Rain on the Leaves

A Vietnam veteran finds catharsis and love while writing an unplanned memoir in Ireland.

After his final round of golf while on vacation in Ireland, American businessman James Flaherty shares a drink with an American expat in the golf club. After learning that James fought in Vietnam, she suggests he visit the Vietnam Traveling Wall that has just arrived at a manor home nearby.

Arriving at the wall, James scans the list of fallen Irish soldiers and among them, one name stands out. Ardal Shea. Fighting tears, James is shocked to discover that his closest comrade was killed in combat. As the memories of his time with Ardal in the Mekong Delta come flooding back, James realizes he can't leave Ireland yet, not until he writes down their story and gives it to Ardal's family. Having never faced his ghosts from Vietnam, he finally understands that the only way to move forward is to go back. Instead of making his way to the airport as he intended, he ends up back at the inn where he started the day, only to discover the inn no longer has availability. Sympathetic to his plight, the innkeepers offer up a spare room in their home. Through the kindness and warmth of the Bohan family, James begins to process his wartime trauma, and in doing so, falls in love.

Author Richard Blaney's poignant narrative weaves between the past and present, contrasting the trauma of war to the joy of unexpected love. Celebrating the connection between the United States and Ireland, Rain on the Leaves will resonate with adult fans of romance and war novels.