I am back! (and ready to do a book review) OKAY! it is: "A Peep Behind the Scenes" (by Lamplighter)

   And... I am back! A long 'picture post' coming up soon!  Okay so here is the book for today, "A peep behind the scenes," by lamplighter, as I mentioned!

   This book was published in 1877. The girls name is Rosalie and she is behind the scenes, she travels in a caravan because her parents act for stage performances! And life for her is hard, when her mother is dying and tells her a devastating story that will change Rosalie's life! One discovery after another leads to a harder situation, until she is about to go to the Institution, (a workhouse) after both parents die and she is left in the hands of her stepmother. She gets out by walking 20 miles on foot, and gets to a relatives house, that you will follow the whole story. Here's a snatch of the story, exciting parts from chapters...

"The next evening, when Augustus came in to get his family noticed of the night in the theatres, he approached his wife, "Norah! surely you mean to take your part tonight?" (for Norah was dreadfully sick) "I can't, Augustus, and you would know it, if you stayed with me; I've been coughing nearly the whole day."
"I wish you wouldn't fancy that you are sick..." "But I am Augustus! If you were in my place too, you would not want to act either!" "Hold your tongue, and Rosalie, stop your crying." He said harshly..." (Chapter three) "Ask Toby to put you down Rosalie and run and have a look at the house as we pass..." "Mother," Rosalie panted, "I went and peeped in, and beautiful lady was standing there, with her little daughter, and they noticed me and started walking toward me, I ran away,"..... "Rosalie, don't you ever tell your father about that place." "Yes mother, but why?" "Just don't..." (Chapter 4) "Its the beginning of a sad story... my childhood days are...." "I became fancied with romance novels after my father died..." "I was not content without them..." "Those stars haunted me evermore afterwards..." "I became fancied with the theatres, and they soon became my idol..." (later that day) "Its singular to see that my wife revived immediately after we started traveling..." "Toby! why are you going so slow?" Augustus yelled. "The horses are tired, master ____" "Well then whip them," "They are too tired, master." Augustus, seeing he was not going to whip them came out of the house and beat them furiously... with one last tremendous blow aimed at Toby's head...  (Chapter five, continuing Norah's story) "I was at the theatres nearly every night, and soon it became the centre of my life..." "One night my friends who owned their own theatre invited me to act in one of their plays... I accepted..." "They hired professional actors to guide our play..." "I soon became smitten to Augustus Joyce..." "We came into a back alley once together and talked privately..." "We can run away together..." "Start a business..." "Life of pleasure and excitement..."  "The day after the private theatricals we can run away..." "We soon got married..." "I hated my life and then I had you..."  (Chapter Nine) "Miss Rosie, how  is you mother doing now?" "She is doing fine Toby, she is sleeping now..."  (later in the book..) "Miss Rosie..." Toby said.. "Can I talk to you?" "Master told me to leave... " No Toby! you can't leave!" "I can;t stay anyway, the way he treats you and your mother and all."


There is more to the book than that, and from there is gets even more interesting!

Here's the 'introduction' to the book:

Behind many smiling faces there hides a hurting heart, and for what may appear to be glamorous, there is usually a high price to pay. Mrs. Walton gives us a glimpse into the life of a disillusioned young actress. In her fabricated world of glamour and glitz, Rosalie finds solace in the words of a gentle old man who gives her a picture of a Shepherd who loves and cares for her. Her travels take on new meaning as she shares with the "down-and-outers" about this wonderful Shepherd who loves them, too. This profound century-old story is still relevant in today's entertainment-enmeshed culture. A Peep Behind the Scenesoutsold The Scarlet Letter by over two million copies in the 1800s. Here's some customer reviews:       A Peep Behind the Scenes From Sharon Huddleston of Newtownards, United Kingdom on 5/7/2013. I have been looking for this book for many years as I was read it by my mother when I was a child and had never forgotten it. I read the book on the same day as I received it and enjoyed it as much as I did when a child. I would highly recommend this book to anyone to read as it is one of those books that makes you want to not stop reading until you know how the story turns out. It will make you cry but also give you something to smile about. Click here to get the book!  For the audio drama:  (Which is dramatically spectacular!)  Here is the defenition of the audio drama: You will be transported back in time to the world of the traveling theatre. Written in 1878, A Peep Behind the Scenes quickly sold over 2 ½ million copies. Now, over a century later, it comes to life as a powerful audio drama! You will meet Nora, who, enticed by the lure of fame and blinded by the romance of the theatre, soon grasps the reality of what life is like behind the scenes; Augustus, who thrives in the very small world of himself; Rosalie, whose faith shines bright in a very dark world; and Betsy Ann, convinced that nobody loves her because nobody ever did—until she meets the Good Shepherd, who goes to extremes to seek and to find those who are lost. Once you hear this seven-episode epic drama, you will be compelled to share it with family, friends, and neighbors, here and around the world! A Peep Behind the Scenes audio drama—an unforgettable experience! ^^^I have to admit! It was unforgettable! I literally sobbed in a part, and cried in others!  Here's the customer reviews:       Enjoyed very much From Debi Litton of Sherman, Texas on 12/1/2012. My family really enjoyed this one! We use these cd's to fill in the long trips between home and work, church etc. We live in the country, so our daily commute is long.      Highly Recommended! From Becky Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colorado on 3/8/2013. This story serves as a beautiful reminder that God loves every one of us, and He is the pursuer of our hearts. Moreover, it is a cautionary tale of what happens when we are strong-willed and choose to ignore the wise counsel of those who love us, as well as a heartening tale of God's mercy and the second chances given to us all. Rosalee's life is a magnificent example of how God intertwines all the seemingly insignificant encounters we have with others into a gorgeous tapestry of his grace and mercy, and how even the smallest act of kindness or cruelty can have far reaching effects! For the audio drama: click here!  -Olivia

It is truly a magnificent piece of work done by Lamplighter!