“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.
