Writ on Water

DIVINE MADNESS

“Jackson amazingly weaves the present-day world with her alternate reality.”

—RT BOOKreviews

“This tale isn't your everyday, lighthearted romance. . . . Melanie Jackson takes an interesting approach to this tale, using historical figures with mysterious lives.”

—Romance Reviews Today

DIVINE FIRE

“Jackson pens a sumptuous modern gothic. . . . Fans of solid love stories . . . will enjoy Jackson's tale, which readers will devour in one sitting, then wait hungrily for the next installment.”

—Booklist

“Once again, Jackson uses her truly awe-inspiring imagination to tell a story that's fascinating from beginning to end.”

—Romantic Times

THE SAINT

“This visit to the ‘Wildside' is wonderfully imaginative and action-packed. . . . [A] fascinating tale.”

—RT BOOKreviews

THE MASTER

“Readers who have come to expect wonderful things from Jackson will not be disappointed. Her ability to create a complicated world is astounding with this installment, which includes heartwarming moments, suspense and mystery sprinkled with humor. An excellent read.”

—RT BOOKreviews

STILL LIFE

“The latest walk on the ‘Wildside' is a wonderful romantic fantasy that adds new elements that brilliantly fit and enhance the existing Jackson mythos. . . . action-packed.”

—The Midwest Book Review

THE COURIER

“The author's imagination and untouchable world-building continue to shine. . . . [An] outstanding and involved novel.”

—Romantic Times

OUTSIDERS

“Melanie Jackson is a talent to watch. She deftly combines romance with fantasy and paranormal elements to create a spellbinding adventure.”

—WritersWrite.com

TRAVELER

“Jackson often pushes the boundaries of paranormal romance, and this, the first of her Wildside series, is no exception.”

—Booklist

THE SELKIE

“Part fantasy, part dream and wholly bewitching,
The Selkie
. . . [blends] whimsy and folklore into a sensual tale of love and magic.”

—Romantic Times

DOMINION

“An unusual romance for those with a yen for something different.”

—Romantic Times

NIGHT VISITOR

“I recommend this as a very strong romance, with time travel, history and magic.”

—All About Romance

Rory did not answer her in words. Instead he cupped a palm beneath her chin and lowered his head.

For one moment, Chloe stared in confusion and then incredulity, but the moment his lips brushed over hers she relaxed and allowed the unexpected to happen. With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes and permitted her lips to experience the moment. Around her, the lilacs applauded softly as though pleased with her decision.

Rory didn't invade her mouth, not even after she parted her lips. The kiss remained almost chaste. But for all its lightness and brevity, Chloe felt a strong magic all the way to her curling toes, and it was a moment after the kiss ended before she was able to refocus on the twilit garden.

“You Patrick men are dangerous,” she said softly, shaking her head.

Rory's white teeth gleamed briefly.

“Not me, sugar, I'm absolutely harmless.”

Harmless? How he lied!

 

Other books by Melanie Jackson:

DIVINE MADNESS
THE SAINT
THE MASTER
DIVINE FIRE
STILL LIFE
THE COURIER
OUTSIDERS
TRAVELER
THE SELKIE
DOMINION
BELLE
AMARANTHA
NIGHT VISITOR
MANON
IONA

Melanie
Jackson

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

AUTHOR'S NOTE

 

 

 

 

DORCHESTER PUBLISHING

Published by

Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016

Copyright © 2007 by Melanie Jackson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Trade ISBN: 978-1-4285-1712-7
E-book ISBN: 978-1-4285-0483-7

First Dorchester Publishing, Co., Inc. edition: March 2007

The “DP” logo is the property of Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.

Printed in the United States of America.

 

WRIT ON WATER

THIS GRAVE CONTAINS
ALL THAT WAS MORTAL OF
A YOUNG ENGLISH POET WHO
ON HIS DEATH-BED
IN THE BITTERNESS OF HIS HEART
at the malicious power of his enemies
desired these words to be engraved
on his tombstone
"HERE LIES ONE WHOSE NAME
WAS WRIT IN WATER"
FEB 24, 1821

—A self-composed epitaph from the
tombstone of the poet John Keats, commissioned
by his friend Joseph Severn after his death

 

This book is for all of us who know
that our names are writ on water.

Dad,

Try this quiz. I scored 5—no, I won't tell you how I got 5 points!—but think I should get extra credit for being named Chloe and spending the summer working in Virginia. Also, I almost got arrested at a protest march in college and I have lots and lots of parking tickets. Doesn't that count?

I'll write as soon as I arrive at Riverview. Don't worry. I don't plan on seeing Gran.

Love, Chloe

WHO SHOULD SING THE BLUES?

Part 1

For every “no” in this section, give yourself 1 point. For every “yes,” subtract 1 point.

Do you know how many pairs of shoes you own?

   Yes

   No

   Yes, but I had to think about it

Do you have a subscription to
Town & Country
, a credit card, or an Audubon Field Guide?

   Yes

   No