Joanne Brand

The Last War Joanne Brand

Three women's lives change in 1917, when the U. S. joins the allies in World War I to stop Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm's German army from conquering France. This story spans from back home to overseas and a husband declared missing in action. Each character has their own fears, sufferings, and secrets they need to work through. Lillie struggles after she receives a telegram stating her husband, Colin, is missing in action in France. She lives in limbo, not knowing what to do with her life, if he is alive somewhere, wounded, or dead. Does she wait for him or move on with her life? Colin goes through hell in the trenches with the enemy too deadly close. Captured, he becomes an undocumented prisoner of war. The Hague rule is not exercised in his case. He faces hate, fear, hunger, and little hope of ever seeing Lillie or freedom again. Anna works alongside Lillie, but conceals she is German-American. She sends money to her ostracized parents in Nebraska. A gentleman rescues Anna from a hateful assault. Later she's in danger of jail time. She still won't trust anyone with her secret. Roxie's mother died when she was only thirteen, and Roxie has fought to get away from the life her mother had lived with booze, men, and the gutter. Survival skills, a good job, plus an unusual weekend work help her. She is older and wiser than her young years. The Last War finally brings the world peace - for a brief moment to the world.