Private Gregory Morris lives with a secret that's tearing him apart. His childhood friend is the only one who knows. His decision to join the Army makes his life that much more difficult.
Living the lie, loving in secret, and losing everyone close has Greg wondering if life's even worth living. Eventually decisions must be made, but at what cost?
Excerpt
PREFACE
They hid in the shadows. Towers fallen and a ship sunk was enough for us to get involved. Trillions of dollars spent and thousands of lives lost in an attempt to protect the American people from something they couldn’t understand. Was there really any way of knowing where to look? Was there truly anything that could’ve been done? The government seemed to think so whether its people agreed, that’s beside the point. We continued to spend. We continued to lose lives. We continued to stay afraid while trying to ignore the problems on our own soil. We tried. That’s all I can say…we tried.
Thousands of Soldiers exposed to a disorder that was ignored through World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. Their problems went ignored. The government denied any exposure, though I’ve personally known several people with unexplained mental health problems. Until our conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, did the government finally admit to the possibility of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Soldiers finally found ways to deal with their issues, not completely, but it helped a bit.
This book isn’t simply about money and it isn’t about our starving economy. It isn’t about the wars of America’s past. It is about a guy. A normal guy named Greg who comes from a small, rural community in the Midwest. He comes from a normal family and he’s made a decision to join the United States Army living with a secret. His secret is one that he feels he must bear all on his own. To love, to live, to lose all alone simply because of a judgmental choice our society has made, he believes it is a curse. He’s alone.
Though ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ has been eliminated, let’s not forget about those who’ve suffered through it. Also realize, just because it’s gone, doesn’t mean things have really changed. Not that much.
Professional Reviews
T.J. Tjaden
Read it in one sitting today! Loved it! You are such a great writer and I truly look forward to reading more of your books!! It was a great climatic ending...a very brave move on Greg's part.
Erik Sukke
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read your beautiful book. I enjoyed it so much that I only read in small sessions, because I didn't want it to end. You have done an amazing job telling a story of self growth, despair, but mostly love.
Joy Vander Plaats
Couldn't stop reading it. It really is beautifully written, and I loved the honesty. Taking on such a controversial topic is a pretty bold move, and it was well done. I really had no idea what to expect when I stated that I would read it. I really liked the descriptiveness of all the surroundings, and I think that it was impossible to not finish. Thanks for sharing early with me, I feel honored. Hope to see you again someday in person!
Just a simple gathering of the Gay & Lesbian Activist Association of New Birch and Sipsboror (GLAABS) and we plunge down a hilarious ride to perdition.
