Iraq Soldier Explores Love in the Past

“Shades” is authored by California resident and active duty soldier, Art Phillips and based on a true-life story. Though a quasi-fictional story with just enough facts inserted to make the reader remember a time when the country was in turmoil, Shades is a powerful look back at the past. And a wonderful look at true love despite the unpredictability of an upcoming war.

Enter the life of Rodney “Shades” Knight, a young member of the armed forces during the Vietman war. He’s a bit out of his league and surrounded by friends who fear the war as much as he does, but Rodney has always been an outgoing type of guy. He finds love in the darkest of circumstances, but fate has different plans for Shades. Through heartbreak and powerful emotions, Shades learns that destiny can be cruel, but love is always stronger.

Art Phillips is a first-time author residing in sunny California. He recently spent time in Iraq, and the knowledge he may be returning at any day continually hangs in the air. While Shades is his first novel, he has written the prequel to the story and has several other works well underway.

Shades will be released in print on July 4, 2004 by Vintage Romance Publishing (http://www.vrpublishing.com) and will be available at major online retailers and coming soon to major bookstore chains nationwide.