Gold Winner in Historical Fiction, 2025 Colorado Authors’ League Book Awards First Runner-up in Historical Fiction, 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Grand Prize Short List, 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Finalist, Di Vinci Eye Award, 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Honorable Mention in the Mystery/Thriller category, 2025 Writer's Digest 13th Annual Self-Published E-Book Awards. Distinguished Favorite in Military Fiction, 2025 Independent Press Awards “ This is one for the war buffs . . .” Kirkus Reviews Verdict: GET IT “A gem of historical fiction . . .” Midwest Book Reviews A father’s search for his estranged son plunges US Army Major Ab Johnson into the pivotal First World War Battle of Belleau Wood. The fate of Paris and the outcome of the war balance on a knife’s edge. This is a story of honor, courage, commitment, a father’s love for his son, and the bonds of combat. Ab Johnson has one last chance to reconcile with his son, Jack, a marine second lieutenant who is heading into the worst conflict in human history. Second lieutenants don’t last long in the killing fields of France. Ab volunteered to rejoin the army and come to France for a liaison job far from the fighting, only to be transferred to the Paris Medical Group. His quest leads him from the backrooms of Paris, through command posts, and to the front lines during the Battle of Belleau Wood. He confronts French petulance and American inexperience as he struggles to help organize an army medical system swamped with casualties during his desperate search. Ab’s story intertwines with three others: an arrogant surgeon who sees war as opportunity; a navy corpsman searching for his place in the world; and a marine private full of fighting spirit and patriotism. They confront their destinies in a grueling fight filled with chaos and heart-stopping fear. Each joined the war effort for his own reasons—now all they hope for is to survive. AWARDS 2025 Colorado Authors' League Book Awards: Winner in Historical Fiction, post 19th Century 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Awards: First Runner Up: Historical Fiction 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Awards: Short list: Grand Prize 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Awards: Finalist: Da Vinci Eye Award (Cover Art) 2025 Writer's Digest 13th Annual Self-Published E-book Awards:Honorable Mention in the Mystery/Thriller category 2025 Independent Press Award: Distinguished Favorite in Military Fiction REVIEWS Andrews captures the pain of war in muscular prose . . . clearly knows the period—and particularly the era's medical practices—but he largely eschews the usual tragedy of WWI narratives . . . This is one for the war buffs, and particularly those who enjoy Marine Corps lore. Kirkus Reviews Verdict: "GET IT". ----- Kirkus Reviews This is a remarkable book. . . . I could smell the cordite and the stench of the detritus of war. This book is a wonderful tribute to those military medical professionals who worked in terrible conditions to administer first aid to the Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood. Highly recommended . ----Colonel William T. Anderson, USMC (Ret), noted USMC WWI historian Andrews takes the reader into the action and makes you feel as if you were there, experiencing the horrific scenes of war along with his characters. Highly recommended. Historical Novel Society Magazine review There are many comparisons to be made to both fiction and non-fiction works based on WWI, but nothing stands out so much as Remarque's classic title ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT....anyone who enjoys historical war stories will love this book. Moreover, this novel transcends its genre and will likely have wide appeal. RECOMMENDED by the US Review John F. Andrews's OUR DESPERATE HOUR is a vivid, thoroughly researched, and powerfully told story of the horrors and cruelties of World War I. Its immediate, personal intimacy and emotional intensity will pull the reader in and refuse to let go. --- Indie Reader review. Indie Reader Star Rating: 5.0 Stars. . . . "Our Desperate Hour" is a simply fascinating and skillfully written story that brings the reader into a yesteryear of World War I and its impact on the lives of the men who fought across the battle fields of France. A gem of historical fiction that is an exceptional and highly recommended acquisition selection for community library 20th Century Historical Fiction and World War I themed fiction collections . . . ----Midwest Book Review Our Desperate Hour  takes readers inside the epic World War I Battle of Belleau Wood in ways that no other novel has ever done. The reader journeys between the command centers, medical aid stations, and the front lines, shoulder-to-shoulder with the real heroes of this battle. At its center are Honor, Courage, and Commitment. It is a story of a father's love of his son, fortitude, and comraderie. I wrote this as an ode to the Marines and their Navy "docs". My sons, both Marines, and their comrades inspired me. S