Five stars! I truly loved reading this book! The setting was fantastic and the characters were exceptional! ( )

Typical love story. Interesting plot. ( )

I so enjoy reading wonderful Christian historical fiction stories based on true events. Across the Blue has an extra bonus as it also has not one, but two love stories we get to watch evolve as the story progresses. The dynamics of the Grayson family was engrossing, and Carrie did not miss a beat as we witness the interactions between the siblings Bella and Sylvia and their parents as they both become independent young women.

Carrie Turansky captures the aviation race across the English Channel in true form mixing actual events and figures with fictional ones with flawless transition and her attention to detail is marvelous. My heart went out to James and the Professor as they struggled to overcome all of the obstacles thrown in their path to try and be the first to fly across the English Channel. Now days we think nothing of flying around the world but back in the 1900s it was a victory just to get off the ground, fly for fifteen minutes, and survive the landing. Carrie also reminded us that women were also striving to change history during this time as Bella fought to become a journalist in a male dominant field, and the suffragettes were fighting for women’s right to vote. Wow, we have come a long way.

The faith of Professor Steed that everything has a way of working out if you just believe, and that we have so much to be thankful for, which he instilled in James as his father figure while he was growing up, was inspirational. It was the Professor who molded James into the man we get to admire in Across the Blue.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook and Multnomah Publishing via Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ( )

What a truly delightful read! I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel, as it's my first full Turansky novel-I've read some of her novellas,however, so I knew her writing style was unique and captivating. I was very pleasantly surprised and am happy to shout it to the world. She created a wonderful story mixed with beautiful characters, inspiring messages and acheiving love and dreams.

Isabella and James are chiseled perfectly for this 4 store book. Filled with secrets, sparks that fly between the characters just like the aircraft, and a God who knows just what these two need, Across The Blue is an unforgettable love story that will hook you and fill you with all the feels. From start to finish, Ms. Turansky had me wrapped up in a page turner.

I highly recommed this book to all. You'll fall in love, be flown away to another time and place. Ms. Turansky did a wonderful job filling this book with rich historic detail and left me wanting more. I can't wait for another amazingly written novel like this one! Well done!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* ( )

How many of you dreamt that you could fly when you were a child? I remember dreaming one night that I had on a cape and was standing at the edge of a cliff. I took off and suddenly I was flying. The wind grazed my face as I flew through the air. I glanced down and saw trees that looked like little plants. When I woke up all I could think of was how wonderful it was to feel free. We all have dreams and this story reminds us to never up on your dream.

The story of the Wright Brothers is very famous and the author does an incredible job of explaining about flying machines in the 1900s. I absolutely adored Bella right away. She is a very determined young woman. She comes from a very wealthy family who owns several newspapers. Her parents are determined to see their daughter marry into a prestigious family. I loved how Bella had other ideas. Her dream is to become a journalist. Oh my Bella what a dreamer you are. Has anyone told her that women can't be journalists? Her interest in aviation is refreshing and I loved how she was so supportive of this new adventure of flying machines. Will her father believe in her and allow her to write for the paper?

James is a very skilled pilot and is determined that nothing will stop him from being the first to fly across the English Channel. He sure has his work cut out for him when his flying machine crashes on Bella's family estate. At that moment I felt a connection between the two characters. They each have a dream and decide to support each other to achieve what is so important to them. What dream have you had that others supported? Did you give up or continue to pursue the dream? Will James be the first to fly across the English Channel?

What I loved about the story is how the author makes readers feel like they have traveled back in time and are witnessing James as he prepares to follow after his dream. Each time he took the flying machine up in the air, I could visualize how he must have felt. He never gave up and with Bella supporting him his confidence became stronger. There were times my heart bear a little faster as he tried to keep the flying machine in the air. Mixed in the story is a bit of mystery about James. What secrets about his childhood have been hidden from him? The relationship between Bella and James is sweet and has a few bumps that they need to work out. Thank you for writing a story that is filled with hope, faith, forgiveness and dreams. It is a beautiful story that not only highlights the start of aviation everywhere but reminds us that dreams do come true with determination and faith.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )