Death of a Cigarette

International Impact Award Winner for Historical Fiction
An Indie Texas / BiblioBoard Selection

One unlit cigarette survived D-Day.

On June 6, 1944, a Missouri farm boy storms Omaha Beach with a ration box strapped to his chest and a single Lucky Strike tucked safely inside. That cigarette—named Chance—survives the invasion, the brutal march across Europe, and the quiet years after the war, becoming an unlikely witness to one soldier's journey through history.

Told through the eyes of an unlit cigarette, Death of a Cigarette offers a haunting and original perspective on World War II. As Chance travels from the tobacco fields of Virginia to the battlefields of Normandy and, decades later, to the Stars and Stripes National Museum in Missouri, he bears silent witness to courage, sacrifice, friendship, loss, and the memories that endure long after the fighting ends.

Blending historical authenticity with lyrical storytelling, this award-winning novella explores the many forms of courage: the spark that burns brightly, the voice that steadies others, and the quiet strength to endure without flame.

Sometimes the greatest stories are carried by the smallest witnesses.

Sometimes the bravest act is not to burn at all.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

• World War II historical fiction
• D-Day and Normandy stories
• Character-driven literary fiction
• Thoughtful wartime narratives
• Stories of courage, sacrifice, and legacy

Tim is a writer based in Dallas, Texas. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, he served 11 years in the U.S. Navy before turning his attention to fiction. His writing explores memory, silence, and legacy, often through unexpected narrators and overlooked details.
 
His debut novella, Death of a Cigarette, follows a single unlit cigarette carried through World War II, blending historical realism with quiet lyricism.
 
Tim is a lifelong admirer of greyhounds, a hobbyist woodcarver, and a patient fixer of cuckoo clocks. He believes some things are worth preserving, especially stories.