Jeanie's Story

Ruins to Paradise

 

Genre = Fictional Novel. Young Adult, New Adult.

Word Count = 64k, 160pg, 6.5hr read

Era of Story

1920s was a decade of profound social changes. The most obvious signs of change were the rise of a consumer-oriented economy and of mass entertainment, which helped to bring about a "revolution in morals and manners." Sexual mores, gender roles, hair styles, and dress all changed profoundly during the roaring 1920's.  

 

1930s was The decade was defined by a global economic and political crisis that culminated in the Second World War. It saw the collapse of the international financial system, beginning with the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the largest stock market crash in American history.    

 

1940s were defined by World War II, the Holocaust, atomic bombs, and the beginning of the Cold War. Women were needed in the workforce to replace men who went to war, and wartime production pulled the U.S. out of the Great Depression. Upon their return, the GI Bill entitled soldiers to a college education.  

 

Story Origin = This is a fictional story based on the real life of a young girl born at midnight in December 1924. Born on the dirt floor of a one room stone building located on the outskirts of the New York city dump.

 

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Spin-offs: coming..

Betty's World - From Tenderloin to Trinity. - est. completion Fall 2025.

 

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Jeanie’s Story

Ruins to Paradise    

Synopsis:

"Jeanie's Story: Ruins to Paradise" is a poignant narrative of resilience and transformation. It follows the journey of 14-year-old Jeanie, who reflects on her tumultuous childhood, beginning on the coldest night of December 1924. Born in a one-room stone structure located within a New York City dump, Jeanie’s arrival was witnessed by her grandmother, who delivered her on a dirt floor in what they called "the ruins." The building, too decrepit for rental, provided just enough space for cooking, eating, and sleeping. The family had only one bed, which was claimed by her father; the rest of them slept on the floor. This was Jenie's beggining.

Her father, a fugitive on the run from the law, spent his days evading responsibility and indulging in petty crimes. The family’s survival was rooted in scavenging through the refuse of the city, selling their finds to wealthier neighborhoods at night. Yet, when they returned home, her father would take every cent they had earned and squander it on his latest girlfriend. Soon, his demands grew darker—forcing Jeanie and her family into lives of begging, stealing, and even worse, all to support his reckless lifestyle.

Despite the crushing weight of poverty, neglect, and abuse, Jeanie's spirit remained unbroken. She placed her faith in her grandmother, giving her a letter and a prayer as a symbol of hope for a better future. When her grandmother helped Jeanie escape to Paradise Beach, it seemed as though she might have found refuge. But new struggles quickly arose, pushing her to reconsider the paths she had chosen.

Determined to pursue her dream of a musical career among New York’s elite musicians, Jeanie soon found that family obstacles would force her back to Paradise. Love entered her life through an unexpected avenue—her dance partner from a three-legged race became her husband. However, when she discovered that she could not bear children, she faced yet another heartbreak.

Her uncle, a successful department store manager and a future senator, offered her a glimmer of hope when he helped her adopt an orphaned girl named Mary Ann, a sweet child with no known birthdate or family name.

As Mary Ann grew, she came to understand the transformative power of love, kindness, and generosity. Having been given a second chance at life, she learned how important it was to make others feel loved, just as she had been. Through her unselfish acts, Mary Ann brought healing and hope not only to Jeanie and her new family but also to the wider community. Her selfless spirit became the thread that wove their lives together, offering redemption and peace.

In the end, the torch of happiness was passed to young Mary, who discovered her own paradise in the most unexpected of places—through the final dance, where her journey of love and belonging came full circle.

    

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Author Leonard BIO


Copyright 2023/2024 All rights reserved.

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Fiction:
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

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