Roots in Ukraine

A cousin of mine told me last night that his “mother came from Kiev.” Hundreds of thousands maybe even millions of Americans, must be saying to themselves these days, “my family came from Kiev, Vinnitsa, Lviv, Odessa and Zhitomir in Ukraine. Many of us visited and some wrote about it and their family’s story as I did in “Klara’s Journey,” But all of us must be watching from afar the daily events in what is now a nation in deep turmoil, to say the least. Time can never replace one’s roots and time can never extinguish the hope that the situation in Ukraine can be resolved without further bloodshed. Klara's Journey, wherever books are sold:   http://amzn.to/13Sp769

 

Crisis in Ukraine

The crisis in Ukraine is not over yet. Russia has always believed Ukraine is joined to it; a mindset that makes one wonder how long Moscow will sit by and allows this neighbor to move to the west. There are signs that Russia already is stirring up its pro-Russian and pro-separatists supporters in Ukraine to keep it from moving toward the EU. As in Klara Rasputnis’ days of the Russian Civil War, 1918-1922, the Russians made sure that Ukraine became part of the USSR. Background: “Klara’s Journey”: wherever books are sold, http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Available on all ebook formats, nook, ipad, Kobo, etc;

“The Jewish Chronicle- (Pittsburgh) - Klara s Journey captures drama of woman’s perilous trek” More than historical fiction, though, “Klara’s Journey” is a star-crossed love story.  Along the way, she meets and falls in love with Vladimir, a non-Jewish member of the Red Cross. Their relationship delays her on her quest to find her father, but it also gives her the courage to continue her arduous journey when fate intervenes to separate the couple.” Hilary Daninhirsch , The Jewish Chronicle, Pittsburgh, Pa. http://amzn.to/13Sp769   Available on all ebook formats, nook, ipad, Kobo,etc.

 

 

Certificate of appreciation to Travel Author Ben Frank

Added nice touch to my book talk at the Boynton Beach City Library  where I spoke and sold books,”Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel  dealing with “betrayal, high drama and love.” The library presented me, “travel author Ben Frank, with a “certificate of appreciation.” Since I value libraries so much this was indeed an honor. “Klara’s Journey,”(Marion Street Press),a gripping saga of Russia’s Civil War,is available wherever books are sold and on ebook  formats. http://amzn.to/13Sp769 

"Klara's Journey," in J. Levine Books and Judaica, New York City

Proud that “Klara’s Journey,” a story of “betrayal, high drama and love,” & an historical novel involving the Jewish family, Rasputnis in the Russian Civil War, is featured in the window of J. Levine Books and Judaica, just footsteps from the Empire State Building in New York City. Stop at J. Levine’s, browse or just chat with Danny Levine and check out “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press)Available at the store or at levinejudaica.com http://www.levinejudaica.com/catalog/klaras-journey-novelp-by-ben-frank-p-20910.html

Frequent question asked re "Klara's Journey,"?

After my book talk at Temple Beth Torah, Green Acres, Fl., yesterday,  several members of the audience asked why Klara Rasputnis of “Klara’s Journey,” a story of betrayal, high drama and love,” was chosen over brother, Mischa. So hurt and angry is he that he runs away and joins the Red Army. Certainly not the end of the story. Check it out: “Klara’s Journey,” wherever books are sold, http://amzn.to/13Sp769   Wherever books are sold, Available on all ebook formats, nook, ipad, Kobo,etc.

 

 

Odessa

If I was at the Olympics, I’d certainly pay a visit to Odessa on the Black Sea, about an hour’s flight from Sochi. I would be walking in the footsteps of my family in a city which is truly special: A city of enlightenment, a Zionist city, Odessa was home to outstanding Jewish writers such as,Isaac Babel, Chaim Nachman Bialik, and Vladimir Jabotinsky. It is said that Russian Jewry stood in awe of Odessa. I visited Odessa and that is where I began my historical novel, “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press)--- a story of betrayal, high drama and love.” http://amzn.to/13Sp769

 

Incredible India

Incredible India: Glad to see that Kerala Tourism won a top UN award for its global leadership in creating innovative initiatives for sustainable tourism, the first time India has ever won the recognition,  India Travel reports. Cochin (Kochi) in Kerala is home to Cochin Jews and home to the famous Paradesi Synagogue, part of the “Living Heritage of India.” Check out my chapter on India in “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from India to Cuba to Tahiti & Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press),--an odyssey to discover exotic Jewish communities around the world. Wherever books are sold:  http://amzn.to/J3Z47T  My blog at www.bengfrank.blogspot.com “I Travel the World.” Follow me on twitter @bengfrank :  

 

 

New Booktalk topic

“The Jews of the Amazon,” was my book talk topic, re “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press) when I spoke last night at the Jewish Heritage Club of Valencia Pointe in Boynton Beach, FL. I noted that when you discuss “Amazonas,” you include Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Holland, Portugal and Spain. Check out “The Scattered Tribe,” wherever books are sold, an ebook, http://amzn.to/J3Z47T I blog at www.bengfrank.blogspot.com “I Travel the World.” Follow me on twitter @bengfrank :