“Everything will change. The only question is growing up or decaying.” – Nikki Giovanni

Black history isn’t merely a theme for one month. It’s exactly what it says — our history, American history. Even our fictional stories, such as Black Panther, give life to our hopes, dreams, and our true potential. Another such story is Wingmen by Almond Jones.

The book is set during WWII as its main character, Celeste Bonalee, is faced with change — big, global change — and difficult, life-changing choices. Much like the world we live in today.

Photo: Almond Jones / Dan Dos Santos

In the debut fiction novel by publisher and author, Almond Jones, Celeste is a highly skilled courier pilot with dreams of owning her own hangar. Like most young people, she’s determined to make it happened. But when war rears its ugly head, she and her wingmen (yes, she has more than one!) try to make it home in one piece.

It’s a story of a generation, of change, of what it means to be young, and what it means to live in a world where the future is so uncertain.

Sound familiar? Relatable, action-packed, well-paced, and chocked full of characters that will make you laugh and cry at the same time, Wingmen is just the story to celebrate a month that honors our accomplishments and contributions.

“I chose to make the main character, Celeste, a pilot because she is an outsider. There are advantages and disadvantages to being an outsider. The downside is you don’t have a place in society, even though society may depend on you for its livelihood. The upside is you have the freedom to do what you want. That doesn’t mean that people won’t try to stop you but, if they choose to do so, it will require them to come out of their world and enter your world,” says Jones. “… That’s the clash, and the clash is the story. Everything is bigger than her but she must become as formidable as those who would oppose her. That’s why she is African-American. We’re strong enough to do that but we haven’t a voice or an on-screen presence. Now, with this book, we do.” Almond Jones revealed.

Wingmen is now available on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Nook, Kindle, and on Almond Jones' website.

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