Steam rose from the dish pan. Sweat beaded Leah’s forehead and soaked her kerchief. Gavrel’s chest ached with yearning and remorse. She deserved better. He circled his arms around her waist.
“A perfect fit.”
Turning in his embrace, she planted a wet kiss on his cheek. “Spoken like a shoemaker.”
“How else should I speak? It’s what I am. We may not be wealthy, but our children will never go barefoot in winter.”
“Remember how angry Havah was at our betrothal. She even accused Mama of selling me into slavery.”
“As I recall, you weren’t too happy about it either. After all, I am old enough to be your father.”
He surveyed their cramped apartment. With a front room that doubled as a kitchen and three cramped bedrooms, it was much too small for a family of six. Despite Leah’s efforts to keep it tidy, it was always cluttered.
“Maybe Havah was right and your mother did sell you into slavery.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” After another kiss, Leah turned back to the dishes. “I’m happy with my life.”
~~Taken from From Silt and Ashes by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Published (December 2015) by Argus Publishing
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency
In Please Say Kaddish for Me Arel’s sister Tova betrothed her sixteen-year-old daughter Leah to Gavrel Wolinsky the shoemaker who was twice Leah’s age. An angry Havah accused poverty-stricken Tova of selling her daughter for a pair of shoes.
Gavrel’s first wife died of a fever during their first year of marriage leaving him a childless widower. Since Tova’s untimely passing, Gavrel has assumed the role of father for Leah’s younger siblings as well as their own daughter. Nothing makes him happier than being Papa.
In From Silt and Ashes Gavrel and Leah have moved their family to Odessa, Ukraine where another vicious pogrom looms on the horizon. As Jewish university students amass weapons to defend themselves Gavrel’s only desire is peace in his home. As this becomes increasingly difficult he saves to take his wife and children to live with their family in Kansas City.
Check out my author page on the Loiacono Website. For all of the character studies thus far, click on the link Rochelle Wisoff-Fields Art and Blogs or my website RochelleWordArt.
.
.
.
.
Available Internationally on Kindle and in Print
If you’ve read and enjoyed, please leave a review on one of these sites. It helps sell books. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
ANGUS & ROBERTSON AMAZON B&N BAM BOOKWORLD FISHPOND SHELFARI BOOK DEPOSITORY WATERSTONES GOODREADS IDREAMBOOKS
Great story with fabulous characters, Rochelle. I love the description. Your artwork also helps to bring your characters to life. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLike
Dear Suzanne,
Thank you for coming by to read and comment. FYI, there’s a coffee table book in the works of these character studies. I’m pretty excited about it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Love the story, and even more so the lovely portraits of these two. I can just hear his laughter, and see the love in her eyes. Wonderful!
LikeLike
Dear Star,
I’m glad you stopped by to read and comment. The book that this excerpt is taken from will soon be out. These are two of my favorites. But then I have so many favorites in my imaginary world. 😉
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I’ll have to see if I can find someone to make the order for me as I don’t use credit cards or haven’t a faint clue how to order anything online.
LikeLike
Dear Star,
I understand. I think you can order the book at any Barnes and Noble since it’s on their website. They don’t carry it in their store but I’d think they could order it in for you. I hope that’s the case since that’s what I’ve been telling people. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Oh, GREAT! Thanks. I’ll get there this weekend, then. Friday will be a madhouse with the “black friday” sales so I might wait until Monday!
🙂 ❤
LikeLike
Just makes me more impatient to have that book in my hands. Love.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Patience, young Padawan. Soon. Actually I’m getting impatient myself. I’ve yet to receive the proof copy for a good going over.
And I’m getting excited about the companion book of illustrations. 😀
Thank you for being such a faithful fan and friend, Dale.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t help myself! xo
LikeLike
The study of Leah is just as I’d imagined her from your description in the book. Lovely character studies – such a multi-talented person. 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Sandra,
Such compliments from an award winner makes me grin and blush. Now to shrink my swollen cranium.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person