The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox
The photo prompt this week is of a forest/park. There is a picnic table to the right in the background. The tree in the foreground has an unusual rounded branch on the right side of the trunk that arches almost to the top.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
TAKE ME UNDER YOUR WING
“Run, Havah!”
The sound of her mother’s last scream filled Havah’s head and pounded in rhythm to her footsteps. Beech trees loomed in the forest ahead; their gnarled roots circled above the ground like dancers at a wedding feast. They whispered somber melodies.
Rocks, frozen grass and thorns stabbed the soles of her bare feet. There had been no time for shoes, no time to dress.
Who would pray for their souls?
She forced her heavy mouth to shape the Hebrew prayer— Kaddish—prayer for the dead and prayer for the bereft. “‘Magnified and sanctified is your great Name …’”


The excerpt I shared this week is from my first novel PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME. It’s available on Amazon. More about my books HERE




Dramatic and tense, Rochelle, I imagine this is a pogrom
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Dear Neil,
Yes, it is a pogrom and from the opening chapter of my first novel. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A most heartbreaking tale.
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Thank you, Violet
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A poignant view from your novel. And a very revealing beginning to a story everyone should read and know.
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Dear Jan,
Thank you for your comments and support, m’luv.
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You capture the horror so well Rochelle ❤️
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Thanks so much, Ange.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Horrifying and haunting memory for a person to carry. Her poor mother…
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Dear Lisa,
These things will haunt Havah forever. I wanted the reader to be horrified because before Hitler there were others. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, the compulsion for humans to maliciously hurt others has never ceased to mystify and demoralize me. Examples of this history have repeated with humans infinitum ad nauseum. I would say that those who try to erase or deny our human nature are the ones to be wary of. I appreciate you keeping this fact about particular episodes of human horror alive through your stories.
You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I can still remember where I was when I first read those lines, Rochelle. It seems a long time ago now.
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Dear Sandra,
It was quite a while ago. PSKFM came out in 2015. Your support has always been appreciated. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gosh, I felt the pain and fear, and the heartbreak at her mother’s last words.
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Dear Jen,
Mission accomplished. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what a horrible situation she found herself in.
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Horrible indeed. Thank you for reading and commenting, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my, that’s dreadful.
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Indeed, Keith. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh gosh, how horrific. So very sad…
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Dear Chris,
Although this story is fiction, there are too many stories that are not. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I highly recommend your novel. Great storytelling and a heartfelt and difficult tale.
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Dear Michele,
I hope this means you’ve read the whole book. 😉 Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, I did. I had bought the Amazon kindle version, but no longer have any Amazon subscriptions.
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What a terribly sad scene. So well written, Rochelle.
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Many thanks, Brenda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Terrifying
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