Jennifer Conner

Hemingway 20th Century Wartime Novel Chanticleer FINALISTAmidst the devastation of World War I, a young American woman named Abigale Belorman discovers a profound calling: to restore hope to the WWI wounded soldiers. In France they were called 'Gueules Cassees', or 'Broken Faces'. Using her sculpting skills, she begins crafting intricate masks that conceal the scars of war, offering a semblance of normalcy to those who have endured unimaginable suffering.
Colm Harp, a skilled metalsmith, is driven by his own wounds and a personal tragedy to join Abigale's mission. His younger brother, Danny, has returned from the war with devastating facial injuries, and Colm is determined to give him a chance at a life worth living. Together, Colm and Abigale embark on a journey of compassion and resilience, their work becoming a beacon of hope for countless wounded soldiers.
As they navigate the challenges of war-torn Europe and the limitations of early 20th-century medicine, Abigale and Colm discover the transformative power of human will. Their story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the enduring power of love, and the extraordinary lengths people will go to make a difference in the world. War changes all their lives, but if you can improve one person's life, is yours not for the better? What if you could help hundreds? What would you give up?