Baby Blues

To say that Jackie Kennedy's journey to motherhood was difficult is an understatement. In the first couple years of her marriage, Jackie didn't become pregnant. This created tension among the Kennedys, as they expected Jackie to produce a child soon after her wedding. Joe Kennedy was intent on molding his son's image as the 'family man'. Things changed, briefly, in 1955 when Jackie finally became pregnant. Unfortunately, she miscarried three months later. In 1956, Jackie became pregnant again, but her baby girl was stillborn 8 months into the pregnancy. (By this time, Bobby and Ethel Kennedy had 4 or 5 children.) But in late 1957, the streak of tragedy was broken, and Jackie gave birth to Caroline. Three years later, John Jr. followed, a bit premature but healthy. Heartache returned in August of 1963 when Patrick Kennedy, born a month early, died of respiratory distress syndrome, just two days after he was born.

Today, some medical experts claim that Jackie's two-pack-a-day smoking habit affected her fertility and pregnancies. Other experts believe that many of the complications Jackie endured were the result of being infected with Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease that her husband had contracted in college, thanks to his rampant carnal adventures.

Despite the reason, Jackie Kennedy suffered such degrees of loss that no mother should ever have to face.

Speaking of 'Affairs'....

Jackie and Bobby. Did they or didn't they?





Similar to the JFK - Marilyn Monroe rumors, Jackie and Bobby stirred up their own gossip. Did these two really have an affair, or is it just a convenient daydream? Considering that Jackie and Bobby seemed to have more in common and even appear better suited for each other, some may believe that an affair between them was a given. At the same time, Jackie and Bobby were known for being 'good spouses', meaning they were the types to be unfaithful.

But then there are the rumors.



And the books. Several books claim Jackie and Bobby carried on a 4-year affair after JFK's assassination. What do you believe?

For a different take on the emotional Kennedy roller coaster, get your copy of  O! Jackie . Find out more about their relationship behind the scenes, and discover a crucial time when Bobby was there for Jackie--and her husband was notably absent... O! Jackie ..for those of us who can't get enough of the Kennedys, their scandals, and their tragedies.

The Truth About Gloves

Researching Jackie Kennedy's life for  O! Jackie , I discovered a few surprises about the famous first lady. One truth in particular that stuck out? Jackie's gloves. Now some may say that the gloves were all part of her fashion statement or the image she intended to create. Not so. Jackie Kennedy, or even the world for that matter, had no idea that almost twenty years after her death, those elbow length gloves she often wore would still be an enduring feature, one that's easily associated with her. If you notice, in some pictures, where she's wearing a gown or at a formal event, Jackie wears the elbow-length gloves. Other times, such as on the day of the assassination, she wore kid gloves, which only covered her hands. So why gloves? They were fashionable at the time. Jackie certainly came from a 'proper upbringing'--she attended finishing school, where young ladies learned posture, manners, and how to set a table. Perhaps, gloves were encouraged, but the simple truth is, Jackie thought her hands were unattractive, and the gloves were the perfect cover up.




Read more about Jackie, her time as first lady, and what drove her to an unlikely--and un-lady-like decision in O! Jackie .

Plenty of Sex But No True Love

Many consider her to be the sexiest woman that ever lived, and torrid are the rumors that surround her love life. James Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio, and Arthur Miller posed as her husband for brief periods. JFK, Frank Sinatra, Milton Berle, Joe Schenck, Elia Kazan, Marlon Brandon, and 'countless others' knew her 'intimately'. She's sold numerous calendars, posters, t-shirts, magazines...but did anyone truly love Marilyn Monroe? Her popularity endures, even now, fifty years after her death.

Perhaps Marilyn is so iconic, such a sex goddess and lasting legend, because despite her appeal, her beauty, and her curves, no one really loved her. Loved her, in a want-to-take-care-of-her, wholesome way. Hollywood got accustomed to using her. So did the many men who went in and out of her life. But no one stuck around, got her the help she needed, or treated her like a lady....

Smokin' Jackie

She didn't like to be photographed while smoking or holding a cigarette. Perhaps Jackie Kennedy knew smoking was a bad habit, or maybe she felt it wasn't the image she wanted to portray. Through Jackie's lifetime, smoking transitioned from fashionable and socially acceptable to being proven unhealthy and addictive. Although she was probably aware of smoking's affects and dangers (esp later in life), what hope did she have of quitting? She (reportedly) smoked two packs a day and had done so for decades.

Find out more about Jackie, her habits and her demons, in O! Jackie , a fictional take on Jackie's life as first lady.

Those Kennedys, At It Again

RFK Jr. arrested outside the White House....talk about an interesting headline. These days it seems we don't hear much about the post-Camelot Kennedys unless there's a lawsuit or arrest involved. Wonder what Papa Joe thinks of his dynasty now?

Read the story here: http://wtvr.com/2013/02/14/rfk-jr-arrested/

The JFK - Marilyn Monroe Affair

(Bobby Kennedy, Marilyn, JFK)

It's one of the most talked-about scandals of our time. The most powerful man in the world slept with the most beautiful woman in the world. How it all came about, well, that depends on which version you believe. Some accounts claim that Marilyn and JFK had a relationship that started back in the late 40s, but that Joe Kennedy disapproved of Marilyn (largely due to her family history), and therefore the relationship was doomed. Some reports state that they carried on an affair during his presidency (having been introduced to each other by Peter Lawford, JFK brother-in-law). And still other tales circulate that they only spent one weekend together--that infamous weekend at Bing Crosby's estate in Palm Springs.

In the above photo, Marilyn and JFK are seen at Harry Belafonte's NYC apartment shortly after the televised birthday special, where Marilyn breathily sang, "Happy Birthday, Mr. President." (Notice how none of them--the Kennedy men in particular--are buddying up to the camera?)

Whichever version fulfills your inner tabloid-junkie, find out the 'whole' story, including the mystery surrounding Marilyn's death, in  O! Jackie , and discover a new meaning to 'a satisfying,' 'captivating' read.