“War is like a hot dog, in that this country loves it, and does everything it can to ignore what goes into it.
These are the harsh words of a character in the newly-released, psychological thriller Our Father. However, they could easily also reveal what many veterans feel after transitioning from military life into the civilian sector.
U.S. Army veteran A.K. Neely attempts to explore this concept and much more in his debut novel, Our Father.
Released last week on Amazon, the psychological thriller portrays a soldier as he struggles to re-enter civilian life after his time of service in the U.S. Army. John Rockford, having been injured in and affected by his tour of duty, is both the narrator and the protagonist in this story.
“Rockford’s voice is that demon that lives in the mind of far too many veterans,” said Neely.
Rich with description and raw with emotion, A. K. Neely’s debut effort is engaging and thought-provoking as it provides a glimpse into the deep—and often dark—mind of a man pushed beyond his limits.
“If it’s an uncomfortable reading experience, it’s because it should be,” said Neely. “I did not aim to create something for everyone; it’s designed to force the reader to face many of the severe truths our veterans live with every day.”
Neely served five years in the U.S. Army as a public relations specialist. During two deployments to the Middle East, Neely received seven Keith L. Ware Journalist awards for outstanding achievement in news publications, digital communications, news media, and writing.
“The book is by no means biographical or indicative of any of the experiences I had in the military,” said Neely. “Instead, the narrative was crafted out of hundreds of conversations I’ve had with service members and veterans throughout the years.”
Neely’s short stories and essays in The Tower Journal, The Bicycle Review, The Gracchus, The Evening Street Press, The Reveries, Danse Macabre du Jour, El Portal, and more.
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