Charlie — A Moment in Time
A story of family, movement, and the moments that shape a life.
About the Book
From the hills of West Virginia to the islands of the Pacific, and onward to the desert communities of California, Charlie — A Moment in Time traces the life of Charlie Martin and the generations that followed.
Set against the backdrop of American history, the story moves through the Great Depression, World War II, and the postwar expansion west — capturing not only the events of a life, but the spirit of the times in which it was lived.
At its core, this is a story about building — building roads, runways, homes, and family. It is a reflection on how moments, decisions, and quiet acts of determination shape not just one life, but many.
What This Story Is About
Family and legacy across generations
The experience of war and service
The journey west and the search for opportunity
Life in mid-century America
The moments that define a life over time
Availability
Charlie — A Moment in Time is currently in development and will be available through Amazon.
Available summer 2026
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Martin’s Store, Belva, West Virginia - March 1916
… The bell above the door of the Martins’ store jingles.
Charles Martin looks up.
She stands in the doorway — tall, thin, long reddish-brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. A yellow ribbon slips out from beneath a black ball cap. A white dress patterned with green and yellow. Flat brown-leather Stetson Oxford lace-up ankle boots dusted from the road; lacy white socks peeking out the top.
She turns.
Her blue eyes reach for and lock with his.
Charles stops breathing.
For a moment, the store disappears — the counter, the shelves, the murmur of voices — all of it fades.
Charles Clayton Martin has never believed in fate.
Until now.
The moment, now set itself in time for both of them.
Twenty minutes later, Kate watches through the store window as Charles lifts lumber into the back of a truck.
Six-foot-five, Solid. Dark-hair, sleeves cut off at the shoulders, forearms marked by work.
A man who looks like he belongs wherever he stands.
Kate smiles before she realizes she’s smiling. …