Your Forgotten Sons: “Highly recommended”

August 7, 2026Leave a comment

“𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸, 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀…𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆. 𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀.” – 𝗕𝗲𝗸𝗮𝗵 𝗖 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆

Inspired by a true story

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Praise for Your Forgotten Sons

“Spectacular! One of the most personal books about WWII history that I’ve ever read…The characters in this book are so well crafted that the reader feels like they know them…My only regret is that it ended.” 5 Stars – Deacon Tom F, former USAF Lt Col., Amazon

“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.” – Midwest Book Review

“Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is a historical fiction novel that intricately explores the emotional turmoil of war, immersing readers in its richly crafted world and leaving a lasting impact with its nuanced characters and poignant storytelling.” – Chrysalis Brew Project

“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” – Bekah C NetGalley

“The story of Bud is tragic and evokes strong emotions, a sense of having lost a buddy in arms, a brother you knew and loved…The conclusion may not be what the reader expects, however, and the reveal is shocking. War is hell. 5 stars.” – Virginia Williams Rosepoint Publishing

“Certainly Montgomery’s best book yet. Should be required reading for West Point Cadets and ROTC students, but more importantly mandatory reading for those of us that are casual observers of conflict. The book shifted my paradigm about the personal cost of war, and especially what it takes to clean up after a battle. Montgomery continues to be an outstanding story teller!” – Bill Clarkson Goodreads Reviewer

“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true. When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” – Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter

“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” – Kathryn McLeer NetGalley

5 Stars for Your Forgotten Sons

June 18, 2026Leave a comment

“What a brilliant book! I couldn’t put this novel down…It is a solid five-star read. An unputdownable accounting of innocence, greed, the horrors of war, and the selfishness and criminal behaviors of some who seek to profit off the misfortunes of others. Your Forgotten Sons should be a must-read for all lovers of fiction, especially WWII fiction. The tale was educational, provocative, enlightening, and so well done. I hope Anne Montgomery writes another tale such as this. Her books have found a place on my bookshelves.” – Virginia Dill Book Sirens

Inspired by a true story

Praise for Your Forgotten Sons

Memorial Day: A time for quiet contemplation

May 24, 2025May 23, 2026Leave a comment

Memorial Day is different from other holidays, though it seems many of us have forgotten the point of the celebration. I ran into this issue back when I was a print reporter when my editor asked me to write a story about Memorial Day.

“Go find out about all the events people can attend,” he said. “Parties, big sales, parades. Things like that.”

I frowned, which caught him off guard. “What?” He held out his hands palms up.

I had never refused an assignment before, still I couldn’t help myself. “Memorial Day isn’t about shopping and drinking beer. It’s about remembering.”

He looked at me for a moment. “Write whatever you want.”

So, I contacted the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post and interviewed a number of aging veterans, men who despite their advanced years, recalled vividly those who were left behind.

“I was a foot soldier in the 59^th Field Hospital. My brother was in the 7^th Armored Division. He chased me and I chased him, but he was killed before I got to him.”

“The pilot of the helicopter was going to lower me down into the water and I leaned out and took a look. Here was these huge fishes going around eating pieces of bodies. Sharks. And you know they couldn’t declare that person dead because they didn’t know if it was one person or two. I thought about it ever since.”

“A buddy of mine…we went all the way through the war right to the end. Just outside of Cheb, Czechoslovakia he got captured and they stuck a pistol in his mouth and pulled the trigger. He was…22.”

I have over the years spent Memorial Day thinking about the veterans in my life who are no longer with us. My father who faced kamikazes and rode a destroyer escort into Tokyo Bay at the end of World War II. My dear friend Don Clarkson, a decorated hero of the Vietnam War who spent the rest of his life struggling with the demons he brought home. And now, I also remember Bud.

Sergeant Bud Richardville served in the 606^th Graves Registration Service in the European Theatre during World War II. His job? Locate, identify, and bury the dead. Think about that.

With the help of a packet of letters now 80 years old, I tracked Bud through the landing on the beaches of Normandy, the frigid forests of the Battle of the Bulge, and General George Patton’s drive to free Czechoslovakia from the Nazis. All the while soldiers died by the hundreds of thousands on both sides of the conflict and Bud and his men were tasked with recovering whatever was left. Then they buried the remains in the graceful cemeteries they built, hollowed peaceful grounds today, spread across what were once miserable killing fields.

My historical fiction novel Your Forgotten Sons tells not only Bud’s story, but those of the men who labored alongside him. Soldiers who have rarely appeared in books or films, but who toiled to give the fallen the respect and dignity they deserved.

So, on this Memorial Day, I will remember my soft-spoken father, and my dear friend Don. But I will also remember Bud and those who served with him.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Pre-Order your copy today

Review a copy early by going to NetGalley. Sign in here.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

BookSirens gives Your Forgotten Sons 5 Stars!

July 20, 20242 Comments

My thanks to Virginia Dill of BookSirens for her 5-Star review of my novel Your Forgotten Sons.

Find the rest of the review at here.

YOUR FORGOTTEN SONS

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Order your copy today

Find Anne Montgomery’s novels wherever you buy books.

Goodreads

Amazon

Cover Reveal: Your Forgotten Sons

February 10, 2024February 12, 20242 Comments

On June 6th, 2024, the 80th anniversary of D-Day, my new historical fiction novel will be released. Your Forgotten Sons details the life of Sergeant Joseph “Bud” Richardville who was drafted into the Graves Registration Service as the Allies prepared for the invasion of Europe.

Bud’s story came to me via a packet of letters in a Ziplock bag, correspondences that were lovingly preserved by his family members and entrusted to me in the hope that I would tell Bud’s story and that of the men with whom he served.

And now I have.

I want to thank the artsists at Next Chapter Publishing for producing such a lovely and poignant cover.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to the Graves Registration Service where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Pre-Order your copy today

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon