Wendy Bertsch
Biography
I’m a Canadian author—a pragmatic optimist with rather eclectic interests and a pervasive sense of humour.
Toronto born and bred, I live by the lake with a motley array of dogs and a cat, all but myself being of unknown origin, in a comfortable old house filled with books. Over a thousand books. Books in every nook and cranny. And now, since there can never be too many books, I'm writing more.
Once More, From the Beginning highlights the women in the bible. It's about time! And believe me, they see things quite differently.
In Dodging Shells, you'll meet the irrepressible Tommy, as he fights his way through Italy in World War II. You'll love Tommy. I do.
Next? Well, that's a secret yet. Stay tuned...
I'm also a co-founder of the website Past Times Books, bringing together many of the best new historical fiction authors and their books for HF fans.
Where to find Wendy Bertsch online
Where to buy in print
Books
Wendy Bertsch’s tag cloud
Wendy Bertsch's favorite authors on Smashwords
Smashwords book reviews by Wendy Bertsch
- The Tuzla Run
on Dec. 17, 2010
Even readers like myself who don’t seek out action thrillers will love this book about a convoy making a dangerous run through war-torn Bosnia. There’s excitement enough for anyone, right from the beginning, but the focus on the intriguing characters adds great dimension to the story of a dangerous episode I, for one, had never given much thought to.
Davidson’s personal experience allows him to weave a compelling tale that pulls us into the action and confronts us with a cast of characters that most of us would take pains to avoid in real life. And he has the skill to draw from us a grudging respect for some of those characters.
But not all. Oh, definitely not all! We’re gripped by the tension between the two major players, and this dynamic does not fail us to the very end . . . which I loved!
- The Pict
on Feb. 11, 2011
This beautifully written book tells the story of the warrior Calach, first among equals, who led the wily and indomitable Picts against the invading Roman Legions.
His nobility of spirit and deep love for his warrior wife add depth to gripping descriptions of the guerrilla raids and battles waged by the Picts in their efforts to keep their people free.
I enjoyed this inspiring account of a little-known time in history, riveting for all historical fiction readers, and certainly a must-read for all Scots!
- The Red Gate
on June 03, 2011
An Irish shepherd, early in the twentieth century, narrowly avoids a muddy death, and escapes with an ancient relic. A good luck charm? Not much. The academic world casts an acquisitive eye on the site, and isn’t too particular how they get it.
Amidst haunting, evocative descriptions of the Irish countryside, Sutton presents the Irish country folk with a remarkable dignity of character. They’re simple in their lifestyle, but they’re definitely no fools. And he contrasts these with villains you’ll love to hate. The outcome is intriguing and mysterious, with a uniquely Irish touch of the paranormal.
- No Roads Lead to Rome
on Aug. 07, 2011
This tongue-in-cheek adventure chases a Roman centurion and his Jewish conscript through Spain in a delightfully ridiculous effort to successfully complete what he hopes is his last mission. All he wants is to retire comfortably . . . to Rome.
The action bounces back and forth between Valerius the Centurion and the decadent governor he serves. There are a few places where blocks of time appear to have been misplaced, but the missing transitions just keep us stumbling along like the faulty paving stones under the Centurion’s feet, doing the story no harm at all and reinforcing the rollicking pace.
It brought to mind Don Quixote, with its wry humor. I’m not a big fan of farce (Don Quixote itself has never been a favorite of mine), but it’s presented here with such an insouciant touch that I enjoyed it right to the last irresistible image in its final line.
- Deception
on Oct. 30, 2011
What a wonderful surprise!
Here's a fascinating short story to enjoy over coffee (I just did). Sensitively written, and with a terrific ending.
You won't see it coming!
Davidson is an author worth following.
- Appointment in Sarajevo
on Nov. 03, 2011
The cold-blooded skill with which the protagonist here carries out her mission may surprise some. It doesn't surprise me. The fact is that the female of our species is quite as deadly as the male, when provoked. And she will level the playing field with skill, not with the unlikely flexing of muscle.
That point is made by Mr. Davidson with without coy equivocation or flamboyant bravado. It's the truth, he knows it's the truth, and he lays it out here with skill and insight.
I've read The Tuzla Run in its entirety, and this is, in fact, a fair sample of the exciting whole. I enjoyed revisiting it here.
- The Gatekeepers
on April 16, 2012
Richard Sutton’s ability to paint a rich picture of the Irish countryside and to portray a warm and loving Irish family continues undiminished in this sequel to The Red Gate.
Even in the countryside, the O’Deirgs are unable to avoid involvement in the violence of Ireland’s fight for independence, and the sudden arrival of their unknown American cousins doesn’t make it easier. But through it all, their mysterious secret gives them hope.
The rather remarkable mystical connection of the O’Deirg women is mirrored in the American aboriginal background of their new family connection. Can they keep their secret from her? Should they?
- The Stainless Steel Coffin
on April 16, 2012
You don't have to be familiar with the industry to appreciate the humour in this anecdote. Fortunately, mankind displays enough quirks to keep all businesspeople from getting too complacent, and the pragmatic solution to this particular dilemma is sure to improve your day.
The author has combined the knowledge of an insider with skilfully built suspense and a wry sense of the ridiculous.
- Troll
on Oct. 19, 2012
This is as good a piece of prehistoric fiction as I've read. The characters are engaging and the story is gripping and plausible.
The author's research is sound, and he's left us leeway to believe that the 'trolls' may have survived long enough to be a vestigial memory in fairy tales. I like that.
The less entertaining take-away, of course, is the serious probability that some of our more unreasoning prejudices have very deep roots..
