Danielle Steel's 51st bestselling novel tells the story of an extraordinary man, the woman who loved him, and a bond so powerful it could never be broken. It is about finding the courage to let someone you love fly free... The phone call came on a snowy December afternoon. Kate was certain it was Joe, the brilliant, visionary man who had been her soulmate, her driving force since the night they met, almost thirty-five years before. What she got was the one call she had never wanted, and didn't expect. As the snow continued to fall, Kate's mind drifted back, to the moment when she and Joe first met. She had been just seventeen and he was young, powerful, dazzling, and different from any man she'd ever known. It was just days before Christmas, 1940. The war is raging in Europe when Kate Jamison makes her debut in New York City. In a room filled with the scions of East Coast society and the leading political figures of the day, it is Joe Allbright who catches Kate's eye. At twenty-nine, Joe is the brilliant protege of Charles Lindbergh, and already a legend in flying circles for his record-breaking speed and state-of-the-art airplane designs. All Kate sees is a tall, strikingly handsome man who seems at once awkward and larger-than-life, like a shining star- just out of reach. Joe, too, is caught off balance by his response to Kate, seeing in this beautiful young woman vitality and youth, the lifelong soulmate he never expected to find. As the months pass, they will meet again, forging a bond that will set the course of both their lives. Kate will go off to study at Radcliffe. Joe will skyrocket to fame in modern aviation. Joe's planes are his life, his passion. But irresistably drawn to her, moth moth to flame, he always comes back to Kate. Even after the long dark years of World War II, when Kate was sure she had finally lost him completely, Joe returns. Never willing to stay, always needing to fly away. As planes are for him, Joe is the passion in her life. When the war is over, at twenty-four Kate wants marriage and a family. Joes wants the world, his limitless horizon, and the unique aviation empire he is building. Unwilling to wait any longer, Kate moves on with her life. But when a chance encounter brings them together again, the time has finally come to make a choice, one that will have profound consequences for them both for the rest of their lives. Against a vivid backdrop of war and thrilling innovation, Danielle Steel breaths life into history, weaving an intensely human story that spans three decades, of two intensely different people who, in spite of themselves, are irrevocably woven into the fabric of each other's lives. With rare insight and emotional power, she brings to life a tale of unconditional love, sacrifice, and compromise. The joinging of two remarkable halves into a single far more powerful whole. It is a novel of extraordinary grace and compassion from a master storyteller, perhaps the best story she has told.
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"I really liked this book and read it in about a day. I like that the majority of the story went pretty much year by year for the first 15 years or so. I'm not sure if I liked it that we knew Joe was going to die in the first chapter. I loved Kate & Joe's story but wish they would have had children together, but it wasn't meant to be I guess."
— Brandy (4 out of 5 stars)
" Loved it.. what people will go through for true love.... "
— Kristin, 2/17/2014" It took about 350 pages to get good; ending was nice. An easy read. "
— Hubjeanne, 2/2/2014" Not one of my favorite book but I enjoyed reading this book. "
— sandra, 2/1/2014" This story got me glued to my seat for a week! currently rereading the same book.. try it! "
— Kofi, 2/1/2014" Awful. The "hero" was a jackass and the girl was a spineless enabler. The only redeeming character was ruined to prop up the "hero." "
— Erica, 1/30/2014" This is one of the best Danielle Steel novels I've read, maybe the best. I give it 4 1/2*. "
— Carole, 1/29/2014" I find the lovers selfish. Kate (if i remember correctly the name) only thought of herself and her love regardless of anything else. Joe is also very selfish. He says he loves her but she left her and took her for granted. How could you say you love that someone when you took that person for granted? That's bull. "
— Karissa, 1/25/2014" One of Danielle Steel best. "
— Jo, 1/16/2014" One of the most beautifull books i've ever read. Loved it! "
— Ana, 12/7/2013" A great book! Steel at her finest. The story was frustrating at times but life is frustrating. T "
— Share, 11/22/2013" This is another one of my favorites from Danielle Steel about Kate falling in love with a pilot name Joe, and wanting to be with him. This is a tear-jerker straight through with some historic elements in it. Good love and straight passion with suspense. "
— Kristen, 11/16/2013" Reeally good. It made me cry at more than one part, which shows how relatable the characters are and the connection you feel. I would reccommend this book for sure. "
— Avalia, 10/31/2013" I don't think she writes her own stuff anymore. Her earliest work was definitely her best. "
— Jodi, 9/23/2013" The first book I ever read by Danielle Steel and I absolutely fell in love with the story. "
— Annabelle, 8/21/2013" I read this book quite some time ago but I remember really liking it. It took place around WWI and it's a romance - I don't really know how to say anything about it without giving away the book. I have never read any other Danielle Steel book but I did enjoy reading this one. "
— Heather75, 7/25/2013" This book was not one of my favorites of Danielle Steel- it repeated the themes too many times and made me just want the book over with which is aytpical for me with her books. "
— Renee, 6/10/2013" this is possibly the worst piece of garbage I have ever read. don't like leaving a book unfinished. that was the only reason i finished the whole thing. "
— Anna, 2/19/2013" I've read this book countless times. It's incredible! "
— Amber, 8/27/2012" Typical Steele but she threw in some tough decisions for the couple to make where you might find yourself asking 'what WOULD I do'? "
— Cheryl, 3/15/2012" World War II setting saga "
— Jean, 2/15/2012" Did not like this book. "
— Susan, 2/14/2012" Typical DS. Love story and dumb decisions by immature characters. Not even a happy ending. The lesson here-some men really love work more than anything else and no woman can change that. "
— Melissa, 2/12/2012" Reeally good. It made me cry at more than one part, which shows how relatable the characters are and the connection you feel. I would reccommend this book for sure. "
— Avalia, 6/1/2011" Awful. The "hero" was a jackass and the girl was a spineless enabler. The only redeeming character was ruined to prop up the "hero." "
— Erica, 5/11/2010" this is possibly the worst piece of garbage I have ever read. don't like leaving a book unfinished. that was the only reason i finished the whole thing. "
— Anna, 4/4/2010" This book was okay to pass the slow time at work. I didn't like that she gave away the whole ending at the very beginning of the book. I guess this genre really isn't my thing. Adultery doesn't really sit well with me either, but that's just me. "
— Leah, 2/11/2010" First love means everything, by the way. "
— Ashree, 9/16/2009" This was a good book. Some bits seemed unnecessary to me, but to each her own. It all worked out as I had wanted in the end and the personalities of the characters were consistent through out. "
— Heather, 9/12/2009" This was the first historical romance that I read and I just fell in love with it. I think that this is definitely my all-time favourite DS ;-) "
— Stasha, 6/21/2009" I really enjoyed this book. Two people drawn to each other then obstacles shove them apart. He is building an empire of airplanes. No matter how much they love each other things get in the way. "
— Susan, 8/20/2008" I read this in large-print hardcover, and it's one of my favorites by her. "
— Maxine, 8/18/2008" This is one of the best Danielle Steel novels I've read, maybe the best. I give it 4 1/2*. "
— Carole, 5/29/2008" This is another one of my favorites from Danielle Steel about Kate falling in love with a pilot name Joe, and wanting to be with him. This is a tear-jerker straight through with some historic elements in it. Good love and straight passion with suspense. "
— Kristen, 4/18/2008" I don't think she writes her own stuff anymore. Her earliest work was definitely her best. "
— Jodi, 1/22/2008Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world’s most popular authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include many acclaimed novels. She is also author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina’s life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children’s books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Ron McLarty is a veteran actor of television, film, and stage as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator. He has more than 100 television appearances to his credit, including as a series regular on Spencer for Hire and Law & Order. His film career began in 1977 with a performance in The Sentinel and continued with such films as The Postman, Flamingo Kid, and, most recently, How Do You Know? His stage credits include Broadway and other productions. He has narrated more than 100 audiobooks, earning nine Earphones Awards and recognition by AudioFile magazine as a Best Voice in Mystery & Suspense in 2009 and 2010. He has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Awards and then won the award in 2001 for Best Mystery Narration. He is also an accomplished playwright and an acclaimed novelist.