This is the tale of first and last loves. And those that come in between…
Jack Harrison is a relentless overachiever who leaves little in the way of compromise. A businessman to the core—he's hell-bent on being at the top of the food chain. After all, no one can trip you up if you’re on top, as he likes to say. The problem for Jack is there’s only one thing that continually trips him up—and that’s her.
Amelie Rose, with a name like poetry and a heart of gold, as her father always said, is a free-spirited photographer who has managed to land a job at one of the top travel magazines in the world. This is both a blessing and a curse since Amelie never stays in one place for long and has refused to commit to anything—ever.
It might seem to the casual observer that these two have almost nothing in common. But fate would disagree. The story chronicles Jack and Amelie’s lives from childhood into adulthood, beginning when they meet as then eight- and ten-year-olds at summer camp specifically designed for children who've lost too much.
As fate steps in, and that first summer seals the deal, they come to depend on each other in ways neither of them expected, with each summer bringing them closer than the last. As they come to terms with life and loss, with hanging on and letting go, they’ll teach each other that some bonds are meant to last. Together, they will travel the world, meeting in various places where they’ll come together, and fall apart, all the while struggling to discern if the other could possibly be the one.
This unlikely love story takes us on an adventure where two people come of age, fall in and out of love, and question the role timing plays in it all.
Their story is proof that neither time nor distance—perhaps not even death—can destroy what love creates.
So it seems the only question left to ask is whether love is enough?
*For mature audiences.*
Jack climbed out of bed, showered, and dressed. This was a bad idea. He hated carnivals. As they rode the elevator down, she didn't take her eyes off him. “Humor me, Jack,” She said as she reached for his hand and they stepped out into the night air.
At the carnival, Amelie insisted on purchasing corn dogs, cotton candy, and fried things Jack couldn't even name. She dragged him from one end to the other; she forced him on every ride imaginable and she made sure to capture Jack in all his glory on film. On the tilt-a-whirl they couldn't resist first base. In the fun house, he hit second. On the Ferris wheel they worked towards perfection, learning how the other liked to be kissed—which Amelie practically turned into an Olympic sport— complete with scoring and all. On The Zipper she urged him towards third. And Jack humored her.
He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was; the lights, the smells or the sounds but Amelie was in her element there. She came alive, more alive than he’d ever seen her. That was Amelie: Colorful, exiting, and a bit crazy. From then on Jack would always think of her like a carnival, minus the bad parts. She would sweep into town and bring with her all the excitement one could handle. You’d have the time of your life while she was there. Inevitably though she would go and with her a little piece of yourself, part of your joy. But there would always be next year, you’d convince yourself. And that was that. Jack hated carnivals. They were too risky, he said. This one, however, wasn’t so bad. Unfortunately, for Jack, there would be other carnivals in his future. But there would never be one that came even remotely close to comparing to the one that night. Little did he know then, that he would spend the rest of his life chasing that feeling.
For those of you who prefer it straight
up, no chaser: Mama to five. Lover of Life. Writer. Juggler extraordinaire. That just about covers it…
The extended version and in third person
no less : Britney is married to a man she adores (when he isn’t driving her crazy) and is the mother
of FIVE amazing kids, who (surprise!) also have a habit of driving her crazy, her best guess is that it’s
genetic. In addition, she founded a local network for women in 2012, which has grown to almost 800
members. Currently, she occupies a job she loves- serving and running Austin Women’s Network.
To further prove that she may in fact be certifiably insane, she decided to publish her debut novel
entitled, Bedrock in May of 2013. Then and only then, could she consider her training to be an
expert (life) juggler complete.
In her free time, you might find Britney
running, reading, or spending time utilizing the wonderful venues that make her city great.
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