In her new novel, A Man of His Own, Susan Wilson (One Good Dog) explores the lives of three people brought together by a stray German Shepherd mixed-breed pup.
As World War II begins, Frederick "Rick" Stanton is an up-and-coming baseball pitcher with the Braves. One night, outside a tavern, he spots the stray pup, names him Pax ("Peace") and brings him home. Man and super-smart dog bond instantly; their pack of two expands to accommodate Rick's new love, Francesca, who later becomes Rick's wife.
When Rick is called up to serve on the front lines, Francesca spots a persuasive ad in search of obedient, well-trained dogs to assist the military defense. When she tells Rick, the Stantons eagerly volunteer Pax for the K-9 Corps.
Pax is deployed and assigned to Pvt. Keller Nicholson, a man with a sad, lonely past who forms a bond with Pax as strong as the one the dog forged with Rick on American soil. Pax ultimately saves Keller's life, and when the two are finally discharged from service, Keller contacts the Stantons, asking to adopt Pax. Rick, however, has returned from war severely wounded, a changed man in body and soul. Is there some way these three people can all share--and love--the same dog?
Wilson has crafted an emotionally complex, sweeping story of war--on the battlefield and in the heart--where lost, wounded souls come together and form a challenging, life-changing alliance. --Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines