Beside a Burning Sea — John Shors

WITH THE BLEND OF EPIC STORYTELLING AND EMOTIONAL INTENSITY
THAT DISTINGUISHES HIM AS A UNIQUE TALENT, JOHN SHORS REVEALS
A POWERFUL TALE OF REDEMPTION FOCUSING ON UNLIKELY LOVERS,
HEROES AND VILLAINS, AND WAR-TORN COUNTRIES -- ALL, IN THEIR
OWN WAYS, FIGHTING TO SURVIVE.

One moment, the World War II hospital ship Benevolence is patrolling the South Pacific on a mission of mercy. The next, it's split in two by a torpedo. A small band of survivors, including an injured Japanese soldier and a young American nurse, makes it to the deserted shore of a nearby island, never expecting the experiences awaiting them....

Akira has suffered five years of bloodshed and horror fighting for the Japanese empire. Now, surrounded by enemies he is supposed to hate, he instead finds solace in their company -- and rediscovers his love of poetry. While sharing the mystery and beauty of this passion with Annie, the captivating but troubled woman he rescued, Akira grapples with the pain of his past while helping Annie uncover the promise of her future. Meanwhile, the remaining castaways endure a world not of their making -- a world as barbaric as it is beautiful, as hateful as it is loving, and as forbidden as it is seductive....