Welcome to Willow Falls!

Willow Falls, New York is the setting for my Now and Forever contemporary romance series, where Callie Richards and Mac Caldwell reside. In honor of finishing book 5 in the series: NOW AND FOREVER, LOVE JOURNEYS, I'm taking you on a short tour of the lovely town. Welcome!

 We're picking you up at the train station. Welcome to Willow Falls, population 5,000.
Home of Kensington State University, a place of romance and intrigue.

 

 A shot of the "tonier" part of Willow Falls, if you can call it that. This is Madison Street, a block away from Washington. Mac Caldwell buys jewelry for his lady-love, Callie in Maguire;s, a small shop in this street.

This is the book where it all began, where Callie met Mac and a great love story was born. Click HERE to find out more about the book.

 We're on Main Street. There are shops and a diner and a bar tucked away on this thoroughfare. It's the heart of Willow Falls.



 

This is John Lawrence's house. He's president of Kensington State University, where our hero, Mac Caldwell, is a dean.

Meet Danny Maine, bad boy college English professor, Army veteran with PTSD and incurable ladies man. Or is he? Check HERE to find out more about this book. 

 This is the fancier part of Willow Falls, Washington Street. It's the block where Bon Appetit, that fabulous restaurant, is located.
Everyone in the Now and Forever series eats there. It's run by Don and Sunny.

This is the backside of Main. It's a bit seedier, but still has some interesting shops, aa thrift store, and a pizza parlor.

 This is the book that introduces us to Mac's dad, Sam, and Mac's brother, Peter. This is the longest of the Now and Forever books and the most complicated. Along with three love stories it has murder, extortion, and blackmail!
Find out more about Blind Love HERE.

 Mighty big town hall for such a small place. Jeffrey Bowser insisted they needed this and the town is still paying for it. Needless to say, Jeff isn't the most popular guy in town!

This is Lake Onondaga in Pennsylvania where the Caldwell family has a weekend house.

Thanks for coming. I hope you look over the Now and Forever series. Maybe its right down your alley!!
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BOOK COVER ART GALLERY

It's difficult to choose favorite book covers. There are so many Secret Cravings covers that I like, most created by the amazing Dawne Dominique. Here are only a few favorites. All these books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks and Bookstrand. I'll start with my most favorite, my newest one. 

Thanks for stopping by. Hoped you enjoyed the awesome cover art. If you like my blog, please follow me. You can check out my books on my website, HERE
If you're in the mood, I'd love a like on my Facebook page. Jean Joachim, Author

MY LOVE AFFAIR WITHW YORK CITY

 

My love affair with New York City began when I was born here, sometime ago. (No, I'm not going to disclose the year!) Like any long term coupling, it has become a love/hate relationship. 

What do I love? The heartbeat, the glamour, the elegance, the beauty and the type "A" attitude -- get it done or get lost! 

 If you can't find it in New York City, it doesn't exist. Or so us natives believe.
New York is the city of dreams, made or broken. It has an energy all it's own. By June, I'm usually heading upstate to escape the overwhelming, in-your-face bustle of New York. But I'm always glad to get back. Where else can you find a deli open at three a.m.?

What else do I love? Fifth Avenue, Central Park, museums,fashion, food and unexpected pleasures, like a carriage ride along Central Park South.

 What do I hate about New York City? Times Square. The crowds, the noise, the attitude - "my way, or the highway", me, me, me. Waiting for buses and subways. The astronomical sales tax. Oh, and the income tax, too!

Hidden away among the tallest buildings ever are gems, like Grand Central Station, cobblestone streets and tiny restaurants in Greenwich Village. The arch in Washington Square Park. Sniffen Court, a small alleyway in the East 30's with tiny, old houses. Fascinating, unusual and historic sights are tucked away in every corner of the city. And, of course, Central Park!

This enormous park, 778 acres, is open to all. The beautiful landscaping, the many sculptures and statues adorning the pathways as well as restaurants that let you eat out in the fresh air. (Did I say fresh air? This is NYC, Jean, please!) There is no park like it.

Nightlife goes all night long. From Broadway to the Meat Packing district. The heart of New York beats on into the wee hours.

I write about rich men, glamorous women, love, and  elegant lifestyles. New York Nights is the series. Learn more about these books HERE.

In 2014  my new series, that takes place in New York City, will debut with Secret Cravings Publishing. I'm excited about it because I love to write about New York and every book will have at least one pug in it. 

NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU! Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment, whether you love New York or hate it! 

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT GLASS

 

Welcome to my Tuesday Tale. This is a continuation of the story THE BIG LIE. Last time, we saw Dale learn that her step mother had lied about Dale's boyfriend, saying he was married when he wasn't. She wanted to break them up. We meet Dale here after she's learned this. 

ECHOES OF THE HEART

Dale wandered about the house for three days, wearing the same clothes and not answering the phone. Her son, Joe, tried find out what was bothering her, but she remained mum. He went to work in Cliff’s law office every day. Mother and son, like two satellites in separate orbits, existed without touching.

         Her nerves were raw. The weather mirrored her depression, remaining rainy and overcast. She ate little and slept restlessly. 

Scrapbooks she couldn’t bear to look at before held her attention for hours. She pored over every detail of her high school and college romance with Cliff. Anger and hatred for her stepmother’s meddling seethed inside her. She deprived me of the one man I wanted. On purpose.

            The coffee shop remained closed. When the sun reappeared, Dale decided to shut down the establishment and return to New York. After getting up her courage, she taped a “sale” sign on the frosted glass in the front door. Then she canceled her accounts with vendors.

“Glad to see you’re getting out, Mom,” Joe said, over a plate of bacon and eggs.

“I’m shutting up the place and going back home.” Dale took her empty dish to the sink.

“This is home, too.”

 “Not anymore. I’m putting the house on the market.”

 “What about me?”

 “You have your own life. You don’t need this house.”

            “I love this house. Don’t sell it.”

            She sighed. “Drafty old money guzzler,” Dale muttered. “I’ll keep it until you know where you’re going to be. But if you end up on the West Coast, the house goes.”

            “Deal. Cliff’s wife, Martha, took a turn for the worse.”

            “I’m sorry.” A pang of sadness shot through her. Dale and Martha had become good friends. They had shared many lively conversations at the coffee shop.

            **** 

Cliff’s mind was scattered, worry over the failing health of his wife crowded out all thoughts of his legal practice. Dale’s presence disturbed him, too. Having Joe to help out was a Godsend. The young man arrived on time, as usual.

            “Do you have a buck for copies at the library?” Joe asked.

            Cliff pulled out his wallet. His hands were shaky and a piece of paper drifted from the billfold to the floor. Joe picked it up. He stared at it, then at Cliff.

            “Why do you have a picture of my mother in your wallet?


                                                                                 ****
Thanks for stopping by. Click HERE to go back to Tuesday Tales and HERE to go to my website.

A Salute to children and a giveaway!

THE WINNERS ARE PAT HERNANDEZ AND SANDY NACHLINGER! CONGRATULATIONS!
Having children is a unique experience. Before I had kids, I'd been free to walk away from people in my life. You can walk away from a spouse or even keep unruly parents at arm's length. But when my children were born, I knew a whole new kind of love. A love I could never walk away from.

My children brought out a love so strong in me that it scared me. 

Suddenly I was vulnerable in a different way. After the initial shock, it was a wonderful feeling.

Although my children are grown, my love and devotion to them still beats strong in my heart. 

They have brought me more joy than I ever thought possible and heartache so deep I wondered if I would survive.

Because my children have made such a huge impact on my life, I often write love stories about people with children. 




 

I enjoy including children in my books.










Do you like to read love stories with kids in them? Please leave a comment and I'll select a few people all weekend long to win their choice of my books. Thank you for stopping by. Don't forget your email address in your comment!

Here's a list of my books with children in them: All the Now and Forever books, The Renovated Heart, Red Carpet Romance and Memories of Love. My website

 THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!