The Plum Blooms in Winter Read online

  What others are saying about…

  The Plum Blooms in Winter

  “Linda Thompson attacks the publishing world like a Mitsubishi Zero swooping from the Japanese sky. The Plum Blooms In Winter proves a taut, crisp, debut achievement that colorfully evokes the Pacific theater of World War II. Start this one forewarned: it’s a stay-up-all-night read.”

  -Jerry B. Jenkins, 21-time New York Times bestselling author (Left Behind, et al)

  “The Plum Blooms in Winter is a poignant story about bitter defeat and the power of forgiveness. With her lovely prose, Linda Thompson sweeps readers away on a journey to Japan and China during and after World War II, crafting a novel about the remarkable beauty and strength that bloomed in the midst of adversity. A brilliant debut!”

  -Melanie Dobson, award-winning author of Hidden Among the Stars and Catching the Wind

  “The Plum Blooms in Winter is a must read. This story not only portrays actual facts of war, but also long term effects it has on entire families (of both sides) and how they can linger on for years—even decades after it's over. As the nephew of Lt. Robert Meder (a real Doolittle Raider), I witnessed firsthand the effects World War II caused on his parents, my grandparents, and his only sibling, my mother. This story takes readers on a journey into both sides, through the eyes of an American Doolittle Raider and a Japanese civilian woman. Many lose after a war is over, even those on the winning side.”

  -John Walker, nephew of Lt. Robert Meder, Doolittle Raider

  “Pearl Habor is a household name, but what came next? The Plum Blooms in Winter shines light on American heroes of the Doolittle Raiders and post-war life in Japan. Even if you've been an avid World War II reader, this unique story is sure to capture your heart and mind, as you follow the journey of two characters on opposite sides of the world (and of the war).”

  -Caroline Walker Argenti, grandniece of Lt. Robert Meder, Doolittle Raider

  “This is a grand, ambitious story set during World War II that follows the lives of an American pilot and a Japanese young woman after a bomb he dropped hits her hometown. It’s a story of impossible choices that lead to terrible regret. It’s a story of captivity and freedom, of honor and culture, of revenge and forgiveness. The setting is unique, the peek into Japanese culture is fascinating, and the message of grace is timeless. Linda Thompson is destined to become one of the greats in Christian fiction.”

  -Robin Patchen, award winning author of Convenient Lies and Finding Amanda

  “Linda Thompson has become one of my favorite new authors! World War II can be too huge to contemplate, but peering into the hearts of two people living through that war brings it home with heartbreak and redemption. I look forward to following these people in their next adventure.”

  -Hannah Alexander, author of Hideaway Home

  THE PLUMBLOOMS IN WINTER

  Brands from the Burning Series: Book One

  By

  Linda Thompson

  Brands from the Burning Series

  Book One: The Plum Blooms in Winter

  Book Two: The Mulberry Leaf Whispers

  Book Three: The Cherry Blossom Falls

  The Plum Blooms in Winter

  Published by Mountain Brook Ink

  White Salmon, WA U.S.A.

  All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form without written permission from the publisher.

  The website addresses shown in this book are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of Mountain Brook Ink, nor do we vouch for their content.

  This story is a work of fiction. While the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942, the Green Hornet’s mission over Tokyo, and the capture and imprisonment of eight Doolittle Raiders are actual historic events, scenes and dialogue and many ancillary events are the product of the author’s imagination. All characters and events are either fictitious or are used fictitiously.

  Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Public domain.

  ISBN 978-1-943959-48-8

  © 2018 Linda Thompson

  The Team: Miralee Ferrell, Jenny Mertes, Nikki Wright, Kristen Johnson and Cindy Jackson

  Cover Design: Indie Cover Design, Lynnette Bonner Designer

  The Author is represented by and this book is published in association with the literary agency of WordServe Literary Group., Ltd, www.wordserveliterary.com.

  Mountain Brook Ink is an inspirational publisher offering fiction you can believe in.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  Dedication

  Reader Bonuses

  Acknowledgements

  Author Note

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thity-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  I’d Love to Hear from You

  Author Note

  Discussion Questions

  Sneak Peek at Book Three

  “Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

  ...Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee...”

  Zechariah 3:2, 4

  On April 18, 1942, a mere six months after Pearl Harbor, eighty men took flight from the U.S.S. Hornet on a perilous volunteer mission to bomb Japan. The Doolittle Raid was a brilliant military success. But it left fifteen B-25 crews stranded in enemy-occupied China. This novel is dedicated to those eighty Doolittle Raiders, and to the estimated 250,000 Chinese people who lost their lives in retribution for aiding them.

  It’s my fond hope this book will honor the Greatest Generation. I’ll deem it a success if it captures an inkling of the heroism and spirit of sacrifice that earned those men and women the title.

  And most of all, I’d like to dedicate this novel to the crews of Doolittle Raid Plane Number Six, Green Hornet, and Plane Number Sixteen, Bat Out of Hell, whose experiences inspired this work of fiction.

  Reader Bonuses

  For exclusive bonuses to enhance your experience reading this novel, please visit this special page on my website: www.lthompsonbooks.com/plum-blooms-bonuses/

  I’d Love to Hear from You

  As an author, I place tremendous value on your feedback! If you enjoy this novel, please consider leaving a review. Reviews weigh heavily with readers when shopping for books. If you leave one you could help another reader experience the power of this story. If you’re willing, you can leave a review on Amazon Kindle version by simply swiping
left from the last page of an Amazon Kindle book. The bonus page I mentioned above (www.lthompsonbooks.com/plum-blooms-bonuses/) provides easy links to leave reviews in other venues.

  Acknowledgments

  I’m so grateful my husband, Michael, introduced me to the moving true story that inspired this novel. From the moment he pointed it out it to me in a history book, the story has held me enthralled.

  I’m deeply thankful to my parents for teaching me to love books. And even more to Michael for continually teaching me new ways to love God. He and my kids have put up with a lot of divided attention as I stole away to write, but they’ve always supported and encouraged me.

  It turns out it takes a whole village to write a novel. I’d never have gotten anywhere with this writing adventure if not for my teacher and mentor, Les Edgerton. Les is leaving a tremendous legacy in the writing community. I’m grateful to my ever-upbeat and highly effective agent, Sarah Joy Freese of WordServe Literary. I’m deeply thankful to Miralee Ferrell, Nikki Wright, and the stellar team at Mountain Brook Ink for taking a chance on me.

  I’d like to convey a special thanks to John Walker, Lieutenant Robert Meder’s nephew, who has been very gracious with his encouragement and support.

  Many others had a big hand in shaping this story. I can’t look at a single page without being reminded of a piece of incisive feedback I got from one of you! Diana Beebe, Beth Jusino, and Jenny Mertes, who worked with me as professional editors; Cheryl Hodde, writing as Hannah Alexander, for so much wonderful feedback and encouragement; Kristen Johnson who did an indepth proofread, Maegan Beaumont, Mary Edelson, Katharina Klamt, Holly Love, Janey Mack, Gerald O’Connor and Todd Monahan, who gave me honest feedback and some much-needed pep talks along the way. Wouldn’t be here without you! And boundless gratitude to a Japanese reviewer who preferred to remain anonymous. Many of you already have novels on the shelves, and for those who don’t, I’m confident I’ll see you at your own book signings soon.

  I’ve also been blessed with friends and business colleagues who inspire and support me. Virginia Walker has been a key mentor in business and in life. Koichi Narasaki was the person who originally suggested the character of Miyako to me. Love and thanks go to Myron Wick, Eddie Head, and Brad Bennett. And to Carla, Kimberly, Liz, Terry, and my team of prayer warriors for much-needed “air cover”—you know who you are!

  With Love and Gratitude,

  Linda

  Author Note

  While this book is a work of fiction, the bones of the story are true. On April 18, 1942, a mere six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, sixteen of the Army's medium-weight B-25 bombers left the deck of the carrier U.S.S. Hornet—a feat never attempted before or since. They deployed their payloads on Tokyo and other key targets on the Japanese main island. The bombers were too heavy to land on the carrier, so the operational plan called for them to fly on to landing strips in Free China.

  While the Doolittle Raid was a brilliant military success, due to a communication breakdown, not one of the planes found its landing strip. The sortie left fifteen B-25 crews—seventy-two of the eighty airmen—stranded in enemy-occupied territory in eastern China. This novel follows the story of two of those crews. While the Pensacola Payback is a fictional plane with a fictional crew, the Green Hornet’s crew has stepped onto these pages from history.

  Dave Delham is an invention, but his spiritual journey was inspired by that of a real (but very different) man—Jacob DeShazer, the bombardier on Bat Out of Hell. I have profound respect for Jacob DeShazer and his legacy. While Dave’s story follows Jacob’s in some important respects, I would like readers to be very clear that my fictional character is not intended as a representation of Jacob DeShazer, or any other person.

  I’d also like to issue an important disclaimer around some of the verbiage used in the story. Denigrating slang terms, such as “Jap” (and worse), are included to authentically represent the perspective of the characters toward their military opponents at that point in history. In no way do they represent my perspective, not do I personally agree with the use of such unkind language. But presenting readers with an authentic journey demands certain liberties.

  Finally, if you feel mystified by the use of Japanese honorifics such as -san and -chan, please know you are not alone! Here’s a brief introduction. The use of -san after a name is a respectful title, somewhat equivalent to Mr., Mrs., or Ms. in English. The Japanese use -san for both genders, and since Japanese society at that time was structured and formal, -san would be employed in most interactions. In a more intimate friendship with someone who would be considered your equal or perhaps lower on the social scale, less formal honorifics (-chan for women or -kun for men) come into play.

  With that, let the story roll!

  Chapter One

  Saturday 18 April 1942

  Osaka, Japan

  Altimeter steady at five hundred feet, USAAC Pensacola Payback screamed along at two-hundred-seventy miles per hour, right above the steep-pitched roofs of Osaka, Japan. Lieutenant David Delham forced himself to take even breaths and focus on his instrument scan.

  Attitude-indicator needles vibrating at level. Twin seventeen-hundred-horsepower engines thundering on her wings.

  Straight and level. Straight and level.

  His bombs-deployed indicator blinked red. The bomber bucked like a mustang as the third five-hundred pounder dropped.

  “Bomb’s away.” Smith, his bombardier, bellowed confirmation over the interphone.

  Dave tightened his grip and yelled into his headset. “Fine work, Smith. Deploy the last incendiary.”

  “Yes, sir.” The fourth indicator glowed red. “Last bomb’s away.”

  At his elbow, his copilot, Watt, let out a piercing whistle that mimicked the shriek of the bomb plummeting toward its target. “Special delivery, Japan.”

  Dave gave a grim chuckle. He pushed the B-25 into a steep bank and peered over his left shoulder.

  Smith blared his elation through the interphone. “Two direct hits!” Flames erupted across the aircraft factory’s blue-gray roof.

  Four bombs. Two targets smoldering. Three minutes, tops.

  The crew broke into wild whoops and yells. Watt strained against his five-point harness and pummeled a fist into the air. “Take that, Jap scum! Now there’s some payback for Pearl.”

  Dave hollered along with the rest. “Right on the money, men. We did it!” He, Dave Delham, and his crew had done it. What every American worth his hot dogs and beans had burned to do every day of the four-and-half months since that underhanded attack on Pearl.

  Not bad for our first combat mission. Not bad at all.

  The bombing run had gone precisely according to the plan their commanding officer, aviation legend Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, had laid out. Next, Dave just had to get them out of heavily guarded enemy airspace and on the ground in one piece.

  At that instant, he knew he could do anything.

  Vitiollo, in the navigator’s pit behind him, shouted over the din of howling engines, shrieking wind and rattling gas cans. “Whoo-hoo! This bird has earned her name.”

  Dave grinned and patted the dashboard. “Yes, she has.” Pensacola Payback. He’d coined the name, but every member of his four-man crew had shown he was dead set on delivering on it.

  Fourteen total hours in flight, according to the mission’s operational plan. They’d turned those B-25s into flying gas cans so they’d have the range. Too bad fate had handed them a big wild card that morning when an enemy patrol forced them to launch the attack farther out than planned—by a couple hundred miles.

  And two-hundred-fifty gallons of precious fuel.

  But fuel concerns would have to wait. A string of distinctive black puffs of smoke bloomed right below them, a few yards ahead and to their right.

  His co-pilot’s voice went shrill. “Ack-ack. One o’clock. Look sharp.”

  “I see it.” Dave pulled the yoke back. The plane pitched up.

  A shell burs
t in front of the nosecone. The bomber jumped, jostling him in his seat. Smoke whizzed along Payback’s snout and past the elevated cockpit, pushing an acrid odor into his nostrils.

  Watt swore. “Too close. They have our altitude.”

  Dave gripped the yoke tighter, tension rippling through his jaw line down to his fists. Those innocent little puffs were more than capable of tearing off a wing or punching a hole in a fuselage.

  “Evasive maneuvers, Delham,” Watt barked.

  Guess you think you’d do it better. Watt’s attitude problem could also wait. Dave spun the yoke, and they snaked left. He threw the switch on the interphone. “Smith, we’re fresh out of bombs. Man your gun.”

  “Already on it, sir.”

  Watt peered through the windshield. “We’re so dang close to the ground. They could put up a wall of machine-gun fire and down us.”

  The interphone crackled to life again. “Pursuit,” Braxton, the gunner, reported from his vantage point in the turret. “Eight o’clock, high.”

  “Greetings, dear guests. We’ve been expecting you.” Dave twisted in his seat for a glimpse of the enemy, but he couldn’t see them past the fuselage’s metal roof. “Cussed gun turret better work, Watt.”

  His copilot grunted. Those turrets were cantankerous.

  “Can you I.D. the aircraft, Braxton?” Dave had heard the Japanese Zeroes boasted a dive speed of four hundred miles per hour. Faster than Payback was going to make, especially this close to the floor. Payback had no room to trade altitude for speed, unlike the enemy planes above.