By Mark W. Sasse
Blurb from Goodreads
As nightly raids burn the capital city, the mundane existence of Gerald Sanpatri takes a dramatic shift when Rosia walks into his life bringing laughter and unexpected love. She inspires the ex-writer to once again take up his pen and write the impossible: a love story for an entire nation.
A Love Story for a Nation chronicles the explosive and heart-warming journey of one country’s brush with history through the eyes of a courageous man who dared to stand up, smile, and think the unimaginable.
My Review
Mark W. Sasse’s most recent book to be released on July 3, 2015 is a story of the bravery and perseverance of Gerald Sanpatri. After his wife Rosia dies, Sanpatri picks up his pen to fulfill a promise he made to Rosia to start writing again. He starts writing tales of Jonny, his son who died before he was born. They become extraordinary tales of heroism against the palace. On the one-year anniversary of Rosia and Jonny’s deaths, Gerald finds a note in his lunch bag that Rosia left so long ago. It told him “Remember to just stand there and smile.” Gerald did just that as he started his vigilance on a stone outside the palace gate. In order to avoid spoilers, I have to stop here.
I love Sasse’s books and this one stands with the rest. (Read my review of The Reach of the Banyan Tree here. My review of Beauty Rising will appear later this summer). The author weaves history and fiction into a contemporary story with a touch of romance, resulting in a book that leaves you wanting more.
The characters are well developed and believable with some mystery around most. The plot evolves with enough energy to keep you turning pages as the characters slowly reveal their secrets.
About the Author
Mark W Sasse was born in western Pennsylvania, but has spent nearly two decades living, teaching, and writing overseas in Vietnam and Malaysia. He has advanced degrees in Humanities and English. His debut novel, Beauty Rising, was released in December 2012 which was followed by The Recluse Storyteller in October 2013. He is also an enthusiast of live theatre. He writes and directs for the drama troupe The RLT Players. He won the award for “Best Script” in 2013 Penang Short & Sweet Festival for his script “No In Spite of Itself.” His short play “Drive All Night” won the Audience Choice award at the 2012 Penang Short & Sweet Festival. The Reach of the Banyan Tree released July 1, 2014.
A Love Story for a Nation is due out July 3, 2015.
Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction
To follow Mark Sasse on Facebook, click here.
To go to Mark Sasse’s author page on Amazon, click here.
To visit his blog mwsasse, click here.
To buy A Love Story for a Nation:
BOOK CHAT 
This book really intrigues me, Michelle, and your review has me wanting more. 🙂 Currently I’m reading poetry books by blogging friends then I will dive into the books you have reviewed and suggested. I’ve saved the email notifications. 🙂 Many hugs…
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Thanks Lauren. Hugs back to you.
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I think that Gerald Sanpatri is quite the main character… An interesting post and a very catching review, dear Michelle… Thanks for sharing!… All my best wishes. Aquileana ⭐
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Thank you for stopping by and reading. Your kind words are deeply appreciated. Hugs.
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Sounds like a great read and an outstanding author. I’ll share on my media sites and watch for Sasse’s latest novel to be released. Definitely want to add it to my TBR. In fact, I’ll head over to Amazon and FOLLOW the author so I won’t miss it. Thanks for the heads-up! 🙂
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P.S. Just clicked your link (above) to Mark’s new book A LOVE STORY FOR A NATION and PRE-ORDERED my copy! Will Tweet about that too. 🙂
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Wonderful! I know you will enjoy it.
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Thank you, for stopping by and checking out my book.
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Thanks for sharing the message about Mark’s new book. It is one of those books that hits you at the end. Enjoy.
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This sounds like a good read. I like the sound of a note/message left in a lunch box. The death of the wife and unborn son is sad though. Finishing your synopsis in order to not give the plot away makes it sound intriguing. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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It is a difficult book to review, because saying too much will give too much of the story away.
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Well I think you have left us wanting to know more.
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