Paul A. Barra”s novel, Sgt. Ford”s Widow, published by The Permanent Press, was called “an extraordinary story” in a Sept. 2024 review by NPR (in part: “…compelling, suspenseful and moving novel, Sgt. Ford”s Widow-an unusual narrative that links the Mekong Delta in Vietnam and Casper, Wyoming in the late `60s, early 1970s, each place invoked with rhythmic sensual detail.”) Link: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/553496209/baum-on-books Barra has had seven other novels published, plus many short stories. He is a former naval officer who was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor “V” and the Combat Action Ribbon for his service on the rivers of the Mekong delta, was a reporter for local papers, and the senior staff writer for the diocese of Charleston. He and his wife, the former Joni Lee, have eight children and live in Columbia, SC. Barra has had seven other novels published, plus a non-fiction book about the founding of a Catholic high school without diocesan approval. He is a decorated former naval officer, was a reporter for local papers and the senior staff writer for the Diocese of Charleston, and a chemistry teacher. He and his wife, the former Joan Lee, have eight children and live in Columbia, South Carolina. Barra”s previous middle grade work was an adventure novel called The Secret of Maggie”s Swamp, published by Brownridge Publishing in 2012.