From “Joyce R.” <As our 50th HS reunion approached, we connected on Facebook>
To Tim@Bentari.com

Hi Tim, I had seen references to Bentari on Facebook, but I did not connect it till just this last week when I saw that you were the author! So I ordered your book immediately. I love good writing, and my first thought when I started reading was:  Clear and pure.  I just love the first paragraph and so many phrases in chapter one, such as: "The calm settles like coincidence....," "The hushed forest on a sultry morning had beguiled...," "...the silence and the smells and the beauty of that calm moment filled his soul.... [He was] a part of the puzzling creation—a piece with a perfect fit." I was hooked long before the shots rang out.

Later the narrator Max Farleigh introduced himself, and he said, "My arm stayed in Norway along with my peace of mind." I felt like I knew him and understood what he went through in the war. Every sentence is so full and descriptive. It is all so good! And as with all good books, you forget who the author is because you are lost in the story!

It's a very exciting book, Tim! And the amount of detail is fascinating. You did the homework, a lot of research, obviously. The themes are dark: the invasion, the war, plundering, greed and the Belgian colonial occupation. Yet somehow you have made it all bearable by your focus on a little boy and his people, especially on his family. The ones who count. They pull him through. And the little guy doesn’t let them down when they need him. Fantastic. His memory whispered the way. His path was guided by his dream. His vision became a rock.

Your ending! What a finish! I have to say, reading your story was a pleasure. I hated for it to end. You have told me there is more coming. All I have to say is, “Thank, God.” And I will be following your blog. (Love your tribute to Deb in the book’s Acknowledgments!)

* * * * * * * * Thank You, Joyce! Your support is motivating! * * * * * * * *

Chapter 1 of Bentari is available for free in three entries posted on Oct. 5, 2013. Please enjoy the complete chapter (“The Calm”) by scrolling down or by following the links in the notes below.[1]

Or—Buy Bentari and Fly! Bentari is also available at Amazon.com and on Kindle. E-mails are most welcome at: Tim@Bentari.com.

Photo: With two important Bentari believers—my wife Debra who was my first and favorite reader (on my left), and our most recent reader and rave reviewer Joyce. We all attended Washington High School in Portland.


[1] Ch. 1, in three blog entries at: http://www.bentari.com/Blog/Entry.aspx?pid=276&bid=51&beid=947 (part I)- http://www.bentari.com/Blog/Entry.aspx?pid=276&bid=51&beid=946 – (part II) http://www.bentari.com/Blog/Entry.aspx?pid=276&bid=51&beid=945 – (part III, end Ch. 1)