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

Dinner, Anyone?

Celebrating the release of a new story in The Kennedy Chronicles: ARRANGEMENTS.

Imagine, the dinner that transpired before the wedding of the season. Joe and Rose Kennedy, dining with Jackie's mother and stepfather, Janet and Hugh Auchincloss, each trying to merge their expectations....Have a seat at the table and join them.

Download ARRANGEMENTS here.

Rest in Peace, JFK

Despite his missteps, despite his faithful infidelities, no president will be mourned more than John F. Kennedy. His very public assassination scarred American History, and perhaps defines his legacy the most. For a nation to lose its leader during an unstable time is traumatic; his death unified the nation, if only for a short time. Considering the current political, we are unlikely to know such unity again.

It is said that the Kennedy family wanted JFK buried in the family plot in Massachusetts, but that Jackie had the foresight to realize that her husband's death would play so deeply into history, that she had him laid to rest at Arlington and his tomb topped with an eternal flame.

For more on how the eternal flame came to be, read the article here.

And now that the 50 year 'anniversary' mark has come and gone, may JFK find some sense of rest in his New Frontier.

JFK...His Last Words.....

Considering the confusion, panic, and hysteria that ensued that traumatic day, you have to wonder: What were JFK's last words?

By the time he reached Parkland Hospital, the president was already gone. In fact, it's safe to say that after the hit to the throat, John F. Kennedy said no more.

But after some research, I discovered those last words: With his hand on Jackie's, he looked at her and said, "Don't wear the sunglasses."

The rain had stopped in Dallas, and despite the tragedy ahead, the sun peeked out. Jackie had reached for her sunglasses. But JFK wanted to connect with the people of Dallas: he wanted the convertible without the bubble top; he wanted them to see his face, his eyes, even as the motorcade slipped by....

Revisiting the JFK - Marilyn Monroe Affair part 2

Most people probably accept the story that JFK and Marilyn met after he became president and she was already solidified as the Hollywood blond bombshell. According to reports, the president and the actress were introduced by Peter Lawford, JFK's brother-in-law (Peter was also an actor and super-pals with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack.). The chemistry was obvious, electric. Who knows how long it was from introduction to seduction.

However, that famous weekend JFK spent at Bing Crosby's....where Marilyn showed up. And let's not forget those juicy rumors about the pool side cabana....

Months later, Marilyn sang, "Happy Birthday, Mr. President," wearing that infamous 'skin and beads' gown during a televised event. That night, at Harry Belafonte's NYC apartment, the two were captured together that now-famous photograph--the only one that features them 'together'.

Ah, the fact that JFK shied away from the camera, is very telling....



Ready for more on the JFK - Marilyn affair? Check out O! JACKIE to get your Kennedy fix.

O! Jackie news

She's in the spotlight today. Check it out!

The intimate and revealing O! JACKIE is featured in today's Free Kindle Nation Shorts excerpt http://eepurl.com/I8CPH

The Red Roses

Interesting. When the president and first lady arrived in Dallas on that fateful day, Jackie was given a beautiful bouquet of red roses. Believe it or not, some people cried foul and claimed this was a sure sign of the conspiracy to kill JFK. Why? Yellow roses are the beloved flower of Texas. There's even a song! And Jackie did receive yellow roses earlier in their trip.

Were the roses a sign of the bloodshed to come? Probably not. But 50 years later, 'believers'--both conspiracy theorists and...not--are still mulling and 'proving' who pulled the trigger that day...and marked the history books with tragedy.

Before Dallas, JFK and Jackie had plenty of problems at home, behind closed doors. And bloodshed? Well, it could come to that. Find out whose in O! JACKIE.