Victorian Farmhouse Comes Alive

At Book Reading Event

---

 

 

 

“An old Victorian farmhouse, an enlightened spirit, and a woman searching for her purpose in life, is the setting for this short novel. The coincidental, yet prearranged meeting between Emily and Sophia, escapes all logic, and takes the reader to a place that is magical as well as spiritual. The unexpected happens as the story unfolds, and Sophia finds herself faced with choices in her quest to find the secret that she has been searching for all of her life.”

 

---

 

This excerpt is from the new novel, Whispers From The Past, by Slatington, Pa. author, Jeanne LeFevre and was published in January, 2006. The inspiration for the writing of the novel and the photographs in the book, are taken from the old Victorian farmhouse that is located on the outskirts of Slatington, Pa.

On December 9, 10, 16 and January 7 the author will bring the book alive by having a storytelling event with Victorian decorated Christmas readings at the farmhouse.

 

 

 

All reading events will include:

• Arrival 9:00AM

• A Victorian morning tea and pastry will begin at 9:15AM

• A tour of the house, beginning in the attic where the main character finds the old trunk, will begin at 10: 00AM

• A reading of the first three Bundles of the book by the author. Bundle number one in the attic. Bundle 2 and 3 in the second floor master bedroom 11AM-12:30AM

• Short book discussion and break before lunch 12:30-1PM

• A catered luncheon 1PM-2PM

• A reading of the second part of the book by the author in the parlor and sun room and book discussion 2PM-4PM

• A walk down the wooded path to the sun dial, in the herb garden (weather permitting), where the story ends and book signing 4-4:30PM

 

Seating for each reading is limited to eight people. The cost for the day is $60.00 and reservations can be made by calling Jeanne LeFevre at 484-553-0631. Groups are invited and group discounts and additional dates are available. Signed copies of the book are available from the author’s web site, www.jeannelefevre.com. Unsigned copies are available at Moravian Book Store, Bethlehem, Pa., Buybooksontheweb.com, Amazon.com. For more information about the book, Whispers From The Past, or the book reading event, please call 484-553-0631.

 

Reservations will be held with a check or money order for $60.00. Please make check or money order payable to: Jeanne LeFevre. Send to: 7650 Molasses Barrel Road, Slatington, Pa. 18080. Please mention any special accommodations when making reservations and driving directions will be provided with receipt of payment. Be aware that you will be visiting and touring an old home and gardens. Flooring and ground may be uneven. Please wear comfortable clothes and rubber soled shoes. Breaks will be provided throughout the day. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase for $12.67, tax included. You may view the book at www.jeannelefevre.com

 

---

 

Synopsis:

 

An old Victorian farmhouse, an enlightened spirit, and a woman searching her purpose in life, is the setting for this short novel. The coincidental, yet prearranged meeting between Emily and Sophia, escapes all logic, and takes the reader to a place that is magical as well as spiritual. The unexpected happens as the story ensues, and Sophia finds herself faced with choices in her quest to find the secret that she has been searching for all of her life.   

 

Excerpt:

 

PROLOGUE

 

I am the owner of a small bookstore in a little hamlet in New England. I sell old books, rare books, used books, and I have some copies of books that are no longer in print. I have a passion for books, and although I have never written one, I have read many and have helped young writer’s publish their manuscripts when they were rejected by major publishing companies. I tell you, the reader, this because after all the years in this business, I believe I know books and writers quite well, and I could recognize a unique story when I read one.

 

The original text of one such story still sits on an old wooden bookshelf in the back of my store. It fell into my hands quite unexpectedly when an envelope was delivered to me by a young couple. It was a beautiful fall morning, as I sat at my desk in the back room of my shop. The chimes, fastened to the old wooden door, announced their arrival and I walked to the front to greet them. They introduced themselves, and told me that they had just purchased the old Victorian house that was situated on a little farm just outside of town. They had bought the home at an estate sale and were told that the owner was an unmarried woman, a teacher, who recently died. She requested in her Last Will and Testament that the home be sold and the money distributed to her nieces and nephews.

 

The couple said that as they were storing some of their belongings, they had discovered a large sealed envelope behind a rebuilt partition in the far corner of the attic. They thought that it was odd to have found it there. They would have returned the packet to the woman’s family, but my name and the address of this bookstore were printed on the envelope. For that reason, they believed that the previous owner of the old house wanted me to have it, and so they came here today to deliver it. The couple apologized for being in such a hurry, but they were meeting with a craftsman who would be helping them restore the house, and they were anxious to be on their way. I thanked them and they left.

 

As I looked at the envelope, I wondered why I had received it. I was familiar with the location of the estate. Occasionally, I would hear conversation about the beautiful flower and herb gardens surrounding the property, and the elderly woman who lovingly cared for them. Recently, I heard the woman had died, and the news of her death brought to mind my first and only meeting with her. I remember she came into the bookstore one day in search of a volume about raising and caring for herbs. She especially wanted to have the book include Chamomile, Lavender, and Rosemary. I believe her name was Sophia. It was a long time ago, and although the memory of our conversation has dimmed over the years, I can still remember the kind and gentle look in her eyes. Her graying hair, which was braided and pinned into a bun on the back of her head, gave her a very dignified appearance. I recall that she was a small, thin woman, with features that led me to believe that she may have been very beautiful in her younger years.

 

Still confused about the envelope in my hand, I took the packet to the back of the store and sat down at my desk. I broke the seal, and removed what I thought to be an old journal. The pages were yellowed and tattered. On the bottom of the last page, the name, Sophia, was written. Bewildered, I stared at the book for a few minutes, and then I was moved to do something I never did before. I closed the store in mid morning during my usual business hours. Walking to the front of the store, I turned the sign to “closed” and pulled down the door shade. As I walked back to my desk, I stopped and glanced around the store. I had the feeling that I was not alone yet for some odd reason, the sensation was not disturbing to me. I settled into my old worn chair and once again, I picked up the journal and started to read….

 

With book in hand, the hours passed…. With great curiosity, I continued to read it…. With great hesitation, I started to believe it…. then, with a humbling respect for a woman I barely knew, I vowed to publish the following pages in her honor.