Wrong Bird: A Humorous Memoir of Misdiagnoses, Corporate Tattoos, and the Art of Being Confidently Wrong by Matthew West-James

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MWSA Review

Wrong Bird by Matthew West-James is a collection of relatable, humorous stories sure to evoke a chuckle or two. The title comes from a tattoo the author desired at the tender age of nineteen. Despite the artist’s suggestions that specific changes be made to the image, the author insisted on the one he chose. Then, in his mid-thirties, author James traveled to Europe. Upon his return home, the aircraft was routed through Helsinki. With plenty of time to kill, James wandered around the terminal looking out of the large windows at airplanes coming and going, when he spotted the symbol he had tattooed on his arm. Japan Airlines had the logo on the tail of every plane in its fleet. The same image, in a different shade, that Matthew James chose at age nineteen. For almost twenty years, Matthew sported the logo of a large company in Japan, free of charge, with no royalties. Now he knew why the artist wanted to tweak the design.

Every story in Wrong Bird is full of self-deprecating humor that makes a reader laugh out loud. But haven’t we all been there to some degree? Live, grow up, and learn. Haven’t we all done something embarrassing or stupid that we look back on with chagrin?

Review by Nancy Panko

 

Author's Synopsis

Wrong Bird: Misdiagnoses and Other Things I Got Completely, Confidently Wrong' is a humorous collection of personal stories about the universal experience of being absolutely certain about something… and being completely wrong.

Through a series of self-deprecating essays, Matthew West-James recounts moments from across his life including childhood misunderstandings, professional miscalculations, travel mishaps, military experiences, and everyday situations that spiraled into embarrassment. Each story explores the gap between confidence and reality, and the strange ways memory, assumptions, and human nature conspire to create mistakes that seem obvious only in hindsight.

Rather than presenting failure as tragedy, 'Wrong Bird' approaches these moments with humor and reflection. The stories show how embarrassment can eventually become perspective, how missteps can become stories, and how the things we most wish we could forget often become the experiences we learn from the most.

Drawing on experiences that include military service, family life, and professional work in technology, the book highlights a simple truth: everyone gets things wrong. The difference is whether we hide those moments or learn to laugh at them.

Ultimately, 'Wrong Bird' is a reminder that being wrong is not the end of the story. Sometimes it is the beginning of the best one.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review genre: Other—Humor
Pages/Word count: 118 / 21,657

When Heroes Flew: Black Thursday by H. W. "Buzz" Bernard

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MWSA Review

When Heroes Flew: Black Thursday by H.W. “Buzz” Bernard is a gripping novel set in Europe during World War II in 1943. The U.S. 8th Air Force is trying to stop Nazi aggression by hitting targets in Germany that will halt production of their machines of war.

Having flown missions and crash-landed twice, Colonel Matt Barrington is older and is now commanding a desk, planning bombing raids into Germany for other pilots. When many bombers—each with a crew of ten— are lost, Matt is deeply affected by the rising body count. Washington and the powers that be are discussing “acceptable and incidental loss” necessary to achieve a mission. Matt can’t sleep at night because he sees the faces of these men and their grieving families instead of numbers. He is plagued by headaches and occasional shortness of breath from the stress of sending men into battle, who he knows may not return.

Deciding to visit a base during a pre-raid briefing, Matt hopes his presence will show the bomber pilots and crews that they are supported by the planners. On his way to the base, Matt stops at a bakery shop for something to eat. He meets the owner Charlie, short for Charlotte, and sparks fly. A lovely romantic relationship begins. Matt finds peace and love in Charlie’s arms. Charlie, a war widow, is relieved that Matt is behind a desk and no longer flying. That is, until Matt decides to join a dangerous mission to show the men that he won’t ask them to do something that he won’t do himself.

I was drawn to each of these characters. Author Bernard uses all the richness of the five senses to draw a reader into the story. I was angry with the brass in the Pentagon, gasped at the horror of war, and cried at the loss of life. Bernard’s conversational writing is laced with a great sense of humor. Oh, yeah, the ending left me absolutely stunned.

Buzz Bernard creates a beautiful tapestry, weaving real history and people with fictional characters into a story featuring many unsung heroes of World War II.

Review by Nancy Panko
 

Author's Synopsis

Colonel Matt Barrington knows the cold calculus of WWII strategic bombing. As one of the masterminds behind the US 8th Air Force's daring raids into Nazi Germany, he's accustomed to making decisions that send men to their deaths. But when a mission goes terribly wrong, resulting in the loss of 60 bombers, the weight of command threatens to crush him.

Seeking solace from his guilt-ridden insomnia, Matt finds unexpected comfort in the arms of Charlotte, an English widow, who understands the true cost of the war. Their budding romance offers a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos of conflict. But as the casualties mount, Matt realizes he can no longer lead from behind a desk. Determined to share in the risks his men face, Matt volunteers for a dangerous bombing raid, returning to the skies alongside the soldiers he sends into battle. But surviving one mission only deepens the weight of his guilt.

Haunted by loss and driven by an unyielding sense of duty, Matt defies direct orders and enters the cockpit once more. In a heart-stopping raid high above occupied Europe, he faces not only the lethal forces of the Luftwaffe and their deadly new weapons but also the demons that have long plagued him—and his last chance at a future with Charlotte. As flak bursts around his B-17 and enemy fighters close in, Matt must confront the ultimate question: In the crucible of war, can one man's actions truly make a difference?

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Pages/Word count: 244 / 70,000

Sirens in the Loop - A History of the City News Bureau of Chicago by Paul Zimbrakos / James Elsener

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MWSA Review

Sirens in the Loop is a narrative history of the legendary Chicago City News Bureau framed as a collective memoir from the perspectives of many of the news service’s alumni. The title is taken from the traditional alert that went out when squad cars, ambulances, or fire engines took to the streets of the inner city, sending Bureau reporters out in pursuit of the all-important “scoop.”

Founded in the late 19th Century, the CNB was the central hub for local “hard” news coverage in the rapidly growing “City of the Big Shoulders”—an era of sensational scandals, tragedies, and disasters. The bureau was set up by a consortium of the city’s major newspapers as an independent joint enterprise that focused on local “hard” news, allowing its shareholders to concentrate on national and international events. Chicago in the early decades of the 20th century was served by as many as ten daily English-language newspapers, some issuing multiple editions each day.

In its 115-year history, the CNB earned a reputation as the city’s training ground for budding reporters, many of whom moved on to senior positions in print journalism, radio, and television.
Newly hired news writers were quickly thrown into a demanding 24/7 hard-news environment covering police beats, city hall, the Cook county offices, criminal courts, and the coroner’s office. Their work was characterized by long hours, low pay, and relentless pursuit of “the facts”—Who? What? Where? When? How? Why? Hard-nosed Bureau editors were known for sending cub reporters back to a crime scene or a grieving family to confirm the smallest missing detail. The CNB mantra was: “If your mother says she loves you, check it out.”

The details of the City News legacy in this account are primarily the product of decades of research and archiving by long-term Bureau chief Paul Zimbrakos, who led the organization for more than forty years from 1958 until its closing in 2005. Zimbrakos started his journalism career as a copy boy at the Chicago Daily News before joining City News Bureau as a cub reporter. After a tour in the US Army, he returned to the Bureau and worked his way up the newsroom hierarchy from morgue reporter to the police beat and ultimately long service as its Managing Editor. In the course of his career, Zimbrakos mentored generations of journalists, including Kurt Vonnegut and Mike Royko. His is leadership style was characterized by tough love and an unrelenting demand for accuracy. He was renowned for riding his street reporters on the phone to “get it right, get it fast.”

Zimbrakos augmented his personal recollections with dozens of first-person anecdotes from Bureau veterans who covered some of the major stories of their eras. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could compile and organize his work for publication. That task fell to his long-time friend (and CNB alumnus) James Elsener.

Following his service as a US Marine in Vietnam, co-author James Elsener was hired as a green reporter by Bureau Chief Paul Zimbrakos in 1970. Elsener was immediately thrown into the CNB crucible. In his two-year stint at the Bureau, under Zimbrakos’s tough encouragement, he honed his skills as a news correspondent. As with many CNB veterans, Elsener went on to work with prominent area newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, The Business Ledger, and the Daily Herald before retiring in 2017. He is the author of two novels, The Last Road Trip and Reflections of Valour.

Sirens in the Loop records a unique chapter in American journalism history—and thereby the history of one of our country’s most dynamic and noteworthy cities. Readers with an interest in the roots of modern-day news coverage and the standards of professional journalism will be rewarded by the first-hand accounts of the many men and women who earned their spurs in the demanding environment of the Chicago City News Bureau. Others with a more general interest in the newsworthy events and milestones of 20th-Century Chicago—ranging from the gangland St. Valentine’s Day Massacre to the horrors of serial killer John Wayne Gacy--will be treated to new perspectives into how they were reported to the public.

Review by Peter Adams Young
 

Author's Synopsis

“Sirens in the Loop” traces the rise and legacy of the City News Bureau of Chicago, the legendary news wire service that shaped generations of reporters and defined the city’s gritty journalistic identity.
Through vivid storytelling, the book explores its founding, its relentless “If your mother says she loves you, check it out” ethos, and the countless scoops, scandals, and characters forged in its chaotic newsroom. From crime scenes to city hall, it chronicles how the bureau’s demanding culture sharpened young reporters’ instincts and left an enduring imprint on American journalism.
“Co-authored by veteran editors Paul Zimbrakos and James Elsener, the narrative traces the agency’s evolution from its founding in 1890 to its “final” closure 115 years later. It offers a front-row seat to Chicago’s most harrowing headlines, including the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, the Our Lady of the Angels fire, and the Tylenol murders. Beyond the hard news, the book captures the "Chicago style" of reporting through hundreds of anecdotes from alumni luminaries like Mike Royko, Kurt Vonnegut, and Seymour Hersh.
The title refers to the "Sirens in the Loop" BULLETINS that signaled immediate breaking news to the city’s media outlets. From the clatter of manual typewriters and pneumatic delivery tubes to the digital age, this book stands as a testament to a bygone era of street-smart, high-stakes reporting that shaped the landscape of American journalism.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Nonfiction—History
Pages/Word count: 272 / 75,000

Last Gunship Dial M for Mullinnix by Frank A. Wood

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MWSA Review

In his third book, Last Gunship: Dial M for Mullinnix, author Frank Wood departs from his normal non-fiction style and creates a murder thriller at sea. USS Mullinnix has a job to do on the gunline of Vietnam, killing the enemy. But a member of the crew is killing civilians in port and the crew underway, and the ship's company is more scared of this faceless killer than it is of the enemy. Will the killer be brought to justice, or will the ship tear itself apart faster than a main boiler explosion?

Frank Wood knows the life of a "tin-can sailor," and it brings it vividly to the pages of this book. He weaves an intricate story while capturing the sometimes terrifying but usually mundane life of a ship on the gunline in Vietnam. Those who have sailed aboard small Navy ships will feel nostalgic about this book, and those who enjoy murder mysteries will find something to enjoy as well.

Review by Rob Ballister
 

Author's Synopsis

War kills everything! What could be worse? A boiler room explosion and fire, a putrefied body in the bilges, a reefer dedicated to body bags, and the unimaginable – a possible murderer aboard ship!
Wood captures the psychological & emotional reality of serving during Vietnam with unflinching detail and authenticity. Raw. Real. Vivid. Disillusionment. Its humanity laid bare. A powerful account of the camaraderie and haunting aftermath of sailors that served on the Vietnam Gunline in the mid-1960s.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 313 / 56,346

My Father and My Uncles by Jim Hodge

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MWSA Review

In My Father and My Uncles, author Jim Hodge successfully weaves together the diverse stories of six young men who served in World War II and relates how their lives converged. While setting out to chronicle the war experiences of family members may seem challenging, Hodge has succeeded admirably. He provides detailed historical context for each war experience as well as personal information about each man, allowing readers to get to know them and understand how their service fits into the larger strategic picture of the war. While recounting their war experiences, the author weaves together threads that eventually unite them into a family in peacetime. Hodge’s inclusion of his father’s B-17 bombing mission diary is excellent historical material, and its last sentence is truly timeless: “I am thankful to finish safe. I just wish all the boys could have done the same.” A heartfelt and insightful book, and an admirable tribute to American veterans. Highly recommended.

Review by Zita Ballinger Fletcher

 

Author's Synopsis

From the building of the Ledo Road into China, to the battlefields of Guadalcanal, New Guinea, the Philippines, and the air and ground war on continental Europe, the author's father and uncles relate their World War II timelines and experiences.
Through interviews and correspondence with each of these six men before their passings, the pattern of young men being transitioned from the Depression into a wartime footing is not only a precious family history, but a chronology that reflects on all those who served in those years. In total, these young men were spread out across six of the earth's seven continents. Included is a recently discovered handwritten journal of one of the men's bombing missions over Eastern Europe.
Praise God that they each came home to create the extended family that the author has been privileged to be part of.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 217 / 22,427

The Enigmatical Sphere of El Chupa-Ku by Juan Manuel Perez

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MWSA Review

Writing from the perspective of a Mexican American Marine veteran of indigenous descent, the poet uses haiku poems to breathe life into and resurrect the legend of the chupacabra. This is not a traditional, somber exploration of nature, but rather a dance between the terrifying and the hilarious.

The chupacabra, often translated from Spanish as "goat sucker," is a legendary creature rooted in Latin American folklore, known for allegedly attacking livestock and draining their blood. It’s described as a two-legged, alien-like animal about four feet tall with spikes along its back, large eyes, and a reptilian-kangaroo appearance.

The chupacabra emerges not as a one-dimensional folklore predator but as a transformational archetype—vampiric killer, misunderstood outcast, pop culture icon, and metaphor for primal drives. El chupacabra becomes an all-encompassing lens: horror icon, comedic antihero, mysterious unsubstantiated predator, and cultural symbol.

The poet blends traditional three-line 5-7-5 syllable haiku structure with irreverent humor—pairing Godzilla fights, Mars colonies, personal ads, and tequila-drunk dances while grounding the absurdity in South Texas landscapes of mesquite trees, full moons, gray hides, and drained livestock.

Far from mere monster mixtures, the poems weave folklore with satire, horror, and poignant melancholy. Lighthearted entries imagine chupacabras in absurd scenarios: writing memoirs, starring in TV shows, wrestling goats, or posting personal ads for fatalistic partners. Darker pieces evoke genuine dread—silent coops, twisted goat faces in morning dew, the gray beast stalking under moonlight—echoing real rural fears of loss and the unknown.

Sharp and witty wording, (“Chupa-Man is born," "chupacabra tipping”), absurd scenarios (chupacabra crawl dance, "Take Your Chupacabra to School Day," radioactive Chupa-Man origin) alternate with chilling vignettes (silent coops, waiting in woods for skeptics, "let your pets come out") and cultural fusion (Olmec nagual meets Cthulhu) create a playful make-believe universe. Wordplay abounds ("Chupa-Khan," "Luchacabrador," "chupacabristas"), and pop-culture crossovers (Godzilla battles, Jimmy Kimmel guests, personal ads seeking "like-minded sucker") keep the tone lively without diluting the horror.

Deeper currents emerge: themes of marginalization ("prejudiced hotel," extinction dismissed), hunger as impartial ("chupacabras do not care / for it is just food"), and imagination as defense ("the only proof between us / fear or not to fear"). The poet subtly critiques human monstrosity ("why worry about / terrible chupacabras / worry about man") while embracing the beast as a kindred spirit: wild, self-serving, unapologetic.

Humor dominates much of the sequence: absurd combinations (Giant Chupacabra vs. King Kong comparing B.O., Chupacabra Flats on Mars, "Married with Chupacabras" TV show) inject levity, while pop-culture nods (Jimmy Kimmel, Scary Monsters Magazine) make it gleefully contemporary. Self-referential humor ("I don't always write / poems about chupacabras / ...who am I kidding") acknowledges the mania, yet the collection never flags.

By reimagining the chupacabra through gallows humor and rhythmic brevity, the author invites us to look past the shadow in the mesquite woods and recognize the "code of life" that governs all survivors.

It is a masterful blend of regional folklore, veteran grit, and playful poeticism. The collection celebrates imagination as proof against skepticism, turning a regional legend into a mirror for human fears, hungers, and absurdities.

Ultimately, the poet argues that belief in monsters (chupacabras or otherwise) confronts deeper anxieties: "you believe in ghosts / I, in el chupacabras / which makes us less scared." A masterful blend of folklore, satire, dread, and cultural pride. Highly original and endlessly re-readable.

Review by Frank Taylor

 

Author's Synopsis

Bilingual Edition
Just when you thought it was safe to liberate beautiful and natural haiku into the eloquent abode of nature, only to be violently attacked by a horrid, supernatural hybrid called el chupa-ku. Combining the simple, American haiku form with the legend and lore of el chupacabras, this unassuming, little book of short poems packs a swift kick to the literary pants in two languages: English and Spanish. Truly, this book can only be enjoyed in the dim-lit hours of the night with a bottle of mescal. ¡Orale!

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Poetry—Poetry Book
Pages/Word count: 114 / 2,426

Codename: Parsifal by Martin Roy Hill

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MWSA Review

As World War II draws to a close in a dirty, rubble-strewn, chaotic way, orders from both the Germans and Americans send teams to recapture an artifact that Hitler stole from a museum in Austria (the head of the spear that pierced Jesus during his crucifixion). Himmler wants this relic. Patton wants this relic. And late in the game Stalin wants it as well, because the spear is reputed to have mystical powers. Compounding the difficulty in finding the actual Holy Roman treasure is the fact that Himmler has made several copies for both himself and Hitler.

The tale evolves with twists and turns in this historical novel that can also be considered a thriller. There are bad actors, wild goose chases, strange orders from generals, and realistic scenes of the war in its last throes. The daring acts of the American team, composed of OSS operatives and a historian, will engage readers right up to the very last word.

Review by Betsy Beard

 

Author's Synopsis

The Spear of Destiny. The Roman Legionnaire's lance that pierced Christ's body as he hung on the cross.

Legend claims whomever possesses it will become a great conqueror. But if they lose it, they will lose everything—including their lives.

Shortly before WWII, Hitler stole the spear from a museum in Vienna. In the last weeks of the European war, he lost it. General George Patton orders an American OSS team to find the spear and recover it. Unknown to the Americans, both the Russians and the Germans have also sent commando teams to retrieve it.

In the dying embers of Europe's largest conflagration, the three teams are on a collision course that will lead them to one of the most evil places on earth—the ideological heart of the Nazi SS.

Inspired by historical events.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Pages/Word count: 296 / 56,400

Crazyhorse: Flying Apache Attack Helicopters with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq, 2006–2007 by Daniel M McClinton

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MWSA Review

In 2007, the United States was embroiled in a war with Iraq. Dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), most of the U.S. only learned about this conflict by reading newspapers or watching the television news reports. However, many in the U.S. military were actually experiencing the events firsthand. In Crazyhorse: Flying Apache Attack Helicopters with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq, 2006 – 2007, author Daniel M. McClinton welcomes the reader into the world of an attack helicopter pilot during this conflict.

From the time of his deployment in 2006 through the surge in spring 2007 and finishing with his return home in the end of that year, McClinton paints a vivid picture of what life was like for a pilot in the midst of this war. Along with descriptions of actual combat missions, McClinton takes us into the mundane hours not spent flying missions. From filling out reports, to dealing with typical military bureaucracy, the author takes the reader into a world rarely experienced by others, including those in the military. The author has also supplied numerous personal color photographs of the helicopters and the Iraqi environment, enhancing the narrative of the book.

Especially of interest is the author's narrative of the death of two Reuters reporters and the wounding of two children on 12 July 2007. McClinton gives us not only his narrative of the events as they occurred, but also the reports from the inquiry into the reporters' deaths, along with the photographs that were included in the inquiry. As the author points out, most of the world only knew what was presented them by a press eager to spin their own biased narrative. The film, entitled Collateral Murder in Iraq by Wikileaks, paints a picture of warmongering pilots bent on murdering any Iraqi they could. However, as the author points out, and the video of the incident demonstrates, the enemy was well known to employ children as living bombs as well as human shields. Additionally, for reporters to embed themselves without any type of identification with enemy combatants and not expect potential harm is the height of hubris and arrogance.

Of additional interest is the author's in-depth depiction of military bureaucracy. With examples like "The Three Rules of Company Command or How to Get Ahead, without Really Doing Anything" (page 186) or "...field-grade officers who couldn't stand the thought of soldiers with nothing to do" (page 182), the inability of military command to grasp what life was really like for the soldiers in the field is well demonstrated to the amusement of the reader and the annoyance of the soldier.

One item of note is that this book is replete with army acronyms. While the author includes a glossary at the end of the book, the jargon used will slow down the reader who is not used to such language. This reviewer is a life-long civilian and was thoroughly encumbered by these terms. Having said that, the use of these terms is absolutely obligatory in any type of military essay. Despite this one potential concern, the book is well worth the read for an amazing look into what combat is really like for those valiant pilots fighting to protect the United States.

Review by Daniel E. Long
 

Author's Synopsis

This book describes aerial combat at the controls of the fearsome AH-64 Apache attack helicopter during the Operation Iraqi Freedom “Surge.”

This memoir reveals, for the first time, many stories of selfless service, courage, and sacrifice that will be compelling to all readers. At the same time, it also illustrates the absurdities that are involved with living in a massive bureaucracy like the US military. Also included are many original color photographs taken by the author in the combat zone.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 303 / 96,210

Forged in Fire: Grief, Purpose, and Devotion of a Woman at War by Robert L. Gangwere

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MWSA Review

Forged in Fire: Grief, Purpose, and Devotion of a Woman at War is a well-researched and memorable story of a midwestern girl learning much about herself when serving in WWII for the American Red Cross. One of the most endearing aspects is that the book is written by Blanche Barnes’s son, Robert L. Gangwere. His was not a casual retelling of a story, but one crafted over years of important interviews, laughs, love, and tears, which comes through well in the narrative shared with readers.

Through Blanche’s words and Gangwere's historical research, the book explains what most would never know about the challenges facing the young women who volunteered to serve their country overseas, supporting the American Red Cross Clubmobile Department. With very little training, these young women were launched into wartime environments to raise morale. And they were happy to do their part! Blanche speaks of the defeats seen on the faces of airmen and soldiers, the horrifying aftermaths of bombed out countries, and her personal fear from both the enemy and the men she supported.

I highly recommend this book, especially for anyone who wants to learn more about this era. The author sheds great light and much deserved gratitude to those who volunteered to serve their country in whatever way they could during WWII.

Review by Valerie Ormond

 

Author's Synopsis

Most American women of the 1940s did not attend college, learn to fly a plane, drive a 2 1/2 ton truck or a Sherman tank; or serve in war zones, but Blanche Barnes did before the age of 28.

"Forged in Fire" is a coming-of-age tale of a sheltered midwestern woman who, after suffering a sudden, heart-breaking loss, found something larger than herself that ultimately provided her a new purpose for her shattered life. The vehicle for this transformation was the American Red Cross's new and innovative overseas clubmobile program.

As a "clubmobile girl," Blanche served on multiple 8th Air Force air bases outside of Kettering, England, including Molesworth Airfield, the home of the famous 303rd Bombardment Group or "Hell's Angels," then she served on the continent at the Cigarette Camps located outside of Le Havre, France, and finally in war-torn Germany. Along the way she crossed paths with such notables as Medal of Honor winner Col. John "Killer" Kane, journalist Ernie Pyle, and U.S. generals George S. Patton, Jr., Omar N. Bradley, and Leonard T. Gerow, as well as movie actress Marlene Dietrich and the members of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. She also witnessed first-hand the destruction and tragedy of world war.

Forged in Fire expertly weaves Blanche's story in with the history of the clubmobile program, and how it raised the morale of America's fighting men. The backbone of the program was a cadre of well-educated, independent, and resolute women (such as Blanche) who served up coffee, doughnuts, and hope for the future to hundreds of thousands of war-weary, exhausted American GIs.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—History
Pages/Word count: 278 / 82,217

The Whispers of War by Sarah L. Peachey

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MWSA Review

The Whispers of War is a powerful, deeply human debut that brings the post–9/11 home front into sharp, unforgettable focus. Sarah L. Peachey delivers a poignant coming-of-age story and an unflinching portrait of military family life that will resonate long after the final page.

Told primarily through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Annaliese Pechman — an anti-war military child who resents the very system her family serves — this novel captures the complicated tension between love of family and disillusionment with war. Anna's leather-bound journal and her imagined dialogues with Emily Dickinson become a quiet counterpoint to the noise of history, grounding an intimate story in the sweeping events of September 11, 2001, and the long war that follows. Peachey's depiction of 9/11 and its aftermath is especially striking: she evokes a moment readers remember vividly without over-writing it, allowing them to layer in their own memories as Anna's innocence is stripped away.

As Anna's father, Robert, deploys with the first conventional forces into Afghanistan, the novel moves fluidly between battlefield and home front, revealing how the same war reshapes a devoted Army sergeant and the daughter who cannot reconcile her love for him with her hatred of what takes him away. Peachey writes Robert not as a symbol but as a fully realized man — honorable, steady, and proud of his soldiers — whose most devastating battle begins only after he comes home gravely wounded in body, mind, and spirit. The scenes of departure and homecoming are rendered with heartbreaking authenticity, capturing both the public ritual and the private cost that only those who have lived it truly know.

What sets The Whispers of War apart is its emotional range and nuance. Peachey refuses easy answers: Anna's anti-war activism, her father's fierce sense of duty, and the family's efforts to piece themselves back together are all treated with empathy and honesty. The author's lived experience as a long-time military spouse shows in the granular details of everyday military life — frequent moves, the constant recalibration around deployments, the unspoken rule to "put on a good face" — and in the quiet moments of connection that make this story so affecting. The result is a narrative that illuminates the silent suffering of service on both sides of the uniform, without vilifying or glorifying war.

For readers, The Whispers of War offers both an engaging story and a valuable education. It invites those outside the military community into a world with its own rules, rhythms, and sacrifices, while offering those within it the rare gift of seeing their experiences reflected with respect and clarity. With its deft handling of time, layered perspectives, and unforgettable characters, The Whispers of War is a beautiful, urgent, and ultimately hopeful novel — one that deserves a wide audience in book clubs, classrooms, and beyond.

Review by Elvis Leighton

 

Author's Synopsis

An anti-war military child who longs for freedom. A career-Army father who can’t imagine being anything else. A long war bound to change them.

Fourteen-year-old Annaliese Pechman has always been a military child, but no one knows how she resents the frequent relocation or the long separations from her beloved father. After moving to Fort Drum, New York, she purchases a leather-bound journal to record her hopes and dreams under the watchful eye of her idol, Emily Dickinson. But Anna’s life changes on September 11, 2001, rinsing away her naivete and exposing the world’s harsh realities.

Anna’s father, Robert, deploys in October 2001 as part of the first conventional forces in Afghanistan, while Anna struggles to find her place in the constant change. But one thing rises above the noise: Anna’s disapproval of war and her father’s role in it. Two months before Robert deploys yet again, Anna basks in the success of her first anti-war protest, but Robert disapproves for reasons Anna can’t understand. When Robert suffers a grave injury, Anna places her future on hold, but more than physical recovery is at stake. Anna must decide whether family bonds are enough to heal the wounds of war, or if it’s time to walk away alone.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction
Pages/Word count: 274 / 103,000

Disgracefully Easy: A B-24 Pilot's Letters Home by William Hanchett with Thomas F. Hanchett

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MWSA Review

Disgracefully Easy: A B-24 Pilot's Letters Home by William Hanchett, with Thomas F. Hanchett, is a thoroughly entertaining first-person account of one's experiences in becoming a U.S. Army Air Force pilot during World War II. This is a book not written from memory, years later, but is a primary firsthand account that is candid and observant, giving the reader exacting insight into pilot training during the war.

What makes the book especially effective is the author's feelings. For example, he discusses how he disliked flying after being berated by overly bellicose instructors. That immediacy gives the narrative its strength. In one passage, Hanchett says, “Man has not changed for the last thousand years … and that we must learn that peace will come only when we cease to think of good and right in terms of just over nations, ourselves.”

Disgracefully Easy is exceptionally well laid out. This structure makes the letters easy to follow with sharp, definitive chapter introductions written by Thomas Hanchett. For readers interested in World War II history, especially the Army Air Corps, this is a valuable and compelling book. There are no heroics from bombing missions over Europe; instead, it tells the story of a frustrated pilot who wanted just that but understood his mission to train new pilots so they could carry on the mission. Highly recommended.

Review by James Bultema

 

Author's Synopsis

Long before William “Bill” Hanchett became a professor of history and a notable expert on Abraham Lincoln, he was a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. While telling a unique story of the Army Air Forces, Disgracefully Easy: A B-24 Pilot’s Letters Home is a book of correspondence which highlights Hanchett’s early writing, powers of observation and growing historical perspective. In addition to vivid first-person descriptions of flying, Hanchett’s letters and postal cards discuss the difficulties of a once wealthy family struggling to recover from the Great Depression.

From living as a recruit in a luxury beachfront hotel converted into barracks by the Army, to taking courses at a civilian college as an aviation student, to “bombing” the San Diego Naval Base in his future beloved home town, Bill Hanchett takes his family with him from basic training through advanced flying school where he hoped to be a hotshot fighter pilot, “dancing around the sky.” Instead, much to his chagrin, he was assigned as an instructor-pilot, teaching cadets from the rear seat of a BT-13 Valiant training airplane. He began to enjoy being an instructor, but as the war progressed and the flying school closed, Lieutenant Hanchett transitioned to become a four-engine bomber pilot in the fall of 1944, as the presidential election was well underway. Clearly expressed in his correspondence were Bill’s strong opinions about the divisive politics of that time, which usually conflicted with his father’s outlook.

Ultimately, in early 1945 Bill became responsible for training a bomber crew in the Nevada desert for an overseas assignment which never materialized because the war ended. While training his men hard, he became frustrated with what he viewed as pointless flying and concluded to his father that his service was “disgracefully easy” compared to others who saw combat. The chapter introductions and notes in Disgracefully Easy were prepared by Bill Hanchett’s son, Tom.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 308 / 94,928

Veteran Adventure Stories: Gregory Gadson by Stephanie Hennessy

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MWSA Review

Stephanie Hennessy, an Army veteran, has written a series of illustrated Veteran Adventure Stories. This one features Gregory Gadson.

Gregory begins his adventure as a little kid with big dreams. He’s strong, he runs really fast, and he never gives up. All through school he plays football and hopes to someday play professional football. But when it comes time to go to college, the only place he is invited to play is West Point, the United States Army Academy. This means he will be a soldier when he graduates. He is sent to Iraq, which is where the unthinkable happens. He is injured in a bomb blast. Despite losing his legs, he still wants to play football and uses the things he learned as a young kid to keep going, never giving up and working hard.

Gadson is an exemplary role model for children. Due to the nature of the material and some of the words (defined in a glossary in the back) the book is suitable for the older range of picture book readers (8-9). It's a great book to be read together with a parent Pages in the back of the book explain things like convoys and prosthetic legs. There are also activities that can be used for additional discussions.

Review by Betsy Beard

Author's Synopsis

Greg's biggest dream was to play football, but life had bigger plans.

From cheering crowds to real-life battles, Greg found courage and endured challenges that tested his strength and spirit. His journey is filled with adventure, bravery, and surprises at every turn.

Inspired by the true story of Colonel Gregory D. Gadson, a U.S. Army veteran, athlete, and leader, this beautifully illustrated children's book shows how dreams can come true in ways we never could have imagined.

Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and families, Veteran Adventure Stories: Gregory Gadson inspires young readers to face obstacles with heart, hope, and perseverance.

Part of the "Veteran Adventure Stories" series: real heroes, real adventures, and lessons that last a lifetime.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book
Pages/Word count: 32 / 915

Camouflage: How I Emerged from the Shadows of a Military Marriage by Heather Sweeney

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MWSA Review

This book begins with a red flag when Heather’s fiancé Tristin announces that he is going to join the military two months before their wedding. He didn’t ask her what she thought about it, and she put her own plans on hold to support him by being the perfect military wife. They did decide together on his first duty station in Pensacola, Florida.

Heather continued her education as Tristin settled into his career as a naval officer. They both adjusted to military life and decided to have a child. Six months after their son was born, Tristin deployed to Iraq. After Tristin returned, the marriage started going downhill. The family relocated to Japan and added a daughter. Before they moved to their next duty station in Virginia Beach, they started talking about divorce. Even though their marriage continued to deteriorate, they stayed together for another three years.

It was in Virginia that Heather began expanding her life beyond the role of wife and mother. She became a serious runner and started writing. Eventually, she found the strength to leave and restart her life as a single mother.

This is a good book to read to learn about life as a military spouse. Also, it can serve as a road map for anyone who needs inspiration to get out of a relationship that isn’t working and rebuild a fulfilling life for themselves and their family.

Review by Eva Nevarez St John

 

Author's Synopsis

Camouflage: How I Emerged from the Shadows of a Military Marriage is about a woman’s journey from being overshadowed by her husband’s military career to rediscovering her identity as a single mother entering a new stage in life. The memoir explores how, like many military spouses, she camouflaged her identity, conforming to the expected role of the supportive wife who was secondary to her husband’s career as a Navy officer. But after she ended her thirteen-year marriage in her late thirties, she set out on a quest to figure out who she was as a woman without her husband, discovering that the hardships of military life—the forced independence, frequent loneliness, required adaptability, and fierce resilience—had trained her for life after divorce.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 294 / 79,000

The Vatican Deal by Michael Balter

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MWSA Review

The Vatican Deal by Michael Balter grips you from the very first page and holds you tight all the way through to its climactic conclusion. It is the second installment in the Martin Schott and Bo Bishop thriller series, but the book stands on its own—it is not necessary to have read the series’s first book to thoroughly enjoy this fast-paced mafia thriller.

Marty and Bo are the two hands-on owners of Paladin, Inc., a company that makes its money by acquiring other promising companies and bringing them under its corporate umbrella. Paladin also has two Russian investors, the alluring Natalya and the wealthy oligarch Dmitry, who finance Paladin’s acquisitions. When Marty and Bo pursue their latest target, the Chiurazzi Foundry in Naples, the deal turns out to be anything but routine.

Soon after a member of Marty and Bo’s team is injured during a tour of the foundry, Marty suspects the proposed deal is more than it seems, especially given that the Vatican and its bank are behind the sale. When he is warned not to go forward with the deal, and Natalya is kidnapped by the Naples mafia, Marty and Bo realize they, too, are in the mafia’s sights. Piece by piece they put the puzzle together, suffering intrigue, double-crosses, and personal compromise.

The author’s familiarity with Italy, the ease with which he paints scenes, and his skillful crafting of dialogue breathe reality into every page of the story. Marty’s narration is believable and often introspective, giving us a window into his sometimes-flawed moral compass. We also get to see Bo and Natalya at their high and low points, helping bring their characters to life.

The Vatican Deal is everything a thriller should be: well-written, fast-paced, attention-grabbing, and believable with well-defined main characters. When you finish reading it, you will find yourself scrambling to see when the next book in the series is coming out.

Review by David E. Grogan

 

Author's Synopsis

Danger, deception, and betrayal lurk at every turn in this gripping international crime thriller from the award-winning author of Chasing Money.

Marty Schott and Bo Bishop didn’t expect trouble on their business trip to Italy. They were headed to Naples to buy a sculpture foundry, then back to Rome to close a lucrative licensing deal with the Vatican. Flush with cash thanks to their alluring and enigmatic partner, Natalya, and her powerful Russian backer, the two friends were on top of the world.

Then the threats began.

Menaced and attacked, Marty and Bo quickly discover that the stakes are far higher than they imagined. The Naples Mafia wants the foundry for sinister reasons. The head of the Vatican Bank is playing a dangerous game. The Russian oligarch has his own hidden agenda. Everyone is keeping secrets and telling lies. Marty and Bo are ready to call it quits when a dangerous figure from their past appears in Rome. Then Natalya is kidnapped, and the stakes get personal. Now all bets are off.

Caught in a deadly crossfire between the Naples Mafia and the Russian Vory, can Marty and Bo uncover the truth about the Vatican deal, find a way to rescue Natalya, and escape with their lives and friendship intact?

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 302 / 80,000

Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die by David E. Grogan

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MWSA Review

American military history is filled with unknown heroes who make extraordinary accomplishments with quiet dedication and humility. In his book, Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die: Life Lessons from the Hero Next Door, Capt. David E. Grogan shines a light on men and women who served with simplicity and selflessness across a wide spectrum of conflicts. Drawing on interviews, research, and his own military experiences, the author presents detailed portraits of lives spent in service while offering lessons that can be gleaned from their example. He illuminates the personal goodness of these veterans, as well their struggles and setbacks. The detailed stories in this book teach inspiring lessons of strength, perseverance, and love. The book is a powerful tribute to all those who serve our country and is also a gripping read. Highly recommended.

Review by Zita Ballinger Fletcher
 

Author's Synopsis

Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die helps readers navigate life's challenges using the lives of veterans to reveal important lessons about character and humanity. Each of the book's fourteen chapters begins with an interlude that discusses an important life lesson such as, "If you don't see a path, blaze a trail," or "Don't accept adversity, challenge it." The chapter then includes one or more veterans' life stories to illustrate the lesson. From manning the deck of an aircraft carrier during a Japanese kamikaze attack, to patrolling the jungles of Vietnam, to riding in an armored vehicle across the Iraqi desert, Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die portrays the gamut of wartime and peacetime service. 

The veterans' stories in Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die highlight the ordinary yet extraordinary lives of twenty-two men and four women. The stories feature combat and non-combat veterans who served in World War II, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, the Iraq War, the Cold War, and America's peacetime military. Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die's unique approach to presenting the veterans' stories in the context of the life lessons they teach expands the book's audience beyond those interested in military history alone. Each chapter's life lesson offers a new lens through which the illustrative veterans' stories can be viewed and interpreted, making the book attractive and relevant to anyone seeking guidance in how to lead their life.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business/Self Help
Pages/Word count: 263 / 90,192

The Master Chief's Sea Stories: Volume II Duty Ashore and USS Comte De Grasse (DD 974) by Johnny J Moye

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MWSA Review

In The Master Chief's Sea Stories, Vol II: Duty Ashore and USS Comte De Grasse, Johnny J. Moye offers an immersive and candid look into four years of his life, two of those years aboard one of the U.S. Navy's largest destroyers, the USS Comte De Grasse. Drawing from actual journal entries, Moye recounts his journey through radioman school, his military deployment, and the personal challenges he faced as he navigated life in the Navy.

Though Moye completed a 27-year career, the book focuses primarily on this pivotal four-year stretch, showcasing both his professional development and personal struggles. The narrative paints a vivid picture of Moye’s experiences, detailing the complexities of serving in a multinational NATO flotilla. He must adapt quickly to the demands of sending and receiving over 24,000 messages, mastering new protocols outside the scope of U.S. Navy norms. Through his missteps and triumphs, the book highlights his growth as a leader, providing valuable insights into the sacrifices and responsibilities of life at sea.

As the story unfolds, Moye reflects on his emotional conflict as a divorced father. He struggles with the consequences of leaving his two daughters behind, only to confront deeper personal issues, such as his reliance on alcohol while ashore. These moments of vulnerability add depth to the narrative, making it clear that the journey aboard the USS Comte De Grasse was as much about self-discovery as it was about military duty.

Moye's encounters with various women in port are depicted with unapologetic honesty, giving a glimpse into the single sailor's life and the fleeting relationships that come with it. This aspect of the book, while portrayed in a raw and unflinching manner, is also woven into the larger theme of Moye seeking meaning and escape in the chaos of his life.

A standout feature of the book is Moye’s thoughtful integration of philosophical musings, which he uses to provide wisdom and perspective on the experiences of sailors. It’s not just a memoir of life at sea, it’s an exploration of how the philosophies of the great thinkers can shape one’s journey, both at sea and on land.

At a hefty 657 pages, The Master Chief's Sea Stories, Vol II offers an in-depth, unvarnished look at Navy life and personal growth. For those curious about what life on the high seas truly entails, without enlisting themselves, Moye’s memoir serves as a fascinating and insightful guide.

Review by Frank Taylor

 

Author's Synopsis

The Master Chief’s extraordinary journey continues as he spins his yarns from the second four years of his naval service. First, while becoming a renowned teletype technician, Moye delighted himself in the freedoms that shore duty afforded—further discovering himself both as a person and a sailor. Then, when thrust into an incredibly demanding leadership role aboard one of the world’s most formidable warships, he guided man and machine through what also became his crew’s most difficult duty. Head-on, together they met the mission.
The meek sailor we found in Volume I transformed into a true sailor’s sailor as he led his crew through extraordinary hardships found only at sea. With the mission always first, Moye also stereotypically enjoyed wine, women, and song in ports far from the hills of his childhood. All forging him into the confident sailor, communicator, and leader he became.
Based on his daily journal entries, Moye vividly recounts life-changing events as they unfold—telling a unique story rooted in lived experience. He captures his ongoing transformation, along with that of the sailors alongside him, in tales full of adventure, hardship, and sometimes incomprehensible moments.
Follow the Master Chief as he revisits some of his life’s most pivotal events, preparing him for future challenges—both professional and personal. Sail alongside through moments of euphoria and despair while navigating life’s tempests at sea. Truly, this is a story like no other.
Hold fast for these stories within are straight-up, no-shitters—as raw and real as they get.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 670 / 245,000

Along the Trail by Kaci Curtis

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MWSA Review

Life on the Oregon Trail in 1847 is portrayed through observations by 17-year-old Winnie in the young adult novel, Along the Trail, by first-time author Kaci Curtis. Perils occurring to her family and fellow covered wagon travelers, described with vivid and shocking revelations, detail just how unbearable suffering happens during this minor action towards Manifest Destiny.

The author shows how these experiences forge survivors arriving in the West. Dangers from violent storms, animal attacks, outlaws not hesitating to kill, and inherent fear from Native attacks threatened their survival over every one of two thousand miles they trudged step by step along the trail. Individuals, from diverse origins and backgrounds in the wagon train community bonded through love or need for companionship and survival.

Some families lost individual members, while other entire families succumbed to hardships or inability to cope. Lightheartedness and delight with simple pleasures brought relief and strength to meet challenges of days of boredom and constant fears from unknown dangers. All emotions felt by the pioneers are expressed with clarity in the author’s thoroughly researched book.

Review by Tom Beard
 

Author's Synopsis

In 1847, Winnie and her family are traveling west to start a new life in the Oregon territory. While many in their wagon train fret over river crossings, disease, and encounters with Native tribes, she relishes the unexpected freedom of life on the trail.

Threatened by storms, wild animals, and outlaws, Winnie must rely on the bonds she s made and all she s learned in order for them to make it to Oregon alive. She also must decide if she is ready to risk forming an attachment to Hal, the cowhand who has a knack for showing up just when help is needed, or whether she will emulate Mae, the free-spirited daughter of their trail guide.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Children & Young Adult—Young Adult (fiction or non-fiction)
Pages/Word count: 320 / 81,971

Stronger Together by A.L. Zeine

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MWSA Review

Stronger Together is the second in the Cul-De-Sac Kids series by A. L. Zeine. It deals with issues that are common to military kids and children of divorced parents. As a chapter book for those aged 8 to 12, it deals appropriately with the emotions of military deployment, moving to a new city, and sharing time between divorced parents. It also gives good guidance on how children can cope with the attendant emotions.

Chloe and her single mom, a doctor in the U. S. Army, have received orders for a permanent change of station. While Chloe is happy to be reunited with Ella, a friend from a previous duty station, she is sad to be leaving her current friends, particularly Mia. Her desire to be with Mia distresses Ella, compounded with the deployment of Ella’s dad. Chloe realizes that she needs help in reaching Ella and goes to her mom for advice. She decides to take that advice, despite her fear, and work with Ella through the emotional upheavals on multiple fronts. Ella is able to be open about her struggles and finds that her friends are there for her and that they are stronger together.

Review by Betsy Beard

 

Author's Synopsis

Chloe is used to moving—it’s part of being an Army brat. But this time, she actually feels at home. Her mom’s schedule is better, her best friend Ella is just down the street, and the Cul-de-sac Kids have welcomed her with open arms. Life is finally settling down.

But Chloe’s heart is still tugged in another direction—back to her old home, where her other best friend Mia feels left behind. When Ella’s dad is suddenly deployed, Chloe’s world shifts again. She wants to be the glue holding everyone together, but how do you stay strong for everyone else when you’re feeling overwhelmed yourself?

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Children & Young Adult—Middle Grade Chapter Book
Pages/Word count: 122 / 24,000

Invaders of the Heartland by James Bultema

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MWSA Review

Invaders of the Heartland by retired LAPD Detective James Bultema is a fast-paced, all-too-real police procedural mystery. From the first chapter, I became a fan of the main character, Jake Dalton.

Even though Jake saves a hostage and shoots a bad guy, political and personal retribution lead to a hearing for Jake after a shoot-out during a bank robbery in Los Angeles. Rather than take the humiliating demotion offered, Jake tenders his resignation and hands over his badge and weapon. He moves back to his hometown in Fairview, Oklahoma, with the intention of escaping politics and working in his family-owned garage.

When the current chief of police is involved in a scandal and is fired, Jake applies for and gets the job. His first task is to restore integrity to and revitalize the department. He hopes to restore community respect for the local police. One day, it comes to Jake’s attention that rural Fairview has been infiltrated by a Chinese-owned marijuana farming company. Outwardly, everything looks legal and above board, but Jake sees red flags.

With evil intentions to completely take over every business in town, the Chinese plan to launder their illicit money through each legitimate business. Jake documents and observes. When he has enough evidence, he goes to the federal authorities, who promptly dismiss him. Saving Fairview is now up to Jake Dalton and his small police department.

I was drawn to Invaders of the Heartland because of recent reports of Chinese-owned land and businesses currently in the United States. James Bultema has written a page-turner that has me wondering when we will wake up.

Review by Nancy Panko

 

Author's Synopsis

A town on the brink. A police force outmatched. A chief with everything to lose.

After LAPD brass scrutinized his split-second decision in a deadly bank shootout, Detective Jake Dalton left the city behind for his hometown—Fairview, Oklahoma. But his return to small-town life is anything but quiet.

Taking over a struggling four-person police department, Jake believes he’s left big-city crime in the past—until the Chinese mafia moves in, turning Fairview into the hub of a ruthless billion-dollar marijuana empire
.
When Jake sounds the alarm, federal agents dismiss him, and local officials look the other way. Outgunned and outnumbered, he stands alone as the last line of defense against a brutal syndicate determined to seize total control. One wrong move could cost him everything.

Written by a retired LAPD officer, Invaders of the Heartland is a gritty, high-stakes police procedural brimming with real-world authenticity, crime, and conspiracy. The story may be fiction, but the crisis is very real.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 351 / 67,000

Arctic Red by James Bultema

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MWSA Review

Arctic Red (Sea of Red Series Book 4) presents a timely military thriller set in and around Greenland in the backdrop of international intrigue with a villainous Russia, a defensive United States, and a sovereign Denmark. Action includes submarines, aircraft, ground forces, and technology supporting them with realistic precision and believable characters. Readers will keep turning pages to see what high intensity battle happens next.

Scenes involving frustrating North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bureaucracy, discussions, and country differences provide an extra layer of interest. Author James Bultema’s research of weapons systems and capabilities came through in his tactical descriptions while he still captured the individual personalities of those on both sides of the fight, making readers care about them or root against them.

Bultema uses engaging and expressive words to paint pictures throughout. For example: “The torpedo splashed into the Greenland Sea in a tall, narrow plume, its minimal disturbance by design to reduce detection. It would have received a 10 if it were a diver in the Olympics.”

Arctic Red is highly recommended for readers of military thrillers who enjoy a combination of politics, tactical engagements, life stories, and suspense.

Review by Valerie Ormond
 

Author's Synopsis

The Arctic is no longer frozen—it's on fire, and Greenland is the target.

In the chilling aftermath of the Sea of Red series, the United States faces its most treacherous enemy yet: a resurgent Russia hell-bent on controlling the Arctic’s strategic frontier. As ice melts, tensions ignite.

Lieutenant Commander Jessie “Swagger” Hampton is back in the cockpit of his F-35, now flying combat missions over the world’s newest battlefield. His wife, Lieutenant Commander Sarah “Danger” Freeman, patrols the skies in her E-2D Hawkeye, the eyes of the fleet, tracking enemy fighters, detecting missile launches, and directing the kill chain as war erupts across the Arctic.

When Russian forces launch a surprise invasion of Greenland, the U.S. military scrambles to respond. From silent submarine warfare beneath the polar sea to high-altitude dogfights and boots-on-frozen-ground combat, Arctic Red delivers relentless action and razor-sharp realism.

The war for the Arctic has begun—and the cost of failure is global. From multi-award-winning author James Bultema.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 429 / 76,000