Aaron’s War, Bestselling Novel By Richard McMaster, Will Be Available At No Charge In Ebook Form August 19 And 20 2026 At Amazon

Aaron's War is an extraordinary work that will likely take its place as one of the best WWII historical fiction novels ever written.

Bestselling author Richard McMaster has announced that the ebook version of Aaron’s War: A Novel of War and Devotion will be available at no charge in ebook form August 19th and 20th, 2026 at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Richard-McMaster/author/B01LDIJ2QU.

Michael Punke, #1 New York Times best-selling author of ‘The Revenant’, called the book "a compelling and complex story of World War II."

Richard McMaster is an American novelist whose fiction focuses on how ordinary people overcome extraordinary obstacles. His novels often blend elements of historical fiction, psychological drama, suspense, mystery, romance and themes of faith, identity, and personal transformation. A recurring message throughout McMaster's work is that adversity shapes character. His protagonists are typically ordinary people facing moral dilemmas, loss, trauma, or major life transitions, with stories emphasizing perseverance, hope, and redemption rather than action alone.

'Aaron's War' details the struggles of a Jewish soldier's experience in WWII. It explores coming-of-age, antisemitism, forbidden marriage, PTSD, and substance abuse, resulting in a powerful story that takes the reader's breath away with its dramatic tale of love, bravery, and sacrifice.

Aaron Vanko, an innocent Iowa farm boy, faces the ultimate test that countless veterans have grappled with throughout history: the harrowing decision to take another's life in the name of duty.

But just as Aaron prepares to embark on this mission, a stunning revelation threatens to upend his entire world: he learns of his Jewish heritage, a discovery that shatters his sense of identity and his relationship with the love of his life.

Despite his fears, Aaron moves ahead, fueled by an unwavering sense of duty and patriotism. But now, he must wage war on two fronts - battling the enemy outside who seek to eradicate the Jewish race, and the inner with ethical dilemma that rages within his own soul.

Aaron is taken on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, courage, and sacrifice, as he confronts the darkest corners of human nature and emerges forever changed.

Readers and reviewers have praised 'Aaron's War'. USA Today bestselling author Holly Roberts called Aarons War, "A coming of age story that grips your soul and takes you on a thought-provoking journey." Tom Porter, author of All I Need To Know About Business I Learned From A Duck stated, "An engaging, informative and thought-provoking tale of survival, love and faith. Make room for Richard McMaster on your list of up-and-coming authors." Lynn M. Safris said, “The descriptions and details given throughout this author's writing draw the reader into each page, making Aaron's journey feel like their own. I believe this book would appeal to a wide audience of readers. I truly enjoyed reading Aaron's War and I highly recommend this book."

The ebook version will be available at no charge at Amazon August 19 and 20 at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Richard-McMaster/author/B01LDIJ2QU.

Another novel, 'The Attic', achieved bestseller status in both contemporary fiction and psychology thrillers.

One reader asked, “Who would play the part of Byron in the movie? Who would play Sybie?”

One of the principal characters in 'The Attic', Sybie, was fashioned after a real high school classmate of the author who suffered from a rare genetic disorder. Some students called her Tic Toc because of the way she walked with her brace. Years later she meets Byron, a former classmate. She is a changed woman. They marry, but tragedy strikes before they can even enjoy a honeymoon. When Byron faces assault charges and a lawsuit, he flees to Chicago to assume a fake identity and new image. He takes a low-level computer support job with an international investment banking company where he discovers the CEO has embezzled over 26 million dollars.

When Byron Kelly becomes a whistleblower on the run from the FBI, he hides in the attic of a dying old man, Henry Steel. Byron cares for the old man and learns he is estranged from his daughter over the death of her mother, his wife, because of family secrets he has kept from her.

Fans of psychological thrillers will find themselves captivated by the book as best-selling author Richard McMaster masterfully combines heart-pounding suspense with beautifully crafted characters that possess complex motivations and rich backstories. The novel's emotional depth draws readers in, allowing them to become emotionally invested in the lives of the characters. The intricate plot requires close attention to detail and careful piecing together of clues, heightening the anxiety and tension with each turn of the page. McMaster's skillful storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats, ensuring that "The Attic" is a memorable and thrilling experience from start to finish.

One reviewer said, “Absolutely loved this book. I don’t want to give anything away, but this was the best book I have read in a long time. Haven’t done anything else for the last 24 hours. Just wonderful!”

Another reviewer commented, "You wrote a novel about a man with a past so messy, he literally hides in a stranger’s attic while trying to do the right thing. It’s emotional. Unconventional. Thoughtful. There’s rare disease, ethical drama, and a wildly underrated whistleblower story wrapped in quiet literary suspense."

In a story about Richard McMaster, printed by The Hudson Weekly, Dennis Keller said, "There have been multiple authors that have made a significant contribution to the world of literacy. In the current era, we have come across several first-time authors with the gift of writing. Richard McMaster is an accomplished author whose works have been praised for their depth, complexity, and emotional resonance."

Keller continued with "Richard McMaster never falls into the trap of presenting his characters as simplistic archetypes or caricatures, instead allowing them to emerge as fully formed individuals with their unique voices and perspectives.

"In addition to his skillful characterization, he is also a master of plot and pacing. The structure of his novels keeps readers engaged and invested in the story while also allowing for moments of quiet reflection and contemplation. The author’s writing is often described as 'page-turning' or 'gripping,' but it is also imbued with a sense of thoughtfulness and depth that elevates his work beyond mere genre fiction."

'Voyage Of Life,' is an exploration of overcoming obstacles that leaves readers deeply moved and inspired. It is a must-read for anyone seeking an inspirational journey through the lens of the "Baby Boomer" generation. A captivating love story, 'Voyage Of Life' captures the essence of the coming-of-age 60's with a twist, as the story is told as Thomas Cole’s Voyage of Life paintings are portrayed by the women woman Sean Buchanan loves; childhood, youth, manhood, and old age. The paintings are a metaphor for Sean’s life—the verdant landscape and calm waters of childhood turn turbulent in youth, and then early in manhood, the rocky shores of manhood open to a promising sky of old age when he believes that his one true love left him for another man.

The breathtaking story also unfolds mysteries around losing a father, mother, wife, son, and friends and Sean’s perseverance in life and, in the end, reuniting with his first love.

McMaster considers Voyage of Life to be one of his signature works. Readers and reviewers agree.

One reader’s review stated, “While reading, you will smile, you will hesitate thinking, oh no, and you will cry, but there is a surprise toward the end. This is one of the best romantic books I have read.”

He is also the author of 'A Love Divided By Time', described as "one part The Notebook, one part suspenseful psychopath story, and one part Somewhere in Time." In that book, Forrest and Allie believed they found love in a previous life and being born again was a game of hide-and-seek to find each other in plain sight, seeking their better halves, united and whole. When tragedy strikes, Forrest makes a pact to find her killer, raise their daughter and find peace by joining her in the ever after.

Richard McMaster is available for media interviews and can be reached at Lifevoyages@gmail.com. More information is available at his website at https://richard-mcmaster.com/. All of his books are available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Richard-McMaster/author/B01LDIJ2QU.

About Richard McMaster:

Bestselling author Richard McMaster is the author of best seller Aaron’s War, the 2018 Arizona Authors’ Association fiction runner-up book of the year, Voyage of Life, The Other Half, The Attic, and Love Divided by Time.

Before embarking on a writing career, he was a healthcare executive, heading up three different start-up companies, one ranked fifth largest of its kind in the United States. A native Iowan he was blessed to have lived twenty years in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and now in Florida. He actively participates in writing and book clubs: The Authors Guild, Phoenix Book Club, the oldest in Phoenix since 1926, Arizona Authors Association, and Arizona Traditions Writing Club, a local club he co-founded and has served as a writing contest judge.

Contact:

Richard McMaster
https://richard-mcmaster.com
Lifevoyages@gmail.com 

Leia Mais…

Author Karl Vanghen Chosen As One Of ’50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’

Author Karl Vanghen was chosen as one of ’50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’. The award came as the result of his recent appearance on The Authors Show. His latest historical fiction release, ‘My Enemy, My Beloved,’ explores the life of a young German POW during WW2 who lands in the US Midwest at the height of hatred and discrimination only to find hope and the meaning of love

Karl Vanghen, author of ‘My Enemy, My Beloved’, has been named one of ’50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’. His honors came as a result of his appearance on The Authors Show. Vanghen was chosen from a field of hundreds of authors through a public voting process. ‘My Enemy, My Beloved’ is an historical fiction novel that explores the life of a German POW held on American soil.

“I wrote this book,” stated Mr. Vanghen, “to reveal the life and times of German POW’s and citizens swept up in World War Two. As a native Minnesotan, I, like many others, was totally ignorant of the fact that enemy POW’s had been brought to this country. By researching the past, and through interviews with actual German POW’s, I was driven to write this novel because those fascinating times needed to be brought to life.”

Mr Vanghen became interested in the subject of German POW’s when he visited a WWII museum, and learned that Minnesota housed over 6,000 German POW in 1945, living in camps across the state. In ‘My Enemy, My Beloved, the hero of the story lands in the U.S. Midwest at the height of Nazi hatred and discrimination, only to find love and the meaning of hope in New Ulm, Minnesota. The story is captivating and the history is engrossing.

A recent reviewer stated, “Karl Vanghen's ability to create suspense is incredible. I was pulled along from beginning to end, always waiting for what was to come next. He never disappointed me, and it's been a long time since a work of fiction has absorbed me so completely. I knew nothing of the history of German POWs here, and his attention to historical detail was amazing. In truth, I was astonished by the power of the story. Thanks for the many hours of most pleasurable reading.”

Karl Vanghen is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below, or by email at kvan79@comcast.net. More information is available at his website. ‘My Enemy, My Beloved’ is available at Amazon.com and at his website.

Profile

Karl Vanghen was born in 1929 at the beginning of the Great Depression. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Wisconsin during the Korean War. After his discharge, he spent years building a career in graphic arts, and eventually became the company vice president. Before his retirement, he became an award-winning wildlife artist and published author. Karl and his wife live in Shoreview, Minnesota, where he has started his third novel, also a historical fiction based in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Contact:

Karl Vanghen
www.KarlVanghen.com
kvan79@comcast.net

Leia Mais…

Surviving The Nazi Holocaust - A First Person Account By Author Alice Rene In 'Becoming Alice, A Memoir'

Though many years have passed, we have not forgotten the Holocaust. ‘The Diary Of Anne Frank’ became one of the best selling books ever written. ‘The Mascot’ is currently a very popular book. Now we have the opportunity to hear the story of a young Jewish girl who survived the Holocaust - directly from that young girl herself

Words can never describe the horrors the Nazi regime brought down upon the human race. Words will never do justice to the suffering imposed upon millions of Jewish victims and their families. Words can, however, show us how to move beyond hatred and death. They can show us how to go beyond survival to acceptance, and how we can learn to apply the lessons learned from such circumstances in our own lives today. Alice Rene has written those words in her memoir, 'Becoming Alice'.

"I wrote this book," stated Ms. Rene, "because my grandson chose to write about the holocaust to fulfill a school assignment and interviewed me as an expert on the subject. He knew I was born in Vienna and survived Nazi oppression, but not much else since I hardly ever spoke about it. I didn't want my children and grandchildren to feel themselves victims because they are Jewish. I wrote 'Becoming Alice' to show them and others how I, despite my background, came to consider myself just like any other person who can enjoy life to its fullest."

‘Becoming Alice, A Memoir’ is a true story in which a child tells us how she survives the holocaust. Overcoming horrific hatred, life threatening danger, and a harrowing escape, Ilse must choose her life's path.

Ilse's odyssey ends in Portland, Oregon. Traumatized by these events and being different from other children as a refugee, she struggles to fit into the American landscape. She suffers even more distress because of the discord between her troubled family: an overbearing father, a stressed mother, and a rebellious brother. Ilse, now called Alice, refuses to become a victim of the holocaust and takes a path to a better place.

Writer’s Digest Magazine called the book ‘ . . . a magnificent memoir and an impressive, courageous piece of work.’ Midwest Book Review stated that ‘Becoming Alice” is ‘. . . a deftly written memoir that will hold the reader’s attention from beginning to end.’ Saginaw Valley State University is using the book as part of the curriculum in an intercultural communication and identity course.

"'Becoming Alice'", Ms. Rene continued, "is a book which will appeal to readers who come from all different walks of life. It has found meaning for adolescents who feel they don't fit in and aren't accepted by their peers. It is an inspiration for people who have problems they think they cannot overcome. It illustrates that there is a positive life for them once they have survived their problems."

In the tradition of ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’, ‘Becoming Alice’ is destined to become more than just a book. For while it is a story of one Jewish girl's journey from darkness to light, the lessons it offers apply to all of us. It is a tale that will inspire anyone to take the path beyond survival to be able to enjoy life's bounty.

Alice Rene is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below, or by email at alicerene1@aol.com. ‘Becoming Alice, A Memoir’ is available at Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com and at BooksAMillion.com as a paperback and also as Kindle and Nook book. More information is available at Alice Rene's website at www.AliceRene.com.

Profile:

Alice Rene grew up in Portland, Oregon and attended Reed College before moving to California where she received a Master’s degree in Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley. She worked as a Medical Caseworker at UC Hospital in San Francisco, teaching the house staff the importance of social and emotional issues in understanding and treating patients.

She began writing seriously after a grandson interviewed her for a high school history assignment. She realized then that her story might be of interest to a wider audience. After studying the art and craft of writing for several years, she wrote her memoir, ‘Becoming Alice’. She now lives in southern California with her husband and is working on her next book.

Contact:

Alice Rene
Email: alicerene1@aol.com
Web: www.AliceRene.com

Leia Mais…

Award Winning Author And Speaker Alice Rene Chosen To Appear In '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading'

Ms. Rene was chosen as the result of publishing her award winning memoir, 'Becoming Alice: A Memoir'. Her book vividly details her Jewish family’s escape from persecution, and their life as refugees in Portland, Oregon. She writes about the cultural clash they experienced and her own identity crisis. Compounded by the turmoil of a troubled family, Becoming Alice showcases, with both pathos and humor, her triumph over adversity

Alice Rene, author of 'Becoming Alice: A Memoir', was recently chosen to appear in '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading'. The book is produced by The Authors Show. Ms. Rene was chosen from from among hundreds of interviewees.

"I am honored" stated Ms. Rene, "to have been chosen as one of the fifty authors to be included in the book, 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading. Even though my memoir has succeeded well beyond my expectations, my aim to expose it to as many readers as possible remains my main objective and with the publication of this book, I hope to promote it further."

As a six-year-old, a young girl named Ilse watched Nazi soldiers march down her street in Vienna, Austria. It was the beginning of an odyssey that would take her to Riga, Latvia, and end in Portland, Oregon. Becoming Alice chronicles Rene’s Jewish family's harrowing escape and their struggle as immigrants to fit into the American landscape. The added problems of growing up within a troubled family clouded her childhood and adolescence. Hoping to fit in with her classmates, Ilse changed her name to Alice, but it was not until she moved into a boarding house in Berkeley, surrounded by girls from a patchwork of cultures, that she made peace with her true identity.

“I wrote this book after my grandson chose the Holocaust as his subject for a class assignment and interviewed me as part of his paper,” said Ms. Rene. “That event triggered a thought in my mind that perhaps I should write this story down so that it would not be lost with the passage of time. I took some writing classes and joined a writing group in which we read our work. The first draft was received so enthusiastically by this group that I set about having it edited, and eventually published. I am pleased that it has done so well in the marketplace.”

Becoming Alice has placed and has won numerous industry awards, the most recent being chosen Winner in the Hollywood Book Festival 2009 Contest, Teenage Category. It was a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards for 2008 in the Autobiography/Memoir Category; it was also a finalist in The Forward Magazine Book of the Year Award 2008 in the Autobiography/Memoir Category. The book took First Place in the Young Adult category in the 2007 Reader Views Awards Program in 2007 and was a semi-finalist in the Autobiography/Memoir category of the same year.

An excerpt from the book entitled the Camel Hair Coat was a finalist in the Southern California Genealogical Society Short Story Contest in 2007. Cashmere, another excerpt, received Honorable Mention in Byline Magazines 2008 Short Story Contest. The book was also chosen as a Publisher’s Choice Book by iUniverse in April 2007 and was chosen as a Star Book by iUniverse in March of 2008.

Ms. Rene is available speaking engagements and interviews. She can be contacted through her website, www.alicerene.com or using the information below. Becoming Alice is available for purchase online at www.Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, iUniverse.com, and from local Barnes and Noble Bookstores. '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' is available at The Authors Show site at www.TheAuthorsShow.com.

Profile:

Alice Rene grew up in Portland, Oregon and attended Reed College before moving to California where she received a Master’s degree in Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley. She worked as a Medical Caseworker at UC Hospital in San Francisco, teaching the house staff the importance of social and emotional issues in understanding and treating patients.

While raising three children, Alice worked as a travel consultant with a special interest in packaging and escorting groups to exotic foreign destinations. These trips were documented on film and shown at schools, clubs, and private gathering for entertainment and educational purposes.

She began writing seriously after a grandson interviewed her for a high school history assignment. She realized then that her story might be of interest to a wider audience. After studying the art and craft of writing for several years, she wrote her memoir, Becoming Alice. She now lives in southern California with her husband and Golden Retriever.

Contact:

Alice Rene
http://www.alicerene.com
alicerene1@aol.com

Leia Mais…