The Butterfly's Secret
A Novel by Josephine DeFalco
Book 2 of the Butterfly Series
Forced to leave her family farm when only a young child, Leandra abandons the bitter memories of growing up on the East Coast and returns to North Carolina.
Life begins anew with a past romance and marriage, while she dives head first into the cultural upheaval of the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, challenges of rural healthcare, and women’s rights. Bolstered by her deep-rooted love for Appalachia and her people, she takes on new roles, some of which she chooses while others are thrust upon her.
As the years pass by, more and more secrets are revealed to her, then buried, each one redefining who she has become. At some point she must choose to share these secrets or die with them, and a decision is made that will forever change the Barker family and future generations.
Reviews
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“Josephine DeFalco’s latest historical novel is a bittersweet story about life’s enduring connections—to family, to community, and to the places we call home. With descriptive prose, she treats the reader to the sights, sounds, and scents of Appalachia, to a time and place that has passed and yet lives on in secrets revealed and memories shared.”
-- Jessica McCann, award-winning novelist and co-leader of the Historical Novel Society, Arizona Chapter
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"Beautifully written. In the mist of the Appalachian Mountains life and death, age and youth, relationships and regrets are presented in this portrait of one woman’s journey to understand the purpose of her life and all the memories folded within."
-- Emil Cicogna, author and instructor in the College of Education, Grand Canyon University
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In The Butterfly’s Secret, Josephine DeFalco continues Leandra Barker’s story as she returns to the Appalachian Mountains she calls home. Picking up where she left off, Leandra rekindles old connections and steps into a new chapter of her life. With encouragement from her grandparents, Mamaw and Papaw, she enrolls in the local college, soon juggling this with family and farm life. A chance meeting with a new friend sparks an unexpected opportunity, one that will not only transform her future but also her entire community. Yet, life is rarely linear. Leandra suffers setbacks and heartaches that test her resilience. Leandra is, however, steadfast in her mantra: even when life gets in the way, you must never give up. This unwavering belief guides her through new relationships, family reconnections, and finding closure in old ones, proving that strength and hope can blossom even in the most challenging seasons.
Josephine DeFalco sets her story amid 1960s social, political, and cultural changes. She weaves in the Civil Rights Movement, alongside the cultural upheaval of the hippie revolution, the assassination of President Kennedy, the Vietnam War, and the cultural shift in women's sexual and reproductive rights brought about by the birth control pill. Leandra’s journey mirrors the personal and societal transformations taking place at this time, from resilience through struggle to empowerment and liberation, community and connection, and hope amidst chaos. Leandra is one of those rare individuals you encounter once in a lifetime; her character shines through every interaction, making her an unforgettable presence. Some parts of Leandra’s story brought me to tears, but through every challenge, I appreciated her as a person who rises above life’s trials. Readers who enjoy stories that have deep and emotional themes with moments of optimism will enjoy The Butterfly’s Secret.
-- Maalin Ogaja for Readers’ Favorite
Excerpts
So many hardships have shaped my life. I wonder, how did I get through those times and keep my sanity? How did I find the will to keep going? Part of it was the good people holding me up. I won’t ever forget that. In times since then I have made sure I am there to help others as best I can. It’s The Golden Rule we need to remember each and every day.
That was the first night I had ever been alone in the farmhouse. Family had always kept it alive with laughter, tears, frustrations, new faces, and old tired ones. It was just like a big old carousel. Round and round we go. Some left, some stayed. More would come.
I located a trash bag to hold my murder clothes. I couldn’t get them off fast enough and threw the plastic sack in the back of my closet. Somehow, I had to sneak my belongings out to the burn barrel early tomorrow morning. I scrubbed my skin until it was red and hot. Crying, I crumpled to the shower floor. No amount of hot water could wash this away. Another damn secret to hide in the fold of my soul.
Mamaw, on the other hand, didn’t take to the new apparatus. She got it in her head she could cook a whole egg in the microwave, shell and all. I walked into the kitchen just in time to witness the explosion and watch Mamaw open the microwave and point to what remained of her egg.
“Girl, how am I going to eat this egg?” She had taken to calling Beth “girl” when she couldn’t remember her name. Beth peeked into the microwave and stared in disbelief.
“Look at all the itty-bitty pieces!” Mamaw exclaimed. “Can you hand me a spoon?”
Beth turned away with a smile, unable to get mad at her.
“Mamaw, I’m gonna make you another egg. Then I can clean the oven while you eat."