Love and murder???? There are a whole host of passengers to consider when deciding who will be responsible for the Hindenburg's fate. Lawhon and created an intriguing "what if" book.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

My thoughts: This is the second book I've read by Ariel Lawhon and I really enjoyed it. I find that her ability to weave fact and fiction into an intelligent and engaging tale is truly remarkable.

I have to say that I didn't really know much about the Hindenburg before picking up this book...and so I was completely enlightened by what really happened. I know that this is considered historical fiction and that Ariel has taken some liberties here and there, but I also know that she has based her story on fact. She really does her best to stay true to actual events whenever she can and the characters, from what I understand, are all actual people who were on board that fateful journey.

Knowing this, you would think that this would be a boring, straight-forward stale tale, and yet it is anything but. I found myself immersed in the tale and found that the characters, who again were all based on real life people, really came alive in this book. I found their stories to be so interesting - what their roles where and why they were on this airship.

What I love most about this type of book is that is makes me want to know more...not that this book is lacking in any way, but I want to delve deeper into the history of the Hinderburg - I want to pick up more books about it, see what else has been written about it, both fiction and nonfiction. As I mentioned, I didn't know much about it and now I have a thirst to know more. That's why I love reading historical fiction - I love when a topic spurs me to want to know more about a particular subject and Ariel Lawhon has done just that!

Wonderful historical fiction account of people on the Hindenburg. I couldn't put it down.

This fictionalized story about the Hindenburg disaster was fascinating -- fast-paced with well-developed and interesting characters. The author seamlessly wove in detailed information about the Hindenburg itself as well as the historical times in which the event took place. Exceptionally well done.

The first thing that came to mind upon starting Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon was the 1997 film Titanic. Both are media based on an iconic means of travel that ended in disaster and chronicle the last days of the passenger's lives.

Fortunately, Flight of Dreams delivers an amazing look at the occupants onboard without showing Kate Winslet's breasts. Ariel Lawhon turned the flight into a telanovela with each of the selected character's stories being unique, at times unbelievable and marvelously all intertwined.

My two favorites were of Werner and Emile. Werner reminded me of a puppy in the way that he was eager to please with a sweet demeanor. However, he was by no means a pushover and had the determination to get ahead. Emile had grit. Like Werner her dream was to get ahead in life at a time it was difficult for her gender. She was forced into an either or position and was sadden by her lack of independence and equality.

As for the explosion itself, the true cause has never been known although sabotage has been suggested which I feel is the route the author headed towards. The act of revenge through an American and crewman was well executed and the lead up to the fateful hour created an unnerving suspense that grabs ahold of the reader. Ariel Lawhon describes the explosion so effortlessly that I felt as if my own hair was scorched and vividly envisioned the Hindenburg combust into flames.

What I most liked about Flight of Dreams was that Ariel Lawhon did not change the names or fates of the Hindenburg's boarders. While it might be historical fiction I appreciated that the author gave a voice to the voyagers who were outshined by the glow of destruction and holds one awestruck until the last ember died.