Our Scorched Hearts

In the throes of war, love and secrets can shatter-or transform-life forever. Arkansas, 1968. As the Vietnam War intensifies, Joel, Hazel, and Ruthie face futures shadowed by both danger and duty. Joel is drafted, forced to leave Hazel and his small-town life behind for a brutal war he does not understand. In the jungles of Vietnam, he learns that relying on another's kindness can lead to a swift end, especially when trust itself becomes a dangerous gamble. Hazel, meanwhile, finds her dream of motherhood slipping from reach. After Joel is drafted, she is determined to be strong for him, but a buried family secret surfaces and Hazel sets out on a journey of her own to uncover the truth. She realizes that her family's past may shape her future. Ruthie fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, but she quickly realizes being a nurse in Waldron isn't as fulfilling as she thought. When an opportunity arises to go to Vietnam, she jumps on the chance and joins the Army Nurse Corps. As an Army nurse, Ruthie steps into a new world where every moment is a test of resilience. Though her dreams soon veer into nightmares, an unexpected gift emerges from the chaos-an opportunity that will alter the course of her life forever and show her that hope can be found even in the darkest times.