by Linda Ellen
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Beach_Training_Center
flashbackmiami.com/2015/02/25/miami-beach-wartime-training-center
And this amazing video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYjmaRaQYQo
BOWMAN FIELD
Although living in Louisville all my life and having gone out to Bowman Field many times, because that’s the city’s main location to test for and renew your driver’s license, I had no idea what it had been like during the war. Bowman is the oldest continually operating commercial airfield in North America, first opening in 1921 by a WWI Veteran pilot.
Quoted from the flylouisville.com website: The already cramped airfield added more troops in 1943 when Glider Pilot Combat Training opened. The gliders, which carried 15 troops each into combat, were a familiar sight in the Louisville skies during the last two years of the war.
Bowman Field was also home to the Army Air Force’s school for flight surgeons, medical technicians and flight nurses. Graduates of the school were responsible for evacuating and treating a half-million sick and wounded from war zones around the world by the end of 1944.
Also, in 1963, parts of the James Bond movie Goldfinger were filmed at Bowman Field.
Unfortunately, many of the WWII buildings are long gone. It’s a shame. Check out this link for some great pics of its heyday.
historiclouisville.weebly.com/bowman-field.html
FONTAINE FERRY PARK
I’ve mentioned Fontaine Ferry Park (which we locals all fondly call Fountain Ferry), in all of my novels, and its history was fascinating. Click on these links for a trip back in time to a simpler kind of fun.
www.fontaineferrypark.com
historiclouisville.weebly.com/amusement-parks.html
THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS
My character Gary wanted so desperately to learn to fly the army’s big bombers, and they were a sight to behold. Rugged and dependable, we probably wouldn’t have won the war without them. Check out these cool sites.
www.boeing.com/history/products/b-17-flying-fortress.page
www.boldmethod.com/blog/lists/2015/11/15-things-you-never-knew-about-the-b-17-flying-fortress
THE IDLEWILD (now called the Belle of Louisville)
In several of my stories, I have featured the steamboat the Idlewild. Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated with this wonderful floating legacy, and have ridden it many times. I wish I could have been around when it carried passengers to and from Fontaine Ferry Park, but I love to daydream about it. To read the history and see the wonderfully restored current beauty of this delightful and rare old steamboat, visit her website:
belleoflouisville.org
Dedications
I have so many people to thank for helping to make this work of fiction happen. First of all, Jesus my Savior, Who helped with ideas and inspiration every step of the way. Next would be my husband and best friend, Steve, who is my biggest fan and is always full of encouragement and wonderful help. Countless times, I have gone to him needing help or clarity, or information about something within his realm of expertise, and with his wisdom and common sense he always helped me find the right path. (I even named my hero in the second book after him). My beta readers and friends, Judy Glenn, Liz Austin, Teri Stallone, and Marty Moore who helped tremendously with ironing out the flow and small details, and letting me know things they hated, and occasionally something they enjoyed, lol. Thanks also to the many friendly and helpful members of the Facebook group Clean Indie Reads, for their encouragement, knowledge, and helpfulness. Thanks goes to my wonderful editor, Venessa Vargas, for fitting me into her busy schedule to polish, tone, and cull out my many repeats and stumbles. Nessa, I couldn’t do it without you—your honest enjoyment of my writing style, your encouragement, comments, and corrections, are always so needed and welcome. Sully Pompoms! ;) Thanks to my cover artist, Samantha Fury, for her incredible talent for bringing everything together into a magnificent cover. Thanks to my dear friend and co-worker, Kathryn Lockwood, for her final combing of the manuscript. And last, but not least, thank you to Judy Hayes Fischer, of the Facebook group Louisville’s Past, for always being available to research obscure details of how things were back then. I couldn’t have done it without each of you! Thank you all!
About the Author
Linda Ellen lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband of thirty-six years. A lifelong avid reader, and after encouragement from her family and friends, she tried her hand at writing in 2009 and never looked back. Prior to the release of her debut novel Once in a While (fashioned from the real-life story of her parents’ romance), she wrote articles for a local newspaper, The Southwest Reporter. Linda keeps very busy with her work in her church’s prison ministry and writing every spare moment she gets. Many more plans are under way for books and series, both historical and modern day. To keep up with the latest news on her books, including trailers, cover reveals, release dates, and book signings, visit and “like” her Facebook page, Linda Ellen – Author. Also, if you “Follow” her on her Amazon Author Page, you will be notified when she publishes her next book. And another way to contact Linda is through her website! Link below.
For a special treat, go to her Pinterest page to see many pictures related to all of her stories:
pinterest.com/linda4him59
Linda loves to hear from readers. You can contact her in any of these ways:
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
lindaellenbooks.weebly.com
Twitter:
@LindaEllen54
Facebook:
facebook.com/LindaEllen.Author
Follow her on her Amazon Author Page:
http://goo.gl/rFj5Ci
Other works by Linda Ellen
Available online at all major retailers
The Cherished Memories Series
Book one – Once in a While
Book two – The Bold Venture
Book three – Almost as Much
Soldiers of Swing Series
Her Blue-Eyed Sergeant
Her Blue-Eyed Corporal
Her Blue-Eyed Lieutenant
If you enjoyed this book, please check out the Christian Indie Author Readers Group on Facebook. You will find clean & Christian Books in multiple genres. Opportunities abound to find other clean or Christian Authors and learn about new releases, sales, and free books.
www.facebook.com/groups/291215317668431
Another opportunity to find good, clean books to add to your collection is the Clean Indie Reads website. cleanindiereads.com It’s the home of Flinch Free Fiction of every genre. Check it out today!
