426 ratings | 229 reviews | avg rating:4.51

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Tenkara’s Year In Books

Tenkara’s 2024 Year in Books

Take a look at Tenkara’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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Tenkara Smart’s Followers (166)

Tenkara’s Bookshelves

to-read (381)
currently-reading (3)
read (435)
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Kate

655 books | 506 friends

Natalie M

3,043 books | 1,017 friends

Amy Johnson

455 books | 39 friends

Mark Porton

1,240 books | 1,173 friends

Wendy G

3,782 books | 4,979 friends

Suz

4,836 books | 1,559 friends

Annemiek

1,008 books | 2,651 friends

Jane C.R. Reid

117 books | 59 friends

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Tenkara Smart

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

https://tenkarasmart.com

Twitter

TenkaraS

Genre

Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal

Influences

Ken Follett; Phillipa Gregory

Member Since

June 2020

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Tenkara Smart grew up surfing in San Diego, California, even once having a close encounter with a hammerhead shark while surfing near the Mexican border, causing her to exit pronto! Now, living in Australia, where the sharks are generally larger, (and seemingly have more close-encounters with humans), she doesn’t surf - but she loves to kayak, paddleboard, walk/hike, and spend any minute she can with her husband. Together, they travel often, especially to Japan, where her heart feels at home.

To keep up on my fav book recommendations, visit @TenkaraSmart.com.

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Combine Editions
Tenkara Smart’s books

Average rating: 4.5 · 114 ratings · 98 reviews · 3 distinct works • Similar authors

	She Named Me Wolf (Book #1, The Many Lives of Wolf series) 4.52 avg rating — 84 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	His Name is Junsaku (Book #2, The Many Lives of Wolf series) 4.43 avg rating — 30 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	She Named Me Wolf: A Thrilling Novel about Friendship, Survival, and the Power of the Imagination. 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

8 posts
Tenkara Smart's Blog

His Name is Junsaku, book 2, The Many Lives of Wolf series, releasing March 3rd

Hey reading friends,

My newest historical fantasy, magical realism, romance, adventure novel will be available on Amazon March 3rd, 2025. It's titled His Name is Junsaku, & I hope you'll add to your WANT TO READ list. And, even better, if you do give it a go, please share your honest review!

Here's a snippet from a pre-release review and you can find more by checking out the book link on Goodreads:

' Read more of this blog post »

1 like · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 16, 2025 14:29

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Series by Tenkara Smart

The Many Lives of Wolf (2 books)
by

Tenkara Smart (Goodreads Author)

4.50 avg rating — 114 ratings

Tenkara is Currently Reading

Tenkara Smart is currently reading

Remarkably Bright Creatures

by Shelby Van Pelt

bookshelves: currently-reading

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21 hours, 1 min ago

Tenkara Smart is currently reading

Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Sep 28, 2025 01:20PM

Tenkara Smart is currently reading

His Name is Junsaku (Book #2, The Many Lives of Wolf series)

by Tenkara Smart (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Tenkara Smart said: " Editorial Review by Grant Leishman

His Name is Junsaku by Tenkara Smart is an absolutely riveting tale set in 17th-century Japan; a land of Samurai warriors, bloody territorial battles, and the all-powerful Shogunate. Junsaku Aoyama knew from a very e Editorial Review by Grant Leishman

His Name is Junsaku by Tenkara Smart is an absolutely riveting tale set in 17th-century Japan; a land of Samurai warriors, bloody territorial battles, and the all-powerful Shogunate. Junsaku Aoyama knew from a very early age that he was destined to be not only a great warrior but the greatest living Samurai in Japan. He trained relentlessly to ensure he was always at the top of his classes and would be chosen to join the local lord’s elite guard. When he was personally selected by the ruling Shogun to be part of the Shogunate Samurai guard, he was already near his destiny. The arrival in the Port of Edo (modern Tokyo) of a beautiful young European woman, the daughter of a Dutch trader, would be the defining moment in Junsaku’s life. From that day forward he would have to make decisions about his priorities; the Shogun or his family.

Every so often a book reminds me why literature is so important to me. His Name is Junsaku is such a novel; one that truly resonated with me and has what I look for in a story. Tenkara Smart has seamlessly combined the traditions, mysticism, and supernatural forces of Japanese 17th-century society into a thrilling adventure with an understanding of the period and a glimpse into the Japanese culture and psyche. There is plenty of action and battles to keep the most adrenaline-hooked reader satisfied but those moments are interspersed with wonderful descriptions of a loving father, a dedicated husband, and a conventional happy family life. The idea of a Samurai, especially a General of the Shogunate, marrying a gaijin (a foreigner) was so unheard of that it would have been downright scandalous. Yet, it was only Junsaku’s position and importance to the Shogun that could have allowed this to happen. I particularly appreciated the supernatural elements, which gave an extra mysterious edge. The overarching message of Junsaku’s life is just as relevant and important to note as it was some 400 years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story and highly recommend it. ...more "

May 12, 2025 09:26PM · see review

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Tenkara’s Recent Updates

Tenkara Smart made a comment in the group Review Group — Group 385. Out of this World - Forming topic " Linda Sanchez and Sebastian Black have both reviewed my novel She Named Me Wolf, but they could review my 2nd novel in the series (also supernatural/p ...more "
3 hours, 10 min ago
Tenkara Smart is 10% done with Remarkably Bright Creatures Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16 hours, 28 min ago · like · see status · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Tenkara Smart started reading Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 11, 2025 08:14PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Tenkara Smart is 40% done with Project Hail Mary: Hmmm...a bit on the fence about this one to be honest. I'll not DNF because I need to see how it all works out. At times, feels like a science book (though well done)... Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Goodreads Author) progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 11, 2025 05:48PM · like · see status · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Tenkara Smart rated a book it was amazing Fairytale Clues: Magic-filled Stories That Slip English Grammar into the Heart (Fairytale Clues Storybooks Book 1) by Ollie Kayuro (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
‘Fairytale Clues’ is a delightful story and learning tool for kids. The story is designed to help kids learn about the letters of the alphabet and how to use them. The author has created a fun and magical world in the kingdom of Alphabetalia, where d ...more
Oct 09, 2025 08:55PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Fairytale Clues by Ollie Kayuro. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Fairytale Clues by Ollie Kayuro <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Tenkara Smart rated a book it was amazing The Other Disney by Bernard Leo Remakus (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
‘The Other Disney’ is a heartwarming story about family, sacrifice, loss, and ultimately, redemption. The D'Isigny family, (pronounced 'Disney), a family of three, have a strong relationship built on trust, respect, and duty. The D'Isigny family stic ...more
Oct 09, 2025 08:51PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Other Disney by Bernard Leo Remakus. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Other Disney by Bernard Leo Remakus <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Tenkara Smart liked Garima Bais's review of Ramsay the Cat: Family-Friendly, Middle-Grade Fiction. (Funny, Heartwarming, Adventure, For Kids Ages 8+).: "What a fun and heartwarming story this book is. Ramsay the Cat had me smiling from the very first page. From falling into Smarty’s arms to surfing waves in Malibu, every chapter was full of charm and humor. I loved the mix of real-life inspiration an" Read more of this review »
Oct 09, 2025 05:21PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Ramsay the Cat by Wolf Norris. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Ramsay the Cat by Wolf Norris <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Tenkara Smart liked Linda Meris's review of Ramsay the Cat: Family-Friendly, Middle-Grade Fiction. (Funny, Heartwarming, Adventure, For Kids Ages 8+).: "I adored reading this book about Ramsey the cat; who was a delightful, frisky, adventurous and naughty feline. He fell all over, knocked things down and did what he wanted to do, but had the charm to always be forgiven. I found this particular phrase" Read more of this review »
Oct 09, 2025 05:21PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Ramsay the Cat by Wolf Norris. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Ramsay the Cat by Wolf Norris <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Tenkara Smart liked JM Saner's review of Ramsay the Cat: Family-Friendly, Middle-Grade Fiction. (Funny, Heartwarming, Adventure, For Kids Ages 8+).: "Ramsay the Cat is a funny and enjoyable read. Experiencing the world through the eyes of a curious, spirited kitten is delightful. From Africa to California, rambunctious Ramsay charms nearly everyone he meets. Along the way, he discovers a love for " Read more of this review »
Oct 09, 2025 05:21PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Ramsay the Cat by Wolf Norris. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Ramsay the Cat by Wolf Norris <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Tenkara Smart rated a book it was amazing Fairytale Clues: Storybook 1: Magic Stories that Slip English Grammar Into the Heart by Ollie Kayuro (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 08, 2025 09:04PM · like

More of Tenkara's books…

Quotes by Tenkara Smart (?)

“Because of your exemplary service, I am promoting you to the highest rank in my personal guard: General.”
― Tenkara Smart, His Name is Junsaku: A Haunting, Historical Fantasy Romance

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“There is only choice, and at every moment, you only have two choices. When you make your decision, you'll know if it was right by the way you feel. If you know it wasn't the right choice, make a different choice.”
― Tenkara Smart, She Named Me Wolf

tags: coming-of-age-stories, inspiratonal-quotes, karate, karate-quotes, motivational-inspirational, motivational-quotes, spirituality, young-adult-fiction, young-adult-fiction-quotes

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Review Group: Group 380. Out of this World - Mod. Gene - CLOSED	154	79	Aug 17, 2025 03:00AM
Review Group: * Group 382. General - Mod. Gene	181	78	Oct 07, 2025 08:37PM
Review Group: * Group 385. Out of this World - Forming	55	48	3 hours, 10 min ago

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Tenkara’s Quotes

“When you think everything is someone else's fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy.”
― Dalai Lama

tags: abraham-hicks, buddism, dalai-lama, inspirational, louise-hay, religion-spirituality, spiritual, wayne-dyer

5 likes

“All secrets sound the same in the dark.”
― Ryan Graudin, All That Burns

tags: dark

4 likes

“You can lose your way anywhere.”
― Christine Heppermann, Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty

tags: life, lost

14 likes

“The problem is that I know exactly how I feel about you and that terrifies me.”
― Laelia Starla, From Prying Eyes

tags: romance-book-quotes

1 likes

“Love doesn't always come when you want it to. Sometimes it just happens, despite your will.”
― V.C. Andrews, Flowers in the Attic