Born and raised in Amarillo, Russell Little grew up in the unique flatlands of the Texas Panhandle. After earning his law degree, he married a Houston girl, and together they moved to the big city—a change that would shape his career and life. For forty years, Russell practiced law in Houston, raising three kids with his wife, whom he’s still happily married to, which is pretty impressive, especially considering he specialized in Family Law (Divorce) and Criminal Law. Over the course of his legal career, Russell came across all sorts of characters and wild stories that naturally found their way into his imagination. While he says his stories are fiction, it’s clear his experiences in the courtroom add an authentic touch to his writing. Russell’s writing journey started years ago, but it wasn’t until his youngest son left for college that he got serious about finishing his first novel. With some gentle encouragement from his son, who reminded him time was ticking, he finally went all in on his dream of becoming an author. Inspired by his granddaughter Vivi, Russell and his wife also started writing children’s stories, focusing on wildlife like elephants and rhinos to help spark a love for animals in young readers. Even with all his experience, Russell is honest about the ups and downs of writing. Some days, he’ll scrap entire drafts if they don’t feel right. He draws inspiration from classic authors like Proust, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, and Hemingway, often turning to Hemingway’s descriptions of Paris to pull him out of writer’s block. This podcast episode takes a closer look at Russell’s life—from his time as a lawyer to his second act as a writer, and everything in between. Featured Book: Murder by Storm (Book two of the series) "Marilyn is a master of deception, a chameleon living multiple lives to shield her sweet son while ensnaring naïve couples in her web of schemes across Houston, Texas. Free from the clutches of the law, she weaves her plans with calculated precision. But shadows from her past loom large—her deranged mother and subservient stepfather, relentlessly badgering her with their fearful questions. And then there's O.C. Simms, the disgraced police detective obsessed with bringing her down. Fired for failing to catch her, Simms is haunted by the belief that Marilyn murdered her lover and lawyer, Larry. He's relentless, determined to hunt her until he's either vindicated or dead, defying his former captain's orders. As a hurricane bears down on Houston, Marilyn sees both a threat and an opportunity. The storm's fury will devastate the city, creating chaos and diverting attention. Amid the tempest's destruction, she crafts her most daring plan yet, aiming to exploit the storm to erase all traces of her crimes. Can Marilyn turn the storm to her advantage, keeping the police at bay and obliterating the evidence? Will she slip through the cracks of justice once more? In this high-stakes game of cat and mouse, the storm is just the beginning. Dive into a crime thriller where every moment is a battle for survival, and every decision could be her last."