Raising the Dead, bookmarked in the year 1979, is the exploration of a young bride’s struggle towards maturity and overcoming the depths of grief. Ms. Lisbeth’s beautiful, poetic prose weaves history, love, friendship, reading, culinary arts, crafts and the beauty of nature into the development of Emeline, the protagonist of this remarkable work.
Synopsis:
Emeline, a new bride, has been transported from her beloved home in the California Delta by her husband with their move to his mother’s home city, Charles Town, in Virginia. Marooned in grief after the deaths of her beloved parents. a mysterious elderly woman, Felicity, befriends her. Through Felicity Emeline learns to love reading, cooking. She also becomes confident enough to reach out to others and form new friendships. Felicity teaches Emeline the craft of chair caning, which becomes a lucrative enterprise which further assists Emeline in her search for independence and maturity. When Emeline is most dependent on Felicity her friend mysteriously disappears. With the assistance of her new-found friends Emeline searches and discovers for her lost friend. Through the love of friendship, her husband and her friends assist Emeline in her search for Felicity, Emeline’s mentor and “other mother,” Emeline discovers a frightening spiritual reality which uplifts her in unimaginable ways. Through friendship she learns the value of love and the enduring spirit of those who have touched her life, even if they are no longer among the living.
Raising the Dead is a mystery to be unearthed by the reader in these poetic pages. Loveable and quirky characters, both living and dead, entrance and entertain. Reviewers of Raising the Dead “can’t put this book down” until they discover how and where Emeline finds her dear friend. Emeline’s friendships, the development of her relationship with her husband and her search for Felicity help this young bride to move into her future. Emeline is a beloved heroine worthy of the most sophisticated and avid readers.
Raising the Dead is available at Amazon.
Your latest book, Raising the Dead, is a coming of age book which delves into the importance of
friendship between women and men, strangers and spirits. Would you like to elaborate?
Raising the Dead was inspired by friendships in my life, which greatly enhanced my existence. The main character, Emeline, has moved with her husband to a completely foreign world after the deaths of her parents. Her mother had been her best and her only friend. Her shy and distrusting nature makes her hesitant to reach out to others. Emeline’s loneliness forces her to realize she needs friends in her life. She begins to open herself up to others. Through new friendships her horizons broaden and her world is transformed by her friendships and new-found knowledge. Emeline realizes the differences between men and women as well as their similarities. She becomes life-long friends with people who were once strangers. She is introduced to the possibilities of a spiritual, supernatural world which comforts her in the loss of her mother. The mystery of Felicity is unveiled in a cemetery via a conversation with Felicity’s spirit. In the final pages of Raising the Dead Em learns the most important lesson of her life: love never dies, not even in death. Through her friends Emeline grows into a fulfilled, confident, loving and adventurous woman.
Could you tell us about the main characters in your book?
Emeline, my main protagonist, is a twenty-year-old naive, inexperienced young woman. She loves nature and has dwelled in the natural world, rather than experiencing the human world beyond her parents and her new husband, Randy. Through new friends Emeline discovers a love of reading, which further shapes and expands her world. She journeys into the world of books, cooking, sharing confidences, the art of chair caning and gravestone rubbing prints. Her journey to enlarge her world is one we can all relate to in our own coming of age experiences.
Felicity, a stranger who wanders into Emeline’s yard, becomes her dearest friend and mentor. Felicity is full of humor, knowledge, and empathy. She becomes a mother figure to Emeline, one whose influence she needed to grow into true adulthood. Felicity greatly influences and broadens the young woman’s life. The sudden disappearance of Felicity is a mystery Emeline is determined to discover. A large thrust of the book is Felicity’s disappearance, and what Emeline discovers in her search for her friend.
Randy, Emeline’s husband, is also transformed in the book. Randy at first is shown as a somewhat arrogant, yet loving man. He lacks friends or confidants as he annoys others with his braggadocio. Through Emeline, Randy learns to live a genuine life, and changes from arrogance to humility. Emeline teaches him to have confidence in his assets. Randy faces his insecurities and shares with Emeline reasons why his childhood was not a happy one, continuing with his need to be someone he is not. Emeline gently coaches Randy to be more empathetic and kind towards others, which changes his insecurities to positive events and developing friendships of his own.
Adrian, a stranger in many ways to Emeline, including homosexuality. He becomes a great friend to Emeline. Adrian is a well-read, funny man who loves doing silly things to amuse others. Adrian introduces Emeline to the differences between men, straight and gay, and the similarities of all lives. The need for love is a universal quest. This realization expands Emeline’s universe.
Maggie is the waitress and cook at a local diner, Inn and Out. She is funny, energetic, and a happily divorced woman with two children. On the surface, her life seems difficult. She and Emeline become close friends. Through their friendship Emeline discovers that women can be happy, no matter how difficult their lives and circumstances are. Maggie is a joyous, ironic, humorous character who opens Emeline’s eyes to the differences between women which are to be appreciated, no matter their status in life.
Mary is a Native American woman. She is very exotic and beautiful and a valued business owner in Charles Town, the only city near to Emeline’s home in Heavenly Hollow. Mary built her own business, The Sew What? Fabric and Yarns Shop through her business knowledge and entrepreneurship. She helps Emeline enormously in starting up her own business. Mary’s selfless help to Emeline in all business matters and resources help Emeline to become a successful business woman, herself.
If you had to choose one of your characters to hang out with for a day, who would that be and why?
I would choose Adrian to hang out with for the day. He is amusing, intelligent and knowledgeable of life, books, history and relationships. He has a great sense of satire and humor. Adrian is always open to new adventures and is endearing to the reader with his insecurities. He is a sweet man who discovers love and opens Emeline’s eyes to the differences between the gay and straight world, and that we are all seeking the same thing: love.
All books of fiction have at least one pivotal point where the reader just can’t put the book down. What is one of your pivotal points in Raising the Dead?
The pivotal event is when Emeline discovers an old diary hidden in her kitchen. She has no idea who wrote the diary or how it ended up in her home. What Emeline learns from reading the diary, ‘The Book of Memories, The Story of a Friendship’ astounds Emeline. In its pages she discovers the history of her own home and its previous inhabitants. The Book of Memories reveals much more to Emeline than she realizes at the time of her reading the diary. The importance of the diary adds a completely new dimension to Raising the Dead and opens up an avenue of mystery which is eventually revealed to Emeline in a remarkable, otherly-worldly event.
Let’s say I’ve read the book and put it down. What part of the book can I not get out of my mind?
It is difficult to provide one event. The scene in the Heaven’s Gate cemetery near the end of the book impacted many, as well as Emeline’s discovery of the hidden diary in her kitchen. Many of my readers have said they couldn’t put the book down as there was always something unexpected around every corner. They often say they fell in love with all the characters and couldn’t wait to find out what they would do next. Universally, they said they loved my writing style, saying my writing is “painterly” in descriptions and observances. They all stated they related to Raising the Dead characters as friends they would love to have in their own lives.
What have readers said about your book?
My readers all agree that they couldn’t put the book down as there was always something new and unexpected. The ending of the book greatly influenced people with its spiritual and supernatural events. They also loved Emeline’s coming of age in ways they had not expected in the early pages of Raising the Dead. One of my favorite comments was, “Raising the Dead is like a delicious layered dessert. Just when you think you got to the best part you turn the page to a more delightful surprise. I loved this journey. It is a deep tale that pulls you in and is easy to understand and relate to. Another reader wrote, “...The characters within Raising the Dead, have
rekindled the love in my heart for all of my own friends and family, current and in the past who are there to guide us and teach us throughout our lives. You’ve done a wonderful job of weaving the ups and downs of everyday life into a heartwarming tale that will strengthen all who read it.”
Fun question: You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people,what would that be?
I would begin a movement to wipe out hatred in the world and change it to kindness and empathy towards one another. Genuine acts of kindness would be rewarded in meaningful ways through their growth and the fresh joys discovered. I would encourage the Buddhist philosophy of ‘be here now’ and realize the value of living each day, hour and minute to the fullest of your existence and respecting every aspect of life and those around you.
REVIEWS OF RAISING THE DEAD
Author: Jayne Lisbeth, Cover Illustrator: Tim Gibbons
Publisher Austin Macauley: “Raising the Dead is a deep and emotional account of Emeline’s introspective journey, with a wholesome, spiritual supernatural angle. An inspirational, assured novel that is sure to resonate with the target audience. The poignant plot, very well-structured, the assured writing style and the events that unfold unveil a strong narrative arc. Ultimately, it is thought to be a worthy addition to the genre, sure to appeal to a wide audience.”
Mary Lea, Idaho: 5 Stars:
“I just now finished the final pages of Raising the Dead!! ‘Awww’, is what I said aloud along with shedding a few precious tears of joy! The characters within this book have rekindled the love in my heart for all of my own friends and family, current and past, who are there to guide us and teach us throughout our lives. You’ve done a wonderful job of weaving the ups and downs of everyday life into a heartwarming tale that will strengthen all who read it.”
Roberta, St. Petersburg, FL: 5 Stars:
“Raising the Dead is like a delicious layered dessert. Just when you think you got to the best part you turn the page to a more delightful part. I loved this journey and I love a deep read that’s easy to read. Raising the Dead is both. Great work, Jayne.”
Howard, Eugene, Oregon, 5 Stars: “Blew me away” “This book was given to me by a friend and when I began reading my first impression was that it was too descriptive. details, details, details. As I continued to read I found that these details as the story goes on formed a basis for an intriguing story of thoughtful and surprising characters. It turns out that I couldn’t put the book down. I was bounced from sadness to joy to wonder at the author’s use of words and changes of mood. I was then flummoxed by the addition of a second story contained within the book which made everything crystal clear. I had read Ms. Lisbeth’s previous book, Writing in Wet Cement, and this one convinced me that there is an upcoming bestseller in the future.”
Breath and Shadows Productions, Tampa, FL
“A Lovely Read”“ Jayne Lisbeth has conjured a sweet story of a young, naive newlywed whose world opens to new ideas, skills, and the discovery of fulfilling friendships after an unexpected mentor literally walks into her life. And ultimately comes to understand the lasting power of love.” Suzan, Seattle, WA, 5 Stars: “The scent of magnolias, the longing of those that have passed, and the strength and beauty of friendships shine bright in Jayne Lisbeth's, Raising the Dead. A very enjoyable read. It was terrific, Jayne! Thank you.”
Goose and Dan, Anna Maria Island: READ LOCAL!
5 Stars: “The Goose & Gander selection for BEST BEACH OR POOL BOOK: Raising the Dead by Jayne Lisbeth. Un-put-downable! Just like her debut masterpiece- Writing in Wet Cement - this book is fun, enthralling, and a page-turner. We love the prose, the very engaging characters, and (of course), the story! Jayne is a Tampa based author and her husband, Tim, illustrated this enlightening read!”
Sharon, W. Windsor, Vermont: 5 Stars: “It’s been said everyone has one book inside them. Jayne Lisbeth proved that beautifully with her first book, Writing in Wet Cement. A very personal and at times painful recounting of her journey to present day. But now she has followed up with a
wonderful novel Raising the Dead. It follows a new journey of a strong and determined young woman as she navigates through the early years of marriage. Her characters come alive, in rich detail with a mystery mixed in. Well written, and a very fun read. It will quickly grab you into turning to the next page. Highly recommend.”
John York, author, Port Richey, FL: 5 Stars: “The descriptive form of narrative Jayne employs in this story paints vivid pictures of the setting and moods. She has a 'way with words' as they say. In the beginning chapters, I thought the dead being raised in this tale were metaphorical, but discovered
that was just the tip of the iceberg. My favorite character was Felicity. She is very cool. I recommend this book.”
Marilyn, Tampa, Fl: 5 Stars: “You have a beautiful way of expression. Your thoughts are like gold and should be treasured.”
Dr. Greg Lesar, Orlando, FL 5 Stars: “Author Jayne Lisbeth's second novel is a powerful new addition to her storytelling canon. Her weekly blog- Food for Thought has eloquently documented the emotional journey in the process of writing this new novel. Raising the Dead is no sophomore slump for this brilliant writer. Lisbeth created a staggering quantity of wonderful ideas, each with characterization, suspense, and an intoxicating sense of place. This novel is equal parts entertaining, emotionally relatable, and educational of the human heart. I just love how she turns phrases and engages depth in the plot and underlying story. When you despair of what passes for storytelling in today's dumbed-down 'video culture', I have a prescription that works every time: return to the masters. Play some Joni Mitchel on low, curl up, and open to the first page of Raising the Dead- you shall be restored!”
Betty Hagan, Tampa, FL
I so admire how you can unzip your body and let the world see inside!”
Jean Shaw, Tampa, FL.
This book is an intimate, compelling portrait of a modern woman’s life journey. Ms. Lisbeth’s coming of age at a time when our country was on the cusp of a social revolution lends a fascinating dimension to her story. Raw and real, Writing in Wet Cement is an enlightening and satisfying read.
Red Book Review: Book �� Review: Raising the Dead by Jayne Lisbeth. Thank you to @pumpupyourbook and the author for this book. Recommend to any reader! Raising the Dead is about friendships and so much more but it also is about coming to understand the lasting power of love. The book was written well and had me turning pages till the end. Every character in this book was amazing and I enjoyed the characters. This is a book that I enjoyed and would recommend to other readers. Thank you to Pump Up Your Book and the author for this book in exchange of my review of Raising the Dead. #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #supernatural #friendships #mystery #emotional #pageturner #bookreader #pumpupyourbooktours
From the Faerie Reviews: 5 Stars: There was something beautiful, captivating, and unforgettable about this book. Emeline goes through quite the transformation from cover to cover, and Felicity kind of becomes her guide before she mysteriously disappears. Although we don’t get to know much about Felicity’s past, she still has quite a bit of depth, and feels just as real as Emeline. I was a little worried I wouldn’t like Emeline, sometimes naive characters just get under my skin, but Lisbeth did a great job writing her, and I found my heart going out to her as she tries to adjust to her new life and the loss of her parents. There’s such a range of emotions you’ll be pulled through as you read this, but it’s an enjoyable ride. Not your typical mystery, but a bit of a cross between mystery, supernatural, and women’s fiction. Highly recommend.
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