“You hardly ever come across a gem like this!" — Readers’ Favorite A retired pilot dives on the ship he sank, looking for what— or who ? AMERICA, 1985: Nick Mitchel’s world is shattered by his beloved wife’s death. His passion for his work evaporates, leaving no other barrier to his dark memories of the war. After nightmares and depression take over, a childhood friend pushes him to go back and face long-buried truths. But the diving expedition in the Pacific Ocean he’d hoped would heal old wounds takes an unexpected turn. JAPAN: Junichi Takahashi is angry and desperate to be free, but not clear on what to be free from. As the son, who loves his father dearly, and, though he resents it, he vows to fulfill the dying man’s request. After his own childhood horrors from the war re-emerge, touring the devastated ship his father served on is the last thing he wants to do. Never suspecting that on this journey, he would find the target for his anger. When the two meet, enemies reignite in a dangerous battle of perspectives. "Unique, original, deftly crafted, a riveting read from start to finish…" — Midwest Book Review "Woodman delivers a gripping exploration of war's unending shadow…" — Booklife Winner of the BRONZE MEDAL for the HEMINGWAY WAR CATEGORY — The Historical Fiction Company "A heart-wrenching and insightful exploration of the social and psychological cost of war wrapped in an entertaining and well-crafted story... author successfully shines light in dark corners and compels readers to walk in the shoes of others and to see the world through different eyes. Judged by that standard, Eye Contact Over Truk is a masterpiece ." — Reedsy Discover, 5 Star MUST READ "Eye Contact Over Truk" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community Literary & Historical Fiction collections...One of those stories that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf." — Midwest Book Review "Woodman deftly captures the moral dilemmas and guilt that so often follows a confrontation with the long-term impact of our actions , avoiding common pitfalls of romanticizing and dehumanizing soldiers & experiences...the novel offers rich historical insights on the attack on Truk in particular but also, more broadly, the overlooked reality of the costs of war." — Booklife "Author Stephanie Woodman created a perfect story of emotions, past trauma, healing wounds, and learning to live with your trauma...The descriptions were incredible, and the imagery of the lagoon was breathtaking. I loved each moment of the story and highly recommend it ." — Reader's Favorite "Don't be deterred by thinking it is a study in gloom and somberness; despite those themes, it is surprisingly lovely and even uplifting to read ." — Matt McAvoy Book Review "Woodman skillfully blends detailed descriptions of the underwater landscape with deep introspective reflections, creating an intense and poetic atmosphere.. .a powerful message about forgiveness, healing, and rediscovering the joy of living ." — The Historical Fiction Company "The characters are so meticulously developed that their emotions resonate deeply with the reader...is a novel that will touch your heart and leave a lasting impression ." — The Coffee Pot Book Club Stephanie Woodman is an avid collector of experiences and a perpetual student of life. Despite her analytical background with a long engineering career and a short tenure as a high school math teacher, Stephanie has a powerful creative side which has manifested itself in her debut novel, Eye Contact Over Truk, a decades-long endeavor which was started in 1996 and finished after her retirement in 2021. With the additional life experience, her writing transformed to explore themes of perseverance, forgiveness, grief, loss, life, love, and adventure. This evolution of her story is captured best by Mark Twain's timeless adage that "history often rhymes." Outside the realm of literature, Stephanie loves playing pickleball and golf, scuba diving, sailing, traveling the world, and spending time with her son, who is now starting his own adventure in college. She helps students in her community in robotics programs and is also known for her past role as a clown, bringing laughter and joy to those in need.