Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Story of the Sand

Author: Mark B. Pickering

Publisher: iUniverse

Mark B Pickering, born in Colorado, grew up in South Florida. He now resides in Atlanta with his beloved dog, Munich. 

Since fighting in the unforgiving sands of Iraq, Sampson Roy has returned to his home in Georgia. He has changed so much from how he was before he went to serve his country. 

Where once he was an optimist, now he is a bitter, resentful man. Having witnessed scenes of death and carnage, his mental state has deteriorated along with his marriage to his wife Mary.

One day Sampson takes off to the woods to drown his sorrow in cheap liquor. He doesn’t care anymore for what is there to care about? He stays in a tent where his urine and bodily odour stinks worse than the animals in the woodland.

Very soon thereafter he senses another presence and this isn’t the animals of the wood.

When his friend appears before him in the form of a ghost, Sampson is puzzled.

The last he heard, his friend David, had safely returned home from the war. Yet David or “Grouchy” as he is known, tells Sampson that he contacted an infection and it killed him.

Sampson is in disbelief, his other friends had died and now David is dead.

Nevertheless, that isn’t the only news. David tells Sampson that his wife Mary is pregnant and states that if Sampson intends to be there for his child, he is to get himself the help he needs. After all, it’s what Mary would want.

Sampson is still in denial. Can he ever be a good man again, let alone a father? Yet, he does really want to be a part of this child’s life and the only way to do that is to conquer his addiction. Can he make it and get back to the life he experienced?

This isn’t the typical story about a solider and his return from the war. This is a much more affecting tale, leaving the readers greatly sympathizing with the principal character.

Sampson is a character you learn to love. There is a tenderness about him that at times you  admire.

The plot is well thought-out with realistic characters and storyline. There is an undertone of politics but I found that it faded as I read on. It is much more to do with how the war has affected this man than vice versa. A worth- while book for people interested in this subject. Prepare to be shocked and moved.

 Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Story of the Sand

The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts:  Jessica is a book reviewer for a local newspaper and has reviewed for a national women's magazine too. She has had various articles published in magazines and has now completed her novel. Jessica currently lives in West Yorkshire and enjoys walking in the dales and woodlands as part of her hobby as well as, of course, reviewing books. To read more of Jessica's reviews  CLICK HERE 

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