H. W. Buzz Bernard

June 1944: One weather forecast will determine if D-Day succeeds--or becomes history's greatest military disaster. USAAF Captain Andy Lockhart stands at the heart of history's most pivotal operation, providing the meteorological intelligence that will guide Eisenhower's decision to send 150,000 Allied soldiers across the English Channel. When British and American forecasters deliver conflicting predictions, the liberation of Europe hangs in the balance. But when a German agent seizes Dot, Andy's sweetheart, from the streets of war-torn London, he faces an agonizing choice--steal the D-Day landing maps, or sacrifice Dot to the viciousness of the Abwehr. With invasion fleets already committed to the treacherous waters and Eisenhower awaiting his meteorologists' counsel, Andy must navigate a web of espionage and betrayal while safeguarding the operation that could determine the war's outcome. As June storms gather over the English coast, one man's heart-wrenching decision threatens to alter the course of the most audacious military undertaking in human history. A masterful blend of authentic military drama and human sacrifice, perfect for readers of Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett and The Winds of War by Herman Wouk who seek tales of honor, duty, and the extraordinary individuals who shaped our world's most defining moments.

Amidst the turmoil of World War II, a daring Army Air Forces aviator is swept into an odyssey that will carry him to the far corners of the earth. Military duty and personal quest converge in this remarkable tale of grit and perseverance.Despite suffering grave injuries in the savage terrain of Burma, Major Rod Shepherd is returned to active duty to support war efforts against Japan. But his mission extends beyond official orders: Rod is determined to locate missing Army nurse, Eve Johannsen, even as top Army brass deny her very existence. Rod's primary mission sees him braving treacherous flight conditions and grappling with the horrors of the Japanese regime--all while he conducts his clandestine search for answers. In the end, Rod must risk challenging the highest levels of command if he has any hope of learning the truth...and finding Eve. In Where the Dawn Comes Up like Thunder, a 2025 International Book Awards finalist, former Air Force officer H.W. "Buzz" Bernard immerses readers in the heart-pounding aerial exploits of WWII.________________________Praise for WHERE THE DAWN COMES UP LIKE THUNDER: "...a captivating wartime journey through the lens of duty and love, where not every dogfight takes place on the battlefield." --Stacy Lynn Miller, retired Air Force officer and author of The Songbird"...captures the grit and heroism of war in a way that stays with you--an absolute must-read for historical fiction lovers." --James Rosone, Iraq War veteran and author of Battlefield Ukraine"an energetic and entertaining romp..." --Kathleen M. Rodgers, author of the award-winning novel, The Final Salute" Bernard's] vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, smells, and weather phenomena drop readers right into the China-Burma-India Theater for a thoroughly memorable, enjoyable, and rollicking adventure." --Valerie Ormond, Vice President, Military Writers Society of America and award-winning author of the Believing In Horses series________________________What readers are saying: ★★★★★ "...excellent..."★★★★★ "...well-developed..."★★★★★ "Historical military fiction at its best..."★★★★★ "...personal sacrifice, bravery, corruption..."★★★★★ "...my favorite WWII Pacific theater series..."

Down a Dark Road, winner of the 2024 MWSA Gold Medal, transports readers to the shadowy forests of WWII Austria, where a weary and battle-worn Army platoon is about to discover the war's darkest secret..."...a gut punch of a novel. A tale of war's end, when the bill comes due in blood..." --Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times bestselling author of Sleepless CityAs the war in Europe draws to a close, young Army lieutenant Jim Thayer finds himself and his platoon on the point of the American advance into Austria. Jim and his men are no strangers to the horror of war. But what they find hidden in the forests of Western Austria is beyond anything they have yet experienced.Battling remnants of the legendary Waffen SS, Germany's elite fighting force, Jim and his men come face to face with the cruel brutality of the Nazi regime. And bear witness to the fields of death left in its wake.Determined to hunt down the architect of this atrocity, Jim dispatches an unofficial team of unlikely allies--an American bomber pilot, a German Luftwaffe fighter pilot, and a young Austrian woman.The war may be ending. But for these strange comrades in arms, the final battle has only just begun...In Down a Dark Road, former Air Force officer H.W. "Buzz" Bernard plunges readers into the final dark and bloody chapter of the war, as they follow Jim and others into the true heart of darkness.________________________Praise for DOWN A DARK ROAD "Read this book. Share it with your friends and neighbors. Discuss it. Never forget " --Gene Simmons, cofounder of rock group Kiss"...an action-packed story that also informs on some of the darkest events of World War II." --Lee Jackson, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of After Dunkirk"Bernard nails the character of Jim and his significant role in the final chaotic days of WWII." --Major General Raymond F. Rees, USA (ret.)"...reveals the kindness and gentleness--the humanity--of a life-long warrior." --Ted Kulongoski, Governor of Oregon (2003-2011)____________________What readers are saying: ★★★★★ "...heroic story..."★★★★★ "...a read of a lifetime."★★★★★ "An incredible WWII read "★★★★★ "I could not put this book down."★★★★★ "...you owe it to yourself to read this..."

A legendary WWII airlift mission cuts through the snaggletoothed Himalaya Mountains, where both the terrain and weather prove uncommonly savage. And American airmen leave a trail of blood and mangled aircraft across northern Burma."I would rather fly a fighter against the Japs three times a day than a transport over the Hump once."Aviator Major Rod Shepherd, a C-46 pilot and Army Air Forces weather officer, flings his aircraft into the tumultuous skies to fly critical missions over the Hump. He braves not only the extreme-even impossible-flying conditions, but commanders who believe weather support is useless and a flight nurse who, for reasons unknown to Rod, dislikes him intensely.Rod risks incredible danger with every flight. But when a mission of grave importance is imperiled at high altitude, Rod faces an unthinkable dilemma.Former Air Force officer H.W. "Buzz" Bernard sweeps readers into some of the most dangerous flying of WWII in The Roof of the World, winner of the Nancy Pearl Book Award and recipient of the 2023 MWSA Gold Medal. Join Major Rod Shepherd in the cockpit to experience history firsthand.________________________Praise for THE ROOF OF THE WORLD: "Imagine flying a route so dangerous, so littered with aircraft wreckage, that crews called it the Aluminum Trail. Such was the heroism of the aviators who crossed the Hump-the Himalayas-during World War II. Yet their sacrifices remain one of the lesser known corners of World War II history. Buzz Bernard's gripping novel brings their story to light with stark detail and white-knuckle authenticity." -Tom Young, author of Silver Wings, Iron Cross and Red Burning Sky"A turbulent and harrowing thriller...at once a fast paced, genre bending historical war novel mixing elements of action/adventure with romance during WWII in the China/Burma India theater. Readers will appreciate Major Shepherd's dark humor, especially as they learn why he's both cynical and sensitive, a complex character we can root for. An enlightening and entertaining read. -Kathleen M. Rodgers, author of The Flying Cutterbucks, a 2021 WILLA Literary Award Finalist in Contemporary Fiction________________________What readers are saying: "...incredible..." "...Excellent read " "I just can't get enough of these stories..." "...packed with excitement and suspense...and a surprise ending..." "...flying scenes in this story were so real I swear I was sitting next to Rod on every transit..."

Inspired by the true story of Colonel Jimmy Doolittle's raid on Japan in 1942, The Shangri-La Raiders is the next stunning installment of the When Heroes Flew WWII historical fiction series."Well-researched and well-told." -Mark Sullivan, USA Today bestselling author of The Last Green Valley and Beneath a Scarlet SkyThis gripping novel follows an American bomber crew through their secretive training, a harrowing raid on Japan, and on their desperate journey through occupied China to Chungking, the seat of the country's wartime government.The crew, along with an American missionaries' daughter whom they've rescued, must evade the Japanese occupiers every step of the way. And amidst all the horror and turmoil of war, a romance blossoms between the rescued woman and the crew's pilot.2022 MWSA Gold Medal Winner, When Heroes Flew: The Shangri-La Raiders is a captivating tale of bravery, determination and an unlikely love that will leave you hooked until the very end._________________________Praise for The Shangri-La Raiders: "Riveting This fact-based story will place you in the cockpit of a B-25 bomber on one of the most celebrated raids of World War II, living facets of it that are so little known." -Lee Jackson, author of After Dunkirk"Another clever mixture of fact and fiction...Bernard's flair for bringing history alive is on full display." -Steve Berry, NYT bestselling author of The Kaiser's Web____________________What readers are saying: "Bravo " "...hands down a hit." "...a first-class page-turner." "World War II historical fiction at its best." "...I loved it, and highly recommend that you read it."

An award-winning novel of extraordinary bravery, inspired by the true story of one of the most harrowing air raids ever flown. Fans of Beneath A Scarlet Sky, The Nightingale, and Unbroken will enjoy this unforgettable tale of duty, honor, and compassion."...a bravura performance..." -Dwight Jon Zimmerman, New York Times bestselling authorFor B-24 bomber pilot Al Lycoming, the mission was history in the making. For Women's Airforce Service Pilot Vivian Wright, it was a chance to put her skills to the ultimate test...and share in the burden of combat.Dispatched to Benghazi on mysterious orders, Al Lycoming finds nearly 200 other B-24 bombers being assembled...and a top secret assignment that will catapult them all into seemingly impenetrable Nazi defenses.Their mission: a daring low-level attack on Hitler's extensive oil refineries.But when his co-pilot falls ill at the last moment, Al secretly finds help from an unlikely source-Vivian.Together, the two fly towards dark skies filled with enemy flak and fighters...and into the pages of history.With perspectives from American and German pilots alike, When Heroes Flew masterfully weaves together one of the most dangerous and incredible aerial operations of World War Two with a riveting tale of bravery, suspense, and self-sacrifice.____________________________Praise for H.W. "Buzz" Bernard's WHEN HEROES FLEW: "Highly recommended." -P.T. Deutermann, author of Pacific Glory"World War II angst and action brought to life." -Commander George Wallace, USN (Ret.), author of the Hunter Killer series"This book gripped me from the very first page...In real life, this WW2 mission resulted in the award of Five Medals of Honor. In my view, they all deserved one. Highly recommended." -Rachel Wesson, author of The Orphan Train series"...feel the vibration, smell the exhaust, and sense the fear." -Tom Young, author of Silver Wings, Iron Cross"...chuckle and weep in tandem while forgetting everything around you but the story itself." -Kathleen M. Rodgers, author of The Flying Cutterbucks" The pilot's]...amazing courage, and that of the entire group, is subtly drawn." -John J. Gobbell, author of the Todd Ingram series"Strap in It's one hell of a ride " -Don Keith, author of Final Bearing

No one was aware of the storm's sudden force. Not the Hurricane Hunter crew trapped in its center. Not the family marooned on a resort island while searching for their missing teen. A deadly Category Five hurricane has never hit the Georgia coast in modern times. Until now. "You can't put it down." - Jack Williams, science author and founding weather editor at USA Today "A one-sitting, white-knuckle read." -Vicki Hinze, award-winning author of Deadly Ties "An angry hurricane collides with the frailty and heroism of human nature...exciting and emotional." -Michael Buchanan, co-author and screenwriter of The Fat Boy Chronicles and Micah's Child "An edge-of-the-seat, action read of the finest quality." -Elizabeth Sinclair, author of Hawks Mountain St. Simons Island, Georgia, has never been hit by a Category 5 hurricane. Until now. No one predicted the storm's sudden force. A crippled Air Force recon plane, trapped in the eye of a violent hurricane. An outspoken tropical weather forecaster, fired from his network TV job before he can issue a warning: the storm is changing course and intensifying. A desperate family searching for a runaway daughter on Georgia's posh St. Simons Island, cut off from escape as the hurricane roars toward them. A marriage on the rocks; an unrequited sexual attraction; a May-December romance. All will be swept up by the monster storm. Get ready for a white-knuckle adventure. H.W. "Buzz" Bernard is a retired meteorologist who worked for thirteen years at the Atlanta-based Weather Channel. He considers St. Simons Island his second home. Visit him at www.buzzbernard.com