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Over 400,000 German prisoners of war were brought to American during World War II. What does this have to do with Braver Deeds and buffalo soldiers? Nothing really, other than it’s the background for Prisoner Moon, my second novel. Prisoner Moon is available now in Paperback as well as Kindle and Nook eBooks. If you love historical fiction, check out Prisoner Moon at http://PrisonerMoon.com/ or on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/PrisonerMoonNovel John Van Roekel, author of Braver Deeds

The second edition of Braver Deeds is now available. In has a great new cover, improved maps and some text updates. For a free sample as well as purchase information, please visit: BraverDeeds.com

The second edition of Braver Deeds is now available. In has a great new cover, improved maps and some text updates. For a free sample as well as purchase information, please visit: BraverDeeds.com

On another topic, the "trailer" video for Braver Deed is now available. Take a look. (It's short). http://youtu.be/MnXlRgoP27I John

Hi BiauncaWilliams, I'm sorry you feel that way about my original post. I used to feel as you do, that race shouldn't matter. We were probably both raised in an environment where to ask about race was a prelude to discriminating based on race. And, of course, that still exists. But I've come to understand that our race is an intrinsic part of who we are. Understanding our own background, and that of our friends, readers, book characters, and yes, book authors is part of understanding people. I see that as a good thing. John

The Braver Deeds trailer (video) is now available at

What to read Braver Deeds for free? If you own a Kindle and have an Amazon Prime account, the Kindle version is currently available for free as part of Amazon's Kindle Owners' Lending Library. Just go to Braver DeedsKindle edition to check whether you qualify. Don't own a Kindle or have a Prime account? You can still read the entire book for just $0.99 on any smart phone, tablet or computer by installing a free Kindle application from Amazon, available at: Free Reading Apps. Finally, you can read the Kindle version on your computer by online using the Kindle Cloud Reader. In these cases, of course, you do have to pay the $0.99. I hope this is helpful.

What to read Braver Deeds for free? If you own a Kindle and have an Amazon Prime account, the Kindle version is currently available for free as part of Amazon's Kindle Owners' Lending Library. Just go to Braver DeedsKindle edition to check whether you qualify. Don't own a Kindle or have a Prime account? You can still read the entire book for just $0.99 on any smart phone, tablet or computer by installing a free Kindle application from Amazon, available at: Free Reading Apps. Alternatively, you can read the Kindle version on your computer by online using the Kindle Cloud Reader. In these cases, of course, you do have to pay the $0.99 at Braver DeedsKindle edition. I hope this is helpful.

The Braver Deeds Facebook page is up: facebook.com/BraverDeeds

Wow. I haven't checked in on this board in a while (since posting the note on the price change for the printed version), and I just now got caught up in all the latest comments. writergirl870 said lots of interesting and thought provoking things. One question she asks, and it's been asked by others on this board: "So why ask now what black ppl think?" What is my true motive? Is it a "marketing strategy"? Well, it's not simple. First, I did truly wonder what people, especially African-Americans, would think about this question. All during the years I worked on this and since, I asked myself whether I was doing something wrong, or at least inapprorpriate. I had a Native-American woman tell me in a writing class that I shouldn't be writing about Native-Americans and Wounded Knee. Ultimately, I plunged ahead because I loved the characters and the story, and I wanted to tell it. But it does occur to me that maybe one of my motives for posting this question was that I was seeking some sort of absolution. I think we can all agree I didn't get it. Money is not a motive. I've made that point before. I make no real profit on this book. Any minimal royalties that come from Amazon do not begin to cover the on-going costs (mainly modest advertising). But there is a related motive. In retrospect, I think I should have been more straight-forward about this. I want readers. By posting my provocative question, I did hope to stir up this kind of discussion, and maybe this would lead to more readers. So that's a question for you: Have any of you read Braver Deeds in its entirety? What do you think of the full story? mzmina, thank you for your comments about the story. I think you only read chapter one, right? Yes, I agree that in some ways Sammy steals the show, but that's fine. (Sammy is Matt's horse.) Ultimately Sammy's role is to help us to understand the main protagonist, Matt. I think when we read a novel, what we really care about are the relationships, and Matt's relationship with Sammy is provides much of the heart of Braver Deeds. I hope. I checked out your website and it looks great. I should have used the cover designer you used for your books. FYI, I finally put up a Braver Deeds facebook page: http://facebook.com/braverdeeds

In order to expand the distribution of the print version of Braver Deeds to bookstores, libraries and academic institutions, it will soon be necessary to increase the list price from $10.54 to $15.80. If you want a copy of this 450 page epic at the current low price, please order now. http://www.amazon.com/Braver-Deeds-John-Van-Roekel/dp/1463633378 The very low price of $0.99 for the Kindle version is not being changed at this time.

In order to expand the distribution of the print version of Braver Deeds to bookstores, libraries and academic institutions, it will soon be necessary to increase the list price from $10.54 to $15.80. If you want a copy of this 450 page epic at the current low price, please order now. http://www.amazon.co...l/dp/1463633378 The very low price of $0.99 for the Kindle version is not being changed at this time.

I am happy to report that I've been able to reduce the price of the print version of Braver Deeds to $10.54 (plus shipping). You can purchase the print version from Amazon.com or CreateSpace.com. The Kindle version price remains $0.99 from Amazon.com. John

I am happy to report that I've been able to reduce the price of the print version of Braver Deeds to $10.54 (plus shipping). You can purchase the print version from Amazon.com or CreateSpace.com. The Kindle version price remains $0.99 from Amazon.com. John

Braver Deeds is the story of three people in 1890 and 1898. Matt Davys is a black cavalry trooper, a “Buffalo Soldier,” who has made a life for himself in the Army. Comes-Running is a young Lakota Sioux girl whose family is caught up in the “Ghost Dance Uprising.” Carlos Estrada-Palma was born in New York City but finds his future inexorably tied to his father’s homeland, Cuba. Braver Deeds was the First Place Winner in the Historical/Fiction category in the SouthWest Writers Contest. For more information, including the free first chapter, visit BraverDeeds.com. Both print and Kindle versions are available on Amazon.