Vengeance of the Vanished Ones, Book One by Lee Orlich Bertram

American novelist and poet Lee Orlich Bertram hails originally from Los Angeles, born to an immigrant family with deep roots in Germany and the former Yugoslavia. Professionally, she began as a K-12 teacher and administrator, relocated to the beautiful Palouse in Northern Idaho, and attended the University of Idaho College of Law. While writing, she still owns and runs a busy law firm, practicing in Idaho and Washington. Lee earned her BA, MA, and PhD from the University of California, Irvine and her JD from the University of Idaho College of Law. As a contribution to the local communities, she teaches business law and the law of international business and trade at Washington State University. Lee is multilingual, enjoys traveling, reading, playing piano, and eternally studying archaeology. She has been a prolific writer in her professions and according to her family, has always maintained a flair for drama. Her debut collection of poetry entitled Insistence, Persistence, and Resistance, has garnered high praise.

Lee’s first novel in a series, Vengeance of the Vanished Ones, Book One, is a cross-genre archaeological action-adventure, suspense-mystery with elements of historical fiction, romance, and thriller. The main protagonist, archaeologist Dr. Marcos Andersson, of Swedish and Mexican descent, has attempted to solve the mystery of the true meaning of the Baja rock/cave art to the point of a twenty-year obsession. Widowed and a disillusioned academic, he lives a seemingly secluded life on his ranch in Idaho―or does he? Readers find him called to duty by the wife of a fellow archaeologist and colleague named Davis Pearce, found dead at his dig site in Baja. With that news at hand, Marcos begins his suspenseful adventure back in Baja to investigate Davis’ death, facing new, uninvited challenges that question his scientific and spiritual backgrounds, and drive him harder to solve the mystery of the rock art. In the midst of twists and turns in Baja, the novel reveals a secret about Marcos . . . no spoiler here.

Vengeance tackles an actual, archaeological mystery; the two archaeologists are based on renowned, deceased American archaeologists and their work in Baja and Central America. Beneath the heart-pounding action, the novel explores the broader issues of destruction of ancient art to feed greed, exploitation of natural resources, and the clash of science vs. spiritualism to solve complex, social problems.

Cherry Blossoms in Winter by Michael J. Summers

Winner of the International Firebird Awards for Fiction, Historical Fiction, and War Fiction

Manila, Philippines, 2003. Dane Chandler is on a writing assignment in Manila, where he meets Jack Pierce, a tough-talking Korean War Veteran. Their chance encounter leads Dane into Jack’s past, beginning in 1949 Tokyo, where Jack, stationed at Camp Drake, meets Michiko Okura at the glitzy Club Florida. Their budding romance is cut short by the outbreak of the Korean War, which transforms Jack amidst the brutal fight for “Rat Mountain.”

As Dane listens to Jack’s story, experiencing his hellish battlefield encounters and tremendous loss, he witnesses Jack’s undaunted outlook on life and discovers newfound maturity in himself.

Cherry Blossoms in Winter is a masterful blend of historical fiction, multi-cultural romance, and military adventure, exploring the bonds of brotherhood, the harsh realities of war, and the enduring power of love, highlighting the unyielding strength of the human spirit.

Reviews

“Portrayal of the shocking savagery of battle and soldiers’ very human fears and coping mechanisms brings to mind James Jones’s The Thin Red Line. A debut author’s terrific work of military fiction, linked wonderfully with a romance that pulls on the heartstrings.”
—Historical Novel Society

“Cherry Blossoms in Winter shines a light on the power of love and the chaos of war while captivating readers with catchy humor, action-packed scenes, and adorable love goals. Get ready for a very entertaining and educational experience.”
—Los Angeles Book Review

“Cherry Blossoms in Winter offers a stellar blend of falling in love from a soldier’s perspective without overpowering the story with romance. The balance between common human experiences and those of young, enlisted men makes Cherry Blossoms in Winter a captivating ride that military and historical fiction enthusiasts will love.”
—Independent Book Review

About the Author
Michael J. Summers is a loving husband, father, writer, and adventurer. Before becoming “serious”, Mike worked in Alaska, Hawaii, and Japan, spending dollars on cheap airline tickets, crash pads, and lifelong memories. Mike’s unending passion for literature, travel, and nature has significantly influenced his writing. He currently resides on Maui and is a land use and community planner. This is his debut novel.

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This post is a sponsored collaboration with Black Rose Writing.