In the railroad city of Altoona, Pennsylvania, 19-year-old Frank Davis straddles the cusp of manhood in the tumultuous year of 1966. His tranquil lower middle-class neighborhood, adorned with streets named after poets, stands in stark contrast to Altoona's industrial landscape, where coal-blackened remnants of once-mighty railroad repair shops loom. Frank's life pulses with the energy of his rock 'n' roll band, The Mountain City Rockers, and a picture-perfect family reminiscent of Leave it to Beaver.

Yet, amidst the music and romance of the 1960s era, the ominous cloud of the Vietnam War hovers over young men like Frank. Determined to shape his destiny, he enlists in the US Air Force, battling the local draft board's dubious and illegal practices. Affluent parents resort to extreme measures, ensnaring Frank in violence to protect their sons from the draft.

A love triangle, too, weaves through Frank's coming of age journey. From a tragic would-be romance with lifelong admirer Jeanette Wiley whose life is cut short, to the patient courtship of Brandi Jo Pulinni, guided by her changing Italian immigrant family's perceptions. The lingering allure of unrequited love with Sarah Meade complicates his heart, and could shatter Brandi's heart. Frank also learns the secret of his father’s daring secret mission after World War II to prove whether Adolph Hitler was dead or alive as rumored.

Heart in the Jungle unfolds a rich narrative of love, dreams, courage, and facing one's fears for a painfully shy protagonist. In this world where romance, music, and life's intricacies converge, Frank's emotional odyssey shapes a future of unforeseen consequences. This fictional memoir is based on the author’s real life experiences. Delve into this captivating tale, where Frank's choices will forever define his path.

by Fred J Lauver
Page Count: 264
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Publish Date: June 18, 2024
Imprint: Brown Posey Press
Genre: Literary Fiction

FICTION / Coming of Age
FICTION / Romance / Clean & Wholesome
FICTION / Literary