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Julia Butler was born and grew up in Moscow, the daughter of a renowned concert pianist and a university professor, she was raised in a household filled with music and literature. Her father wrote and translated best-selling books and was fluent in nine languages. Julia learned English at an early age and attended one of the best schools in Moscow. However, her true passion was for figure skating, and she diligently trained for hours every day displaying such talent, that she was discovered by a producer at Mosfilm Studios and chosen for the lead role of a skater in the feature film “Vitka”. Her outstanding performance led to other roles, and she continued skating for years, until her parents insisted that she should pursue academics. After completing her Masters degree in literature and languages at the University of Moscow, she followed in her father’s footsteps writing and translating children’s books from Norwegian into Russian, and teaching languages at the Institute for Diplomats (MGIMO). Upon immigrating to Italy at the age of 22, Julia founded an impresario company, organizing tours of Italian pop and classical stars to the former Soviet Union. She indulged her love of music through writing and recording of her own songs and soon gained popularity as a singer and songwriter. She traveled to Los Angeles in pursuit of her music career, and was signed by SBK records, part of EMI Group, joining artists such as Boy George, Tracy Chapman, and Wilson Phillips. A merger and an unexpected shift in management at the record label put Julia’s project on hold, and her dreams were dashed. Never being one to accept defeat, she turned her attention to other endeavors and enjoyed considerable success in the business world, but she has a soul of an artist who deeply desires to make a difference and to touch the lives of others.

Can you handle the truth behind a timeless taboo? "The Last Encore" (Adult Literary Fiction) is a tale of unspeakable passion, excruciating pain and heartwarming hope. A sophisticated contemporary romance laced with mysterious interconnections of love, conspiracy, and fate. Inspired by true events, this controversial novel explores a fascinating psychological phenomenon which has been kept secret until now. When Katherine Konova, a radiant and talented Russian redhead, forsakes her figure skating medals for a career as a concert pianist, she falls for a charismatic but married conservatory professor in a life-changing relationship, which will haunt her for years to come. From a family of poor factory workers, Katherine rises far above her station in life and moves to the United States with her successful-though-controlling husband, yet knowing in her heart that her soul mate is still out there. Meanwhile, Daniel Adler, a young German writer is enveloped by a deep sadness from which he cannot escape, sensing a dark secret in his family’s past. Searching for the love he has never known, he embarks on a journey to Los Angeles, obsessed with a red-haired beauty who disappeared after their brief and inexplicable encounter in an ominous forest. An old actress, Lily Bernard, is tormented by guilt for some horrible act she’d been a part of in a distant past. A music appassionato, she finds a chance to atone for her sins when her path crosses Katherine’s.

Kindle Price: $2.99

Category: Romance