Picking up a letter from his desk, Ulrich held it to his nose and breathed in the aroma of rose water. He pictured Havah sitting at the kitchen table, pen in hand, munching raisins, black waves cascading over her shoulders.
Nikolai walked to the desk, picked up the envelope and squinted. “‘Kansas City, Missouri. U.S.A.’”
“The postman delivered it yesterday afternoon.”
“What does she have to say?”
“Here, I’ll read it to you.
Friday, 29 January, 1904
Dearest Ulrich, my angel and friend,
I am hoping happiness for you. You, above all people, deserve it.
I miss hearing you play. Perhaps one day you will come here for a concert. Can you understand it, my writing?”
For a moment he stopped to study her even letters. The memory of her battle with her knife-slashed hand still pained him. No longer able to perform simple tasks such as writing or even holding a spoon, she forced her left hand, with unyielding diligence, into submission. After all of that, she still had impeccable penmanship.
~~Taken from From Silt and Ashes by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Published (December 2015) by Argus Publishing
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency
Following tearful goodbyes to Ulrich and Nikolai, Arel, Havah and Arel’s family immigrated to Kansas City. Ulrich, who had already secured a teaching position at the Royal Academy of Music in London, talked Nikolai into joining him.
At the beginning of From Silt and Ashes Havah maintains her friendship with Ulrich through letters. Thanks to Arel’s income as a tailor, Arel and Havah have purchased a new house and are adapting to American life as they anticipate the birth of their first child.
Although she’s comfortable in her new home, Havah suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress and worsening physical disability. No longer an adolescent, she’s a young married woman who faces challenge after challenge with tenacity and courage.
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.
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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
Dear Rochelle, This will definitely be on my reading list, as I’m looking forward to reading more about those wonderful characters you created in your first book.
Sorry, I’ve deserted Friday Fictioneers, yet again. I’d been aiming for the first week in December for publication of my book, but then had a nasty bout of flu that left me slowed-down, so now I have to catch up. Will return soon.
Wishing you all the best for publication day.
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I’m sorry to hear about your bout with the flu. Never fun. I’m rather dubious about my December first release as I’ve yet to receive the proof. My guess is that it will be released for preorder. At least, that’s my hope.
I’m happy to have you aboard as a reader. Best wishes on your publication.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Doubtless it will be for pre-order so you have time to check it through and accumulate purchasers at the same time.
I don’t think I will opt for setting up pre-order on my book as I’m a debut author and it could rebound on me.
Hope your proof arrives soon.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Hi Sarah,
We got the proof copy Saturday night and my husband’s over halfway through it.
Exciting times.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle
Wonderful news. It sounds as if your husband is enjoying it, if he’s reading it that fast.
I’m being too obsessive about proofreading, having not had any input from an editor along the way. At some point soon, I’m going to have to say “enough is enough” and click on “publish”.
As you say “exciting times”, but this being my first, it’s also scary.
All best wishes
Sarah
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I love the character studies and artwork. It brings more reality to the characters, who in many minds, already think them real and become engaged emotionally in their lives.
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Another memorable character sketch, Rochelle. You have a way of bringing these characters to life. Your lovely art completes the job. So well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you for your continuing support of these character studies. I sometimes wonder who’s actually seeing them. I get so few comments.
However, my publisher wants to put out a coffee table book of the illustrations sometime next year. 😀
I think I might have asked already, but have you had a chance to read Please Say Kaddish for Me?
At any rate, thanks again.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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you could be so easily writing my own struggles here, Rochelle. It brings tears to my eyes… thank you, it’s oddly encouraging. I’ve had to relearn so much, and am still learning. ❤
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Dear Jelli,
I’m pleased you found this encouraging. Havah’s a fighter and a survivor. I’m wishing you strength in your own struggles.
Thank you for reading and commenting which is encouraging to me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely artwork, as ever, my multi-talented friend.
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Thank you, Sandra. You make me smile.
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Oh, I have been holding off reading this as I cannot yet get the book 😉 but could not resist.
You know I love these character studies, Rochelle. They are so wonderful and the artwork, gorgeous!
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You make me smile, Dale. Yours was the first Amazon review posted for PSKFM. How encouraging to have someone read and love my friends as much as I. 😉
And it won’t be long you can own a book of the character studies, too. (You see what I did there?)
Many many thanks.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Woot!!
xoxo
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