War doesn’t end when the fighting stops. For James Grayson, it never stopped at all. In 1917 Louisville, eighteen‑year‑old James searches for purpose after his mother’s death and a fire he can’t forget. Enlisting at Camp Zachary Taylor, he hopes the Army will give his life meaning, but the Great War shatters his ideas of courage and guilt. From Kentucky streets to the ruined villages of France, James forges deep bonds—with a loyal childhood friend, the brothers he finds in the trenches, and Emily, whose letters keep him going. As the war grinds on, he must face the truth his mother tried to teach him: bravery lives not in battle, but in the quiet reckoning afterward. Dreams of War is a raw, intimate coming‑of‑age story about love, memory, and the ghosts we carry home.
M Scott Smallwood is an award-winning author, audio producer, and nonprofit founder dedicated to telling stories of redemption, faith, and adventure. His work blends emotional honesty with a deep love for community, service, and meaningful creative expression.View all by M. Scott Smallwood
