Monday, July 7, 2025

Review: When the Dogwoods Bloom Again by Robert Hays


 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Description:

“When young Gil Bennett is drafted into military service in mid-World War II, he knows his life will be different. But one thing that won’t change is his love for Annie, who accepts his marriage proposal and vows to be waiting when he comes home. While Gil endures the horrors and suffers the wounds of war in Europe, Annie must bear the challenges faced by a lonely young woman yearning for companionship. If they are to be together again, can things be as they were before?”

Author:

“Robert Hays has been a newspaper reporter, public relations writer, magazine editor, political campaign manager and university professor and administrator. A native of Illinois, he taught in Texas and Missouri and retired from a long journalism teaching career at the University of Illinois. He also has spent a great deal of time in South Carolina, the home state of his wife Mary, and was an active member of the South Carolina Writers Workshop. He served in the U.S. Army and holds three degrees, including an interdisciplinary Ph.D., from Southern Illinois University. His publications include academic journal and popular periodical articles and 12 books (one of these a re-titled paperback edition). His most recent non-fiction book is a biographical memoir about his close friend and collaborator, Gen. Oscar Koch, who was World War II intelligence chief for Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. Three of his five novels have been honored with Pushcart Prize nominations. Robert and Mary live in Champaign, Illinois. They have two sons and a grandson.”

Appraisal:

This was a good read. Imagining how it would feel to be in the position of the main characters, Gil and his fiancée Annie who are not only separated from each other, but with Gil serving in the military during World War II, how things are going to turn out for him is impossible to predict. This is the kind of book where I feel like it helps me understand the experiences of people I know who have gone through similar experiences. How it all turns out is something you’ll have to find out by reading the book yourself, but regardless of the answer the vicarious adventure makes for a good read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language.     

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

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