in my grandmother’s car! She never mentioned him by name, but when I got curious and Googled him, there he was sitting on the front of a jeep with a bunch of kids around him. As it turned out, my mother was one of those kids petting Roscoe. I formed my story around that, and the feeling that I got from my grandmother that the war had been a terrifying and tragic time, but also a very meaningful time. I wanted to portray both sides of that coin. The friendships and bonds that held them together. That was my jumping off point.

[image caption from 2011 newspaper: Stilson snuggles up to Roscoe, the 5th Marine Division’s mascot – they had to leave behind in Hawaii when they hit thebut I love to talk writing, so if anyone has any questions, feel free to visit my website or follow me on Twitter or Instagram!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Born and raised in Hawaii, Sara studied journalism and later earned graduate degrees in psychology and Chinese medicine. Prior to practicing acupuncture, she worked as a high school counselor and teacher on the famed north shore of Oahu, where surf often took precedence over school. She is the author of six novels – Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers, Fallen Waters, Volcano House, The Ranch atRedwater, Salt and Seaweed, and Honeycreepers – with a bunch more