“Da Nang Damned!’ is the 1st book in your O’Neil - Troutman
action-adventure series. Do you
recommend reading the books in order or are they all standalone?
No, each book stands
on its own, as the main storyline is different in each book. There may be a
reference or two to events that occur in “Da Nang Damned!” however, these don’t
interrupt the storyline.
I actually intended,
to only write one book, it was readers’ positive comments after reading “Da
Nang Damned!” that persuaded me to turn it into a series.
What
kind of character is O’Neil?
Rick
O’Neil is the kind of person we all strive to be. He’s honest, loyal, and
although conflicted over events and mistakes he has made is determined to do
the right thing.
Rick is
by nature stoic and someone who keeps his emotions bottled up tight. This is
one of his strengths, and a major weakness, as Rick tends to shut out those he
loves.
In
creating the two main characters Rick and Ted, I wanted to have two men who
although polar opposites, form a strong bond of friendship. I think the
differences between Rick and Ted make for a more interesting story.
You
pulled a lot from your personal experiences.
Tell us a little about that.
Well, I
was always told to write about what you know. My experiences in Vietnam and how
returning veterans were stereotyped in the media and Hollywood have scarred a
lot of veterans. Each Vietnam veteran has been affected differently and I tried
to reflect that in my book.
Vietnam serves as a backdrop to the story. The
book isn’t so much about the war as the effects of the war on the four main
characters.
I guess
you could say writing “Da Nang Damned!” has been a sort of therapy for me. In
2014, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was told the cancer was caused by
Agent Orange. Agent Orange is a toxic chemical that was sprayed from planes
over Vietnamese jungles in an effort to kill the vegetation. American
servicemen and Vietnamese were exposed to this defoliant. Currently, there are
fourteen diseases ranging from cancers to Parkinson’s which are caused by
exposure to Agent Orange. I say it took me fifty years to write “Da Nang
Damned!” and in a way, that is true. I always wanted to write a novel and it
was the idea that even after all those years that Vietnam was still playing
havoc with my life that compelled me to write.
I also lived
in northern New Hampshire, so I’m familiar with the area, the lakes, towns, and
mountains. Because New Hampshire and Canada share a common border, and because
much of the border is remote and heavily wooded it makes a great backdrop for
my stories, opening up a lot of possibilities.
The
image on the back of the book of the airplane, does it hold any specific
meaning?
Yes and
thanks for asking, the photo is one I took on January 18, 1968, as we were
boarding a Navy C-141 at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. It was a cold, blustery,
snowy morning. Twenty-six hours later, we would land in Da Nang, Vietnam and
walk out into a hot, steaming airfield tarmac. It was quite a shock.
I was originally
going to use the photo of the plane for the cover but opted instead for the map
of Vietnam.
You
donate a portion of the profits to veteran charities. That’s amazing. Your readers can also donate directly. What are the top two charities you would like
to mention here?
Right
now, I am donating a portion of my books’ profits to a local organization
called the Carroll County Veterans Independence Project. This project is one of
the first in the nation whose goal is to provide housing and training to
returning veterans and assist them in transitioning back to civilian life. Currently,
CCVIP is searching for a suitable facility to house and train the veterans. For
more information, you can visit carrollcountyvip.org.
Will
there be a third book or another series started?
I just
finished and published on Amazon, “Night Whisperers!” This book takes place in
1972. A number of readers asked that I write a book about how the guys coped
with all the turmoil in the United States after returning home. “Da Nang
Damned!” and “Death Is Never Pretty!” focuses on the present day. Night
Whisperers!, fills in the gap between the men’s Vietnam tour and the present
and deals with how Rick and Ted adjust to civilian life and the challenges they
faced. Here is a brief description:
“After Vietnam, Rick was eager to forget about
what he’d seen on the battlefield and go back to living a normal life. But upon
returning home, he soon discovers it isn’t that simple. Haunted by the images
of the past, and the incessant voices he calls the ‘Night Whisperers’, the memories of war color his every waking
moment. With his marriage crumbling and his anger rising, Rick takes to the
road in search of answers.”
I have at least one more book planned in the
series and I am also working on a Western about an older Texas Ranger.
How can
readers discover more about you and your work?
To
learn more about my books and to purchase one they can go to https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B075Q3SL3X.
Readers can also visit my Facebook Page @ Peter A. Turner - Author.