Clara's Soldier

In this historical fantasy retelling, Clara has been waiting for the return of her fiance, James, for over a year. World War II is over, and most of the soldiers who survived have come home. But Clara and their small North Carolina town have no word of their missing boy. Just when she's about to give up hope, though, her eccentric godfather, Nigel Drosselmeyer, presents her with a little nutcracker and mysterious promise of what's left of his Christmas magic.Unfortunately, Clara has seen too much of the effects of war to believe in Christmas magic the way she once did. But when the clock strikes midnight, she stumbles into a world of confusion and dreams. Most surprising of all, however, is that she finds James as well.Overjoyed to be reunited, Clara follows him, following gladly wherever he leads her. But it's not long before she realizes that her beloved is far more lost even he knows, and she must choose whether to follow him into the danger of darkness or to leave him for the safety of the light. This story, while historical fantasy, focuses on the unseen struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the victims it leaves behind, not only for our servicemembers but their loved ones as well. The story doesn't end in despair, however. The journey of those who struggle with PTSD is painful, as it is for James and Clara. But they also discover that where there is love and resistance...and maybe just a little Christmas magic... there is also hope and light.Written by the wife of an Airman living serving on Pope Army Airbase, North Carolina, this book was heavily researched and featured by the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation.