At the height of WW2, 22-year-old Nina Raff learns that her beloved pilot husband has been killed in plane crash. To escape her grief, she upends her life, moves across country, and plunges into another marriage far too soon. For the next twenty years, she buries her sadness and ignores the past to appease her jealous alcoholic second husband.
But when her teenage daughter discovers a long-hidden wedding photo, an unforgettable story of love, heartbreaking loss, oppression, and family secrets tumbles out, compounded by a mystery the daughter is determined to solve.
It's war and its aftermath, told from a woman's point of view... Perfect for anyone who loves the history, drama, and romance of the World War II era!
"Superb! A wonderful story of devotion and tough times..." - C. Paul Hilliard, Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, World War II Museum
"Loved it! The Greatest Generation all have their secrets in this endlessly fascinating & compelling memoir." - Reedsy Discovery
"This book is subtitled A World War II Love Story... but it is so much more than that... I recommend it to anyone who likes World War II tales and stories about strong women who never give in to adversity." - Vine Voice
[Taylor has] mastered a conversational yet detail resonant style of prose. I know I can hear my mother and grandmother in her writing, musing and conversing." - Misanthropester.com
A deeply moving tribute, meticulously researched and engaging from start to finish." - Carol Starr Schneider, author
What readers say about If My Heart Had Wings:
"A unique book, written about real people and events... one of the best in the WWII genre."
"Compelling, unique and easy to read, this is a special story about the Greatest Generation. But ALL generations can relate to its themes of young love, loss, struggle and rediscovery. Wonderful read!!"
"This is a different perspective of the war and well worth the read."
"I loved this book from start to finish!"
"A truly wonderful account of the life (and death) of one of our young American pilots and what happened to his young widow. Definitely worth reading!"
