I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An elderly man must decide if he can share the painful past of his experience in WWII with a young man before its too late in author Jeffrey C. Morris’s “Gunmetal Ridge”.
The Synopsis
Ninety-three-year-old Will Morgan remembers December 21, 1944, like it was yesterday. Now a widower and alone with his torment, how can he tell it? If not for a chance meeting with a younger man named Jack Owens, Will’s haunting account would surely die with him. Not every soldier fought through Battle of the Bulge or lived to tell the tale—one that Will has sworn to secrecy. What happened on that ridge was one thing, but what Will sees as his own personal failure is another. Can he finally reveal the one heartache he never shared with anyone, one he has carried for so long?
The Review
This was such a powerful and moving read. The author did an incredible job of bringing a depth of emotional storytelling that kept the reader invested throughout this narrative. The author’s writing style was detailed yet vividly captivating, allowing the reader to feel transported to this era as Will told his story. The imagery and atmosphere the author crafted brought the horrors of WWII to life eerily and made the shocking moments in the story truly stick out.
The heart of the narrative was in this book’s world-building and character development. Not only is Will’s story a great emotional mirror for Jack as he deals with his struggles, but the bond they form together, as well as Will’s nurse Bea, forms the emotional background this novel needs. The tragedy of Will’s long-ago friend Al and the commentary on war’s impact on soldiers long after the battle ends make this a compelling story.
The Verdict
Thoughtfully written, memorable, and engaging, author Jeffrey C. Morris’s “Gunmetal Ridge” is a must-read novel. The historical fiction aspect of the story and the depth of emotional character development will keep readers hanging onto the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Jeffrey C. Morris began his career in the United States Air Force as an Avionic Inertial Navigation System Specialist at Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina. His unit was one of the last to maintain and fly the F-4E Phantom, earning the crew the moniker “Phantom Phixers.”
After receiving an honorable discharge from Air Force Active Duty, he served in the USAF Reserves before transferring to the 130th Tactical Airlift Group in the West Virginia Air National Guard. He served with the 130th until the end of Desert Storm.
Jeffrey attained an HVAC certificate upon leaving the military and worked in the HVAC field until accepting a position as a natural gas meter and installation specialist with Dominion Energy (Formerly PSNC) in 2000.
His love of American military history as well as his many conversations with veterans who served in wartime influence Jeffrey’s writing. GUNMETAL RIDGE, a composite story of many World War II veterans, is Jeffrey’s way of paying homage to the Greatest Generation.
A native of Charleston West Virginia, he lives with his wife and “spousal unit” of thirty-five years, Jennifer, in North Carolina. With their three grown children out living successful lives, Jeffrey intends to devote more time honing his craft and carving out the next historical military novel in his man cave. He also enjoys writing in other genres such as sci-fi, mystery, and romance.
