Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Waitin' on Paige by Mary Pat Johns Blog Tour Book Review

 

About the Book

Book: Waitin’ On Paige (Romance in Valiant Book Four)

Author: Mary Pat Johns

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

All he wants is to reclaim her love…

Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future. Paige Munoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won’t let anything stand in her way. But the path she’s on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous. Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive his secrets and her stubbornness? 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review 

This is an enjoyable Christian romance that includes flawed people getting a second chance at romance. The themes of relationship reconciliation and forgiveness are major. There is also the issue of complications from a previous sexual relationship by one of them. So some obstacles to romance are present. I liked Paige but she was a bit naive when approached by a glitzy Hollywood guy. Tavo is a good character but I was initially confused by the use of both Tavo and Gus to refer to him. I was happy to see a clear presentation of the gospel is included.

This novel is part of a series but only the second I have read. It seemed the relationships between the characters here have their roots in previous novels. While this one read relatively well on its own, the full impact of it would be better appreciated if the previous novels were read first. Johns' writing style is good and the novel was fun to read.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my review of the previous book in this series I have read, Glitter and the Grouch.

About the Author

Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from teaching speech and writing. She has written devotions for an online publication, had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, and wrote a column for the Victoria Advocate, a local newspaper.

Countin’ On Jesse, her first novel debuted in 2023, and books 2 & 3 of the Valiant series, Lovin’ On Red and Glitter and the Grouch released in 2024. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war.

She writes Christian romance because when we see life through the hope of Christ’s sacrifice, we find that happily ever after is God’s idea.

More from Mary Pat

The ending of a series is always bittersweet. I will miss the characters, but I remind myself they are in a good place. Kind of like my grown children. They have their own lives to live, and I’m not as “hands-on” as I was during their formative years. If you weren’t around for the beginning of this series, no worries. Each book tells its own story. In the meantime, stay tuned. I have other stories to write. That said, I probably won’t wander too far from Valiant—the strong, safe place where it all began.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 22

Simple Harvest Reads, July 23 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 23

Leslie’s Library Escape, July 24

Artistic Nobody, July 25 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 26

Guild Master, July 27 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 28

Fiction Book Lover, July 29 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 30

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, July 31 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 31

Cover Lover Book Review, August 1

A Reader’s Brain, August 2 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , August 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 4 (Author Interview)

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Mary Pat is giving away the grand prize of signed copies of the four book in the series!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54255


I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 


Sunday, July 20, 2025

Fire Mountain by Dana Mentink Blog Tour Book Review

Fire Mountain by Dana Mentink

FIRE MOUNTAIN

by Dana Mentink

June 30 - July 25, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Fire Mountain by Dana Mentink

Elements of Danger

 

Fire rains from above as they fight to discover the truth and stay alive.

In the shadow of a threatening volcano, long-haul trucker Kit Garrido wakes up in her crashed big rig, unable to recall what happened or why she's suddenly in possession of someone's baby. Fiercely independent, she has to admit that perhaps this time she could use a little help.

As the threat of eruption grows, former cop Cullen Landry refuses to leave his cabin in the evacuation area, which is why he's the only one left who can help Kit escape the crumpled cab of her truck. He doesn't want to get tangled up in the mystery of the beautiful woman with an abandoned infant, but when he sees the bullet hole in the windshield and the bloody handprint on the interior, he realizes that he's in this thing, like it or not.

When two armed men with ill intent approach, the race is on to stay alive, discover the truth, and find the baby's missing mother--all while a deadly mountain rains fire from above.

Praise for Fire Mountain:

"Fire Mountain comes in hot! An eruption of taut suspense and a crackling romance that Mentink’s fans will devour. A real stay-up-all-night read!"
~ Jessica R. Patch, bestselling author of the FBI: Strange Crimes Unit series

"A masterful blend of high-octane suspense and heart-pounding mystery. Mentink delivers an explosive thriller where danger lurks on every page, with a volcanic backdrop that mirrors the simmering tension of this unforgettable story. Clear your schedule—you won’t be able to put this one down."
~ Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author of the Lake City Heroes series

"Dana Mentink is at the top of her game in this heart-pounding thrill ride. Danger explodes onto the page as Kit and Cullen fight to survive a volcanic eruption while relentless killers pursue them. An action-packed, gripping suspense, Fire Mountain will keep readers riveted until the end!"
~ Elizabeth Goddard, award-winning author of Storm Warning

My Review:

Wow, this book is action packed from beginning to end. There is constant suspense since the story takes place in the shadow of a very active volcano. The drama is mostly humans against exploding nature but Mentink added a few human villains from time to time. Just when it seems like Kit and Cullen are in the clear, there is a twist and near disaster strikes again. It was interesting to see how the duo managed to escape one potential threat only to be faced with another. In that sense the novel might have been a bit repetitive but it sure made for exciting reading.

We Washingtonians will never forget that Sunday morning when St. Helens blew. I was far enough away to not be in danger and could not imagine what it must have been like for those near the blast. Mentink brings it all to reality. Her description of the moving mud, rocks, trees and then lava was chilling.

Mentink has added a slow moving possible romance and an element of faith. The references to human trafficking were heartbreaking. There are also themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. I recommend this inspirational romantic suspense with a unique setting.

My rating: 4/5 stars. 

Book Details:

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Published by: Revell
Publication Date: July 1, 2025
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780800746520 (ISBN10: 080074652X)
Series: Elements of Danger, Book 1 || Amazon | Goodreads
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Baker Book House

Read an excerpt:

 

 

Author Bio:

Dana Mentinkr

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. She's written more than 50 mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. Winner of two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, Dana lives in Northern California with her husband.

Learn more at:

DanaMentink.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @DanaMentink
Instagram - @dana_mentink
Threads - @dana_mentink
Facebook - @dana.mentink

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!


Note: this is a private list. Only the list owner can enter links.

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Dana Mentink, Revell, & Baker Book House. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours. 

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 

Friday, July 18, 2025

The Last Disciple: Gospel of John by Kurt Brouwer Blog Tour Book Review

 

About the Book

Book: The Last Disciple: Gospel of John (The Last Disciple Book Four)

Author: Kurt Brouwer

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: February 10, 2025

Discover the Untold Story of the Last Disciple to Witness the Miracles of Christ

In a world shrouded in doubt and darkness, one man holds the key to the greatest story ever told.

The epic saga of the Last Disciple continues in this captivating new Christian historical novel from Kurt Brouwer. Witness the miracles of Jesus through the eyes of one who was there. John, a disciple of Christ, watched the Son of God sacrifice his life on the Cross and entered the empty tomb after Jesus rose from the grave.

Witness Jesus Through the Eyes of One Who Was with Him

Years after witnessing the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John seeks to faithfully write down the life-changing events he experienced firsthand.

Go back in time with John to old Jerusalem as he describes the fateful meeting between the Messiah and Nicodemus in which Christ uttered the most beloved passage in the Bible: ”For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

John sets down the true story of Christ, contending with those who seek to water down the gospel message. Accompanied by trusted allies like Emmaus and Avram, John travels from Ephesus to Laodicea, Hierapolis, and beyond, determined to ensure the world never forgets the sacrifice and love of the Son of God.

John reunites with his old friend and fellow disciple, Philip, who is gravely ill. In a desperate bid to save Philip’s life, John seeks out the help of Evangeline, a skilled herbalist and healer. After Philip recovers, a mob whipped up by a high priest of the goddess Cybele lays in wait to attack John and Philip.

Will violent enemies of the faith cut off the gospel message John carries?

Witness the miracles of Jesus through the eyes of the Beloved Disciple—and discover how one man’s courage can change the course of history.

If you’re struggling with doubt, searching for meaning, or hungry to deepen your faith, The Last Disciple: Gospel of John is the Christian novel you’ve been waiting for.

Don’t miss this gripping tale of courage, conviction, and the eternal power of the gospel!

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

I don't really give much thought as to how the books in the New Testament came to be written. But Brouwer really gives us a sense of what might have taken place as John was compiling his gospel. It was interesting to read how he might have gotten together with others, reminiscing about their time with Jesus, comparing stories, sharing insights.

Brouwer does a great job of describing cities, temples, etc. I like how he takes us through some of the events of early church history such as how Christians faced the possibility of less work, not wanting to join the pagan guilds. I also liked how we see that Christians were still trying to understand the teachings of Jesus, sometimes disagreeing.

It was also interesting Brouwer wrote that Jesus' mother and John's mother were sisters. Some conclude it from John 9:25 but there is nothing specific in Scripture stating that. There were some early traditions that did include it.

This is a very interesting series, bringing to life people and events we might just gloss over as we read the New Testament. I recommend it.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my reviews of the earlier books in the series: The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem, The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch, and The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus.

About the Author

Kurt Brouwer is a Christian and a member of a vibrant Christian church on the Big Island of Hawaii. So, in addition to all the usual temptations writers face, Kurt has to fight off the lure of beautiful beaches, pounding surf, great weather, and lush golf courses. Can you imagine?

About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the Apostle John. If you’ve ever been obsessed by anything, you’ll understand what happened. Kurt couldn’t stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each other. Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians.

Kurt took all of his research and knowledge, all the insights and details he had acquired and turned it into a series of Christian historical novels based on research and Biblical knowledge.

The first four books in the series are now available:

The Last Disciple: Crisis in JerusalemThe Last Disciple: Escape to AntiochThe Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus, and The Last Disciple: Gospel of John.

You can also read more on why he started the series at his website.

More from Kurt

About 10 years ago, I read a piece on BibleGateway.com estimating that the Gospel of John came out fifty years or more after the Crucifixion of Christ! I couldn’t stop wondering what John did all those years? Why did it take so long to write the fourth gospel? Was it the world’s longest case of writer’s block?

In this new book, The Last Disciple: Gospel of John, we witness John struggling to put down on papyrus the life-changing events he experienced as he walked with Jesus. We go back in time and watch Christ uttering the most beloved verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

While we all know this verse as John 3:16, John himself would not have understood this designation at all. It’s obvious to us that it refers to the book of John, chapter three, verse sixteen.

But, in the course of research for this series, I found out that chapter and verse did not exist in the first century. In fact, the first published Bible that used this format for both the Old Testament and the New Testament was the Geneva Bible published after 1500 AD.

As you can tell, I’m having fun writing these books. Each day I try to faithfully depict the lives of the first Christians and to show their love for Jesus and faith in the gospel message.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 18

Inspired by Fiction, July 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 19

Bizwings Book Blog, July 20

Artistic Nobody, July 21 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, July 21

She Lives to Read, July 22

Fiction Book Lover, July 23 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 25

Simple Harvest Reads, July 26 (Author Interview)

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, July 27

Guild Master, July 28 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, July 29

Mary Hake, July 30

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 31 (Author Interview)

Giveaway



To celebrate his tour, Kurt is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54252


I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Sons of Adamah by C M Genton Book Review

About the Book:


Compelling characters. Intricate world-building. Moral complexities.

Sons of Adamah by CM Genton is a gripping blend of sci-fi and apocalyptic adventure set in a future where survival hangs by a thread.

Is sacrifice the key to redemption?

Year 2131, the galactic colony on Andropida struggles under social conservatism and scientific experimentation designed to prevent humanity’s extinction.

Young John Macabee longs to follow in his father’s footsteps as a martial arts expert, and he embraces the values that prioritize survival. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is banished for his genetic anomaly and goes into exile on Earth.

On a perilous journey to find his brother, John navigates the socially liberal world starkly contrasting everything he’s ever known, uncovering a conspiracy threatening not only Earth but also his beloved Andropida.

My Review:


This novel got off to a bit of a rough start for me. I do wish there had been more world building at the very beginning, setting the stage for the adventure. I didn't know why they were in a crater, or even which star system they were in, for example, or why they were there at all. We do find out Andropida is a sort of life boat for earth. It is a time where there is gender fluidity. Human waste including bodies of those who have died, is used as fuel. One very human acting individual turns out to be a cyborg.

The main character, John, is sent back to earth, landing in Vancouver, B.C. The dystopian nature of the city is well described. There is a Christian element to the novel, mostly in the latter pages. Some scenes from the Book of Revelation are spoken. There is a character who believes in Elohim and that he promised to send One who would restore order. There is a reference to Jesus, though not by name, near the end, and a hymn is sung and some of the beatitudes recited.

Genton's writing style is descriptive. For example, John asks an unknown to identify himself. “His leaden words fell, but just before they hit the parquet floor, strong hands harvested them and carried them up, up, up.” (263) John then left the place. I have no idea what that scene means.

I found it hard to follow the narrative at times. I have to admit I don't think I really understood some of the novel. This is one for readers who like imaginative writing with thought provoking themes that might take concentration to understand.

My rating: 4/5 stars.


About the Author:


CM Genton grew up in a French-Catholic family, her mind fed by mystical books, Star Trek TV shows, and comic strips.

She never dreamed of being a writer. Instead, she lay awake at night wondering where the universe ended. "Then what?"

Her finely pitched obsessive compulsiveness enabled her Bachelor of fine arts and Master of the arts of theology. In seminary, she worked on a useful non-fiction book but got distracted. Laying awake at night, she wondered what the world would look like if social progressives got what they wanted. "Then what?" That called for fiction, and the Adamah series was born.

CM Genton lives in the southwest corner of Canada. She has no pictures of cute pets (or cuteness-challenged ones), tasteful decor, or holidays in Italy. She does however have pictures somewhere of her little sailboat (she gets seasick) and scrambler motorcycle with modified pipe.

La Grange-Presse, 365 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

The Case of the Body on the Orient Express by Kelly Oliver Book Review

About the Book:

 

Paris, 1928: Agatha Christie and fellow writer Dorothy L Sayers board the Orient Express, bound for Constantinople. Christie in particular is looking forward to a break from recent dispiriting events in both her work and private life – the finalisation of her divorce from her philanderous husband Archie, and the miserly reception of her latest book.

But before the duo can settle in to enjoy the luxuries of their first-class journey, their journey is derailed when a fellow guest drops dead during the dinner service. And as the last person to speak to the victim, Dorothy finds herself a prime suspect in his murder.

As the train hurtles East, Sayers’ resourceful assistant Eliza and her friend Theo must navigate a maze of suspects. But with each passing mile, the stakes rise, and when another body is discovered, their search to find the killer before they reach their destination becomes increasingly complicated.

Can Eliza and Theo stay one step ahead, crack the mystery and clear Dorothy’s name? Or will this be one journey too far for the amateur sleuths?

My Review:

This is the second in a series featuring real British mystery authors. This one revolves around Dorothy L Sayers and the embarrassment of an illegitimate son. Christie, Sayers, and Eliza travel to a writers conference on the famed railroad only to be faced with murders. I like Eliza. She is a good heroine with vigor and some serious defensive moves from her time as an agent. Theo is a worthy sidekick. Both characters are drawn well.

It is fun that these historical mysteries by Oliver are based on the actual Detection Club with members like Chesterton, Christie and Sayers. The factual basis for this novel is revealed in an Author's Note. I liked learning some about poisons. I am impressed Kelly arranged this adventure as the basis for one of Sayer's actual mysteries.

This is a fun historical cozy mystery. And it looks like the adventure is not over as Eliza and Theo are left with yet another mystery in MI5 to solve.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my review of the first book in this series, The Case of the Christie Conspiracy.


About the Author:

Kelly Oliver is the award-winning and bestselling author of three mystery series: the seven-book suspense series, The Jessica James Mysteries; the three-book middle grade kids’ series, Pet Detective Mysteries; and the four-book historical cozy series, The Fiona Figg Mysteries, inspired by those trips to the Green Hills Library.

Currently, Kelly is the Vice President of Sisters in Crime.

When she’s not writing novels, Kelly is emerita Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University.

Boldwood Books, 269 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Monday, July 14, 2025

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I Levine Blog Tour Book Review

 Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I Levine Banner

LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA

by Richard I Levine

July 14 - August 22, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I Levine

A story of undying love, forgiveness, and second chances...

When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and whom Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.

She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable...until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.

This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old friend: “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”

Praise for Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea:

"Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is a powerful, emotional rollercoaster that captures readers from the beginning and takes them on a journey of love, loss, and redemption. This may only be author Richard I. Levine’s second foray into the romance genre, but he has a remarkable talent for evoking story arcs and emotional dramas that will tug at readers’ heartstrings... I love discovering talented authors, and I will definitely be checking out more of this author’s work. This is a fantastic read and one I highly recommend."
~ Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-STARS!

"It isn’t easy to edit when you’re crying, let me tell you! But I’m not complaining! This was so beautiful and emotional. It really struck a deep chord in me. It’s an impressive book, and I truly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the opportunity (to have been your editor)"
~ Bryn Donovan

"Richard I. Levine’s Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is a romance that goes way beyond the usual stuff and really hits you right in the heart. Forget just another small-town love tale—this one dives deep into fate, sacrifice, and how first love sticks with you forever. Levine’s writing is so spot-on that San Juan Island feels alive; you can practically smell the salty ocean air and soak in that Pacific Northwest vibe."
~ Piaras, Amazon Review

"Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I. Levine is well-written and engaging right from the start. It's descriptive and pulls you in. It isn’t just a love story—it’s a contemplation on memory, time, and the resilience of the human heart."
~ V.E., Amazon Review

"Poignant, powerful, and tender. Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is more than a romance, it’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling. Mitch & Jessica will say with you long after the final page."
~ Tae Keller on X

My Review:

I enjoyed this touching novel. It is an engaging love story even if it is a bit predictable. It really emphasizes the theme of commitment in love. It is a good novel for readers who like one where the second chance romance develops easily. Behavior that might be an obstacle to romance is easily forgiven and accepted.

Another theme in the novel is PTSD, its expressions and the treatments, unique to each case. Additional issues include parental approval and sibling comparisons.

My favorite aspect of the novel is the setting, the uniqueness of an island in the Salish Sea. Be sure to have your tissues close at hand as you read this emotional romance.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Romance, Literary Fiction
Published by: Indie
Publication Date: June 1, 2025
Number of Pages: 396
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

1

Seattle, Autumn 2021

Mitch watched the I-5 traffic stream by like duty-bound ants marching in neat columns on their way to another conquest. He had wanted to open the window, covered with many months of dirt and grime, but it would have taken a half-dozen requisitions and just as many months before the maintenance department would have tended to it. He didn’t care about gaining a better view of the endless procession of late afternoon commuters; he was hoping to get a better view of the sun setting over the Olympic Mountains from the vantage point of the eleventh floor doctor’s office downtown.

Whether it was from an office building or from the decks of a ferry plying the waters of Puget Sound, it didn’t matter to him. Simply seeing the sun wash over the evergreens once again eased his anxiety faster than the strongest pharmaceutical he’d ever been prescribed. And over the course of the past few years, he’d been prescribed more pills for more reasons than he cared to count. But he wasn’t concerned about any of that now. He was focused on finally getting home.

At times, he questioned the life-altering choices he had made or the ghosts he had been avoiding for so long. At times, he even wondered why they had that much power over his better judgement, or if, in the end, he had avoided them at all.

It had been many years since he had last visited Seattle. The city seemed so foreign to him now. The places he enjoyed on his rare visits: a University District music store he had loved for their extensive inventory of compact discs, a Pioneer Square sports bar within walking distance of the football stadium, and a waterfront seafood restaurant he had listed among his favorite places, were all long gone. Except for the Space Needle, the skyline was not how he had remembered. A decade or more of gentrification that had given birth to a collection of glittering glass-on-steel architectural masterpieces, could only distantly hide the once-vibrant intersection of First Avenue and Pike Street. No longer decorated with flower baskets filled with a colorful bounty, or teaming with hungry buskers distracting eager tourists heading toward the Pike Place Market, this, as with other downtown boulevards once bursting with a vibrance representative of all the city had been known for, now seemed soulless. Empty paper coffee cups danced across the pavement like tumbleweeds, while lifeless eyes peered from wind-tattered tents that shared the sidewalks with empty storefronts and growing mounds of trash. Save for a recollection of a few clandestine excursions, Mitch no longer had any interest in this place. He wanted to conclude his business and be on his way back to a world that was also nothing more than a distant memory: a world filled with blackberry, apple, and pumpkin pies cooling on windowsills in the warmth of a late summer morning, the Memorial Day parades led by a high school band, the volunteer fire department, and a collection of potbellied members from the local VFW, and the potpourri of Fourth of July barbecues, sack races, and firework displays lighting up the skies over a Rockwell-esque Friday Harbor. It was a place he had wrapped around his insecurities as if it were a goose-down comforter used to keep warm during a snow-driven winter storm, and it was the place he had avoided. Maybe going back and facing the ghosts of his past would be more painful and life-threatening than the physical wounds and emotional scars he’d sustained during his multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet here he was, as if a few more tests and one more opinion might have produced the silver bullet that would have magically reversed every bad decision he made over the past twenty years during a self-inflicted exile.

For the tenth time in as many minutes, he glanced at his watch, then up at the wall clock for confirmation. He’s late again, he thought before becoming aware of the clock’s relentless ticking and noticing the long shadows cast upon the opposite wall. To him, those shadows resembled a life slipping away—a life he felt no more able to grasp and hold on to no more than he could grab and hold on to any one of those shadows—and it abruptly reminded him of one of the last times he saw Alex.

* * *

Iraq 2004

“Is that who I think it is?”

Mitch reflexively cringed then turned toward the sound of the familiar voice. “Alex! I mean, Captain,” he quickly corrected himself, in front of the squad of men in his charge.

“Holy cow, Mitch, what the hell! What brings you to Baghdad?”

“Besides an all-expense paid luxury vacation, courtesy of Uncle Sam?” He forced a smile, then dismissed his men before continuing. “My unit was moved over here in oh-three from Afghanistan…for the invasion. We’ve been doing a lot of probing for, you know,” he lowered his voice, “retaking Fallujah. I don’t suppose you have anything to do with planning that, sir?”

Alex surveyed his immediate surroundings before responding. “No one’s within earshot now. Even if they were, you can drop the captain and the sir nonsense.”

“I’ll take that as a yes…sir.”

“C’mon, Mitch, let’s not do this here.”

“Fair enough, Alex. You were saying.”

“I pulled a few strings to get some of the best recon units for a little fun I’ve got planned before we launch the main operation. And yes,” he winked and attempted a little levity, “I even asked for you.”

“Very funny. Let it be known that even over here, you’re trying to get me to do your heavy lifting. When are you ever gonna admit that if it wasn’t for my size, speed, and blocking ability, you would’ve never scored all those touchdowns in high school?”

“That was you?” He smirked. “I did pretty well in college without you by the way.”

“Yes, I’ve heard…constantly. No offers from the pros, huh?”

“I had more important business to attend to.” Alex patted his sidearm.

“Yes, I’m well aware of that too.”

“What, you think you’re the only patriot?”

“So, that’s what you call it!”

“Mitch, please. There’s a lot you need to know. There’s a lot we really need to discuss. Not here, though. This isn’t the time or the place.”

“I’ll give you that. So, moving right along, when did you get here?”

“I’ve been in country for about two months now.”

Mitch smiled. “That’s hardly enough time to get your utilities dirty.”

Alex ignored the dig. “Truth be told, it seems like I’ve been here forever. Anyway, I’ve been here long enough to have that kid over there waiting to do errands for me every day.” He laughed and pointed to a ten-year-old Iraqi boy waiting nervously at his tent. “Showed up one day outta nowhere and now he’s like my shadow. You’ve been up to your neck in this for how long now?”

“Since summer of oh-two. Afghanistan and now here. So, who is this kid, like your food taster or your house boy?” He studied the child with suspicion.

“Food taster?” Alex laughed. “He cleans up the tent, does my laundry…provides a little intel now and then. I pay him in MREs, which I’m sure he sells on the black market.”

“Smart little guy. Just don’t eat anything he brings you,” Mitch warned. “I don’t trust the locals.”

“You don’t trust anyone, especially me.”

“Well, it’s not as if you didn’t earn it.”

“I guess in your mind, at least until we have a chance to talk, I deserve that.”

“You do, but I’m serious about not trusting the locals, Alex. You never know who’s an insurgent or who’s been compromised.”

“Don’t worry, I checked him out. He’s a good kid.”

“Famous last words. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Well, anyway, you’re an intelligence officer, so I guess you know what you’re doing. After all, you made it through ROTC and all that other fancy training with your boyish good looks intact. I’ll bet the folks back home are proud of you as you rise through the ranks like a rocket.”

“Jealous?”

“Not one bit.” Mitch said defensively.

“Keep this to yourself…the real damage is on the inside.” Alex pointed to his head.

“I had heard that about you intel officers.”

“And look at you! Three stripes! That didn’t take you as long as I thought it would, Marine. At the rate you’re going—”

“Not me, brother. Except for burn-pit duty and having to get all those booster shots, I was happy just being a grunt. Only now I’ve got responsibilities like leading a squad on patrols. And on top of everything, I’ve got these guys who are just a couple years younger than us calling me ‘Pops,’ of all things.”

“Burn-pit duty, huh? I didn’t know they gave out Purple Hearts for sucking down toxic smoke. Does that stuff really get you stoned?”

“I almost wish it did. Sometimes that stuff made me puke up my guts like there was no tomorrow. I should’ve gotten those medals for that instead of playing dodgeball with bullets.”

“Yeah, I’m told everybody heard about that…front page of the paper back home.”

“Didn’t mean to steal your thunder.”

Again, Alex ignored the dig. “Next time you should duck and dodge a little faster.”

“Honestly, it was nothing. A couple grazed me, is all. Here...” He pointed. “Here, and over here. It’s no big deal. Anyway, how’d you hear about it?”

“It was in Jess’s last letter. She included the article. I hear you two have been corresponding.” Alex said, then looked for a reaction from Mitch. There was none.

“She wrote once. It was the first time I had heard from her since…anyway, she didn’t have much to say other than you were on your way over here. She asked if I could keep an eye out for you. It was only right that I respond. I told her I would. Nothing more.”

“That’s all anyone could expect.”

“Uh huh…by the way, how’s your little boy? Mateo, isn’t it? He must be getting big.”

“Like I said, we’ll talk…anyway, Mitch, I had already read up on your exploits.”

“You’ve been reviewing my personnel file? If I didn’t know any better, Alex, I’d say you really do have something planned and you’re gonna want me to carry it out for you.”

* * *

Doctor Lenkovich’s Office
The Present

“Did you hear me, Mitch? Mitch? Master Gunnery Sergeant Brody?”

Startled, Mitch hadn’t heard the doctor enter the room. “Sorry, doc, it’s been a long day…it’s been a long week.”

“Not a problem.” The doctor took a seat. “When I came in, you were talking to yourself. Can I ask what you were thinking about?”

“Nothing really…actually, that’s not true. I was thinking about everything you guys put me through the past couple months. Not just you or this place, but you know, all the tests, the paperwork, going through the process. I was thinking about getting out of here and finally getting back home.”

“How long has it been?”

“Far too long. I would’ve been there several weeks ago if I hadn’t been detoured to Bethesda and then Pendleton before ending up here.”

“You do know it was a suggestion to come here, right? A strong suggestion, perhaps, but it wasn’t an order. After all, your retirement came through and you were discharged. Don’t forget, you’re a civilian now, and I think it’s important for you to get established with a doc. It just makes sense, considering.”

“I know. Everybody here keeps reminding me. Did I tell you it wasn’t my choice to retire?”

“No, you didn’t. Was separating hard for you?” the doctor asked.

“Nah. I’ve had more than my share. It was time…I’m just trying to get used to it…” Mitch trailed off as the wall shadows once again stole his thoughts.

“Anyway,” Doctor Lenkovich said, “it’s just the corps’ way of taking care of one of its highly decorated heroes.”

“By forcing me out?” He snapped back as the flip of a light switch washed away the distraction. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…anyway, I don’t think of myself as a hero.”

“Forcing you out? Come on, it’s a medical discharge. What choice did they have? Anyway, you’ll be happy to know they finally sent the rest of your medical records. You’d think that after all these years I’d be used to the red tape and inefficiency that’s inherent…I’m rambling, sorry. All those tests we ended up duplicating since you arrived here…let’s just say, in case there was any doubt…well, let’s just think of the whole thing as one more confirmation. Which is what you wanted, and what you rightfully deserved. I hope the past week with us hadn’t been an inconvenience.”

“An inconvenience?” He chuckled. “From being constantly poked and prodded, or having the unwanted attention because I’m some highly decorated…?”

“Both. Are you saying you didn’t want all that special attention?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated the above-and-beyond from you and the staff. Even got a couple of names and numbers of some very nice nurses. Even so, I’ve never been one for medals, parades, accolades, etcetera. No, not me. That was Alex’s thing. In all honesty, I hate the attention. It’s embarrassing and it makes me uncomfortable. Especially when so many others here don’t get half of what they deserve.”

Their eyes locked in an uncomfortable moment of silence.

“Luckily for you,” Doctor Lenkovich continued while jotting Alex’s name in Mitch’s chart, “there may be one more parade and then you can pack the uniforms, the medals, and hopefully the bad memories, and put them all into mothballs.”

“What?” Mitch looked confused.

“Mothballs…I guess people don’t use those anymore.”

“I know what mothballs are. What parade?” Mitch asked. “Whaddya talking about?”

“Didn’t anyone from your hometown contact you?”

“I didn’t tell anybody I was coming…well, that’s not totally true. I left a voicemail for one guy to meet me, but he knows not to say anything to anyone. So, I’m in the dark here, Doc.”

“Hold on a sec.” He skimmed through Mitch’s file. “Where’s that note? Here it is. Someone from the San Juan Island VFW post contacted the Pendleton base commander right after the news ran a story on you.”

“Recently?”

“Several weeks back. They mentioned that you were coming home and that you were being considered for the Congressional Medal. Is that true?”

“It’s news to me.”

“Anyway, they want to throw you a homecoming parade…wanted to do it the day you got back there. So, I guess that’s why this guy wanted a heads up on an exact day. I’ve got a number right here. Do you want to call them?”

“No…no, I can’t.” He shook his head. “And they can’t do anything if they don’t know when I’m coming. They don’t know I’m coming, right? You didn’t call them?”

“Why would I? It’s not my responsibility. Although if you ask me, a welcome home like that might be good for you.”

“It’s been a long twenty years, Doc, and I’m tired in more ways than one. I don’t want the attention. And before you ask, I don’t wanna talk about why, and I don’t wanna talk to the shrink about it. I’ve talked to enough shrinks. Hell, I don’t even wanna think about it.”

“Understood.” He continued to flip through the chart, stopping to review one page. “Mitch, if I may…I’m still curious. I suspect you weren’t thinking about home just now when I walked in because I overheard some of what you were saying. The duty nurse told me you had another restless night. You were talking in your sleep again. What were you really thinking about? If not home, then what? Who? Your friend?”

“My friend?”

“Alex? You’ve mentioned him a number of times.”

“Who, Alex? My friend? He wasn’t my…no, I wasn’t thinking about him.” Remembering the shadows, Mitch stared back at the wall. “Why?”

“Because I’m told you’ve had conversations with him, with this ‘Alex,’ when you’re alone, and you’ve yelled out his name in your sleep more than a few times, and…and I’m told one night it was as if you were trying to warn him about something. Mitch, I heard you mumble his name just now when I walked into the room. It’s okay to admit you were thinking about him.”

“Just as long as I don’t think he’s sitting right here?” Mitch winked and smiled at the empty chair next to him to see the doctor’s reaction.

“I did see that in your file too. It says here you’ve been told PTSD manifests in many ways. I do know from experience with other patients, any deep-seated guilt over the death of a friend can make a person believe the deceased continues to hang around. So, tell me,” the doctor looked up from the file, “has that been happening? Are you seeing him? Talking to him? You can tell me.”

“I was only joking, Doc…no, it hasn’t happened, and it never did happen, and it’s not happening now, so, I don’t know what the duty nurse thought she heard. And for the record, I was joking with the doc at Bethesda too. That was my mistake. She was one of those uptight types. I was only trying to give her a rise, lighten the mood. I can’t believe she put that in my chart.”

“A couple of times. I wouldn’t worry about it, though. If you say it didn’t happen—”

“It didn’t!”

“I’ll make a note of that. Okay, moving right along...”

“Yes, let’s. About those last few tests…you said there’s nothing new to report, right?” Mitch asked.

“Do you have anything new to report to me? Headaches the same?”

“No better, no worse.”

“Any more episodes of nausea?”

“Just the one time this past week. I think it was from the sausages. They smelled a little funny, now that I think of it. I actually thought I saw one move. Other than that, the food here is pretty decent.”

“You’re joking, of course, yes?” Lenkovich asked

“About it being pretty decent?”

“Moving on…any confusion? Memory loss?”

“No confusion. However, I do have some memories I’d like to get rid of.”

“Any visual disturbances, slurring of speech, issues with balance or muscle weakness?”

“No, no, no, and no.” Mitch said.

“Okay, then. The latest tests show everything’s the same: the blood work, the scans, your sense of humor, no changes…for now, anyway. However, if you start to notice anything different, like if you actually become funny, you let me know.”

“So…then…we’re all good, right? We’re all done then.”

“Mitch, we could do more here, you know? The rate that this thing…it’s unpredictable. There’s a procedure we can do, it’s relatively new and—”

“I know, Doc, you’ve told me already. I’m not interested, sorry.”

“Look, I can arrange—”

“Thanks, but I think we’re all done here. Trust me, I’ll continue to take all my meds as directed, I’ll call when I need refills. I’ll call you if anything changes, I promise.”

“In that case, please do me a favor? After you get home, after you get unpacked and settled in, had some time to yourself, looked up old friends, I’d like to have you come back here in a couple months and—”

He shook his head. “Not gonna happen. I’m really not interested.”

“Listen Mitch—”

“Please, Doc, I’m finished listening. It’s nothing against you. You’ve actually been the most understanding, the easiest person to work with. I just don’t wanna do any more...I can’t do any more. All my years in the Corps I’ve had people telling me how to live my life, when to get out of bed, when to eat, who and how many to kill, I’m finished with all of it. I’ve got a small farm and a small hardware store waiting for me up on San Juan Island. For far too long now, I’ve been…I’ve been dreaming about waking up to a rooster’s cry, frying up bacon and some fresh-laid eggs in a cast iron skillet for breakfast, and topping off my coffee with warm milk straight from the teat before heading in to town to help some poor do-it-yourselfer find an odd sized doohickey for his hot water heater; all the things I detested growing up, which I’ve been missing for more days than I can count. I wanna get my hair cut at Freddie’s barbershop on Spring Street, where old men in suspenders still read newspapers, smoke cigars, and solve the world’s problems over a game of checkers.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“Wanna know what’s really wonderful? Sitting by the big stone fireplace in Jentzen’s Café on a winter afternoon, drinking Irish coffee with a hunk of hot beer bread slathered in strawberry jam. And all the while, breathing in the heavy scent of fresh cut spruce and fir draped all across the windows as snow flurries dust the sidewalks and people rush by to get their Christmas packages to the post office before closing time. Now, that’s wonderful.”

“It sounds like a wonderful life in Bedford Falls.” Doctor Lenkovich quipped in his best George Bailey imitation.

“What?”

“Bedford Falls? It’s a Wonderful Life? The movie…never mind. It sounds like a wonderful life, Mitch, and I can see I’ll have a hard time convincing you to come back here for any follow-ups.”

“I was away for a long time, a lifetime, and now time is my enemy. So, once I set foot off that ferry I am not coming back to Seattle.”

***

Excerpt from Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I Levine. Copyright 2025 by Richard I Levine. Reproduced with permission from Richard I Levine. All rights reserved.

 

Author Bio:

Richard I Levine

Richard I Levine is a native New Yorker raised in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. After dabbling in several occupations and a one-year coast-to-coast wanderlust trip, This one-time auxiliary police officer, volunteer fireman, bartender, and store manager returned to school to become a chiropractor. A twenty-five-year cancer survivor, he’s a strong advocate for the natural healing arts.

In 2006 he wrote, produced, and was on-air personality of The Dr. Rich Levine Show on Seattle’s KKNW 1150AM and after a twenty-five-year chiropractic practice in Bellevue, Washington, he closed up shop at the end of 2016 and moved to Oahu to pursue a dream of acting and being on Hawaii 5-O.

While briefly working as a ghostwriter/community liaison for a Honolulu City Councilmember, a Hawaii State Senator, and volunteering as an advisory board member of USVETS Barbers Point, he appeared as a background actor in over twenty-seven 5-Os, Magnum P.I.s, NCIS-Hawaii, and several Hallmark movies. In 2020, he had a co-star role in the third season episode of Magnum PI called “Easy Money.”

While he no longer lives in Hawaii, he says he will always cherish and be grateful for those seven years and all the wonderful people he’s met. His 5th novel, To Catch the Setting Sun, was inspired by his time in Hawaii. Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Levine’s first foray into the romance genre.

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