Prologue
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.
—Douglas Adams
They say it takes a moment to fall in love with someone but a lifetime to forget them.
You’ll want to remember that. Hello, my name is Lincoln Chandler, and I write historical fiction.
Perhaps you’ve heard of me. I’ve written on everything from the American Revolution to the War on Terror and am considered by many to be the leading authority on wars with American involvement.
Despite my profound understanding of warfare, I’ve never considered myself an advocate.
The battles, the strategy, and the politics, though fascinating, are merely scaffolding for what truly captivates me—the people.
The unassuming heroes, the unwilling participants, the innocent bystanders caught in chaos not of their choosing.
It’s their stories which breathe life into the skeletal structure of history.
Their tales of courage, sacrifice, love and loss drive my passion, fuel my creativity.
Over the years, I’ve crossed paths with countless individuals whose lives have been touched, shaped, or shattered by war.
Each of their stories has left an indelible mark on my heart, and in the margins of my manuscripts.
They have altered the course of my pen on paper, compelling me to explore the depths of human experience that only conflict can reveal.
If you’ve read any of my books, then you know I don’t spare my readership the harsh realities of war.
The blood-soaked fields, the charred cities, the wails of the bereaved.
I paint these scenes not for the sake of carnage, but for truth.
Likewise, I highlight the glimmers of hope, the unyielding spirit, the indomitable will to survive that so often blooms amid the ruins.
But of all the stories I’ve written, there is one that has stayed with me more than any other.
A story so deeply entwined with my own that it has become a part of me, etched into the very fiber of my being, woven into the fabric of my soul.
It is the tale of Charlie Ross, a young man turned soldier, Anna, the girl he left behind, and the heart-wrenching saga of their love.
If you have the time, I’d like to share this story with you.
A few hours are all I ask in return for something that will stay with you long after our time has ended.
Perhaps a steady rain is falling in your corner of the world today or the night has settled in, and you can snuggle up with a blanket in your favorite chair, enjoy a hot cup of tea, and spend some time with Charlie and Anna, and a tale that took a lifetime to compose.
In case you’re wondering, the story isn’t all about conflict. There’s plenty of love and romance, too. Since a better description presently escapes me, let’s call it a life story, shall we?
Before we begin, I want to warn you this story will bring you to tears, so if you don’t have tissues nearby, I suggest grabbing some now.
If you manage not to shed a tear… well… you’re tougher than I am.
And tougher than Charlie and Anna, though I doubt that’s possible. You’ll understand why soon enough.
As I learned, both of them cried countless times throughout the years of living this story, and admittedly, I shed quite a few tears while writing it.
But don’t worry, it’s not all sad. You’ll laugh too, I promise.
And smile. I hope it makes you smile. For the sake of honesty, I’ll recount it just as it was told to me, so if some parts offend you, my apologies in advance.
All right, enough chatter. Let’s begin!