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Chasing the Wind
Smuggler. Smoker. Aviatrix. Thief. The dynamic Roxy Loewen is all these things and more, in this riveting and gorgeous historical fiction novel for readers of Paula McLain, Roberta Rich, Kate Morton and Jacqueline Winspear.
You should never fall in love with a flyer. You should only fall in love with flight.
That's what Roxy Loewen always thought, until she falls for fellow pilot Jocco Zomack as they run guns into Ethiopia. Jocco may be a godless commie, but his father is a leading art dealer and he's found the original of Bruegel's famous painting, the Fall of Icarus. The trouble is, it's in Spain, a country slipping fast into civil war. The money's better than good--if Roxy can just get the painting to Berlin and back out again before Reichsmarshall Hermann Goring and his Nazi pals get their hands on it . . .
But this is 1936, and Hitler's Olympics are in full swing. Not only that, but Goring has teamed up with Roxy's greatest enemy: Sydney Munroe, an American billionaire responsible for the death of her beloved dad seven years before. When the Nazis steal the painting, Roxy and Jocco decide that they are just going to have to steal it back.
What happens when Icarus flies too close to the sun? Roxy is going to find out. From African skies to a cellar in Madrid, from the shadow cast by the swastika to the world above the clouds on the Hindenburg's last voyage, in the end Roxy will have just two choices left--but only one bullet.
You should never fall in love with a flyer. You should only fall in love with flight.
That's what Roxy Loewen always thought, until she falls for fellow pilot Jocco Zomack as they run guns into Ethiopia. Jocco may be a godless commie, but his father is a leading art dealer and he's found the original of Bruegel's famous painting, the Fall of Icarus. The trouble is, it's in Spain, a country slipping fast into civil war. The money's better than good--if Roxy can just get the painting to Berlin and back out again before Reichsmarshall Hermann Goring and his Nazi pals get their hands on it . . .
But this is 1936, and Hitler's Olympics are in full swing. Not only that, but Goring has teamed up with Roxy's greatest enemy: Sydney Munroe, an American billionaire responsible for the death of her beloved dad seven years before. When the Nazis steal the painting, Roxy and Jocco decide that they are just going to have to steal it back.
What happens when Icarus flies too close to the sun? Roxy is going to find out. From African skies to a cellar in Madrid, from the shadow cast by the swastika to the world above the clouds on the Hindenburg's last voyage, in the end Roxy will have just two choices left--but only one bullet.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2018
196 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Humphreys
29 books421 followersaka Chris Humphreys
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys was born in Toronto, lived till he was seven in Los Angeles, then grew up in the UK. All four grandparents were actors, and since his father was an actor as well, it was inevitable he would follow the bloodline.
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys has played Hamlet in Calgary, a gladiator in Tunisia, waltzed in London’s West End, conned the landlord of the Rovers Return in Coronation Street, commanded a starfleet in Andromeda, voiced Salem the cat in the original Sabrina, and is a dead immortal in Highlander. He has written eleven adult novels including The French Executioner, runner-up for the CWA Steel Dagger for Thrillers; Chasing the Wind; The Jack Absolute Trilogy; Vlad – The Last Confession; A Place Called Armageddon and Shakespeare’s Rebel – which he adapted into a play and which premiered at Bard on the Beach, Vancouver, in 2015. Plague won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel in Canada in 2015. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. His epic fantasy series the Immortals’ Blood Trilogy, beginning with Smoke in the Glass' has just been published by Gollancz. He also published his other fantasy series, The Tapestry Trilogy, beginning in August 2020 with ‘The Hunt of the Unicorn’. His foray into modern crime, 'One London Day' was published in 2021. Hie new novel, the World War Two epic romance, 'Someday I'll Find You' is published by Doubleday in Canada on June 6, 2023.
Several of his novels are available as Audiobooks - read by himself! Find him here:
https://www.authorchrishumphreys.com/...
He is translated into thirteen languages. In 2015 he earned his Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of British Columbia.
Check out his website: http://authorchrishumphreys.com
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys was born in Toronto, lived till he was seven in Los Angeles, then grew up in the UK. All four grandparents were actors, and since his father was an actor as well, it was inevitable he would follow the bloodline.
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys has played Hamlet in Calgary, a gladiator in Tunisia, waltzed in London’s West End, conned the landlord of the Rovers Return in Coronation Street, commanded a starfleet in Andromeda, voiced Salem the cat in the original Sabrina, and is a dead immortal in Highlander. He has written eleven adult novels including The French Executioner, runner-up for the CWA Steel Dagger for Thrillers; Chasing the Wind; The Jack Absolute Trilogy; Vlad – The Last Confession; A Place Called Armageddon and Shakespeare’s Rebel – which he adapted into a play and which premiered at Bard on the Beach, Vancouver, in 2015. Plague won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel in Canada in 2015. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. His epic fantasy series the Immortals’ Blood Trilogy, beginning with Smoke in the Glass' has just been published by Gollancz. He also published his other fantasy series, The Tapestry Trilogy, beginning in August 2020 with ‘The Hunt of the Unicorn’. His foray into modern crime, 'One London Day' was published in 2021. Hie new novel, the World War Two epic romance, 'Someday I'll Find You' is published by Doubleday in Canada on June 6, 2023.
Several of his novels are available as Audiobooks - read by himself! Find him here:
https://www.authorchrishumphreys.com/...
He is translated into thirteen languages. In 2015 he earned his Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of British Columbia.
Check out his website: http://authorchrishumphreys.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 23, 2018
A fun romp set in the late 1930's filled with aerial acrobatics, adventure, intrigue, and daring escapes. Roxy is an easy protagonist to enjoy, what with her roguish nature belied by a big open heart. Humphreys knows his history, and takes it seriously, but parcels out the details of pre-WWII Spain, Nazi Germany, and New York in carefully measured doses that don't distract from the adventure itself. It's a bit like reading Indiana Jones without the mystical mumbo jumbo. The tale is full of brazen villains, dubious heroes, and big twists, so strap yourself in for a ride on everything from single-propellor planes to zeppelins because Roxy is a flyer through-and-through.
July 30, 2018
First off, before I even get into this review, let me just say that I could totally see this novel as a successful movie adaptation. It had all the action and adventure that you would want to see in a movie involving a mysterious heist.
Now, for my thoughts on the story.
It was a good read. I really liked that in addition to it being historical fiction, the main character was a strong, independent, female character. Unfortunately, often when I'm reading historical fiction, the female characters can sometimes be written as if they are weak, especially when there is a romance involved. That was not the case with this story. There may or may not have been a romance involved (I don't want to get too detailed in case of spoilers) but the main character maintained that strength. Yay for strong women and girl power!
Additionally, lately I have become a fan of when there's a component of realism in the historical fiction that I'm reading. That may seem odd because with the historical fiction genre, you may think that all are based in a specific time in history. That's true but there is not always moments of history that are mentioned. That may sound confusing. But specifically within this novel I enjoyed the involvement of Amelia Earhart and the Hindenburg. It had a good mixture of fiction set in a period of history.
It was a good adventure read but I do have to mention that the strong integration of the German language had me confused at times. There were conversations in German placed casually throughout the story and without explanation, it did have me struggling to fully understand.
Overall it was a good read. It was a well rounded story that had everything that you would want in a novel whether it be adventure, romance, or mystery.
***Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
Now, for my thoughts on the story.
It was a good read. I really liked that in addition to it being historical fiction, the main character was a strong, independent, female character. Unfortunately, often when I'm reading historical fiction, the female characters can sometimes be written as if they are weak, especially when there is a romance involved. That was not the case with this story. There may or may not have been a romance involved (I don't want to get too detailed in case of spoilers) but the main character maintained that strength. Yay for strong women and girl power!
Additionally, lately I have become a fan of when there's a component of realism in the historical fiction that I'm reading. That may seem odd because with the historical fiction genre, you may think that all are based in a specific time in history. That's true but there is not always moments of history that are mentioned. That may sound confusing. But specifically within this novel I enjoyed the involvement of Amelia Earhart and the Hindenburg. It had a good mixture of fiction set in a period of history.
It was a good adventure read but I do have to mention that the strong integration of the German language had me confused at times. There were conversations in German placed casually throughout the story and without explanation, it did have me struggling to fully understand.
Overall it was a good read. It was a well rounded story that had everything that you would want in a novel whether it be adventure, romance, or mystery.
***Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
June 26, 2018
4.5 stars
This book is recommended to fans of Kate Morton and Jacqueline Whinspear and has been highly praised by on of my favorite authors, Diana Gabaldon. I could gush over Diana Gabaldon for days so seeing her endorsement of this book was all that I needed to agree to review it!
Not to mention, the heroine sounded pretty bad ass and different so I was in, end of story!
People rave and rave about Roxy. In Goodreads she’s been compared to a number of strong heroines including my favorite heroine Scarlett O’Hara. Side note—I wasn’t sure what this book was trying to be with all the different comparisons—Scarlett O’Hara, Kate Morton, Jacqueline Winspear—-I mean was it a mystery? An epic romance? I had no idea. In my opinion it was more of an adventure read. Anyway I digress.
As I was saying, people absolutely loved Roxy. I don’t know if readers love Roxy right away or if she just grew on them. For me, she grew on me. I didn’t actually like her from the get go. Let’s just say that she had issues and baggage and I wan’t a fan. But I admired her determination and her ‘devil may care’ attitude about life, love, and work.
She was brazen, unrefined, and yet could fake it if she had to. Roxy is a weapons runner and smuggler which clearly isn’t a job that one would think of a woman having, especially in the years leading up to WWII. Though I didn’t like her all that well, the more I read the more she grew on me. She was flawed and had issues but yet she had this great heart and I couldn’t help but like her. The only thing that I struggled with was that she seemed to get herself into a lot of situations that were resolved mostly by luck rather than pure tenacity on her part.
This was a much different story than I was imagining. I think I was expecting something more cozy and romantic rather than brash and gritty but I loved it all the same. I think the thing that I liked the most was the new angle the author took on a very worn out subject.
For those of you who love historical fiction…..it’s no secret that the genre is inundated with WWII novels focusing on any different subjects—-love, family, loss. So many things. Most of the books are set in London or France though but this book takes an entirely new and fresh approach to this period. We first meet Roxy on her way to Africa and ultimately she travels to Spain. These are areas that I think most of us have forgotten existed during the war. When you say WWII, the first thing that pops to mind is London or Berlin. But Humphreys takes us into unchartered territory which I absolutely loved! Plus it’s during the twilight of WWII just as the Nazi party is rising to power and Germany is undergoing quite a bit of change. The author really capitalizes on that unease and I loved it.
It was refreshing and I was eager to keep reading this story. He clearly did a ton of research for this novel and I loved that he went bold and made the main character a woman rather than a man. I don’t think this story would have worked as well or stood out as much if Roxy had been a man.
If you are looking for something a little different and out of the box to read, I encourage you to pick this one up! This wasn’t a cookie cutter novel by any means. I don’t know that I completely agree with the pitch in that it is suitable for fans of Kate Morton or Jacquline Winspear—-Winspear is too cookie cutter for me, this book is definitely not that and Morton tends to be more on the romantic side where as this book had romance, it wasn’t the entire focus. This is an adventure book thru and thru. It’s unique and stands out for a number of reasons as I have mentioned here in my review. If you see it, grab it!
See my full review here
This book is recommended to fans of Kate Morton and Jacqueline Whinspear and has been highly praised by on of my favorite authors, Diana Gabaldon. I could gush over Diana Gabaldon for days so seeing her endorsement of this book was all that I needed to agree to review it!
Not to mention, the heroine sounded pretty bad ass and different so I was in, end of story!
People rave and rave about Roxy. In Goodreads she’s been compared to a number of strong heroines including my favorite heroine Scarlett O’Hara. Side note—I wasn’t sure what this book was trying to be with all the different comparisons—Scarlett O’Hara, Kate Morton, Jacqueline Winspear—-I mean was it a mystery? An epic romance? I had no idea. In my opinion it was more of an adventure read. Anyway I digress.
As I was saying, people absolutely loved Roxy. I don’t know if readers love Roxy right away or if she just grew on them. For me, she grew on me. I didn’t actually like her from the get go. Let’s just say that she had issues and baggage and I wan’t a fan. But I admired her determination and her ‘devil may care’ attitude about life, love, and work.
She was brazen, unrefined, and yet could fake it if she had to. Roxy is a weapons runner and smuggler which clearly isn’t a job that one would think of a woman having, especially in the years leading up to WWII. Though I didn’t like her all that well, the more I read the more she grew on me. She was flawed and had issues but yet she had this great heart and I couldn’t help but like her. The only thing that I struggled with was that she seemed to get herself into a lot of situations that were resolved mostly by luck rather than pure tenacity on her part.
This was a much different story than I was imagining. I think I was expecting something more cozy and romantic rather than brash and gritty but I loved it all the same. I think the thing that I liked the most was the new angle the author took on a very worn out subject.
For those of you who love historical fiction…..it’s no secret that the genre is inundated with WWII novels focusing on any different subjects—-love, family, loss. So many things. Most of the books are set in London or France though but this book takes an entirely new and fresh approach to this period. We first meet Roxy on her way to Africa and ultimately she travels to Spain. These are areas that I think most of us have forgotten existed during the war. When you say WWII, the first thing that pops to mind is London or Berlin. But Humphreys takes us into unchartered territory which I absolutely loved! Plus it’s during the twilight of WWII just as the Nazi party is rising to power and Germany is undergoing quite a bit of change. The author really capitalizes on that unease and I loved it.
It was refreshing and I was eager to keep reading this story. He clearly did a ton of research for this novel and I loved that he went bold and made the main character a woman rather than a man. I don’t think this story would have worked as well or stood out as much if Roxy had been a man.
If you are looking for something a little different and out of the box to read, I encourage you to pick this one up! This wasn’t a cookie cutter novel by any means. I don’t know that I completely agree with the pitch in that it is suitable for fans of Kate Morton or Jacquline Winspear—-Winspear is too cookie cutter for me, this book is definitely not that and Morton tends to be more on the romantic side where as this book had romance, it wasn’t the entire focus. This is an adventure book thru and thru. It’s unique and stands out for a number of reasons as I have mentioned here in my review. If you see it, grab it!
See my full review here
December 2, 2018
Let me say first, that I have a rule - no Nazi books. I got saturated on Nazis several years ago, and just couldn't take any more of them, so any books that included Nazis I took a hard pass on.
This book has Nazis. But I picked it up so many times when I was in the bookstore, that finally, I figured I needed to read it, because obviously something about it was appealing to me, in spite of the Nazis [which is saying something]. Turns out, what appealed to me was Roxy!
I really loved this character. She is complicated, and not always likable. She can be selfish and stubborn and she makes some really bad choices throughout the book. And yet, I really, really liked her. Under all her drama and her faults, she's a good person, and she tries to do what's right. Also, she's an independent, kick-ass balls-to-the-wall take-no-prisoners heroine. I loved going along on Roxy's adventures, even when they were really unpleasant [Nazis, remember? You know that never ends well].
I also found it interesting to read about a really strong female main character written by a man. I feel like the way Roxy is written has an extra something that gives her more edge and more, I don't know lack of some of the characteristics that some female authors give to female MCs. Roxy really didn't give a tinker's damn about what people thought about her or her choices, and we could use more of that from women IMO, both in fiction and in life, so I loved the heck out of Roxy.
The plot has quite a bit going on, but it all worked and came together in an interesting way. This really felt like a different kind of action/adventure book to me, but honestly, I loved it!
This book has Nazis. But I picked it up so many times when I was in the bookstore, that finally, I figured I needed to read it, because obviously something about it was appealing to me, in spite of the Nazis [which is saying something]. Turns out, what appealed to me was Roxy!
I really loved this character. She is complicated, and not always likable. She can be selfish and stubborn and she makes some really bad choices throughout the book. And yet, I really, really liked her. Under all her drama and her faults, she's a good person, and she tries to do what's right. Also, she's an independent, kick-ass balls-to-the-wall take-no-prisoners heroine. I loved going along on Roxy's adventures, even when they were really unpleasant [Nazis, remember? You know that never ends well].
I also found it interesting to read about a really strong female main character written by a man. I feel like the way Roxy is written has an extra something that gives her more edge and more, I don't know lack of some of the characteristics that some female authors give to female MCs. Roxy really didn't give a tinker's damn about what people thought about her or her choices, and we could use more of that from women IMO, both in fiction and in life, so I loved the heck out of Roxy.
The plot has quite a bit going on, but it all worked and came together in an interesting way. This really felt like a different kind of action/adventure book to me, but honestly, I loved it!
July 7, 2018
“Chasing the Wind” the 1930’s intriguing and thrilling adventure by C.C. Humphreys begins in Ethiopia with aviatrix and smuggler Roxy Loewen flying in arms to Jocco Zomack a fellow pilot and staunch Communist. But their money-making enterprise is at an end as the war’s over, and the only way to recoup their loss is to sell the guns to the Fascist rebellion in Spain and fly an original masterpiece to Berlin to Jocco’s father, a leading art dealer. But their plans go awry when not only does she receive an IOU for the weapons, but the painting is stolen, and they must steal it back from Reichsmarshall Hermann Goring who is determined to earn further favor with Hitler when he puts it on display.
From the spectacle of Germany’s Olympic games, to a nightmare in a cellar in Madrid, to passage on the tragically fated Hindenburg as the Nazi regime rises to power, Roxy confronts betrayal, danger and death facing off against her nemesis, American billionaire Sydney Munroe who she blames for her father’s death.
Fast-paced and action-packed, intensity and suspense escalate as Roxy and Jocco plan to replace the original painting with a forgery only to have their scheme go awry and to face capture and a plane explosion. With an historical background of WWII and the realism of the evil of notable figures like Reichsmarshall Hermann Goring, C.C. Humphreys builds an exciting and mesmerizing page-turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat until finished. Breaking the tension and violence that surrounds Roxy and Jocco is their witty banter and fly by night love affair that ends when she has to make a life altering decision.
Breathing life into the plot is a compelling and complex array of characters like twenty-five-year-old Roxy Loewen a chronic smoker haunted by the death of her bankrupt father who escapes with her plane the Asteria 1 with plans to clear his debts-all but one. A feisty, superstitious, cocky and clever smuggler and thief she tries to mask her soft and caring side. Jochen (Jocco) Zomack son of a wealthy art dealer is a gun runner and crook like Roxy who tends to be calm, efficient, confident and passionate until torture unhinges him. Arrogant, self-absorbed Sydney Munroe is the ruthless billionaire who doggedly pursues Roxy and the debt owed. All infuse excitement, energy and gravity into the risks they take and consequences they suffer.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Chasing the Wind” and hope to see more of audacious and spirited Roxy Loewen in future novels by this talented author.
From the spectacle of Germany’s Olympic games, to a nightmare in a cellar in Madrid, to passage on the tragically fated Hindenburg as the Nazi regime rises to power, Roxy confronts betrayal, danger and death facing off against her nemesis, American billionaire Sydney Munroe who she blames for her father’s death.
Fast-paced and action-packed, intensity and suspense escalate as Roxy and Jocco plan to replace the original painting with a forgery only to have their scheme go awry and to face capture and a plane explosion. With an historical background of WWII and the realism of the evil of notable figures like Reichsmarshall Hermann Goring, C.C. Humphreys builds an exciting and mesmerizing page-turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat until finished. Breaking the tension and violence that surrounds Roxy and Jocco is their witty banter and fly by night love affair that ends when she has to make a life altering decision.
Breathing life into the plot is a compelling and complex array of characters like twenty-five-year-old Roxy Loewen a chronic smoker haunted by the death of her bankrupt father who escapes with her plane the Asteria 1 with plans to clear his debts-all but one. A feisty, superstitious, cocky and clever smuggler and thief she tries to mask her soft and caring side. Jochen (Jocco) Zomack son of a wealthy art dealer is a gun runner and crook like Roxy who tends to be calm, efficient, confident and passionate until torture unhinges him. Arrogant, self-absorbed Sydney Munroe is the ruthless billionaire who doggedly pursues Roxy and the debt owed. All infuse excitement, energy and gravity into the risks they take and consequences they suffer.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Chasing the Wind” and hope to see more of audacious and spirited Roxy Loewen in future novels by this talented author.
August 15, 2019
Picked this up at a local library branch, started to read and could not put it down.
C.C. Humphreys is a fantastic Canadian author. I've read a lot of his historical fiction, still more to read. Delighted to find a cover blurb from Diana Gabaldon, "A barrel-rolling barn-burner of a book!"
Exactly right! Roxy Loewen is one of the 99's, an all women's flight club (of which Amelia Earhart is a member) circa 1936. Not only does Roxy, with a keen sense of bravado, handle a plane with astonishing skill but she gets into all sorts of trouble and deftly gets herself out of trouble, too. Exception being the delivery of a found famed Bruegel out of the hands of Goring, The Fall of Icarus, from Nazi Germany during the Olympic Games to Brussels, easy peasy. Or, not, really not.
Great historical fiction and solid characters. Roxy is one hell of a gal, gritty, vulnerable, bold, kind, and completely given over to her flyer pal and lover, Jocco.
Pacing and dialogue is authentic to the period and historical notes like Hitler's Olympics and the amazing air balloon--the Hindenberg's last voyage are stellar.
C.C. Humphreys is a fantastic Canadian author. I've read a lot of his historical fiction, still more to read. Delighted to find a cover blurb from Diana Gabaldon, "A barrel-rolling barn-burner of a book!"
Exactly right! Roxy Loewen is one of the 99's, an all women's flight club (of which Amelia Earhart is a member) circa 1936. Not only does Roxy, with a keen sense of bravado, handle a plane with astonishing skill but she gets into all sorts of trouble and deftly gets herself out of trouble, too. Exception being the delivery of a found famed Bruegel out of the hands of Goring, The Fall of Icarus, from Nazi Germany during the Olympic Games to Brussels, easy peasy. Or, not, really not.
Great historical fiction and solid characters. Roxy is one hell of a gal, gritty, vulnerable, bold, kind, and completely given over to her flyer pal and lover, Jocco.
Pacing and dialogue is authentic to the period and historical notes like Hitler's Olympics and the amazing air balloon--the Hindenberg's last voyage are stellar.
September 29, 2021
This is like a cross between one of those early movie serials—all action and peril—and a historical novel set between the world wars. The heroine is a risk-taking, cigarette-smoking, whiskey-drinking, adventure-loving aviatrix who flees America after her father is killed, leaving her with a mountain of debt she can’t repay.
Her adventures take her to Africa, Spain, the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and aboard the Hindenburg on its fateful voyage—and along the way she encounters smugglers, art forgers, saboteurs, Nazis, and her family’s arch enemy.
Don’t expect a serious portrayal of the politics of Europe in the late 1930s. But if you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, fun romp on the order of Raiders of the Lost Ark, this is the book for you.
Her adventures take her to Africa, Spain, the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and aboard the Hindenburg on its fateful voyage—and along the way she encounters smugglers, art forgers, saboteurs, Nazis, and her family’s arch enemy.
Don’t expect a serious portrayal of the politics of Europe in the late 1930s. But if you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, fun romp on the order of Raiders of the Lost Ark, this is the book for you.
September 7, 2019
Very disappointing - loved the author's historical thrillers set in Eastern Europe and was looking forward to this, but it didn't engage me in the least - from the first page where the main villain appears (indirectly true but still with a huge villain hat), to the very "flighty" prose, nothing really worked out - the fact that the subject seemed so cool and interesting and my previous experience with the author kept me reading as otherwise, this wasn't the best reading experience to put it mildly
August 5, 2018
Humphreys' book "The French Executioner" is one of my all-time favourite reads. "Chasing the Wind" was such a disappointment. Far-fetched, little depth to the characters, little dialogue, difficult to care about the characters. I'd read a couple of chapters, put the book down, and when I picked it up again, had to remind myself what had happened earlier. It DEFINITELY didn't 'grab' me and make me want to read on. The ending was implausible and contrived. Don't waste your time on this one.
July 20, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable read, a page turner from first to last, and a few surprises along the way. I think this one would make a great basis for a cable TV series.
April 22, 2018
Roxy is the most insouciant, daredevilish, lovable heroine I've fallen in love with since...Scarlett? And that is just because I'm trying to think of a girl I've enjoyed this much - that's the only point of this comparison. This is such a great read - and it's a read that feels like you're watching a movie - it's that vivid.
As a huge fan of historical fiction, I love to be taken so fully into another era - and part of me is still in 1937, waiting to read what will happen next. In a coincidentally-timely way, this book comes out on the heels of updated theories about the whereabouts of Amelia Earhart, as well as being set in the same era - the pre-Nazi world - as Babylon Berlin (which everyone should watch...) CC Humphreys' story brings this spunky female pilot to life - the synopsis is already here - but it's the details I loved - from a Schiaparelli bra through each and every cigarette, from the Hindenburg to New York in the 30s (actually that bit is literal) via the Berlin Olympics AND it's a love story. And an art heist. And a thriller - with evil baddies and glorious heroes...
Just read it - you'll be glad you did!!
As a huge fan of historical fiction, I love to be taken so fully into another era - and part of me is still in 1937, waiting to read what will happen next. In a coincidentally-timely way, this book comes out on the heels of updated theories about the whereabouts of Amelia Earhart, as well as being set in the same era - the pre-Nazi world - as Babylon Berlin (which everyone should watch...) CC Humphreys' story brings this spunky female pilot to life - the synopsis is already here - but it's the details I loved - from a Schiaparelli bra through each and every cigarette, from the Hindenburg to New York in the 30s (actually that bit is literal) via the Berlin Olympics AND it's a love story. And an art heist. And a thriller - with evil baddies and glorious heroes...
Just read it - you'll be glad you did!!
June 25, 2018
I have never read any of C.C. Humphreys books previous to Chasing the Wind though it's not from lack of desire, I have a number sitting in my TBR pile patiently waiting. Those books take place in the 16th to 18th century and with Chasing the Wind the author has jumped to the 1930s in his latest.
Chasing the Wind is about a young woman named Roxy, I liked Roxy right away and found her to be an adventurous, spontaneous and rather unique pilot. She takes risks is compassionate and has a knack for getting into tight situations. This is the 1930’s between the Great Depression and the rise of Hitler, Germany is a beehive of activity, as is Spain and flying over the Atlantic.
The author kept me engaged with an interesting plot against the backdrop of real historical events with the appearances of well known figures. Humphrey’s knowledge of the time period is evident.
Chasing the Wind is a story full of adventure, suspicion, love and loss that actually had me feeling sorry for the bad guys (takes a special kinda author that can do that). Definitely happy to have read this one and will confess that Vlad and Plague are sitting next in line to read.
My thanks to Amy at HFVBT for the invite to be part of this tour.
Chasing the Wind is about a young woman named Roxy, I liked Roxy right away and found her to be an adventurous, spontaneous and rather unique pilot. She takes risks is compassionate and has a knack for getting into tight situations. This is the 1930’s between the Great Depression and the rise of Hitler, Germany is a beehive of activity, as is Spain and flying over the Atlantic.
The author kept me engaged with an interesting plot against the backdrop of real historical events with the appearances of well known figures. Humphrey’s knowledge of the time period is evident.
Chasing the Wind is a story full of adventure, suspicion, love and loss that actually had me feeling sorry for the bad guys (takes a special kinda author that can do that). Definitely happy to have read this one and will confess that Vlad and Plague are sitting next in line to read.
My thanks to Amy at HFVBT for the invite to be part of this tour.
June 25, 2024
Wow what a roller coaster ride this book is, from running guns in Africa, to stealing an original painting in Berlin during the 1936 Olympics, running from the Nazis to travelling on the Hindenburg Roxy the main character has a lot to contend with, good thing she is a real spitfire of a person. This book had a great pace that held my interest.
January 22, 2019
Full disclosure: I’m not a huge fan of action-thrillers. Often the characters are unconvincing, larger-than-life cardboard cutouts who can do no wrong and who somehow contrive to escape from circumstances that would spell the end for lesser mortals.
That said, I was utterly charmed by Roxy Loewen, the feisty, indefatigable, but somehow fallible heroine of Canadian-born C. C. Humphreys’ latest novel, Chasing the Wind. Roxy is an aviatrix in the America of the late 1920s and 30s, friends with Amelia Earhart no less, and will, before the tale has ended, make at least a nodding acquaintance with such notable figures of the day as Hermann Göring, in a bid to prevent him from holding onto a previously unknown yet priceless painting—not because of any political views, but because she needs the painting, or rather the wealth that it represents, to extricate herself from crippling family debts and secure her independence.
She’s aided in her quest by fellow pilot Jocco Zomack, who couldn’t be more different. Jocco is an idealist, with sympathies for communist causes and the rebels fighting a civil war in Spain. It’s an uneasy alliance, and one which will come back to haunt the intrepid Roxy before the tale has ended. Together they face a truly sinister adversary named Sidney Munroe. He’s responsible at least indirectly for Roxy’s father’s death, and he wants the painting, together with all of Roxy’s family inheritance. Did I mention that he’s also friends (if that’s the word for it), with Herr Göring? Not an easy man to like, then.
Deftly combining elements of the politics of the day, art history, and the cataclysmic end of the Hindenburg, Humphries weaves an action-packed tale of a headstrong young aviatrix who has witnessed her father’s death, and who is in a fight to the finish of her own with his killer.
The writing is absolutely first-rate. Consider this passage, when Roxy has taken a plane (not her own) to avoid the police and the clutches of Sidney Munroe, and injured, makes her escape:
Roxy reached the low ceiling, burst through and kept climbing. The world went dark for a while. The buzz of good whisky had dwindled to a residue of pain. But it was all she had left of her father so she clung to it. All she had left of her mother was the rabbit’s foot on the chain around her neck. Thinking of one, clutching the other, she cried now, because she could; because she was alone ad not even God could see her in these clouds. Great shuddering sobs came, snot and teardrops freezing on her face. Up and up she went, with her sorrow, until it got hard to breathe and she thought she’d never make the summit. Then, in a heartbeat, grey nothing turned to brilliant sunshine, Levelling, she road the cloud tops north.
Combining escapist fun in a well-told action thriller that has more than a nod to history, Chasing the Wind begs for a film treatment that will do it justice.
_______
Jim Napier is a professional crime-fiction reviewer based in Canada. Since 2005 his book reviews and author interviews have been featured in several Canadian newspapers and on multiple websites. His crime novel Legacy was published in April of 2017, and the next in the series, Ridley’s War, is scheduled for release in 2019. He can be reached at jnapier@deadlydiversions.com
That said, I was utterly charmed by Roxy Loewen, the feisty, indefatigable, but somehow fallible heroine of Canadian-born C. C. Humphreys’ latest novel, Chasing the Wind. Roxy is an aviatrix in the America of the late 1920s and 30s, friends with Amelia Earhart no less, and will, before the tale has ended, make at least a nodding acquaintance with such notable figures of the day as Hermann Göring, in a bid to prevent him from holding onto a previously unknown yet priceless painting—not because of any political views, but because she needs the painting, or rather the wealth that it represents, to extricate herself from crippling family debts and secure her independence.
She’s aided in her quest by fellow pilot Jocco Zomack, who couldn’t be more different. Jocco is an idealist, with sympathies for communist causes and the rebels fighting a civil war in Spain. It’s an uneasy alliance, and one which will come back to haunt the intrepid Roxy before the tale has ended. Together they face a truly sinister adversary named Sidney Munroe. He’s responsible at least indirectly for Roxy’s father’s death, and he wants the painting, together with all of Roxy’s family inheritance. Did I mention that he’s also friends (if that’s the word for it), with Herr Göring? Not an easy man to like, then.
Deftly combining elements of the politics of the day, art history, and the cataclysmic end of the Hindenburg, Humphries weaves an action-packed tale of a headstrong young aviatrix who has witnessed her father’s death, and who is in a fight to the finish of her own with his killer.
The writing is absolutely first-rate. Consider this passage, when Roxy has taken a plane (not her own) to avoid the police and the clutches of Sidney Munroe, and injured, makes her escape:
Roxy reached the low ceiling, burst through and kept climbing. The world went dark for a while. The buzz of good whisky had dwindled to a residue of pain. But it was all she had left of her father so she clung to it. All she had left of her mother was the rabbit’s foot on the chain around her neck. Thinking of one, clutching the other, she cried now, because she could; because she was alone ad not even God could see her in these clouds. Great shuddering sobs came, snot and teardrops freezing on her face. Up and up she went, with her sorrow, until it got hard to breathe and she thought she’d never make the summit. Then, in a heartbeat, grey nothing turned to brilliant sunshine, Levelling, she road the cloud tops north.
Combining escapist fun in a well-told action thriller that has more than a nod to history, Chasing the Wind begs for a film treatment that will do it justice.
_______
Jim Napier is a professional crime-fiction reviewer based in Canada. Since 2005 his book reviews and author interviews have been featured in several Canadian newspapers and on multiple websites. His crime novel Legacy was published in April of 2017, and the next in the series, Ridley’s War, is scheduled for release in 2019. He can be reached at jnapier@deadlydiversions.com
June 5, 2018
Contact!
And with that, the 1930s-era planes that help move this story along are launched on their amazing ride all over the world.
As an avid reader of historical fiction, I was really excited to obtain a copy of C.C. Humphrey's latest novel, Chasing the Wind, because the outlines of the story - a daring pilot (or would Roxy describe herself as an “aviatrix”?), the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Nazis, Communists, and a heist caper - sounded pretty interesting. It didn't hurt that it came highly recommended from a friend.
The story takes us on a whirlwind tour of the pre-WWII world, when the US was still neutral (and isolationist), and passionate people from all over the globe were coming together to fight the specter of fascism in their own ways - gun-running, joining resistance fighters, smuggling, etc.
Roxy Loewen could have been painted as a classic “poor little rich girl,” and the opening chapter, set in November 1929, had me a little worried that she would turn out to be exactly that, but she's got more to her than her dad's former fortune. And a darn good thing, too, because we fast-forward 7 years to 1936 and the aforementioned heist caper.
Teaming up with Communist (and her sometime lover) Jochen Zomich, Roxy agrees to an art heist of monumental proportions - transport the wood-panel original Fall of Icarus from a (civil war-ravaged) Madrid wine cellar to Zomich's art-dealer father in Berlin in exchange for a small fortune that could easily set Roxy up for life. Or, at least, a better plane and a shot at an international flying race.
But it seems as if the Nazis (I did say there were Nazis, didn't I?) are always one step ahead of Roxy and her team, and the Madrid deal falls through, which sends her to Berlin. Right as Hitler's Reich is putting up their painstakingly orchestrated dog-and-pony show - the 1936 Summer Olympic Games.
Why would a 16th century painting be of interest to the Reich? Didn't you know they were among the most rapacious art thieves in history? And whose fingers were stickier than most of the higher-ups than Hermann Goring? (If you said “not many,” you get a penny.)
So.
Roxy has to bluff her way through Goring, a mock-Maifest party at Luftwaffe headquarters, a lecherous museum official, a weaselly art forger, and avoid possible discovery, arrest, and torture to smuggle this rarest-of-the-rare panel out of Germany before she's caught.
I'd hate to spoil the ending, but we haven't even gotten to the Hindenburg! (But, suffice it to say, she ends up on board the Hindenburg. And we all know how that turns out, don't we? Passing the Lakehurst exit on our way down the shore always reminds me.)
Like the high-flying pilot protagonist, once the story's engine gets running, it doesn't run out of gas, though there are plenty of bumpy landings and bailouts along the way!
Full disclosure: this review was written after reading a free Advanced Review Copy, but I daresay you ought to buy your own copy! (I will.)
And with that, the 1930s-era planes that help move this story along are launched on their amazing ride all over the world.
As an avid reader of historical fiction, I was really excited to obtain a copy of C.C. Humphrey's latest novel, Chasing the Wind, because the outlines of the story - a daring pilot (or would Roxy describe herself as an “aviatrix”?), the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Nazis, Communists, and a heist caper - sounded pretty interesting. It didn't hurt that it came highly recommended from a friend.
The story takes us on a whirlwind tour of the pre-WWII world, when the US was still neutral (and isolationist), and passionate people from all over the globe were coming together to fight the specter of fascism in their own ways - gun-running, joining resistance fighters, smuggling, etc.
Roxy Loewen could have been painted as a classic “poor little rich girl,” and the opening chapter, set in November 1929, had me a little worried that she would turn out to be exactly that, but she's got more to her than her dad's former fortune. And a darn good thing, too, because we fast-forward 7 years to 1936 and the aforementioned heist caper.
Teaming up with Communist (and her sometime lover) Jochen Zomich, Roxy agrees to an art heist of monumental proportions - transport the wood-panel original Fall of Icarus from a (civil war-ravaged) Madrid wine cellar to Zomich's art-dealer father in Berlin in exchange for a small fortune that could easily set Roxy up for life. Or, at least, a better plane and a shot at an international flying race.
But it seems as if the Nazis (I did say there were Nazis, didn't I?) are always one step ahead of Roxy and her team, and the Madrid deal falls through, which sends her to Berlin. Right as Hitler's Reich is putting up their painstakingly orchestrated dog-and-pony show - the 1936 Summer Olympic Games.
Why would a 16th century painting be of interest to the Reich? Didn't you know they were among the most rapacious art thieves in history? And whose fingers were stickier than most of the higher-ups than Hermann Goring? (If you said “not many,” you get a penny.)
So.
Roxy has to bluff her way through Goring, a mock-Maifest party at Luftwaffe headquarters, a lecherous museum official, a weaselly art forger, and avoid possible discovery, arrest, and torture to smuggle this rarest-of-the-rare panel out of Germany before she's caught.
I'd hate to spoil the ending, but we haven't even gotten to the Hindenburg! (But, suffice it to say, she ends up on board the Hindenburg. And we all know how that turns out, don't we? Passing the Lakehurst exit on our way down the shore always reminds me.)
Like the high-flying pilot protagonist, once the story's engine gets running, it doesn't run out of gas, though there are plenty of bumpy landings and bailouts along the way!
Full disclosure: this review was written after reading a free Advanced Review Copy, but I daresay you ought to buy your own copy! (I will.)
May 29, 2018
I always wait expectantly for the new C.C. Humphreys novel to appear. Over the years, I have come to expect the best from him – incredible stories, tremendous adventures, unique characters, sensual excitements and the perfect building of the world in which the tale takes place. Humphreys’ books always place you at the heart of great world changing events but also find the time to take you inside the human lives going through these experiences in all their humor and fears and the exultation of their struggles to achieve. It is this personal touch in the middle of the grand narrative that makes his novels so real and so enjoyable.
Humphreys’ writing just gets better and better – the precise, detailed, entertaining story telling which seems so easy to read and enjoy is in fact the highest expression of the Author’s art and craft, making it all look easy as it sweeps you along through page after page and chapter after chapter. I always feel a little sad when I know the end of the novel is approaching because I wish his books went on and on.
C.C. Humphreys new novel CHASING THE WIND carries on the great tradition of his classic novels while at the same time breaking new ground in his career. It is a rip-roaring, barn-storming adventure told at break-neck velocity. It is the first time, I believe, that Humphreys has given us a female lead in one of his books, although many a fascinating woman has appeared in his pages before. Roxy is talented, sexy, funny and more than a little reckless as she battles through the complications of a swiftly changing, increasingly dangerous time. You can’t help but fall in love with her.
There is something mightily cinematic about CHASING THE WIND. The writing invokes wide screen, technicolor images in your imagination as you hurtle on through Roxy’s stunt girl adventures and vixenesque encounters. The pacing and flow is like a great movie epic. Who is it you see playing Roxy in this film in your mind? Probably Jennifer Lawrence. She might be beautiful and feisty enough.
So, Bravo once again to C.C. Humphreys. CHASING THE WIND is the perfect novel to carry with you this summer, to lie on the beach with while it takes you off on a tremendous adventure and probably keeps you up at night, not wanting to put it down.
Or maybe, just settle back in your comfy chair any other time and let a master delight and entertain you.
Humphreys’ writing just gets better and better – the precise, detailed, entertaining story telling which seems so easy to read and enjoy is in fact the highest expression of the Author’s art and craft, making it all look easy as it sweeps you along through page after page and chapter after chapter. I always feel a little sad when I know the end of the novel is approaching because I wish his books went on and on.
C.C. Humphreys new novel CHASING THE WIND carries on the great tradition of his classic novels while at the same time breaking new ground in his career. It is a rip-roaring, barn-storming adventure told at break-neck velocity. It is the first time, I believe, that Humphreys has given us a female lead in one of his books, although many a fascinating woman has appeared in his pages before. Roxy is talented, sexy, funny and more than a little reckless as she battles through the complications of a swiftly changing, increasingly dangerous time. You can’t help but fall in love with her.
There is something mightily cinematic about CHASING THE WIND. The writing invokes wide screen, technicolor images in your imagination as you hurtle on through Roxy’s stunt girl adventures and vixenesque encounters. The pacing and flow is like a great movie epic. Who is it you see playing Roxy in this film in your mind? Probably Jennifer Lawrence. She might be beautiful and feisty enough.
So, Bravo once again to C.C. Humphreys. CHASING THE WIND is the perfect novel to carry with you this summer, to lie on the beach with while it takes you off on a tremendous adventure and probably keeps you up at night, not wanting to put it down.
Or maybe, just settle back in your comfy chair any other time and let a master delight and entertain you.
May 28, 2018
2.5 Stars
Thank you to Doubleday Canada and C.C. Humphreys for the free advance copy!
Roxy Loewen is a female pilot running guns into war zone for cold, hard cash. Despite her rules about staying hard, she's fallen in love with Jocco, a fellow pilot and communist and is persuaded to try something a little more daring - a heist to steal a famous painting out from under the noses of the top officials in Hitler's Germany.
Well, I didn't love this book. I kind of hate when historical novels starring fictional characters just have to feature several notable events and people from the years in which they took place. The Spanish Civil War! Hitler's Olympics! Goring and Goebbels! The Hindenburg! It doesn't come across as realistic, it comes across as cheesy.
I also didn't love the characterization. Roxy is billed as a suave, sassy, no-nonsense woman making good in a man's profession when that type of thing just isn't done. That kind of girl is right up my alley. What we get instead is a bleeding heart do-gooder who is outfoxed or outmaneuvered at every turn. It'd have been nice to see her manage one drop or heist in the entire novel, but no, she screws every single one of them up.
There's not much to say about the other characters because they're terribly one-note, especially the villain (who you know is really evil because he consorts with top-level Nazis!) who's sole motivation is to drag Roxy back to the states so he can rub salt in the wound of driving her father to kill himself by suing her for the only property she has left worth anything...and then selling it to the Nazis. How do we know this?? He literally tells Roxy all about it in an ACTUAL HERE'S MY DASTARDLY PLAN VILLAIN MONOLOGUE which takes place on the HINDENBURG right before it explodes. Topical!
The writing wasn't bad but the plot and the characterization leave so much to be desired that I won't be recommending this one.
Thank you to Doubleday Canada and C.C. Humphreys for the free advance copy!
Roxy Loewen is a female pilot running guns into war zone for cold, hard cash. Despite her rules about staying hard, she's fallen in love with Jocco, a fellow pilot and communist and is persuaded to try something a little more daring - a heist to steal a famous painting out from under the noses of the top officials in Hitler's Germany.
Well, I didn't love this book. I kind of hate when historical novels starring fictional characters just have to feature several notable events and people from the years in which they took place. The Spanish Civil War! Hitler's Olympics! Goring and Goebbels! The Hindenburg! It doesn't come across as realistic, it comes across as cheesy.
I also didn't love the characterization. Roxy is billed as a suave, sassy, no-nonsense woman making good in a man's profession when that type of thing just isn't done. That kind of girl is right up my alley. What we get instead is a bleeding heart do-gooder who is outfoxed or outmaneuvered at every turn. It'd have been nice to see her manage one drop or heist in the entire novel, but no, she screws every single one of them up.
There's not much to say about the other characters because they're terribly one-note, especially the villain (who you know is really evil because he consorts with top-level Nazis!) who's sole motivation is to drag Roxy back to the states so he can rub salt in the wound of driving her father to kill himself by suing her for the only property she has left worth anything...and then selling it to the Nazis. How do we know this?? He literally tells Roxy all about it in an ACTUAL HERE'S MY DASTARDLY PLAN VILLAIN MONOLOGUE which takes place on the HINDENBURG right before it explodes. Topical!
The writing wasn't bad but the plot and the characterization leave so much to be desired that I won't be recommending this one.
June 28, 2018
What an adventure this book was! With a title that aptly suits the story and a bold and courageous aviatrix heroine, there was not a dull moment. From New York City to Africa, Spain, Nazi-Berlin and finally the Hindenburg Zeppelin, we follow Roxy Loewen as she and her lover Jocco Zomack chase after Bruegel's famous painting, the Fall of Icarus. The stakes are high, and Roxy discovers just how high as she plunges forward into a dangerous game with dangerous people.
Roxy is a compelling character. She's rough around the edges. She smokes like a chimney, swears like a sailor, smuggles guns and takes dangerous risks. She pushes herself to the limit. Deep down, she is in pain, suffering from the loss of her father who died because of Sydney Munroe, an American billionaire to whom her father owed debts. So when her paths cross Munroe's over and over and she has the opportunity to outwit him, she doesn't hesitate. There's a soft side to her, however, a kindness and vulnerability, and it's this that balances out her character to make her quite unforgettable, as I'm sure real pilot women like her of the 30s were.
This novel is well-written, and easily transported me to the WWII time period. It's evident the author researched well. The whole time I was reading this book, I could see it as a movie in my mind. The story has the feel of a noir fiction. If you're looking for a romantic book, this is not it. If you love historical fiction set in the 30s with strong female characters and a plot that doesn't shy away from high risks and consequences for its players, then this one will not disappoint.
Filled with vivid flying scenes, lust for adventure, Nazi fervor and the Hindenburg disaster, Chasing the Wind explores one woman's life as she chooses to follow her heart even if it leads her to places from which she can never return.
Note: This book contains f-bombs, profanity, sex scenes and violence.
Roxy is a compelling character. She's rough around the edges. She smokes like a chimney, swears like a sailor, smuggles guns and takes dangerous risks. She pushes herself to the limit. Deep down, she is in pain, suffering from the loss of her father who died because of Sydney Munroe, an American billionaire to whom her father owed debts. So when her paths cross Munroe's over and over and she has the opportunity to outwit him, she doesn't hesitate. There's a soft side to her, however, a kindness and vulnerability, and it's this that balances out her character to make her quite unforgettable, as I'm sure real pilot women like her of the 30s were.
This novel is well-written, and easily transported me to the WWII time period. It's evident the author researched well. The whole time I was reading this book, I could see it as a movie in my mind. The story has the feel of a noir fiction. If you're looking for a romantic book, this is not it. If you love historical fiction set in the 30s with strong female characters and a plot that doesn't shy away from high risks and consequences for its players, then this one will not disappoint.
Filled with vivid flying scenes, lust for adventure, Nazi fervor and the Hindenburg disaster, Chasing the Wind explores one woman's life as she chooses to follow her heart even if it leads her to places from which she can never return.
Note: This book contains f-bombs, profanity, sex scenes and violence.
June 25, 2018
Roxie is an aviatrix who loves to fly. One day, she falls for Jocco Zomak, who gets her into all kinds of trouble. Under his orders, she embarks on dangerous smuggling missions. One of those missions involves Roxie flying to Madrid to recover a lost painting. Once she arrives, she discovers the painting has been stolen by the Germans. In order to get the painting back from the Germans, Roxie has to go to Berlin Olympics. Thus, Roxie goes on an adventure that leads her to get on the ill-fated Hindenburg.
It took a long time for me to warm up to Roxie, but once I did I absolutely loved her. She is brash, sassy, and independent. She’s fearless and very determined! Roxie is also very human. She tends to be very trusting and sometimes she can also be clueless. She also has a grudging side and lets her thirst for vengeance override her common sense. However, we can’t help but feel sorry for Roxie and root for her to succeed in her mission!
Overall, this book is full of action, adventure, suspense and danger! When you read Chasing the Wind, you know that you are in for a full ride! There are many twists and turns that will keep you reading! The characters are very complex and realistic! The writing is very straight-forward. There were a few times in which I winced at the language. Still, the story is very fast-paced and will thrill you from the moment you the read the first page until the last! I hope that there will be a sequel because I want to know what is next for our audacious heroine! I highly recommend this novel for fans of The Alice Network, A Chance to Kill, and A Flight of Dreams.
(Note: An ARC copy of this book was given to me as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.)
It took a long time for me to warm up to Roxie, but once I did I absolutely loved her. She is brash, sassy, and independent. She’s fearless and very determined! Roxie is also very human. She tends to be very trusting and sometimes she can also be clueless. She also has a grudging side and lets her thirst for vengeance override her common sense. However, we can’t help but feel sorry for Roxie and root for her to succeed in her mission!
Overall, this book is full of action, adventure, suspense and danger! When you read Chasing the Wind, you know that you are in for a full ride! There are many twists and turns that will keep you reading! The characters are very complex and realistic! The writing is very straight-forward. There were a few times in which I winced at the language. Still, the story is very fast-paced and will thrill you from the moment you the read the first page until the last! I hope that there will be a sequel because I want to know what is next for our audacious heroine! I highly recommend this novel for fans of The Alice Network, A Chance to Kill, and A Flight of Dreams.
(Note: An ARC copy of this book was given to me as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.)
July 3, 2018
One should take note of the praise bestowed upon this book. Diana Gabaldon, the brilliant mind behind the Outlander series, enjoyed it and there you go. That in itself was high praise and I couldn’t resist. I’ve read one of C.C’s novels before and I hosted a guest post and an excerpt from him about four years ago for his novel The French Executioner. He was one of the first ones I hosted here, actually! So it’s lovely to have him here again.
That said–GUYS. This book.
Roxy is one hell of a heroine. She’s feisty, spunky, daring and she really embraces the spirit of a post-Victorian woman. I think I’d describe her as having the Jazz Age within her soul. She’s unapologetic for who she is and I love that. She drinks, shoots, flies– and she can and does it with the best of them. What I love is how fast-paced the book is; pulling you into a world that is pre-WWII. Everyone from Nazis and the Gestapo are included, art forgeries, smuggling of guns, communists, revenge, heartbreak..need I go on? It’s sort of a movie…in the form of a book. You can envision it all; going from New York City to Africa, Spain, Nazi-Occupied Germany and then finally to the Hindenburg, which leads to an explosive conclusion.
Okay, bad choice of term there, but I think you can gather that I’m pretty enthralled with this story. I want to tell you all about it, but I feel like giving anything away might be a spoiler.
I think you should do yourself a favor and go check this out. I seriously loved this one.
That said–GUYS. This book.
Roxy is one hell of a heroine. She’s feisty, spunky, daring and she really embraces the spirit of a post-Victorian woman. I think I’d describe her as having the Jazz Age within her soul. She’s unapologetic for who she is and I love that. She drinks, shoots, flies– and she can and does it with the best of them. What I love is how fast-paced the book is; pulling you into a world that is pre-WWII. Everyone from Nazis and the Gestapo are included, art forgeries, smuggling of guns, communists, revenge, heartbreak..need I go on? It’s sort of a movie…in the form of a book. You can envision it all; going from New York City to Africa, Spain, Nazi-Occupied Germany and then finally to the Hindenburg, which leads to an explosive conclusion.
Okay, bad choice of term there, but I think you can gather that I’m pretty enthralled with this story. I want to tell you all about it, but I feel like giving anything away might be a spoiler.
I think you should do yourself a favor and go check this out. I seriously loved this one.
June 3, 2019
I was disappointed by the pacing of this novel and I didn't feel emotionally connected to the characters enough to really care about what happened to them. I feel like this was because there was a lot of telling how Roxy felt rather than showing it through her actions and interactions with the other characters. There wasn't enough time of her being with Jocco for their relationship to even be a compelling part of the book.
The evil characters were super obviously evil, and Roxy didn't pick up on some of the many hints. I think there should have been at least one character with ambiguous intentions that needed to be tested to gain Roxy's trust. The only person she was really connected to was Jocco, so I think there should have been at least one other person from her past that was helping her out along the way.
Roxy wasn't exactly the daring aviatrix I was expecting, but she was still an interesting enough character. The plot took the story to many interesting places, but it felt choppy overall and stopped me from completely enjoying it. Female pilots are my jam, so I'm really sad that I didn't like this book more.
The evil characters were super obviously evil, and Roxy didn't pick up on some of the many hints. I think there should have been at least one character with ambiguous intentions that needed to be tested to gain Roxy's trust. The only person she was really connected to was Jocco, so I think there should have been at least one other person from her past that was helping her out along the way.
Roxy wasn't exactly the daring aviatrix I was expecting, but she was still an interesting enough character. The plot took the story to many interesting places, but it felt choppy overall and stopped me from completely enjoying it. Female pilots are my jam, so I'm really sad that I didn't like this book more.
June 5, 2018
Chasing The Wind is a highly enjoyable heist thriller set to the backdrop of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Our hero is the sassy Roxy Loewen, an ace pilot with a quick wit and thirst for adventure. No stranger to danger, Roxy becomes embroiled in a daring plot that reaches all the way to the top of the Nazi Third Reich.
C C Humphrey has crafted an excellent story full of wit, style and charm. Double crosses, twists, edge of the seat rescues and a close encounter with Hermann Göring himself all feature in what is a thoroughly entertaining read and a superb start to a potential new series. He clearly has a keen eye for detail and his research and passion for the period seeps into his words and onto the page.
It’s extremely refreshing to have a female lead in a WWII book. In a male dominated genre Roxy’s a breath of fresh air and more than holds her own against her contemporaries and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to next.
Do yourself a favour and chase down a copy now.
@BenPeyton007
www.benpeytonreviews.com
Our hero is the sassy Roxy Loewen, an ace pilot with a quick wit and thirst for adventure. No stranger to danger, Roxy becomes embroiled in a daring plot that reaches all the way to the top of the Nazi Third Reich.
C C Humphrey has crafted an excellent story full of wit, style and charm. Double crosses, twists, edge of the seat rescues and a close encounter with Hermann Göring himself all feature in what is a thoroughly entertaining read and a superb start to a potential new series. He clearly has a keen eye for detail and his research and passion for the period seeps into his words and onto the page.
It’s extremely refreshing to have a female lead in a WWII book. In a male dominated genre Roxy’s a breath of fresh air and more than holds her own against her contemporaries and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to next.
Do yourself a favour and chase down a copy now.
@BenPeyton007
www.benpeytonreviews.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2018
Roxy Loewen could give Indiana Jones a run for his money (plus Roxy could fly the plane)! I loved C. C. Humphreys’s Plague and Jack Absolute series so I was intrigued to read a book of his featuring a female protagonist. I was not disappointed. Jennifer Lawrence’s people should take note! Roxy is a worthy hero; smoking, drinking, shooting, flying -- with the best of them. Chasing the Wind is a fast-paced historical thrill ride with more twists and flips than an aerobatic display. Humphreys deftly weaves Roxy through pre-WWII figures and events, without ever losing a sense of excitement and fun. Nazis at the top of the ladder, the Gestapo, art forgery, gun smuggling, truth serums, communist agents, and personal heartbreak and revenge. Roxy steps up to all of it (with a derringer tucked into the top of her stocking). But will she survive that fateful flight on the doomed Hindendurg? Chasing the Wind is definitely worth the download.
June 17, 2018
Roxy Loewen, aviatrix and adventuress extraordinaire, is a heady blend of Miss Phryne Fisher's joie de vie and a dash of Indiana Jones's thirst for globe-trotting adventure. Chasing the Wind is an impeccably researched slice of historical fiction, fast-paced, engaging, and deliciously plausible. Humphreys sets Roxy's Depression-era, soldier of fortune adventures against the horrors of the conflicts in Ethiopia and Spain that pre-dated the second World War. So although Roxy and her art heist are fictions, her type, and conflicts she experienced in the mid-1930s, colored her world view and ground her story in the reality of a world on the edge of all-consuming conflict. Roxy is the type of charismatic heroine who desperately deserves the chance to see more of her story told. If this it the opening act, Humphreys has set readers up for wild ride to come, and I for one cannot wait to see what happens next.
April 29, 2020
So, I originally got this in advance, but misplaced it in the two moves I went through before I could finally read it.
I agree with others' reviews that this would have been better as a movie, and when I researched the author, I could see why it's written that way. I do have to wonder why he didn't just go down that route for this story to begin with.
I didn't find the novel bad, but I doubt I will ever crack it open again, nor would it be anywhere near the top of my recommendation list.
I feel this novel would have been better if it hadn't tried to include Amelia Earhart, as her name felt more like it was being dropped, and would pull me out of the actual setting of the book (even though, the worldbuilding is done very well). For the most part, I believe Roxy is fairly fleshed out, and even more her on-again-off-again partner, Jocco.
All in all, it's pretty decent.
I agree with others' reviews that this would have been better as a movie, and when I researched the author, I could see why it's written that way. I do have to wonder why he didn't just go down that route for this story to begin with.
I didn't find the novel bad, but I doubt I will ever crack it open again, nor would it be anywhere near the top of my recommendation list.
I feel this novel would have been better if it hadn't tried to include Amelia Earhart, as her name felt more like it was being dropped, and would pull me out of the actual setting of the book (even though, the worldbuilding is done very well). For the most part, I believe Roxy is fairly fleshed out, and even more her on-again-off-again partner, Jocco.
All in all, it's pretty decent.
July 18, 2018
I wanted to like this one. Sassy 1930s aviatrix who fights Nazis? Sign me the hell up. Except I ended up hating almost everything.
Roxy was an enjoyable protagonist and narrator, but her lack of a character arc kept her from being great. So much more could have been done with her. I kept hoping the author would at least develop her relationship with Jocco, but nope. This was the novel's main problem, character growth was cast aside in favor of action and hitting certain historical events. It's also chock full of historical cameos too. Cheesy and often predictable, this novel is basically a dumb action flick put on paper.
Minor Note: It was well-researched, (the aviation parts particularly), but overall the language was too modern at times and came off a bit sloppy.
Roxy was an enjoyable protagonist and narrator, but her lack of a character arc kept her from being great. So much more could have been done with her. I kept hoping the author would at least develop her relationship with Jocco, but nope. This was the novel's main problem, character growth was cast aside in favor of action and hitting certain historical events. It's also chock full of historical cameos too. Cheesy and often predictable, this novel is basically a dumb action flick put on paper.
Minor Note: It was well-researched, (the aviation parts particularly), but overall the language was too modern at times and came off a bit sloppy.
January 3, 2019
Fiction with a little reality woven into the story. The heroine of the book is a member of an all-women's flying club in the late 1920's and one of the members is a well-known lady by the name of Amelia Earhart. Louise is a strong independent women possessing a level of independence and determination that is decades before her time. She travels all over the world, meets a rebel of a man she loves and engages with him in a variety of illegal flying adventures.
Her father dies and the man responsible seems to end up in the same places at the worst possible times and Louise plots but never seems to quite get the job of revenge done .
Great story with an emphasis on what women are capable of .
Her father dies and the man responsible seems to end up in the same places at the worst possible times and Louise plots but never seems to quite get the job of revenge done .
Great story with an emphasis on what women are capable of .
May 22, 2018
What a truly splendid read!
I loved Roxy. She had fire, she had guts, and most of all, she had determination and an ability to go on in the face of danger. This woman’s characterization was brilliant.
The writing was fantastic. I was moved several times throughout the novel - this means the writer had me by the throat emotionally - which takes talent. I loved the images of Germany prior to the war. I felt the tension, and enjoyed the build up of conflict (and the twists) as we moved closer to the end. It's quite obvious Mr. Humphreys did his research without it ever entering into info-dump territory.
Overall, a masterpiece. I'd recommend C.C. Humphreys to all readers!
I loved Roxy. She had fire, she had guts, and most of all, she had determination and an ability to go on in the face of danger. This woman’s characterization was brilliant.
The writing was fantastic. I was moved several times throughout the novel - this means the writer had me by the throat emotionally - which takes talent. I loved the images of Germany prior to the war. I felt the tension, and enjoyed the build up of conflict (and the twists) as we moved closer to the end. It's quite obvious Mr. Humphreys did his research without it ever entering into info-dump territory.
Overall, a masterpiece. I'd recommend C.C. Humphreys to all readers!
June 9, 2018
A fun read. I liked Roxy a lot, and agree with the author's notes that if she had been a man as originally planned, the book just wouldn't work. It's apparent that a lot of research had been done for this book, and I found that it interfered with the overall flow of the book at times.
My biggest complaint, however, is that Roxy never really gets out of any of the jams she gets into by herself. There is always some sort of 'oops' moment, where someone or something interferes and she goes free. When I'm reading an action-based novel, I want the protagonist to be strong. They don't have to win EVERYTHING they get into, but they can't rely on chance or luck to get through ALL the time.
I'm still going to give this book a 4 because it was a good read and overall well written.
My biggest complaint, however, is that Roxy never really gets out of any of the jams she gets into by herself. There is always some sort of 'oops' moment, where someone or something interferes and she goes free. When I'm reading an action-based novel, I want the protagonist to be strong. They don't have to win EVERYTHING they get into, but they can't rely on chance or luck to get through ALL the time.
I'm still going to give this book a 4 because it was a good read and overall well written.
September 14, 2018
I recommend the book.
This book was fun to read despite the serious subject. The author's writing mechanics were good except for bad punctuation which I overlooked which is not like me at all.
Our protagonist, Roxy, is an airplane pilot in the 1930's. She is a character! She generally runs guns, ammunition, and maybe rum from and to countries that have landing strips. She branches out into stealing art from a museum and delivering it to an art collector. Well, the heist plan goes awry.
By the way, do you want to know what really happened to Amelia Earhart ? Ask Roxy.
Thank you, Mr. Humphreys, for a good read.
This book was fun to read despite the serious subject. The author's writing mechanics were good except for bad punctuation which I overlooked which is not like me at all.
Our protagonist, Roxy, is an airplane pilot in the 1930's. She is a character! She generally runs guns, ammunition, and maybe rum from and to countries that have landing strips. She branches out into stealing art from a museum and delivering it to an art collector. Well, the heist plan goes awry.
By the way, do you want to know what really happened to Amelia Earhart ? Ask Roxy.
Thank you, Mr. Humphreys, for a good read.
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