The Mystery of the Afghan Revealed
I love the cover of Shelter Me, and I can say that without a hint of self-satisfaction because I had nothing to do with it. Not a thing. In fact, I had no idea of where the photo had been taken, who’s in it, or where that gorgeous rainbow of an afghan came from …
Until last week. Last week I got an email from a man named Raymond Forbes who told me:
“I am the photographer who took the photo on the front of your book. It was a pleasant surprise to be walking through my local Barnes & Noble and see your book on the shelf.”
He went on to tell me that it had been taken in Marshfield, Mass. — which, while not quite on Cape Cod as I had suspected, definitely has that South Shore/Cape feel, with the marsh grasses and the hydrangeas. The woman is his wife, Elizabeth, and the boy is his nephew, Luke.
I replied with many thanks for his wonderful picture, which I feel so fortunate to have gracing the cover of my book. But what about the afghan?
“Do you own it?” I asked.
His reply: “The afghan blanket was knit by my wife’s grandmother back in the 70s. It is a one of a kind … kind of a mish mash of whatever leftover yarn she had.”
There went my thoughts of offering to buy it. Better for his wife to have such a warm, colorful remembrance of her grandmother. I have my grandma’s dining room set; Elizabeth has the afghan. As it should be.
If you’d like to see more of Raymond’s work, his website it www.raymondforbes.com.
February 10th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
What a great story! It is woven (sorry) with the serendipity of your book itself. Letting go of your wish to have the Afghan is typical of the practical wisdom that Janie gathers from within and from her quirky friends to find some pretty neat ways to keep going. Thanks so much for sharing the news.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I am half-way through “Shelter Me.” What a triumph. I’m laughing one minute and sobbing the next. I haven’t been this moved by a book since “The Color Purple.” I can’t stop reading it and yet I don’t want it to end. I can’t wait for your next volume. Thank you for writing!
July 12th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I just finished reading “Shelter Me” and had a good cry – didn’t want the story to be over as I’d become so invested in your characters. There was so much food for thought in your story.
I, too, have read Marisa De Los Santos’ Belong to Me and Love Walked In (in that order) and was just as caught up in them as with your story.
Thank you for giving me this wonderful reading experience. I eagerly await your next novel.
Betty Korpisto
Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada
July 13th, 2009 at 11:16 am
I have never commented to an author before but I had to tell you that I spent all day yesterday reading your book from cover to cover…I could not put it down…I LOVED it! Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful story…I wasn’t sure Janie would be strong enough in the beginning but she gained so much strength and wisdom on the journey…enough to protect her children and open herself to all the new possibilities of life…I hope you are almost ready to publish another story…I will be looking for it! Thank you!
July 20th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Just finished “Shelter Me” and really enjoyed it. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book that I couldn’t put down. I look forward to your future books – hopefully soon!
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:47 am
What a wonderful Book!
I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
I came to your website in hopes there might be other books. I have a friend whose has a birthday soon and had hoped to buy her an additional Julliette Fay book. Please email when the next novel is completed, I will become one of your best customers.
Thanks so much for the joy of reading “Shelter Me”
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:53 am
I just finished reading Shelter Me and loving being immersed in your book for the last day. I felt sheltered too by all the love and the real people in the story. I was widowed almost 14 years ago and I could certainly relate to not knowing if I was ready for this wonderful comfortable relationship that came my way and also remember the initial guilt and panic when I helped the man who later became my husband tear the porch off his cabin—work like the kind I had done with my husband who had died a year and a half before. I almost had a panic attack until I identified my feelings and brought them forth. Shelter Me is an absolutely wonderful book and I came on-line to see if your next one was out. I was attracted to the book because of the afghan as I crocheted some brightly colored ones in the 70’s myself. Keep writing and I shall keep reading!!!