It’s November, 1947, and Jeanne and John, two newspaper journalists, fall in young love as they travel from Chicago to New York to witness the momentous vote of the United Nations to partition Palestine and create the State of Israel. When they discover an assassination plot meant to swing the outcome, they must put their personal lives on hold and race the clock to stop it, uncovering elaborate details of international politics along the way.
Fifty years after the vote, having gone their separate ways, the two reconnect in Italy. Set against a stunning pastoral backdrop, Jeanne and John relive those turbulent days together and explore whether their love has stood the test of time.
International thriller meets operatic Italian romance in this intricate tale of love, politics, and misunderstandings. Come November is a celebration of history, family bonds, redemption, and second-chance love sure to please fans of thrillers and romance alike.
“What a magnum opus! And so riveting! The gallery of personae, the major and minor plots woven together, the delving deep into emotions and attachments and ideas, not to speak of highlighting the historical resolution of the partition of Palestine on November 29, 1947. And Jeanne—a glowing star in the firmament!”—Yael Medini, daughter of Moshe Sharett; author, Pale Blue Valley
Scott Lord is a longtime Los Angeles trial lawyer, writer, and librettist. He is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and Santa Clara University School of Law. He is married, father of six children, and lives in Santa Monica, California.
My thoughts: this was a really interesting read, a blend of fictional romance and real life historical action. Having won a trip to New York, aspiring journalist Jeanne meets handsome newspaper man John and together they are drawn into a web of intrigue and assassination, centring on the UN vote about the formation of the state of Israel in 1947.
They try to prevent a tragedy that might just destroy the nascent country from ever existing, and along the way meet real life political figures, like future Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett.
They also fall in love. But it’s not to be and life takes them on separate paths until they reunite in Italy, years later. John lives there and Jeanne is visiting with her family as her daughter-in-law is performing in an opera not far from his home. Can this reunion succeed where other attempts have failed and bring these lovers together again after a lifetime apart?
Full of high tension moments, and sweet gentle ones, family life and sacrifice, this is a moving and intelligent book about a tumultuous time in geopolitical history that nevertheless is also a bittersweet and heartwarming romance.
*I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for a review but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 