After the death of his son, a grief-stricken nurse anesthetist spirals into addiction and a dangerous affair, only to find himself entangled in a murder investigation and a battle against an ancient evil enamored by human suffering.
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David M. Ward
David M. Ward is a retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with more than two decades of operating room and trauma care experience. He began his 37-year military career as an enlisted combat medic in 1988, followed by over 10 years as an Air National Guard Flight Nurse, and later serving 21 years as an Army Reserve nurse anesthetist before retiring in December 2025. Throughout his service, he balanced a variety of leadership, training, and clinical roles while continuously practicing nurse anesthesia. Drawing upon his experiences in nurse anesthesia and military service—including service in the First Gulf War, Kosovo, Afghanistan missions, Africa missions, and Iraq—Ward explores themes of loss, resilience, and the complexities of human nature. He writes dark, character-driven fiction that examines the thin line between suffering and redemption. Excruciating is his debut novel. He resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Resolute Lantern Media is his own Publishing entity.
David M. Ward is a retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with more than two decades of operating room and trauma care experience. He began his 37-year military career as an enlisted combat medic in 1988, followed by over 10 years as an Air National Guard Flight Nurse, and later serving 21 years as an Army Reserve nurse anesthetist before retiring in December 2025. Throughout his service, he balanced a...