Winter's Bloom: A Novel

by John Wemlinger

PRAISE FOR WINTER’S For over three decades, Rock Graham has carried the physical and emotional scars from a tour in Vietnam. He is a decorated war hero, but guilt from what happened one dark night in a steaming southeast Asia jungle is always lying in ambush, waiting for an unguarded moment to set his demons free. When he tries to find solitude at a cottage on Lake Michigan in the dead of winter, a chance encounter on the desolate, frozen shoreline changes his life forever. John Wemlinger has written a powerful novel about a veteran suffering from PTSD and the unlikely path that leads to his salvation. Winter’s Bloom is a poignant tale of loss, love and redemption that will keep you turning the pages. — Frank P. Slaughter, author of The Veteran and Brotherhood of Iron

316 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2016

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I waiver between two and three stars. It was a fun read because of the location at Little Point Sable and the surrounding West Michigan area. Nice characters including the dogs, but a little predictable.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book. Being from Michigan, it had a lot of references of places I was familiar with. I love the daughter Beth's affiliation with Art Prize. The characters were well developed and it was hard to put down as I wanted to know what was going to happen. The dogs and their knowledge of their owners and who was a good fit was spot on. Enjoyable read.

[Karie Sortman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun predictable read.....but it pulled me in enough that I wanted it to be predictable and wasnt sure it would be as I was enjoying it...so that kept me reading it. It was fun to read a book with familiar Michigan places, and it was the beach in the winter...I love winter. I enjoyed the characters, and just the whole story.... It was an enjoyable easy read:)

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because of all the West Michigan references.

[Lynnepaul Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met this author and his wife in the beautiful Northern Michigan on a cool evening waiting for dinner to be served on an outdoor patio. After some interesting conversations I ran to the bookstore in Frankfort to grab a few of his books to read. The historical fiction was very well written with many interesting facts of Michigan. I highly recommend reading this book with his special war skills as a veteran applied to the writing.

[Heidi M.Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Book

I honestly started reading this and could not put it down,I just had to see what happened next! I laughed and cried. John's books are so well written that you can almost envision what he is writing!

I highly recommend all of his books!

[ABreaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

I just love a book that gives you all the emotional feeling. And sometime i wished my books had pictures, I would have enjoyed seeing the cars described.

[Carol Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet romance

This r a really good romantic relationship between two established adults in the sunset of life. I loved it. You have to read this one .

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Simple story at an easy going pace.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book lower stars because the last third to me was very disappointing. It was like reading two very different books that transformed into two very different lifestyles and characters. It made such an abrupt change, and rushed ending, that, in my opinion took away from the book. Maybe should have been two separate books. One, of two lonely older people meeting alone Lake Michigan and becoming friends and the other, of a very wealthy widow’s life in another community and her struggles etc. and this lonely man trying to fit in.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been told about this book from a customer where I work, who just so happens to be the author himself, I was very intrigued to read this book. There were many things about this book that I can relate to, which makes it an even more enjoyable book, aside from great writing. Growing up along the Lake Michigan shoreline made me love the setting, and having my father having been in Vietnam made me respect Rock so much. I love the detail that is woven though the book of the landscapes and way the writing flows makes it easy to read. And, I always love a good romance book.

[Eva Simutis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book on the beach last summer, got distracted and put it down. November came, and I picked it back up. I finished the book in a couple of days and. I really enjoyed this book, partially because I know Norther Michigan well, and John makes you feel as being are part of the story. Its sometimes sweet, other times compelling, and without giving too much of the story away, heart wrenching. This a great read anytime, but more effective curled up in front of the fire, on a snowy winter day. Thanks John, for a wonderful story. Waiting anxiously for your next books!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read from a new author. This West Michigan story is compelling especially for those who appreciate an unlikely romance situation.