Friday, May 30, 2008

The Fumbling with Fiction Blog

Mark your calendars!

I will be a guest blogger on Fumbling with Fiction on Wednesday, June 11.

http://chandlermariecraig.wordpress.com/

Please come and read the blog and then you can post questions about my books Bartlett's Rule or Forgotten (coming in July) for me to answer in the days following the blog!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

People have been asking...

I have been receiving a lot of questions about my novel, Bartlett's Rule. so I chose a few of these questions and I am posting them here - with my answers of course!

1.) Q: Tell us how your interest in writing developed. How and when did you decide to write your first book?
A: I have always enjoyed telling stories ever since I was a kid. I loved watching people and thinking “what if”. I would often embellish real life occurrences and put them to paper, I found real life to be exciting as it was. One day I decided to see how long I could make a story, how many words I could put together and still make it cohesive. That story, never published and now totally out of date, was called “More Than a Friend” and it was a 65-thousand word love story.

2.) Q: Who are the inspirations for your heroes and heroines in your novels?
A: Every hero that I write about is basically my concept of who and what a man should be in every unique situation - then I try to throw in a few traits from my hubby just because I think that's appealing - I try to visualize the hero as I create him (usually some hot, sexy actor), and none of my heroes are perfect men, that just wouldn't be real.

3.) Q: What “hot sexy actor” would play your hero in Bartlett’s Rule? How about your heroine?
A: Lon Bartlett would be played by David Conrad (the hunky paramedic husband in Ghost Whisperer). Paige Andrews would be either Liv Tyler or Neve Campbell.

4.) Q: What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing Bartlett’s Rule to life? Did writing this book “change” you?
A: The trauma of rape changes a person, it is something that can certainly be “lived with” but it can never be undone. I needed to make Paige a real person, a real “Survivor” because she did survive this horrendous act. At the same time, what happened to Paige left extremely deep scars. Rape victims often suffer triggers and have major trust issues. The people that love them become secondary victims as they have to also cope with the after-effects of rape. A secondary has to at times be much more patient than usual, but they are also human beings and sometimes understanding strains them. As a writer, I did my best to “get into the minds” of both Paige and Lon, and even into the mind of the rapist – you can’t not be changed after that.

5.) Q: Tell us about your other writing? What subjects do you write about for newspapers and magazines? Do you find it easier to write short articles or novels?
A: I have rarely done hard-news reporting, the closest I have come to that is covering things like school board meetings and reporting on what went on. Most of my writing is very close to advertorial, business coverage with a positive slant. We (I sometimes get to team up with my photographer husband) will often cover grand opening or other special retail events, or I interview prominent people in a field or business. I have a monthly column in a NY trade paper for emergency service issues where I will research new protocols, legislation or opinions and advice about running an emergency agency. When it comes to fiction, I definitely prefer the novel length writing because it gives me time to get into the characters.

6.) Q: How did it feel the very first time you ever saw your name in print as a byline?
A: It was a little bit scary and a whole lot of proud. I was about 18 or 19 and I wrote two articles on the same event. A young man was killed defending a stranger during a mugging in a NYC subway. A community organization I volunteered with was sponsoring a posthumous awards ceremony and I was asked to put together an article for a local weekly on the event. I also wrote one for my college newspaper. Both pieces were published. While I was certainly proud to see my byline, I also panicked because of all those people who were relying on my words to tell them the facts.

7.) Q: What recommendations can you make for those who are trying to break into the field?
A: Never give up. Understand that not everybody is going to like your writing and you will almost always receive many, many rejections before you find someone who is willing to take a chance on you. Read a lot and make sure you read different kinds of writing, study the different styles, and write. Ignore destructive comments and really listen to constructive criticism. You have to develop a thick skin because you will encounter folks who think an insult is always acceptable. Never run away from your dream, keep writing.

8.) Q: What does it mean to be successful? According to your definition, how successful have you been so far? Where do you see yourself five years from now?
A: I think that having who you are and what you do be recognized and respected is a big part of being successful. Too many people try to put a price tag on success when in reality it has nothing to do with money. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have a bestselling book (at least 10-thousand copies!) and a whole lot of royalties, but being known as a writer and knowing that people are willing to take time out of their lives to read my words is absolutely wonderful. Since I really love writing, I think I will continue to write something, anything, for the rest of my life.

9.) Q: What is going on with your writing these days? What is your target audience? What can readers expect when they read your work?
A: I have another romance novel coming out this July, Forgotten. So I am very excited about this second book, as a matter of fact, a preview of Forgotten is in the back of Bartlett’s Rule. Romance novels are typically “womens' books”, but I like to think I put in enough story line to make it interesting for all readers. Readers can expect to meet characters that are fully dimensional, that have both bad and good qualities, and real life events that the characters have to deal with.

10) Q: Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website? Blog? Is there a place where readers can reach you?
A: Everyone can always check my author site right here, http://chellecordero.blogspot.com/ for the latest news about any of my fiction writing. My online portfolio with clickable links to some of my published (non-fiction) articles can be found at http://www.geocities.com/bylines333/res_chelle.html. I also blog frequently on MySpace, http://blog.myspace.com/Rikki613. My readers are welcome to contact me via email anytime, just write to chellecordero@gmail.com.

Bartlett's Rule is available at Barnes & Noble

While only a few Barnes & Noble stores are currently stocking Bartlett's Rule on their shelves, EVERY Barnes & Noble can order it in for you. Just walk up to the info desk or a sales clerk and tell them you want the book Bartlett's Rule by Chelle Cordero - I was told in one store that it could be ordered for next day pick-up.

You can also order Bartlett's Rule online at BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com, or from the Vanilla Heart bookstore.

So what are you waiting for?

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Prologue to Forgotten by Chelle Cordero

He felt his muscles clench as he stared into the woman’s face that lay beneath him. If he hadn’t already felt her trembling, he would have known she reached her own climax just by the expression of her face. With one more powerful thrust he felt everything he had spilling into her, he felt a completeness he would have never thought possible. Everything stopped and then he swore he felt their hearts start beating again as one. Pausing a moment to look into her eyes, and they were beautiful eyes he thought, he brushed a long strand of chestnut hair away from her face and kissed her. Then he rolled off of her.

“I love you.” Her voice was soft, like the touch of her lips. He couldn’t believe the tingling he felt in his loins at hearing her words.

“You’re not even human...”

“What?” She almost laughed at his choice of words.

He hadn’t even meant to say that thought out loud. “I mean... I just never felt so... consumed before. I feel like I am under some kind of spell.” As he sat up to face her, he was surprised by the life he felt in his groin. Feeling a touch embarrassed, which was a new feeling for him, he admitted, “I almost feel like I can go another round, and considering how powerful that was...”

She faced him and gave him a sultry smile; her bare breasts were firm and small. But not too small, he thought, just enough to fill his hands. He felt his groin tighten again and just stared.

“Hey, are you okay?” She suddenly sounded self-conscious.

“Uh, yeah.” He forced himself to look at her face.

She touched his arm, her fingers felt light like feathers. “Can I do anything for you?”

“Yes.” He glanced at her breasts again and then back at her face. “Tell me... who are you?”

She laughed, it was a full-bodied sound. “Just one day married and...” She saw the surprise in his eyes as he looked at his left hand and saw the ring. Pulling the bed sheet up to cover her nakedness, she looked at him puzzled. “You’re serious?”

He frowned. “Fraid so.”


Coming July 14 from Vanilla Heart Publishing

Thursday, May 22, 2008

from the back of Bartlett's Rule

Paige Andrews, the heroine of the fictional tale Bartlett's Rule, is a rape survivor. Paige and her hero, Lon Bartlett, have to learn to love and trust each other despite her past and his womanizing reputation.

Rape is a very real and tragic occurence. That is why, at the end of the story, I included a fact sheet (information courtesy of RAINN)

~Chelle


A FEW FACTS ABOUT RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted.

Rape: Rape is forced sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal or oral penetration. Penetration may be by a body part or an object.
Rape victims may be forced through threats or physical means. In about 8 out of 10 rapes, no weapon is used other than physical force. Anyone may be a victim of rape: women, men or children, straight or gay.

Sexual assault: Sexual assault is unwanted sexual contact that stops short of rape or attempted rape. This includes sexual touching and fondling. (But, be aware: Some states use this term interchangeably with rape.)

Incest: Incest is sexual contact between persons who are so closely related that their marriage is illegal (e.g., parents and children, uncles/aunts and nieces/nephews, etc.). This usually takes the form of an older family member sexually abusing a child or adolescent.

Approximately 73% of rape victims know their assailant, according to the 2005 National Crime Victimization Survey
Approximately 38% of victims are raped by a friend or acquaintance;
26% of victims by a stranger;
28% of victims by an intimate;
7% of victims by another relative;
in 2% of cases the relationship is unknown.

If you have been sexually assaulted, there may be medical concerns that arise both immediately following the assault and much later. If you were sexually assaulted recently, it's a good idea to go to a doctor to be checked out for possible injuries or complications.

All the statistics and information above are courtesy of RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

For more information and help, go to http://www.rainn.org/ or call 1.800.656.HOPE (4673)

To purchase Bartlett's Rule

Monday, May 19, 2008

Bartlett's Rule - tags

The Amazon.com sales page for Bartlett's Rule lists "tags" that customers have associated with my book.

Tags Customers Associate with This Product
abusive relationships ~ chelle cordero ~ love story

rape survivor ~ romance ~ romance novel


There are also Editorial Reviews and a Customer Review

Check it out!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Vanilla Heart Publishing on Blogger

Vanilla Heart Publishing, the folks who published Bartlett's Rule and (coming soon) Forgotten, has a spot on Blogger!

Check it out right here!

Visit the Vanilla Heart Publishing Website at http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Chelle Cordero & Vanilla Heart make donation to AIDS Walk NY

Chelle Cordero and Vanilla Heart Publishing donated $1 per book (Bartlett's Rule)bought from the VHP website during the launch of Cordero's book, Bartlett's Rule, (April 13 thru 28, 2008) to AIDS Walk NY. The total of the check amounted to $64.

AIDS Walk New York has become an annual philanthropic tradition since 1986, becoming the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world. Among groups that benefit are the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and 60 other AIDS service organizations local to the New York Metropolitan Area. AIDS Walk New York, to be held Sunday, May 18th this year, begins and ends in Central Park and traverses through New York’s Upper West Side on its 10k (6.2 mile) route.

Vanilla Heart Publishing also donated five incentive packages to AIDS Walk NY that include five current titles from their bookstore: Bartlett’s Rule, Hidden Passages: Tales to Honor the Crones, Redeeming Grace, The Cabin, and Cipher.

For more information on AIDS Walk NY go here.

See the Vanilla Heart Publishing bookstore here.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Customer Review of Bartlett's Rule from Amazon.com

Bartlett's Rule, May 11, 2008
By Barbara Moroch

A fantastic read -- a love story between two seemingly very different kinds of people. Between all the tribulations that get in the way of their romance, they ultimately triumph. The story is so well crafted and the characters evoke lots of emotion from the reader. The plot takes lots of twists and turns and underscores the severity of rape crimes and the lasting damage it inflicts upon its victims. I look forward to reading the author's second novel, "Forgotten." Its preview seems to be as captivating as this book was!


Amazon.com

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Oh my! Bartlett's Rule gear!

Get Your Bartlett's Rule Gear Here!


Be the first on your block to wear a Bartlett's Rule thong...

Seriously, you'll find T-shirts, magnets, mugs, plush teddy bears, stationary and more.




Get your gear today

Monday, May 5, 2008

Your GOOD Reviews Will Help

Hi!

I hope that you have enjoyed reading my book Bartlett's Rule. You can help me to improve my rankings by posting your positive reviews on the various sites. One site that will accept your review is Amazon.com.

Please go to the Bartlett's Rule sale page, scroll down to the Customer Reviews section and click on the button Create Your Own Review

Thanks, I really do appreciate your help!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Read a good book (mine!) and get credit as a Book Reviewer

from Midwest Book Review - Reviewer Information:

"All of our reviewers are independent volunteers who retain complete ownership of their own reviews, and may have them printed or aired in any other review formats or forums in addition to our own publications and Internet postings. All reviews done for the Midwest Book Review are nonexclusive -- a few of our volunteers actually came to do well enough to land their own columns in local papers!"

Click on this link http://midwestbookreview.com/revinfo.htm to learn how you can post a book review...

You can get copies of my books at:
Bartlett's Rule
Courage of the Heart
Forgotten (coming July 2008)

Friday, May 2, 2008

from the Book by Book blog

Follow the link to Barbara Livingston Nackman's Book by Book blog from April 16, Second book for Rockland’s Chelle Cordero


"Vanilla Heart Publishing of Seattle, Wash. has announced it has signed Rockland resident Chelle Cordero and will publish her newest novel, “Forgotten.” The announcement was made during an online book launch for Cordero’s just released novel “Bartlett’s Rule” on the Vanilla Heart Web-site — and we got a quick e-mail message to pass along to lower Hudson Valley readers.

Cordero, who has lived in Rockland County since 1975 and in Stony Point since 1980, is also the author of “Courage of the Heart” published in 2001.
To learn more about Vanilla Heart Books go to this site.

Cordero is a freelance writer and has had several articles published in local and national newspapers and magazines. She is also an active volunteer with the Stony Point Ambulance Corps and a member of their Board of Directors."