New fiction examines post-war trauma on a Nevada ranch

With tensions rising again in the Middle East and recent casualties of U.S. troops, “Seeing Daylight,” a new young adult novel by Suzanne Morgan Williams, is particularly relevant. Set during the Iraq War, the novel is 19-year-old Marine veteran Ben O’Mara’s story, as he tries to rebuild his life after suffering a traumatic brain injury, PTSD and losing an arm in an IED explosion. It’s not easy.

Despite being a former high school bull riding champion, O’Mara now can’t do everyday chores. He struggles to hold onto his thoughts, memories and sanity. It feels like he’s chasing shadows until he meets Roger, a prospective service dog, and his straightforward, captivating trainer, Molly. That changes everything.

Ben has a supportive family, a chance at romance and a very special dog. Not every veteran is so fortunate. In researching the novel, Williams spoke with injured veterans and therapists and healthcare workers who help them. She visited service dog training centers where she met trainers and dogs. Their stories are reflected in the text.

Trauma therapist and author Jacci Turner says, “This book has everything. A small-town romance, a tough but committed family and a veteran’s slow recovery from PTSD and TBI. There are also dogs, wonderful dogs. Beautifully written and deeply moving, ‘Seeing Daylight’ is a painfully realistic story of love and recovery after trauma that shows with great insight the slow but possible healing of PTSD.”

The novel is available as an e-book, in paperback and hardcover on Amazon.com or from your local bookseller (through Ingram ISBN 979-8-9890255-3-4). Morgan Williams is available for school, library and book club presentations. Contact her at [email protected].