It is 1971, and Jason Conley, a recent college graduate, faces the cost of his free education. Unable to afford college, he earned an NROTC scholarship, committing four years of service to the U.S. Navy. Determined to avoid combat in Vietnam, he schemes to serve on a ship converted for oceanographic research in Hawai far from the war. A clever plan, if it works.
It does. Then it doesn’t.
After a series of missteps some his own, some beyond his control Jason is transferred to a new command deploying on a WestPac tour to Vietnam the day he boards. Now he must navigate the challenges of directing a destroyer escort in combat while confronting his own feelings about the war.
Smoke on the Water is a Navy memoir and coming-of-age tale spanning less than four years, from the East Coast to Hawaii to Southeast Asia. Adventure, love, and personal growth unfold amid the pressure of an unpopular war. Available now.
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Military Writers’ Society of America Review
Jack Bartley’s Smoke on the Water offers a gripping and immersive look into naval service during the Vietnam War, blending historical authenticity with engaging storytelling. Following Jason Conley’s unexpected deployment aboard a warship, the novel presents a detailed portrayal of life at sea, showcasing shipboard operations, leadership challenges, and the dynamics of serving during a turbulent era.
Bartley’s meticulous attention to technical accuracy ensures a realistic depiction of naval procedures, making the novel an excellent choice for readers with an interest in military fiction and historical naval operations. His ability to capture ship maneuvering, command structures, and daily routines aboard a warship is impressive, lending the book a strong sense of realism and depth.
The novel’s pacing is well-structured, balancing tense action sequences with reflective moments that explore Conley’s internal struggles with duty, service, and personal growth. The camaraderie among the crew adds an optimistic tone, making the novel accessible even to readers unfamiliar with military life. The strong research, engaging characters, and historical accuracy make it a rewarding read for fans of military fiction.
Review by Bob Ritchie (June 2025)
Two hundred years in the future, a young boy with extraordinary abilities uncovers a dangerous plot threatening The Ferals, a people forced to live beyond the domed city of Hilo. By accident, he enters their hidden world, and alongside his new family and friends, he must persuade their former rivals in Hilo to join forces. Together, they face a looming threat from the leeward side of the island one that could bring the downfall of both Hilo and The Ferals.
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Deviant Quill Review – 5 Stars
In a genre flooded with recycled dystopias and overcooked wastelands, Hilo Dome stands out like a plumeria blooming through ash. Set against the haunting beauty of a post-nuclear Hawaii, this tale offers not only fresh terrain but a meditation on identity, community, and the illusions of safety.
At the heart of the story is Nathan Ohana, a fourteen-year-old whose journey begins within the sterile safety of a domed city and spirals outward—both physically and emotionally—into a world far more alive, and far more dangerous, than he was raised to believe. What makes Hilo Dome stand out is not just its original setting, but the sincerity of its emotional core. The reader isn’t simply dragged through another battle for survival, but invited into a deeply personal story of rediscovery.
The relationship between Nathan and Kayli is particularly well-crafted, evolving with a natural, unforced rhythm that never dips into melodrama. Their bond—one that begins in shared bloodlines and blossoms into something quietly powerful—is the beating heart of the book. It anchors the plot, keeping it grounded even as the story crescendos into conflict and action.
Perhaps the most intriguing device is “thalk,” a form of telepathic communication that avoids the usual sci-fi clichés. It’s employed with restraint and elegance, acting more as a deepening of intimacy between characters than as a gimmick. The ability doesn’t overshadow the human moments but amplifies them.
Another thing that sets Hilo Dome apart is its unflinching respect for its cultural backdrop. Hawaiian traditions, language, and ways of life aren’t sprinkled in for aesthetic, but are woven into the fabric of the world with purpose and reverence. That authenticity is no accident. The author, who lived in O‘ahu for many years while serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy, brings a palpable understanding of the land and its people. It shows in the rhythm of the dialogue, in the landscape, in the way characters relate to both nature and one another. This grounding gives the speculative elements their weight and makes the world feel not just imagined, but remembered.
The pacing is thoughtful, measured in places, explosive in others, but never lags.
The first installment in a series, Hilo Dome offers not only a satisfying conclusion but a promise of more journeys, discoveries, and emotional growth to come. It shows a vision of the post-apocalypse that is lush rather than desolate, communal rather than isolating. It takes familiar tropes and reshapes them through a fresh lens, all while delivering a story that is human, grounded in culture, and brimming with heart. Readers looking for an adventure that respects both mind and spirit will find plenty to love here.
In the small tourist town of Inanow Bay, Ed McCleary, an award-winning high school biology teacher, grows increasingly frustrated with his life. Administrators, politicians, and students seem determined to make teaching harder, and Ed doesn’t hold back his sarcasm in a column for the local paper. Fortunately, nights out with fellow teachers at the local bar and restaurant offer some relief.
The new school term brings little hope. Ed tries to impress Melody Gibson, a student teacher in the next classroom, with his sharp wit, but she misses the hint. A new superintendent arrives, promising change, yet Ed quickly sees that old habits die hard. While administrators, school board members, and politicians play power games, the teachers of Inanow Bay High School continue the real work of educating students.
As the year unfolds, Ed’s moods rise and fall like the tides of Inanow Bay. While his personal life improves, professional challenges mount. Yet a series of accidents, coincidences, and unexpected turns eventually guide Ed to surprising new opportunities, both in love and in life.
Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble
After discovering an injured baby groundhog on the road in front of their farmhouse, a young couple cares for him until adulthood in this true story. Along the way, they discover the many charming personality traits of their furry friend, all while preparing for the inevitable heartbreak of releasing him back into the wild.
Dinsdale is uniquely told through alternating chapters from both the groundhog’s perspective and that of the young couple who rescue him. The story is brought to life with beautiful illustrations by Emily Tucci.
Signed book plates are available for any book. Send me an email with your address to jbartley@udel.edu
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