If y'all read my last post with the writing update, you're already gonna know what my camp NaNo project is, so today I'm just gonna post the synopsis *winces* (I'm terrible at those), and a few snippets that I've written this past week. ;) Since I have a few new characters, I wanted to get a feel for them before I started writing. Thus the very random snippets. ;)
Also, *warning* For those of you who have not read A Question of Honor, The synopsis has minor spoilers in it.
Synopsis:
A man. A decision. A destiny.
Rafe Sullivan never imagined the war would come to his doorstep. But when Pearl Harbor is attacked, and America's focus suddenly shifts to the pacific, he finds he can't ignore the problem anymore.
Leaving his fiance behind, he joins up to do what he does best. Fly.
Yet, nothing could have prepared him for the horrors of war, and the struggle that is going on in his own heart. As a outstanding navy pilot, he has a permanent spot flying fighters from the deck of an aircraft carrier. But could God be calling him to go inland, and help the Marines who are struggling to hold the small Island of Guadalcanal?
Lily Wilson gives her all to help the hurting community around her. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the war is brought home to many American families. And as a nurse, she longs to be able to relive some of the suffering. But her own grief is still fresh in her own heart, and even though she's made the decision to get on with her life, she can't seem to leave the past behind. When healing at last comes, the guard she placed around her heart slowly begins to crumble. But when she receives the news she hoped she would never again hear, can she find the courage to go on, even when it seems that everyone she loves is taken away?
Arthur Warrington saw the Navy as an escape from the life he left behind. And it seems good for him. He is able to forge new friendships, and distance himself from the his tragic past. But when his best friend makes a decision that rocks his world, he is left grappling with the question: what is true courage?
Three lives. One War. And a search for the Courage to go on.
Did you get through all that? If so . . .you have my sincere admiration. *hands you chocolate* Most likely that won't be the final synopsis. But hey, it's the best I can do, so it'll work for now. ;P
Okay, now for the prologue and the snippets! :)
Prologue:
We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin. The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by air. President Roosevelt has just announced that the attack was made on all naval and military activities on the principal island of Oahu.
The words shattered the after-church calm in the small town of Topeka, Kansas, and across the world.
Beyond the oceans, the rest of the world waited with bated breath to hear what America's reaction would be in response to the treachery that had taken place that Sunday morning on the sunny island in the pacific, where over two thousand men had been eternally silence by the attack of the Imperial Japanese Army.
But that afternoon, as he entered the kitchen and heard the strains of the broadcast that stunned the world into silence, one man already knew what he had to do. The others in the room faded away, and he didn't even notice the icy breeze thrusting itself through the door he left open behind him.
What had started out as a normal Sunday had determined the destiny of the rest of his life. His country needed him, and he would serve.
The small cry of an infant startled him from his reverie, and he looked up to catch sight of the woman he loved quieting the son that lay in her arms.
That attack on Pearl Harbor threatened to bring war home to those he cared about. And he would do everything in his power to make sure that never happened.
But no one knew just what they were up against when America declared war on Japan. And it would be a bloody conflict, more ghastly than anyone could have ever foretold.
Snippets:
Snippet #1
Rafe unbuttoned his jacket and tossed on the corner of the bunk. A groan escaped his lips as he lowered himself onto the relative comfort of the mattress.
Art watched him with a grin, slamming the barrack’s door behind him. What are you doing?"
Rafe's voice came out muffled from under the pillow. "Getting some shut eye for the next ten minutes.”
Art shook his head as he ran a hand through his white blond hair and straightened his collar before slapping his officer's cap back on his head.
"What in the world are you getting all primped up for?"
He turned to see Rafe emerging from the pillow, a look of bewilderment on his face. "I thought you were dead set against girls and marriage."
"Oh, and you're right." Art replied as he turned and took a seat on his bunk, facing Rafe. "But you see, as far as I can figure, these W.A.V.E.S. girls are something like sisters to us Navy men. And I'd take my sister to a dance."
Rafe shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Something tells me that if these girls had brothers, they wouldn't quite see eye to eye with that statement."
Shrugging his shoulders, Art stood the slipped his jacket on, and buttoned it. "Well, you're more than welcome to come along and keep me in line. Unless. . ." He allowed a flicker of teasing to seep into his voice. "Unless your head's too full of little-blond-curls back home to have any fun."
Rafe sprung from his bunk, picked up a boot, and tossed it at Art, who ducked out of the way just in time.
Art bit back a chuckle. "Well, didn't know she meant that much to ya, seeing as you told me she was like a sister to you." He stressed the word with a grin and leaned against the bunk, crossing his ankles.
A mischievous twinkle settled in Rafe’s eyes, and Art knew he’d stepped smack into a trap.
"She's as much as sister as that little brunette you're taking to the dance."
At that moment, Art wanted to pound his brain that couldn't think of a comeback, and it must have shown on his face as Rafe laughed aloud.
Art groaned. "I guess I left myself wide open for that."
Rafe laid back down, and a smug look of satisfaction crossed his face. "That you did, Art my boy. That you did.”
Snippet #2
Just then the fingers of the man in the tank appeared, and quick as a flash Art stepped forward. As silently as possible he slowly lowered the hatch till it sat on his fingers.
There was a yelp from inside, though Art knew that he hadn't lowered it fast enough to really hurt.
Still, the heavy metal would be uncomfortable when it lay on your bare knuckles.
A moment later, he heard a snarl from inside the iron contraption. "Art, you lift that now or I swear you'll regret it!"
Now how in the world had Gus known it was him? He shrugged, though he knew it didn't really matter. It wasn't as if Gus could see him.
"Art! I'm warning you, I've had enough of this! Now open the hatch!"
Pushing his cap further up on his forehead, Art rubbed his temples, seemingly in great thought. "Well, now, let's see. What's in it for me?"
The only answer was yet another snarl, and Art grinned. It wasn't often that he had the chance to play something like this. Especially not out here.
"You open that hatch, or I'm gonna tell Rafe you're writing his girl!" The words echoed against steel walls.
"What? You'd lie about me? Your old pal?" Art's voice betrayed his hurt.
"Huh, some pal. Trying to get my fingers chopped off."
"Nope. If I wanted them darling little fingers gone, I would have simply slammed the hatch down and kept on walking."
"Oh, just shut up, would ya?" The words from the tank had increased in volume. "I hate how you have an answer for everything."
Art chuckled as he reached down and lifted the hatch, and took a step back. A moment later, a dark brown head of mussed hair appeared as Gus used his arms to haul himself out. "They need to install stairs in this rotten thing," He muttered under his breath. He sat down on the lid and inspected his fingers. No blood had appeared, though they were streaked with grease from the seal on the hatch.
"Yup, they do need stairs. Also, keep those hands of my uniform." Art removed his hat, and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't need any grease spots on this nice, new, white suit."
"Art, I'm gonna kill you!" Gus exclaimed vaulting to his feet. "No, correction. I'm gonna make sure every part of you is smeared in grease, and then I'm gonna kill you!"
But before he could take a step forward, the alert alarm sounded, and both men instantly raised their eyes towards the clouds.
Small black specks suddenly appeared on the horizon, and the smile disappeared from Art's face. "You might not have the chance. The Japs might just take care of that for you."
He slapped his cap back on his head. "Come on, let's go."
And . . . there you have it! Did you enjoy the snippets? Does the story sound interesting?
Have a wonderful weekend!
