Author:
Paul W. Feenstra is a historical fiction novelist. Meticulously researched and detailed, his character driven novels create a dramatic window into our chronicled and complex past. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1959, to Dutch immigrants, Paul still commutes to Los Angeles, California, where he worked as a multiple ‘Emmy’ nominated entertainment industry professional.


Believing God speaks to him through the archangel Gabriel, and anointed with powers, Te Ua unites his people through a common cause. He is determined to drive the imperial oppressors from Maori land and return New Zealand to the righteous.

In early 1860’s New Zealand, the beautiful region of Taranaki is engulfed in a brutal land war. Continuing with its unpopular policy, the New Zealand government, bolstered by British soldiers, seeks punitive and severe action against rebel Maori who openly resist the Government’s determined effort to confiscate their lands.  With regular army forces ill equipped to fight in the wilderness, the specialist highly trained ‘Forest Rangers’ are tasked to pursue rebel Maori deep into the rugged bush clad hills.

The Rangers newest recruit, Moana (Ira) Rangitira, a veteran of the Crimean war, shows remarkable and unusual skills, Maori fear and call him, ‘The ghost who walks’. Ira faces challenges that test his will to survive, and can he protect what is closest to his heart, or has everything been destroyed?

‘The Breath of God’ is the first novel in the Moana Rangitira adventure series.

A Soldier's Journey

February 7th, 1873, Petropavlovsk, Cook Strait. 2300 hours.


  Once the longboat was safely hoisted on-board, the Petropavlovsk hoisted her sails, and with a stiff evening breeze, made good progress back through the Cook Strait towards Oamaru Bay where they would wait three days before returning to rendezvous with their men. Captain Butackov, 1st Officer Denisov, and the Marine Sergeant were in the captain's stateroom discussing the unprovoked shooting of the two civilians earlier that evening. 


  "What in God's name made that idiot, what's his name -?"


  "Private Osin, Anatoly Osin, sir" interrupted the Sergeant. 


  "Yes, thank you, Sergeant," replied Butackov. "Since no one gave the order to shoot, what in dear God's name provoked Osin to fire at those people?" 


  The Sergeant had nothing to offer and thought it best to remain silent. 


  "Firing squad," emphatically stated Butackov. "I want him shot."


  "You know we can't do that, Captain," Boris quickly interjected.


Chapter 68