Ed's Thoughts
Friday, July 18, 2025
The Gift That Tells Her Story: Why Every Grandmother Deserves a Memory Journal
The Gift That Tells Her Story: Why Every Grandmother Deserves a Memory Journal
By Ed Benjamin
What if the best gift you could give your grandmother wasn’t something expensive — but something meaningful?
In a world of short attention spans and fleeting messages, we often miss the chance to preserve the voices that matter most. That’s why I created:
Tell Me Your Life Story, Grandma: A Grandmother’s Life Story and Keepsake Book
It’s a prompted journal designed to help grandmothers pass on their memories, wisdom, and life experiences — one page at a time.
As a veteran, writer, and family man, I’ve always believed that the most important stories are the ones we don’t always hear. The ones only our loved ones can tell.
This book isn’t just a gift — it’s a bridge. A way for grandmothers to share:
What childhood was like “back then”
The lessons they learned through decades of change
The love stories, heartbreaks, friendships, and hopes that shaped their journey
Whether for Mother’s Day, a birthday, Christmas, or “just because,” this memory journal becomes a keepsake that families will treasure for generations.
Who This Book Is For:
Grandchildren who want to know where they come from
Daughters and sons looking for a meaningful gift
Grandmothers who want to leave something behind
It includes thoughtful prompts like:
What was your first job, and how did it shape you?
What was the world like when you were a child?
What are the most important lessons you've learned in life?
There’s no right or wrong way to fill it out — just space, encouragement, and heart.
Order today here
Small-Town Texas Justice, One Story at a Time: Inside the “Bulverde Beat
Small-Town Texas Justice, One Story at a Time: Inside the “Bulverde Beat”
There’s something quietly powerful about small towns. And if you ask folks in Texas, they’ll tell you. “Everything’s a little more intense here.” Just ask them.
These places may not always make the headlines, but they hold stories — real, raw, and sometimes unresolved.
That’s the world I explore in the Bulverde Beat series.
Each Bulverde Beat story is unique
These aren’t flashy thrillers or big-city dramas. They’re short, sharp snapshots of what happens when the darker side of human nature collides with justice in a small Texas town.
As a retired Air Force officer and lifelong observer of people, I’ve come to believe the most gripping stories don’t need explosions or endless twists. Sometimes, all it takes is a deputy, a PI consultant with a finely tuned institution, a question, and a case that won’t sit right.
Each Bulverde Beat story stands alone. No required reading order. Just clean storytelling for readers who enjoy a dose of mystery, a touch of justice, and characters who feel like someone you’ve met — or wish you had.
Here are the four stories available now:
· Mystery Explosion — A deadly blast kills a county prosecutor… but was it really an accident? (currently 99¢, exclusively on Amazon)
· The Code — A brutal murder, a tight-lipped suspect, and a motive no one saw coming. (currently 99¢, exclusively on Amazon)
· Death on a Texas Highway — A man faces the ultimate choice: save a life or save himself. ($3.33)
· Active Shooter — Harry and Jennifer are caught in a deadly standoff in a quiet Mexican restaurant. ($2.99)
The first two are Amazon exclusives while I complete some updates. The others are available on most ebook platforms.
If you enjoy justice without the noise — and stories that trust the reader to lean in — I’d be honored if you gave the Bulverde Beat a try.
👉 Search “Ed Benjamin Bulverde Beat” on Amazon or your favorite online ebook store.
Thanks for reading and thanks for supporting stories that honor the everyday heroes of small-town America.
Monday, July 7, 2025
Why Redemption Is a Must-Read for Military Thriller Fans on Google Play Books
If you enjoy novels that blend high-stakes action with deep emotional transformation, Redemption by Ed Benjamin is your next must-read.
What’s the Story About?
Redemption follows Harry — one of the U.S. Air Force’s finest fighter pilots, whose life takes a sharp turn after a near-death experience in fierce air combat. Discharged and grounded, Harry is forced to navigate a new life outside the cockpit — a journey filled with personal loss, investigation, healing, and a search for meaning.
This isn’t just a story about war. It’s about what comes after the uniform — and the human cost of service.
What Makes Redemption Stand Out?
✈️ Unparalleled accuracy in military aviation – written by a USAF veteran
🧠Gripping emotional arc – explores PTSD, purpose, and transformation
🕵️♂️ Complex detective subplot – adds intrigue and depth
📚 Highly accessible – now available on Google Play Books for instant reading
Who Should Read This?
Fans of Tom Clancy, W.E.B. Griffin, or Dale Brown
Readers who enjoy redemption arcs and military realism
Anyone curious about life after military service
What Readers Are Saying:
“A rare blend of action and heart. I couldn’t put it down.”
— Verified Review
“Finally, a military thriller that feels real and still tells a human story.”
— Military Book Club Member
Where to Get It: Google Play Books
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=KoJpEQAAQBAJ
Saturday, June 28, 2025
I asked AI to describe my novel, Redemption!
On a Lark, I asked Chat GPT, what my novel, REDEMPTION, was about, and This is What I Got.
“ Redemption “ by Ed Benjamin is a military thriller that not only provides an engaging fictional story but also offers insightful details about aviation. The narrative follows Harry, one of the United States’ finest fighter pilots, whose life is dramatically changed after a near-death experience (NDE) during combat leads to his medical discharge. This book takes readers on an emotional journey through Harry’s struggles with loss, heartbreak, and his quest for redemption, blending military action with a deep, emotional story line .
My favorite review “…one of the best action-packed, people sensitive novels ever written!”
The book is praised for moving effortlessly between exhilarating fighter pilot action scenes and complex detective work, showcasing an unmatched technical understanding of the United States Air Force, described as unparalleled in fiction. Harry, the protagonist, is a former Air Force hero who navigates his new reality after being grounded and medically discharged. This transition challenges him to find new purpose and meaning outside the military .
Overall, “ Redemption “ is not just a story about military exploits but also a profound exploration of personal recovery and the quest for a second chance. Its blend of action, technical detail, and emotional depth makes it a compelling read for those interested in military thrillers and stories of personal transformation.
My Reaction: AI got it! Yay! If you want to check it out click here.
Keep Your Loved Ones at risk for Dementia & Alzheimer’s SHARP
Help Your Loved Ones Sharp — Games to help Seniors (Great for Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care)
They’re easy, entertaining, and may help slow dementia symptoms.
Why Mental Exercises Matter for Seniors
As we age, cognitive functions naturally decline. But just like physical exercise strengthens the body, mental workouts can help keep the brain sharp.
Regular brain activities may:
Improve memory recall
Delay dementia progression
Reduce boredom and loneliness
Boost confidence and mental clarity
5 Fun and Easy Activities to Try at Home
1. Spot the Difference Puzzles
These challenge visual memory and attention to detail.
2. Mazes and Pattern Recognition
Boost problem-solving and spatial awareness — seniors love the “a-ha” moment!
3. Word Anagrams & Simple Math
Strengthen language and number fluency.
4. Shadow Matching Games
Visual logic puzzles that feel more like play than therapy.
5. Attention-to-Detail Challenges
Great for engaging the brain without stress.
Get yours today
👴 Recommended: Grandpa B’s Fun and Exciting Activity Book for Seniors
If you’re looking for a complete, ready-to-go workbook, check this out:
👉 Grandpa B’s Fun and Exciting Adult Activity Book for Seniors — Available on Amazon (affiliate link)
It’s created by a psychologist and full of activities like:
Mazes
Memory games
Logic puzzles
Word play
Visual brain teasers
Perfect for home use or as a thoughtful gift for aging parents, grandparents, or dementia caregivers.
Final Thought
Mental fitness matters. Even 10–15 minutes a day can make a difference.
Your loved one deserves fun, engaging, and meaningful ways to stay sharp — and this activity book is a great place to start.
Sunday, June 22, 2025
When Fiction Becomes Reality: Redemption and the US, Israel, and Iran Conflict
Tensions Erupt: US enters the War
On June 21, 2025, the United States launched a series of coordinated strikes against Iranian nuclear and military sites. These attacks came in response to weeks of escalating violence. Earlier this month, Israel struck deep into Iran, targeting missile batteries, nuclear facilities, and senior military officials. Iran answered with waves of drones and ballistic missiles that injured hundreds in Israel.
Now, American forces have joined the fray.
As fears of a regional war grow, the world watches nervously.
Why Redemption Feels Like a Warning
In Redemption, a top-tier U.S. Air Force pilot is ambushed by eight Iranian fighters during a high-stakes mission. It's fiction: but it's so close to today's headlines. The scenes of sudden attack, chaotic air battles, and strategic deception feel pulled from this morning's newsfeed.
Redemption doesn't predict the future - but it understands how fast war can spiral.
Here's how it mirrors real life:
Escalation: Just like today's rapid chain of strikes and counterstrikes, the personal conflict in Redemption is an example of how one mission can trigger global consequences.
Air power and politics: U.S. stealth, Iranian fighters, and the deadly chess match between nations - it's all there in the novel.
The human cost: More than missiles and politics, Redemption is about survival, fear, and second chances after war nearly claims everything.
A Story That Hits Harder Now
As headlines shout:
"U.S. strikes target Iranian nuclear labs and command bunkers"
"Iranian response to Israeli attacks kills dozens in Israeli cities"
Redemption gives readers something more personal: the war through a pilot's eyes. No politics. No punditry. Just one man, alone in the sky, trying to make it home.
One reader put it best:
"Regardless of my former USAF time and current FAA aviation credentials, I would have voted this one of the BEST ACTION-PACKED, PEOPLE-SENSITIVE NOVELS ever written!"
Read Redemption today - and see why fiction sometimes hits closer to home than the evening news.
[Get your copy here.]
Friday, June 20, 2025
When Fiction Mirrors Today’s Headlines: Redemption and the Iran Conflict
Tensions Today
In mid-June 2025, we’ve watched as Israel launched major airstrikes deep into Iran — targeting missile sites, nuclear and military infrastructure, and even senior IRGC leaders. Iran responded with ballistic missiles and drone attacks into Israel, injuring hundreds — and the world now braces for possible U.S. involvement and wider escalation.
Why Redemption Feels Uncomfortably Real
In Redemption, a top — of — the- line Air Force pilot fights for survival after being ambushed by eight Iranian fighters — just like the real threats reported today, including missile launches from Iran toward Israel, missiles from Israel toward Iran, and concerns about attacks on U.S. interests .
This fictional novel isn’t just a stirring story–it’s tapping into current global conflict dynamics:
Unpredictable escalation: real-world Iranian air- to- air missile attacks in Redemption.
State vs. proxy warfare: Israeli strikes aided by intelligence mirrors the combat scenes in the fictional world of Redemption
High Stakes: just like the tension over Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, Redemption centers on the human stakes for one man.
A Story for Our Moment
In an age of headlines like:
“Iran’s missiles injure more than 270 in Israel,” and
“First stealth drones and Israeli airstrikes deep inside Iran”
Redemption offers a ground-level, pulse-pounding perspective. It shows the human cost behind geopolitics: survival, fear, and redemption after gut wrenching air — to- air combat in the face of state-level threats.
As one reviewer noted, “Regardless of my former USAF time and current FAA aviation credentials, I would have voted this one of the BEST ACTION-PACKED, PEOPLE SENSITIVE NOVELS ever written!”
You can get your copy of Redemption here.
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