I am so excited about this interview! I was blessed to read and endorse Their Burden to Bear by Heather Tabers. You can read my review here. Today, we get to speak with the hero who opened a whole new world of history for me. This book is all about the men who carried the unknown soldier to his tomb, so in honor of Veteran’s Day, you can purchase a print copy of Their Burden to Bear for only $11.11. Heather is being generous and providing an e-copy to one winner, U.S. or international resident. You can enter at the end of the blog post.
Before we dive into our interview, let me introduce you to the story that Phillip takes part in.
Their Burden to Bear by Heather Tabers
Genre:
In the shadow of a grieving nation, two broken souls are bound by duty, drawn together by circumstance, and tested by a love neither expected.
Washington, D.C., 1921. As America prepares to honor the first Unknown Soldier, Elsie St. Clair longs for freedom from her father’s cruel control and the chance to build a life of her own. Instead, she is forced into the spotlight of the upcoming ceremonies when she’s chosen to serve as companion to Gunnery Sergeant Phillip Pierce—a decorated Marine tasked with bearing the Unknown Soldier to his final rest.
Phillip is a war hero, but the medals pinned to his chest weigh heavy with loss and unspoken pain. To Elsie, his quiet strength and battle-hardened scars stir a hope she thought long dead: the hope of being truly seen and loved. Yet danger shadows their every step—from subtle whispers in the capital to the schemes of a jealous rival determined to come between them.
When Phillip offers Elsie a marriage of convenience, it seems a practical way to shield her from harm and keep his own heart untouched. But as they raise her orphaned nephew together, friendship blossoms into a tender bond neither can deny. Still, secrets from the past threaten to shatter the fragile peace they’ve found, forcing them to decide if they will cling to silence—or risk everything for the kind of love that bears all things.
Purchase Links:
Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million
Now it’s time to jump into our interview with Phillip!
CC: Philip, would you please introduce yourself to my readers? How would you describe yourself?
Phillip Pierce: My name is Sergeant Phillip Pierce. I serve the United States Marine Corps Commandant at Washington Barracks in Washington, D.C. Elsie would call me the “swoony hero” in this story, but I assure you, I’m more qualified to serve as comedic relief or perhaps as the subject in a Shakespearean tragedy. I was selected to be a Body Bearer for the Unknown Soldier in 1921 and am simply performing my duty to my country.
CC: First off, thank you for your service. I am so grateful for all our military and their families. And I know you see it simply as duty, but it is appreciated more than you know. So let’s dive in.Â
What is it that you want? What’s standing in your way?
Phillip: If I could truthfully answer that question, I wouldn’t find my heart in the predicament it’s in throughout the book. I was perfectly content serving in the USMC until I met Elsie, then I found myself imagining a future with her. Do I WANT to spend the rest of my life with this quirky, feisty, resilient woman? Of course. Do I want to protect her from her ogre of a father? Completely? But do I also want to protect her from myself and my past? I do, and that conflicts with everything else I want.
CC: That is a difficult place to be, and I love how you care for her on all sides of it.Â
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did that happen?
Phillip: When I was a child, I simply hoped to survive to adulthood. Once I did, I had no idea what to do. The military offered solutions to my problems, and I’ve never looked back.
CC: I’ve always loved how the military has provided that opportunity for people. It was an option my own mom took and it led to her marrying my dad.
Who do you interact within the story that confounds you?
Phillip: Elsie’s father confounds me from the very beginning. How could a colonel in the Army Quartermaster Corps have such little regard for his daughter’s and grandson’s well-being? He acts like his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, then he single-handedly destroys it himself.Â
CC: I really struggled with him myself. Elsie and her nephew were so wonderful, and he just didn’t understand what he had in them. My heart broke for them.
How would you describe your relationship with God?
Phillip: I owe everything to God. He’s met me right where I am in some very dark places and forgiven me of things I don’t think I could forgive others of. The fact that He loves me at all is a miracle. I’m as unworthy as they come, and I just want to serve Him and others, not that I could ever repay Him for what He’s done for me.
CC: Amen. It’s wonderful to have a hero of such faith in a story.
How do you think others view you?
Phillip: The Corps has made me out to be a hero, and that title doesn’t sit well with me. I did what needed to be done, just like everyone else. I’m fortunate to have survived Belleau Wood when so many around me did not make it out of that forest. I don’t like the attention and would have never volunteered to be a Body Bearer for the Unknown Soldier if my country had not called upon me to do so.
CC: You are a humble man, and you may have done what you did out of duty, but you are indeed a hero. While there are others who would have done what you did, there are many more who would not.
What do you think about love and marriage?
Phillip: I fell hard for Elsie St. Clair, right from the start. I tried to push back my feelings for her, or at least I told myself I was trying. Really, all I did was make a mess of things with her. I knew she deserved better than me, but I also felt this strong desire to protect her. Protecting her opened doors of opportunity to grow closer to her, and even though I tried to keep my heart from her, I’m quite certain it was always meant to be hers.
CC: That is so beautiful. As far as I know, most (if not all) women love a man who is protective when they are protective in a way that reflects Christ. While you’re not perfect, I think you do a wonderful job.
Unfortunately, it’s time to rap up, so here’s our last question, and it’s always a fun one. Which part of the roller coaster would you ride in: the front, middle, or back? Why?
Phillip: I would ride in the front. I’m much better at facing physical challenges head-on than I am matters of the heart.
CC: That is definitely something I can see!
That’s it for now. If you liked getting to know Phillip Pierce, I highly recommend you go check out Heather Taber’s Their Burden to Bear.Â
Readers, be sure to comment below with your answer:
What do you know about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? (Or, what part of the roller coaster would YOU ride?)
Heather Tabers writes Historical Romance, Children’s Fiction, and encouragement for weary souls. Though she can’t always recall the dates of famous battles or list the world’s great leaders, Heather treasures history for something far more meaningful—the way stories from the past stir our hearts today. She’s a hope-filled romantic who believes in second chances and redemptive love. Her own love story proves that life can be messy and beautiful at the same time, which is why she enjoys writing stories that show the goodness of God’s grace.
Heather resides in sunny Central Florida with her husband and hero, Robert, whom many of her heroes are inspired by. She’s also a veteran homeschooling mama of five (mostly) grown kids whom she loves with her whole heart, a dog mom, clay jewelry designer, virtual author assistant, digital product designer, and a pursuer of whatever new idea strikes her fancy.
You can connect with them at: Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | GoodReads | BookBub
Giveaway Details
Update: Winner is Bridget G. Email has been sent.
Here’s your chance to win a copy of Their Burden to Bear. Comment on the blog and enter using the Google Form for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on DATE. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.
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What part of the roller do I want to ride in? I would prefer riding in front part and Why? Because being in the front of a roller-coaster 🎢 is more of a thrill and more fun
Even though it’s always intrigued me, I don’t know very much about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; other than it’s a soldier from WWI and it’s always guarded.
Sabrina, when I began writing this book, I didn’t know much about it either. What I found through my research was absolutely fascinating. I’d love for you to give the book a read and learn more about the Unknown.
I love that the book is listed for $11.11 for Veterans Day! How appropriate! 🙂 I don’t know much about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, yet. Lastly, I would probably ride the middle of the roller coaster because I don’t really want to be first. 😂
Yay! I’m glad someone caught the significance of $11.11 11/11. Ironically, my grandma was born on 11/11/10, so in 1921, on 11/11 (the day the Unknown was laid to rest), my grandma was turning 11 on 11/11. haha I hope you’ll give Phillip and Elsie’s story a read and let me know what you think!