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More Themes and
Snippets from
Wounded Angels
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Wounded Angels touches on a number of important themes. I presented a few in each of my previous posts. along with a sample of the writing that addressed each theme. Here are a few more.
Separation - In Wounded Angels, Maureen and Frank return from their Atlantic City honeymoon to find Fran's notice inducting him into the draft for WWII. That is based on the real-life experiences of my mother and father-in-law, Charlotte and Fred.
Over the next three years, we saw each other for a total of three weeks, one after Frank completed basic training and two more just before he went overseas. On our last night before Frank shipped out to the Pacific, I asked him to promise that he would come back to me.
“As much as I want to, you know I’d be lying if I said could control that.”
“I’m not looking for honesty,” I yelled. “I want you to tell me that you will come back no matter what.”
He answered, “I promise you this, Maureen: I’ll do everything in my power to come back to you and if I do, I will never ever leave you again.”
War Brides- While Maureen and her best friend, June, wait for their husbands to return, they try to support their men on the home front.
While our husbands were half-a-world away, we kept vigil at home. We served in the USO, helped with warbond drives, and even joined the Cadet Nurse Corps. I didn’t stay there very long. The training was rigorous and we both handled the academics well, but when we started interning at the hospital, the reality of the war overwhelmed me. “Hurry it up, Russo,” the head nurse yelled as I stared at the mangled stump of a soldier’s missing leg, “that dressing isn’t going to change itself.” Some men were blind, others were terribly disfigured. In addition to the physical wounds, many suffered from severe mental and emotional disorders. Many of them accepted their conditions with
unbelievable courage but I saw Frank in every one of them and within a few weeks, I dropped out."
PTSD - Like many combat veterans, Frank returns from the war haunted by the things he's seen and done. Maureen patiently tries to help him "come home."
I slept at the other edge of the bed, afraid that if I touched him he might react violently. Instead, when he started thrashing, I whispered softly, “Frank, you’re home now, you’re safe.”
Then, when I thought it was safe enough, I reached across the bed and lightly touched his arm. If he jerked suddenly, I withdrew and waited before trying again. When he calmed, I whispered, “It’s me, Frank, Maureen. I love you,” and slowly moved in closer, gently rubbing his arm until his breathing deepened to a peaceful rhythm. Then I snuggled next to him and stroked his hair. It was often moist with sweat and at times, his whole body was wet. “It’s all right,” I murmured, “you’re safe with me,” and then I cradled him in my arms like a child and rocked him gently. As I did, I sometimes heard him sobbing in his sleep, “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
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As I mentioned in my previous announcements, I sent advanced copies Wounded Angels to several respected authors and other professionals asking each of them, if they deemed the book worthwhile, to write a brief review for me. Here are the next two of those I have received.
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"Writing a memoir that keeps the reader involved and looking for more is an accomplishment. Writing it as a man from the first-person perspective of a woman is a more daunting challenge. In Wounded Angels, Chuck Miceli hit upon the perfect formula that kept me engrossed with the story while giving me a sense of family with the characters. Chuck is well on his way to becoming a top-tier author in multiple genres."
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Brian Jud, founder of the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association and
Executive Director of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales
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Chuck Miceli has written a dynamic story of Maureen, her young love, Frank, and an unusual influence in her life who shows up just at the right time. You won’t want to put this book down!
Carol Keeney
Author of Brand New Teacher and Fairy Daze
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In The Press
Brian M. Johnson wrote this wonderful article about Wounded Angels. The article was printed in the October 24, 2019 edition of the New Britain Herald and under the title "Book based at senior center helps process grief" in the Bristol Press.
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Join Us for a Joint Book and Song
Album Launch - January 25, 2020!
I am thrilled to be co-launching Wounded Angels along with Rev. Gordon Ellis's launch of his newest song album, LOVE HEALS, created by him and his brother, Mark. The launch will be hosted by First Congregational Church of Southington and take place in the church's Memorial Hall from 3 to 5:30 pm on Saturday, January 25, with a snow date of Sunday, January 26, at the same time. At the launch, I will be presenting the "Story Behind the Story " of Wounded Angels, including a slide presentation, and I will be reading excerpts from the book. Gordon will be discussing the development of LOVE HEALS and performing selected songs from his album. For anyone who wants, copies of both items will be for sale and Gordon and I will be happy to sign and personalize them for you. There will be many other highlights, and refreshments will be served, so if you are in the area, come and join in the celebration!
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That does it for now. Thank you for spending this time with me. If you or others you know are interested in keeping apprised of these updates, please sign up on the CONTACT page of website at https://www.authorchuckmiceli.com/ and / or Like my Facebook author's page at https://www.facebook.com/authorchuckmiceli
My goal is to provide you with information that you find interesting and enjoyable. Feel free to jot me a note telling me what you think of these updates and what you would most like me to cover in them.
Until the next time, warmest regards, Chuck
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