Here is what Almond Jones wants to tell you about her book:
GUEST POST
The process of writing Wingmen began almost a decade ago. I lived in a city with too many
people and not enough opportunity. Then the economy changed – the degree I’d
earned, (I was told I couldn’t do
anything without it), was useless. When I realized I didn’t have to stay where
I was and that life could be different, the concept for the novel was born. By
that time I’d given up on writing as a career (this was one of many times I’ve
given up on my gift and decided it was an unimportant skill). So, I took a
trip. I traveled for about a year and wrote the stories I wanted to write. And
the first story I wanted to write was about a woman who knows who she is no
matter what. I had no intention of becoming a publisher or publishing the book.
I hadn’t even planned on writing a book. I just wanted to write – for me. I
wanted to write because I don’t’ come across many stories I relate to. So,
Celeste was that story.
After writing the first draft, I put it away for
several years. I didn’t think about it much until I decided to write again. But
I wanted to do so on my own terms. I didn’t want approval or need permission
from anyone to be who I know I can be… just like Celeste. That is the
significance of Celeste Bonalee, She is her own person even in the face of pain,
grief, life, and death.
It is important for people to know what that looks like – both men and women. The “Me
Too” movement is strong but Celeste has nothing to do with that. Or trending
diversity. Or the real need for more female voices. She is who she is and her
story is worth reading. Period.
SYNOPSIS
Celeste
is anything but average. In fact, she's one of a kind – a highly skilled
courier pilot with dreams of owning her own hangar. One last delivery is all
she needs. There's only one thing
stopping her... World War II. When Celeste is shot down over Paris in 1940,
it'll take more than she ever expected for Celeste and her dreams to survive in
a world that is falling apart.
Can Celeste and her wingmen make it back home in one
piece? Or will war consume her generation and its aspirations?
You can view the Wingmen trailer here. Wingmen is
available now on www.almondjones.com,
Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com.
