“Weight of the Kiss” by Derek W. Whaley has been released worldwide. This 164-page book offers a real-world look at the bonds formed through military service, from quirky characters and comical moments to harrowing experiences on the battlefield and tragic losses in and out of combat. Semi-fictional but all based on true stories, this collection explores the struggle between duty, honor, and country against the personal toll on mental health and its enduring effects when soldiers return to civilian life.
In candid accounts of his own experiences, Whaley pulls back the curtain on military life. While the stories deal directly with warfare, firefights, and the intensity of combat, he also shows the lighter side - from day-to-day drudgery to hilarious shenanigans, as well as the fulfilling sense of camaraderie and brotherhood that comes with active duty.
There are stories of friendship and loss, tragedy and triumph, and an insider view of the truth of military life. Readers will learn about terminology, daily operations on a combat base, and a soldier’s life in Kandahar, Afghanistan – but more importantly, they will see the powerful relationships formed among squads who live and work together.
This engaging collection of stories provides an honest portrayal of deployment without shying away from the unglamorous, giving audiences a true sense of the multifaceted, life-changing experience of serving in a warzone overseas.
Weight of the Kiss (ISBN: 9781962987776) can be purchased through retailers worldwide, including Barnes and Noble and Amazon. The paperback retails for $16.99, and the ebook retails for $2.99. Review copies and interviews are available upon request.
From the back cover:
Bombs, bullets, and burnt-out vehicles are the order of the day in Kandahar, Afghanistan. War is afoot and everywhere you turn someone is hunting you. Follow Reaper-1, the leader of Reaper and Bang squads, as he takes a tour in Afghanistan. Learn about the military equipment, the soldiers, and the environment. Reaper-1 will show you plenty of shenanigans, struggle, and sadness. You will laugh when you read about the characters and their stories, you will feel their pain as they are pinned down in combat, and you will cry when some of your favorite members are lost to war. Reaper-1 will also walk you through struggles of friendship, combat, and post-combat mental health. He will show you what it means to be alive, as well as reveal the pain of death. Come, take a trip to Afghanistan. Once the smoke clears, you’ll be glad you did.
About the author:
Master Sargent, retired USAF, Derek Whaley hails from Twin Falls, Idaho. His life purpose are his two children. His son, 9 and his daughter, 15. Derek served 20 years in the United States Air Force, retiring under Honorable conditions in 2019. Derek transitioned to social work and earned his master’s degree from the University of New Hampshire. He interned with substance abuse disorders in Haverhill, Massachusetts and discovered a liking to the field and is now a Drug Court Therapist. If you’re ever looking for Derek, just find people struggling and Derek will be near to help.
About MindStir Media:
MindStir Media LLC is an award-winning book publisher. To learn more about publishing a book with MindStir Media, visit http://mindstirmedia.com or call 800-767-0531.
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