A CLOSER LOOK AT NOVEMBER’S
THE LITTLE BIRD
By Ashby Jones
A tale of love, loss, and the quest for justice.
THE BOOK
In 1964, a Black teenager was murdered by a drunken white cop, leaving justice unserved. Eight years later, Shane, the victim’s best friend, returns from combat, determined to seek retribution. Meanwhile, Suzanne, the daughter of the lawyer who failed to prosecute the case, is back in Virginia, teetering on the edge of despair due to her father’s suicide and her own struggles with rheumatoid arthritis. Despite their four-year age gap and limited high school connection, a chance encounter ignites a profound bond between them. As their love grows, familial duty and grief threaten to pull them apart, but the power of forgiveness may yet offer salvation.
THE AUTHOR
Ashby Jones has been writing historical novels for 50 years. With degrees in Literature and Clinical Psychology; Creative Writing at UCLA under the guidance of Leonardo Bercovici. Jones previously published: The Angel’s Lamp in 2017 which was well-received and reviewed by the Irish Times. Jones’s passion is writing literary fiction that attempts to understand mankind’s never-ending battles with irony, tragedy, blatant contradiction, and the anomalies of love. Such is the focus of The Crossing. He studied under such notables as William Hoffman, a best-selling author, and years later at UCLA under Leonardo Bercovici, a highly regarded screenwriter.
THE AUTHOR
From a young age, Diane Parrish created vivid stories, even sharing one with her first-grade class as a real-life family drama. She also gave herself a new first name that year. Once she could hold a crayon, she began recording her tales and poems. Though her passion for writing was clear, her practical parents encouraged her to pursue a different career, leading her to earn a B.S. in Dental Hygiene.
A career counseling test then directed her to law school. After earning her J.D. and practicing law in Kansas City, Diane secretly returned to her first love: fiction writing.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about Diane Parrish, visit dianeparrish.com.
Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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WAGES OF EMPIRE
By Michael J. Cooper
A boy’s journey through a war that changed the world.
THE BOOK
In the summer of 1914, sixteen-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves his quiet life behind to join the Great War for Civilization. Unbeknownst to him, the fiercest battles will unfold in Ottoman Palestine, where the German Kaiser plots to reign as Holy Roman Emperor from Jerusalem. As Evan navigates the brutal killing fields of the Western Front, he encounters legendary figures like Gertrude Bell, T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein, and Chaim Weizmann. Wages of Empire immerses readers in a gripping tale where Evan not only shapes the war’s fate but also steps into a conflict that reverberates through history.
THE AUTHOR
Michael Cooper, a Berkeley native, moved to Israel after high school, living in Jerusalem during its final year of division in 1966. Over the next decade, he explored the region, dabbled in acting and music, studied at Hebrew University, and earned a medical degree from Tel Aviv University. After a 40-year career as a pediatric cardiologist in Northern California, he returns to Israel and the West Bank twice yearly to volunteer for Palestinian children. Now a historical fiction writer, his debut novel Foxes in the Vineyard won the Indie Publishing Contest, followed by The Rabbi’s Knight and Wages of Empire, both critically acclaimed.
RUSSIAN NONSENSICAL
By Edward D. Webster
One couple’s birth story becomes a grand adventure.
THE BOOK
Pastor Clem Dudas is a charismatic enigma—a preacher featuring rattlesnakes in his sermons and a businessman peddling fake AI political exposés, all while harboring secret Russian ties. Bud Randolph, sharing Clem’s quirky politics, travels to Russia seeking love. When Clem’s wife and beloved snakes disappear, Bud and his detective team embark on a perilous investigation. As Bud’s romance with Sveti unfolds amidst conflict, he finds himself entangled in a web of deception, smuggling, and unexpected love.
THE AUTHOR
Edward D. Webster’s diverse interests have led him through various careers, from teaching Navajo students to developing energy conservation programs and establishing a center for abused children. He has authored a collection of books and articles in publications like The Boston Globe and Your Cat magazine. Webster’s memoir, A Year of Sundays, chronicles his quirky adventures in Europe with his spirited blind wife and deaf cat.
His novels explore humanity’s eccentricities, touching on historical events and the complexities of culture, truth, and sanity. Currently, he lives in Southern California with his wife and two cats, ready for new adventures.
CASALVENTO
By Gudrun Cuillo
Romance and family secrets converge in the enchanting hills of Tuscany.
THE BOOK
Erika Germoglio seemingly has it all — a thriving career and a charming fiancé—until she unexpectedly inherits Casalvento, a vineyard and a medieval village-turned-bed-and-breakfast in Chianti. Tasked with managing her newfound properties for five months, she meets Paolo, the captivating estate manager whose kindness and intellect challenge her. As Erika grapples with her future, she uncovers her grandfather’s hidden letters, navigates her fiancé’s jealousy, and confronts a life-altering choice between New York and a love that could bloom in Italy.
THE AUTHOR
Gudrun Cuillo, born in Leibnitz, Austria, began her artistic journey as an opera artist-in-residence for stage scenery and makeup before moving to New York to further her education. While traveling the U.S., she fell in love with Robert Cuillo, a successful Italian American entrepreneur and Broadway producer. Together, they founded Casalvento Winery in Radda, Chianti, and restored the medieval village of Livernano. With a passion for winemaking and storytelling, Gudrun’s debut novel reflects her rich life experiences. She divides her time among Austria, Italy, and Palm Beach, Florida.
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BETWEEN LIES AND REVENGE
By Hannah D. Sharpe
On the run for revenge with secrets and deception.
THE BOOK
Years after her brother’s death and the theft of her heirloom jewelry, ex-con Elle is on the run—until she spots a stranger wearing her signature piece. Fueled by desperation, she befriends Olivia, a woman drowning in debt from fertility treatments and blackmail, using her gemology skills as a ruse to reclaim what’s hers.
Together, they launch a side-hustle of home jewelry appraisals, but when that doesn’t pay off, they concoct a daring con: swapping rich housewives’ gems for fakes. As their secrets threaten to unravel, they must confront their pasts and trust each other to secure their freedom—and revenge.
THE AUTHOR
Hannah D Sharpe is a domestic suspense author. She enjoys creating morally ambiguous female characters. Her stories incorporate mental health awareness and the struggles that women face today. Hannah is a member of WFWA and SinC. She also has a (not so) secret love for writing romcoms. Hannah has a master’s in nursing, with a background in emergency medicine, nursing education, and health insurance with a focus on underserved communities.
Hannah lives in Northwest Washington State with her husband, three children, and a moody orange tabby cat. When not working, writing, and juggling the family’s extracurricular activities, you can find Hannah delving into the next home project while getting lost in an audiobook. Between Lies and Revenge is her first novel.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about Hannah D. Sharpe, visit hannahdsharpe.com.
Follow her on X and Instagram.