Spouse Calls

Book excerpt: "Terri Barnes is a voice for military families, reminding us all that they are still serving around the world. Listen in, and you'll hear the pride she takes in her husband's service and her own, and the joy she finds in encouraging her fellow spouses. You'll also gain an understanding of what binds military families together and keeps them marching forward." —Lee Woodruff, New York Times bestselling coauthor of In an Instant and cofounder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation Based on Terri Barnes's award-winning Stars and Stripes column of the same name, Spouse Calls features a collection of Terri's best essays on a wide range of topics: motherhood, faith, friendship, family ties, war, current events, sacrifice, PTSD, moving, homecomings, and more. As a wife and mom, Terri highlights important, pivotal moments in her own family's life as well as others', in essays that resonate with both military and nonmilitary families. From her own kitchen table to Capitol Hill, Terri takes readers beyond the headlines and homecoming videos for an inside look at the day-to-day hardships, victories, and many ways military life shapes, challenges, and enriches its families. Through poignant personal stories, incisive interviews, and emotive reflections, she creates an historical snapshot of American and world affairs, preserving an important piece of our nation's culture. About her book, Terri says, "My hometown isn't a geographical location, but a place in American culture that is invisible to many people. My family lives in the hometown of military installations and military communities. This book is the story of the people we know and the life we live in the neighborhood of our American military life." Multiple-Award-Winning Book Midwest Book Awards First Place, Current Events Foreword Reviews INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards Finalist Military Writers Society of America Silver Medal, Best Memoir Terri's Stars and Stripes column on which the book is based was also recognized by The National Society of Newspaper Columnists, earning second place in the nation for the best general interest column in a newspaper under 50,000 circulation. NSNC judges commended her for writing "with insight and remarkable sensitivity," calling her columns "masterful" and "powerful." "... Whether you have been married to the military for most of your life, or are just entering military life, you will be consoled and encouraged by the stories in Spouse Calls." —Lizann Lightfoot, The Seasoned Spouse