Dr. Joseph R. Alila was born in 1956 in Ndhiwa, Kenya. He is a well traveled teacher and scientist. He currently writes from Schenectady New York, where he lives with his wife Mary and children and grandchildren. "THE THIRTEENTH WIDOW" is JR Alila’s eighth novel, coming soon after THE LUO DREAMERS’ ODYSSEY, NOT ON MY SKIN, WHISPER TO MY ACHING HEART, SINS OF OUR HEARTS, THE MILAYI CURSE. JR Alila’s writings cover a wide range of spiritual, anthropological, and sociopolitical themes that reflect his native Luo and Christian upbringings and world experiences.