Chiara Kelly

The Lady Leathernecks Chiara Kelly

Publisher Marketing: When painfully shy Starbucks barista Allyn Kend joins the Marines, she capsizes those who thought they knew her best. The only thing that makes sense is that her fiancee Eliot was already a Lance Corporal. However, when she meets truckstop evangelist Jess Kellerman, Korean linguist Bibi Shim and Palm Beach hotel heiress Syth Sangiorgio in the bivouacs of boot camp on Parris Island, her whole concept of whom and what a Marine should be is broken down and rebuilt, along with her own humanity. Each sister has a secret; but also a thirst to prove herself in battle and in life. But despite caring and glaring differences, they realize they need one another to overcome the physical, mental and emotional obstacles that stand between them and the coveted title of Basic Marine or "Lady Leatherneck." And that is just the beginning! As each Lady Leatherneck serves with differing intentions, they find out more about themselves and one another through the unique challenges of soldier motherhood, duty, deployments, love and loss. As "Globe" reporter Allyn drafts a feature story on human trafficking, MP Jess makes an unlikely arrest that will follow her for life. Meanwhile, linguist Bibi settles cultural scores with her family while deployed to her native Korea. But nothing is final until ostentatious Syth gets her baby back. Only together could they learn that while the Marine Corps may not be for everyone; it is for more than just one type of person. Combat is Human.