“They were the fathers we never knew, the uncles we never met, the friends who never returned, the heroes we can never repay. They gave us our world. And those simple sounds of freedom we hear today are their voices speaking to us across the years.” Former President Bill Clinton

Such a man was 1st Lt Dean Harold Sherman, B-29 Airplane Commander.

“They Called Him Marvin” is a history. A history of war and of family. A history of the collision of the raging politics of a global war, young love, patriotism, sacred family commitments, duty and the horrors and tragedies, the catastrophe that war is.

Special Book Review

Almost a memoir… A Chick Lit Cafe’ Review:

They Called Him Marvin by Roger Stark is a merger between American and Japanese events during WWII, and the very human reality of one American pilot and his love letters to his wife. The candor in their loving correspondence, and the stark reality of war, clash against each other within the pages of this book. Like the major and minor notes being pulled from an orchestra by a master conductor, history is brought to life and the full impact of war is felt.

I remember watching Tenco many years ago and weeping over the atrocities inflicted on prisoners in Japanese prison of war camps. The horrors of it stayed with me and I often steer clear of anything to do with war in books or films these days. However, I am so glad I came across this super book. The author has met Connie – the wife of Dean, whose love letters fill this book, and this brings everything to life, injecting real substance and making this book stand out from a lot of other war stories.

What I loved the most in this ‘almost-a-memoir’ is the view of the pilots from the Japanese perspective. The story of Riku and his family is very moving, and I appreciate the accounting of history from both countries, it is thoroughly moving as well as educational. Bringing the reader’s focus constantly back to Dean and Connie was an ingenious way to remind us that war involves real people, not just figures on a page.

This story is a beautiful account of a horrific time in history and should be read by everyone… lest we forget. Roger Stark presents us with a very human experience of WWII. This is the kind of book that should be on every high school curriculum. It is awash with facts, but expressed in such a way as to grip the reader and hold their attention.

Packed with historical content, and portrayed with a vibrant pen, They Called Him Marvin by Roger Stark comes very highly recommended by Chick Lit Café. TN Traynor. Almost a memoir…


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LET’S CELEBRATE WITH ROGER STARK WITH AN E-BOOK “FLASH SALE” Starting Today!!

E-book is now priced at $2.99 through September 4th, 2021…

Don’t Miss This Flash Sale! ~ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0979K67SX/

All About The Best Selling Author & Writer Roger Stark

“I am, by my own admission, a reluctant writer. But there are stories that demand to to be told. When we hear them, we must pick up our pen, lest we forget and the stories be lost.

Six years ago, in a quiet conversation with my friend Marvin, I learned the tragic story his father, a WW2 B-29 Airplane Commander, shot down over Nagoya, Japan just months before the end of the war.

Bill Clinton has famously said: “They were the fathers we never knew, the uncles we never met, the friends who never returned, the heroes we can never repay. They gave us our world. And those simple sounds of freedom we hear today are their voices speaking to us across the years.”

Such a man was Marv’s father. A father he never knew. The telling of the story that evening by this half orphan was so moving and full of emotion, it compelled me to ask if I could write the story. The result being “They Called Him Marvin.”

My life has been profoundly touched in so many ways by being part of documenting this sacred story. I pray that we never forget, as a people, the depth of sacrifice that was made by ordinary people like Marvin and his father and mother on our behalf.

My career as an addiction counselor (CDP) lead me to write “The Waterfall Concept; A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery,” and co-author “Reclaiming Your Addicted Brain.”

After my counseling retirement, I decided I wanted to learn more about the craft of writing and started attending classes at Portland Oregon’s Attic Institute. What I learned is that there are an mazing number of great writers in my area and they were willing to help others improve their skills. I am grateful to many of them.

My next project is already underway, a memoir of growing in SW Washington called “Life on a Sorta Farm.” My wife of 49 years, Susan and I still live in that area.

We raised seven children, and have eleven grandchildren. We love to travel and see the sites and cultures of the world. I still get on my bicycle whenever I can.”


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Editor Note: Roger and I are having a great time working together again. I am honored and very blessed to call him a dear friend and fellow author. Together we have made some “Literary Magic” happen with his new novel. He has garnished a 5-Star Awarded Readers Favorite book review, and has already HIT #1 for the his the paperback edition in the category of “Literary Letters!” We make a great marketing team along with his wife and daughter.

I truly hope this beautifully written novel gets some book awards and a film deal. It is that GOOD! I hope all my reader friends, book reviewers, and book bloggers will give it a read. I do believe you will THANK ME LATER when do…

~Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon
Lyon Literary Services, Marketing, & Consulting