1) At First Light becomes an Amazon.com #1 Best Seller

I was so happy to learn that (likley because of item #3 below), that the ratings for my WWII book, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse, really shot WAY UP on Amazon.com this week. In fact, for a while, it was an Amazon.com #1 best seller in the Kindle Edition in the category of WWII Biographies. The book edition became a #3 best seller in the same category.

In fact, not long after it achieved the #1 Best Seller status, Amazon.com ran out of stock. Hopefully the publisher can get them restocked quickly!

2) At First Light honored at the National WWII Museum

I was delighted to have my son, Scott, join me at the National WWII Museum in NOLA as they featured my and Mike Yorkey’s book about my father’s exploits in WWII, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse on Tuesday, January 10. You can watch the program here.

Scott and I had a memorable tour of the museum and its amazing exhibits. Here we stopped with a gentleman who befriended my dad and is a character in the book. Hint, after the war he became our 34^th U.S. President.

Scott also caught me in a sacred moment of contemplation as I studied a Sherman tank – just like the one my father was shot on near the end of the war losing his leg.

Here are a couple of shots taken of the presentation. You can watch the conversation here.

Although this was an extraordinary privilege and honor, the best part was having a couple of days with one of my very best friends, my son.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE OR ORDER THE BOOK

2) My Best Book Review Ever

After having written over forty books, I’ve been pleased with and have suffered through countless reviews from professional reviewers and readers. Fortunately, most have been very good, affirming, and a blessing. But I just received perhaps the best and most uplifting book review I’ve ever received. It was published in The Epoch Times – a newer national newspaper – on January 25. See what you think. You can read it here.

 READ THE REVIEW HERE

3) “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living

I enjoy being able to answer questions from the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine in my “Ask Dr. Walt” column. Here is my single Q&A from the January 2023 issue. It’s titled, 12 Steps for Spiritual Strength Training and Nutrition. This article came from this quesiton by a reader:

With the coming new year, what resolutions do you most recommend for folks to improve their overall health? Improved nutrition? Weight loss? Increase exercise and movement? Better sleep? — Resolution Setter in Rhode Island

4) Vaccine News You Can Use

I’ve been honored to write this quarterly column for Colorado Family Physician. For years, my dear friend, Reginald Finger, MD, MPH, co-wrote with me, but now I’m solo. If you’d like to see any of these stories, click here:

• Vaccine Awareness: Family Medicine Resources.
• School and childcare immunization requirements for the 2022-2023 school year.
• ACIP recommends COVID-19 vaccines be added to 2023 child and adult vaccine schedules.
• ACIP recs for new pneumococcal vax in previously immunized adults.
• Pfizer to seek FDA approval for maternal RSV vaccine.
• We FPs can do a better job implementing universal Hepatitis B vaccination.
• Parental concern about childhood vaccine safety increased during the COVID pandemic.
• Vaccinations dramatically reduce HPV prevalence in young women.
• Annual flu shots are tied to lower ischemic stroke risk. Colorado Family Physician.
• Do text message reminders promote receipt of second flu vaccine dose in kids?
• Experts worry about public reaction to vaccine study.

5) Recent PR for At First Light interviews or reviews

Ascot Media had a successful PR campaign for my WWII book, At First Light. Here’s what happened in December and January:

1. The Stephen Ambrose History Happy Hour (12-11-22)
2. Midwest Book Review (12/20/22)
3. The Epoch Times (01/13/23)
4. An inspiring true story that reads like historical fiction (01/25/23)
5. (12-11-22)
6. Talk Radio Europe (01/04/22)
7. Kimberly Cloud Show (01/04/22)
8. National WWII Museum (01/10/23)

6) Excerpts from At First Light

1. Soldier’s covert role in wartime Lipizzaner horse rescue revealed (Part 1 – Horse Talk – 01/22/23)
2. Operation Lipizzaner: Former Nazi vet paves way for horse rescue (Part 2 – Horse Talk – 01/29/23) https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2023/01/29/operation-lipizzaner-former-nazi-vet-horse-rescue/

7) Last Month’s Happenings

• Jan 7, Barb and I directed a Leader’s Training Seminar for this semester’s ReEngage Marriage Ministry at Academy Christian Church. It was a great day with both new and experienced leader couples.
• Jan 7-8, after the training, Barb and I left for a weekend in Denver to celebrate Barb’s birthday. We had a joyous time together.
• Jan 10-11, I was so excited to have been invited to fly to New Orleans to do a book signing and make a presentation about my and Mike Yorkey’s WWII book, At First Light, at the National WWII Museum. Details above.
• Jan 18, we begin another session of our weekly ReEngage classes that will continue until May 3.

8) Upcoming Events

• Feb 13-22, Barb and I will make our first trip and pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We’re really excited about going with a group of dear friends from our church.

9) Past Editions

January 2023

• Annual Update
• At First Light to be honored at the National WWII Museum
• At First Light featured on the Stephen Ambrose History Happy Hour
• At First Light nominated or submitted for nine book awards
• Readers continue to dish out love for At First Light
• Recent At First Light interviews or reviews

December 2022

• Order signed and personalized copies of my books
• Mark your calendar: At First Light to be featured on the Stephen Ambrose History Happy Hour
• Mark your calendar: At First Light to be honored at the National WWII Museum
• At First Light wins an international book award
• Readers continue to dish out love for At First Light
• The successful public relations campaign for At First Light continues
• “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living

November 2022

• Public Relations Campaign for Veteran’s Day
• Readers Love At First Light

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2023.