Hi, I’m Sky Crawford, better known as, “The Skylark, King of the Skies and the Bedroom.” You wanna know how I got my pilot call sign? Well, to skylark in the Navy means to not pay attention, be easily distracted, or pretty much have one’s head up one’s you know what at the wrong time, so you do the math. But don’t worry, I’m always focused once I climb into the cockpit of my Navy helicopter. See, I’m a Romeo pilot and—what? No, the Romeo stands for the type of helicopter I fly, the MH-60R Seahawk. The “R” stands for Romeo in the military alphabet, which makes me a…Romeo pilot. How’s that for branding?
I recently met this awesome woman who turned my world upside down. Now after a hard day of doing Anti-Submarine Warfare patrol, Search and Rescue at sea, or Counter-Narco-Terrorism interdictions with my helo crew, I drop by Dr. Daisy’s veterinary clinic and try to win her over. See, this stray cat adopted me last week while I was trying to impress my chick-du-jour. Turned out what really impressed her, was when I agreed to take the cat to a vet and find it a home.
But, whoa, baby, the vet turned out to be the hottest chick on the planet, except that she wouldn’t give me the time of day. For starters, Dr. Daisy didn’t fall for my BS. She thinks I’m a player. Does that seem fair to judge me by my Navy flight suit, my cocky attitude, and my come-on-sweetheart-you-know-I’m-the-bad-boy-of-your-dreams smile? Said she didn’t date military men anyway, especially pilots. I asked if she’d crashed and burned before and she replied, “Something like that.”
Since I’ve always loved a challenge, I decided to keep the cat, calling it my ticket to veterinary paradise. But, you know what? I’ve grown fond of the kitty. Siamese cats are very much like dogs—meeting you at the door, following you around and talking to you, and apparently waking people from PTSD nightmares before they get out of control. Not that I can’t handle a few bad dreams.
I kept taking my cat to the vet with trumped-up ailments and it finally paid off. Dr. Daisy has allowed me to tag along to her volunteer activities, figuring kids at the Boys & Girls Club and retired Naval officers at a nursing home would enjoy chatting with me in uniform. I think she’s running from something, being such a do-gooder and not leaving any time for herself. But I’m gradually breaking down her defenses and I bet we’ll be going on real dates soon. By the way, I kind of like working with the kids and retirees. Who knew community service could be fun?
I’ve been training for an upcoming mission to the Eastern Pacific, where it’s rumored a crop of La Perla, the purest cocaine in the world, will be making its way from South America to Mexico. Hopefully my crew will be the ones to interdict this shipment. We’ve been practicing a lot lately on the St. Johns River near our base at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. So when I’m not sweet-talking Dr. Daisy, explaining Search and Rescue to kids in after-school programs, or telling sea stories with elderly, retired Navy pilots, I’m preparing to ruin some drug runner’s day. I just hope when I return safely from this next mission, Dr. Daisy will be waiting for me with open arms.
That is, assuming I return safely.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on December 11, and you will be entered to win a copy of Forget Me Not. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Forget Me Not, the story of a Navy pilot and a war widow who rescue one another, is the second novel in Heather Ashby’s “Love in the Fleet” series from Henery Press. It was named a 2012 Golden Heart® finalist and Sheila Award winner under its original title: Cat On a Hot Steel Flight Deck.
Heather’s debut novel, Forgive & Forget, the first book in the “Love in the Fleet” series was voted “Best of 2013” by Suspense Magazine for Romantic Suspense.
Ashby is a Navy veteran whose mother was one of the original WAVES in World War II. After leaving the service, Heather taught school and raised a family while accompanying her Naval engineer husband around the United States, Japan, and the Middle East. In gratitude for her Army son’s safe return from Afghanistan and Iraq, she now writes military romance novels, donating half her royalties to Fisher House Foundation – Helping Military Families. She lives in Atlantic Beach, Florida with her husband and three rescue cats. Contact Heather at Heatherashby.com.
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I would love a copy. I remember the Wacs and Waves during WWii.
Sky is my favourite character in the series so far! So funny and irreverent! Well done making Book 2 even better than Book 1! 🙂
Hi, Nancy. Great to hear you cheering on the WACS and WAVES. Certainly my late mother’s stories helped to guide me to join the Navy – and write about it years later. I hope you enjoy FORGET ME NOT.
Hi, Catherine all the way from Australia. So glad you’ve been enjoying reading about Sky. This book is like a Godchild to you with all the help and guidance you’ve given me. Thanks so much!!! I’m glad you like how Book 2 turned out. I’m pretty tickled myself, but then that’s just how Sky rolls. Tickling and stuff.
Sounds wonderful.
Hi, Gram. Thanks for stopping by and meeting Sky!
Heather’s first book, Forgive and Forget, was a terrific book and it was one that I just wanted to continue the see more of in a series. Book two, Forget Me Not, sounds equally as exciting as the first and I can hardly wait to read it. Finding enough time to read has been challenging lately, but with the promise of really good books, I make it happen as soon as possible. Keep up the good work, Heather. Thanks for the nice write up today on Dru’s blog.
Cynthia
Awww, thanks, Cynthia. You are one of my biggest cheerleaders. So glad you liked FORGIVE & FORGET, and I hope you enjoy Sky’s book as well. I can imagine it’s hard to find to read with all you do caring for others. Hope that is going well. God bless you for all you do!
Sky, I enjoyed meeting you in Forgive & Forget, and I’m looking forward to watching Dr. Daisy clip your Romeo wings in Forget Me Not!
Oh, I LOVE “clip your wings,” Kay! May I use that in promotions! Awesome double entendre for a pilot. Hope you’re writing is going well and you are staying warm there in Texas. Write On!
Like many fans of our troops I think my wife would enjoy this book very much. Please enter my name in the draw for the chance to win her a copy. Thanks
Thanks, Carl. I do love hearing from the guys since I write for both male and female readers. My military advisors are male and they add authenticity to both the military aspects and the guy aspects. Thanks for stopping by, commenting, and thinking your wife would enjoy this. P.S. You might enjoy it too – if you like suspense, firefights, and a possible water egress from a helicopter. 🙂
I’ve already read FORGET ME NOT and I’m totally in LOVE with Sky! A fabulous book, Heather, you did yourself proud! Sky’s a unique hero and you did an incredible job making him work as a character and making him *memorable*!
Aw, thanks, Sheri. I loved what you’ve said before about Sky: Based on everything you see and hear about him in the beginning of the book, you should despise him – yet you adored him. Thanks for being patient with him. And thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I am a fan of our military – and this sounds like a terrific story. I am somewhat familiar with people dealing with PTSD and I think this would be a very informative story. Most of all, it sounds like a lot of fun – reading should be fun. Thanks for the chance and I hope I win the book.
Hi, Annette. Thanks for supporting the military and understanding the problems many have with PTSD. There is quite a bit of healing in this book – along with Books 3 and 4 to come. And I’m like you. I love learning things through a story. And yes, reading should be fun. And hopefully informative too. Thanks for stopping by.
This sounds like a fantastic story! Thanks for posting!
Thanks for dropping by, Wendy!
I’m not familiar with this author. Sounds like a good series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Mary. I hope you win. I’d love to share my Navy romantic suspense novels with you!
Loved Forgive and Forget, Heather! So happy to see Sky’s story comes next. Congratulations on the Best of 2013 in Romantic Suspense.
Thanks so much for all your support, Sandra! I’m excited how things are taking off for you 🙂 Write On!!!
This book looks interesting.
Thanks for stopping by, Sharon!
Thanks Heather for introducing us to Skylark.
Thanks so much for inviting me, Dru. I love this blog! And I love the books and authors I meet on it every day. Thanks again.
Thank you Heather. I also learn a lot from reading these stories and meeting new authors.
contest is closed.
What more can I say….LOVE MY GUY SKY!!!! So much fun reading about his journey…thanks for sharing him with your readers.