JFK...His last phone calls

As today marks yet another anniversary of JFK's assassination, I thought I'd share a bit of trivia I picked up today from a site I enjoy regularly.

First call: Ruth Carter Johnson, the lady who arranged the "artwork" in JFK and Jackie's room in Fort Worth.

Second call: John Nance Garner, a former Democratic VP from Texas who was celebrating his 95th birthday.

Special thanks to Jason Sanicki, Katelyn Lilly, and Denise Hamilton for providing the question and answers.

O! JACKIE on sale.......

Yes, yes, yes! Please help spread the word:

My novel, O! JACKIE, is on sale thru October for 0.99 !

Get yours, share, and tell the world. :)

Thanks, Friends!

http://bit.ly/1vwrkVN

Anniversary time

I'm squeaking this in a bit late, but here are some interesting facts on 1953's 'Wedding of the Year'........

Research by Steven L. Brawley, PPB editor-in-chief
Note: (the site www.pinkpillbox.com is currently under construction)
Date: September 12, 1953
Church: St. Mary’s, Newport, RI
Officiant: Archbishop Cushing
Blessing by: Pope Pius XII
Music by: Tenor soloist Luigi Vena from Boston sang Gounod’s Ave Maria.
Church guests: 800
Reception guests, 1,200
Reception location: Hammersmith Farm
Invitation: black ink on a cream colored paper
Menu: Fruit cup in pineapple, creamed chicken, ice cream in flower molds
Cake: five tier by Plourde's Bakery
Orchestra: Meyer Davis
Bride’s dress design: Ann Lowe
Bride’s dress detail: ivory tissue silk, with a portrait neckline, fitted bodice, and a bouffant skirt embellished with bands of more than fifty yards of flounces
Bride’s veil: rosepoint lace, worn first by her grandmother Lee, was draped from a tiara of lace and orange blossoms
Bride’s accessories: a choker of pearls, a diamond bracelet that was a gift from the groom, her mother's lace handkerchief, and a blue garter
Bride’s bouquet: pink and white spray orchids and gardenias
Photographer: Toni Frissell
Best man: Robert Kennedy
Matron of honor: Lee Radziwill
Maid of honor: Nina G. Auchincloss
Bridesmaids: 10
Ushers: 9
Engagement ring: square-cut 2.88 carat diamond and a 2.84 carat emerald with tapered baguettes from Van Cleef & Arpels
Wedding ring: 24 carat gold band
Wedding night: Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City
Honeymoon: Mexico and California
Length of marriage: 10 years

Happy Birthday, Jackie!

Even though it's been 20 years since she's passed, it's hard to believe the beloved Jackie Kennedy isn't here to celebrate what would've been her 85th birthday. But the legacy she left endures. One can't think of Jackie without several elements coming to mind: her classic style, her strength and courage as she led a nation in mourning, her love for her children, and (for fun) her sunglasses. Distinct images of her, regardless of when you were born, are branded in our minds. Here is one of my favorite photos of Jackie.



She's relaxed, beautiful, and wearing her pearls. Another association we often link to Jackie.

For those who can't get enough of Jackie, check out my novel, O! Jackie .

And have some cake for Jackie!!

In case you're a bit curious...

Having a fun time with the blog tour so far. Today I'm guest posting at What Is That Book About and sharing 10 Things You Didn't Know About Me. Play along and share some facts about YOU, too!

Stop by here: 10 Things Readers Would Be Surprised To Know About Me Mercedes King http://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/author-spotlight/2014/7/8/plantation-nation

Blog Tour!

Happy to kick off the blog tour for PLANTATION NATION! Gonna be a long, productive run. Looking forward to getting the word out about this book and sharing it with more readers. Plenty of room for you to follow along. :) Readers and Roadies are always welcome.

Today's the first stop and features a special excerpt. Check it out!


http://cbybookclub.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/blog-tour-excerpt-giveaway-plantation.html#comment-form

Thanks to Alecia at Chosen By You.

Research

Doing some research today for a novella I'm working on about Marilyn Monroe. You always run across fun facts and interesting tidbits while you're submerged up to your ears in Google data. Here was a cute gem:



But  will say that Marilyn looks way too old in this depiction. Otherwise, love the tongue-in-cheek-iness of this.

Man Arrested at Kennedy Compound...

Okay, I for one, can certainly understand an unending fascination with all-things Kennedy. And I can (almost) understand the desire to break into their home....(well, no, I can't actually, but let's go with it)....for that once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk those hallowed hallways and rooms where Kennedys once roamed.

And maybe, just maybe, I can understand how one could get...sidetracked...during such an adventure, and by sidetracked I mean: suddenly overcome by the urge to...READ. After all, the Kennedys must have one handsome library!

According to a recent article, a man was arrested at the Kennedy's Hyannis Port home. One of the teenage Kennedys (Teddy's grandson, I believe), found a man reading. Walks into a room and there's a stranger...reading. No one was harmed, and the neighbors claimed the man's car had been in the driveway for 3 hours.

Okay.

BUT. But. But what I don't get....is who the man (suspect) was REALLY looking for....

Read the article here.

Sharing News...

Well, it's that time again--time for another blog tour!

Celebrating the release of PLANTATION NATION, the story of Emma Cartwright, a sixteen year old who leaves her family's rice plantation and serves in the Union Army, disguised as a young man.

I hope that once the tour kicks off, you'll stop, visit, say "Hi!", and help share this book with other readers.

Here's the set up: https://sites.google.com/a/myaddictionisreading.com/summer-2014/mercedes-king

Happy Summer Reading!

New Release!!

Hey Friends!

It's always super-exciting to share a new book ! My latest release is PLANTATION NATION, the story about Emma Cartwright, a 16 year old girl who leaves her family's plantation and joins the Union Army disguised as a young man.

Determined to fight for a cause she believes in, Emma makes sacrifices she never dreamed possible. Her service as a soldier, nurse, and even a spy are not without complications. The stakes increase when someone secretly, accidentally discovers her gender, and when she falls in love for the first time.

Check out her amazing adventures in PLANTATION NATION.

http://www.amazon.com/Plantation-Nation-Mercedes-King-ebook/dp/B00KL13VPY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401195061&sr=1-1&keywords=plantation+nation+mercedes+king#_

Remembering Jackie.....

Hard to believe that today marks 20 years since the passing of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Considered one of the most beloved--perhaps the most beloved--First Ladies to grace our history, Jackie was unique in so many ways. Not only did she have an eye for classic, enduring style, Jackie also had a deep love for art, literature, horses, and history. But above all, she loved and cherished her family.

The wife of an ambitious politician, Jackie had courted no dreams of becoming First Lady. In fact, she craved a simpler life, one where her family was her center and her privacy was uncompromised. Despite life in the public eye, Jackie demonstrated an unmatched poise and grace, especially when tragedy struck. And tragedy struck often.

Jackie lost her first child to a miscarriage; a stillbirth soon followed. Children eventually graced her arms, but not without complications. Her last child, Patrick, died when he was only days old. Then, the unthinkable. Jackie's husband was shot and bled to death in her lap. Years later, she lost another man she loved to another assassin. And finally, she buried a second husband after his struggle against heart and health issues failed.

Her greatest joy was watching her children grow into adults.

Fortunately, Jackie didn't live long enough to lose her son. Without a doubt, news of her son's missing plane would've broken her heart, and she might never have recovered from such grief.

Instead, the world bid her farewell, after a brave battle with cancer. Her children were at her bedside, holding her hand.

Jackie taught us how to endure sorrow, even under the worst of circumstances; she taught us what it meant to be a lady, though the cost of being a good, quiet wife was one that few could afford.

We hope she has found peace and rest in eternity, for truly, the world will shed a tear today in her honor.



For those who can't get enough Jackie, feel free to download my novel, O! Jackie here. Revisit her White House years, and discover how she dealt with her many struggles.

When writing Kennedys....

Anytime a writer puts a piece out for public consumption, he (or she) puts himself out there for praise and criticism. Tamper with a topic like the Kennedys, and you're likely to stir up even more passionate responses. It's a chance you take.

I came across a recent review for one of my short stories in The Kennedy Chronicles ("Encounter") by Mr. Kevin Moore. While I can't say that I fully won him over, I can say that I genuinely appreciate his review and thoughtful feedback.

Thought I'd share.....

http://kevinmooreauthor.blogspot.com/2014/01/encounter-kennedy-chronicles.html