“A taut, crisp debut achievement that colorfully evokes the Pacific theater of WWII. Start this one forewarned: it’s a stay-up-all-night read.”-Jerry B. Jenkins–21-time New York Times bestselling author (Left Behind, et al)A Prostitute Seeks Her Revenge–In 1942, Miyako Matsuura cradled her little brother as he died on the sidewalk, a victim of the first U.S. bombing raid on Japan. By 1948, the … bombing raid on Japan. By 1948, the war has reduced her to a street-hardened prostitute consumed by her shame.
A WWII Hero Finds His True Mission–Dave Delham makes military aviation history piloting a B-25 in the audacious Doolittle Raid. Forced to bail out over occupied China, he and his crew are captured by the Japanese and survive a harrowing P.O.W. ordeal. In 1948, he returns to Japan as a Christian missionary, determined to showcase Christ’s forgiveness.
Convinced that Delham was responsible for the bomb that snuffed out her brother’s life, Miyako resolves to restore her honor by avenging him–even if it costs her own life. But the huntress soon becomes hunted in Osaka’s treacherous underworld. Miyako must outmaneuver a ruthless brothel owner, outwit gangs with competing plans to profit by her, and overcome betrayal by family and friends–only to confront a decision that will change everything.
“The Plum Blooms in Winter is a must read…. As the nephew of Lt. Robert Meder (a real Doolittle Raider), I witnessed firsthand the effects World War II caused on his parents, my grandparents, and his only sibling, my mother. This story takes readers on a journey into both sides, through the eyes of an American Doolittle Raider and a Japanese civilian woman. Many lose after a war is over, even those on the winning side.”
“This is a grand, ambitious story set during World War II… It’s a story of impossible choices that lead to terrible regret. It’s a story of captivity and freedom, of honor and culture, of revenge and forgiveness. The setting is unique, the peek into Japanese culture is fascinating, and the message of grace is timeless. Linda Thompson is destined to become one of the greats in Christian fiction.”
“Pearl Habor is a household name, but what came next? The Plum Blooms in Winter shines light on American heroes of the Doolittle Raid and post-war life in Japan. Even if you’ve been an avid World War Two reader, this unique story is sure to capture your heart and mind, as you follow the journey of two characters on opposite sides of the world (and of the war).”
“Linda Thompson has become one of my favorite new authors! World War Two can be too huge to contemplate, but peering into the hearts of two people living through that war brings it home with heartbreak and redemption. I look forward to following these people in their next adventure.”
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What an incredible book! I am looking forward to the second one in this series. We meet Dave Delham, a pilot, one of the Doolittle raiders. Miyako, a young Japanese girl, loses her mother and little brother in the raid on Osaka. Her story is one of honor, culture and revenge. Dave becomes a prisoner of war and is held for 1219 days under conditions most of us would not survive. Miyako enters the world of prostitution in order to care for her aging father and herself. This is a story of captivity that ends in freedom most unexpected. Is it possible that there will be forgiveness for both?
I received this ARC from the publisher with no review expected. All impressions and opinions are my own.
Great to read a novel that is set in Asia. This is a well-written book but not easy to read as it is about the realities of the Japanese part of WW2.
Love the titles in this series.
What a heart-rending story, from beginning to end. It’s a historical novel based on “Doolittle’s lost crews” after the 1942 raid on Japan. Chapters shift back and fourth, between what happened to surviving crew members as POWs of the Japanese, and a young Japanese woman thrown into prostitution to try to earn enough money to avenge a brother’s death from a bomb from one of the planes. Chapter after chapter, the reader experiences the horror they both go through. The surviving pilot eventually returns to Japan to share Christ’s love and forgiveness, but she’d vowed to kill him while he was there.
The Author Note explains how much of her story is history, including footnotes. It also includes pithy Discussion Questions.
Amazing debut novel, riveting story! I found myself turning pages late into the night and read this book in record time. Author Linda Tompson has done her homework. Her research and story-telling talents give us an amazing story and a vivid picture of the awful reality of war and it’s aftermath. We encounter two separate characters each being in some type of prison and their long and harrowing journey as they endure unimaginable pain and suffering and question everything they know. Timeless story of war, pain, forgiveness, and hope.
Favorite quote: “The poet said it best, perhaps. The plum is not the showiest of flowers, but when you see it’s red blossom against the winter snow, you won’t soon forget it. Beauty that thrives in adversity is of inestimable value, Matsuura-san. Always remember that.” I highly recommend The Plum Blooms in Winter.
This story renders a greater perspective on a turning point in World War II and the aftermath of that event. Though I was’t sure when I read that the character roster included a prostitute and a prisoner of war, the story that bound the two kept me riveted to my seat. Great read.
This was such a great read I was very impressed with this book and The Author done a great job on this book! You wont be disappointed in this great read! So if you haven’t read and you like reads like this you should read this book!
A hard-hitting tale of war and peace
Thinking back on this book, my eyes are filling with tears again. Painful tears because the story is not pretty. It highlights a terrible time in history and a culture that believed might makes right and that honor matters more than anything else. And yet happy tears because it is the story of redemption highlighting the mercy and grace that come only from God.
Using time-slip to connect the events during the war and the time thereafter, the author seamlessly and naturally wove the narrative around the lives of two very different people, the American flyer who dropped bombs that destroyed Japanese lives and the young woman turned prostitute seeking her family’s honor through revenge.
Reading this story ripped my heart into pieces. Yet, despite its dark nature, there were glimmers of hope. And it was so compelling and beautifully written I was drawn forward, needing to see how it worked out.
I confess that I almost quit part-way through. It was just so much. Experiencing the pain and privation of the prisoner of war. Reading of the abuse and shame and pain of a young woman forced into a despicable profession that she couldn’t let her father know about. Seeing her overwhelming need for avenging the deaths of so many in her family. Desperately seeking honor against seemingly insurmountable odds.
It hurt. Yet I am so glad I finished. The hope and redemption that shone through made it all worthwhile. While Dave’s story was not unexpected, Miyako’s story was so full of twists and turns and surprises I never knew what to expect or even what to hope for her.
I plan on reading the next book in the series, realizing even now that it, too, will probably affect me like this. While the ending was enough, it hinted at much more to come and I am anxiously awaiting its release already.
I am amazed that this masterpiece was written by a debut author. Keep your eyes on her – if the books that follow are anything like this one, she is going to be winning all kinds of awards!
If you are looking for a light, easy read, keep looking – this is not it. But if you are looking for a story that has substance, one that will challenge you, look no further. Be prepared to read it the entire way through, though – you will not want to put it down.
In case you didn’t pick up on this from the book description or the review, I’ll just put a quick warning here. This story is not for young teenagers. It is incredibly heavy subject matter. Torture, prostitution, and the horrors of a nation recovering from war. While it is handled delicately and tactfully, it is a major part of the story and the author did not attempt to disguise or whitewash it.
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I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
The Plum Blooms in Winter is a wonderful book!! The author, Linda Thompson is an excellent writer. She did copious amounts of research to bring this true story to life! This book is based on Dave Delham’s life. Dave became a pilot during WWII and flew in the famous Doolittle Raid over Japan. Ultimately Dave and his crew were taken captive and spent almost 4 years in a Japanese POW camp. They endured horrible conditions of starvation, degradation, abuse, torture and ridicule. They lived in constant fear, along with boredom, and longed to survive and make it home to their families. They turned to God for comfort and found strength in Him to live through this.
Meanwhile, Miyako is heartbroken over the loss of her family members and the destruction of her beautiful, beloved country. She, once of honorable birth, is now reduced to working the streets to keep herself fed and care for her ailing father. Her life is torn apart. What drives her and keeps her going is her ferocious desire to avenge the deaths of her brothers. Miyako is determined to find the man responsible for taking her family away and ruining her life. As she plans her revenge she goes through hell due to various unsavory people. I don’t want to say too much and ruin the story for fellow readers. You’ve just gotta read it!!
This book has it all. From one emotion to the next, from one character to the next, I was drawn in and compelled to continue reading to discover the outcome. I hated to put it down and wanted to keep reading until I finished it, yet at the same time it was so good, I didn’t want it to end. I was so impressed by the author’s ability to place me right in the center of the story, feeling it all. You’ll find love, heartbreak and hatred, compassion and cynicism, devotion and devastation, you’ll find the strong will in mankind to fight to live when it seems impossible to do so, you’ll find the power of God to help enemies forgive and understand one another. The ending will surprise you and you’ll be happy you read this wonderful book.
I was given a copy of this to read by the publisher with nothing asked of me in return. It is my desire to write a positive review because I loved this book and I’d gladly buy it and read it again! I can’t wait for the sequel to come out!
pamarellarae
Crafted around a significant event in WWII, this fictional work tells the story of lives torn apart by the war. Human pride, despair, revenge, fear, faith, hope, redemption, forgiveness, and love are brilliantly shown in this story that will leave you wanting more with each page.
I received a complimentary publisher’s copy with no obligation to review. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Plum Blooms In Winter, by Linda Thompson, is a compelling story of love, honor and redemption set against the historical backdrops of both a World War II prison camp as well as in Japan, post-atomic bomb.
Thompson proves she’s a master at all the elements that create a satisfying and soul-cleansing novel—character development, setting and story telling—completely immersing the reader in the lives of both main characters. The reader has little choice but to feel deep empathy for both Dave and Miyako, sworn enemies who have many deep-rooted and gut-wrenching reasons to hate the other. The stark, raw details carry the readers on an unforgettable journey, guiding us through not one but two journeys of despair, hope and forgiveness. The Plum Blooms In Winter is a remarkable and truly outstanding break out novel for Linda Thompson. One of the best in its genre and a brilliant addition to everyone’s library.
Very intense story full of deep emotions and heartache. Although a fictional story, the details are brought to life as if all the characters are real life depictions. While reading, I could imagine the sadness and turmoil in each life. There is a message of salvation and faith that brings hope. Bring the tissues. I received a complimentary copy of this story. This is my own personal honest opinion. No review was required.
4.5/5 Stars
In The Plum Blooms in Winter, Linda Thompson portrays two human hearts rising out of the ashes of war. Prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Dave Delham dreamed of flying and returning home to America as a hero. Halfway around the world, 14-year-old Miyako Matsuura was a young student and the daughter of a notable family. A sense of noble destiny “sang through her blood” and her family’s honor was foremost in her thoughts. Their worlds and priorities would be upended on April 18th, 1942 when Delham and the crew of the Pensacola Payback B-25 unleashed its payload of bombs on Osaka, Japan and then ditched in Japanese occupied China.
As an American, veteran, and military spouse I was initially drawn in by my deference to those who wear the uniform. I love the patriotic spirit of the story and the bravery shown by the servicemen while in captivity, but I also cringed at the actions of some after the war concluded. Through Matsuura and her family, readers begin to understand the weight Japanese culture places on honor. I enjoyed the balance between sides, the author’s crisp pacing, and the gradual unveiling of the gospel message. Edgy, yet edifying, Thompson’s debut is sure to leave its mark on you.
Some may be apprehensive about the subject matter of this story. If so, let me try to assuage your fears… For much of the book, Delham is a prisoner of war. He endures torture at the hand of his Japanese captors, with prisoner conditions echoing those chronicled in non-fiction history books. The author treads carefully with Matsuura’s profession, giving it an air of authenticity without crossing the line into sensuality or salaciousness. Furthermore, these scenes demonstrate each character’s depravity and that of their fellow man. By no means do I think Thompson has stepped beyond the bounds of what could be labeled Christian fiction. To the contrary, it was apparent to me she took great pains to be sensitive to her audience while delivering a powerful story of forgiveness and redemption.
The Plum Blooms in Winter highlighted for me the true battlefield for man—our hearts and minds. If you have time to squeeze in one more book before the New Year, let it be this one. If not, then you definitely need to add it to your list of books to read in 2019.
This book is wonderful!!
The author is an excellent writer!!
She captures your attention immediately and holds you throughout the book! I didn’t want to stop reading! It is based on a true story. Without giving much away, I will say the book is written in two time frames, during WWII and post WWII. One of America’s bombers is downed in Japan and its crew taken prisoner. This is based on the life of one of the men from the famous, “Doolittle Raid”. Part of a young woman’s family is destroyed in this raid and she desires to seek revenge against the man she blames for doing this. She suffers great abuse, heartbreak and trauma as she begins her search for this man. This book has much pain, sorrow and despair as you can imagine from the war years, yet there is also love, compassion and forgiveness in this story. It’s beautifully written and opens your eyes to both POW sufferings and life on the streets of post war Japan. Linda Thompson has done her research well. I can’t wait for her next book to come out; a sequel to this great book!!
I was given an early reading of this book by the publisher with nothing asked in return. I’m happy to give my opinion of this wonderful book!!
I love this cover of The Plum Blooms in Winter by Linda Thompson. It shows the beauty juxtaposed with the danger and horror of life during WWII in Japan. I just finished reading this book and LOVED it! Although there are some disturbing themes, they are very true to life in Japan during this time period. And they tell a story of forgiveness and redemption for both of the main characters–Matsurra Miyako lives a charmed life until the bombing of Japan. Then every thing turns sour for her, especially her bitter and fearful heart, until she is finally released from custody to her brother who tells her of the Christ.US Pilot Dave Delham helped dropped some of the first bombs on Japan before being captured and held in terrible conditions in a POW camp in Japan for over three years, so he also has much anger and unforgiveness in his heart until God touches him in that very place.I hope you will order a copy of this book to find out all the details and let your heart be touched also by how God can work miracles even in the worst of situations. Highly recommend! And I can’t wait for the next one in this series!
The Plum Blooms in Winter excels at bringing history to life. This fiction-based-on-fact drama is a gold mine for historical fiction lovers. Linda Thompson carefully weaves details from the WWII Pacific Campaign and from post-WWII Japan into an unforgettable story of the power of forgiveness. Through the use of carefully crafted description, the reader is transported to faraway places—inside a B-25 bomber, in China, and in Japan. Internal character conflict, external forces, and unexpected twists evoke strong emotions in the reader. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher but was not obligated to write a review. The comments are totally my opinion. –Cindy Stewart
This is a very well written historical fiction book!
The two time periods are early biblical and present. They are presented in two seemingly separate storylines. The chapters for the two periods are alternating. Part way through the book a third time period is introduced as memories of one of the present day characters.
The characters are incredibly well developed. Many of them I connected with emotionally. Most of them I wanted to just hug and help them get through the problems they were faced with. One of them I really wanted to either slap silly or shake as hard as I could to get some sense into his head.
The present day storyline was an intricate mystery. I was truly confused by all of the information that came to us in tiny bits and pieces. I was enthralled and needed to find out the culprit and the motivation for the crime.
I did find the shortness of the chapters a bit frustrating. This feeling was increased by the fact that we switched back and forth between the time periods so often that I couldn’t get really sucked into either one completely. This is the reason that I have decided to give this book only 4 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
What an emotional, heart tugging, eye opening and amazing story! This blew me away with the beautiful writing that sucks you in and makes you cry for fictional characters. The characters have real flaws and emotions that make them feel so real. This was based on the Doolittle Raid event and historical happenings. It breaks my heart that someone went through all this, but God took it and turned it for His good. I know many don’t realize how gritty and real war is and of the real people on the other side. This tells both sides of lives that are changed by war and all that encompasses. A beautiful tapestry of words that forms a bookshelf keeper!
Once in a generation of books does an author accomplish what Linda Thompson did in The Plum Blooms in Winter. The road we ride with Miyako from utter rage and betrayal to forgiveness, redemption, and conversion is fresh and well done. But this book can’t be boxed in just one genre. If Christian lit is not your bag, read it for the historical fiction. Thompson’s research on the era—WWII and post- WWII Japan is impeccable. Her description of Japan in the late ’40s is a punch to the gut with images and smells and devastation that you feel rather than read. Not into history? Buckle your seat belt for the powerful suspense, killer twists and turns delivered in every chapter. Are you looking for a good read, full of well-written prose, every word in its place, not one word wasted? Linda Thompson delivers. This is the kind of book that even if you know historically what happens, you keep reading anyway. Linda Thompson’s command of writing, as well as her intimate knowledge of her subject matter, make that work for us. That is challenging for seasoned authors, and Thompson’s prose makes it look easy. Lastly, and most important for me, is the redemption in the book. The author creates a character from the “enemy camp” and brings her story, her desires, her goals to life, so we, the reader are actually rooting for her. Then, at the end of the novel, to experience the redemption, forgiveness, and grace through the characters is life changing. Rare is the story that comes along that challenges us in our own small lives. Linda Thompson brings it home with this one.
This book had me at chapter 2! The author stays true to the sadness of war and doesn’t sugar coat it through a syrupy romance. Instead, does a great job developing the characters and storyline into a well-researched, believable plot that offers healing. The genre isn’t what I usually read but the story and historical details more than made up for it. Worth reading. Anyone interested in history, WWII, experiencing new cultures would enjoy this.
A Plum Blooms In Winter by Linda Thompson is an extraordinary novel that deals with very hard subjects.
It is wonderfully written and well worth picking up.
Dave Denham is a pilot, one of Doolittle’s Raiders, who finds himself a Prisoner of War in Japan.
Miyako has lost almost everything to war: her mother, her two brothers and her self-respect. She is forced into prostitution in order to keep her ailing father in medicine and the two of them in food. She keeps that fact from her father as she seeks to avenge the family honor by plotting against the Americans who took her family from her.
Linda Thompson writes with a realism that this kind of information demands. She doesn’t sugarcoat the circumstances that history has shown us. But she tells the tale with compassion. She shows us that sometimes you have to reach rock bottom before you can look up and see Salvation through Christ.
The story is beautifully written. It is wonderful to me that it is based on a true happening, as explained in the afterward. I applaud the author’s decision to bring these people to life in such a poignant way.
If you are looking for fiction based in fact and you want to be challenged and changed, then this is the book for you.
*I received this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.*