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EXTRA! EXTRA!
I have been busy writing, but so has Ruth! It’s been exciting to have that in common with a character I have gotten to know so well. While I am busy bringing Ruth’s story to you, her stories are finding their place and it’s closer to the front than she imagined!
The Girl in the Newsroom
July 1921
Ruth walked into the bustling newsroom. She stopped short when someone started to clap– what was happening? Typewriters stopped as others jumped to their feet and joined in. She resisted the urge to look over her shoulder. Surely this fuss must be for someone else. Were they actually giving her a standing ovation? She’d seen it happen before in honor of some kind of revelatory article, but never for her. They usually barely acknowledged her existence.
“Great job, Ruth!”
“Fantastic read.”
She managed to nod in response, finally arriving at her desk to see her chair occupied by David. He lounged back in the seat with the newspaper spread across his chest. Her headline and byline facing out.
“You made them put it on the front page?” she asked incredulously.
He winked. “Made them? You got it there yourself.”
He held out the paper and her hands shook as she took it. Her first front page story. She skimmed it over, warmth pooling in her stomach at seeing it in print.
Have you read all The Girl in the Newsroom sneak peeks? (There are four more in case you have missed them!)
Have you added The Girl in the Newsroom to your reading list yet? Add it to your Goodreads shelf HERE.
Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!
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When Will Ruth Return?
Authors spend so much time with the characters they create, the end of a book truly can feel like saying goodbye to a companion. It is such an exciting reunion having the opportunity to dive into Ruth’s next adventure. I love getting to share another Sneak Peek of the third Ruth book with you! And in case you missed the first THREE Sneak Peeks, you can find them linked below.
The Girl in the Newsroom
“You ok, Ruth?”
Ruth jumped at David’s voice. She’d been staring at her desk, letting her mind escape reality. The concern in his voice jolted her back and brought tears to her eyes. She must look a fright.
He placed a glass of water in front of her and she finally looked up.
“Were you caught in the madness outside?”
She nodded.
He lit a cigarette and spoke quietly. “I suppose that might have been triggering.”
She looked away and avoided his gaze. Her hand shook as she took a careful sip of water. She’d spoken with David once about their shared pasts. He was also a refugee from Russia. Although he’d lived in Moscow and been forced to escape as a young boy with his family during the Imperial Decree of 1891 which had ordered the expulsion of all Jews from Moscow. To avoid the Pale of Settlement, they’d been part of a group who hired a smuggler to get them to America.
He waved another lit cigarette in front of her face. She took it and finally looked up to him. She saw the shadows beneath his own eyes. His clothes were rumpled as if he’d slept in them.
“Looks like we’ve both had a time of it. Were you here all night?”
He nodded and took another drag from his cigarette. “It was a quick turnaround to get the front page ready. The telegram only came in from D.C. at 6pm.”
Ruth shook her head and took a drag of her own cigarette. “I really thought they’d change their minds and do the right thing.”
David pulled over a chair and sat down next to her. “What are you feeling right now?”
“Hurt, angry, betrayed. What do you think I’m feeling? Aren’t you feeling the same?” Ruth’s voice rose and cracked.
He nodded. “Yes, I am feeling the same. As are many other people right now. Which is why I think you need to write about it to soothe them.”
Ruth reeled back. “Me? I don’t write features.”
He took another drag. “Did I ever tell you about my first feature?” He snuffed out the cigarette in an ashtray. “The war had recently ended and I was rattling around Europe, trying to figure out how to move on with my life. I was in the countryside of France and came across two boys playing in a trench. At first, I assumed they were playing some awful game, glorifying the horrors that had occurred there. But as I went over to scold them, I saw they were riding down the sides on toboggans. And that’s when I realized, we’d be okay. Life would go on. Where I saw horror and death, these boys saw a chance to play. I channeled that feeling and wrote about it that night. On a lark, I sent it to the New York Herald. They published it and that was the beginning of my own fresh start. Writing a feature is just tapping into a fear many are feeling and finding a way to reassure people.”
Ruth’s head was whirling. Boys sledding in a trench. She couldn’t imagine. But, hadn’t she seen equally disturbing things back in Russia? Like kids using materials from torched houses to build forts?
She’d never thought of finding a way to inspire people with her writing before. She’d written to shine a light on hidden truths and report the facts. To expose Max Blanck for the evil murderer he was. To demonstrate how capable and worthy women were to vote. Those had been her top stories, the ones she’d been the proudest of and had made a small difference.
But could David be right? Could she find a way to do more with her writing? To go deeper and commiserate and bring hope through her writing?
David chuckled. “I can see your wheels turning. Good.” He stood and returned his borrowed chair. “I look forward to seeing your attempt. I have faith in you.”
He left her and she stared down at her desk. She had piles of random announcements and invitations to business openings and events. Things she’d normally sift through to find something worthy of a report. Instead, she pushed them all to the side and grabbed fresh paper and a pen.
This is the FOURTH sneak peek of the upcoming The Girl in the Newsroom. Have you missed them? Join my Amaryllis Reader newsletter for the latest book updates and releases!
Have you added The Girl in the Newsroom to your reading list yet? Add it to your Goodreads shelf here!
Enjoy this blog post? Here are a few more that may interest you.
Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!
Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE! You can also find my collection of bookish merchandise on Etsy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Reunited with Ruth
It’s always exciting to give Ruth’s followers a glimpse into her world as her new adventures unfold. The long awaited return of the courageous Jewish immigrant who has captivated the hearts of readers is approaching. As Ruth sets off on a new journey, will she have the strength to continue her trailblazing ways? Is the newsroom where Ruth will elevate her voice, or will she slip into part of the injustices she has fought against? Take a peek into what is happening in Ruth’s world.
The Girl in the Newsroom
July 1921
The noise of the city swirled around her as Ruth stared in disbelief at the headline at the newsstand. The Immigration Quota passed. Although Hal had told her the support was there and it was likely to pass, she still hadn’t really believed it. And now seeing it in black and white, it felt like a punch to the stomach.
She forced her leaden feet to move and turned toward the Daily Forward building. But as she turned the next city block, she walked straight into a crowd of people. Newspapers littered the pavement. At first, she thought it was a protest. People waved newspapers in the air and shouted “America is my Home. Overturn the Ban!”
But then, other angry shouts entered the fray. They said horrible immigrant slurs and profanities. Fear tightened Ruth’s throat. Was that really what people thought of them? Hal had said there was disdain, but this sounded more like bitter hatred.
Suddenly, she was shoved from behind. As she fell into another person nearby, they shoved her back. Soon, everyone was pushing and shoving. She started shoving herself, trying desperately to get out of this crowd.
To the side of her she saw a man punch another man in the face. Blood sprayed out. It was like permission had been granted. Other fists started flying. It was turning into an all-out brawl.
Her chest tightened and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. It was just like Russia all over again. She forced herself to look for an escape. She finally spotted a sliver of light, an exit through the crowd. She had no idea if it led the way she needed to go. Her fighter instincts came out and she shoved her way to that escape.
This is the SECOND sneak peek of the upcoming The Girl in the Newsroom. Have you missed them? Join my Amaryllis Reader newsletter for the latest book updates and releases!
Enjoy this blog post? Here are a few more that may interest you.
Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!
Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE! You can also find my collection of bookish merchandise on Etsy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
When Will Ruth Return?
I get asked about the next Ruth story so often, I love your anticipation for the return of our beloved Ruth. The long awaited return of the courageous Jewish immigrant who has captivated the hearts of readers is approaching and I am excited to share a sneak peek with you. As Ruth sets off on a new journey, will she have the strength to continue her trailblazing ways? Is the newsroom where Ruth will elevate her voice, or will she slip into part of the injustices she has fought against? Take a peek into what is happening in Ruth’s world.
The Girl in the Newsroom
She stood at the same time he did. Her eyes swept over his expertly tailored suit, fedora and cane. He had stunning blue eyes that caught her gaze. He awkwardly held out the final pages in his hand to her.
That was unfortunately when it finally clicked who’d been helping her. “Oh! You’re him.”
“I beg your pardon,” he said.
Ruth felt heat flood her face. “I mean, you’re Nagy.” She swallowed. “I’m the reporter here to interview you.”
He smiled and creases appeared around his eyes. It weathered him, making him appear approachable and kind. “Your name, Miss Reporter? I feel at a disadvantage since you already know mine.”
“Oh,” Ruth smoothed her hair. “Ruth, Ruth Feldman.”
“Nice to meet you then, Ruth Feldman.”
She offered a nervous smile.
He gestured to the door. “Shall we?” He held open the door for her and she stepped inside. She took a deep breath to steady herself as he joined her.
“Do you have a preference?” He waved his hand around.
“The back,” she said. “It’ll be quieter.”
They wove their way through the café. She moved to take a seat, but Hal was faster and pulled her chair out for her. She thanked him and settled into the chair.
Ruth busied herself pulling out her paper and pen while a server poured them coffee. Hal ordered himself a piece of pie, but Ruth shook her head when he offered to get her one as well. There was no way she was eating in front of this man. She needed to regain some composure.
As the server walked away, Ruth cleared her throat and Hal gestured for her to begin.
“So, the Immigration Quota bill,” she said. “What do you feel are the odds of it passing?”
This is the THIRD sneak peek of the upcoming The Girl in the Newsroom. Have you missed them? Join my Amaryllis Reader newsletter for the latest book updates and releases!
Enjoy this blog post? Here are a few more that may interest you.
Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!
Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE! You can also find my collection of bookish merchandise on Etsy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Whether I am reading or writing, I always find it exciting to welcome back characters that I have come to know, watched grow and rooted for. If Ruth is one of those characters for you, I am delighted to share that she has made her return! Enjoy a sneak peek into her world and find out how to read more of her story now.
Sneak Peek of my newest Ruth book!
Chayele’s building finally came into sight. It still felt so strange seeing where Chayele now lived with her husband. It was like a different world from the Lower East Side. Friedrich had grown up in the Yorkville neighborhood with its German shops, bakeries and breweries. People here still walked around wearing traditional lederhosen and dirndls. For Ruth, it recalled her brief stay all those years ago in Germany with the smuggler– the kindness of Gerta, her ginger cookies and the taste of that golden, hoppy beverage for the first time.
Ruth had since tasted beer many times in America– most often right here in the many saloons of Yorkville with Chayele and Friedrich. But since Prohibition was declared, the distinctive and once prevalent smell of hops in the air was missing. Some of the breweries were trying to offer low alcohol content beers, but the taste was noticeably different and they weren’t catching on. Ruth noticed more shuttered saloons than before. She wondered how much longer the remaining saloons and breweries could hold out.
She entered Chayele’s building and climbed the stairs. The smooth banister felt like butter beneath her fingers, bringing to mind Tatty’s boasts about the architecture on their own “new” building. Yes, their new building had been a step up, for sure. But all the buildings up here on the Upper East Side made theirs look shabby in comparison. There was also just a different kind of tenant here in the building, more moneyed and put together.
Have you added The Girl in the Newsroom to your reading list yet? Add it to your Goodreads shelf HERE.
Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!
Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE! You can also find my collection of bookish merchandise on Etsy.
