fills the pages of this book which goes by much too quickly. I truly enjoyed the material about these five characters effotrst during the war and the glimpses into the backgrounds of these characters who remain with me still, a couple of days since I've finished this book. The author also cleverly used song titles from the WWII era as the chapter headings. It was fun to hum a few bars of each song I knew as I began the chapter. And the epilogue which tells us about the characters years after the war is a perfect ending. This was a wonderful book which I recommend to all. Although there were some very sad moments in this book and some heartwenching outcomes, the book moved me as few others have done recently. A grand tale told in a well written book. I truly hated to see this book end and know the characters and their lives will remain with me for sometime. What more could any reader ask for from a book. I end by urging you to read this book and see if you don't agree that Jill Barnett has written a wonderful keeper.

One of the best books I've read in years. I simply couldn't put it down. Considering there were so many 'main characters', each was fully-drawn and wonderfully engaging. The ending was particularly superb. A very carefully-crafted, gripping, emotional story.

Being a diehard Jill Barnett fan, it was only natural that my wife would come home with Ms Barnett's latest book, Sentimental Journey. After taking a look inside the "jacket", I found my interest peaked. Having spent my life on or around the sea in both the military and civilian environments, reading was always my solace, my escape. It was synonymous with my travelling. I, particularly, enjoyed authors such as Louis L'Amour, Wilbur Smith, Dale brown, Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Jack Higgins, Alistair MacLean, C.S. Forrester, Monsarrat, etc.. One of my most important criteria for an author is that they "hook me" at the beginning of their book. All of the above were able to do that.Once I opened and started reading Sentimental Journey, I was "hooked" by Jill Barnett. I could not put her book down. Her manner of presenting this story would not let me. She intigued me with each new chapter. I found her book believable, captivating, demanding (because I had a hard time putting it down), and, most of all, downright enjoyable. I strongly recommend that you men out there who like an excellent adventure with a little romance PICK THIS BOOK UP AND GIVE IT A GO.Ms Barnett has written a winner!

In 1942, in spite of the war, Kitty Kincaid seeks escape from the pressure of being the daughter of a renowned critically important American research scientist. She travels to North Africa, but the Nazis take her prisoner. US Army Captain J.R. Cassidy, known for his seemingly impossible but successful rescue missions is assigned the job of freeing Kitty. Charlotte "Charley" Morrison has been an aviator forever, but females do not fly combat missions. Instead Charley supports the war cause by flying planes to the British. She meets mechanic Red Walker who will follow her anywhere and RAF ace Skip Inskip who suffers from an anguished past that thirsts for vengeance. Now this quintet will meet and through support and love hy struggling to survive the most destructive war in history. Jill Barnett, known for her romances, flexes her writing muscle with a powerful World War II fiction novel that is reminiscent of the Winds of War. The story line provides the audience a close look at the five characters, who serve as the keys to a fast-paced insightful story line that enables readers to become more than just acquainted with each one. Less than half way through the book, the audience is so hooked they want the quintet to survive and hope that Ms. Barnett provides an epilogue that includes a happily ever after. The author's fans and readers who enjoy well written World War II dramas will relish this terrific tale.Harriet Klausner

Once in a very great while there comes along a book so magnificent every word of praise seems trite - no word can give it justice. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY is one such book. Jill Barnett, well known for her humorous, yet poignant, historical romances, completely redefines herself in this spectacular story of love and loss set during the early days of World War II.Opening with an action scene, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY is reminiscent of Robert Ludlum, one of fiction's all-time masters. It also brings to mind such classic books as BATTLE CRY by Leon Uris and even FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS by Hemingway. After the opening scene, Barnett takes readers back in time introducing of the main characters including:Kitty Kincaid as she tries to outrun the Gestapo; JR Cassidy the gutsy young American Army Captain sent on an unusual mission; Charlotte (Charley) Morrison, daughter of a barnstormer and famous aircraft designer whose flying prowess eventually enables her to join an elite group of women; William "Red" Morrison, the young Texan who always wanted more adventure than he'd find running a gas station in west Texas; and George "Skip" Inskip, the RAF flying ace whose becomes a reluctant national hero following a personal tragedy.In chapters following, readers get a glimpse of the lives of these brave young men and women until their stories eventually intertwine and fate brings them together.Barnett has chosen to tell her story in short chapters, each of which bear the title of a popular song from the era - a very effective method which not only describes what is happening in that particular chapter but will have the reader humming many of the old standards.This is an emotional story skillfully told and is sure to make Barnett into a major star in the world of fiction. Her three-dimensional characters and exciting action place the reader firmly in the scenes. This is a story which will be enjoyed equally by men and women as evidenced in this reviewer's own household. Barnett has done what would seem impossible - effectively melding the best of women's fiction and men's action adventure together. This book was at once nearly impossible to put down and one this reviewer wanted to savor forever. And even though words to describe this may be difficult - I'll try a few: Magnificent! Outstanding! This is a wonderful reading experience.