Overview

Paul O'Brien's idyllic childhood in Southern California comes to a halt when his mother dies in the summer before his senior year of high school and a very different persona of his father emerges - isolating himself inside the house, turning to alcohol for comfort, and barely noticing his only child. Simultaneously, the war in Vietnam is sending shock waves around the world, young men from one coast to the other are being called upon to serve, and Paul enlists in the Marines before receiving his draft notice. Elizabeth Sutton is eager to gain some independence from her father's old fashioned notions and looking forward to her first year in high school. At fifteen years old, tragedy strikes with the loss of both parents in an auto accident, turning her childhood into one of responsibility and worry overnight. The four siblings are scattered when her nine-year-old twin sisters are sent to live with their Aunt and Uncle on Nantucket Island, and Elizabeth is left behind in Boston with their grandmother. Her older brother, Sam, enlists in the Marines, eager to join the conflict a world away as opposed to dealing with the one unfolding at home. A bond develops between Paul and Sam in Vietnam, and both are injured in a bloody battle that sets the stage for a lifetime of nightmares and sleepless nights for Paul. Matched by similar tragedies at a young age, Elizabeth and Paul's first introduction by Sam upon their return from Vietnam is the beginning of friendship and love that survives five decades. After marrying, welcoming their first child, and inheriting a small beach house, the couple adapts to their new surroundings, but distant memories of Vietnam continue to haunt Paul. In an era when veterans refuse to speak of their pain and the government denies that thousands of soldiers are coming home irreparably damaged, he is left to deal with the challenge of caring for his loved ones amidst his erratic flashback episodes and moods. As their lives unravel from the lingering effects of PTSD, Elizabeth learns to accept the burden that Paul brought home, and together they make their own memories to keep forever.

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9781947392816

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Reviews

Keep Forever holds a special place in my heart. Inspired by a true story, this moving coming of age tale follows the unbreakable Elizabeth O'Brien from her tragic childhood to maturity as she struggles with the scars the Vietnam War left on the men she loves most. Keep Forever is heartbreaking and inspiring, a true tour de force, and a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction. HOLLY KAMMIER, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF Kingston Court Inspired by her own true story, Alexa Kingaard's novel is an honest, realistic and sobering look at the problems a wife faces when she discovers her husband continues to endure psychological stress from his days serving in Vietnam. Unlike some war stories that focus on intense, harsh and graphic depictions of post-combat trauma, this tale unfolds gently, like an Edna Ferber novel, spread across many decades, detailing the impact this soldier's illness has on an entire family, including children and grandchildren. Keep Forever Is a wonderful, emotionally satisfying read that I highly recommend. GARY SEIGEL, AUTHOR of Haskell Himself Alexa Kingaard is spot-on in this book is describing PTSD and its impact on the veteran and those who are close to him. This is a must read for veterans, their families, their friends, all who work in the mental health field and everyone else to help them understand the life of someone with PTSD. PHILIP SHECKLER, United States Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class, Vietnam 1971-1972 It was a tumultuous time in American history and the story of Paul, a veteran returning from the war in Vietnam, was accurately depicted. As Ms. Kingaard so aptly illustrates: not all war wounds are visible. Her novel provides a vivid narrative of the destruction PTSD has on individuals and families. The reader feels Paul's pain. And Paul's wife, Elizabeth, like so many wives or girlfriends welcoming their men back from 10,000 miles away and trying to understand the untold horrors they experienced, does her best to support and care for Paul while working to maintain a healthy family environment for her children. Ms. Kingaard's attention to detail draws the reader into the post-Vietnam era, as well as the Southern California lifestyle. If you lived through the 1960s and 1970s, the novel quickly propels you into the past. The reader marvels at Ms. Kingaard's talent to depict the way of life back then--the cars, fads, customs, traditions. AMAZON CUSTOMER - 5 STAR REVIEW ... Keep Forever...by Alexa Kingaard is a compassionate portrayal of one family's struggle with PTSD in the wake of the Vietnam War. This book covers a lifetime of experiences but without feeling rushed. Elizabeth and Paul are both sympathetic and likable. Alexa Kingaard captures their struggles in a very realistic and touching manner. Keep Forever is a warm, well-written novel, filled with believable characters and lovely description; a must-read. HEATHER STOCKARD - READER'S FAVORITE 5-STAR REVIEW

""Keep Forever holds a special place in my heart. Inspired by a true story, this moving coming of age tale follows the unbreakable Elizabeth O'Brien from her tragic childhood to maturity as she struggles with the scars the Vietnam War left on the men she loves most. Keep Forever is heartbreaking and inspiring, a true tour de force, and a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction."" HOLLY KAMMIER, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF Kingston Court ""Inspired by her own true story, Alexa Kingaard's novel is an honest, realistic and sobering look at the problems a wife faces when she discovers her husband continues to endure psychological stress from his days serving in Vietnam. Unlike some war stories that focus on intense, harsh and graphic depictions of post-combat trauma, this tale unfolds gently, like an Edna Ferber novel, spread across many decades, detailing the impact this soldier's illness has on an entire family, including children and grandchildren. Keep Forever Is a wonderful, emotionally satisfying read that I highly recommend."" GARY SEIGEL, AUTHOR of Haskell Himself ""Alexa Kingaard is spot-on in this book is describing PTSD and its impact on the veteran and those who are close to him. This is a must read for veterans, their families, their friends, all who work in the mental health field and everyone else to help them understand the life of someone with PTSD."" PHILIP SHECKLER, United States Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class, Vietnam 1971-1972 ""It was a tumultuous time in American history and the story of Paul, a veteran returning from the war in Vietnam, was accurately depicted. As Ms. Kingaard so aptly illustrates: not all war wounds are visible. Her novel provides a vivid narrative of the destruction PTSD has on individuals and families. The reader feels Paul's pain. And Paul's wife, Elizabeth, like so many wives or girlfriends welcoming their men back from 10,000 miles away and trying to understand the untold horrors they experienced, does her best to support and care for Paul while working to maintain a healthy family environment for her children. Ms. Kingaard's attention to detail draws the reader into the post-Vietnam era, as well as the Southern California lifestyle. If you lived through the 1960s and 1970s, the novel quickly propels you into the past. The reader marvels at Ms. Kingaard's talent to depict the way of life back then--the cars, fads, customs, traditions."" AMAZON CUSTOMER - 5 STAR REVIEW ""... Keep Forever...by Alexa Kingaard is a compassionate portrayal of one family's struggle with PTSD in the wake of the Vietnam War. This book covers a lifetime of experiences but without feeling rushed. Elizabeth and Paul are both sympathetic and likable. Alexa Kingaard captures their struggles in a very realistic and touching manner. Keep Forever is a warm, well-written novel, filled with believable characters and lovely description; a must-read."" HEATHER STOCKARD - READER'S FAVORITE 5-STAR REVIEW

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