{"product_id":"9780985728519","title":"The Cats of Savone: 8 Short Novels for Busy People","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Most novels begin their lives as short stories. Writing, much like any gift, skill, habit, or hope, is strengthened through practice, training, and exercise. The short story is the stretching and dedication to a running regime long before the marathon. It is the repetition of scales on the piano, years before the recital.\" - David-Michael Harding\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Cats of Savone\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e is an exemplary collection of stories from the pen of historical fiction author David-Michael Harding. Eight short stories and novellas make up his first installment in \u003cb\u003eThe Completely Abridged Series - Short Novels for Busy People\u003c\/b\u003e. The title story is the PEN International Winner, \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Cats of Savone\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, which follows a pregnant cat beneath a mammoth steel gate into the exercise yard of the Savone Correctional Facility. The hardened convicts in the maximum security prison adopt the cat as much as she adopts them. But an accident in the prison leads to murder and a host of tough choices for tough men - inmates and guards.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBlack Men in Bright Blue\u003c\/b\u003e traces the steps of ten-year-old Rachel Justice in 1864 while she explores her father's plantation in South Carolina. As she learns of slavery beneath the shadow of the Civil War, her secret knowledge of the underground railroad pushes her family and her young mind into decisions none are ready for. Eavesdrop on the captain and crew in \u003cb\u003eForever Beneath the Celtic Sea\u003c\/b\u003e as the story follows in the cold wake of the World War I German submarine the U-20, and its deadly encounter with the luxury passenger liner Lusitania in 1917.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe History of West Texas According to Henry Brass\u003c\/b\u003e sits beside the bed of a of a old soldier, trapper, and patriot who is dying from consumption. He hasn't lost his sense of humor however as he relates story after story to a young man who cares for him in his last days. Henry lived under most of the six different flags that flew over Texas and weaves wonderful tales for his caretaker whose own agenda is taken up by the old man. Then move from West Texas in the 19th Century to another continent and another time in \u003cb\u003eSt. Alden's\u003c\/b\u003e where a classic fight between good and evil comes to life on a university campus. An aged Guardian of the campus needs to pass down the secrets of a mysterious silver and the power of goodness to his grandson before night demons put an end to a magical spring and its unique life giving water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdditional stories provide glimpses into the life of a man who has gone through a lifetime of labels - retarded in the 50's, handicapped in the 70's, and now with special needs - Jonny Archer finds himself on an unlikely trip in \u003cb\u003eThe Junket\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003cb\u003eThe Jazz Bridge\u003c\/b\u003e chronicles the history and anniversary of an ordinary bridge in an ordinary town as something extraordinary happens. The collection is rounded out by \u003cb\u003eMy Boo Radley\u003c\/b\u003e and the high school baseball pitcher who learns lessons from an old fan who the world viewed as a monster.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor fans of David-Michael Harding, these shorts and novellas are glimpses into the stories, talent, passion, and personalization his rich characters are layered in. Readers care about the people in a Harding story. You'll cheer and jeer - laugh and cry, and then \u003cb\u003eVOTE\u003c\/b\u003e for the one that becomes the next \u003cb\u003eNOVEL\u003c\/b\u003e!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRead, enjoy, and VOTE at \u003cb\u003eDavidMichaelHarding.com\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Q \u0026 C Y BOOKS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47021130875120,"sku":"9780985728519","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780985728519_p0.jpg?v=1763889102","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780985728519","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}