Tag: historical drama

Forever Changed by Jim Servi Review 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A group of people find their lives uprooted by the events of September 11th and the subsequent war in Afghanistan in the novel “Forever Changed” by author Jim Servi.

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The Synopsis

Starting out in the everyday country setting of rural Wisconsin, the world is quickly transformed when two soaring towers crumble to the ground and America is transformed from peace to chaos. The events that transpired are known by many around the world and revealed in this adventurous historical fiction. Forever Changed captures the details and portrays the feelings of citizens thrown into the extraordinary positions on September 11th and the war in Afghanistan that followed.

Paul Foster is a small-town boy looking for adventure and love, but only one woman could ever capture his heart even as he is thrust into war. JD, his best friend, is consumed by war before he ever sets foot there and is equally transformed when he returns home. Marie Lafayette is an innocent girl ready to expand her comfort zone, but never thought she would ever love a soldier, or have to watch him leave. Lynn Stone, on the other hand, has always loved men in uniform while she travelled the world in a military family. Never did she think loving a soldier would be so hard. Nasir is a young Afghan man that watches the Taliban take over his homeland and tear his family apart.

As their simple, happy lives are transformed, their paths intertwine in unforeseen ways, creating circumstances that none of them could have imagined. Forever Changed captures the essence of a globally connected world during the pivotal moments surrounding September 11th, 2001 and gives us a comprehensive look at the war in Afghanistan with a perspective that can only be gained from exploring the Afghan countryside and experiencing combat firsthand.

Jim Servi lives in Hamburg, Wisconsin with his wife and three boys. He is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jim has written for several magazines and newspapers, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars magazine. This is his first novel.

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The Review

This was such a powerful and moving read. The author expertly crafted a narrative that felt both relatable and heartbreaking. The depth of world-building and character development was evident from the beginning, with the author creating diverse, deep, and compelling characters that highlight the struggles and hardships so many faced during this troubling point in modern history. The tension that builds throughout that fateful day on September 11th really stays with readers, especially those who lived through that day, as readers feel the terror and heartbreak of those on the scene of those tragedies and the uncertainty so many felt watching the day unfold on their television screens.

The powerful themes of this book really resonated with readers as the story progressed. The impact of war and how it changes people is the driving force of the narrative, both for those who serve in the military and the people waiting behind who must watch their loved ones go to war and put their lives on the line. The complexities of war and politics take center stage as well, with multiple perspectives giving readers the mindset of loyal soldiers committed to the American cause, loving spouses who want nothing more than their loved ones safe return, and even the surprising emotional story of Nasir, a young Afghani boy who slowly is indoctrinated into the Taliban after suffering his own losses and has a complex character arc that isn’t a typically villain arc, but instead a tragic figure who loses himself to a cause he is essentially born into by circumstances. 

The Verdict

Haunting, thought-provoking, and emotionally driven, author Jim Servi’s “Forever Changed” is a must-read historical fiction-meets-military-action-thriller. The character-driven, thoughtful narrative will keep readers invested, and the memories of this historic event will help readers understand those most impacted by this tragedy and war in ways they may not have known before. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jim Servi is a U.S. military officer, journalist, and novelist whose life bridges service and storytelling. Over a 20-year career in the U.S. Army, Jim deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, gaining firsthand experience of the complexities of modern conflict.

His service also included strategic planning roles, including work with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and in the Pentagon, reflecting his deep commitment to global security.

After returning from combat, Jim channeled his experiences and his struggles with reintegration into writing. He began contributing to a range of publications, writing about the outdoors, sports, business, travel, and, especially, military life. His work has appeared in numerous outlets, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars magazine.

Jim’s debut novel, Forever Changed, was published in 2020. Drawing on his own wartime experiences, he weaves a fictional, deeply human story set in the wake of 9/11, following characters from small-town Wisconsin to the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. Through the novel, Jim explores themes of loss, identity, trauma, and renewal, and gives his readers an empathetic, layered perspective on life before, during, and after war.

Beyond his writing, Jim is a devoted family man, living in central Wisconsin with his wife, Angie, and their three sons. His journey reflects a powerful fusion of service and creativity, using his voice not just to tell his own story, but to amplify those of others.

www.jimservi.com

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Smoke on the Wind (Land Run Book Two) by Syvila Weatherford Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A cowboy and his Native American bride seek freedom and community in the novel “Smoke on the Wind” by Syvila Weatherford.

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The Synopsis

“Smoke on the Wind” is a captivating tale that weaves the perils and dangers encountered on the Western frontier by Will Lawton, a young Black cowboy, after kidnapping then wedding his young Native American bride, Niabi. He plods a path packed with uncertainty that ultimately winds its way to an unthinkable opportunity – a race for free land.

Follow the characters of Smoke: the beautiful Louisa Ortega, who haunts the memory of the Chief’s son, Nashoba; Captain Horton, head of Fort Townsend, charged with keeping peace between settlers and tribes, and Dakota Sam, a rambunctious Civil War veteran attached to his military blues and backwoodsman ways.

This is the second book in an epic series, following the success of Weatherford’s first novel, “Blessings from the Four Winds.”

In this sequel, new characters are introduced: Liao Ming Chow, a Chinese immigrant, Sargent Thomas of the Buffalo Soldiers, and Mr. Todd Morgan the railroad tycoon. Niabi and Will raise two children and enjoy the protective company of their horses: Rodeo and FireTip. Their journey is marked by resilience, the spirit of community, and the ongoing struggle for safety and belonging.

Learn more about Syvila Weatherford on her website: www.syvilaweatherford.com

The Review

This was an engaging and unique blend of historical fiction, romance, and western drama. The realism and detail the author pours into this narrative were astounding, as the language used and the historical context of these merging stories felt lifted right out of the history books without sacrificing character development or engaging dialogue. Although I had not been introduced to this series or its first book, the author wrote in a way that allowed readers to enter this story fresh, without bogging them down in story elements that would leave them lost. Instead, the narrative was both detailed and fast-paced, keeping the tension finely tuned within the context of this story.

The authenticity and personal history that the author infused from her own family into the backstory and development of these characters was remarkable. The exploration of how the black community lived in post-Civil War America, let alone in a lawless land such as the American West, and their contributions to organizations like the Buffalo Soldiers and others, was fascinating to delve into. The themes of interracial marriages and romances in such a dynamic point in American history were engaging, and the rich world-building the author provided to make this feel cinematic and atmospheric on the page was incredible.

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The Verdict

Entertaining, thought-provoking, and thrilling, author Syvila Weatherford’s “Smoke on the Wind” is a must-read western historical fiction novel and a grand second entry in the Land Run series. The twists and turns in the narrative, the intensity of the relationships and community found in this book, and the personal and societal dangers faced by these characters at this time will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t already, preorder your copy today or pick it up on October 1st, 2025!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Syvila Weatherford embarks upon a third career as a novel writer. Prior to this, she worked for over twenty years as an Electrical Engineer/Computer Scientist followed by twelve more years as a Patent Attorney. She was born and continues to live in California, but has lived on the east coast and has traveled abroad for business and pleasure including London, Egypt and South Africa. She hails from humble beginnings but owes her progress to pearls of wisdom learned from her mother, nurturing family and friends, and a strong spiritual foundation.

For more information about her or the book please visit www.syvilaweatherford.com and register at the contact page for any notices about book signings and similar events, as well as to ask questions about this and future books by her.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/smoke-on-the-wind-syvila-weatherford/1147799152?ean=9798218645328

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All the Broken Angels by Pat Black-Gould and Steve Hardiman Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Two cousins are torn apart by the Vietnam War and the tragedies that follow in authors Pat Black-Gould and Steve Hardiman’s “All the Broken Angels.”

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The Synopsis

Two cousins. Two paths. One unforgettable era. This award-winning historical fiction novel follows the transformative journey of Cate and Albie. Cousins and best friends, they are raised in 1960s New Jersey under the watchful eyes of their family and strict Catholic school nuns. Their bond seems unbreakable. Then the Vietnam War erupts, tearing them apart.

  • Albie, driven by faith and patriotism, enlists in the military and is stationed at a base along the South China Sea nicknamed Paradise.
  • Cate protests the war, challenges her upbringing, and seeks purpose by immersing herself in the bohemian counterculture of New York’s Greenwich Village while enduring life in a low-rent tenement in the gritty Hell’s Kitchen district.

Tragedy strikes, and her world unravels. With the support of her family and an eclectic group of friends—artists, activists, and veterans—Cate embarks on a journey of resilience and personal transformation. Travel back to a pivotal era when men marched off to war and women burned their bras. This compelling novel explores the:

  • Emotional toll of the Vietnam War
  • Rise of feminism and LGBTQ+ movements
  • Conflict between faith, patriotism, rebellion, and personal freedom
  • Strength in kinship, friends, found family, and community

All the Broken Angels is a profound exploration of love, loss, and the indomitable spirit of a generation that resonates far beyond the final page.

The Review

What a thought-provoking and compelling read. The authors wrote in a way that felt very transportive, allowing the reader to feel transported back in time to an era of war, the fight for peace, and the evolution of a society as a whole. The authors found a perfect balance between character development and historical context, allowing the era to come to life on the page without sacrificing the originality and heart behind each character’s evolution throughout the narrative. 

Balance was the key to this book. The authors were able to present each side of this conflict, from the soldiers and veterans impacted physically and mentally from the war, to the protestors and activists who seek to end the war and fight against injustice, while touching upon some important themes. The culture and family dynamics that were explored through these characters were especially unique, as readers were able to not only get a glimpse into how this conflict impacted a family torn apart by differing values, but also connected by a shared belief and a love for one another. 

The Verdict

Thoughtful, engaging, and heartfelt, authors Pat Black-Gould and Steve Hardiman’s “All the Broken Angels” is a must-read historical fiction meets drama narrative. The complex themes of social justice, equality, gay pride, veteran rights, and so much more were so subtly yet passionately written about, and the relatability of the character and the depth of detail about the era will resonate with so many readers that they will return to this book again and again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

Pat Black-Gould, PhD, is an award-winning author, speaker, and clinical psychologist whose work bridges storytelling and the human psyche. Previously, Pat worked as a director, producer, and playwright in New York and New England.

https://www.patblackgould.com/

Steve Hardiman has worked as an IT and communications consultant, and talk-radio host and producer. His writing includes ghost-written nonfiction articles selected as cover stories in multiple industrial trade publications and scripts for over seventy instructional videos.

Recently retired, he and his wife Angela are raising their grandson. In his spare time, he writes, travels, and is an avid photographer. All the Broken Angels is his first work of published fiction.

The Washashore by Marshall Highet & Bird Jones Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In the Prohibition-era Martha’s Vineyard, a young woman forced to live with a mysterious Aunt must adjust to high society and discover the truth behind the disappearance of her Aunt’s friend in the novel The Washashore by Marshall Higher and Bird Jones.

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The Synopsis

Martha’s Vineyard, 1929. Prohibition is in full swing, and Emily, a Midwest transplant, has never met her wealthy Aunt Isabel. That is until, after her mother’s death, the courts declare Isabel her guardian. Their first meeting is a disaster. Emily’s clumsy curtsy earns her only a frosty glare, and she quickly realizes she’s in for a crash course in East Coast high society. But manners take a back seat to mystery when Isabel’s dear friend, an accomplished sailor, vanishes at sea. Convinced it’s murder, Isabel recruits her niece to catch the killer, pointing the finger at two dangerous men: a ruthless Mob boss and the fastest rumrunner in the harbor. While Emily crosses paths with gangsters on the island, she may just find home on its miles of coastline and among its quirky inhabitants-her stoic Aunt Isabel included.

The Review

This was such a profound and gripping mystery novel. The balance between historical fiction, mystery, and suspense was perfectly captured in this book. The intrigue and tension the authors built throughout the narrative feel like the perfect amount of atmosphere in the story, allowing the readers to get lost in the danger and violent nature of prohibition and the shocking realities that the lifestyle brought during that era. 

The heart of this story is in the grand themes the authors explore and the rich character dynamics that show their evolution and progress throughout the novel. The relationship between Emily and Isabel, especially as readers begin to understand the losses they both endured and how that bridges the gap in both their societal upbringings and emotional connections, was so heartfelt and gripping, while the exploration of class systems during this historical period, the negative impact Prohibition had on society and organizzed crime alike, and the way others see us versus how we see ourselves were perfectly brought to life on the page.

The Verdict

With an atmosphere that fans of The Great Gatsby and Somewhere in Time will love and a mystery element that harkens back to the days of Agatha Christie novels or more recent films like Knives Out, authors Marshall Higher and Bird Jones’s “The Washashore” is a must-read historical fiction mystery. The twists and turns in the narrative will keep readers on the edge of their seat and the emotional character growth will keep readers invested in these strong protagonists that exude a sense of feminism in a time that didn’t often get to show feminism as a whole, a standout that made this novel feel even more potent in its writing style. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on June 10th, 2025 or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

MARSHALL HIGHET is a professor and writer. Spare Parts—her YA sci-fi novel—was published in 2014 and has an educational bent, with science as its foundation. Hold Fast, written with Bird Jones, is a swashbuckling adventure with historical facts holding it up. Blue-Eyed Slave came out in 2022. Currently living in Baltimore, Marshall’s newest venture is brewing her own kombucha. 

BIRD STASZ JONES holds a doctorate from Syracuse University and is a professor Emerita of Elon University. An ethnographer by training, her love of stories and story collecting has taken her from Appalachia to Central Asia. There she worked in collaboration with ministries of education, global donors and village teachers to support innovation in the literacy classroom. Awarded a Fulbright, she was able to visit and work in the farthest most school on the Afghan/Tajik border—literally the roof of the world. Bird has published in academic journals and spoken at conferences.

https://www.theothersideofthefire.com/washed-ashore

The Brotherhood of Pandora by David L. Nichols Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A mission from President Jefferson to wage a secret war against France in the Caribbean sends a naval hero into the world of pirates in author David L. Nichols’s “The Brotherhood of Pandora”.

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The Synopsis

To combat Napoleon’s increasing interest in the Caribbean and help pressure France to sell New Orleans to America, Vice-President Thomas Jefferson enlists the aid of friend and naval hero Captain Jacob May. He asks Captain May to wage a clandestine war against the French in the Caribbean not as part of the US Navy, but as pirates.

To accomplish this, Captain May uses the cutting-edge technology of 1799: Girardoni air rifles, Fultons self-propelled torpedoes, a submarine, cannons with rifling, and Pandora, a specially modified ship. Captain May molds his crew into the Brotherhood of Pandora and gives Jefferson chaos in the Caribbean.

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The Review

This was an absolutely compelling and captivating read. The author does a fantastic job of crafting a narrative that plays to both the excitement of a high-seas adventure and the detail of a historical fiction novel. The rich detail helped bring this time period and setting to life perfectly, from the frigid airs of the North to the warm waters of the Caribbean. The story itself carried an air of authenticity as if readers could feel this secret mission taking place in the shadowy world of hidden history.

To me, the heart of this narrative resided in the dynamic atmosphere and the compelling character dynamics that this novel housed. From the inclusion of historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Thomas Jefferson gracing the background of this narrative through their actions during this tumultuous time, to the heartfelt and engaging personal moments between the protagonist and his crew who undertake this mission to begin with, this novel featured some great moments of tension, shock, and thrilling action all in one great story.

The Verdict

Memorable, action—packed, and entertaining, author David L. Nichols’s “The Brotherhood of Pandora” is a must-read historical fiction novel that readers won’t put down. The gripping atmosphere and daunting task presented to the cast of characters and the detailed historical aspect of the narrative allowed this narrative to shine and keep readers invested until the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

David L. Nichols has been building boats and making sails for approximately fifteen years. When he isn’t designing sails or building boats you’ll find him in the boats he’s designed and built. He feels that the only way to truly understand boats and sails is to use them. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he has written for boating magazines like WoodenBoat and Boatbuilder, as well as writing and producing boat building videos.

Dollybird by Anne Lazurko Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young woman with dreams of working in medicine is forced out of her home and into the wild after she becomes pregnant out of wedlock in early 20th century Saskatchewan in author Anne Lazurko’s “Dollybird”. 

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The Synopsis

Housekeeper—or whore?

Twenty-year-old Moira, the daughter of a Newfoundland doctor, dreams of becoming a doctor herself; but when she becomes pregnant out of wedlock, she is banished to the bleak landscape of southern Saskatchewan in 1906. There, she must come to terms with her predicament, her pioneer environment, and her employment as a “dollybird,” a term applied to women who might be housekeepers, whores—or both.

A saga of birth, death, and the violent potential of both men and the elements, Dollybird explores the small mercies that mean more than they should under a vast prairie sky that waits, not so quietly, for people to fail.

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The Review

This was a visceral, captivating, and engaging historical fiction read. The author did a wonderful job of using imagery and atmosphere to their advantage, taking readers deep into the past to experience the hardships and struggles of life in the west. The grit and harsh conditions of the atmosphere during those times added to the wealth of struggles the protagonist faced, and really brought the era to life in the reader’s mind so perfectly.

Yet it was the powerful themes of double standards found between the expectations of men and women during those times, and how misogyny has plagued our world for so long, that really drew me into the narrative. The violence and cruelty of men and the unfair expectations placed upon women to fit a particular mold in society and live a certain way to be considered “civilized” was felt through every chapter of this book, and it was through protagonist Moira that the reader really felt the strength and resilience of her journey. The way she fought for what she believed in and made her own way in the world despite her “banishment” and yet found the means to learn the skills to survive in the wilds of the frontier made this a compelling read.

The Verdict

Visceral, captivating, and entertaining, author Anne Lazurko’s “Dollybird” is a must-read historical fiction novel. The twists and turns in the narrative will keep readers hanging onto the author’s every word, and the memorable themes will resonate with readers today in a very profound and heartfelt way. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Anne Lazurko is an award-winning novelist, a no-awards farmer and a sometimes poet. As the youngest of six daughters born to Dutch immigrants, she grew up with a nuanced view of people and their stories.

‘What Is Written on the Tongue’ (April/22 ECW Press) was shortlisted for the Glengarry Book Award. Her first novel ‘Dollybird’ won the Willa Award for Historical Fiction and Anne received a 2018 Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts Literary Award.

A graduate of the Humber Creative Writing program, Anne is published in literary magazines and anthologies. An active editor, mentor and teacher in the prairie writing community, she writes from her farm on Treaty 4 territory in Saskatchewan. 

WHAT IS WRITTEN ON THE TONGUE, a novel

Give Me Shelter by David B. Seaburn Review 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Two boys grieving the loss of their parents nine years earlier venture into their own futures amidst the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis in author David b. Seaburn’s “Give Me Shelter”.

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The Synopsis

The dual challenges of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis that threatens the world and the unexplained loss of parents that threatens a family are the driving forces behind the lives of two boys and their grandfather.

Willie, Denny and their grandfather, Pop, have lived together for nine years, ever since the boys’ parents died in an accident that remains a mystery to the boys. Denny reluctantly leaves for college, while Willie enters sixth grade, fearful of the menacing missile crisis and curious about his parents’ fate.

Willie’s best friends are Lucy and Preston. Lucy wonders about the ‘man in the suit’ who seems to be everywhere she goes. Her mom, Trish, grapples with unemployment. Preston is burdened by the trauma his father is experiencing due to his military service. Denny meets his first-ever girlfriend at college, Lucy, who has one leg that’s shorter than the other. Good neighbor, Robert, is building a bomb shelter in the back yard. Muriel, his mother is a shoot-from-the-hip older adult with dementia.

Over time, the connections between them create the shelter they need for their common journey. Seaburn again tells a story of human vulnerability, endurance, secrets, truth, loss, humor, resilience and love.

The Review

The author has done an incredible job once again finding just the right balance between the genre of the novel and the emotional weight of the character’s journey. The historical fiction aspect of this novel showcasing the tense atmosphere of the missile crisis was brought to life perfectly on the page, showcasing the heart-pounding fear and paranoia that so many were forced to live in on a daily basis for so long. The intimate look into these characters’ lives and how their past and present circumstances are impacted by this crisis was amazing to get lost in.

The emotional character development and vivid imagery the author used to bring these settings to life made the story soar. The realism that the author utilizes in their writing style and narrative not only adds relatability to the story but kept readers invested in these character’s lives as they dealt with everything from loss and grief to caring for a parent in their elderly years and living in a state of fear and trying to find the hope to combat that fear. 

The Verdict

Heartfelt, captivating, and engaging, author David B. Seaburn’s “Give Me Shelter” is a must-read historical fiction meets drama novel. The imagery almost reminded me of the nostalgia and style of Blast From the Past with a more mysterious and intriguing tone to the narrative, and the realism of the characters and their individual plights will help readers feel more invested as the story winds down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

David B. Seaburn’s first novel, Darkness is as Light, was published in 2005. He followed with Pumpkin Hill (2007), Charlie No Face (2011), a Finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award in General Fiction, Chimney Bluffs (2012), More More Time (2015), and Parrot Talk (2017), which placed second in the 2017 TAZ Awards for Fiction and was short-listed for the 2018 Somerset Award. Gavin Goode (2019) was an American Book Fest Finalist for Best Book in General Fiction and Semi-finalist in Literary, Contemporary and Satire Fiction for the Somerset Award. His latest novel is Broken Pieces of God (2021).Seaburn and his wife live in western New York. They have two married daughters and four fabulous grandchildren.

www.davidbseaburn.com

www.amazon.com/author/davidbseaburn

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/going-out-not-knowing

https://twitter.com/dseaburn

Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again by Roni Rosenthal Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The struggles and hardships faced by a young Jewish-Romanian woman and her family in 1930s Romania are explored in full in author Roni Rosenthal’s “Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again”.

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The Synopsis

Friddie, 18, is an ordinary yet rebellious young Jewish woman, living in Bucharest in the 1930s. Born and raised in Romania’s capital, she dreams of living as a “free Romanian woman.”

After calling off her wedding to a young, parentally-approved accountant, she escapes to a city on the coast, where she meets a scientist-perfumer named Freddy. He is the true love she has been looking for—and a ticket to her dream.

Soon, though, that dream turns into a nightmare she never could have predicted.

Friddie’s story of incredible hardship is interwoven with the stories of her family. We follow her Aunt Rosa’s life as the glue of her household, even though she loses her husband in mysterious circumstances; her Uncle David, who dreams of becoming a schoolteacher and starting a family in Iași, and her cousins, who uproot their lives in Bucharest to start again in Israel.

In this tragic-heroic novel, the true stories, the victims, and the small moments of happiness are revealed in the Danube’s labor camps, under the fascist-dictatorial and communist rule that has been a part of Romania for so many years.

Based on the true experiences of a Jewish Romanian family, Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Againunearths stories that could so easily be lost to the passage of time. This family’s tale has emerged at a critical time, to show the need for compassion and kindness, even in the hardest moments.

The Review

Much like the author felt compelled to write this story, I felt compelled to read this incredibly moving and emotional story as the rise of anti-semitism continues to plague the United States, and my desire to bring awareness to this cause made this one story I couldn’t turn down. The heart and passion for which the author crafts this narrative made this a truly incredible read. The depth of detail the author captures in this narrative also does an incredible job of bringing to life captivating imagery that creates an almost period-piece film style of writing. 

The most engaging aspects of this story are the author’s inclusion of both history and culture along with her own family history into the narrative, as well as the dynamic character development this story takes on. The way the author was able to incorporate and tell her own family’s history and illuminate the rarely discussed Romanian labor camps and how Jewish-Romanian citizens were forced to experience its cruel nature, highlighted the hardships and struggles they were forced to endure, while the characters, while based on true events and people, added a depth of human connection and emotion that kept the reader invested in the events this historical fiction is depicting.

The Verdict

Captivating, emotional, and brilliantly written, author Roni Rosenthal’s “Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again” is a must-read historical fiction drama. The strength of the family portrayed in this book and the inspiration they have on others to overcome tragedy and hardship kept me as a reader invested, and spoke to the need to end hatred and violence against the Jewish people around the world. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Roni Rosenthal is the CEO and Founder of “The Pencil Pro.” She is the innovator of the Brain-Empowered with Creativity model, an adjunct-Professor and an Education Director.

Roni is known for challenging and motivating people in becoming creative thinkers.

She is a frequent speaker at workshops, universities, and schools.

Roni believes that creative thinking is a virtue and a must have skill in the 21st century. Her goal is to promote original thinking worldwide, and she has developed the tools to do so.

www.ronirosenthal.com

https://twitter.com/RoniRosenthal

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BC5LF1KQ/ref=x_gr_w_glide_sin?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F62237992-where-the-lilacs-bloom-once-again%3Fac%3D1%26from_search%3Dtrue%26qid%3DizeI6XYbUF%26rank%3D2&tag=x_gr_w_glide_sin-20

Dead End Summer: A Political Novel by Avner Tavori Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Three childhood friends who grew up together in 1950s Israel meet 30 years later, and find themselves worlds apart from the boys they once were as war and terrorism fight a bloody battle in author Avner Tavori’s “Dead End Summer: A Political Novel”.

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The Synopsis 

Is equality essential for justice to prevail?

What happens if whole countries become lawless?

These are questions central to the plot that caused three men to move far away from each other, only to meet again one day, and face those existential questions head on.

Gavri, Chaim and Uzi were born as Israel became an independent country. They grew up in the Israel of the 1950’s, attended the same school, were involved with the same youth movement, and became close friends. However, thirty years later, in the summer of 1982, they find themselves as far away from each other as it is possible to be.

Gavri, who has become an influential photojournalist, is embedded with the Israeli troops that invaded Lebanon in the summer of 1982. He is covering the war there, and experiencing a country that has become lawless following years of conflict and civil war. Self-described as politically ‘leftist’, Gavri is horrified by the implications of a lawless society becoming a legitimate choice.

Chaim, moderately religious, has become radicalized over the years, and is now one of the leaders of the Settler movement in the Occupied West Bank. He finds himself entangled in a murder plot when a group of young Settlers plant a bomb that kills the mayor of a small Palestinian town.

Uzi has grown up to become a right-wing Jewish Nationalist and a prominent professional in ShinBet – Israel’s most powerful national security apparatus. A believer in the supremacy of ‘Law and Order’ in society, as well as in his personal and professional life, he is resentful of any attempt to manipulate his basic core values and is horrified by an attempt to place Settlers above the law.

During the summer of 1982, with war raging in Lebanon, and the cycle of Palestinian terrorist attacks reaching one of its peaks, settlers in the West Bank take matters into their own hands.

It is at this point in history that the three childhood friends meet again and are forced to make choices in the most dramatic of circumstances.

For more about Avner Tavori and a PDF of the original Hebrew edition of this book please visit:
www.avner-tavori.com/dead-end-summer

The Review

The first thing that struck me about this incredible novel was the authenticity that the author brought to the story. As a former war correspondent, the author was able to bring vivid imagery and a gritty atmosphere to the war-torn setting that this narrative takes place in. The historical fiction aspect of this story really draws in the reader as it captures a period of history rarely examined in a public forum, and highlights the intimate struggles of all sides of the conflict in an honest way.

The character development and simply profound themes really elevated this novel to new heights in this genre. The close examination of these three friends and the very different paths they went down was extraordinary. The multiple philosophies and worldviews the author explores through Gavri and his friendships turned strained relationships with both Chaim and Uzi allowed the powerful themes to come to life so naturally, highlighting the ways in which opposing worldviews can often lead to violence and turmoil, and sometimes the hardest path is finding the common ground in any situation.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, heartfelt, and captivating, author Avner Tavori’s “Dead End Summer: A Political Novel” is a must-read historical fiction novel. The twists and turns in the narrative and the importance of culture and philosophy on the characters and their viewpoints and interactions made this one story that I couldn’t put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

AVNER TAVORI has actually lived in the world he describes in his novel. In 1982 he was a war correspondent in Lebanon and spent more than three months with the advancing Israeli troops, and with units of the Christian Militia in Beirut.

He was born in 1947, in what was then British Palestine, and grew up in the Israel of the 1950’s in the socialist environment, typical of the time, in his hometown of Haifa. After completing his mandatory military service in the Parachute Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), he served a short stint as a Desk-Officer in the Jerusalem headquarters of ShinBet – Israel’s National Security Service – and coordinated field operations in the occupied West Bank.

As a journalist (1970-1986) he was the political correspondent for Israel’s Public Radio (Kol Israel) and covered the inner workings of Israel’s political scene. He also worked for the daily newspaper, DAVAR, and published opinion pieces on a variety of issues.

In the 1990’s he worked for the Israeli Labor Party, and then Rabin’s Government, culminating in being appointed to the position of Press Secretary for the Israeli Ambassador to the UN in New York.

He now lives in New York City. He can be reached at, avnertavori@aol.com

http://www.avner-tavori.com/