romance

Mist and Fury: A Perfect Redemption

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

In my post about A Court of Thorns and Roses, I said that I would not give away an important side plot. That’s because I was saving it for this post. Rhysand has a lot of sins to answer for when he reenters Feyre’s life in A Court of Mist and Fury; and I think his redemption arc is darn near perfect. But first, let’s review those sins from the first book. 

Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court meets Feyre twice before she ends up Under the Mountain – where their story really begins. Rhysand snuck into Tamlin’s court during an outside celebration. Neither the reader nor Feyre know this at the time, but Rhysand has been having dreams and visions about Feyre, and he came to see her during the commotion of the celebration. Feyre is being dragged into the woods by some unsavory characters, and Rhysand saves her. He invites her to spend the night with him, and she declines. Rhysand accepts Feyre’s rejection and disappears.

The next time Rhysand visits, he is there on Amarantha’s errand. He uses his powers to read Feyre’s mind and tells Tamlin “she has such delicious thoughts about you.” This turns Feyre off to him, and she believes him to be a villain. 

The next time they meet is Under the Mountain when all seven courts of Prythian are prisoners to Amarantha. While Feyre is waiting for her first challenge, the guards force her to do impossible cleaning tasks. One such task puts her in Rhysand’s room cleaning his fireplace. Rhysand shows up and cleans his fireplace and Feyre with the wave of his hand. He then “hypnotizes” the guards into stopping such nonsense.

During Feyre’s first challenge against the giant worm, only one High Fae bets in favor of Feyre winning: Rhysand. Even though Feyre beat the worm, she did not avoid injury. Her arm was cut during the fight, and it became infected in her prison cell. The infection is killing her when Rhysand shows up and offers to heal her, for a price. The price is that when Feyre breaks Amarantha’s curse, she will spend two weeks each month in Rhysand’s home. Feyre negotiates Rhysand down to one week out of each month. He heals her and she wakes up to a healed arm and a tattoo that covers her entire arm. The tattoo is proof of the deal she made with Rhysand.

For the next two months, Rhysand’s maids collect Feyre each night, wash her, paint temporary tattoos over every inch of exposed skin, dress her in revealing clothing, and deliver her to Rhysand (major Mummy vibes here). She serves as Rhysand’s companion for the evening activities at Amarantha’s court. Rhysand serves her a very strong wine that makes her forget everything each night – though she is able to deduce that she spends her nights sitting on Rhysand’s lap or dancing for his entertainment. So, on the surface, Rhysand is not looking like a good guy, but even so, there was something about him that I trusted. I just knew there were going to be deeper layers to him. 

The permanent tattoo from their deal has an eye in Feyre’s palm, and she can feel a second presence in her mind that she believes comes from the eye. In fact, the presence helps her pick the right answer to help her beat the second challenge. 

When Feyre beats Amarantha’s final challenge, Amarantha beats up Feyre. Rhysand is the only one who tries to physically stop Amarantha. Amarantha snaps Feyre’s neck right after Feyre solves the final riddle, freeing all High Fae from Amarantha’s curse. Feyre dies, and all 7 High Lords are at full strength. Tamlin kills Amarantha, and the 7 High Lords of Prythian give Feyre’s body a piece of their magic, bringing her back to life as a High Fae.    

And that’s how the first book ends. I’m so sorry to make this so long, but I just love Rhysand. He is possibly my favorite literary character, so I need to do him justice.

At the start of A Court of Mist and Fury, Feyre goes three months without Rhysand imposing the deal they made when he saved her life Under the Mountain. Feyre’s relationship with Tamlin is not going well. He wants to keep Feyre locked up in pretty dresses planning parties. She wants to be a warrior. The day of their wedding, Feyre panics and is about to call off the wedding. Before she can, Rhysand appears and announces it’s time for Feyre to keep her end of the bargain. He whisks her away to his castle at the Night Court. 

Feyre’s wedding to Tamlin is postponed indefinitely. For two months she returned to Rhysand’s for a week. During each of those weeks, Rhysand teaches Feyre how to read and write and how to close her mind from his – and anyone else who might have that power – invasions. Feyre also meets Rhysand’s female cousin Morrigan, who goes by Mor. Mor is friendly and welcoming and is determined to be Feyre’s friend. 

When Feyre is at the Spring Court, she can tell that Tamlin is keeping something from her. He keeps leaving on expeditions. On one such expedition, Feyre asks for Tamlin to take her with him. He refuses and goes so far as to place a spell around the palace, keeping Feyre inside. She can’t even stick her hand out the window. Feyre loses it and her magic explodes and implodes. Her engagement ring melts off her finger and she gets stuck in her own mind of darkness. Mor and Rhysand arrive, breaking Tamlin’s spell and taking Feyre home with them. 

When Feyre decides that she doesn’t want to return to Tamlin and the Spring Court, Rhysand takes her to his real home: Velaris. Velaris is a secret city in the Night Court. This city shows Rhysand’s true character: The Court of Dreams. To the rest of the world, Rhysand wears a mask of cool detachment and darkness. He does this because previous High Lords of the Night Court were like that, and the reputation they created for themselves prevented other courts from trying to take advantage of and harm the lands and citizens. Rhysand wears this mask to protect his people. Velaris was the only place in Prythian untouched by Amarantha. 

It is in Velaris that Feyre is healed. She gains back the weight she lost, she starts training, and she falls in love. She falls in love with the city, the citizens, and her new friends – Rhysand’s friends. Mor, Amren, Cassian, and Azriel seem like a band of misfits on the surface, but they are Rhysand’s chosen family full of acceptance. They love and support one another, and Feyre is now a part of their group. 

Rhysand does not keep any secrets from Feyre – except one, which we’ll get to eventually. He doesn’t prohibit her from doing whatever she wants to do. He trains her to strengthen her powers and his army general Cassian trains her in combat. Whenever they go on a mission, Feyre is allowed to come and participate. Often, Rhysand uses the mission to test Feyre’s abilities so that she can know for herself that she is capable.

Rhysand tells Feyre something very important that Tamlin is keeping from her: Prythian has a new enemy, a hundred times stronger than Amarantha. Her mentor, The King of Hybern. Rhysand and several other High Lords believe that he will go after Prythian now that Amarantha has failed. Rhysand believes that Feyre is their secret weapon since she has the same powers as all seven High Lords. 

As Rhysand shows that he is everything Tamlin is not, Feyre begins to fall for him; but she won’t admit it to him or herself. Honesty forces itself on the two when Rhysand is captured by a small band of Hybern’s soldiers and Feyre saves him. The creature Feyre calls on for help, the Suriel, only tells the truth. The Suriel tells Feyre that she is Rhysand’s mate. Up until this moment, fated mates haven’t been a key focus of the story. It was mentioned a few times in conversation, but it’s not something that happens to every faerie in Prythian.

Rhysand suspected that Feyre was his mate while she was human, and he knew for certain after he and the other High Lords brought her back to life. Feyre is furious that he kept that information secret, and after she heals him, she runs away – not forever, but she needs a few days in solitude. Mor takes her to a special cabin that’s a full-scale house version of the Room of Requirement, only this one can provide food. 

After a few days of painting and moping, Rhysand shows up and Feyre allows him in. She is ready to listen to his explanations. While Rhysand talks, Feyre serves him a bowl of soup – the traditional way to tell him that she accepts the mate bond and accepts Rhysand as her mate. Rhysand didn’t want to force Feyre to be with him. He wanted to respect her feelings for Tamlin, even though it killed him. Her panic on her wedding day called down the bond, and Rhysand took the opportunity to rescue her and begin a courtship. He wanted Feyre to fall in love with him without the bond telling her to. When Rhysand finishes his soup, he and Feyre finally consummate their bond. 

Rhysand’s redemption arc is my favorite to date. I think one of the main reasons his redemption works is because the purpose of his earlier sins was to protect the city and people he loved. Everything he did to Feyre Under the Mountain was to protect her, even though she couldn’t see it at the time. And I normally loathe the lie-to-protect trope, but this one is done so well. I knew right away there was more to Rhysand, I just didn’t know what. So every scene with him was so edge-of-my-seat as I tried to figure it out. I never did. Velaris was as big of a surprise to me as it was to Feyre. Rhysand’s past is heart-breakingly beautiful – I couldn’t even fit all of it into this already too long post. 

I look forward to the day that I write as wonderful of a redemption. 5 stars for A Court of Mist and Fury.

New Release: The Jelly Bean Jump Project by Terry Segan

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

Thank you for hosting me, Chelsey. I am very excited to be here! Today I’m sharing a bit about my latest book, The Jelly Bean Jump Project, which releases today.

My genre of preference is paranormal, which for me is time travel, ghosts, and mysticism. The story begins in the 1950’s and involves a time travel project which recruits brilliant young minds with no family ties. The facility, located in the Pacific Northwest, has only one small town as its nearest neighbor. My main characters, Keira and Grayson, are fresh out of college and very much in love. Since both fit the criteria perfectly, they look forward to leaping through time together. Their happiness is jeopardized when a glitch in the system threatens to separate them. Add to this, Desmond, a fellow recruit who wants Keira for himself.

As someone who’s always loved travel and searches for new experiences, I wanted to insert this sense of adventure into my story. My husband and I travel to the Pacific Northwest four or five times a year, and I wanted to incorporate the beautiful scenery of the area. This was the first book I’ve written where I sketched out the storyline beforehand. I am most definitely a pantser, and while I may know how I want to begin and end a novel, it’s always a surprise to me how I get there. Characters I never thought about, ingratiate themselves into the chapters, and some get more page time than originally planned. Despite having an outline for this book, I deviated and created new plot twists often since it’s my nature to let my fingers fly over the keyboard leading me in unexpected directions.

It took me about three months to write the story and another two for the editing process. Most of my writing time happens during the week, as my husband and I are the king and queen of three-day weekends. We travel a couple weekends every month and bump it up to three weekends during the scorching summer months here in the desert. I get inspiration from our trips, and rarely do you see me without my iPad. My happy place is the beach where we set up what the hubby refers to as the “Princess Canopy.” He does draw the line at my wearing a tiara, however—such a lost opportunity. With shade, cold beverages, and a comfy beach chair, some of my best plot lines get written there. Combining two of my favorite things—beach time and creating stories—is always a winning adventure for me!

Terry Segan, originally from Commack, NY, now resides in the desert where she’ll never require an ice scraper or snow shovel again. The beach is her happy place, but any opportunity to travel soothes her gypsy soul. The stories conjured by her imagination while riding backseat on her husband’s motorcycle can be found throughout the pages of her paranormal mysteries. Growing up immersed in sarcastic humor and science fiction movies, Terry’s goals are to cause her readers to laugh out loud, cry with joy, or cower under the covers wondering if the noise under the bed was real or imagined.

Join Terry on her adventures at her website Terry Segan.

Keira longed to do something amazing with her life. When offered a chance to join a time travel program, she didn’t hesitate. With her soulmate by her side, nothing could be more perfect.

Grayson never believed happiness would find him until he met Keira. Lightning struck twice when both got accepted into The Jelly Bean Jump Project, a time travel experiment. Only a handful of applicants made the cut each year.

One of the requirements—no family ties. Keira and Grayson were alone in the world except for each other. An adventure of a lifetime awaited, until a glitch in the system threatened to tear them apart. Would they walk away from their fantasy or surrender their hearts in exchange?

An Oldie but a Goodie: Flight Path by Lisa Wilkes

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

Hi, I’m Lisa Wilkes. I am an author, flight attendant, licensed social worker (LMSW), and animal rescuer. I live in Florida with my spouse and a handful of adorable rescued furbabies. I often joke that I run a mini zoo but, with each passing year, it seems to get less mini! Which is fine by me.

Flight Path is my debut romance novel, published by The Wild Rose Press in 2020.

Callie Schneider, the book’s free-spirited protagonist, doesn’t simply march to the beat of a different drum, she breaks out dancing. And singing. And grabbing a partner to join her as she twirls around.

This whimsical stewardess believes tethers are for boats and roots are for trees. In Callie’s fast-paced, jet-setting world, freedom is the key to happiness. Although her apartment is located in San Francisco, her true home is someplace among the clouds, cruising at a speed of 40,000 miles per hour toward the next amazing destination. Callie is a daydreamer, a creative soul with dreams as wild as her layover in South Florida last month.

Speaking of that overnight, there are a few details Callie can’t remember. It’s not her fault she partied big; her long-time buddy was working that airline trip, and he’s the absolute best bad influence Callie’s ever known. When repercussions from that evening come back to haunt Callie, she is forced to make an uncomfortable decision. One that could cost her everything.

Flight Path is a tale of unexpected love. It explores the power and authenticity of romance—even for those who dodge every relationship, for fear that it might curtail their independence. This whimsical novel reminds us that freedom and love are not mutually exclusive; when pursued with equal fervor, they tend to complement each other quite nicely.

Flight Path is my first published novel, but not the first book I wrote. My previous books (all 12 of them) remain unpublished. I found it nearly impossible to break into the literary industry. Mountains of rejection letters take a toll on a person, even a fiercely optimistic individual like myself. For a few years, I was shattered. My heart had broken one time too many. I lost all hope in fulfilling my childhood dream of being a published author.

Then, in late 2018, I penned Flight Path. I was in grad school at the time and managed to finish the entire book during winter break. Writing a full-length novel in one month is unusual for me! This storyline had been brewing in my mind for ages. I decided, why not? Might as well give this silly writing dream one last shot. I figured if I could return to graduate school in my mid-thirties, with a spouse and a full-time traveling gig and a home full of rescue animals, I could do anything. So, I sucked up my pride and continued chasing that crazy ambition I’d fantasized about since youth.

Flight Path was inspired by my experience in the aviation industry, along with a detailed dream I had while living in Lower Pac Heights, an iconic neighborhood in San Francisco. This was my first novel featuring a flight attendant. I wanted to give the world a glimpse inside the life of a professional traveler. In addition, I aimed to inspire those who break the mold, the ones who believe that life is meant to be savored and enjoyed and appreciated. Risk-takers, daydreamers, and mavericks could revel in this tale of dazzling, breathtaking love…found in the least likely of places.

When it comes to my novels, I’m a planner. I let the concept ruminate in my head for months before setting pen to paper. I outline each novel, although occasionally my well-laid plan is scrapped in favor of an alternate ending. When I write, I become obsessive. Full-throttle mode doesn’t begin to describe my writing style. Books take me anywhere from four to six months to complete, with Flight Path being the rare exception.

On March 31, 2023, my second novel, Mid-Flight was published. Although this book features a different flight attendant, Lexi Brennan works at the same airline as Callie. There are a few obvious similarities between the two books, although Mid-Flight’s plot and genre deviate significantly from those of its predecessor. Mid-Flight is set in 2037/2038. This dystopian thriller/romance hybrid depicts love in a chilling, post-apocalyptic setting. It is a story of loss and redemption. It is also a tale of love’s amazing ability to transform us all.

100% of my royalties from the first week of sales for Mid-Flight, March 31st through April 6th, will be donated to Rags to Riches Animal Rescue, Inc., a 501(c)(3) here in Tampa.

Rags to Riches is one of the amazing nonprofits I partner with on a regular basis. They take on the hard cases, never turning down a chance to save an animal in need. I hope to start my own nonprofit someday. In the meantime, I am thrilled to help by contributing my time, energy, and resources to existing charitable organizations. After all, my books are meant to be inspiring, to elicit an emotional response from readers eager to explore worlds unknown. What better way to spread joy than by using those same books, written with a lot of grit and even more heart, to benefit the people and animals who need it most? So, that’s what I intend to do.

You can follow Lisa Wilkes on her website: Books by Lisa Wilkes

Amazon: Lisa Wilkes

Instagram: Lisa Wilkes (@travelisa1984)

Lisa’s animal rescue Instagram page: furever-luvd_fosters-n_flights

Flight Path and Mid-Flight can both be purchased on Amazon.

Flight attendant Callie Schneider doesn’t remember much about her wild South Florida layover. Her one night stand with sexy stranger Andrew was great, but a relationship is the last thing on her mind. Her life, a blend of global adventures and dazzling nights, is already perfect. Repercussions from that night threaten her carefree lifestyle and she is forced to reevaluate what is truly important. Will a bi-coastal romance filled with surprises she could never imagine finally bring her down to earth?

A Real Love Story by Randy Overbeck

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

I’d like to share a real love story.

Not a fairy tale love story because “happily ever after” is little more than a smoky illusion. But a real love story.

It all started with a bet.

I’d seen Cathy several times before. I’d even said a casual “Hi” a few times. She was a pretty girl, sparkling green eyes, short brown hair, a slightly larger nose and warm smile. Oh, and not a bad figure, too. Most of the times when I caught sight of her, she had paint on her hands and sometimes in her hair.

Only sixteen at the time, I went to St. Xavier High School, an all guys school. I was in a play. Well, okay, I was only one of the multitude in the chorus but I was in the play. Cathy attended a girls high school across town but came to participate in the play. (It was a good way to meet guys.) In fact, she was the art director for the play and created the sets for the musical we were doing called Take Me Along.

Now to the bet. I got my nerve to approach her on dress rehearsal night while she was busy painting the final flat, a red dragon for the bar scene in the musical. I said, “I don’t think you’re going to have that ready for opening night.” (I know, great pick up line.)

She flashed that beautiful smile at me and asked, with a twinkle in those green eyes—at least I think it was a twinkle. She also had paint on her face. “What do you want to bet?”

“A coke.” I was a real big spender.

“Done.” She reached out her hand splattered with red and I shook.

Returning two hours later, I found her standing next to the finished flat, hands and face now clean. I bought her the Coke and we found a quiet place to talk. Oh, and we had our first kiss that evening in the bleachers. We still celebrate it as our first date. April 26.

But you see, I wasn’t that easy to catch. Back then, I considered myself somewhat of a ladies man. What did I know. I once invited three different girls to the same dance, one of them Cathy. (By the way, that didn’t go very well.) Other girls I knew and dated were prettier or had bigger hair or were more seductive, but Cathy had something special. When we were together and she gave me that incredible smile, my heart melted.

By the end of our junior year, we found each other and “went steady” from then on.  In fact, we dated for five years, through the end of high school and through three years of college—which is all it took me because I wanted to get married.

We tied the knot in 1972.

And that was only the beginning. Our love produced three beautiful, talented, loving children, a girl and two boys. Each new arrival stretched the bounds of the love story and only made it richer.

But it certainly wasn’t happily ever after. Our love story had to survive some very lean years. For more than a decade, we were a one salary family and a teacher’s salary at that.

“No dear, we have to wait till Friday to go the grocery. I’ll get paid then.”

“Sorry, son, we can’t afford to buy the Nintendo.”

Even broke, we managed to smile and laugh through most of it.

Our love story endured moves to six different towns, all for my work. Thank you, Cathy. Together, we built four new houses—you know, the experience they say makes or breaks a marriage. We survived and even prospered.

Fast forward Fifty years.

Perhaps, best of all, our story breathed love into our three grown children, one now the Aquatic Director for the largest YMCA in the country, another a senior computer engineer for Apple and the third, the Creative Director for CNN International and most important, each with their own love story. And all three are remarkable partners and parents. Then, the piece de resistance of our epic amore, seven incredible grandchildren, who only continue to expand our love story even further.

Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had easy times and not-so-easy times. We suffered through hard patches and had soft landings. Certainly not a bed of roses, although maybe that applies as roses come with plenty of thorns. A few years back, I thought I was going to lose Cathy when she contracted a strange infection, candida albicans, which claims 45% of its victims. She has recovered well but talk about obtaining clarity on what’s important.

Like I said, definitely not happily ever after.

The remarkable nature and longevity of our real love story hit me a few years ago. As it happened, we were touring Hawaii in February and were having a celebratory dinner on Valentine’s Day at this beautiful restaurant on the beach. For the occasion, the maître de was visiting tables and offering a rose to each of the ladies. He stopped, wished us Happy Valentine’s Day and asked how many we had celebrated together. Cathy and I glanced at each other, calculating, and after a beat, both announced this was the 50th Valentines Day we had shared. We hadn’t realized it until that moment.

To our surprise, the gentleman straightened up and announced to the entire dining crowd we were celebrating our 50th Valentine’s Day! Patrons around the room rose and gave us a standing ovation. We were a bit embarrassed, but secretly loved it. Throughout our meal, several woman came by to say congrats and handed Cathy their rose. She left with a bouquet.

Perhaps not happily ever after, but definitely happy.

Like I said, a real love story.

Hope this Valentine’s Day found you adding to your real love story.

Dr. Overbeck’s bestselling trilogy, the Haunted Shores Mysteries, have gained recognition and earned national awards—nine thus far—as convincing paranormal mysteries. But beneath the mysteries and the who-hoo lie a compelling love story. The lovers meet in Blood on the Chesapeake, their love blossoms in Crimson at Cape May and they honeymoon together in Scarlet at Crystal River, all the while unraveling mysteries and hunting bad guys. Perhaps, not your usual love story as it is entwined with murders and ghosts, but one readers will enjoy, especially during this month of romance. Details on his books can be found on his website, http://www.authorrandyoverbeck.com

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Follow Your Man by Helen C. Johannes

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

1947 Germany…

WWII has been over for nearly two years, but the Occupation is ongoing. Americans hold Bavaria and the small city southwest of Munich where my mother lives. She’s 26, still living with her parents. She’s lost a brother in the submarine corps. Her sister’s husband was shot down on the Russian front, but he somehow made it home. Rationing and curfews are the stuff of their daily life. She works the late shift as a nurse’s aide. She and her coworkers must be escorted home by the US Military Police.

Drafted at his high school graduation on VE day, my father is barely 20, one of the lucky ones posted to Occupation Europe. It’s cold, damp, and the rations are nothing to write home about, but he grew up in the Northwoods without indoor plumbing or electricity, and he worked his way through high school milking cows. Life in the Army is pretty good for a smart kid who doesn’t drink or smoke. He’s already a sergeant in the MPs. 

One night he and his partner escort local nurses’ aides home after curfew. They pick them up in their jeep and drive the women home through darkened cobblestone streets. One of the women, a pretty brunette with long, wavy hair smiles at him. He remembers that smile. She only speaks German, but he can fix that. The army offers courses in German. Soon, he’s teaching her English with comic books while he practices his German.

By 1948 he and his buddies all have German girlfriends, and some couples want to marry. Regulations say anyone who marries a foreign national must return stateside with the spouse within a month of the wedding. Decision time. Will my mother leave everyone she loves, the city she grew up in, her entire culture to follow this American soldier to a country that defeated hers? Will she step into the unknown with only the man she loves to keep her company? Will the new world be better than the current one?

It’s a life-changing choice, but she makes it. In a whirlwind they have three weddings over two weekends: one to satisfy the German government, one to satisfy the American government, and one to satisfy the church. Then they’re on a train to Bremerhaven for her first ocean crossing. As she stands on deck, she says goodbye to her homeland, her continent, wondering if she’ll ever return, if she’ll ever see her family again.

She’s followed her man to New Jersey, then to his home in the Northwoods while he serves in Korea, then to Illinois when he returns. On to Ft. Lewis, Washington, traveling across this vast nation by car in 1956, then back six months later all the way to the port of NYC for a much-desired return tour of duty in Germany for three years to spend reconnecting with family. Then to West Texas for three years, then back to Illinois, then on to the Northwoods when he retires. Now she has a new role, wife of a teacher. Later, when he retires from that, she’s the wife of an alderman.

Seventy-two years she’s followed her man, become a citizen, adapted to a new culture, worked and played and made friends, raised a family. Together, she and my father have created a legacy of love, hard work, and adventure for those of us that follow. When love calls, they’ve shown us, take a chance.

After growing up following these parents around this country and Europe, I couldn’t help but take their example to heart. I’ve followed my man in government service from Montana to the Midwest, and we’ve traveled together to three continents and dozens of countries. Everywhere I’ve lived or visited has informed my writing, and the love I’ve seen and shared inspires my work. My author tagline is “Hearts in Search of Home” because I’ve learned that home is wherever those you love choose to make it: https://helencjohannes.blogspot.com/

In celebration of the Month of Love, I’ve put my first book on sale on Amazon Kindle for 99 cents. An enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, THE PRINCE OF VAL-FEYRIDGE, Crown of Tolem Series #1, is loosely inspired by that sense of adventure and willingness to take a chance my parents imparted to me.

She’s all wrong for Prince Arn, this lowborn healer who keeps meddling in his march to conquer her homeland. If only she hadn’t helped him, and he hadn’t kissed her, he could stop looking for her everywhere, hoping to find her…again.

Check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Val-Feyridge-Helen-c-Johannes-ebook/dp/B003JH8CO2?ref_=ast_author_dp

Love at First Sight in JCPenney

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

I was the new hire at JCPenney, working in the fragrance department. I had just graduated from high school, and was ready to fulfill big dreams. Upon clocking in, going on break, and clocking out, I had to walk through the young men’s department; where he worked. Spiky black hair, deep brown eyes, an infectious laugh, garnished with a studded belt and a leather wrist strap. 

I don’t know if the traditional version of love at first sight exists, but I do know that I felt something when I locked eyes with him. (Uh, yeah, Chelsey, it’s called lust.) No, it wasn’t. The thoughts running through my mind were not, “Omg, he’s so hot!” There was a strong spiritual pull, and I had to get to know him.  

For the first several weeks all we exchanged was a smile and “Hi.” Then one day he stopped me. “How do you say your name?”

“Chelsey.” I looked down at his name tag: GERSON. I was screwed. My rudimentary high school Spanish had not prepared me to even begin to attempt a correct pronunciation. “How do you say your name?”

He smiled. A wicked glint in his eye. “Try.”

I stared at his name tag. “Gare-sun?”

He chuckled. “Close. It’s Grr-sun, rhymes with person.”

The correct pronunciation is actually hare-sone. When Gerson was in kindergarten, his teacher called him “grr-sun” and he stuck with it.  

The summer was almost over when Gerson overheard me talking to another coworker about college preparations. Gerson butted into the conversation in what I would later learn is his personal brand of teasing. “You’re going to BYU?” His tone came across as incredibly judgmental. (You see, in Utah, you either love BYU or hate BYU.)

I might have put my hand on my hips. “Yeah. Do you have a problem with that?”

Gerson laughed. “No. I go to BYU, too.”

Shortly after that, he learned I was 18, and I learned he was 24. We almost stopped pursuing one another, but we couldn’t stay away. Plus, in our shared religious culture, that kind of age difference isn’t a big deal. I technically asked him on our first date, but I brought my friend as a third wheel so it wasn’t a real date. I wanted him to ask me on our first real date; and he did, a couple days later. 

From that second date on, we ate lunch together on campus every day. We spent every free moment together. We fell in love fast and hard. Even then, I didn’t think we should get engaged for at least a year. I was barely 19, had big dreams for my ballroom dance career, and he was six years older than me. Gerson agreed because he didn’t want to push me and lose me, but he was ready to marry ASAP. 

Gerson went home to California for Christmas, and I was miserable. When couples spend time apart, one of two things happen: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” or “Out of sight, out of mind”. Luckily for us, the first one happened. When Gerson returned to Utah to celebrate New Year’s with me, I told him I had missed him so much that I didn’t want to wait a year to get engaged. I wanted to marry him as soon as he wanted. 

Telling my parents was really scary. I talked to my mom first. I started crying and asked her if she and my dad would support me if I married Gerson that year. She hugged me and said, “Of course!” She talked to my dad privately and he called Gerson and I into his office. (The fourth bedroom in our house, full of storage boxes and a card table with my dad’s desktop computer and my mom’s sewing machine.)

“Mom said you two want to get married.” His facial expression was neutral. 

My heart stopped. Gerson and I looked at each other, panic in our eyes. “Yes.”

My dad smiled. “It’s okay. We’ll support you.”

We did things a little backwards after that. We picked the date and booked the venue before he officially proposed, but the ring was on its way. We knew we were going to get married. 

Gerson had one more fun conversation to have with my dad: the traditional asking for permission. They were watching sports (probably Football considering it was February) and my dad was grading papers (he’s a high school math teacher). 

Gerson cleared his throat. “I don’t know if Debbie told you, but the ring arrived.”

My dad nodded. “Yeah, she told me.”

“And I know I’m supposed to ask you permission…”

My dad leaned back and chuckled. “I have always told Chelsey that I will never tell her who to marry, but I will tell her who to not marry. And I haven’t told her to not marry you.”

Gerson nodded. “Thanks.” And they went back to watching TV.  

He proposed on the banks of Utah Lake, where he had asked me to be his girlfriend five months prior. It was Superbowl Sunday, and I felt pretty special that he missed the beginning of the game to propose – though he would later admit it was because he didn’t care about the teams playing that year. Still, it was a great day, and February is a special month for us. 

I may have been young. We might have dated for too short a time in the eyes of many. But thirteen years later, I don’t regret it. We have a beautiful family. We support one another in our dreams and desires. And we love each other.

This post is the first of several other Real Life Romances to come during this month of love. New authors, new stories each post. Check back Friday February 3rd for the next installment.