Monthly Archives: February 2020
1862: When the Tooth Fairy went to war to aid the soldiers…
The Tooth Fairy took on a new role during the Civil War. She fought long and hard to help the soldiers keep their teeth, not take them. If a soldier had a toothbrush, it was homemade.
Brushes didn’t show up as commercially made until 1885. Most used a “chewing stick” made from a twig from a tree or bush.
Chomping on hardtack didn’t help. Called tooth-dullers by the soldiers, they tried to soften them in coffee, but often cracked a tooth.
No wonder the Tooth Fairy was so into preventive care.
You see, for a man (or woman disguised as a man) to join the army of the North or the South, they needed a good set of teeth.
As you can see in the excerpt below from LOVE ME FOREVER
Flynt grabbed the young officer and a flash of heat shot through him, a sensation so unexpected it shook his senses to the core.
My God, what’s this?
A woman’s breasts?
He drew back, puzzled then disturbed. Warm nights . . . silken sheets . . . perfume.
He couldn’t speak. He was dumbfounded, his entire being shaken. He couldn’t move and he could barely breathe. He struggled to keep from blurting out his discovery.
The Rebel prisoner was a female.
Would his nurse give her away? Or was she waiting for him to say something? He couldn’t. He felt a stirring within him, something he didn’t want to admit, that brought a hardness between his loins. Did he dare imagine that a beautiful woman existed under all that blood and dirt? He’d heard stories about women enlisting in the army, both North and South, and fighting as men. A good set of teeth to rip open a bullet cartridge, a trigger finger that worked, and a firm handshake was all that was required to join up. It was no secret the promise of a steady paycheck was often the reason behind such reckless female behavior.
That didn’t solve his immediate problem.
Flynt couldn’t see her face under the broad-brimmed hat, but the fullness of her breasts was quite evident when she fell against him. She was tall, making her charade as a man believable, with a leanness about her uncommon to most women he knew. Too often they bound their bodies with boned corsets and rounded hip pads.
He released her, though not willingly. Her lean figure added to her appeal. She was strong and lithe, like the mountain cats he’d hunted west of the Mississippi, but she was no country girl. Her manner of speaking, though strange to his ears, told him she was well educated.
An adventuress? Or was she a female physician? That would explain her disguise since women in the medical field were rare.
Her presence put him off balance, but he couldn’t stop a smile from curving over his lips.
Who is she? he wanted to know.
More important, what was he going to do with her?
Meet Liberty Jordan:
So keep our Tooth Fairy happy. Take care of your teeth!!
~Jina
If you love Civil War romance and time travel and TWO hunky military heroes, check out my Kindle Scout winner below.
She wore gray.
He wore blue.
But their love defied the boundaries of war.
And time.
LOVE ME FOREVER is a Kindle Scout winner and is now available from Kindle Press at Amazon.com
Titanic Tuesdays: How I found Ava O’Reilly’s Irish voice in me
Are you a book blogger? On NetGalley? Check out ‘The Runaway Girl!’
You know it when you hear it… that lovely Irish lilt in a girl’s voice that reminds you of warm currant buns and hot tea on a cold, rainy day.
But how do you write it?
The accent, I mean.
The answer is simple, you don’t.
Instead of trying to recreate Ava’s Irish accent with a lot o’ fancy apostrophes and local words not known to a wide audience, I decided upon another way.
Poetry.
Not rhyming stanzas, but the poetry of the heart that comes from Ava’s character.
Ava is nineteen, born in County Cork, her mum and da couldn’t read or write, but her upbringing was rich with their stories and sayings that intrigued the young girl’s mind and soul.
Also, Ava is Irish Catholic, so the stories of the saints and her catechism are also the roots of her way of speaking.
Writing Ava’s voice came naturally to me since I grew up as Ava did, hearing the Irish folk tales from the family and the good sisters and writing stories ever since I read my first book of fairy tales.
Here’s an example of how I give the reader the cadence of Ava’s Irish speech when she sneaks aboard the Titanic and a handsome gentleman finds her.
‘I’ve been looking for you.’
She opened her eyes and let out a loud gasp. She was taken aback by the utterly amused expression on the man’s face. Dear sweet Jesus, it was him. The gentleman she’d seen on deck, watching her. And here he was, the fine scent of him filling her nostrils with a heady perfume she couldn’t resist. What swayed her not to run was his sheer masculinity, drawing her to him as she looked him straight in the eye. Like a burst of golden sunshine he was, shining down on her after she’d been drenched by a cold, drizzling rain in her dark, gray world.
What lass wouldn’t fall for his blarney? And like it, too. He was a handsome man, with black hair and black eyes that held dark secrets that could make her blush. He had an aristocratic air about him that tamed his wildness just enough to keep him on balance.
And put her off balance.
When Ava boards the Titanic, she may not be a first class passenger, but her richness of speech and glorious way of looking at the world intrigue Captain Lord Buck Blackthorn. He intends to tame this wild Irish girl with red hair, but Ava has ideas of her own,,,
Next time on Titanic Tuesdays: Titanic: The ‘Millionaire’s Special’
—————
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.
Two women hold the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…
When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.
Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.
As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…
A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.
Praise for Jina Bacarr:
‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind
‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’
‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’
‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:
Kobo.
Titanic Tonight: New documentary on National Geographic… and fabulous reviews for The Runaway Girl
The Titanic hit an iceberg on April 14, 1912…
Will my heroine, Ava O’Reilly, in THE RUNAWAY GIRL survive the freezing, cold water?
I can’t say…
But here’s what NetGalley Reviewers are saying:
The Runaway Girl is a mesmerizing romance that any reader (like me) that loves all things Titanic will adore.
– NetGalley Reviewer.
A fantastic Titanic take woven in with a great portrayal of love, friendship, and even forgiveness. I would have rather seen this as a movie than the Jack and Rose story!!!
– NetGalley Reviewer.
The Runaway Girl: A Titanic Love Story is perfect for historical fiction and romance fans.
– NetGalley Reviewer.
—————
And don’t forget to tune into National Geographic tonight at 9 PM here on the West Coast (I believe there’s a later showing, too, tonight — check your local listings!)
—————–
Next time on Titanic Tuesdays: Finding Ava’s Irish Voice in Me
THE RUNAWAY GIRL, is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.
Two women hold the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…
When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.
Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.
As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…
A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.
Praise for Jina Bacarr:
‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind
‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’
‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’
‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:
Kobo.
It’s Cinderella’s mad adventure for #NationalLashDay
It’s #NationalLashDay!
Our fave gal named Ella
Couldn’t get a fella
when she lost her slipper of glass
so she grabbed what any flirty lass
would do to catch the prince’s eye
Sexy lashes you can’t deny
helped her to catch her guy
They came unglued when he gave her a kiss
Oh, my! Who cares? It was utter bliss
—————
Next time on Titanic Tuesdays: Finding Ava’s Irish voice in me
THE RUNAWAY GIRL, is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.
Two women hold the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…
When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.
Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.
As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…
A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.
Praise for Jina Bacarr:
‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind
‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’
‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’
‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:
Kobo.
Titanic Tuesdays: Titanic and Gamblers — Meet Captain Lord James ‘Buck’ Blackthorn
meet the handsome lord gentleman gambler who saved Ava aboard the Titanic
Titanic and Gamblers
When the Titanic hit the iceberg on April 14, 1912 at 11:40 p.m., a gentleman in the second class smoking room joked about getting ice from the berg for his drink.
Other gents barely noticed when the ship struck the iceberg.
They were too busy playing cards.
According to reports from survivors, several gentlemen went down with the ship playing their last hand. Whether or not it’s true, what is true is that gambling was a popular pastime during the maiden voyage of the Titanic.
So popular that the chief steward relaxed the White Star Line rule of ‘no gambling on Sundays’.
Gambling on board, however, didn’t come without its dangers.
And I don’t mean a losing hand.
‘Boatmen’ or professional gamblers were a notorious group of cardsharps who traveled the North Atlantic route relieving wealthy male passengers of their ready cash (women were not allowed in the smoking room).
It was such a problem that a notice was posted in the first class Smoke Room warning passengers about ‘Games of Chance’ and the likelihood of professional gamblers looking for easy pickings at high-stakes card game.
No one paid any attention, including the hero of my story, Captain Lord James ‘Buck’ Blackthorn.
We first meet his lordship after the ship leaves Cherbourg, France on April 10th after picking up passengers and mail—
If there was one thing that made Captain Lord James ‘Buck’ Blackthorn smile more than holding a pretty woman in his arms, it was a winning hand at cards.
To his dismay, at the moment he had neither.
‘I’ll raise you, gentlemen,’ Buck said, stretching his long legs under the green topped playing table. He didn’t relish playing against boatmen, professional gamblers who followed the sea, but he was in desperate need of funds thanks to a voluptuous blonde in Mayfair.
Smoking a cigarette out of an amber holder, Lady Irene Pennington had sought his protection, appealing to his chivalrous nature, though he had no doubt her plea was an act. Still, the gilded lily with the seductive smile made a man believe he was a king.
And not the second son of a duke without home or hearth to offer her.
Find out what Captain Lord Blackthorn can offer our Irish heroine, Ava O’Reilly, when he rescues her aboard the Titanic… pub day March 17th.
—————
Next time on Titanic Tuesdays: How I found Ava O’Reilly’s Irish voice in me
THE RUNAWAY GIRL, is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.
Two women holdo the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…
When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.
Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.
As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…
A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.
Praise for Jina Bacarr:
‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind
‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’
‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’
‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:
Kobo.
Why the princess gave up her stilettos on Valentine’s Day and why I did too
I’m a late night writer and when I wind down at nights, well, it’s 3 a.m. and time for Morning Joe on MSNBC.
And my fave hostess, Mika Brzezinski. Mike recently wrote a post on KNOW YOUR VALUE about giving up high heels.
I so agree.
I recently tossed a bunch of old high heels, wondering how I ever walked in them. I remember carrying my stilettos by their straps over my shoulder as I ran for the vaporetto, boat taxi, in Venice when I was performing there. I’d been traipsing around the city trying to look ‘cool’ in ankle strap 4-inch-high stilettos — but my feel were anything but that.
When I gave my talk and then did my performance dance, I did it barefoot and wondered why I ever brought high heels.
You can see my tossed-away stilettos behind me…
But what about a princess? Can she get a guy not wearing stilettos?
Find out in my video!
Wishing you a fab Valentine’s Day and lots of chocolate!!
—————
Next time on Titanic Tuesdays: Titanic and Gamblers
THE RUNAWAY GIRL, is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.
Two women hold the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…
When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.
Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.
As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…
A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.
Praise for Jina Bacarr:
‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind
‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’
‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’
‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:
Kobo.
What if your first kiss was just awful? A #ValentinesDay short story about Riley Murphy, a high school freshman and her first kiss disaster
VIRGIN KISS
I wrote this fun short story about Riley Murphy a high school freshman and her first kiss disaster based on a true story.
————–
VIRGIN KISS
Jina Bacarr
Introduction
What’s in a kiss? A kiss by any other name is—
—sweet, romantic, intimate, passionate, wet, sloppy, disgusting, probing, awful, nasty, sexy, tingly, and sometimes just plain wonderful.
But what if it’s your first kiss? And you have to pucker up in front of a live audience at your high school? What then?
Pass the Altoids, please.
The kiss-from-hell happened to me, Riley Murphy.
This is my story.
* * *
A few weeks before Valentine’s Day…
I’m the new kid at Holywell High School, a shy, skinny freshman with cinnamon-colored freckles sprinkled across my nose. Flat-chested. I’ll never be Miss Popularity with the bouncy boobs and flirty lashes.
I’m more like an olive stuck on the end of a toothpick.
Even with that dossier, I’m not a total dork. I’ve gotten pecks on the cheek and quick brushes on the lips, but I’ve yet to experience the soul-melting kisses you see in the flicks. The passionate lip-lock I’ve dreamed about, wrote about in my diary.
I’ve pined for that kiss, but it’s yet to happen to me. God knows, I’ll be in graduate school facing lifelong debt before the right pair of lips meet mine.
To overcome my shyness, my mom convinced me to try out for the Drama Club. Somehow I land the leading role in a one-act Chekhov play.
Yes, Chekhov.
I play this mad, beautiful countess with passion and heart. I love it. I come alive on stage. I can do anything, be anybody, say anything, I can—
—kiss the male lead?
A gangly sophomore named Harold Brimwell with long, greasy hair and an upper lip curled in a perpetual snarl? He’s going to anoint my virgin lips with my first kiss?
Forget the Altoids. I need a stress pill.
I quit the play. They can find another dupe. Not me. I’m not going to let him use my lips for kissing practice.
Then I hear this little voice in my head telling me this is acting. Going through the motions at rehearsals and on stage don’t count on the kissing scale. I can pucker up with Harold on stage and still be a kissing virgin.
Right?
After my pep talk to myself, I sail through rehearsals, knowing my lines and ‘connecting to my character’ according to the director. He says I’m a natural, my emotions raw but real. This is amazing. Me, Riley Murphy, the kid who’s always the ‘new girl’ at school because we move around so much because of my dad’s job, found something she’s good at.
Then the trouble starts.
The director insists on method acting.We don’t rehearse the kiss. He wants a real kiss on stage, not a phony smooch.
Worse yet, we open on Valentine’s Day with a preview performance at the afternoon school assembly. Not only do I have to kiss this guy, I have to do it on the most romantic day of the year in front of the entire student body.
I dump the Altoids… along with my confidence down the toilet.
* * *
Valentine’s Day dawns rainy and cold. Perfect weather for a Russian play.
I arrive at the gym early, put on my makeup in the girls’ bathroom then, hands shaking, I hook up my long Victorian black lace dress borrowed from the costume department, the silk petticoats rustling around my feet. I’m way nervous, but something cool happens as I run my lines over and over, my fear slowly dissolving into a shaky confidence as I slip into my character’s skin. Humming ‘I will survive’, I check my props, my fingertips tingling as I pull on my snug dueling gloves, then twirl the dainty parasol over my head like a spinning top.
I grab the small pistol for my big dueling scene, then heave out a big breath, praying I don’t drop it and everybody laughs at me.
I save putting on my lipstick for last.
First, I gargle mint-flavored mouthwash until my lips turn green and my mouth goes numb. Next, I line my lips with Chekhovian, dark red lipstick and smack them together. Perfect. I’m ready for my lip close-up.
It’s showtime.
I’m so nervous when the lights come up, I garble my opening lines. Then I trip over my own feet and nearly crash into the backdrop. Hot tears form in my eyes, but I want this too bad to give up now. All my life, I’ve stayed in the shadows. If I fail now, I may never get the courage to try again. I ignore the smirks and catcalls and swish my long skirts around like a real countess to boost my confidence.
I can do this.
Somehow, I get my groove on and my theatre training takes over. I sail across the stage, chin up, shoulders back, my voice clear, my lines down to a T. I’m ‘in the moment’. Much to my relief, the dueling scene goes off without the pistols misfiring.
Then it’s time for…
… the kiss.
I’ll never forget the expression on Harold’s face when he takes two long strides toward me. A mixture of sadistic pleasure and baddass ‘tude comes over his face, as shiny and sweaty as his palms, freaking me out. Lower lip snarling, my co-star gives me that ‘I’ve got you now’ look all fired up in his eyes, pinning me to the wall.
My teeth chatter. My mouthwash stops working.
It’s so quiet in the high school gym you can hear the director chewing on the end of his pencil.
My heart pounds so hard I can’t get my breath on when Harold pulls me into his arms, yanking me around like I’m a dollar store rag doll and then—
—he slams his mouth onto mine.
Bile rises in my throat as he pushes my lips apart and thrusts his mushy, saliva-coated gum into my mouth, making me nauseous. I swear if my dress wasn’t hooked up so tight, I would have ralphed all over him. Before I can push him off me, he shoves his tongue down my throat, way down, nearly gagging me.
I start choking.
I can’t breathe. Oh, my God, I’m going to pass out.
No, I can’t, I won’t. I’m determined not to faint. I have to get him off me. No gum-chewing, phony-macho sophomore is going to get the best of me.
I’m an actress, I tell myself, so act!
With stars circling around in my pounding head, I pull up my strength and kick him in the shin. There.
Startled, he jerks backward, but not before he bites my lower lip.
What the—
I taste coppery blood. Fresh, oozing, smearing my perfectly-applied lipstick. I’m in shock, disbelieving. It can’t get any worse.
Can it?
It can.
Dabbing my bleeding lip with my silk sleeve, I struggle in his arms, but he holds me tight, slobbering all over me, licking my face, my throat, coating my skin with stringy gum. My ears won’t stop ringing. The audience is going crazy, yelling and shouting like they’re at a basketball game and I’m the bouncing ball.
No, no, he’s not going to take advantage of me. I worked hard to get this part, learn my lines. Practiced how to walk, how to find the core of my character. Gosh darn, this is the first time in my whole life I’ve come out of my shell and done something really special.
He’s not going to ruin it for me.
I have to do something. Fast.
The pistol.
Where is it? After the mock dueling scene, I threw the prop gun down on the round table. It has to be there, but where?
I reach out behind me, my nails catching on the lace doily… I twist my head just a little… yes, I see it. I edge the gun toward me, an inch at a time. Sweat oozes down my too-tight collar and my knees buckle, but I don’t give up.
Almost got it… there. My fingers wrap around the pearl-inlayed handle. I suck in a breath then, without losing my nerve, I jam the prop into his ribs. Hard. I yank my body with such fury, I rip the black silk sleeve right out of the armpit. It slides down my shoulder, but it doesn’t stop me.
‘Get your hands off me, you sloppy-kissing, gum-chewer!’ I yell, ignoring the script and re-writing Chekhov. ‘Or you’re getting an “F” in drama class.’
The director gasps. Loudly. But he doesn’t refute what I said.
‘Yeah, sure,’ Harold stutters, letting me go, raising up his hands and backing away. ‘Anything you say, Riley.’
‘That’s telling him!’ a girl yells from the audience.
Amy Zanderbar. His ex-girlfriend.
She’s not the only one. All the girls stand up and start chanting, ‘Go, Riley, go!’
Wow. I hit a nerve with the females sitting in the bleachers who had their share of bad kissers.
They love it.
The audience starts clapping wildly and stomping their feet and continue chanting my name. I break the fourth wall and give them a ‘V’ for Victory high sign until the chanting dies down, then my thespian instincts kick in and I get back into character, giving Chekhov his due and ending the play as he wrote it.
I’ll always remember this night when a shy freshman girl in a borrowed Victorian dress took on a snarky sophomore and became empowered to stand up for herself in front of the whole student body.
It changed my life.
* * *
Epilogue
We performed the one-act play for the next few nights without further incident, faking the kiss each time. Harold is cool, not attempting any more way-out kissing. For me, it’s strictly acting.
I’m still a virgin in lip-land.
But I’ll never forget V-Day and my experience with the gum-toting, kissing bandit. Not a bad guy, just a rotten kisser.
And in case you’re curious, next semester I do find the right pair of lips to land that first kiss.
A hottie junior. Jack Dwayne.
When Jack takes me in his arms and lowers his face to mine, I quiver with anticipation and soon discover a kiss isn’t just a kiss, it’s…
… magic.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
——————–
PS — yes, Riley is me, a shy freshman back in the day.
—————
THE RUNAWAY GIRL, is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.
Two women hold the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…
When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.
Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.
As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…
A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.
Praise for Jina Bacarr:
‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind
‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’
‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’
‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:
Kobo.
Titanic Tuesdays: Titanic, the Irish, the rosary…and Ava O’Reilly
I came across this old photo of me when I was about my heroine Ava’s age — same color hair!!
Last time I spoke about Margaret Rice and her five sons who boarded the Titanic at Queenstown, Ireland.
And how Margaret and all five of her boys were lost…
When her body was recovered, she was identified as being a Catholic by her rosary.
Many survivors said they saw passengers – including many men – on bent knee saying the rosary at the time of the sinking.
The word ‘rosary’ comes from the Latin meaning ‘garland of roses’.
Rosaries are usually made from plastic or wood. I remember my grandmother making rosaries by hand for the poor who came to pray at St. Joachim Church and for the missions.
I still have the cornflower blue rosary she made for me among my keepsakes.
In The Runaway Girl, my heroine Ava O’Reilly takes her few possessions with her on the ship, including her mother’s black rosary beads. They’re a symbol of everything she’s left behind in Ireland.
And of her faith.
Ava grabs her rosary when the ship hits the iceberg:
Hot tears veiled her eyes and they burned something awful. In the whole of her life Ava had never felt more alone.
She wiped her face, picked up her black rosary, then huddled in the corner of the bunk with only her wounded pride and lost hope for company.
Clawing at the thin blanket, Ava tore it to shreds in a wild fury, but that did nothing to calm her heart. A greater fear ripped through her.
What grand plans did the Almighty have in store for her to make her pay for her sins?
How Ava gets her faith back and learns to believe in herself is an important part of my story.
Also, how her staunch beliefs change the life of Captain Lord James ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a gentleman gambler, is even more amazing…
—————
Next time on Titanic Tuesdays: Titanic and Gamblers
THE RUNAWAY GIRL, is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.
Two women hold the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…
When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.
Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.
As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…
A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.
Praise for Jina Bacarr:
‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind
‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’
‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’
‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:
Kobo.
Special #BookBub Promo: $230 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
I love BookBub and all the fab books featured there every day – you never know what great authors and stories you’ll find!
I’ve been fortunate enough to be a BookBub Featured Deal with Christmas Once Again and I’m excited to tell you about this new BookBub Promotion from Feb 10-14 2020.
Check out this AMAZING giveaway for a $230 AMAZON GIFT CARD
To enter follow ALL of the authors in the giveaway
What are you waiting for?
Go to: http://bit.ly/BBMixedRomance
Happy BookBub-ing!
Jina
—————
Next time on Titanic Tuesdays: Titanic, the Irish, the rosary…and Ava O’Reilly
THE RUNAWAY GIRL, is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.
Two women hold the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…
When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.
Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.
As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…
A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.
Praise for Jina Bacarr:
‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind
‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’
‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’
‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:
Kobo.
Awesome 5* Review from #NetGalley for A Runaway Girl – A Titanic love story – that made me cry
I love this heartfelt review from Clare R., A NetGalley reviewer… I can’t tell you how much reviews mean to authors. Yes, we love the good ones, embrace the great ones, and take time to understand the not-so-good ones and try to do better.
So when this review came in this Friday a.m., I had to share it with you. I’ve posted only part of the review (you can read the entire review on NetGalley (links below).
‘…The Runaway Girl was such a wonderful story… Their romance was so heartwarming and certainly captured my imagination … it felt like it was all so believable, and could really have happened… I loved, loved this book so much!!!
The Runaway Girl is a mesmerizing romance that any reader (like me) that loves all things Titanic will adore.’
NetGalley Links:
US: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/183647
————
Wow… pretty amazing. There’s also a 4* star review with the reviewer’s comments that also touched my heart.
From Alicia G:
‘This was such a good story, the characters were so compelling and you become so invested in them you want to keep reading even way after the story ends!’
***
So here we are as we approach the 108th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic… there’s lots more coming on Titanic Tuesdays with blog posts about the Titanic featuring among other things a 1912 Titanic film…and a pig aboard the ship of dreams!
Come back often as we count down to the journey of the Titanic… thank you!
~Jina’
————–
Next time on Titanic Tuesdays:
Titanic, the Irish, the rosary…and Ava O’Reilly
THE RUNAWAY GIRL, is on schedule for a March 17 pub date.
Two women hold the keys to his heart. Only one will survive that fateful night…
When Ava O’Reilly is wrongly accused of stealing from her employer, she has no option but to flee Ireland. The law is after her, and she has only one chance at escape – the Titanic.
Aboard the ship of dreams, she runs straight into the arms of Captain ‘Buck’ Blackthorn, a dashing gentleman gambler who promises to be her protector. He is intrigued by her Irish beauty and manages to disguise her as the maid of his good friend, the lovely Countess of Marbury. Little does he realise, that the Countess is also in love with him.
As the fateful night approaches, tragedy strikes further when Ava is separated from Buck, and must make a daring choice that will change her life forever…
A sweeping historical romance set aboard the Titanic, from the author of Christmas Once Again.
Praise for Jina Bacarr:
‘A delightful holiday romance that has all the charm of a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Once Again is perfect for anyone who loves a holiday romance brimming with mistletoe, hope, and what ifs.’ Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind
‘A breathtaking holiday romance that is sure to stay with you long after reading’
‘A mesmerizing holiday romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet and take you away to another place, another time.’
‘A fabulous book you won’t want to miss’
THE RUNAWAY GIRL is now up for pre-order:
Kobo.
Once upon a story... 