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EYE CONTACT OVER TRUK
America, 1985. Nick Mitchel is wracked by grief. Destroyed by his beloved wife’s death, the retiree is fighting to keep his flashbacks from disturbing long-buried truths. And a diving expedition in the Pacific Ocean he’d hoped would heal old wounds only reopens dark memories of the war…
Japan. Junichi Takahashi is brimming with indignation. After surviving the WWII firebombing of Tokyo as a child, he resents his dying father’s request to explore a sunken graveyard. And with the location now a tourist mecca for scuba divers, he’s furious that one of his nation’s most tragic losses has turned into an underwater playground.
As Nick struggles with nightmarish visions, his anger awakens when a saboteur starts tampering with his equipment. And as Junichi battles to make peace with his grim history, he confronts Nick in a dangerous collision of perspectives.
Praise:
“Woodman deftly captures the moral dilemmas and guilt that so often follows a confrontation with the long-term impact of our actions, avoiding common pitfalls of romanticizing and dehumanizing soldiers’ experiences…the novel offers rich historical insights on the attack on Truk in particular but also, more broadly, the overlooked reality of the costs of war.” — Booklife
“Author Stephanie Woodman created a perfect story of emotions, past trauma, healing wounds, and learning to live with your trauma…The descriptions were incredible, and the imagery of the lagoon was breathtaking. I loved each moment of the story and highly recommend it.” — Readers’ Favorite
“Don’t be deterred by thinking it is a study in gloom and somberness; despite those themes, it is surprisingly lovely and even uplifting to read.” — Matt McAvoy Book Review
“Woodman skillfully blends detailed descriptions of the underwater landscape with deep introspective reflections, creating an intense and poetic atmosphere…a powerful message about forgiveness, healing, and rediscovering the joy of living.” — The Historical Fiction Company
“The characters are so meticulously developed that their emotions resonate deeply with the reader…is a novel that will touch your heart and leave a lasting impression.” — The Coffee Pot Book Club
“Unique, original, deftly crafted, a riveting read from start to finish, and all the more impressive when considering that it is the author’s debut as a novelist..” — Midwest Book Review
“A heart-wrenching and insightful exploration of the social and psychological cost of war wrapped in an entertaining and well-crafted story.” — Reedsy Discovery
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