Joe Esposito
Author, Storyteller, Voice Behind Winter Lion
THE PAINTED SAND
We’re born, we live, we die, and usually in that order.
Or so Ruth Weber thinks.
When a mistake made long ago brings Mortimer Nach to her deathbed with an offer, she learns that some will exact a dreadful price.
“I know you’re not afraid to die, but are you afraid to live?” he asks.
A painting he’s hung in her room brings visions of her past, setting off an irrevocable series of events
which brings them both to the edge of eternal darkness.
For her, it is the chance to go back and live the life she felt destined for, the one always just beyond reach. To have it, though, she must turn aside from what awaits and risk the loss of all she’s ever known.
For him, it is banishment to the Netherworld for breaking the laws of life and death, and the danger of sacrificing what he cares most about, for even Death has come to know the wonder and beauty of this world.
As the powers of Heaven and Hell converge on them, each begins to understand their journey’s end portends the joy and terrible costs of choices made, and of the sacrifices we’re willing to suffer for others in this thing called life.
The Painted Sand is a tale of love and pain, and of lines that become blurred.
Of the moments that make up our days from beginning to end.
But sometimes, endings aren't endings at all.
Sometimes, they're beginnings.
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As the founder of Winter Lion Publishing, giving back will be a part of its mission.
5% of all net proceeds and 10% from hardcover purchases via IngramSpark's link goes to organizations making a difference in the world.
We proudly support the following causes:
PRAISE FOR THE PAINTED SAND
About Joe
Raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn long before its revival, Joe Esposito’s love of storytelling began with borrowed books and bad poetry. Now a Florida-based author, his debut novel The Painted Sand was born from years of life experience, loss, and reflection—particularly during the pandemic. A 911 Dispatcher, Joe writes with empathy, blending real-world grit with timeless wonder. He lives with his wife, daughter, and a small zoo of pets, working on his next novel and never far from his kitchen or keyboard.
About Winter Lion Publishing
Winter Lion Publishing was born from the desire to tell stories that matter—stories that linger in the corners of the mind and stir something real in the heart. Built by a single voice with a clear vision, Winter Lion is more than just a name—it’s a promise of authenticity, creativity, and quiet defiance against the noise.
Founded as a one-person company, the goal is to provide a platform for compelling storytelling, beginning with the works of its author-founder. As the journey unfolds, the hope is to grow—welcoming new voices, new visions, and expanding into a true home for indie literature.
For now, Winter Lion is small, but the heart behind it is fierce—and this is just the beginning.
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