• K.M. Jackson,  life,  Nana,  Unconventional Brides,  writing,  writing life

    Writer’s Life in Pictures…

    Because I’m editing right now and words are on the chopping block, I’m keeping them to just a few here and letting my pics do the talking…

    Blog pic 6

    Seeing a library edition of a book with your name on it is quite a dream come true!

    Blog pic 7

    Annual Divas retreat is now a highlight of my year. I’m so inspired by these amazing women.

    Blog pic 5

    I’ve picked up the crochet hook again. It’s been years.

    My Nana taught me when I was a very young girl. This sure took me back.

     Blog pic 2 (2)

    There was a pretty exciting foozeball game that happened…or so I hear.

    Blog pic 1

    Gah! I got ARCs of To Me I Wed, Book 2 in the Unconventional Brides Series.

    Can you believe this is coming out in just a few months? I sure can’t!

    But you can pre-order your copy now! http://amzn.to/2krfm26

    I hope things are going super over your way. Let me know what’s happening in the comments!

    All the best,

    KMJ

     

     

    All the best,

    Kwana

  • #WeNeedDiverseRomance,  book launch,  Books,  contests,  Insert Groom Here,  K.M. Jackson,  my view,  Uncategorized

    Happy New Year! And so it begins…

    Happy New Year my Dear Peeps. Welcome to the new world.

    Ouch!  Does that sounds as scary as you read it as it does when I write it?

    Sorry. I’ll just move right along to happier chit chat. I’m hoping you all had a wonderful holiday and a

    Very Happy New Year!

    I’m thrilled to say that on the very first day of the new year I got to start it off in a most exceptional way by seeing my very first mass market single title, INSERT GROOM HERE book one in my Unconventional Brides Series, on the shelves in my local Barnes and Noble for the first time. It was a pretty fantastic feeling and one I’ll never be able to recapture. Hey, your first time is your first time and I’m so grateful to my editor, Selena James and my publisher, Kensington Books for making that dream come true! (cut to me posing awkwardly while I try and play it cool blinking back tears as my husband not so discreetly snaps pics.)

    I tell you what, I may be a way late bloomer, but I least I got a chance to see the sun.

    There is something to this never too late stuff.

    insert-groom-here-barnes-and-noble-bn

    You can pick up your copy of INSERT GROOM HERE Book 1 of the 
    Unconventional Brides where ever books are sold !  

    Kensington: http://bit.ly/2eh61Vb
    Amazon: http://amzn.to/28Mbqk3
    iBooks: http://apple.co/28RPaWU
    Barnes and Noble:  http://bit.ly/2gwFuas
    Kobo: http://bit.ly/2g8Fhtp

    insert-groom-final-postcard-front-igh-postcard4x6-3

    And a bonus don’t forget: please subscribe to my mailing list on the right and click below to enter this

    month’s giveaway!

    Hint: it’s FIRE! (Kindle Fire)

    http://gvwy.io/wbjmjcd

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • book launch,  Books,  K.M. Jackson,  Uncategorized,  writing life

    Holiday Temptation Release Day is here!!!

    It’s release day! It’s release day!

    We’re gonna party like it’s release day!!

    Yippee today is the day that HOLIDAY TEMPTATION comes out with the super fab Donna Hill, Farrah Rochon and Meeee!!!! I promise you I’m not twelve years old but this book coming out has me that excited. It’s my first mass market in store release so besides being excited you’ll find me going through all he emotions…

    Excitement over the release…

    Fear- (will they like me?)…

    fear blade runner horrified uncanny bladerunner

    Overwhelming joy because hey, I’m in a book with two amazing authors and I’m in stores. I need to rock this moment!

    Reactions excited great awesome oprah

    So don’t mind me if a blabber on this week. First don’t happen everyday. Now please excuse me while I head to some bookstores to scope out HOLIDAY TEMPTATION ON THE SHELVES….

    RuPaul's Drag Race S5 tv show rupauls drag race rupaul looking

    gifs thanks to giphy.com & realitytvgifs.tumblr.com

    Feel free to join me or check out HOLIDAY TEMPTATION wherever books are sold.

    holiday-temptation-facebook-ht-fb-ad1200x628-1

    Tis the season to satisfy your holiday desires with this festive trio of sexy stories…

    A GIFT OF LOVE Donna Hill

    Drama professor Traci Long spends her free time at the CoffeeMate café, pursuing her true passion—writing her own plays. Meanwhile, sexy barista Noah Jefferson is doing his best to distract her. But once they get involved, past betrayals make Traci wary. She’s right that Noah is keeping something from her—but it might be something that will make this Christmas as sweet as a rave review—and steamier than her favorite chai latté…

    HOLIDAY SPICE Farrah Rochon

    A Christmas-time tragedy took photographer Miranda Lawson’s holiday spirit with it. Since then, she’s traveled the world, determined to outrun her demons. This year she’s off to Istanbul. But the scenery isn’t the only gorgeous site she spots through her camera lens….Kyle Daniels loves Christmas, but he’s looking for escape too—and soon he and Miranda find it in each other’s arms. Yet their connection doesn’t end there. Maybe staying put isn’t such a bad idea after all—especially when there’s someone to celebrate with…

    FROM HERE TO SERENITY K.M. Jackson

    Unstoppable real-estate developer Ross Montgomery is under orders to get some holiday R&R. A cruise to Miami on his yacht, “The Serenity,” is the perfect place to start—especially when he meets his new personal chef, Essie Bradford. Between her calming presence, her amazing food, and her delectable beauty, Ross just might develop a taste for the good life. And when the two discover they have a lot in common—including an irresistible attraction—the next course may be a spicy New Year…

    Click below to check out HOLIDAY TEMPTATION at your favorite e-tailer

    Amazon http://amzn.to/2drIf9a

    iTunes http://apple.co/28Otxsv

    Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/2d9lSWA

    Indie Bound http://bit.ly/2d9mLP1

    BAM http://bit.ly/2daBBTd

    Walmart http://bit.ly/2dbI6sY

    Kensington  http://bit.ly/2d6S4dn

     

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • Books,  holiday,  Holiday Temptation,  jack,  jack pics,  K.M. Jackson,  musings,  my view

    Turning Pages

    Where, oh where, did the summer go?

     

    jack judge 2Listen, don’t look to me because I have no answers over here. I’ve pretty much spent most of my summer in my little cave pecking away at my laptop in prep for next year’s books. It’s ok though, all my vacations have been in my head and I’m sure a physical one will come soon (sure? Hope?).

    Meanwhile, The Jackster has been by my side as I put the finishing touches on my upcoming Unconventionl Brides Series, only giving me grief when he wants a treat or when he finds me totally slacking. You all know that nobody does judgy like Jack.

    Well now that you made it to my new place on the web grab and a cup of what ever strikes your fancy, a seat and stay a spell. Check out some of my other blog posts, my book page and please don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter (sidebar: you get to find out about my new contests that way) to stay up-to-date on my upcoming projects (there are many!). The most immediate being HOLIDAY TEMPTATION which will be out in now less than a month with me, Donna Hill and Farrah Rochon (I’m so the under card in that fight and proud to be it). HolidayTemptation150

    So that’s that. Happy early-fall peeps! If you know me you know I’m already on the hunt for the perfect black turtleneck and scheduling my Fall TV viewing and tweeting in my planner.

    Thanks and I’ll see you around!

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • book launch,  K.M. Jackson,  writing life

    Love Is In The Air… Insert Groom Here & Holiday Temptation!

    I could not be more thrilled to finally show off the cover of INSERT GROOM HERE which is book #1 in my Unconventional Brides series to be released from Kensington Books- 12/27! It’s up for pre-order now along with HOLIDAY TEMPTATION my Kensington debut in which I have a novella featured called From Here To Serenity, out 9/27 with the amazing Donna Hill and the fabulous Farrah Rochon. To say I’m on top of the world is an understatement!

     

    Insert Groom Here Cover revised FINAL

     

    Here is a bit about INSERT GROOM HERE:

    Tired white lace, rote promises, same-old ceremonies—some brides have no time for that. They’ll break the rules, turn tradition into straight-up scandal—and improvise as much as it takes to turn their wildest wedding dreams into real love…

    Eva Ward has won a lavish wedding on the nation’s hottest morning show and can’t wait to kick off her
    happily-ever-after in style. Too bad her fiancé backs out on-air—and cameraman Aidan Walker makes sure her private meltdown goes viral, down to the last couch-kicking moment. The only way Eva can save face and keep her perfect nuptial plans on track is to star in a new “find-a-groom” reality segment. But finding Mr. Right in one month means ignoring her handsome new producer—none other than Aidan himself—and getting their instant, exasperating attraction out of her system…

    Eva soon finds there’s a lot more to Aidan than freewheeling charm. But one glimpse of his caring side can’t make up for off-camera politics, Aidan’s own secrets—or Eva’s fear that they’re too different to ever trust each other. So it’s time for her to flip this script, write twists no one will see coming—and risk her heart to get the real thing

    You can pre-order INSERT GROOM HERE at these e-tailers

    Amazonhttp://amzn.to/28Mbqk3

    iBooks: http://apple.co/28RPaWU

    Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/28Ou2Tz

    Holiday Temptation cover med

    Here is a bit about HOLIDAY TEMPTATION:

    ’Tis the season to satisfy your holiday desires with this festive trio of sexy stories…

    A GIFT OF LOVE Donna Hill
    Drama professor Traci Long spends her free time at the CoffeeMate café, pursuing her true passion—writing her own plays. Meanwhile, sexy barista Noah Jefferson is doing his best to distract her. But once they get involved, past betrayals make Traci wary. She’s right that Noah is keeping something from her—but it might be something that will make this Christmas as sweet as a rave review—and steamier than her favorite chai latté…

    HOLIDAY SPICE Farrah Rochon
    A Christmas-time tragedy took photographer Miranda Lawson’s holiday spirit with it. Since then, she’s traveled the world, determined to outrun her demons. This year she’s off to Istanbul. But the scenery isn’t the only gorgeous site she spots through her camera lens….Kyle Daniels loves Christmas, but he’s looking for escape too—and soon he and Miranda find it in each other’s arms. Yet their connection doesn’t end there. Maybe staying put isn’t such a bad idea after all—especially when there’s someone to celebrate with…

    FROM HERE TO SERENITY K.M. Jackson
    Unstoppable real-estate developer Ross Montgomery is under orders to get some holiday R&R. A cruise to Miami on his yacht, “The Serenity,” is the perfect place to start—especially when he meets his new personal chef, Essie Bradford. Between her calming presence, her amazing food, and her delectable beauty, Ross just might develop a taste for the good life. And when the two discover they have a lot in common—including an irresistible attraction—the next course may be a spicy New Year…

    You can pre-order HOLIDAY TEMPTATION here at these e-tailers:

    Amazon: http://amzn.to/28MD68O

    iBooks: http://apple.co/28Otxsv

    Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/28MpThC

    Thanks so much for taking this ride with me!

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • authors,  K.M. Jackson,  my view,  photography

    New Author Pics and a Surprise Smiles…

    Over the weekend I got new author pics taken by my friend and chapter-mate. The talented author and photographer, Katana Collins.

    Now though that sentence sums up what happened it in no way sums up all the drama and angst I put into the lead up to taking the pics. The stress over how I’d look. The wishing I’d lost 40 pounds the month before I took the pics. The hunt to find just the right tops to slim me out. Wondering why after all those years of watching America’s Next Top Model I’d still hadn’t perfected the smize? I was a mess. Really and truly.

    KMJ author collage B

    Well now after seeing the pics I know that all that worry was for nothing because Katana is so talented and such a good friend she immediately put me at ease. She told me to stop my fretting and that I was beautiful. I think these photos show how at ease I was. I can’t thank Katana enough. These photos will always be a memory of what a wonderful day we had and a reminder that I should stop stressing so much and just smile.

    You can check out Katana’s books here and her photography site here. 

     

    K.M. Jackson author headshop 2015 IMG_2017_crop_8x12

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • book launch,  Books,  K.M. Jackson,  Romancing The Fashionista,  Samhain Publishing

    Fashionistas Need Love Too!

    Yesterday I was thrilled to have the cover for my May 2016 Samhain Publishing Novella revealed over at Heroes and Heartbreakers and I’m now happy to be able to post it here today.

    ROMANCING THE FASHIONISTA is the 1st in my Flirty Fashionistas series and it introduces Melinda ‘Mel’ Mitchell, a self made magazine mogul who has made it in Manhattan but has yet to find love.

    RomancingTheFashionista Cover Final 72lg

    Here is a bit about ROMANCING THE FASHIONISTA:

    When fate offers a second chance, only a fool waits for the other shoe to drop.

    Manhattan fashion maven and magazine editor Melinda Mitchell shuns the social media spotlight. That is, until a tipsy girl’s night out ends with her first Facebook account and a friend request from none other than her secret high school crush, Nolan Parker.

    When Nolan lost his chance at the big leagues, he signed on with Doctors Without Borders and never looked back. Now he’s back home to help out his ailing father. Running into Mel at his fifteen-year high school reunion rekindles old feelings he thought he’d buried for good.

    Intrigued by Nolan’s irresistibly sexy profile, Melinda heads to the reunion with her best friend to see if the picture matches up to the man. Their instant attraction flares brighter than the Manhattan skyline.

    Although the tough fashionista and accomplished ex-jock rub each other the very right way, a few stumbling blocks will decide if the heat between them is a symptom of forever love, or a past that should be left where it belongs.

    Warning: Contains a tough, no-nonsense, Big-Apple businesswoman who likes to call her own shots, and a hot doctor who can turn her on with surgical precision.

    And you can check it out here on the Samhain Publishing Site

    or

     here on Goodreads to add to your TBR shelf. Thanks so much for your support!

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • #WeNeedDiverseRomance,  agents,  book launch,  Books,  K.M. Jackson,  my view,  writing,  writing life

    Feeling Friendly… Deal News!

    I’ve been holding on to this news for a little while and I’m so happy to now be able to share it far and wide (social media pun totally intended). I’ve been signed on to write a novella called FRIENDING THE FASHIONISTA for Samhain Publishing under the fabulous executive editor Latoya Smith who I adore and have been wanting to work with for so long. FRIENDING will be the first in my Flirty Fashionista series, marrying my love of fashion and romance.

    Samhain PM announcement

     

    I can’t thank Latoya enough for taking me on and my fantastic agent Rachel Brooks from the L. Perkins Agency for making it all happen. Thank you ladies for helping to make my publishing dreams come true.

     

    Now let me get to writing… after a dance just a little but more.

    #WeNeedDiverseRomance

     

    All the best,

    Kwana

    dance gif 2

    gif fm reaction gifs.com

  • #WeNeedDiverseRomance,  agents,  K.M. Jackson,  my view,  Nana

    If You Don’t Know Now You Know… You Know … The Call!

    Those in the know will recognize the nod the Notorious B.I.G. in my blog title. Those who don’t, I’m sorry about that, it’s the lyric that’s been running through my head for the last week or so that along with the probably much more appropriate, gospel lyric, “I’m so glad they prayed for me.” Both are almost equally fitting to my monumental feelings right now.

    A little over a week ago, after more years than I’d now care to admit (I’m getting up there ya’ll) I got my first ever CALL. You know the one that all writers dream of and daydream about and make up elaborate stories around. Well, nowadays THE CALL can oftentimes come via email but this one actually did come on the phone.

    But before the CALL I did receive an email from my new rock star agent, Rachel Brooks, with the L. Perkins Agency with the subject line: CAN I CALL??? In all caps. And her being the amazing magical intuitive fairy she is, knowing me oh-so-well for the neurotic I am, she put in the email that she had good new and a super fun gif of two women in a lather of excitement because she also knows I love a gif way too much.

    The Call

    I quickly answered her back, yes, and to that Rachel called and let me know that after so many years of trudging my way, I had received an offer from the amazing Selena James for a 3 book deal plus a Novella with Kensington Book’s Dafina imprint. Hold the phone!

    What the- Get. Out. Of. Town!

    laugh hi five

     

    Here is the official announcement from Publishers Marketplace.

     

    Publishers Marketplace Deal 4-14 B

    I am over the moon right now and so thrilled to be welcomed into this new publishing home. Not to mention, but to mention, being humbled and honored to be in the presence of so many talented writers who have come before me at Dafina.  Talk about blown away.

    I know my late Nana is smiling wide right now. Her prayers and mine plus those of my mother and all my family and friends have been answered and I hope to make her and the rest of them very proud.

    Kwana & Nana

    Thank you all, and especially my ever patient Dear DH, so much for all your continued support and love.

    I can’t wait to see what the next few years bring us!

     

    All the best with all my heart,

    KMJ

     

     

    #WeNeedDiverseRomance

  • blog hop,  blogs,  K.M. Jackson

    Holiday Longings… 12 Days of Christmakwanzakah Blog Hop!

    12 Days Revision

     

    Hi Friends and Happy Holidays once again. I’m so thankful to my RWA Chaptermates Alyssa Cole and Julia Kelly for inviting me to join this fun 12 Days of Christmakwanzakah Blog Hop where a bunch of us authors share original short holiday themed stories.

    Today I’m doing something a little out of the norm for me and going back in time a bit to Christmas in the Roaring 20’s. I hope you enjoy …

     

    Holiday Longings

     

    December 1923

     

    She could do this. She could and she would because she had to, Rosemary, thought as she stepped shakily onto the nightclub’s raised stage.

    bigstock-Beautiful-lips-and-eyes-11827739 (3)Rose swallowed, then winced a bit as the harsh glare from the bright stage light pivoted and hit her eyes. In an instant, the deceptive, almost reserved class of the place disappeared and Rose chided herself for being momentarily sucked in by the superficial opulence of the underground club. The snowy white tablecloths, the glittering crystal chandeliers, even the surprising touches of the holiday season, the sprigs of holly, the pretty wreaths that lined the back mirror of the bar, they were all a façade. A rouse, designed to suck her and more importantly, those with money in, their pockets full until those pockets were good and empty.

    But no, this was no homey Christmas wonderland. And as the bright light hit her eyes and brought an unwelcome chill down her spine, Rose was indeed reminded of just where she was and what type of place she was standing in. Paradise 57 was an underground speakeasy, albeit one with a better address than some, and above ground no less, out in the open for all to see, but a speakeasy all the same. In its official capacity it was a nightclub and a restaurant, but all in the know in New York knew it was run by the latest up and comer on the New York crime scene, Stone Donnelly. And those in the know also knew that Stone made his fortune taking over the illegal liquor trade for his late uncle, the notorious Shawn Donnelly.

    At the thought of Stone, Rose felt the knot in her stomach tighten just a little more. She couldn’t believe she was actually standing in his club, coming to him for help, but life and the circumstances of the day would bring many to bend so why should she be an exception?

    The spiral downward spiral started a month ago and seemed to pick up speed from there.  But unlike the never ending flow of liquor, Rosemary’s money had come to an end officially three days ago and she didn’t know how much longer she could hold, Mrs. Davis, her land lady off. The woman was all walking Christian kindness when there was a crowd gathered but as soon as she got her chance and caught Rose alone, coming back from her volunteering over at the mission, she quick as she could, pulled her aside and got in her face with that hot whiskey breath of hers going on about the rent being past due.

    God fearing her ass. Rose inwardly winced once again, this time at the unkind thought. Her mother would be so ashamed of her. Her father, the late reverend, even more so. Be it a saint or a sinner, we were all were God’s children in the late Reverend and Mrs. Longings eyes. But Lord help her, in that moment, in that cold hallway, Rose had to step back from the stench and pray for her strength as she tried as politely as she could to pull her arm away from her landlady’s tight grasp and not haul off and give Mrs. Davis a what for right across her lip as she leered at Rose’s open collar and suggested she give up her time down at the mission for more lucrative time spent on her back.

    “God does for those, that do for themselves dearie,” Mrs. Davis had said by way of a thinly veiled threat with a bit of scripture sprinkled on top to make the stench and the leering at Rose’s undone collar just that much more unseemly.

    After finally pulling away and closing the door behind her to the now hollow feeling fifth floor walkup apartment, Rose let herself slide to the floor as the tears fell and the loneliness took over her. Frustrated, she wiped at her face. Maybe it wasn’t loneliness. Maybe she it was just hunger. She hadn’t had dinner at the mission that night as there was hardly enough to go around to the children. “Hell!” She clapped a hand over her mouth at the improper language then dropped it. “Dammit to hell!” She yelled. The old lush was probably right. It was time she stepped out and did for herself. Both mother and father were now gone. Taken by the illness that had stricken so many, them plus eight children at the mission this past month alone. And if truth be told, at times Rose wished the sickness had taken her too. But she couldn’t let that happen. She wouldn’t that that happen. That would be the worst sin of all. If she let herself slip off and die where would that leave the other children left behind?

     

    “You ready miss?”

    The kindly voice of the piano player brought Rosemary back to the here and now.  It was time to pull it together. She had to put the past behind her and live in the reality of the moment. And in this moment she was on stage, in a secondhand dress, showing too much below and way too much on top, but it was all part of the act. And act she would do. The time for sweet Rosemary Longings was no more. Today she had a role to play. One that Mama and Daddy may not be too proud of, but if they were looking down on her, it was one she would hope they would at least understand. It may not feel like Christmas, but still she prayed for a miracle all the same. If she could get a job here in his club maybe she could make enough money to continue to stay in her home and maybe, just maybe she could keep up the work at the mission that her father had started.

    Reverend Clancy, who’d taken over, was all well and good, but sadly he didn’t seem to have the same passion for the children’s well being her parents did. She could already see where his efforts were being directed elsewhere and she feared the children would soon be phased out. Besides, she’d sung on street corners plenty of times before, asking for donations and such. How was singing here so very different? Rosemary blinked against the glare of the light and let out a breath. This may be a far cry from a Harlem street corner and these would not be hymns she’d be singing, but still she’d sing them all the same and in the end she’d sing them for the Lord.  She bit at her lip. Well, in a way.

    Rosemary looked down at the sparkling black and white checkered dance floor as the piano player begin to tune. Her heart skipping with every odd note. It was probably for the best that Stone wasn’t there for her audition. On the one hand with him she’d get the humiliation over with quick and easy. And with him there would be no hiding who and what she was as a mulatto. She knew this club was whites only and only hired Negroes as servers and kitchen help. Sure she was stepping way over the line auditioning to be a performer, but the fact was the performers here made more than a server could ever dream of and her desperation had her dreaming big right now. Besides, it wasn’t her fault that the big beefy guy at the back door took only a quick glance at her pale skin, mostly the parts below her face, and assumed she was white. Normally she would correct him but right now she was hungry. Hungry and desperate. Now if she could only make it past the manager, Mr. Bonner maybe by the time she got to running into Stone, if she ever did, she be fully hired and working and he wouldn’t kick her out on her ear for breaking his club’s rules.

    The piano player coughed at the same time as the club’s manager, Mr. Bonner spoke up sharply, bringing her out of her thoughts. “You going to blow or not, girlie cause I ain’t got all day and there are plenty of other chippies just waiting their turn?”

    Rose’s chin came up at his tone and she felt her nostrils flare. But she paused at the unnerving sight of his leering gaze, the slight narrowing of his eyes. Something in that hard stare made her skin go all prickly. Rose knew that look. This would not go well.

    A tall dark skinned waiter came and whispered something in Bonner’s ear and he nodded then laughed while still giving Rose that glare. His eyes narrowing further, he leaned back and licked his thin lips. Though she was fully clothed, Rose suddenly felt naked and exposed and her stomach churned disgustingly. He saw through her and she knew it. If this was just a waste of time and she should head uptown. She’d heard about a new club up there that was looking for girls like her. The pay wasn’t as good but she could give it a try.

    Just when she was considering grabbing her coat, the piano player again this time with the first strains of the popular standard that she told him she could audition to but suddenly the words escaped her. That was it. It was a sign that she had no business being here in this den of inequity and needed to turn tail and run.  Apologizing and running off the stage was on the tip of her tongue when the manager shook his head beating her to it.

    “Just stop. It doesn’t matter anyway, Girlie. I can’t believe you’re wasting my time. Where the hell is Tony at?” He yelled now pushing up from his chair. “It’s not like we’re gonna start hiring ne—,” suddenly he was quieted when a hand came to rest easily on his shoulder.

    “Let her sing.”

    “But Stone,” the manager started.

    “I said let her sing.”

    Rose was paralyzed by the deep voice that was soft, but so strong that it traveled clear and easy across the room. It was dark and commanding and had a slight Irish lilt that she had come to know from her time spent working with her father when he would do his once weekly missionary afternoons down by the docks. But there was more. This voice was one she knew all too well. This was the voice from her past whisperings and her never ending late night dreams. But it had changed. Oh my, how it had changed. Gone was any hint of the playful mischievousness that would coax a laugh out of her at the most inappropriate times, causing her father to send a stern glance their way and her mother to take on a worried expression. No, this voice was all shadows and smoke and if she imagined its taste she’d think it tasted of the illegal liquor he was rumored to be the king of smuggling into the New York underworld.

    When Bonner didn’t protest any further, but instead took his seat, the hand smoothly lifted from the manager’s shoulder and the rest of him moved into the light.

    Stone stepped from the shadows like the beacon of the hope she had been longing for, but despite it something made Rose take a take a step back at the same time her body seemed to tensed up and lock tight.

    She knew in that moment that she had indeed made a huge mistake. This wasn’t the boy she knew. This was a man who could break her with the slightest touch.

    His eyes held her transfixed as he started to glide forward. And a voice in her head told her to run while her heart thudded in her chest stealing her breath making the task impossible.

    Run. That’s what they were supposed to do. At least that’s what he’d told her on that snowy afternoon so many years ago when he’d kissed her goodbye and stolen her heart along with her grandmother’s gold cross after he’d been nursed back to health at the mission run by her father and taken care of by her and her mother. Nothing had been said of his mysterious appearance at the back door far after closing time. Nothing said of the police who came looking for him, but where not told of the young man still passed out from the apparent bullet to the shoulder in the storeroom behind the Reverend’s office.

    When he was healed and back to his sly talking, slow charming self, he said he’d take her, his Sweet Rose as he called her. Take her and run away with her to a place where they could be together and not be judged as her parents were for their mixed love. He left with her gold cross and promises to return for her, but once he was gone he was just gone.

    And now here she was standing before him literally ready sing for her supper.

    Well, she couldn’t do it. Her pride wouldn’t let her.

    Rose took another step back and  hit the edge of the piano just as he made it to the stage and with his long legs took a wide step up to stand in front of her. His blue almost grey gaze hitting her like an iceberg and freezing her heart.

    Breaking away from her gaze for a moment he gave the piano player a curt nod and a now haunting melody swept over Rose as he looked into her eyes once again.

    “You going to sing me a tune like you used to my Sweet Rose?”

    “My name is Rosemary Longings and I was never yours.”

    He smiled at that and Rose sucked in a breath as the swift memory of first love and stolen kisses never forgotten rushed to her mind.

    “If you say so Miss Longings but in my heart I know the truth.”

    Her eyes narrowed as a surge of hot anger happily replaced the chill running through her body. “Your heart can burn in hell, sir.”

    His laugh was loud and surprising. “No doubt it will, my dear, but that doesn’t change the moment at hand. Will you sing or have you lost your voice?”

    He raised a brow and Rose wanted nothing more than to tell him where he could take his audition. But something in his eyes wouldn’t let her. She looked around and saw Bonner looking so smug, half expecting Rose to do just want she wanted, turn tail and run. No way, she wouldn’t do it.

    She looked back up at Stone. His eyes so icy and clear that she felt for a moment as if she could walk through them and enter into forever. She shook her head and saw the corner of his lip quirk up. Knew in then and there that forever was long gone and all they had was this moment.

    With that thought, Rose tilted her chin, opened her mouth and filled the room with a melody of lost loves, times forgotten and memories that can never be relived again.

    When the song ended she was spent and Stone was silent. Yes, Stone was silent. Bonner was silent. The whole room was hushed.

    Unnerved, Rosemary finally turned away and went to reach for her coat on the piano when Stone reached out, his hand touching her elbow with a gentle caress. She looked up at him. It was warmer than she expected giving the chill of his eyes. He then took her hand and placed something in her palm. She opened it and looked down shocked to see her grandmother’s old cross now cradled in her palm.

    “Welcome to Paradise, Sweet Rose. Merry Christmas.”

     

    All the best,

    KMJ