Haunting Memories¿ or¿ A Bright New Future
As head producer of Mornings with Laurie and Clark, Seattle¿s top news show, Ava Ellington knows her position is tentative as the ratings were slipping. When her mother calls to ask her to assist her Grandpa Jack (Jackson Andrews) on a WWII battle site tour, as she had broken her leg, Ava sees a chance to break down the barriers between her and her Grandpa.
Ava runs the idea past her boss, and he suggests that she videotape the tour for mini-segments for the show. But Ava will have to be reminded over and over that this tour is for the healing of her grandpa and not a TV special.
Grand-Paul (Paul Prichard), a close friend of Grandpa Jack, was also going, under the care of his grandson, Dennis, Ava¿s first love from fifteen years earlier.
Upon arrival in Paris, they find the tour cancelled due to the tour guide¿s accident in Northern Africa. Both men want to continue the tour, so Ava and Dennis accommodate them. The mystery parts Ava wants to know about is Angeline and Chenogne, the two things Grandpa Jack has kept secret from Ava. The tour ends with a memorial service at the Mauthausen concentration camp.
Tricia weaves the tender story of two elderly ex-soldiers from the same Infantry Division who want to reminisce and make amends stemming back from their haunting actions and memories from WWII, particularly Grandpa Jack with Angeline and Chenogne. The heartfelt emotions of the characters tear at your own heart as you hear the story unfold. The interactions between Grandpa Jack and Ava the TV host and Ava the granddaughter evolve in such a way that it heals your heart. The sights and scenes bring both sorrow and joy to the two friends. It¿s a trip that is both agonizing and freeing. One that¿s filled with hope and faith that reaches the most unlikely characters.
Woven amongst the WWII tour memories, there¿s an on-again, off-again romance between Ava and Dennis. Their goals had separated them fifteen years ago. Ava also has the complication of an ex-fiance who wants her back. Would she have to choose? Would their goals continue to separate them? Especially when Ave and Dennis are again separated at the end of the tour.
Being so close to Veteran¿s day, it¿s a time to remember and give thanks to all the soldiers and their families for the sacrifices they made on our behalf. Thanks also to Tricia for sharing these memories with us in novel format.
Since I read this book, my husband and I got to meet a gentleman, who served in Northern Africa during WWII, and his wife. Applebees restaurant gives a free meal to veterans on Veterans¿ Day here, and we were talking with this couple until our booth was available. We asked them to share the booth with us. It was exciting to meet a WWII veteran and his wife. They were in their late 80¿s. Now I understand Tricia Goyer¿s joy in sharing their stories.
This book was provided by Amy Lathrop from The Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
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