Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada Review

On November 30, 2025 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 man must deliver a herd of goats across the ocean to survivors of the atomic bombs in Japan after WWII in author Shirley Miller Kamada’s “Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy.”

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The Synopsis

Zachary Whitlock knows sheep. He knows farming and knows what it’s like to have his best friend forced into an internment camp for Japanese Americans. What he does not know much about is goats and traveling by sea on cargo ships, yet he makes a decision to go with a group of volunteers to Japan to help deliver a herd of more than two hundred goats, many of which are pregnant, to survivors of the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Review

This was such a powerful and unique coming-of-age story. Exploring a rarely looked at point in history, the book’s narrative follows a young man who witnessed a lot growing up, from the start of WWII to his good friends and neighbors being imprisoned in an internment camp after Pearl Harbor, and finally the aftermath of the two atomic bombs that destroyed parts of Japan. The author expertly weaves descriptive imagery to perfectly showcase the harsh sea voyage and the care these goats receive, all while exploring the more emotional core of the historical events surrounding the protagonist.

The story’s larger themes came to life in a fast-paced narrative that captivated the reader. The way the story explores the harsh realities of war, from internment camps and the loss so many Americans felt after WWII, fueling these actions, to the horrors of the bombs on the people of Japan, this story really gave YA readers a lot to discuss. The examination of faith and how it shapes our approach to situations where we want to do the right thing, and, of course, the higher cost of nuclear war, kept the reader invested as the narrative itself became more personal and emotionally driven.

The Verdict

Engaging, thoughtfully written, and memorable, author Shirley Miller Kamada’s “Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy” is a must-read coming-of-age YA historical fiction read. The balance the author found in storytelling, bouncing back and forth between the protagonist’s life on his family farm and the trip to Japan, and the artful, majestic imagery the author’s detailed writing brought to life, will keep readers invested in this fantastic story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Shirley Miller Kamada grew up on a farm in northeastern Colorado. She has been an educator in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, a bookstore-espresso café owner in Centralia, Washington, and director of a learning center in Olympia, Washington. Her much-loved first novel, NO QUIET WATER, was a Kirkus recommended title and a finalist for several awards. When not writing, she enjoys casting a fly rod, particularly from the dock at her home on Moses Lake in Central Washington, which she shares with her husband and two spoiled pups.

You can follow the author at:

https://shirleymillerkamada.com/

Tweets by shirleymkamada

https://www.instagram.com/shirleymkamadaauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyMillerKamada

https://www.facebook.com/shirley.miller.1042032

https://bsky.app/profile/shirleymkamada.bsky.social

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zachary-shirley-miller-kamada/1147749101?ean=9781685136406

https://amzn.to/43WesQC

Blog Tour Calendar

November 3 @ The Muffin

Join us at the Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada. We interview the author and give you a chance to win a copy of the book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

November 5 @ Words by Webb

Visit Jodi’s blog for her review of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada

https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

November 8 @ Sarandipity

Visit Sara’s blog for a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about Marshall strawberries.

Home

November 10 @ Chapter Break

Visit Julie’s blog for a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about owning a coffee shop and bookstore.

https://chapterbreak.net

November 12 @ Storey Book Reviews

Visit Leslie’s blog for a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about the day her mother took a chainsaw to their sofa.

https://www.storeybookreviews.com

November 14 @ Nicole Writes About Stuff

Visit Nicole’s Substack newsletter for a weekend contribution by Shirley Miller Kamada.

https://nicolepyles.substack.com/

November 18 @ Reading is My Remedy

Stop by Chelsie’s blog for a review of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada.

https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com

November 20 @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews

Stop by Lisa’s blog for an interview with author Shirley Miller Kamada.

Home

November 21 @ A Wonderful World of Books

Visit Joy’s blog for an excerpt from Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada.

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

November 24 @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog

Join Anthony for an excerpt from Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada.

https://www.authoranthonyavina.com

November 25 @ Word Magic

Visit Fiona’s blog for a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about why so few people know about the U.S. firebombing of Tokyo.

https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com

November 27 @ A Storybook World

Visit Deirdra’s blog for her spotlight of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada

https://www.astorybookworld.com/

November 30 @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog

Visit Anthony’s blog for his review of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada.

https://www.authoranthonyavina.com

December 1 @ Reading is My Remedy

Stop by Chelsie’s blog for Shirley Miller Kamada’s guest post on learning that her grandfather helped build the internment camp at Minidoka in southern Idaho.

https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com

December 2 @ CC King’s blog

Join Caitrin as she features a guest post by Shirley Miller Kamada about how the character of Zachary developed.

https://www.caitrincking.com/blog

December 4 @ Sandy Kirby Quandt

Visit Sandy’s blog for her review of Zachary: A Seagoing Cowboy by Shirley Miller Kamada

https://sandykirbyquandt.com/

Book Promotion: Aoh by Jennifer Renson-Chiappetta

On July 12, 2023October 14, 2024 By authoranthonyavinablogIn book news, Book Promotion1 Comment

So happy to share some information about the upcoming release of author Jennifer Renson-Chiappetta’s “Aoh”, a powerful YA Historical Fiction and Romance novel you won’t want to miss. Tune in on July 19th, 2023 for my full review, but until then, enjoy this post!

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Author bio:

Jennifer Renson-Chiappetta’s passion for writing began in childhood. Her writing career spanned from articles in Lost Treasure Magazine to her self-published poetry books; Delightfully Dark: A Collection of Poems and Tales, Eo: Go, walk, ride, sail, pass, travel and Uncharted. She is the author of the modern-day fairy tale novel Carousel. Presently she is a mother and wife; she enjoys spending her time with her family and friends, writing, crafting, specifically cross stitching and reveling in Victorian Era ambiances while living in New Jersey.

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Book Synopsis:

Upon fleeing her homeland of Egypt after her village is attacked, Aoh finds herself living in an immaculate Babylonian palace under the care of the queen. For a young peasant girl, it’s a life of luxury beyond her imagination. But unforeseen circumstances cause Aoh to return to Egypt, where she finds herself living in another palace disguised as a servant. She must face many dangers if she is to protect herself and the woman who holds the pharaoh’s heart. Will Aoh survive and find love in a place where deception and loyalties rule?

Social media links:

Instagram @jenny.renson Jennifer Renson-Chiappetta (@jenny.renson) | Instagram

Facebook Book and Poetry by Jennifer Renson Facebook

Goodreads Aoh by Jennifer Renson | Goodreads

Purchase links:

Amazon.com: Aoh: Renson, Jennifer: 9798397459280: Amazon.com: Books

Barnes & Noble: Aoh by Jennifer Renson, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

No Quiet Water by Shirley Miller Kamada Review

On January 3, 2023 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 young Asian American family must learn to survive and endure in the wake of the prejudices found in the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1940s America in author Shirley Miller Kamada’s “No Quiet Water”.

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The Synopsis

After the U.S. declares war on Japan in 1941, all persons of Japanese descent in the Western U.S. come under suspicion. Curfews are imposed, bank accounts frozen, and FBI agents search homes randomly.

Despite the fact that two generations of the Miyota family are American citizens, Fumio and his parents and sister Kimiko must pack meager belongings and are transported under military escort to the California desert to be held at Camp Manzanar, leaving their good friends and neighbors the Whitlocks to care for their farm and their dog, Flyer.

The family suffer unimaginable insults, witness prejudice and violent protests, are forced to live in squalor, and are provided only poor-quality, unfamiliar food which makes them ill. Later, they are transferred to Idaho’s Camp Minidoka, where Fumio learns what it means to endure and where he discovers a strange new world of possibility and belonging.

Lyrical, visual, and rendered with strict attention to historical accuracy, No Quiet Water, shines a poignant light on current issues of racism and radical perspectives.

The Review

This was such a unique and special read. The author does an incredible job of crafting a narrative for readers that feels accessible on a large scale to a multitude of readers while also diving deeply into the heart of the narrative and the themes that they explore, which feel personal and painfully intimate to the characters involved. The themes took on a serious tone as the author delved into some serious subject matter, including themes of racism and mistrust in the wake of tragedies, and the way fear and doubt warp people’s perception of others, something that is happening even now in our own modern times, which made this story feel tragically more relatable than ever before.

The heart of this narrative was the rich character development and the multi-POVs that the story takes on. The heartbreaking and enduring story of Fumio and his family create that emotional relatability between the reader and the narrative that a historical fiction of this magnitude has while also creating a unique perspective through the eyes of the family dog who is forced to be left behind on the family farm in the care of neighbors gave this story the YA and middle-grade genre twist that will make the narrative accessible to a broader audience.

The Verdict

Captivating, emotionally driven, and memorable, author Shirley Miller Kamada’s “No Quiet Water” is a must-read historical fiction Japanese and United States historical fiction read. The heart and passion for which the author wrote, as well as the important themes that touched upon some of our society’s most vital issues that need to be addressed, showcased how we need to learn from our past and the power that resides within us all as we discover who we are in moments of great tragedy and crisis. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Shirley Miller Kamada grew up on a farm in northeastern Colorado. She has been an educator in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, a bookstore-espresso café owner in Centralia, Washington, and director of a learning center in Olympia, Washington. When not writing, she enjoys casting a fly rod, particularly from the dock at her home on Moses Lake in Central Washington, which she shares with her husband and two spoiled pups.

https://www.instagram.com/shirleymkamadaauthor/

https://twitter.com/shirleymkamada

https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyMillerKamada

Guest Blog Post: The best writing/life advice by K.E. Bonner

On December 30, 2022December 30, 2022 By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, Guest PostLeave a comment

Preop is a hive of activity at 6:45am. Metal charts clink, heart monitors beep, and a mingled aroma of betadine, hand sanitizer, and rubbing alcohol wafts through the air. Nurses, aides, mid-levels, and doctors side-step one another as they check orders, see patients, and sign consents.

“Hi, I’m Karen, and I’ll be your anesthetist this morning,” I say as I enter the preop bay. An elderly man is lying on a stretcher. He answers my questions and I turn back to the chart to double check his paperwork.

“Young lady,” he rasps, and reaches out his liver-spotted hand out. I take it. Wrinkles crisscross his face like a cracked desert landscape. “I need to tell you something.”

After a long career in healthcare, I’ve learned to listen to my patients. Our eyes lock and he squeezes my hand.

“You will never be able to accomplish everything that you want to accomplish without a life of sobriety.” An impulse flickered between us, an undeniable shared action potential.

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“Okay,” I nod, taken aback. Why would he say this to me? Did I look like a heavy drinker?

His matter-of-fact way of speaking stayed with me. There was no possible way that this man knew that I was struggling to accomplish my goals. At that point I’d been writing, editing, and re-writing my first novel, not to mention that I was working long shifts at the hospital, raising two young children, and struggling to keep my marriage and our finances together. I wasn’t a heavy drinker, a few glasses of wine over dinner to unwind after a long day. What did he see in me that compelled him to speak his truth? I chewed on his words but wasn’t ready to quit drinking, yet.

One Sunday morning I lay in bed with a large bottle of Gator-aide praying for the nausea and pounding headache to recede. It was my day to write, and I could barely lift my head from the pillow. This hangover is a waste of my time, I fumed. I thought about my adoptive mother, and how she steadily drank herself into dementia. I spent most of that day on the couch lamenting the loss of the most precious thing that I possessed: time. I couldn’t write while I was drinking, and my hangover rendered me completely useless. This was the beginning of me developing a distaste for alcohol.

Clarity followed sobriety. My energy skyrocketed, I was writing more consistently, and better. I reasoned that I’d unknowingly been in a constant state of dehydration. My scale started a downward trend as I began to exercise, which increased oxygenation to my brain, and increased my energy even more. I began to see how much time I had wasted by drinking, and to understand that I had been self-medicating with wine.

Most people are not ready to hear my patient’s words, and in truth, it took me ten years to process and act on them. These days I drink half a glass of wine on special occasions, but I write every day. Time is precious and limited, make every effort to use your to the fullest.

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About the Author

K. E. Bonner, author of Witching Moon,was always the first kid to sit down during a spelling bee. It wasn’t until she was an adult that she was diagnosed with dyslexia, which explained why she always had to study three times harder than her peers. Being dyslexic taught her perseverance and kindness, her two favorite attributes. She lives in Georgia with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. When not writing, she loves to read, swim, explore new places, and meet fascinating people. If you have a dog, she would love to scratch behind its ears and tell it what a good pup it is.

Learn more about K.E. Bonner on her website or follow her on Instagram @kebonnerwrites.

You can purchase a copy of Witching Moon on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add Witching Moon to your Goodreads reading list.

Blog Tour Calendar

December 19th @ The Muffin
Join WOW as we celebrate the launch of K.E. Bonner’s blog tour of Witching Moon. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book!
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

December 20th @ Mindy McGinnis’s blog
Stop by Mindy’s blog to read “Release the Idea of Getting Rich or Published and Focus on Your Craft.” by K.E. Bonner
https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog

December 20th @ Rockin’ Book Reviews

Join us as Lu Ann reviews Witching Moon.

http://www.rockinbookreviews.com

December 21st @ All the Ups and Downs

Join Heather as she spotlights Witching Moon. Enter to win a copy of the book!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/

December 23rd @ Michelle Cornish’s blog
Visit Michelle’s blog to read her review of Witching Moon.
https://www.michellecornishauthor.com/blog

December 24th @ A Storybook World
Join Deirdra as she features a spotlight of Witching Moon.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/

December 27th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews blog
Join Lisa for an interview with K.E. Bonner.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

December 28th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Join us today for author Anthony Avina’s review of Witching Moon.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

December 30th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Revisit author Anthony Avina’s blog to read “The Best Writing Advice I Received” by K.E. Bonner.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

January 4th @ Bev Baird’s blog
Join us on Bev’s blog as she reviews Witching Moon.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

January 5th @ The Knotty Needle
Stop by for Judy’s review of Witching Moon.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com

January 6th @ Bev Baird’s blog
Meet us back at Bev’s blog for “Ideas are Everywhere” a guest post by K.E. Bonner.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

January 6th @ Look to the Western Sky
Join Margo as she reviews Witching Moon by K.E. Bonner.
https://margoldill.com/

January 7th @ Chapter Break

Visit Julie’s blog where she interviews author K.E. Bonner about her book Witching Moon.

https://chapterbreak.net/

January 9th @ Sue Edwards’s blog
Visit Sue’s blog to read “Magical Realism Surrounds Us” by K.E. Bonner.
https://suebe.wordpress.com/

January 10th @ Celtic Lady’s Reviews
Visit Kathleen’s blog and read her review of Witching Moon by K.E. Bonner.
https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/

January 10th @ World of My Imagination
Stop by Nicole’s blog where K.E. Bonner is a guest for “Three Things on a Saturday Night.”
https://worldofmyimagination.com

January 12th @ Life According to Jamie
Join us as Jamie reviews Witching Moon.
http://www.lifeaccordingtojamie.com

January 14th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Join Linda as she interviews author K.E. Bonner.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com

January 15th @ Fiona Ingram’s author blog

Stop by Fiona’s blog to see her spotlight feature of Witching Moon.

https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com

January 16th @ the Freeing the Butterfly blog
Visit Freeing the Butterfly to read “Life is Short, Do What You Love” by K.E. Bonner.
https://www.freeingthebutterfly.com/blog

January 18th @ Jill Sheets’s blog

Stop by Jill’s blog to read her interview with K.E. Bonner.

https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/

Witching Moon by K.E. Bonner Review

On December 28, 2022 By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, 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 young woman who has always sought something more in life saves a man from a shipwreck, and discovers a new path that leads away from her comfortable home and into the world of immortals in author K.E. Bonner’s “Witching Moon”.

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The Synopsis

Every once in an eon, when the Earth eclipses the moon on a winter solstice, an immortal is born under a witching moon. Anne has always had the strangest feelings—memories she couldn’t place; strangers she inexplicably yearned for. After she rescues the enigmatic Phillip from a shipwreck, her comfortable life on the island of Cusabo is shattered, and the mystery of her destiny starts to fall into place. Anne leaves behind the life she’s always known and sets out with Phillip on an arduous journey to Amaranth, where her ancient family awaits her. But the path is dark and daunting, and Anne’s powers have only just begun to manifest.

The Review

This was an incredible blend of YA Historical Fiction meets YA Sword & Sorcery Fantasy! The world-building the author goes through in this book is incredible, as the author delves both into the tail-end of the American Civil War in South Carolina and quickly delves deeper into this fantasy world of magic and power beyond imagination. The imagery and adventurous tone the author strikes keep readers on the edge of their seats as the story becomes more and more engrossing.

The way the author was able to capture the era for which this narrative hails and balance it with fantastic character development was what really kept me invested in this story. The wonderment that protagonist Anne views this new world through after leaving behind the only place and life she’s ever known made this story so profound, and the coming-of-age tale of this young woman discovering her power was both inspiring and entertaining to read and see come to life on the page.

The Verdict

Captivating, engaging, and harrowing, author K.E. Bonner’s “Witching Moon” is a must-read fantasy meets historical fiction YA novel. The magical nature of the narrative blends well with the protagonist and her historical era upbringing, and the twists and turns in the character’s arc will keep readers glued to their books 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

Learn more about K.E. Bonner on her website or follow her on Instagram @kebonnerwrites.

You can purchase a copy of Witching Moon on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add Witching Moon to your Goodreads reading list.

Blog Tour Calendar