THE BOOKMARK
AND OTHER STORIES
OF BETHLEHEM, PA
1777. After being wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, the Marquis de Lafayette is taken to the isolated religious community of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he is cared for by a Moravian Single Sister named Liesl Boeckel who has little patience with the arrogant Frenchman and his unwelcome curiosity about her life.
2005. When Abbey Prescott inherits her grandmother’s house in Bethlehem, she discovers an eighteenth-century bookmark, which may reveal a romance between Liesl and Lafayette, and she becomes determined to solve the mystery. However, her quest is complicated by the aftershocks of a failed love affair and a possible romantic entanglement of her own.
The Bookmark is a work of historic fiction and an immersive romantic mystery that illuminates a little-known piece of American history through the lives of two women, separated by the centuries but alike in their determination to confront the past and find a way forward.
Wine & Cheese with Le Marquis de Lafayette in Historic Bethlehem, PA
This dinner and Wine & Cheese with Lafayette on October 11, 2025 was a night to remember. Lafayette, resplendent in the uniform worn by officers during the American Revolution, made a dramatic entrance with his adjutant who led us in a rousing series of huzzahs to welcome the general back to Bethlehem.
I got to sit next to Lafayette at the dinner and later joined the crowd to hear Lafayette describe his desire to be a part of our American Revolution and recount his fateful injury at Brandywine Creek. He handled the issue of his relationship with Liesl Boeckel in a gentlemanly fashion, stating, “I received most excellent care here in Bethlehem, and that is all I will say.”
Ben Goldman really brought Lafayette to life, and as you can see here, there is a quite a resemblance!
Author Talk at Kirkland Village
My last author talk of the year exceeded all expectations with a record-breaking audience of eighty attendees! And what a wonderful group—very engaged with excellent questions.
“Lafayette” and me in Havre de Grace, MD
On July 29, 2025, I had the honor of participating in a Lafayette Bicentennial celebration in Havre de Grace, Maryland where “Lafayette” reenacted his arrival 200 years ago. As you can see, I wore a Moravian-style dress, and I was thrilled to meet historical interpreter Ben Goldman. I was charmed by his French-accented English, and we even got to share a laugh together.
For more information about the Bicentennial: Lafayette 200
The Bookmark has a Voice!
The Bookmark is now available as an audiobook on Amazon! This audio was created using virtual voice narration (AI), and I have to admit I was leery at first. But, it’s really not bad at all. For a limited time, the audio version is free with a free trial with Audible. Amazon offer
From the Blog
Anne in Havre de Grace
(with “Lafayette”)
We traveled to charming Havre de Grace, Maryland to participate in their Bicentennial Celebration of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour. I even got to meet the great man himself (or as close as I’ll ever get. Click the link below to learn more about our visit:
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