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

  The commissioner invited Dick to join him in his office; the return journey from Government House had been made in silence.


  "What was all that about, Uncle?" asked Dick, repositioning the errant lock of greasy hair back over his ear. Dick read the copy of Captain Mackie's report and listened while the commissioner recounted Ira's findings. "This is serious, isn't it?"


  The commissioner looked up at his nephew, wondering at the lad's parental lineage. 


  "Uncle?" said Dick in his most respectful voice.


  The commissioner waited expectantly, eyebrows raised.


  "I apprehended a young man who had assaulted and robbed a traveller earlier today. The assailant took all his possessions, including a tin of cigarettes. Eye-Ruh, um, Sergeant Rangitira, was nearby and saw the cigarettes. He identified them as Russian. He believed the victim was Russian, and perhaps is one of the men we now seek."


  "And you saw the victim? You can identify him?" asked the commissioner.


Chapter 79