Last One Home: A Novel

About this book

Now a Top #25 AMAZON INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER From the USA Today Bestselling Author of Last Words Shari J. Ryan brings readers a new unforgettable novel. Last One Home was inspired by true events of the attack on Pearl Harbor and World War II. AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR THIS IS NOT A DRILL Piercing sirens led to cries for help. The pungent scents of burning oil would be seared into our memories forever and the meaning behind loss was incomprehensible on that infamous day in history. Twenty-year-old Elizabeth Salzberg a nursing student and strong-willed Jewish woman lived under the strict guidance of her father a naval commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Oahu Hawaii. For the five years following her mothers untimely death Elizabeth had struggled to abide by societys expectations of a womans duties. While spending her days preparing meals and keeping a clean house for her father and brothers Elizabeth desired a more profound sense of worth and purpose in life. Elizabeths dream of escaping the rigorous daily grind was drifting out to sea just before her unexpected encounter with the new handsome lieutenant on base. Everett Anderson a former Hollywood actor who put his career on hold to serve in the Army is the talk of the town as women gossip over his arrival. Despite the attention Everett fell for Elizabeth at first sight but unbeknownst to him she was the commanders daughter and off-limits to all servicemen on base. On the morning of December 7th 1941 a forbidden romance was the least of Elizabeth and Everetts worries when they found themselves fearing for their lives as they dropped to the ground beneath the air attack that would wipe out the U.S. Fleet within hours. Elizabeth saw this pivotal moment as a turning point in her life. An opportunity to join the Army Nurse Corps was the purpose she had been seeking. She knew the country needed her services. This path was in resistance to her fathers wishes and would likely disrupt any future plans between her and Everett but despite the internal battle to make a life-altering decision Elizabeth felt an overwhelming need to prove her strength as a coming of age woman at a time when equality was more important than ever. Could Elizabeth and Everett survive the bloodshed and tears of war or would one have to come home without the other? "Its the little things that make us stronger and help us stop focusing on what might happen the day after tomorrow ... "