There seems to be a resurgence of novels about World War II. Some romanticize the era, some tell of the struggles and angst and sorrow of this time in our history, and I have just read a novel about the intrigue and intricacies of the spy networks.
“Orchids of War” by Denise Frisino tells the story of a Japanese spy ring that operated along the West Coast from Canada to Mexico. This historical fiction book reveals the untold story of how the U.S. was able to read the Japanese Purple Code and alter many “vital turning points of the war such as the Battle of Midway and the killing of Japanese Admiral Yamamoto.”
One of these decrypting machines was located on Bainbridge Island and it was said that “the FBI employed a young Caucasian woman who lived in Seattle and was fluent in Japanese, to help uncover the Nippon spies’ secrets,” and that’s what this book is about. Also included in this book is a glossary of some Japanese words like “kama,” a kettle or metal pot used in the tea ceremony, so the reader can more clearly understand and follow the story.
Frisino lives in Seattle and became an actor at age 5. Most of her career has been in the theater as an actress, playwright, producer and director for film and television. Now she has expanded her talents into novel writing.
In a previous Frisino novel, “Whiskey Cove,” a young woman becomes involved in rum running in Prohibition’s underworld. Another book full of adventure.
Frisino’s books are available on Amazon.com. You can learn more about her at www.denisefrisino.com
Another novel that you might enjoy reading was written by Clark Parsons. “Mule Girl” is a YA novel about Jesse, a young teenage girl who lives in Mojave, California. Mojave is an industrial town where borax is brought (from the Death Valley desert) to the plant for further processing. Jesse’s family is poor, as most of the residents are, but they don’t work at the plant; they own a small restaurant called “Grub.”
Jesse and her mother work many long hours in the restaurant, while the father is dedicated to drinking and smoking cigars at home and is also an abuser of Jesse and her mother.
In this book, Jesse is enamored with the mule trains that comes into town, and especially loves being with the mules. When her father decides Jesse will not continue her education in high school, but must work longer hours at the Grub, she rebels and makes plans to go with the mule train as a means of escape. This is when her adventure begins.
Clark Parsons lives in Hansville and has a busy life. Besides writing, he arranges barbershop music and is learning how to write apps for the iPhone.
You can find “Mule Girl” on Amazon and it is my opinion that many adults would enjoy this story too. I know I did.
— Donna Lee Anderson teaches writing and is the author of two novels and a reference book for writers. Contact her at welltoldtales@aol.com.
