The Star of Camp Greene
A Novel of WWI
Published on 31. July 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-4002-4433-1 (ISBN)
Description
Sometimes heroism is found in dreams deferred.
Charlotte, NC. 1918. Broadway darling Calla Connolly had it all: a rising career on the stage and a loving fiance, a fellow stage actor. But after his tragic death early in the war, Calla is touring the American training camps, hoping to convince General Pershing to let her tour the French front to cheer the men and honor her fiance's memory. But her hopes are dashed when she contracts Spanish flu while performing at Camp Greene.
While convalescing, Calla inadvertently overhears a sensitive Army secret and is ordered to remain at Camp Greene for the duration of the war while her former mentor and rival steals her tour out from under her. Having no choice but to stay at the camp, she becomes the resident performer and forms attachments to several musician soldiers.
When she falls in love with the man responsible for trapping her at camp, the mission she's sworn to keep secret threatens the men she's come to care for. Calla is forced to decide what her dreams are worth--and if the future she never expected might only be possible if she lets those dreams go.
Charlotte, NC. 1918. Broadway darling Calla Connolly had it all: a rising career on the stage and a loving fiance, a fellow stage actor. But after his tragic death early in the war, Calla is touring the American training camps, hoping to convince General Pershing to let her tour the French front to cheer the men and honor her fiance's memory. But her hopes are dashed when she contracts Spanish flu while performing at Camp Greene.
While convalescing, Calla inadvertently overhears a sensitive Army secret and is ordered to remain at Camp Greene for the duration of the war while her former mentor and rival steals her tour out from under her. Having no choice but to stay at the camp, she becomes the resident performer and forms attachments to several musician soldiers.
When she falls in love with the man responsible for trapping her at camp, the mission she's sworn to keep secret threatens the men she's come to care for. Calla is forced to decide what her dreams are worth--and if the future she never expected might only be possible if she lets those dreams go.
Reviews / Votes
'In THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE, beloved historical fiction author Joy Callaway takes up the topic of a lesser known yet highly significant and fascinating locale of the stateside war efforts of World War I. With assiduous research and beautiful language, Callaway writes with obvious love for her subjects and delivers a tale of both tragedy and triumph. Readers will be swept into leading lady Calla Connolly's world from the very first page.' * Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of FINDING MARGARET FULLER * 'THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE is a compelling read that had me putting other things off in order to keep turning the pages. Meticulously researched and full of heart, it illuminates a stateside training camp during WWI and is full of secrets, hope, jealousy, friendship, danger, and love. Readers will be eager to visit Callaway's backlist if they aren't already a fan.' * Camille Di Maio, bestselling author of COME FLY WITH ME *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Focus
Dimensions
Height: 139 mm
Width: 213 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
312 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4002-4433-1 (9781400244331)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Joy Callaway is the international bestselling author of What the Mountains Remember, All the Pretty Places, The Grand Design, Secret Sisters, and The Fifth Avenue Artists Society. She lives in Charlotte, NC, with her family. Visit her online at joycallaway.com; Instagram: @joywcal; and Facebook: @JoyCallawayAuthor.