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D. R. Bailey
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Dawn of Hope: An action-packed WWII aviation adventure (Spitfire Mavericks Thrillers Book 1) Kindle Edition

by D. R. Bailey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 1,738 ratings
A thrilling adventure of war in the skies! For fans of Derek Robinson, James Holland, Frank Barnard and Jack Higgins.

Be careful of the enemy within…

1940, England

After a series of run-ins with his superiors, Flying Officer Angus Mackennelly is posted to Squadron 696 – the Maverick unit full of misfits and outsiders.

Angus has just returned from gunning down enemy aircraft when he is given a shocking top-secret mission.

A spy is in their midst, feeding information to the Germans, and Angus is tasked with exposing him.

MI6 pin their suspicions on one of the squadron’s foreign pilots, but Angus is not convinced. He needs to get closer to the men in his unit to try and unravel their secrets.

As the fight in the skies intensifies, it is clear the Germans are anticipating their every move, putting the lives of the pilots in the Maverick squadron at a deadly risk.

Can Angus unmask the traitor? Will he save the men in his squadron?

Or will the enemy remain one step ahead…?

DAWN OF HOPE is the first book in the Spitfire Mavericks Thrillers series: action-packed aviation adventures set during the second world war and featuring a team of vigilante pilots.

THE SPITFIRE MAVERICKS THRILLER SERIES:
Book One: Dawn of Hope
Book Two: A Fool’s Errand
Book Three: The Fleeting Target
Book Four: The Sunrise Raiders
Book Five: Tides of Change
Book Six: Tip and Run
Book Seven: Targets of Opportunity
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  1. Book 1 of 7
    Spitfire Mavericks Thrillers
  2. Print length
    294 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    May 12, 2023
  6. File size
    2.3 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 7 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BVMS4NSS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 12, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 294 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800559486
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 7 ‏ : ‎ Spitfire Mavericks Thrillers
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 1,738 ratings

About the author

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D. R. Bailey

D. R. Bailey

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D.R. Bailey was raised in a family of bibliophiles. From an early age, he developed eclectic tastes in fiction including Sci-Fi, Romance, Crime, and the Classics. Some of his favourite authors are still Gerald Durrell, Jane Austen, Peter James, Ellis Peters, and Isaac Asimov. He began his writing journey at the age of eleven with a fictional story about his toy teddy bear clan. To date, he has published four major fictional series. Apart from writing, Bailey has engaged in several different careers and says that these life experiences have all contributed greatly to his penchant for storytelling.

Bailey’s most successful series is his WW2 Aviation Thriller, The Spitfire Mavericks, published by Sapere Books. It features spies, thrilling action-packed aerial combat, romance, and more. The series features a maverick crew of pilots thrown out from every squadron. The hero of the hour, Flying Officer Angus Mackennelly, endeavours to save the day in a series of thrilling adventures. The series has been a best seller on multiple Amazon lists in several countries and still rides high in the charts.

Following the success of the Mavericks series, Bailey has now written another WW2 Aviation Thriller series also published by Sapere Books, The Secret Sirens. The series poses the fictional question of what if women flew into combat with the RAF in WW2. The series features exciting secret missions by the Sirens squadron, spies, intrigue and more. Strong female leads combine with some great storylines to bring the reader an adventure to keep the pages turning.

Bailey has also penned and independently published five full-length crime novels in the DI Gallway series which is a genre he is particularly fond of. The stories contain a heady mix of crime, suspense, humour, steamy romance and much more. Bailey has also tackled some controversial and topical subjects surrounding the Catholic Church. The stories are set in Ireland, and Bailey confesses to having a great affection for the Irish.

Bailey has also independently published The Innocent Killing, and four other books in a Legal Drama series featuring a fictional barrister in Dublin called Bernadette Mackenna. This new series is a steamy spicy mix of legal drama with a strong element of same-sex romance.

The Spitfire Mavericks, The Secret Sirens, DI Gallway Investigates, and Bernadette Mackenna Investigates will hopefully continue for many more books to come. Bailey pledges to continue writing for as long as he can. Bailey is dedicated to excellence and writes with passion but at the same time tries to make his words accessible to those of all persuasions, sometimes shocking perhaps, but never dull.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
1,738 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and engaging, particularly enjoying the aerial combat scenes. They appreciate the romance elements and the writing quality, with one customer noting it's a real story.

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ReadabilitySuspenseRomanceWriting quality
10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining, with one mentioning they enjoyed every twist and turn.

"...All in all, a good read; enough history to keep the series believable, enough action to keep it moving, and enough character development to invest..." Read more

"Engaging book. Fun to read. Will get the next one too! Try it you will like it very much maybe..." Read more

"Not a bad book, but I don’t think I’ll read any more of the series. There was surprisingly little airplane content...." Read more

"Mr Bailey delivers a really enjoyable historical novel. I enjoy some of the WW2 novels...." Read more

8 customers mention "Suspense"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful story, particularly the aerial combat scenes, with one customer highlighting the Battle of Britain setting and another noting the thrilling narrative of the air war.

"...Well done scenes of aerial combat mesh quite effectively with other unexpected activities of the squadron to keep the reader ”on his toes” as it..." Read more

"...This book has everything, war action story, mystery, humor, romance, and an engaging plot to keep the reader riveted...." Read more

"...I have liked the fast pace of the narrative m. Too bad the protagonists couldn’t have got married, but this isn’t Shakespeare." Read more

"Nothing lighthearted and playful about The Battle of Britain other than in the mind of this author. Don't waste your time." Read more

3 customers mention "Romance"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book.

"...This book has everything, war action story, mystery, humor, romance, and an engaging plot to keep the reader riveted...." Read more

"Great romance, the Battle of Britain a good setting for drama and intrigue...." Read more

"...We’ll done, and we’ll written with enough flying and a good mix of romance…great. Excellent." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...Enjoy a very well done book1. I am off to enjoy book2" Read more

"The author has written a real story of the adventures of a young English aviator and his loves and adventures during the defense of England against..." Read more

"I had no idea this was a soap opera book. I did read it and it's well written and kind of fun but it wasn't the adventure book I was looking for." Read more

Impressive
5 out of 5 stars
Impressive
At the end of the second chapter I looked to see if there would be a follow up – there is, and I quickly pre-ordered it. This book has everything, war action story, mystery, humor, romance, and an engaging plot to keep the reader riveted. The British use terms somewhat different from what we here in the Colonies use which adds some spice to the story. As to the historical accuracy, it is a thought I declined to act upon but worth consideration. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that I am not related to, or know the author, nor biased by mine and the author’s surname. I read over one hundred books a year (retired, do not like the telly) and this book is just one of the better five star reads I have encountered.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • curiousDave
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Darned Good
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I've read several series that started out great but flagged badly after the second or third installment. I'm up to the sixth in the series and haven't been disappointed yet.
    Spitfire Mavericks is about an WWII RAF squadron of mostly misfit pilots who gel quite effectively amidst other misfits.
    Well done scenes of aerial combat mesh quite effectively with other unexpected activities of the squadron to keep the reader ”on his toes” as it were.
    The series is by no means a comprehensive compendium of the air war in Europe but the author details in an afterword the events the current book is based on.
    All in all, a good read; enough history to keep the series believable, enough action to keep it moving, and enough character development to invest the reader in the outcome.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jodi Holbein
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Engaging book. Fun to read. Will get the next one too!
    Try it you will like it very much maybe...
    Helpful
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  • Eric L
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not as much flying action as I had expected
    Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Not a bad book, but I don’t think I’ll read any more of the series. There was surprisingly little airplane content. I don’t want to give anything away to those who have not yet read it, but there was a lot of relationship stuff that I really wasn’t interested in.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Philip Bailey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive
    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    At the end of the second chapter I looked to see if there would be a follow up – there is, and I quickly pre-ordered it. This book has everything, war action story, mystery, humor, romance, and an engaging plot to keep the reader riveted. The British use terms somewhat different from what we here in the Colonies use which adds some spice to the story. As to the historical accuracy, it is a thought I declined to act upon but worth consideration. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that I am not related to, or know the author, nor biased by mine and the author’s surname. I read over one hundred books a year (retired, do not like the telly) and this book is just one of the better five star reads I have encountered.
    Customer image
    Philip Bailey
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Impressive

    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2023
    At the end of the second chapter I looked to see if there would be a follow up – there is, and I quickly pre-ordered it. This book has everything, war action story, mystery, humor, romance, and an engaging plot to keep the reader riveted. The British use terms somewhat different from what we here in the Colonies use which adds some spice to the story. As to the historical accuracy, it is a thought I declined to act upon but worth consideration. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that I am not related to, or know the author, nor biased by mine and the author’s surname. I read over one hundred books a year (retired, do not like the telly) and this book is just one of the better five star reads I have encountered.
    Images in this review
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    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars love as never tested
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great romance, the Battle of Britain a good setting for drama and intrigue. I have liked the fast pace of the narrative m. Too bad the protagonists couldn’t have got married, but this isn’t Shakespeare.
    Helpful
     Report
  • david allan vera
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heck of a good read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Mr Bailey delivers a really enjoyable historical novel. I enjoy some of the WW2 novels. There are some fine writers out there and he can certainly fit right in. Enjoy a very well done book1. I am off to enjoy book2
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Robert
    2.0 out of 5 stars Frivolous.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Nothing lighthearted and playful about The Battle of Britain other than in the mind of this author. Don't waste your time.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Richard Gabriel
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling story of the air war in England
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The author has written a real story of the adventures of a young English aviator and his loves and adventures during the defense of England against the German air raids. Full of action and suspense.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Christine Lewis
    4.0 out of 5 stars An OK read
    Reviewed in Australia on May 21, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed the book but found myself annoyed at times by the storyline and occasionally the stupidity of the main character.
    Report
  • Suzette Summerstone
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 24, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I wasn’t familiar with the aviation theme but have read all the previous books by this author and was very curious how he would spin his yarn around aviation during WWII.
    I thoroughly enjoyed it from cover to cover. The author paints his characters really well so that you feel and live with them through the story. The story itself is believable and could have well happened. I don’t have a favourite character but love the twists and turns in the story which is a particular knack the author has to keep you interested and reading on until the early hours of the morning. I found the main character Angus for being a pilot and having to think quickly too stupid on the ground at times and Angela way too forward at times.
    Like all your books I think this one would make a great film with strong characters and a great storyline.
    I can’t wait for the next book in this series which is of course on pre-order!
    Really well done D.R. Bailey for venturing out into a new genre and for rocking these Amazon charts!
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars OK story but could be more realistic
    Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was an OK story but the fact the author doesn't know much about aerial combat and flying in general made it seem contrived. I can't imagine a fighter pilot being reprimanded for shooting down an opponent while inverted. I have problems with historical fiction when situations are not believable.
    Report
  • john
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Good read on a lighter side
    Report
  • alan pritchard
    3.0 out of 5 stars A little bit different to the other Battle of Britain stories
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was an OK read but somewhat different from the others in that most of the story was ground based. The aerial action was secondary to the main themes of the book. Interesting characters who will hopefully mature in the follow up.
    Report

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