Code Name Sonny Release

Online, April 30, 2012 (Newswire.com) - K.E. Pottie
[email protected]
Subject: New Spy/Thriller novel.

Hardcover
ISBN-10:0-7414-7002-0 ISBN-13: 978-0-7414-7002-7

Paperback
ISBN-10:0-7414-7001-2 ISBN-13: 978-0-7414-7001-0

I invite you to view the YouTube video about the new book Code Name Sonny Promo.

You can also check out the novel (based on a true story) on www.kenpottie.net

Code Name Sonny, a first novel by author Ken Pottie who takes readers on a thrilling journey, zigzagging back and forth between Sonny's World War II experiences behind enemy lines in World War II, and his son Jack's modern day investigation into his dad's war service.

As the latter tries to unravel mysteries by tying together snippets of historical recollection with current news stories, Jack realizes too late the danger lurking close to home and past and present collide.

Here's a synopsis of Code Name Sonny:

It's 1942. Joe is representative of many young American men of his generation: America and its Allies are at war with the Germans and the Japanese, and this New Hampshire teenager wants to be in the thick of it.

Joe got his wish in the spring of 1944.

His mom is French Canadian, so Joe grew up speaking fluent French. His uncanny ability to build and repair radios, and his knowledge of French, land him a special role behind enemy lines as an Allied World War II operative with the codename 'Sonny.'
Dispatched to England, Sonny is placed under the command of British officer Captain Scotty Smythe, and fellow team members, including a beautiful French woman with the code name 'Marie,' and a Spaniard with the code name 'Sergio.'

Scotty teaches Sonny through regular midnight exercises to speak French when awakened out of a deep sleep. If the Nazis whispered in your ear in English, and you responded groggily in English, they would slit your throat immediately.

Marie teaches Sonny the difference between French and French Canadian dialect because the Germans were suspicious of anyone who did not speak fluent French.

The team is told about a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. They all volunteer immediately and receive intense training to perform their new orders.

Their new mission is to assemble and deliver radios to help the French Resistance transmit false messages about Allied movements on channels known to be tracked by the Germans.

Leading the mission is Henri, a decorated French Sergeant who has a family fishing business and farm. Henri transports the fun loving teen from America in his smelly fishing boat into a strange multi-cultural world at war, mired in intrigue and secrecy. 'Trust no one, Sonny!' he intones.

On his maiden voyage crossing the channel from England to France, Sonny passes his first test in speaking fluent French to Nazi soldiers who come aboard Henri's fishing vessel, suspicious of a fishing boat crossing the channel during a storm.

In a small coastal village, Sonny becomes spoiled by the love and affection of his host family, Henri and his sister Antoinette, and the owners of a nearby tavern and inn.

Bacon and eggs at breakfast, tuna fish sandwiches for lunch and meatloaf at supper back at home become a distant memory. Sonny's feasts heartily on French country meals such as ham and tomato quiche for breakfast, seafood soup with warm baguettes for lunch, and beef and chicken roasted with fresh vegetables for dinner, the latter accompanied by a glass of red wine.

He settles into a routine of commercial fishing and farm work during the day and building radios in a secret cave under the farmhouse in the evening, which his team delivers to French partisans in the countryside under cover of night. He watches with respect how Henri and Madeline, petite French partisan, have sacrificed their love for each other by putting their personal lives on hold while they passionately fight to free their beloved France.

One fateful night while delivering radios with his team, Sonny finally encounters the horrors of war. He saves the life of a nine-year old girl, Charlene, watching in terror with her as Nazi soldiers kill her parents. He learns the revulsion of killing...even when it's enemy soldiers. He mourns the cruel torture of an innocent child, the massacre of partisans, and the murder of a new friend.

Fast forward to early morning on New Year's Day, 2000. Sonny is back in New Hampshire, recently retired from working in the computer industry. He volunteers with the local school district, setting up computer labs in high schools and training nine to 18 year olds how to use computers for schoolwork.

Sonny has kept his World War II secrets hidden from his family for 56 years for fear those whom he fought behind enemy lines are still alive to retaliate and harm his family. But now his wartime remembrances come pouring out. His tear filled recounting startles his son, Jack, who has been laid off from his computer job.
Jack embarks on investigating his Dad's military career. Jack learns about a young German woman named Gisele, who is touring the country speaking about the heroic service of World War II American soldiers she has interviewed, many of whom she said served with her grandfather, a double agent.

Jack and Sonny attend Gisele's presentation at the local Elks Club and Jack and his wife Emily meet with Gisele at their favorite restaurant for dinner, hoping to glean information that will make sense of Jack's father's story.

Jack is also intrigued by a local news broadcast and lengthy news story in the Globe by reporter Ben Townley about the murders and 'suspicious deaths' of WWII veterans around the country, with a map pinpointing the hometown locations of the dead veterans.

As Jack tries to unravel mysteries, he realizes too late the danger lurking close to home.