by
Claire Ashby
When I wrote WHEN YOU MAKE
IT HOME, one of my biggest concerns was telling Theo’s story authentically. I
don’t know what it’s like to join the army. I don’t know what it’s like to
fight in combat and come home changed. I don’t know what it’s like to live as
an amputee. But I wanted to tell this
story, and I wanted it to be authentic.
Luckily we live in a time
where people are candid and willing to share their lives. This openness
especially applies to today’s veterans. I spent many months following army
blogs. I read books by soldiers about their time serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan. I viewed documentaries, and yes, I watched Hollywood movies and
lost myself in military romance novels, too.
Sometimes the smallest
detail can make a story ring true; likewise, if you miss the mark you can
destroy all credibility as a storyteller. I hit a point where I had questions I
couldn’t answer with research alone.
One of the scariest things
for me was to actually talk to veterans. I worried about coming across as nosy
or that nobody would want to talk. As it turned out I had nothing to be afraid
of. The more I engaged in conversations, the more I realized that the people I
talked to wanted to share their experience. They wanted to share what it’s like
to serve in the military and what their frustrations were, what surprised them,
what they missed and how it changed their lives.
I’d watched this HBO
documentary called “Alive Day Memories, Home From Iraq.” Wounded soldiers were
recounting memories from their “Alive Day,” the day they narrowly escaped
death. The stories stayed with me, especially Bryan Anderson’s. He survived of
an IED attack that left him a triple amputee. I discovered he wrote a book
called NO TURNING BACK, about how he was able to move on with his life. He was
so candid about everything, so I decided to contact him. Again, I worried that
he’d think I was rude or intrusive, but he was eminently approachable.
Just like anyone else, veterans
want their stories told right. I’m indebted to all the people who opened up to
me, not just because of their service and sacrifice, but also because they shared
their experience, their personal pains, challenges, and concerns—I hope that my
novel did right by them.
When You Make It Home
Meg Michaels, a bookstore owner, has already walked away
from two cheating exes. She’s learned her lesson and has her mind set on
success—until she gets knocked up. Embarrassed and unwilling to discuss her
situation with friends and family, she wears layers to hide the pregnancy.
When Meg gets sick at a party, she’s mortified. Even
worse, Theo Taylor, the guest of honor, discovers her secret. Theo, an Army
medic wounded in the war, agrees not to reveal her condition, and the two forge
a bond of friendship that blossoms into love.
Theo is soon filling all of Meg’s late-night cravings—and
not just the pregnancy-induced ones. But can their love overcome all the
obstacles that stand between them and creating a happy family?
Links:
Author page on RAP: http://redadeptpublishing.
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