Today I am so pleased to welcome Melanie Hansen to Joyfully Jay. Melanie is here as part of our Beach Read Bonanza to talk to us about her release, Everything Changes. She is also sharing some great giveaways! Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
During the course of my husband’s Navy career, I’ve been fortunate enough to live on or around some of the loveliest beaches the United States has to offer: The Hawaiian island of Oahu, Coronado Island, CA, and my personal favorite, Pensacola, FL – the sugar white sands and emerald waters of this stretch of beach defy description.
For me, beyond the scenery, beyond the tourist attraction of these beaches, my most vivid memories of them are inextricably linked to my life as a military spouse of 17 years. In Pensacola I will never forget standing on the beach and watching the world-famous US Navy Blue Angels, the FA-18 Hornet aerobatic flying team, put on their yearly summer performance for the home crowd. Every show they do is heart-pounding and thrillingly patriotic. The death-defying maneuvers and cutting-edge precision will always give me goosebumps, no matter how many times I’ve seen them in action.
When I think of Pensacola Beach, I will always think of the Blue Angels…of patriotism and Navy Pride.
And then, of course, there’s Hawaii – stunningly beautiful, steeped in ancient history and traditions. The legend of the Night Marchers invokes chills, stories of ghostly warriors who appear out of the night mist and march silently from the mountains down to the edge of the sea. If you ever happen to see the Night Marchers, don’t meet their eyes or you are forever cursed.
I’m not afraid of the Night Marchers, and I don’t believe in curses, but standing at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, directly above the wreckage of the USS Arizona, I’ve found I do believe in ghosts. Under the elegant memorial there are 1,102 brave souls entombed in the twisted, rusted metal of the ship just below the surface, men who had been sleeping peacefully in their racks early that December morning and woke to horror. They fought and died bravely, some weaponless and resorting to throwing wrenches at the enemy planes who rained down fire and death upon them. Drops of oil still seep to the surface from the submerged fuel tanks and are visible on the water, even over 70 years later.
Less than 500 yards away from the Arizona sits the USS Missouri, the ship that hosted the signing of the Japanese declaration of surrender, thus ending World War II. The Missouri’s bow faces the Arizona. It’s a powerful statement: The Arizona was the beginning of the war for the United States, and the Missouri was the end.
When I think of Oahu, I will always think of Pearl Harbor…of bravery, sacrifice and reverence.
Finally, my book Everything Changes is set on Coronado Island in San Diego, CA. The Island is gorgeous, affluent, and famous. We were lucky enough to live in military housing on the Island directly across the street from the ocean. I could walk there with my two toddler boys and enjoy the sunshine and sea breezes anytime I wanted. But the beaches of Coronado aren’t just beautiful, they serve a purpose. Some of them are the training grounds of the US Navy SEALs, one of the most elite Special Operations forces in the world.
Sometimes when making sand castles with my boys or wading in the shallows, we’d see combat helicopters flying overhead with men dangling from cables, or hear machine gun fire from nearby gun ranges, or see the colored smoke from dummy grenades wafting into the sky. One of the duties my husband’s squadron had was to support the SEALs by flying them where they needed to go, and we knew some Team families and I was friends with several Team wives.
When I think of Coronado Island and its beaches, I will always remember that freedom isn’t free. And that some, including a friend’s husband, paid the ultimate price for what we enjoy today.
The beauty and tranquility of these beaches, for me, will forever be intertwined with visions of patriotism; sacrifice and bravery; duty and honor. They are special memories and they helped to shape my story about two men who faced a life-altering experience together, an experience which redefined their friendship and eventually turned it to love.
If anyone has been to a Blue Angels air show, or visited Pearl Harbor or Coronado Island, I’d love to hear about it! Or feel free to share your memories of any special place that touched you deeply, for whatever reason.
Thank you, Joyfully Jay, for allowing me to visit your blog today!
Excerpt
Jase shook his head against Carey’s shoulder. “I keep seeing you lying there in that dirt, so still. There was so much blood everywhere. I constantly relive that moment when I first saw you, when I didn’t know if you were alive or dead—”
He shuddered, and Carey kept up the soothing touch.
“I don’t remember anything from before the blast. Most of the day is a blank.” Carey grimaced. The missing time had bothered him for a while, but he knew it was his brain’s way of protecting itself from the memory of trauma.
“We played volleyball, Carey, all morning. There was nothing going on. It was so quiet. You had to stand duty after lunch, so you said you wanted to take a short nap. I had to go see a few guys in the clinic, and when I came back, you were curled up asleep in the shade of that Humvee tire. You had your head on a rucksack and it looked so uncomfortable, so I sat down against the tire and pulled your head into my lap.”
Carey chuckled. They’d often napped like that outside, a head pillowed on a stomach, a lap. So much better than the rocky ground, and all the guys did it.
“I fell asleep too, and then that fucking Gomez came by and accidentally on purpose spilled his canteen on us. Prick.”
They laughed quietly. Pretty much everyone had called Gomez “that fucking Gomez.” He was the guy who always had a joke, a one-liner. He was hilarious, the life of the party, had a gift for easing any tension in just the right way. He’d also died in the attack that had injured Carey.
“Jase, did you know that Gomez’s wife visited me in the hospital?”
Jase lifted his head from Carey’s shoulder. His face was a little more relaxed, though his eyes still looked haunted. He shook his head silently.
“She did. I woke up one afternoon and she was there. Fuck, I didn’t even know that he’d—” Carey swallowed hard. When he’d seen Mira’s haggard face, he knew immediately without even having to be told.
“What did she say?”
“Landon—you remember him? He was there at Walter Reed too. Apparently he told her that Gomez was with me on duty when the attack started. She wanted to know how that last hour or so of his life was, what we talked about, what he said.” Carey grew quiet.
“What did you say?” Jase’s voice was hushed.
“I—lied. How could I tell this grieving widow that I didn’t fucking remember anything about her husband’s last moments? She looked so… hopeful that I could tell her something, anything about him.” Carey’s voice was strained. “So I made up this entire fucking imaginary conversation between me and Gomez, told her that he talked about her, their kids, how much he couldn’t wait to be home. I told her that he made me laugh over and over doing impressions of LT and Sarge—” His voice cut off as he choked up.
“You did the right thing, Carey,” Jase said quietly. Carey was ashamed of himself for bringing up this topic; now Jase was having to comfort him, and that was the last thing Carey wanted. He made an effort to pull himself together.
“It seemed to satisfy her. Then she—oh my God, she mentioned you, Jase. I’m such an asshole. I completely forgot about this. Oh, Jase.” Carey felt himself choking up again for an entirely different reason.
“What?” Jase looked alarmed.
“No, no, it’s good. She said that Landon had told her how hard you tried to save Gomez, that after you had me stabilized you took over for another corpsman and you worked over him for a long time.”
Jase’s face grew shadowed. “He was pretty much gone when I took over, Carey. He still had a heartbeat, but it was so weak and thready that there was no way he was getting any oxygen to his brain. It just took me a little longer to accept that and give up, that’s all.”
“But Jase, she said for me to tell you ‘thank you’ for working so hard to save her Juan’s life, that she thanks God every day that he sent a hero like you to help her husband. That even if God took him home after all, she knows you did the best you could.”
Jase closed his eyes, and after a moment, a single tear tracked its way down his cheek.
“Jase,” Carey said shakily. “I’m so fucking sorry that I never told you about that. I’m such a—I’m such a selfish asshole.”
Jase wiped his cheek impatiently. “You’re not a selfish asshole! Stop saying that! You told me now, and that’s all that matters. And yes, it helps to know that she doesn’t hate me for not being able to save her husband. It’s one of those irrational fears I have, that the families of these guys hate me for not doing more, that now they’re just memories while I’m home safe.”
“Just like you thought that maybe deep down I hated you for not being able to save my leg?” Carey asked gently. “And yes, I’m selfish, Jase. Maybe I had a good excuse for being a self-centered prick, but the fact remains that I should have told you a long time ago about Mira, and I should have known that you needed to hear from me that I’m glad you saved my life. Hell, I counsel wounded vets for a living, and I know that you needed to hear that to help with your own recovery. You’re the most important person in my life, and I didn’t make sure you got what you needed, Jase. I’m so sorry.”
“But I’m not wounded, Carey,” Jase said wanly. “I’m just weak.”
Carey took Jase’s face in his hands and looked him straight in the eyes. “In war, there are no unwounded soldiers, Jase.”
Jase closed his eyes.
“No, look at me.” Carey waited until Jase complied, and then he said, “You’re not weak. Something happened to you. You went to war and you saw terrible things. That happened to you. You’re not weak. You are the strongest man I know.”
He pulled Jase close again. “Let’s just get through today, okay?” he whispered.
He smiled as he heard Jase whisper back, “One day at a time.”
Blurb
What happens when friendship catches fire?
Former Marine and lower-leg amputee Carey Everett keeps a grueling schedule of counseling fellow war veterans and their families. The injury he received in Afghanistan forces him to rely on a reserve of strength he didn’t even know he had. A much deserved vacation will let him reconnect with his best friend, who saved his life and has been there for him through devastating injury and painful recovery.
Part-time EMT and aspiring singer Jase DeSantis has been in love with Carey for years, but he’s come to accept that his straight friend will never be able to offer more. Jase fills his days with band rehearsals, ambulance shifts and willing groupies, all while trying to cope with debilitating PTSD.
A week of sun, fun, and music in San Diego changes Jase and Carey’s lives forever when their relationship takes an unexpected turn. Jase has been longing for that change, but it leaves Carey reeling with confusion. As Jase fights to hold things together, Carey deals with doubts, fears, and his own preconceived notions about labels and the true nature of love.
Bio
Melanie Hansen has spent time in Texas and Florida prisons…for work. She’s been in a room with a 17-year-old mass murderer who was also one of the most soft-spoken and polite teenagers she’s ever met. After a 13-year career as a court reporter, she can tell many stories both hilarious and heartbreaking.
She grew up with an Air Force dad, and ended up marrying a Navy man. After living and working all over the country, she hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to her stories about people finding love amidst real-life struggles.
Melanie left the stressful world of the courtroom behind and now enjoys a rewarding career transcribing for a deaf student. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.
Giveaway
Melanie has brought along a $10 Dreamspinner gift card to one lucky Joyfully Jay reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Thursday, June 18th at 11:59 pm EST.
This post is part of our Beach Read Bonanza, which means you can leave a comment here, or at any of the 12 stops during the month of June, to enter to win a beach bag of goodies, including a Kindle! Just leave a comment to enter!
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Thank you for your interesting post! I live in Europe, so no chance of watching Blue Angels air show, nor being at Pearl Harbor or Coronado Island, but all of them sound really amazing. I’ll put them in my TO-DO list whenever I manage to go to the States.
Everything Changes sounds like a great read. Thank you for the giveaway
Actually just saw the Blue Angels last month at the Great New England Air Show…they are incredible! And the book sounds amazing!
I have this title in my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway!
I read this book back in April and loved it! One of the images that sticks in my mind from it is Jase helping Carey out to the beach, so I loved reading your association of the beach with your military experiences. I’m planning to visit San Diego and Coronado in the fall, and I can’t wait to read your book again to help me get ready for it!
This book looks great!
I have visited both Pearl Harbor and Coronado. Thanks for your post
Such beautiful memories, Mel. Thanks for sharing them with us. <3
Count me in, please! Thanks for the giveaway!
New to me author – thanks for sharing your beach memories with us. They sound lovely, though I doubt I’ll ever get to see them in real life since I too live in Europe.
I bought Everything Changes in paperback and i loved it. I have a weakness for characters with a disability and military men 🙂 The best thing at Dreamspinner Press is that if you buy the paperback you get the Ebook too so a win/win. Ii will definitely re-read this book on ereader (and paperback) again. Thanks for the post and the giveaway.
There are a lot of Blue Angels shows in northern California, though I’ve always been reluctant to go in case something goes awry in the air!
I have actually been to the Coronado Beaches but way back in 1989 on holiday. Not seen the Blue Angels being UK based but did see the Red Arrows British air display team just last week and these shows are amazing, whether Blue or Red!!
Pearl Harbor is a moving experience. I went there (and the USS Missouri) before my kids were born. We want to go back with them sometime soon because I think it will be influential and important to them.
Thanks for the wonderful post!
Being from England I haven’t been to any American beaches and never seen the Blue Angles. We have the Red Arrows display team over here and have seen them on the TV countless times they are so amazing and I live in Lincolnshire where the Airforce bases are and have planes screeching over head most days of the week.
I’ve visited Pearl Harbor twice. Once I also was lucky enough to witness the crew of a naval ship ‘manning the rails’ to honor the fallen as the ship entered Pearl Harbor. It’s extremely moving. Thanks for the post.
I enjoyed the post and the excerpt. Thanks for offering the giveaway.
Grew up in San Diego county, love Coronado. Especially Miguel’s Cocina, YUM! And of course we always had the Air Show at Miramar, which always had the Blue Angels flying. And Pearl Harbor, I still get chills when I think of my visit to the Arizona.
I have seen the Blue Angels a few times in an air show in Atlantic City each summer.
Congratulations on the new release! Looking forward to reading it! I have a granddaughter in the Navy and hopefully she will be on the west coast next year! She and I always take two weeks vacation wherever she is stationed and the beautiful memories we make! Can’t wait to see the Blue Angels this year!
Great post! I loved your NAvy stories.
I had the privilege to go to Auschwitz when I was 16. I’ve never experienced anything like that before or since. The history and despair of places like that are hard to describe.
I would love to see Pearl Harbor someday! I really enjoyed this post. 🙂
I’ve never been to Pearl Harbor, though I would love to visit at some point. Unfortunately I’ve never a live show of Blue Angels, though I’ve seen videos. I think the most moving experience I’ve had was in Washington DC visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Holocaust Museum.
I haven’t made it to Pearl Harbor yet, I’ve flown over it though and even that is a sight to see, especially at night. The Blue Angels are amazing. I saw them during Fleet week in San Francisco a few times. It was amazing to watch how close to the building they would fly and all the maneuvers were amazing. Thank you for the giveaway chance. I haven’t read this book yet, but I’m definitely adding it to my list.
Thank you for the interesting post and the excerpt =)
I toured Pearl Harbor by ship with two friends when still in high school in the 70’s. It was not a pleasant experience for us since two of us are Asian American. We had this group of seniors follow us around the ship making derogatory statements about how we were cold blooded killers. etc., etc. We knew they meant us because if we would glance over they were staring at us. Every where we went they followed behind. It is not a fond memory. Back then, we had the teaching of respect your elders too ingrained to say anything which I think caused us more frustration than anything.
I seen the Blue Angels, so powerful, and been to Pearl Harbor.
Thanks for the post. I haven’t visited Pearl Harbor or Coronado. I haven’t even been to Florida. My daughter has been to the beach at Normandy. She said that is an interesting experience esp. since she heard stories from my FIL who flew in WWII. Congratulations on the book
I’ve never been to the places that you mentioned. Thanks for your post and the reminder that freedom is not free and many sacrifices have been made for it.
I love Scotland because I was born there , though live in Canada so its specisl to me. Book sounds grrat
great post and as I am one of the working poor even living in the states I will probably never get to Coronado island or Pearl Harbor. I did see the Blue Angel and I was on a sky Glider at Summerfest in Milwaukee, years ago, that they flew over maybe 1000 feet or so over me. Something I remember clearly happening scary yet thrilling. Thanks for the opportunities for the giveaways.
Thank you for the chance at your giveaway. I have not been to Pearl Harbor yet it is on my bucket list.
Really interesting excerpt. And as someone who’s basically lived in the same place my whole life, really interesting to hear about the different perspectives on history you’ve gotten from your travels!
interesting excerpt i’ll put it on my tbr list
This book sounds really interesting. Can’t wait to read it.
I have literally been around the military my whole life. My dad was career Navy as a Corpsman. He actually re-enlisted on the Arizona when we were stationed at K-Bay (Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base). I also got to see the Blue Angels perform when we were stationed in Beaufort, SC. I have to say that of all of our duty stations, Hawaii and Beaufort were my favorites. My dad’s last duty station was “Green Side” at Camp Lejeune & we stayed here in the same town as Camp Lejeune, so it’s nothing to see an amputee or a soldier & his service dog here in town. The local Walmart even has “Wounded Warrior” parking.
I have never seen the show, nor visits either place. Although I would love to go visit Pearl Harbor one day! I have learned a lot about it in school though, but it’s not the same as seeing it in person.
Can’t wait to read this. I find that I have developed a love for stugglilng veteran main characters.
I love the sound of this book. I like to read book with a vet as a character in them. I grew up in an house hold with my Father who had PTSD. I change from military to civilian can be so hard on these men and women.
Nice post! Those sound like really amazing places.