Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 35

MY LOVE AFFAIR WITHW YORK CITY

  My love affair with New York City began when I was born here, sometime ago. (No, I'm not going to disclose the year!) Like any long term coupling, it has become a love/hate relationship. 

What do I love? The heartbeat, the glamour, the elegance, the beauty and the type "A" attitude -- get it done or get lost! 




 If you can't find it in New York City, it doesn't exist. Or so us natives believe.
New York is the city of dreams, made or broken. It has an energy all it's own. By June, I'm usually heading upstate to escape the overwhelming, in-your-face bustle of New York. But I'm always glad to get back. Where else can you find a deli open at three a.m.?
What else do I love? Fifth Avenue, Central Park, museums,fashion, food and unexpected pleasures, like a carriage ride along Central Park South.
 What do I hate about New York City? Times Square. The crowds, the noise, the attitude - "my way, or the highway", me, me, me. Waiting for buses and subways. The astronomical sales tax. Oh, and the income tax, too!

Hidden away among the tallest buildings ever are gems, like Grand Central Station, cobblestone streets and tiny restaurants in Greenwich Village. The arch in Washington Square Park. Sniffen Court, a small alleyway in the East 30's with tiny, old houses. Fascinating, unusual and historic sights are tucked away in every corner of the city. And, of course, Central Park!


This enormous park, 778 acres, is open to all. The beautiful landscaping, the many sculptures and statues adorning the pathways as well as restaurants that let you eat out in the fresh air. (Did I say fresh air? This is NYC, Jean, please!) There is no park like it. Nightlife goes all night long. From Broadway to the Meat Packing district. The heart of New York beats on into the wee hours. I write about rich men, glamorous women, love, and  elegant lifestyles. New York Nights is the series. Learn more about these books HERE. In 2014  my new series, that takes place in New York City, will debut with Secret Cravings Publishing. I'm excited about it because I love to write about New York and every book will have at least one pug in it. NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU! Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment, whether you love New York or hate it!  My website
My Facebook page 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT GLASS

 Welcome to my Tuesday Tale. This is a continuation of the story THE BIG LIE. Last time, we saw Dale learn that her step mother had lied about Dale's boyfriend, saying he was married when he wasn't. She wanted to break them up. We meet Dale here after she's learned this.  THE BIG LIE Dale wandered about the house for three days, wearing the same clothes and not answering the phone. Her son, Joe, tried find out what was bothering her, but she remained mum. He went to work in Cliff’s law office every day. Mother and son, like two satellites in separate orbits, existed without touching.          Her nerves were raw. The weather mirrored her depression, remaining rainy and overcast. She ate little and slept restlessly.  Scrapbooks she couldn’t bear to look at before held her attention for hours. She pored over every detail of her high school and college romance with Cliff. Anger and hatred for her stepmother’s meddling seethed inside her. She deprived me of the one man I wanted. On purpose.
            The coffee shop remained closed. When the sun reappeared, Dale decided to shut down the establishment and return to New York. After getting up her courage, she taped a “sale” sign on the frosted glass in the front door. Then she canceled her accounts with vendors.
“Glad to see you’re getting out, Mom,” Joe said, over a plate of bacon and eggs.
“I’m shutting up the place and going back home.” Dale took her empty dish to the sink.“This is home, too.”
 “Not anymore. I’m putting the house on the market.”
 “What about me?”
 “You have your own life. You don’t need this house.”
            “I love this house. Don’t sell it.”
            She sighed. “Drafty old money guzzler,” Dale muttered. “I’ll keep it until you know where you’re going to be. But if you end up on the West Coast, the house goes.”
            “Deal. Cliff’s wife, Martha, took a turn for the worse.”
            “I’m sorry.” A pang of sadness shot through her. Dale and Martha had become good friends. They had shared many lively conversations at the coffee shop.
            **** 
Cliff’s mind was scattered, worry over the failing health of his wife crowded out all thoughts of his legal practice. Dale’s presence disturbed him, too. Having Joe to help out was a Godsend. The young man arrived on time, as usual.
            “Do you have a buck for copies at the library?” Joe asked.
            Cliff pulled out his wallet. His hands were shaky and a piece of paper drifted from the billfold to the floor. Joe picked it up. He stared at it, then at Cliff.             “Why do you have a picture of my mother in your wallet?


                                                                                 ****
Thanks for stopping by. Click HERE to go back to Tuesday Tales and HERE to go to my website.

A Salute to children and a giveaway!

Having children is a unique experience. Before I had kids, I'd been free to walk away from people in my life. You can walk away from a spouse or even keep unruly parents at arm's length. But when my children were born, I knew a whole new kind of love. A love I could never walk away from.
My children brought out a love so strong in me that it scared me. 







Suddenly I was vulnerable in a different way. After the initial shock, it was a wonderful feeling.




Although my children are grown, my love and devotion to them still beats strong in my heart. 






They have brought me more joy than I ever thought possible and heartache so deep I wondered if I would survive.
Because my children have made such a huge impact on my life, I often write love stories about people with children. 




 

I enjoy including children in my books.










Do you like to read love stories with kids in them? Please leave a comment and I'll select a few people all weekend long to win their choice of my books. Thank you for stopping by. Don't forget your email address in your comment!

Here's a list of my books with children in them: All the Now and Forever books, The Renovated Heart, Red Carpet Romance and Memories of Love. My website






 THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!

LOVE'S LAST CHANCE! GIVEAWAY!

Is there a man in your past you'd like to revisit? Someone who you left too quickly? Do you wonder what he's like today?
                                                **** Former ballerina, now choreographer, Dorrie Rodgers goes back for a "do-over" with each of  the three men she left behind. Did she leave them too quickly? Which will she choose? Or will she return to the one man who broke her heart?
                                                **** Here are a few teasers. LEAVE A COMMENT AND YOUR EMAIL and I'll give away ONE copy of the book FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY!                                   ********************** 
WILL SHE PICK ARCHER CANFIELD?

Dorrie closed the gap between them, grabbing his lapels and pulling him to her for another kiss. This time, she slipped her tongue into his mouth. He responded immediately, crushing her against his chest. She lost her sense of time and place in the sensations his mouth and hands were creating. There was nothing for Dorrie but Archer Canfield and the heat burning through her veins as her need for him grew.                             ********************************************************************************
OR RICK TARLOCK? Dorrie closed her eyes and gave herself over to the experience. Rick was an expert lover, and all she had to do was lie back and enjoy it. Peeking out from slitted lids, she saw him rip his tie off and toss it on the floor. Soon his shirt and T-shirt followed. Unable to move her arms up, she bent her head and ran her lips, then her tongue, along his chest. A smattering of brown hair tickled her face as she licked him. His groan made her smile         *****************************************************Or JOHNNY FLANAGAN? Dorrie followed him in, taking a big breath and plunging head first into the surf. When she surfaced, Johnny was treading water just beyond where the waves break. She swam toward him.
“Still got your suit?” he asked.     “Yeah. Why?”
     “Hell, I’ve seen more fabric on a wallet than on you.”
“Are you complaining?” She stayed nearby, treading water.
He burst into laughter. “Never! Never complain about an almost naked woman.”He’s still looking at me like that…                          ************************************************ Or Gunther Quill, the man who broke her heart?  One puff of hot breath warming her ear alerted her to Gunther’s arrival. She jumped.
“If I was insecure, I’d think you were avoiding me,” he whispered, standing too close to her.Dorrie’s heartbeat doubled as adrenaline poured into her veins. Fight or flight? Let me out of here. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she pasted a smile on her lips and turned to face him.“Why Gunther, what a surprise.”“You little liar. I texted you.”“Did you? Can’t get those on the plane.”    “Still playing tag with the truth,” he growled in a deep, low voice. “You’re avoiding me.”                                 *************************Can't wait? Get your copy now:  AMAZON All Formats, including Nook, here: ALL ROMANCE eBOOKS BOOKSTRAND SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BUILDING"

Jonesy dragged her into the kitchen for a cup of tea, chatting about University gossip. She gave Dale a hug then left. She wandered about the big house, feeling lost. The pain in her heart was building. She fished out the wedding notice and, careful not to crumble the brittle newspaper, read it carefully.   She stared at the picture of the bride, grinning from ear to ear. Sylvia was beautiful. She wondered about Cliff. Had he been delirious with joy or depressed or sad at the time?
She sank down into the comfort of an overstuffed chair in the living room and watched chickadees eat at the bird feeder.   The memory of her wedding day flashed back. Anna had thrown herself into wedding plans with zeal. The dress had to be perfect –and it was. The venue had to be just right –and it was. Even the weather had to be warm enough and cool enough – and it was. Everything was spot on, except it was the wrong groom.
She remembered standing at the window, watching the crowd gather slowly. Anna had been called to a food emergency in the kitchen. Begging for a moment alone from her bridesmaids, Dale stood quietly, by herself, unable to stop the tears.   She couldn’t stop wishing it was Cliff, pacing nervously in the black tuxedo, Cliff who would be pledging to love her forever, and Cliff who would be making love to her that night. The feelings she experienced then flooded back into her heart. The agony of knowing she could have had her wish stung her like a thousand bees.     A crack of thunder indicated an autumn storm. Stupid to wish. Try to forget. It’s past. He’s gone. Let it go. She sighed briefly as she climbed the stairs. I can’t let it go. He hates me for something I didn’t do. Do I tell him? I must, but not now. She slipped under the covers of the bed in the master bedroom and was blessedly lost in sleep by six o’clock.   RETURN TO TUESDAY TALES MY WEBSITE

FIVE FAST FACTS ABOUT BALLET! DID YOU KNOW....

As a child, I loved the ballet. It was the first dance I studied. I switched to modern dance when my family moved from NYC to the suburbs since ballet wasn't offered in my new town. But I never lost my passion for ballet. I have seen many performances of classic ballets, like Swan Lake at Lincoln Center. 

I'm surprised it's taken me this long to write about a dancer. But I have in LOVE'S LAST CHANCE.
Today I'm sharing a few fast facts about ballet you might not know.

1) Ballet began in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th and 16th centuries. 

2) The word "ballet" comes from the French, but can be traced back to its original source, the Italian, "ballare", meaning to dance.



3) Ballet developed as a performance-focused art form in France during the reign of Louis XIV, who was passionate about dance.

4) The ballerina became the most popular dance performer in Europe in the first half of the 19th century, gradually turning the spotlight away from the male dancer.

 5) Michel  Fokine choreographed Sheherazade and Cleopatra. He also reworked Petrouchka and The Firebird. One of his most famous works was The Dying Swan, performed by Anna Pavlova. Beyond her talents as a ballerina, Pavlova had the theatrical gifts to fulfill Fokine's vision of ballet as drama. Legend has it that Pavlova identified so much with the swan role that she requested her swan costume from her deathbed.
Thanks for stopping by! 
To find out more about my books, go to my WEBSITE.
  A bit about the book


Dorrie Rodgers left three men behind in New York when she moved to L.A. to dance the lead in a movie. Engagement to a powerful producer made her life complete. But an accident ended both her career and her impending marriage.
After three years of struggling along teaching yoga, Dorrie is hired to choreograph a movie. Wanting to share her joy at this fabulous chance to resurrect her career, she is determined to end her single status.  
Questioning her decision to leave each of three men in New York, Dorrie returns to the Big Apple for one more day with each. Was she hasty in her decisions to leave them behind? Will one of these men make her change her mind? Will her return to the past bring the love she is seeking or will loneliness propel her back into the arms of the one man who broke her heart? Read an excerpt from Chapter One HERE             Buy the book HERE

A Taste of Summer at Lake Huntington

Come with me to Lake Huntington. 
 This is the lake.

It's where I hide out all summer and write. Except for this summer as I was attending conferences. 












 This is our humble cabin. I write on the deck when it's not raining.






 Here are some of the sights that bring me peace and enable me to focus on my inner voices and their stories.









Lake Huntington is the inspiration for Pine Grove, the small town that is the setting for a number of my books.














 This is the Delaware River, a beautiful but treacherous body of water.







This is the charming one-lane bridge crossing the Delaware. It takes you from New York state to Pennsylvania in a matter of seconds.





Thanks for taking this little trip with me. If you want to learn more about my books, go to my website.
 





 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "WAVE"

 Hi and welcome to my Tuesday Tales story. This is a continuation of my work-in-progress, THE BIG LIE:             With her stepmother’s death, Dale had no way to confirm her suspicions about the lie. Then she remembered Anna used to confide in her best friend, Jonesy, the administrative secretary at Kensington State.  After washing her face and reapplying makeup, she headed over to the university. One o’clock. Lunchtime. She sat down on a bench outside the building where the sixty-ish lady worked and waited. Within ten minutes she was rewarded for her patience when she saw Jonesy strolling toward the main entrance. Dale whistled and waved. Jonesy returned the wave.
“How you getting’ along, honey?” The older woman asked, plopping her generous butt on the bench next to Dale.“Been better. I need to talk to you. To get the truth about something. Can you stay for a minute?”

“Sure.” Jonesy’s friendly expression turned to one of worry and unease. “Shoot.”“About Cliff’s marriage…”
Jonesy’s brow knitted. “I told her not to do it. I did. We argued about it several times. But she went ahead anyway.”
Dale felt dizzy. Her throat closed up, stopping her breath. Jonesy took her hand.
“Are you all right? You’re mighty pale.”
The younger woman shook her head. When the tears started to flow, Jonesy gathered her into her arms. Within a few minutes, Dale had recovered her speech.
“She lied. She lied about his marriage, didn’t she?”
Jonesy looked away. “Wondered if you’d figure it out. Now…it’s too late.”
The confirmation of her worst fear was like a heavyweight punching her in the stomach. Again she couldn’t breathe. What might have been. Oh my God. What might have been.   RETURN TO TUESDAY TALES
Go to my website
Please like my author Fb page

SUMMER'S END SECRET CRAVINGS BLOG HOP!

Welcome! So sorry to see summer go. Looking for some late summer reading? Let's have a giveaway! Here are my Hollywood Hearts books. Which cover do you like best? Leave the title in a comment, and I'll choose three people to win their choice of any book in the series. DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL! Thanks so much for stopping by. Here's the link to get back to the hop: SECRET CRAVINGS
BOOK 1: IF I LOVED YOU


Does love always mean total truth? Shunning the limelight, Megan kept her family secret safe. Gorgeous movie star, Chaz Duncan valued privacy above all. Jealousy and deceit threaten two careers and true love in this roller-coaster-ride contemporary romance.    








BOOK 2: RED CARPET ROMANCE  Why is gorgeous movie star, Quinn Roberts, sharing his space with a baby he calls “Junior”, if it isn’t his own? Susanna, live-in nanny, can’t figure him out. Mutual heat melts his guarded heart & her reserve until a slip of the tongue shatters his dreams.     

 


BOOK 3: MEMORIES OF LOVE Can true love survive anything? A marriage to another? A seven year separation?
Pregnant and alone, Cara stars in her first movie while Grant marries another. When felled by illness, she’s forced to give her child to Grant. Five years later, Fate strikes, reuniting them by chance. Will they discover that true love never dies?  
Blown away by her lover, Grant’s, quickie marriage to another, Cara, pregnant, and starring in her first movie, struggles along alone. When felled by illness, she’s forced to give her child to Grant. Five years later, Fate strikes, reuniting them by chance. Will they discover that true love never dies?  BOOK 4: MOVIE LOVERS 
Can revenge turn to regret? Humiliated by a slick producer and her sister’s co-star, Grace uses the Internet for payback. But the scheme turns sour when she falls for one of the men she trashed. Will she confess and try to regain her self-respect as well as the respect of the man she loves or keep quiet and lose it all?




 BOOK 5: LOVE'S LAST CHANCE

Questioning her decision to leave each of three men five years ago, Dorrie returns for one more day with them. Was she hasty in her decisions?  Will her return to the past bring the love she seeks or will loneliness propel her back into the arms of the one man who broke her heart? 
TO BE RELEASED SEPT. 1  





BOOK 6: LOVERS & LIARS 
Coming November 1, 2013
For info on my other books, go to MY WEBSITE   PLEASE "LIKE" MY AUTHOR'S PAGE. THANK YOU! Don't forget your email to be entered to win!

TUESDAY TALES - ROUGH

Welcome to Tuesday Tales - word prompt "rough". Here's a bit about the last episode of this story, "The Big Lie". 


After no contact for over 20 years, Dale and Cliff bump into each other at the old barn, home to their high school trysts. Each questions the other as to their reason for being there.
THE BIG LIE

“This place holds a lot of memories for me,” Cliff said in a rough voice.
“Me, too.” Dale moved toward the road. He placed his hand on her arm, stopping her retreat.
“Don’t run off. I haven’t seen you in over twenty years.”
“Twenty-three to be exact. What difference does it make?” You chose to marry someone else then. What do we have to talk about?
“Thought we could catch up a bit.”
“Catch up on what? Desertion?”
“Interesting you bring that up.”
“Is it?” She shook his hand off her arm. It’s so long ago, why do I still care. Why is seeing him again so painful for me?
“What are you mad about? I’m the injured party. I should be furious.”
“You? That’s a laugh!” She moved quickly toward home. Cliff followed. 
 “Wait a minute!” He called, but she ignored him. Run from the pain, girl. Just like you did then. Run, run, forget about him. He caught up with her and placed both hands on her upper arms, trapping her.
“Hold it. I have a right to speak.”“Do you? Your excuses won’t fix things. She’s a lovely woman. I get it. You preferred her to me. I’m not stupid. Now let go.” She struggled but he held fast.
“What the hell are you talking about? You were engaged when I married Sylvia.”
“Are you out of your mind? I wasn’t engaged until long after you’d tied the knot.”
Cliff dropped his hands. “Believe what you want. I’ve forgiven you. Just wanted to tell you that face-to-face.” He walked away with long, purposeful strides.
A sudden coldness gripped Dale. He did marry first. Mom told me. She saw the announcement in the paper. Her last conversation with her step-mother nagged at her. “Forgive me, Dale. Sweetheart. Forgive me. Please.” The old woman held her hand, her eyes repentant. A shiver ran up Dale's spine. Her knees shook, forcing her to lean against a tall pine tree. Covering her face with her hands, she moaned. “She wouldn’t. She didn’t. It can’t be true.” As abruptly as her energy left her, it returned with a vengeance. She ran home, climbing the three stories to the attic as fast as her legs would move. Stuggling for breath, she pawed through the dust an inch thick on musty cardboard box after box, to no avail. Then she tried the old trunk.
Digging like a squirrel uncovering buried nuts in the winter, she found it. At the bottom, under a sheaf of papers was a yellowed, crumbling newspaper clipping. Cliff’s wedding notice. Date: August 10th. Not March twentieth! 

She covered her face with her hands.More Tuesday Tales My Website





[image error]