If My Heart Had Wings: A World War II Love Story

Amazon Bestseller! Not the usual WWII tale, If My Heart Had Wings is a true story that reads like a novel – a heartfelt tribute to first love, shattering loss, buried secrets, and a young widow haunted by the past as she confronts a difficult, uncertain future.

“Loved it! The Greatest Generation all have their secrets in this endlessly fascinating & compelling memoir.” - Reedsy Discovery

“Superb! A wonderful story of devotion and tough times…” - Nat’l WWII Museum

“A unique book, written about real people and events… one of the best in the WWII genre.” - Amazon Reader

At the height of WW2, 22-year-old Nina Raff learns that her beloved pilot husband has been killed in plane crash. To escape her grief, she upends her life, moves across country and plunges into another marriage far too soon. For the next twenty years, she buries her sadness and relentlessly ignores the past to appease her jealous, alcoholic second husband.

But when her teenage daughter discovers a long-hidden wedding photo, an unforgettable story of young love, heartbreaking loss, oppression and family secrets tumbles out, compounded by a mystery the daughter is determined to solve.

It's war and its aftermath, told from a woman's point of view. Perfect for fans of A Fire Sparkling, The Girl in the Letter, or The Photograph — and all who love the drama and romance of the World War II era.

Reviews

"This book is subtitled A World War II Love Story... but it is so much more than that… I recommend it to anyone who likes World War II tales and stories about strong women who never give in to adversity." - Vine Voice

[Taylor has] mastered a conversational yet detail resonant style of prose. I know I can hear my mother and grandmother in her writing, musing and conversing.” - Misanthropester.com

A deeply moving tribute, meticulously researched and engaging from start to finish.” - Carol Starr Schneider, author

What readers say about If My Heart Had Wings:

“Compelling, unique and easy to read, this is a special story about the Greatest Generation. But ALL generations can relate to its themes of young love, loss, struggle and rediscovery. Wonderful read!!”

“This is a different perspective of the war and well worth the read.”

“I loved this book from start to finish!”

“I just cannot get this story out of my head. This book was superb… You won't be sorry you read it.”

“A truly wonderful account of the life (and death) of one of our young American pilots and what happened to his young widow. Definitely worth reading!”

“Each chapter left me wanting to find out what happened next, so I finished it in one sitting. It's the best book I've read all year!”

What a compelling, romantic book – filled with longing and well-researched historical information!”

“I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a tale of war time romance, disappointments, life’s sometimes harsh realities, and a reckoning of old vows.”