Book picks similar to
Fourth and Forever by Bert Carson


sports-fiction
contemporary-fiction
military
family-saga

Taking Flight


Adrian R. Magnuson - 2012
     Two unlikely companions meet in midair: 13-year-old Jeremy, sent against his will by his career-absorbed father to spend the summer with his bipolar mother, and Harry, one-legged and afflicted with mid-stage Alzheimer’s, who escapes the confinement of home for what may be his last adventure. Their journey begins, trailed by Harry’s wife and Jeremy’s parents, who threaten to cut it short. It’s a race against time and circumstance. "In Adrian Magnuson's Taking Flight a curmudgeon losing his memory and a snarky teen fleeing his parents find a common passion in bird watching. Endearing characters, delightful story and a poignant final scene give this book wings along with the beautifully depicted birds.” —Frances Wood, author of Brushed by Feathers: A Year of Birdwatching in the West "Taking Flight is an evocative and moving contemporary novel. It is, at every level, a story about love. For one character it is a coming of age tale, for the other the end of an age. Both are runaways, yet each ultimately is searching for home. I highly recommend this heart-touching, beautifully written book." —Andrea Hurst, president of Andrea Hurst Literary Management “Filled with well-developed, real-life characters, Taking Flight’s heart-breaking but satisfying story hits on all cylinders: action, comedy, and emotion.” —Terry Persun, award winning author of Sweet Song

Giving Up the Dream


J.L. Campbell - 2011
    In a perfect life, these promises are easy to keep. When faced with spousal betrayal, idealistic oaths take a back seat. Justine Charles made the ultimate sacrifice for her dying husband. Will she rally after his death or be forced to give up a final chance at happiness?

Hunter's Rain: A John Chase Novella


Dirk Patton - 2016
    Warlords are seizing control of a central African nation and what had begun as a limited conflict is quickly ramping up to full-scale genocide. On orders of the President, he leads a Delta Force team to join up with a squad from the Australian SASR who are already on the ground. Together, they have one mission. Stop the wholesale slaughter of innocents by any means necessary. But, things are not as they seem. John is accompanied by a CIA agent who has a personal issue with him, as well as a mysterious specialist from USAMRIID, the US Army's laboratory for medical and biological defense research. Together, they encounter horrors that can only come from generations of tribal hatred. After witnessing unspeakable atrocities, none of the men will ever be the same. For those readers who are familiar with the V Plague series, this is the story of John and Lucas Martin that was referenced in the novel Recovery: V Plague Book 8. This story is set before the time of the V Plague and can be read before, during or after without spoiling any events in the series. While Hunter's Rain is by definition of word count a novel, it is published as a novella.

Indian Country


Philip Caputo - 1987
    After returning home from the war, his friend buried on the battlefield he left behind, Christian begins to make a life for himself. Yet years later, although he is happily married to June, a good-hearted social worker, and has two daughters, Christian is still fighting--with the searing memories of combat, with the paranoid visions that are clouding his marriage and threatening his career, and most of all with the ghost of Bonny George, who haunts his dreams and presses him to come to terms with a secret so powerful it could destroy everything he has built.

First Blood


David Morrell - 1972
    Then came the legend, as John Rambo sprang from the pages of First Blood to take his place in the American cultural landscape. This remarkable novel pits a young Vietnam veteran against a small-town cop who doesn't know whom he's dealing with—or how far Rambo will take him into a life-and-death struggle through the woods, hills, and caves of rural Kentucky. Millions saw the Rambo movies, but those who haven't read the book that started it all are in for a surprise—a critically acclaimed story of character, action, and compassion.

Koko


Peter Straub - 1988
    Only four men knew what it meant. Now they must stop it. They are Vietnam vets a doctor, a lawyer, a working stiff, and a writer. Very different from each other, they are nonetheless linked by a shared history and a single shattering secret. Now, they have been reunited and are about to embark on a quest that will take them from Washington, D.C., to the graveyards and fleshpots of the Far East to the human jungle of New York, hunting someone from the past who has risen from the darkness to kill and kill and kill.

When We Found Home


Susan Mallery - 2018
    Still, Callie Smith doesn't know how to feel when she discovers she has a brother and a sister--Malcolm, who grew up with affection, wealth and privilege, and Keira, a streetwise twelve-year-old. Callie doesn't love being alone, but at least it's safe. Despite her trepidation, she moves into the grand family home with her siblings and grandfather on the shores of Lake Washington, hoping just maybe this will be the start of a whole new life.But starting over can be messy. Callie and Keira fit in with each other, but not with their posh new lifestyle, leaving Malcolm feeling like the odd man out in his own home. He was clever enough to turn a sleepy Seattle mail-order food catalog into an online gourmet powerhouse, yet he can't figure out how to help his new sisters feel secure. But affection isn't Malcolm's strong suit...until a beautiful barista teaches him that an open heart, like the family table, can always make room for more.In this emotional, humorous and heartfelt story, Susan Mallery masterfully explores the definition of a modern family--blended by surprise, not by choice--and how those complicated relationships can add unexpected richness to life.

Point Hope


Kristen James - 2013
    Now they both feel hurt and unwanted. Their marriage is on its last legs when their family is faced with two deaths and an orphan. They're already raising two young children and Trey's teenage brother, Alex.After an IED brought his Navy career to an end, Trey became an EMT in his hometown of Coos Bay, Oregon. He struggles with PTSD, which affects his ability to do his job and connect with his family. His wife seems to be living life without him.Rosette is the mother hen and friend to all. She can't figure out what happened to her marriage, or to Trey--the man she once so desperately loved. It feels like she'll lose everything along with him. Meanwhile, he's enclosed in his own world without her.Trey and Rosette make a shaky agreement: to play "family"for now so they can take care of Trey's recently orphaned niece. But can faking it ever be enough?It's make-it or break-it time. If they split apart, who will raise Hope?

Up From the Blue


Susan Henderson - 2010
    Though she's not due for another month, sudden labor pains force Tillie to reach out to her estranged father for help, a choice that means facing the painful memories she's been running from since she was a little girl. An extraordinary debut from a talented new voice, Up from the Blue untangles the year in Tillie's life that changed everything: 1975, the year her mother disappeared.

Meet the Sky


McCall Hoyle - 2018
    The one that caused Sophie’s dad to walk out of her life. The one that left Sophie’s older sister, Meredith, barely able to walk at all.With nothing but pain in her past, all Sophie wants is to plan for the future—keep the family business running, get accepted to veterinary school, and protect her mom and sister from another disaster. But when a hurricane forms off the coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks and heads right toward their island, Sophie realizes nature is one thing she can’t control.After she gets separated from her family during the evacuation, Sophie finds herself trapped on the island with the last person she’d have chosen—the reckless and wild Finn Sanders, who broke her heart freshman year. As they struggle to find safety, Sophie learns that Finn has suffered his own heartbreak; but instead of playing it safe, Finn’s become the kind of guy who goes surfing in the eye of the hurricane. He may be the perfect person to remind Sophie how to embrace life again, but only if their newfound friendship can survive the storm.

Midlife Muse


Donna McDonald - 2021
    Haven't you heard of me? No? Bet you've heard of my twin sister, Athena, the Goddess of War. Sure. Everyone’s heard of her.Shunned by my birth family, I grew up with the Muses as sisters and friends. Being a Muse sucked, though, and I failed at inspiring others.What can I say? Being a warrior is the song that sings in my blood. Just hand me a sword and move back while I call down lightning. Be careful though because my aim’s not what it used to be. Becoming a 40-year-old and mostly mortal woman has taken a toll, especially on my knees.Because of my father, my entire pantheon is also mortal and dying. I have to find a worthy champion to help me save us all. Failure is not an option no matter how old or mortal I get.My name is Atlanta, Goddess of the Doomsday Prophecy. And this is my Mortal Midlife Story.Author Note: This new story is both paranormal (think Trolls, Pegasi, and Dragons) and women’s fiction (think about growing older). Some fantasy and romantic elements are also included. This is the first book in my new series, Nine Heirs and a Spare, which has its roots in Greek mythology. You can count on the good guys winning some of their battles, but that’s the only promise I can make. As with all my writing, there will also be lots of laughs along the way.

Seaghost


William H. Lovejoy - 1991
    Seeking justice for his father’s murder, ex-Navy SEAL Kevin McCory steals the Seaghost from the dark, restricted waters of the U.S. Naval Research and Development Center. But he isn’t the only one…The Warriors of Allah steal the Sea Spectre, a second stealth vessel, on the same night that McCory takes back what is rightfully his. Eager to inflict as much death and destruction on the Western world as possible, the terrorist group moves down the Atlantic seaboard, striking quickly and racking up high American casualties. With the Navy, the Pentagon, and the FBI on his trail, McCory must avoid capture, ensure justice for his father, and take down the terrorists in the Sea Spectre. As invisible as the terrorists in the SeaGhost, McCory is the only one who can find them…and stop them before it’s too late…Seaghost is a gripping, thriller submerged in the world of military espionage and terrorism. Praise for William H Lovejoy ‘Lovejoy has proven himself a master storyteller.’ - Clive Cussler‘Lovejoy writes in afterburner!… action that leaves you dry-lipped, moist-palmed and hungry for more. An excellent read.’ - M.E. MorrisWilliam H Lovejoy has publications in English, Spanish, Hebrew and Japanese. He is the author of twenty-five thriller, suspense, and mystery novels, including Delta Blue, Delta Green, Alpha Kat, Phantom Strike and Ultra Deep. A Vietnam veteran, he resides in Colorado and is Vice Chancellor Emeritus from Mohave Community College.Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7

Four Years from Home


Larry Enright - 2010
    He was the one God, and Grandma Ryan, had called to the priesthood.I never understood why, but his path changed in seventh grade and he chose not to enter the seminary, not to honor his promise to Grandma Ryan on her deathbed, and eventually, not to be a Catholic anymore. It was a big change for all of us, going from living with someone on the road to heaven to enduring the unsettling life of a boy on an express train to hell. This went on throughout high school and when Harry left for school for his freshman year at college, he almost left without saying goodbye. I remember to this day the last thing he said to Mom and Dad: "Don’t worry about me. I'll see you later. I love you." And that was that. He was gone.For four years, Harry never came home and no one went to visit him. He rarely wrote, never called, and invariably found a job there over the breaks and summer vacations. His letters were overly formal, typed, report card-like messages - “Got all As, very happy with classes, people are great, miss everyone…” Even I realized they were emotionless and not like Harry at all. He had completed the transformation into someone so completely different that he was unrecognizable as Harry to any of us. No one spoke of him at the dinner table or wondered aloud how he was really doing or why he had changed. His picture disappeared from the living room mantle. It was as if he had ceased to exist, had never existed, that the shining star had in fact been but a passing comet lost in time and memory. It hurt Mom and Dad a lot, so much that even I realized it, and I’m fairly insensitive. But it was Christmas 1972, Harry’s senior year, and he was coming home.

Miss Apple Pants


Charlotte Roth - 2013
    In her senior year of high school, her family moves across the country to Seattle, turning her already-small world upside down. She feels alone and lost… But then she finds a box of decades-old love letters between Martha and Frederick; she becomes best friends with her new midget neighbor, Miss T; and she meets Hans, a very symmetric German exchange student. But summer ends abruptly when she is forced to make a decision that will change her life. Forever. A warmhearted and humorous coming of age story, Lost in Seattle, is a celebration of family, love, friendship, motherhood, and that special bond between daughters, mothers, and women across generations. “If you love a fast-paced story, with snappy dialogue and lots of humor and heart, this is the book for you.”"Charlotte Roth caught my attention with the snappy chapter titles. She kept it with snappy dialogue, which I adore, unique characters, which I fell in love with, and a story filled with heartbreaking, humorous, and heartwarming moments. It hasn't been easy for Eleanor, living with her tree hugging, 'hippie-like' parents. She's not happy when they move her from the east coast all the way to Washington state. After an exhausting cross-country drive with her parents in a U-Haul truck, they finally reach their destination, only to find the truck is filled with another family's belongings. After five days of being stranded with nothing of their own and limited funds, they finally decide to get some use out of the unclaimed contents of the truck. When they find an iron mailbox full of letters from 30 years ago, the two women in the family decide to read them. The tales of a young couple's struggles three decades earlier weave a complex and interesting pattern into this already interesting web of entertaining story line. This first story of Ms. Roth reads like it's her tenth, with crisp, clean writing. I'm looking forward to reading more from her. I give it 5 stars and high recommendations!" Lori Leger, Author of Fictional Romance with a Cajun flair. Owner/Editor at Cajunflair Publishing

The Iron Triangle: A Novel of the Vietnam War


Douglas L. Edwards - 2019
    It is a character driven story concentrating on the soldiers of a single squad. It shows the unrelenting brutality of war and how teenage boys accepted the daily violence with stoic, grim humor. Barely out of high school, they confront their own mortality on a daily basis. It is set in the months after the Tet Offensive when combat increased dramatically producing the highest casualty rate of the war. The anti war movement was at its height creating a feeling of abandonment in those left to fight in the jungle. These men did fight out of a sense of patriotism, and in fact, scoffed at the idea of anthems and the flag waving patriots at home. They fought to protect their brothers in arms and would gladly endanger their own lives to ensure the safety of their friends. The lived and died in the isolation of a primeval jungle so dense that sunlight was a luxury. They fought for body count, a term and strategy developed by rear echelon officers, that dehumanized both the enemy and themselves. They fought to perpetuate the lies presented in daily briefings that measured the success of the war in ratios and statistics.