THAT TENDER LIGHT (for excerpts and purchase, click here or on book image)

THAT TENDER LIGHT touches the heart, captures the imagination, and explores the redemptive qualities of love and faith.

The nation’s top investigative reporter, Lockwood McGuire, is asked to find missing novelist Jack Taylor, a Medal of Honor recipient, who disappeared in 1986 without leaving a clue as to his whereabouts. McGuire’s search leads to a farm in Indiana where Missy Lee, a 98-year-old woman, lives with secrets that unlock the mystery.

One of those secrets is Taylor’s final, unpublished novel which describes his love affair with Lee’s niece Lily Veronica Hall, includes the story of a Canadian woman he loved and lost in Laos, is an account of his secret mission to assassinate several men in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and reveals for the first time his torture and escape as a POW.

From a fateful meeting to a tortuous parting, the union between Lily and Jack is lyrical and touching. Lily is reticent to fall in love. Hurt once in an abusive marriage, the English professor fears losing the qualities that define her as a passionate, intelligent, independent, successful, and decisive woman. Jack Taylor fights his own demons and fears providence will destroy anyone he loves as retribution for the rapture he felt when killing in war.  SEE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR HERE!

THAT TENDER LIGHT blends the push and tug of human interaction with mystery, romance, adventure, and redemption. Available also at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and at any bookstore with ISBN: 978-1-60910-734-5.  Kindle, Nook and E-book versions are available, too.

People all over the country love this book, see book trailer here: TRAILER

Review of THAT TENDER LIGHT

BEST NOVELS RARELY COME ALONG, BUT THAT TENDER LIGHT TREATS READERS TO A REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF LOVE, SORROW, BEAUTY, and REDEMPTION

Reviews by Barb

Best novels is a term I rarely use, but after reading THAT TENDER LIGHT by D. James Then, I have to admit the term kept repeating in my mind, like an old song that brightens a dour day.

The basic premise of Then’s story is simple: an investigative journalist, Lockwood McGuire, receives an assignment to find a famous novelist (eight bestsellers), Jack Taylor, who has been missing for 25 years. Imagine if you will if Hemingway or Grisham disappearing without a clue at the height of their popularity—at first baffling and then, as time passed, a great mystery.

McGuire does not want the assignment because he feels it is beneath him. To complicate his displeasure, McGuire must mentor a rookie female investigative reporter, something his lone-wolf attitude does not relish. To McGuire’s surprise, and thankfully, for the reader, what he gets is the journey of a lifetime.

His research leads him to a farm in remote Indiana where 98-year-old Missy Lee knows the full story.

Unbeknownst to McGuire, Hall has Taylor’s ninth unpublished novel—That Tender Light—which offers double the pleasure, it is two stories woven together into one. The first is a narrative about Taylor’s love affair with Lee’s niece, Lily Veronica Hall; the second reveals a secret mission into North Vietnam near the later stages of the Vietnam conflict and describes his love affair with a Canadian physician, Julia Ormandy.

The story by itself is intriguing, but D. James Then’s prose and dialogue add frosting to the cake and place the book among the best novels of the past decade. It blends each story with a unique magic and treats the reader to a delightful, heartfelt, poignant exploration of love, destiny, charm, and redemption.

There are passages as forceful and dominant as those of Hemingway, as touching as those of Sparks, as wondrous as those of Waller. From the first page to the last, the reader participates in the story with immediate intimacy. It is as fine a novel as I have read in many and it comes from a first-time author, an author whose passion and craft needs notice and admiration.

It is rare that I say a book fits the best novels category and it is equally rare that a book comes along with such lasting beauty, with such forceful narrative, with such lasting images, and with such a fine storyline.

A friend asked me if this book was a romance, an adventure, a mystery, a story of war or discovery. Yes, I replied, all of the above and more…much more.

If a person is seeking a book from the category of best novels, I highly recommend THAT TENDER LIGHT, by D. James Then. It is a great read and deserves a high rank amongst best novels.

READER COMMENTS ON THAT TENDER LIGHT (click here for excerpts and purchase)

Don, you are a great writer; your book is wonderful...
Joanne, Oklahoma City

Don, want to let you know that I finished That Tender Light and I loved it, didn't want to put it down. Thank you, thank you for such a wonderful book. Looking forward to your next one. 
L.S., Mother, Indiana

I just finished your book, THAT TENDER LIGHT and loved it!  You did a great job developing the characters, and writing a story within a story within a story  - that is tricky to do.   Congratulations again on a fine accomplishment! - Thomas Berry, author Lewis and Clark, Murder on the Natchez Trace

And what a wonderful journey the book was. Just finished it, it tugs at your heart yet lifts one up . A journey of life a story of how life is the greatest gift. And, the important message of God's grace a gift we don't deserve, but should not reject. Thanks for the journey! - Marsha, Mother and Executive, 50, Duxbury, MA

You are a wonderful storyteller. Your book offers a compelling storyline and wonderful characters. THAT TENDER LIGHT is superbly written! - Vickie, Mother and Journalist, 48, Fort Mitchell, KY

I had a trip to NYC last week and took the opportunity to read your book during the flight. I just wanted to let you know that it was captivating and a great read. I particularly appreciated the way that the stories were interwoven and how the characters were developed throughout the book. It's probably the first semi-romantic novel that I've ever read, and the cover almost made me wonder about what I was getting into, but the story line was so good, that I was hooked after about 25 pages! M. W, Husband and Attorney, 55, Miami, FL

I bought your book from Amazon after reading about you on Facebook. I really enjoyed it. It had the right amount of passion and love, heroism and tragedy and intrigue.... I really enjoyed it. I am a veteran myself and enjoyed the military aspects of the story. I hope you are successful and continue to write more novels! - Elaine, Retired Naval Officer, 41, Buffalo, NY

You are a gifted storyteller: THAT TENDER LIGHT is a remarkable achievement! - Deborah, Mother & Chief Financial Officer, 46, Hebron, KY

Just read the first hundred pages so far...loving it! - Joanne, Wife and Professional Educator, 42, Fishers, IN

Read the book -- great job, especially recognizing that it must have been tough to write 3 books in one while maintaining the appropriate styles. It was a great read -- especially since I do not believe I ever read a love story before. You seem to have the potential to capture a varied audience with this one! - Charles, Father and Engineer, 58, Winterhaven, FL

Bravo on the book, tell me there will be more.  I'm giving to my wife and sister to read! - Richard, Father, Veteran and Professional Photographer, 38, Greendale, IN

I've finished your book and I want you to know I really enjoyed it...let me know when your next is out so I can buy it. I love the way you write! Mary, Mother, 74, Alexandria, KY

I loved it, some parts were emotional for me, but you can really turn a phrase! - Father and Vietnam Veteran, 64, San Antonio

You're a hell of a storyteller, my friend: compelling storyline and wonderful characters. The real deal.  I'm and English Major and I love it.

Anna, Female College Senior, 21, Lexington, KY

I can honestly say this is one of the best books I've read in the past five years. The storyline is unique; it is a story within a story. The characters are believable. There are scenes/setting every bit as good as Hemingway and as good or better than many of today's more popular authors. The love story is heartwarming, the mission to North Vietnam is chilling, the ending is poignant and superbly written. I highly recommend it.

Lucas Pernician, 52, Literary Critic, IN

Simply put, I loved it...how wonderful, you have captured the essence of a truly great story.  They don't come along often enough! - Hannah, female Physician, 28, Buffalo, NY

I really enjoyed Tender Light! I read it the three days I was at the gulf. It was a lovely woven story with in a story, poignantly written with a message of tender love, faith and strength hidden within the pages! A. W. KY Legislator

You have a great talent! J.E.G, Medical Research, Indianapolis