Tenkara Smart's Blog
February 16, 2025
His Name is Junsaku, book 2, The Many Lives of Wolf series, releasing March 3rd
Hey reading friends,
My newest historical fantasy, magical realism, romance, adventure novel will be available on Amazon March 3rd, 2025. It's titled His Name is Junsaku, & I hope you'll add to your WANT TO READ list. And, even better, if you do give it a go, please share your honest review!
Here's a snippet from a pre-release review and you can find more by checking out the book link on Goodreads:
'His Name is Junsaku by Tenkara Smart is a historical story set in Japan during the 1600s where the main character, Junsaku Aoyama, is a samurai general who loyally serves the shogunate (Japan's military government). That is until his life changes dramatically when he meets a woman from a Dutch trading ship. As he gets to know her, he starts seeing ghost-like warnings about his future choices. Smart carefully researched the period to show exactly how people lived in feudal Japan, where strict social rules and ancient traditions were beginning to clash with new influences from foreign countries. The story mixes samurai culture, political scheming, and supernatural events to create an exciting tale about honor, fate, and what happens when different cultures meet. Smart helps readers understand an important time in Japanese history when the country was starting to change because of contact with the outside world.'
Tenkara Smart
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My newest historical fantasy, magical realism, romance, adventure novel will be available on Amazon March 3rd, 2025. It's titled His Name is Junsaku, & I hope you'll add to your WANT TO READ list. And, even better, if you do give it a go, please share your honest review!
Here's a snippet from a pre-release review and you can find more by checking out the book link on Goodreads:
'His Name is Junsaku by Tenkara Smart is a historical story set in Japan during the 1600s where the main character, Junsaku Aoyama, is a samurai general who loyally serves the shogunate (Japan's military government). That is until his life changes dramatically when he meets a woman from a Dutch trading ship. As he gets to know her, he starts seeing ghost-like warnings about his future choices. Smart carefully researched the period to show exactly how people lived in feudal Japan, where strict social rules and ancient traditions were beginning to clash with new influences from foreign countries. The story mixes samurai culture, political scheming, and supernatural events to create an exciting tale about honor, fate, and what happens when different cultures meet. Smart helps readers understand an important time in Japanese history when the country was starting to change because of contact with the outside world.'
Tenkara Smart
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
November 18, 2020
Recent Magazine Article re: She Named Me Wolf
“Tenkara Smart weaves a delightful coming of age story of struggle, survival, and happiness found in an imaginary world.” Book Review
“She Named Me Wolf is the first book in a series titled The Many Lives of Wolf and is based on the idea of past lives and reincarnation,” Tenkara says. “In this young adult novel, I introduce the reader to Wolf, a boy growing up in a small town in the Australian Capital Territory in the 1970’s. Wolf’s father is an unpredictable alcoholic, and though his father is physically abusive, I focus the story on how Wolf copes with the abuse by escaping into magical worlds and pulling on his own inner strength. Another main character in the book is Polly, the ghost of a Japanese girl who is like a sister to Wolf. She cares for him, teaches him, and even tries to protect him. However, because she is a ghost, Polly is physically powerless. Luckily for Wolf, his mother involves him with martial arts training early in his life, and this becomes a key factor in Wolf’s development and the choices he makes.”
Tenkara Smart got the idea for She Named Me Wolf from both her own personal beliefs and stories people have shared with her. Tenkara was deeply moved by how a young person can use their powerful imagination as well as martial arts to cope with the fear and instability that comes from having an abusive parent. Also, with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a minor in Creative Writing from San Diego State University, she finally found the story that inspired her enough to put it into words.
“I hope when people read She Named Me Wolf, they admire Wolf’s courage and inner strength and the idea that the world is more than it seems. In the end, Wolf shows us that we all have the power to carve our own path.”
Tenkara’s second book will be released in 2021. The second novel in the series, the story of Junsaku, a samurai warrior living in feudal Japan, is an adult contemporary novel that tells the story of another life of this one soul as it travels through many lifetimes, seeking out the light in the darkness.
She Named Me Wolf is available at Amazon.com
https://read.amazon.com.au/kp/embed?a...
“She Named Me Wolf is the first book in a series titled The Many Lives of Wolf and is based on the idea of past lives and reincarnation,” Tenkara says. “In this young adult novel, I introduce the reader to Wolf, a boy growing up in a small town in the Australian Capital Territory in the 1970’s. Wolf’s father is an unpredictable alcoholic, and though his father is physically abusive, I focus the story on how Wolf copes with the abuse by escaping into magical worlds and pulling on his own inner strength. Another main character in the book is Polly, the ghost of a Japanese girl who is like a sister to Wolf. She cares for him, teaches him, and even tries to protect him. However, because she is a ghost, Polly is physically powerless. Luckily for Wolf, his mother involves him with martial arts training early in his life, and this becomes a key factor in Wolf’s development and the choices he makes.”
Tenkara Smart got the idea for She Named Me Wolf from both her own personal beliefs and stories people have shared with her. Tenkara was deeply moved by how a young person can use their powerful imagination as well as martial arts to cope with the fear and instability that comes from having an abusive parent. Also, with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a minor in Creative Writing from San Diego State University, she finally found the story that inspired her enough to put it into words.
“I hope when people read She Named Me Wolf, they admire Wolf’s courage and inner strength and the idea that the world is more than it seems. In the end, Wolf shows us that we all have the power to carve our own path.”
Tenkara’s second book will be released in 2021. The second novel in the series, the story of Junsaku, a samurai warrior living in feudal Japan, is an adult contemporary novel that tells the story of another life of this one soul as it travels through many lifetimes, seeking out the light in the darkness.
She Named Me Wolf is available at Amazon.com
https://read.amazon.com.au/kp/embed?a...
October 26, 2020
Highlights from a recent Author Interview
What inspires your writing?
I believe that we are all vibrational beings and that our soul travels through many lifetimes. I was inspired to create fictional books based on these ideas, focusing each novel on how a human, in each incarnation, deals with the struggles that each lifetime can bring. I was also inspired by stories from my husband's life as well as others I have known, pulling this all together to create six books in my series, The Many Lives of Wolf. In book one, She Named Me Wolf, I was inspired to share this story because of the way that Wolf deals with abuse from his alcoholic father. Wolf's response and coping mechanisms are special and magical, and I hoped that other people who have been in an abusive situation might connect with Wolf's story and find inspiration from his inner strength, wisdom, and how his powerful imagination helped him to overcome the odds.
What does success look like to you?
Every time a person says they enjoyed She Named Me Wolf and that they look forward to reading the next book in the series, that is success to me.
What was your favorite childhood book?
I loved the Judy Blume books, especially, "Are you there God? It's me, Margaret." As a girl going into teenage years, it was impactful to me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I also loved reading The Chronicles of Narnia and getting lost in the enchanting, magical worlds of Narnia.
How did you get started with writing?
With a degree from San Diego State University in English Literature as well as post-graduate work in creative writing/copy writing, I ended up working for 20+ years in customer service and operations for a major running retailer in the USA. Eventually, my husband and I agreed that I could quit my job and devote my time to writing. His work took us from Southern California to Qatar and now to Australia, and I write when I feel inspired, which is at least several times per week.
Have you connected with any characters from books you have read?
Recently, I really connected with Eleanor Oliphant from the book Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I didn't connect with her because I am socially isolated but because of her humorous, candid insights, many of which she had the guts to say outload. Though I could relate to her thoughts and comments about the world around her, I would never have the guts or the honesty to say them outload and I admired that about her. I loved how Eleanor's 'mind' created her reality and it wasn't until she had a paradigm shift that she really began to live and enjoy life.
How do you come up with plots or characters for your book?
First of all, as crazy as this sounds, I have been living with a ghost for over five years now, and she lets her physical presence be known in my house on a regular basis, so the paranormal part of my novel came easily to me. Additionally, I have had deep, spiritual experiences with my husband that have revealed to me certain truths, and I am fictionalizing those things I believe in my books, especially about one soul reincarnating through different lifetimes.
Any other information you would like to include to our readers? If you should decide to read She Named Me Wolf, just want to say THANK YOU and I hope that you enjoy this story of friendship, survival, and the power of imagination.
She Named Me Wolf
I believe that we are all vibrational beings and that our soul travels through many lifetimes. I was inspired to create fictional books based on these ideas, focusing each novel on how a human, in each incarnation, deals with the struggles that each lifetime can bring. I was also inspired by stories from my husband's life as well as others I have known, pulling this all together to create six books in my series, The Many Lives of Wolf. In book one, She Named Me Wolf, I was inspired to share this story because of the way that Wolf deals with abuse from his alcoholic father. Wolf's response and coping mechanisms are special and magical, and I hoped that other people who have been in an abusive situation might connect with Wolf's story and find inspiration from his inner strength, wisdom, and how his powerful imagination helped him to overcome the odds.
What does success look like to you?
Every time a person says they enjoyed She Named Me Wolf and that they look forward to reading the next book in the series, that is success to me.
What was your favorite childhood book?
I loved the Judy Blume books, especially, "Are you there God? It's me, Margaret." As a girl going into teenage years, it was impactful to me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I also loved reading The Chronicles of Narnia and getting lost in the enchanting, magical worlds of Narnia.
How did you get started with writing?
With a degree from San Diego State University in English Literature as well as post-graduate work in creative writing/copy writing, I ended up working for 20+ years in customer service and operations for a major running retailer in the USA. Eventually, my husband and I agreed that I could quit my job and devote my time to writing. His work took us from Southern California to Qatar and now to Australia, and I write when I feel inspired, which is at least several times per week.
Have you connected with any characters from books you have read?
Recently, I really connected with Eleanor Oliphant from the book Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I didn't connect with her because I am socially isolated but because of her humorous, candid insights, many of which she had the guts to say outload. Though I could relate to her thoughts and comments about the world around her, I would never have the guts or the honesty to say them outload and I admired that about her. I loved how Eleanor's 'mind' created her reality and it wasn't until she had a paradigm shift that she really began to live and enjoy life.
How do you come up with plots or characters for your book?
First of all, as crazy as this sounds, I have been living with a ghost for over five years now, and she lets her physical presence be known in my house on a regular basis, so the paranormal part of my novel came easily to me. Additionally, I have had deep, spiritual experiences with my husband that have revealed to me certain truths, and I am fictionalizing those things I believe in my books, especially about one soul reincarnating through different lifetimes.
Any other information you would like to include to our readers? If you should decide to read She Named Me Wolf, just want to say THANK YOU and I hope that you enjoy this story of friendship, survival, and the power of imagination.
She Named Me Wolf
August 25, 2020
The difficulty of writing about child abuse
I struggled to write a book where the main character is a victim of abuse. I didn't want it to be graphic yet wanted the reader to understand the terror he felt and the confusion living with an alcoholic father. I also wanted the reader to see that this boy was wise beyond his years and through his own inner strength and imagination, he could beat the odds.
Recently, I received this 5-star review and felt that this reader captured much of what I was hoping to achieve:
"A brilliant and surreal read that starts normally enough. A boy lives in rough conditions but his strong spirit and imagination allow him to persevere and prosper. Does he have magic? It's hard to tell, and that adds a Bridge to Terabithian element to the prose. I love that it made me first think of my own childhood, then gripped me with the terror of violence and the wonder of childhood magic."
In my second book in the series, though the story is very different from She Named Me Wolf, the soul is the same one that lived in the body of Wolf. The samurai warrior Junsaku is another incarnation of the spirit of the boy, and Junsaku has his own set of life adventures as he travels the road to enlightenment.
Recently, I received this 5-star review and felt that this reader captured much of what I was hoping to achieve:
"A brilliant and surreal read that starts normally enough. A boy lives in rough conditions but his strong spirit and imagination allow him to persevere and prosper. Does he have magic? It's hard to tell, and that adds a Bridge to Terabithian element to the prose. I love that it made me first think of my own childhood, then gripped me with the terror of violence and the wonder of childhood magic."
In my second book in the series, though the story is very different from She Named Me Wolf, the soul is the same one that lived in the body of Wolf. The samurai warrior Junsaku is another incarnation of the spirit of the boy, and Junsaku has his own set of life adventures as he travels the road to enlightenment.
July 26, 2020
Great review from Kiera in the UK
I hope that you'll find my book as satisfying as Kiera who gave it 5 stars! Here is what Kiera had to say:
"Quite rarely does a book broach the topic of abuse in its raw form but "She Named Me A Wolf" did just that! I am impressed by the way Smart maneuvered the plot line to accommodate all aspects of living in an abusive household. She also incorporated ideas surrounding Wolf's state of mind via his dialogues which clearly depicted the protagonist's personal struggles.
The composition reads extremely well and gets the message across in a calm, relaxed manner despite the harrowing circumstances of its main character. I believe this sets the book apart since the gloomy aspects aren't dwelled on and Smart knows what resonates with readers on a personal level.
All in all, a lovely attempt at showcasing an important social issue and highly recommended to all those looking for a stimulating read.
"Quite rarely does a book broach the topic of abuse in its raw form but "She Named Me A Wolf" did just that! I am impressed by the way Smart maneuvered the plot line to accommodate all aspects of living in an abusive household. She also incorporated ideas surrounding Wolf's state of mind via his dialogues which clearly depicted the protagonist's personal struggles.
The composition reads extremely well and gets the message across in a calm, relaxed manner despite the harrowing circumstances of its main character. I believe this sets the book apart since the gloomy aspects aren't dwelled on and Smart knows what resonates with readers on a personal level.
All in all, a lovely attempt at showcasing an important social issue and highly recommended to all those looking for a stimulating read.
July 15, 2020
Creating your own reality
When I am aware of the vibration that I am putting into the universe, I can see the impact that it has on my reality. For instance, when I get caught up in negativity, I notice I feel uninspired, lethargic, sickly, and even sad. When I focus on things that are positive and good, I feel motivated, inspired, I want to move more, and I smile and laugh more.
When I focus on the positive, I feel great.
I can't explain how this works by describing it through my five senses. I can't really see, touch, taste, smell, or hear how focusing on the positives and the blessings and magic in life make me feel happy and content. I just know it works.
As Abraham Hicks says it; "What you are living is evidence of what you are thinking and feeling, every single time."
When I focus on the positive, I feel great.
I can't explain how this works by describing it through my five senses. I can't really see, touch, taste, smell, or hear how focusing on the positives and the blessings and magic in life make me feel happy and content. I just know it works.
As Abraham Hicks says it; "What you are living is evidence of what you are thinking and feeling, every single time."
July 5, 2020
Is Wolf’s magical world real or is it all in his head?
Wolf, the protagonist, lives with an alcoholic father whose behaviour is unpredictable and who physically abuses his son, (though I have not gone into great detail on the physical abuse and found other ways to address this delicate topic). As the reader gets to know Wolf, his family, and how he copes with his reality, the reader must determine what is imaginary and what is real. Can animals talk? Are ghosts real? Can someone leave their physical body and travel? Though there are other stories from around the globe and throughout time of people having experiences with ghosts or astral travel, it will be up to the reader to decide what is real and what is not in the unique and magical life of Wolf.
July 2, 2020
Are ghosts real?
Do you believe in ghosts? I have always believed ghosts were possible yet also have a scientific view of the world. However, in my late forties, things started happening in my life and I couldn't explain them away.
It began by small things moving around. Then, the tap in the kitchen, (the lift-up handle kind), turned on by itself while I watched TV in another room. Another time I entered my house and it was freezing; the ceiling fans were all on full speed, the A/C was on and set to cold, a picture had been moved to the floor, and a sword on the wall had been slid out of its sheath, exposing the blade.
Since 2015, I have a ghost in my life, and she’s a girl. She likes pink cupcakes. She moves things around. She turns things on. She is active in my life, and I can't explain her away.
Like Wolf from my book, you might think I’m imagining things. I can only say that I am smart, practical, and I can’t explain what is happening except that I have a ghost, and she likes pink cupcakes.
It began by small things moving around. Then, the tap in the kitchen, (the lift-up handle kind), turned on by itself while I watched TV in another room. Another time I entered my house and it was freezing; the ceiling fans were all on full speed, the A/C was on and set to cold, a picture had been moved to the floor, and a sword on the wall had been slid out of its sheath, exposing the blade.
Since 2015, I have a ghost in my life, and she’s a girl. She likes pink cupcakes. She moves things around. She turns things on. She is active in my life, and I can't explain her away.
Like Wolf from my book, you might think I’m imagining things. I can only say that I am smart, practical, and I can’t explain what is happening except that I have a ghost, and she likes pink cupcakes.
