A novel by J.E. Laine
Return to Duty
Vitaly’s Story of October 7, 2023 and Beyond
A timely novel following a young Israeli reserve soldier through the chaos, grief, and unexpected redirection that begin on October 7, 2023.
J.E. Laine is the fiction pen name of Joyce E. Long.
About the book
A novel of October 7, 2023
Return to Duty follows Vitaly Katz, a 22-year-old Israeli reserve soldier, through October 7, 2023 and the five weeks that follow — the chaos of the attack, the grief that comes after it, and a redirection he never saw coming.
One reader review points to the novel’s attention to detail — daily life in Israel, the weight of Vitaly’s duties, and what was lost by the people who lived through that time.
Return to Duty is the first book in the Vitaly series. Book two is planned for 2027.
“A good book is one that makes you feel like you are there in the story. This book did just that for me.”
A reader review on Amazon
“The author makes him a truly believable character as he navigates his emotions and his duties throughout Oct 7 and the five weeks following the attack.”
From a reader review on Amazon
Is this book for you?
Who will connect with this book
- Readers looking for a novel about October 7, 2023 and the weeks that followed
- Fans of Christian fiction set in present-day Israel
- Readers of war and military fiction told through one young soldier’s eyes
- Book clubs that want a timely story with plenty to talk about
Good to know
Questions readers ask
Who is J.E. Laine?
J.E. Laine is the pen name Joyce E. Long uses for her fiction. Her nonfiction books, Trinity and Real Mothers, are published under the name Joyce Long.
Is there a sequel to Return to Duty?
Yes. Return to Duty is the first book in the Vitaly series, and book two is planned for 2027.
Is Return to Duty available as an ebook or audiobook?
Yes. You can read Return to Duty in paperback or on Kindle, or listen to it as an audiobook.
Can Joyce join our book club discussion?
Joyce welcomes book club inquiries. Send her a note and choose “Book club.”
From the bookshelf
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