Announcing the release of
A Novel
“powerful Story”
“Great read whose story is truly BELIEVABLE”
William C Crews
With the backdrop of the Vietnam War, William C. Crews, in his first novel, weaves a tale of timeless love, unforgettable characters, battlefield heroism, chance encounters, and unpredictable revelations. With his personal experiences and historical perspective, this compelling saga runs the gamut of grief, denial, and despair but ultimately of resilience, hope, and joy.
The story is told through the eyes of Savannah Rose Page. With her unique history, spanning ten decades, Savannah, chronicles the lives of her husband Mike, herself, and four remarkable friends.
Savannah, growing up in a small town in middle Georgia was “a little different,” and head-strong like her father. Mike Riley, the son of missionary parents, grew up in the west, was uprooted numerous times, and was not always sure of himself. In high school, he gravitated to Tommy O’Donnell, a cocky, “always on the edge,” self-reliant teenager who became his best friend.
From different parts of the country, their eventual friends – Johnny, Benny, and Robby with intriguing coming of age experiences, helped each prepare for what was to become, the Vietnam War.
Through their heroism, friendship, loyalty, honor, and respect, a bond was forged between the six friends that would never be broken.
The war spawned a life-long love affair which reverberates in the lives of their great-grandchildren to this day.
Book Description
Reviews of Fate smiled
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and hopeful--full of characters with character
This story of dutiful people who do what has to be done--even in impossibly hard circumstances--holds an essential and important lesson for our current moment. American heroes fill these pages, humble and loving, who do the right thing when nobody is looking, not for attention and celebrity.
I loved these characters--flawed and big hearted, stubborn and loving--because of how they grew through challenges, course-corrected, and deeply enriched the lives of those around them. Such a refreshing read that will do your heart much, much good. Pamela Norsworthy Author of the historical novel, WAR BONDS
5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant look at a difficult time in our history...
I read this book at the recommendation of a new friend. I pass along that recommendation without reservation. This story corresponds with the timeline of my high school and college years where I heard the news of war, but didn't fully understand its impact on a generation who was snatched out of their youth to serve. This book is beautifully written through the personal perspectives of a few friends and the trajectory their lives took through this shared bonding of war. In addition, if you are from Atlanta or spent any time there, it gives a myriad of local references from that era that had me strolling through my own memories of that time in my life. It evoked bittersweet feelings in the best of ways that only a good story can do. I look forward to reading more by this author. P. M. Stevens
5.0 out of 5 stars So inspiring...A poignant story of "life's voyage to that safe harbor"
Beautifully written to include many life lessons revealed through the characters. So many pearls of wisdom and courage will stay with me, including "the two most important things we all want in life - to feel significant and to be loved." The author beautifully describes those things in life that bring "unanswerable questions" alongside moments where "no words need to be spoken" or where "an overwhelming sense of love" is felt. The author honors the hero's who served in Vietnam as he invites us to live the questions of how we want to be remembered. Fate Smiled inspires and enlivens an ever deeper sense of the unexplainable sense of joy and peace that comes through loyal friendships and the legacy of a loving family. Kay S
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read whose story is truly believable!
The author creates a descriptive narrative with each of his characters that I can personally relate back to family and friends that were directly involved during those turbulent years. Being a baby boomer that was eligible for the draft, then in turn the lottery, during the Vietnam War, brought back vivid memories of anxious moments.
Many terms, places and events that paralleled the saga were rekindled in my mind as a result of reading this book. Thank you; I couldn’t put the book down. Dave
About the author
After serving a year in Vietnam in the late 1960’s, William C. Crews (known as Bill) knew he wanted to write a story with the Vietnam War as a backdrop, although he did not know what form it would take. Fifty-plus years later, a novel emerged; his first.
Bill and the love of his life, Pam, divide time between their lake house in the North Georgia mountains and their home in suburban Atlanta. His celebration of life includes (but is not limited to): traveling with Pam, discussing politics with his children, teasing his grandchildren, “philosophizing” with friends, volunteering at his church, playing a weekly round of golf, reading, writing, and enjoying an occasional glass of good wine or bourbon.
Fate Smiled is only the beginning. He’s already “dreaming up” up another story.
