Click on cover image to purchase a copy
MWSA Review
When Heroes Flew: Where the Dawn Comes in Like Thunder by H.W. “Buzz” Bernard continues the series about World War II aviators. In particular, this book picks up where Book 3 of the series, The Roof of the World, leaves off. It’s likely a good idea to read that book first, since many of the characters reprise their parts from the first book.
The book takes place in the India/Burma/China theater of WWII, as Major Rod Shepherd is eager to reconnect with nurse Eve Johannsen. They had shared harrowing experiences previously, and Shepherd thought they had an understanding. But amid the fog of war, Eve has disappeared and no one seems to know what happened to her. As he goes about his new duties after being grounded from flying by injuries, Shepherd searches surreptitiously for Eve. But he is not sneaky enough to avoid the attention of a certain general who seems to have it in for Shepherd.
Like The Roof of the World, the historically accurate book takes us into a little-known theater of WWII, keeping the reader interested as the Allies work to establish a base from which to bomb Japan. I recommend the entire series for glimpses into otherwise unknown aspects of the war.
Review by Betsy Beard (February 2025)
Author's Synopsis
Amidst the turmoil of World War II, a daring Army Air Forces aviator is swept into an odyssey that will carry him to the far corners of the earth. Military duty and personal quest converge in this tale of grit and perseverance.
Despite suffering grave injuries in the savage terrain of Burma, Major Rod Shepherd is returned to active duty to support war efforts against Japan. But his mission extends beyond official orders: Rod is determined to locate missing Army nurse, Eve Johannsen, even as top Army brass deny her very existence.
Rod’s primary mission sees him braving treacherous flight conditions and grappling with the horrors of the Japanese regime—all while he conducts his clandestine search for answers. In the end, Rod must risk challenging the highest levels of command if he has any hope of learning the truth…and finding Eve.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 235
Word Count: 75,500+