Jeudevine Library is delighted to host author Pearl Whitfield, talking about her second novel, "Apsara," and her journey from Oregon across the US putting together a book tour. The author talk will be at the library on Tuesday, June 7 at 7 pm. The novel is the story of a young girl, Bopha, who lives in a remote village in 12th century Cambodia. She loves to dance and is chosen to train as an Apsara (court dancer) for King Jayavarman VII. Apsaras dance to bring heaven to earth, blessing the land with prosperity. Bopha walks from her home to Angkor Wat, and begins a life she could never have imagined.

This work of historical fiction grew from an experience author Pearl Whitfield had in 2013, in Cambodia at the museum in Siem Reap (the town closest to Angkor Wat). The book had a long incubation after 2013, but then was written in less than two years. "In a way, it wrote itself," says Whitfield, "I just had to sit down and listen. Whitfield has been writing for much of her life, mostly unpublished essay and memoir. She explains, "About 25 years ago, I committed to doing "The Artist's Way" process, which has been very helpful in allowing me to write relatively free of my self-critic, and given me skills for recognizing blocks and releasing them. The other major influence that freed me to start to write was a series of workshops in each of Unlimited Body and Unlimited Breath, and being introduced to the idea of Creative Questions."

Both books are available on Amazon in print and kindle format, and at selected independent booksellers. Currently Whitfield lives in a small town in the high desert of Eastern Oregon, but she previously lived in Vermont for 30 years. She enjoys sauntering where there are long views and solitude. You can follow her on Facebook, enjoy her musings, watch videos of readings, and check her book tour schedule: https://www.facebook.com/pearl.whitfield.169. For more information or to schedule a reading by Whitfield, contact her by email at ponderosasage@gmail.com. For information call the library at 802-472-5948.