I was interviewed by Anne Patrick

Please check out the interview on Suspense by Anne today...

"Please join me in welcoming, multi-published author, Chelle Cordero. Thank you for joining me today, Chelle. Help yourself to a brownie, sit back and relax, and tell our visitors a little about yourself?

Hi Anne, thanks for the Brownie. I live in the lower Hudson Valley of New York. Boy am I ever married – 34 years today (Dec 28)! We have two grown kids who constantly continue to amaze and delight us. Our daughter is married to a terrific guy and our son’s significant other is a wonderful young lady. I also have three rather mischievous cats." (read more...)

& please, leave comments ;>

Season's Greetings & Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Eve with the Prescott family

an excerpt from Courage of the Heart:

The Christmas Eve service was traditionally a candle-lit service. Members of the choir and vestry carried candles and other religious adornments to the front of the church in a processional. As a very young child she remembered sitting on her mother's lap in the Episcopal Church her family went to and pointing to all the lit candles and holiday ornaments. She was spellbound by the candles' twinkling and once or twice even disrupted the good Reverend's sermon with her commentary to her mom.

Davie had asked Adam, on the way into church, about his religious upbringing. It was something they had just never discussed before. He told her that he had been born Catholic but his first, and only, communion had been the last time he remembered being in church except for friends' weddings and funerals. His mother had made sure he attended religious classes until he was able to receive the holy sacraments. On the day of his communion, while all the other kids were having big family parties thrown in their honor, his mother took him out for an ice cream cone before depositing him back home and going off to her barmaid job. His father had gone on another drinking binge and had never even made the church service that day.

Adam had never had occasion to go to any church services after that, his mother was always working or sleeping with a new beau and his father was always drunk. It was just a few years later when his mother left town with a new lover. When his father heard from strangers that his wife had left town, he came home and beat Adam accusing him of keeping secrets. Adam hadn't known anything about his mother's desertion, he just knew that he was the only one left to suffer from his father's wrath. All the good church people of his town turned their backs on him when he needed them. Going to church would have reminded him of his mother’s abandonment so he never bothered.

Davie admitted ruefully that she didn't attend as often as her parents would have liked. Her family always included the church in every holiday. Davie could see that this was all new to Adam. She wondered how he was going to feel when she told him that not all her cousins had made it home yet and would be appearing tomorrow at her father's house. The holiday tables, definitely in the plural, would be stretched from room to room and would still be overcrowded.

She chanced a look at Elizabeth sitting beside Albert and marveled about how easily she had assimilated into the Prescott community. Her father had been one of nine children and except for an older brother who hadn’t come back from Korea, they all lived in the area. Many of her cousins had also settled nearby to raise their own families. A few, like her, lived several hours away. On major holidays almost everyone who had claim to Prescott blood descended on Cape May County. Everybody who ever lived in their small town was either related to or a good friend with somebody in the Prescott family.

Reverend Williams was ascending the pulpit to begin his sermon. The choir was singing from Handel's Messiah, she could hear her Aunt Rose's voice. She had always wondered why Aunt Rose with the beautiful voice hadn't become a professional singer. Davie noticed that Adam had been following along with all the prayers and hymns. She hoped that this Christmas was going to be memorable for both of them.

"Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people." The reverend spoke of the greatest gift, the love and the child; he said the story of Christmas was about the poor and the outcast. He warned the congregation not to hide behind "gruff exteriors or a mask of self-sufficiency" for that would only multiply feelings of loneliness and of being outcasts.

Adam squeezed Davie's hand as the homily continued.

"Christmas is a story about all of us receiving that which we most want and need: love; deep, strong, unconditional love." Reverend William wished everyone a wonderful Christmas filled with family, love and faith.

After the service was over, Adam and Davie were separated in the throng of activity. She caught occasional glimpses of Adam as he was introduced to other members of her family by relatives that had just met him an hour earlier. Davie was captured in embrace after embrace of relatives who exclaimed how long she'd been gone even though she'd seen most of them at Thanksgiving. Her aunts and uncles pulled her to the side to ask questions about Adam. Her female cousins took turns swooning over his good looks. Davie heard her dad and Elizabeth asked if there was going to be a double wedding in February.

They finally managed to reach each other and Davie grabbed Adam's hand so they wouldn't be separated again.

"I am sorry about that." Davie apologized.

"Don't worry, they are all kind of nice. It's hard to imagine what it must have been like to grow up with so much family around." He leaned close to her ear and whispered. "How many of these people are actually related to you?"

Davie took her time looking around before she turned back to Adam with a grin. "The Reverend isn't."

For a moment Adam didn't know whether she was mocking him or not. Then she laughed.

"Alright, there are a lot of people here who are related to me." She shrugged. "It's a big family."

"Well, now I know where you got your people skills." He put his arm around her shoulder and noticed that one older woman, maybe one of Davie's aunts, gave a look of approval. "Uh, do they wear name-tags tomorrow by any chance?" He had no idea how he was going to keep who-was-who straight.

"The easiest way to sort it all out tomorrow is figure if they are in the house, they're family. The oldest folks are grandparents, doesn't matter who's, middle aged are aunts and uncles, you know my dad and Liz. The people our age and teens are cousins, except for Robbie and Allan of course. The little ones are children of the cousins." She laughed. "It's really very easy."

Courage of the Heart

ISBN-13: 978-1935407188
in e-book formats

Sometimes love is the only cure for the very deepest of emotional wounds. The story of the two lovers takes a series of unexpected and fast paced turns where lives, sanity and love are put in jeopardy. Their commitment to one another results in a spirit that binds them together and helps them to overcome physical and emotional dangers.
#####

(originally posted on Lindsay's Romantics)

page 69 theory - A Chaunce of Riches

There is a theory that if you pick up a book and turn to page 69, you will know if the book is interesting or not

so we are putting it to the test...

~~~~~~

p 69

“How was your marriage Mrs. Chaunce?”

“There was nothing wrong with my marriage.”

"Why did you visit the gym your husband frequented the day before he died?”

“I didn’t visit the gym. I went to his office to meet him for lunch.” Julian frequented the gym on the ground floor of the office building. He always said it was expedient not to have to spend the time traveling.

“But you didn’t have lunch with him that day.” They had obviously done their homework.

“Julian had to cancel on me. He had a meeting across town he had to go to.”

“Did that anger you? Maybe you thought his meeting was not quite business?”

“Look, I understand that it is normal to want to rule out the wife, but I wish you would get this over with and start looking for my husband’s killer.”

“Supposedly you didn’t even think your husband was murdered until a few days ago. Why are you in such a hurry now?”

“Someone tried to kill me the other night! It might be the same person. I don’t want my son to be an orphan... or worse, the next target.” She raised her voice in frustration and annoyance.

“Calm down Mrs. Chaunce. Now is certainly not the time to demonstrate that you have a temper.” The detective that had been looking the room over sat down in front of her. He had a cheeky smile on his face. “How far do you think Mr. Johnson would go to protect you and your son?”

“I think he would do whatever he had to.”

“Do you really believe that he had no idea you were back here?”

“He was just as surprised to see me as I was to see him.”

A Chaunce of Riches
from Amazon
or in e-book formats

Ben Johnson was hired as a bodyguard for a rich widow and her kid, but he never expected to be working for the woman who had abandoned him just when he had needed her the most. Damn it all, he still wanted her. Samantha Chaunce never thought she would have to explain why she married the rich man instead of Ben. Or that her husband had been murdered...and Ben was the prime suspect.

page 69 theory - Hostage Heart

(omigosh - we are overdue for this)

There is a theory that if you pick up a book and turn to page 69, you will know if the book is interesting or not

so we are putting it to the test...

~~~~~~

p 69

The room was dim. There was only a little light filtering in through the blinds.

It had been a while, but he recognized his surroundings. Ryan knew without question that he was in Connie’s bedroom. He realized he was in her bed. He also knew he felt like hell.

“At last, you’re awake.”

Ryan was glad as hell to see Connie walking into her room fully clothed.

“What am I doing here?” He started to sit up and realized he was naked under the sheets.

“You started to seize. Doc C gave you some valium to help you out and they brought you here to recuperate. He doesn’t think there is any permanent damage.” She sat on the side of the bed. “We thought it was safer to bring you here than a hospital. Obviously you were made. We didn’t want to chance any retaliation.”

It took too much energy to sit up so he put his head back down. “Where are my clothes?”

“I sent them to be cleaned.”

Ryan had a vague memory of getting sick in the back of the car. He almost chuckled. “Did I get the doc too?”

She shook her head. “How are you feeling?”

“Pretty crappy. What day is this?” He was astounded to learn he had lost a full day to the drugs. Even talking exhausted him. “I need to call Deanna.”

“You need to rest.”

“No. I’ve been out of touch with her too long. I need to let her know I’m still here.” He could see Connie’s reluctance. “Connie, come on. My cell phone is back at my apartment. I need to use your phone.”

She was unhappy. “Go ahead.” Connie leaned against the bed’s backboard and watched him.

“Thank you.” He wasn’t going to let Connie’s petty jealousy deter him. He picked up the phone and dialed the hotel number. A cheery young woman answered on the third ring. “I need to speak with Deanna...”

“Dianna who?”

“Deanna... Deanna Blair.” He sounded impatient.

“Is she a guest here?”

He mentally counted to three before he barked an answer. “She works there. She’s the night desk clerk. She lives in the hotel.” He tired himself even more with his anger.

“Oh! That girl. She’s not here...”

“Is she off tonight?”

“No, she left.”

“She left?” He struggled to listen. “Where did she go?”

“Beats me. Can someone else help you?”

Hostage Heart
from Amazon
or in e-book formats

Life was hard after the hurricanes swept through, destroying her parents' home and livelihood... An errand for her boss - a chance encounter with a crew of bank robbers - a kind man who tried to help her ... a man who isn't all he seems...no, he is so much more.
~~~~~

I explain some Chanukah traditions on Lindsay's Romantics...

Happy Holidays to all & to all a good night!

CHANUKAH: BEHIND THE TRADITIONS…

A pleasant children's song often sung at this time of year goes "Chanukah, Chanukah, come light the Menorah. Let's Have a Party, we'll all dance the Hora. Gather 'round the table, we'll give you a treat, Dreidel to play with and Latke to eat…" (for the rest of the article...)

Wow, it's December already!

Every time I look at my calendar I am amazed how quickly this year has gone. So much has happened this past year and it has all gone by in a blur.

I can't believe that next week is Chanukah! (Next Thursday, December 10, check out An explanation of Chanukah http://lindsaysromantics.blogspot.com/) Who has had the time (or the money nowadays) to do any holiday shopping?

My 2009 recap as a writer:

This year I have seen the publications of Courage of the Heart, Hostage Heart, Final Sin and A Chaunce of Riches all from Vanilla Heart Publishing.

VHP and I helped raise funds for the Stony Point Ambulance Corps Youth Squad with sales from Final Sin; and we also raised funds for the National Domestic Violence Hotline with sales from Bartlett's Rule. Along with 15 other Vanilla Heart Publishing Authors, I became a part of Operation E-Book Drop to help support coalition forces oversees who are protecting our world.

Some really big news for me -

Final Sin is a 2009 Pushcart Prize Nominee!

...and finally (wait, 2009 isn't over yet!), a little more than half a year ago I launched my Kindle blog workshop Living, Breathing, Writing where I offer weekly writing lessons and prompts all conveniently delivered to your Kindle or PC. So far LBW has been in the TOP 100 Kindle Blogs for 122 days!

Today please check out You’re not an author, you’re my mom « Malcolm's Round Table for a humorous look at my life as a writer;

and also visit today's blog stop tour for my book Virtual Book Tour de 'Net: A Chaunce of Riches by Chelle Cordero

and you still have a few days left to send a holiday greeting card to service members recovering at Walter Reed. Cards should be postmarked no later than Dec. 7.

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Have a wonderful holiday season!

I have a guest blog on Lindsay's Romantics today

Do you ever wonder why I am such a hopeless romantic?

Well check out my post today on Lindsay's Romantics -

"This is not a novel - it's a real life story"

(you will learn why I used the Adirondacks for a romantic backdrop in two of my novels)

Great Holiday Gift Ideas - Think books!

Are you planning to hit up the stores this Black Friday?

Personally I prefer to do a lot of my shopping online and avoid all of the crowds and parking hassles.

Whether you plan to shop online or at the mall, I scoured the net for some great gift suggestions for this holiday season,

For young children: Fisher-Price Elmo Live, Hasbro Playskool Busy Ball Popper, Loving Family Dollhouse

For teens: Monopoly Clone Wars, laptops, Digital Photo Keychain, Custom Art Print Skins For Laptops

For her: Crocs Mammoth Clog, Kindle, Jewelry, Gucci handbags

For him: IPOD, MP3 player, Mini Charging Valet, Cordless Air Compressor

For pets & pet lovers: Roomba Pet Series Vacuum,

Don't think that only walk-in retail offers Black-Friday specials, you'll find several online like Amazon's BLACK FRIDAY Deals Week -

and while we are on the subject of Amazon, they sell lots more than just books - Check out some terrific books that make super Christmas and Chanukah presents including mine! All of my books are available in print and in multiple ebook formats.

Chelle Cordero Fall 2009 Sampler

- FREE! & downloadable Ebook
37320 words. Fiction by Vanilla Heart Publishing on August 29, 2009
Enjoy a good taste of Chelle Cordero's novels, Bartlett's Rule, Forgotten, Within the Law, Courage of the Heart, Final Sin, and her yet-to-be-released A Chaunce of Riches

A Chaunce of Riches by Chelle Cordero (Paperback - Nov 13, 2009) # ISBN-13: 978-1935407263
Ben Johnson was hired as a bodyguard for a rich widow and her kid, but he never expected to be working for the woman who had abandoned him just when he had needed her the most. Damn it all, he still wanted her. Samantha Chaunce never thought she would have to explain why she married the rich man instead of Ben. Or that her husband had been murdered...and Ben was the prime suspect. EBOOK

Hostage Heart by Chelle Cordero (Paperback - Jul 20, 2009) ISBN-13: 978-1935407713
Life was hard after the hurricanes swept through, destroying her parents' home and livelihood... An errand for her boss - a chance encounter with a crew of bank robbers - a kind man who tried to help her ... a man who isn't all he seems... no, he is so much more. EBOOK

Final Sin by Chelle Cordero (Paperback - May 1, 2009) ISBN-13: 978-1935407133
Deputy Sherriff Commander Jake Carson has his hands full... investigation of a brutal multiple homicide, a troubled son and a vindictive ex-wife. He meets young, free-spirited paramedic Julie Jennings. When Julie becomes the object of an obsession, it puts both of them in danger... EBOOK

Courage of the Heart by Chelle Cordero (Paperback - Jan 15, 2009) ISBN-13: 978-1935407188
Sometimes love is the only cure for the very deepest of emotional wounds. The story of the two lovers takes a series of unexpected and fast paced turns where lives, sanity and love are put in jeopardy. Their commitment to each other results in a spirit that binds them together. EBOOK

Within the Law by Chelle Cordero (Paperback - Oct 2, 2008) ISBN-13: 978-0982115046
Tom gave up on ever falling in love again the day that he buried his high school sweetheart and fiancé. Just when he is about to see justice done, he meets Alli Davis-the defense attorney for the murdering rapist who took his love from him. EBOOK

Forgotten by Chelle Cordero (Paperback - Jul 25, 2008) ISBN-13: 978-0979654572
Forgotten is an unforgettable romance about two people who meet by chance, love by choice and are torn apart by intrigue. Their romance survives a foreign threat to national security, kidnapping, personal tragedy and a murder attempt. EBOOK

Bartlett's Rule by Chelle Cordero (Paperback - April 3, 2008) ISBN-13: 978-0979654534
Lon and Paige's love affair is filled with hardship, emotion, danger and triumph. Falling in love was never the challenge; being there for each other, knowing just what to say and making it work is the real test. Paige has to learn to trust. Lon has to learn to be patient. EBOOK

Half year anniversary for my Kindle Blog Writing Workshop

Today marks my half year anniversary for my Kindle Weekly Writing Workshop

Every week since May 29, 2009 I have posted lessons that discuss and teach about being a writer including hints and tips about the industry. The posts include handy writing exercises and prompts and cover topics about POV, character building, giving your words more impact, setting a visual scene, publishing, finding a target audience, blogging, promotion and more.

Check out My Weekly Writing Workshop for your Kindle or PC
just go to http://bit.ly/pILcG for details.

Kindle Blogs are auto-delivered wirelessly to your Kindle .

Can be Delivered to your Kindle or other device

A Four Cup review of A Chaunce of Riches

A Chaunce of Riches was reviewed on Coffee Time Romance

"...it was not long before I found myself wrapped up in the exchange of emotions and sensual pull between Ben and Sam. When the suspense continued to build to an almost breaking point, it made this good story that much better."

(read the full review)

A Chaunce of Riches
By Chelle Cordero

The day that Ben Johnson was hired as a bodyguard for some rich widow and her kid, he never expected to be working for the woman who had abandoned him just when he had needed her the most so many years before. Damn it all, he still wanted her. Samantha Chaunce never thought she would see him again. She never thought she would have to explain why she married the rich man over the man she had sworn she once loved. And she certainly never expected to find out that her rich husband had been murdered and fingers were pointing to her former lover.

also available in e-book formats
****

Vanilla Heart Publishing Announces 2009 Pushcart Prize Nominees

"Vanilla Heart Publishing is pleased to announce our nominations for the 2009 The Pushcart Prize - Best of the Small Presses, published every year since 1976, and widely recognized as the most honored literary project in America.

From the Pushcart Prize Website:

“The Pushcart Press has been recognized as among the most influential publishers in American history by Publishers Weekly. Pushcart won the National Book Critics Circle Lifetime Achievement Award (2005), The Poets & Writers/Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Prize (2006), and Publishers Weekly’s Carey Thomas Prize for publisher of the year (1979).

The Press is best known for its annual anthology The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses, published every year for more than three decades and featuring outstanding fiction, poetry, memoirs and essays selected from hundreds of little magazines and small book publishers.”

And now, the Vanilla Heart Publishing Nominees:

Robert Hays; The Life and Death of Lizzie Morris

Chelle Cordero; Final Sin

Victoria Howard; Three Weeks Last Spring

Collin Kelley; Conquering Venus

Kate Evans; Complementary Colors

Vila SpiderHawk; Forest Song: Little Mother

Congratulations, Nominees!

A Winning Title Was Chosen!

I sent Kimberlee a complete list of suggested titles for my new manuscript you can read about the quandary we faced here: http://bit.ly/ApGV7 ). It was a terrific list and Kimberlee made the choice (I understand she got some input from our favorite in-house editor - Smoky)

The chosen title is "Common Bond: Tangled Hearts" submitted by Lindsay Townsend.

And here is the complete list of titles I received:

1. Heart Strain
2. Twisted Ties
3. Layne's Strain
4. Too Many Fathers
5. Tangled Hearts
6. Who the hell R U?
7. Guess Who's your Daddy?
8. Gimme the Money and Get out
9. Common Bond: Tangled Hearts
10. My Two Dads
11. Web of Hearts
12. Mother's Love, Mother's Torment
13. Tormented Love
14. My Son, A Mother's Torment
15. Bonded Hearts
16. Father, Who Art Thou
17. Past Lies
18. Living Lies
19. Captured Love, Living Lies
20. Captured Loves
21. Layne's Lasting Love
22. Illegitimate Alliances
23. Out of Passion
24. Paternal Faceoff
25. Where Love Lasts
26. Passions' Gift
27. Deciding Genes
28. DNA Decisions
29. Hidden Truths
30. Secret Lies
31. The Undeniable Truth
32. Two Good To Be True
33. Crossed Hearts
34. Cross My Heart


Thank you so much to all of you who submitted! Thank you each: Barbara, Malcolm, Lindsay, Kathleen, Judy, David, Eva, Charmaine, Jackie, Miikell, Eda, Jane & Bill, Bobi, and Michael.

Operation E-Book Drop

I am pleased to say that I am a participating author in Operation E-Book Drop.

Servicemen and women of our Coalition Forces are away from home and putting themselves on the line for the rest of us. No matter what your political beliefs are, most of us agree that we need to support our men and women as we pray for their safe return.

What is Operation E-Book Drop?

Author Ed Patterson had an online conversation with a soldier stationed in Iraq who was having difficulty getting books to read on his Kindle - there isn't a whole lot to do for entertainment there. Ed sent the soldier a complete file of his books in Kindle format - and then the idea struck him that there might be other soldiers and other authors who would want to participate. Sure enough, lists started to form and books were being sent over the internet in various e-book formats.

Then the wonderful staff at Smashwords found out about this effort and decided to promote the program - Smashwords authors can use special coupon codes to send the members of the Coalition Forces so they can download books to their reading devices. Since Smashwords offers books in several ebook formats (including Kindle, Palm, .pdf and more), books are readable on all reading devices and even with a web browser.

Kimberlee at Vanilla Heart Publishing made sure that any VHP authors who wanted had the proper coupon codes to send...

I signed up - it is a small service I can do for the men and women who are doing for us. I hope my books will give the soldiers a bit of a reprieve from reality.

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/chellecordero

to get involved...

2009 VHP READ ‘EM AND LOVE ‘EM EBOOK PROMOTION!

All Vanilla Heart Publishing Fiction Titles in

ALL EBOOK FORMATS

$5.99!

Kindle – AllRomance – OmniLit – Smashwords
And coming soon, Fictionwise, Barnes & Noble Ebooks, and Sony eReader

How Cool Is That!

...and please remember

Honoring The National Domestic Violence Hotline

Vanilla Heart Publishing and Chelle Cordero will donate $1 per copy of Bartlett’s Rule (any format) sold through midnight October 31, 2009 to The National Domestic Violence Hotline, to further their amazing work.

Bartlett’s Rule ISBN 978-0-9796545-3-4
print from Amazon
print from Barnes & Noble
various eBook formats from Smashwords
Kindle from Amazon
* more sources are available

Wow, what a bargain!

I shared an audio update using #Cinch, check it out:

http://bit.ly/12kVmz

~~~~~~~

Final Sin is a 2009 Pushcart Prize Nominee!

Yeppers!

Final Sin by Chelle Cordero has been nominated for this year's Pushcart Prize competition!

I am so excited.

Did YOU read Final Sin?

If you did, I need a favor - WHICH chapter do you think was the best?
I've been trying to figure it out... Please let me know, just leave your comments below.

Here's the post from Vanilla Heart Publishing:

Vanilla Heart Publishing Announces

2009 Pushcart Prize Nominees

Vanilla Heart Publishing is pleased to announce our nominations for the 2009 The Pushcart Prize - Best of the Small Presses, published every year since 1976, and widely recognized as the most honored literary project in America.

From the Pushcart Prize Website:

“The Pushcart Press has been recognized as among the most influential publishers in American history by Publishers Weekly. Pushcart won the National Book Critics Circle Lifetime Achievement Award (2005), The Poets & Writers/Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Prize (2006), and Publishers Weekly’s Carey Thomas Prize for publisher of the year (1979).

The Press is best known for its annual anthology The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses, published every year for more than three decades and featuring outstanding fiction, poetry, memoirs and essays selected from hundreds of little magazines and small book publishers.”

And now, our Vanilla Heart Publishing Nominees:

Robert Hays; The Life and Death of Lizzie Morris

Chelle Cordero; Final Sin

Victoria Howard; Three Weeks Last Spring

Collin Kelley; Conquering Venus

Kate Evans; Complementary Colors

Vila SpiderHawk; Forest Song: Little Mother

Congratulations, Nominees!

(btw, congratulations to all of the nominees, I am in GREAT company!)

Help us name my next book

We are in a quandary – Vanilla Heart Publishing likes my next manuscript, but we can’t decide on a name. I originally called this story “A Common Bond” but Kimberlee likes “Tangled Hearts” and plans to release this book around February for Valentine’s Day.

So please, help us to decide:

About the book…
Dennis Gillette has two too many fathers according to his mom, Layne, and both men are rich and powerful and either could afford to take her son away from her. One man is merciless, authoritarian and she fears him – the other is demanding, determined and sexy as hell. What happens when the two men have to face off against each other? Which one will win her love and which one will win her son?

Layne never met Justin until he showed up on her doorstep to claim his son, the same son she ran away with when she was pregnant to keep him from her husband, Charles. So is it a common bond they share, or is it a tale of tangled hearts? Or maybe you have another suggestion…

Send your suggestions to me at ChelleCordero@gmail.com and put your title choice in the subject line; be sure to put your name and mailing address into the body of the email because you just might win a prize!


If we choose your suggestion you can win a copy of my next release A Chaunce of Riches (in November which will include a preview of my next book) AND your name will be mentioned in Dedications & Acknowledgments in A Common Bond/Tangled Hearts/Tangled Common Bond Hearts and Elephant (!?). There will be a random drawing if multiple entries arrive with the same chosen title.

All entries are due by October 31!

Honoring The National Domestic Violence Hotline

Vanilla Heart Publishing and Chelle Cordero will donate $1 per copy of Bartlett’s Rule sold from midnight October 18, 2009 through midnight October 31, 2009 to The National Domestic Violence Hotline, to further their amazing work.

Bartlett’s Rule ISBN  978-0615905525
print from Amazon
 from Barnes & Noble
various eBook formats from Smashwords
Kindle from Amazon
* more sources are available

Why Bartlett’s Rule?

Reviewed by Bobi

When Paige and Lon met it was purely for business but it wasn't long before their hearts took control. Paige's past comes back to haunt them and they soon come to realize that the devastating effects of rape and abuse extend beyond time and place to impact more than the primary victim herself. Lon has to grapple with his own intense anger and hurt over Paige's assault. He also has to overcome mis-perceptions of his personal character while building a foundation of trust between himself and Paige.

Ms. Cordero skillfully tackles this topic as she poignantly tells the story of their journey to heal and develop a relationship based on strong reliance.

Bartlett's Rule is more than a love story; it relates a valuable lesson for both men and women.

*The inclusion of links and/or information about National Domestic Violence Hotline constitutes no endorsement from said organization.

http://www.ndvh.org/

~~~~~

Preventing Abuse - Interview with Chelle Cordero - Author of Bartlett's Rule
I'll be joining Jeanine Swatton on SWATTON LIVE to discuss my novel, Bartlett's Rule. This is a story of a woman recovering from the devastating effects of rape while she learns to trust and fall in love again. The story explores the secondary victim challenges facing the man she meets (after the rape) and the effects on people around them.

Please join us at 9PM EST, Oct 28 at http://bit.ly/16ZF8M

"Chelle Cordero will join us in discussing her novel, Bartlett's Rule. This is a story of a woman recovering from the devastating effects of rape while she learns to trust and fall in love again. The story explores the secondary victim challenges facing the man she meets (after the rape) and the effects on people around them."


Jeanine Swatton is the CEO/PR Director of Swatton Live, LLC. She is the co-founder of "Preventing Abuse Against Women". Jeanine holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Boston University. Her vision is to help women who are victims of abuse and provide them with the services and tools to become empowered.
*****

Preventing Abuse - Interview with Chelle Cordero - Author of Bartlett's Rule

POSTPONED due to Technical Difficulties
new date: Oct 28, 9PM est

Preventing Abuse - Interview with Chelle Cordero - Author of Bartlett's Rule

I'll be joining Jeanine Swatton on SWATTON LIVE to discuss my novel, Bartlett's Rule. This is a story of a woman recovering from the devastating effects of rape while she learns to trust and fall in love again. The story explores the secondary victim challenges facing the man she meets (after the rape) and the effects on people around them.

Please join us at 9PM EST tonight, Oct 7 at http://bit.ly/baalc



Shared via AddThis

Stop Abuse of Women on Swatton Live

Stop Abuse of Women - Interview with Chelle Cordero - Author of Bartlett's Rule

Hey all, please tune your computer dials to
Swatton Live on October 7 at 9:00PM EST
http://bit.ly/baalc

"Chelle Cordero will join us in discussing her novel, Bartlett's Rule. This is a story of a woman recovering from the devastating effects of rape while she learns to trust and fall in love again. The story explores the secondary victim challenges facing the man she meets (after the rape) and the effects on people around them."

Jeanine Swatton is the CEO/PR Director of Swatton Live, LLC. She is the co-founder of "Preventing Abuse Against Women". Jeanine holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Boston University. Her vision is to help women who are victims of abuse and provide them with the services and tools to become empowered.

*****

Join the separate Amazon Forum Discussion on the Bartlett's Rule page about Sexual Abuse - scroll down the page to Customer Discussions: This product's forum. http://bit.ly/4FqH2F

My Books will be at the West Hollywood Book Fair!

Check it out! My books, along with several other terrific Vanilla Heart Publishing titles, will be on display at the West Hollywood Book Fair on Sunday, October 4, 2009 • 10AM to 6PM • West Hollywood Park • 647 N. San Vicente Blvd • West Hollywood.

Vanilla Heart Publishing
booth E14 ~ The Field

Celebrated Authors, Food, and Festivities
at the City of West Hollywood’s Eighth Annual Book Fair
on Sunday, October 4, 2009

WEST HOLLYWOOD - The City of West Hollywood and LA Weekly present the multiple, award-winning West Hollywood Book Fair that will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at West Hollywood Park, 647 North San Vicente Boulevard in West Hollywood. The West Hollywood Book Fair will feature stages with author panels, special guests and live performances, exhibitors and writing workshops. The West Hollywood Book Fair is one of Southern California's most eclectic literary events attracting readers and writers of all ages and interests.


The West Hollywood Book Fair will also feature diverse programming for all ages and interests including families; comic book lovers; teens; Seniors; members of the LGBT community; special guests and panels from the entertainment industry; Russian-speaking authors; poetry readings, storytelling and theatre; themed stages, including a Mystery Pavilion; political panels and a variety of other attractions. For aspiring and new writers, the West Hollywood Book Fair offers an array of workshops that include tips from industry professionals on subjects such as preparing for publishing, independent publishing and writing the first novel.
Over 180 exhibitors participate in the West Hollywood Book Fair, including independent book sellers; literary non-profit organizations from throughout Southern California; small presses and arts and theatre groups.


For more information, contact Roz Helfand at (310) 869-5749 or email her at rhelfand@weho.org. For the hearing impaired please, call (323) 848-6496 or visit www.westhollywoodbookfair.org.

download the

Chelle Cordero Fall 2009 Sampler

Enjoy a good taste of Chelle’s novels, Bartlett’s Rule, Forgotten, Within the Law, Courage of the Heart, Final Sin, and INCLUDING her yet-to-be-released A Chaunce of Riches

Remembering 8 years ago

Rockland County Residents

Janet M. Alonso 41 Stony Point NY
Calixto Anaya Jr. 35 Suffern NY
Japhet J. Aryee 49 Spring Valley NY
Richard E. Bosco 34 Suffern NY
Sgt. John Gerard Coughlin 43 Pomona NY
Welles Remy Crowther 24 Upper Nyack NY
John D' Allara 47 Pearl River NY
Bernard D. Favuzza 52 Suffern NY
Thomas Foley 32 West Nyack NY
Andrew Fredericks 40 Suffern NY
Robert Joseph Gschaar 55 Spring Valley NY
Dana Hannon 29 Suffern NY
Capt. Frederick Ill Jr. 49 Pearl River NY
Farah Jeudy 32 Spring Valley NY
Joseph Marchbanks Jr. 47 Nanuet NY
John Marshall 35 Congers NY
Patricia A. McAneney 50 Pomona NY
Robert Garvin McCarthy 33 Stony Point NY
Robert William McPadden 30 Pearl River NY
Luke G. Nee 44 Stony Point NY
Gerald O'Leary 34 Stony Point NY
David Ortiz 37 Nanuet NY
Lt. Vernon Allan Richard 53 Nanuet NY
Thomas G. Schoales 27 Stony Point NY
Mohammed Shajahan 41 Spring Valley NY
Gregory Sikorsky 34 Spring Valley NY
Catherine T. Smith 44 West Haverstraw NY
Robert W. Spear Jr. 30 Valley Cottage NY
Loretta A, Vero 51 Nanuet NY
Benjamin Walker 41 Suffern NY
Weibin Wang 41 Orangeburg NY
Steven Weinberg 41 New City NY

Capt. David T. Wooley 53 Nanuet NY

for a complete list: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/index.html

And remembering with gratitude all of the rescue workers who put their own health in jeopardy during the following bleak weeks and months of recovery.

In tribute to our warriors in the Armed Services and in Emergency Services who work to keep us safe.

Can you hear it?

I have frequently been asked if any of my books are available in audio books (usually tapes) - at his time they are not available as audio tapes. However all of my novels are available in various eBook formats including .PDF and KINDLE.

What, you ask, does an eBook have to do with audio?

Many of the more recent versions of Adobe Acrobat offer "Text to Voice" or "Read Aloud" options and you can use this program on your desktop or laptop to read .PDF files. Follow this link for Adobe Reader 9 if you don't already have it on your computer. (it's a FREE download)
Also since each of my novels is available for Kindle, I am pleased to announce that EACH book has been Text-to-Speech: Enabled for Second Generation Kindle and Kindle DX devices.

Can you tell I'm excited?

I am, I am!

Where can you find these formats for your friendly "computer-man" to read to you?

Hostage Heart (Kindle Edition)
Final Sin (Kindle Edition)
Courage of the Heart (Kindle Edition)
Within the Law (Kindle Edition)
Forgotten (Kindle Edition)
Bartlett's Rule (Kindle Edition)
*Kindle is an Amazon exclusive

...and for a variety of eBook formats with INSTANT download,

Hostage Heart
Final Sin
Courage of the Heart
Within the Law
Forgotten
Bartlett's Rule

Chelle Cordero Fall 2009 Sampler
eBook Price: Download FREE!
Enjoy a good taste of Chelle Cordero's novels,
Bartlett's Rule, Forgotten, Within the Law, Courage of the Heart,
Final Sin, and her yet-to-be-released A Chaunce of Riches
*****

Earth Day Anthology from VHP - call for submissions

Earth Day 2010 Anthology
Call for Submissions

VHP is gearing up for Earth Day 2010 and they are looking for prose and poetry that shares nature and nature's gifts with readers of every age.

They'll be publishing Nature's Gifts in both print and electronic formats. Fifty percent of the profits for a period of one year from first publication will be donated to The Nature Conservancy to honor their incredible work around the globe. You can learn more about The Nature Conservancy at their website: http://www.nature.org

Submissions will be judged by a panel of three judges, both Vanilla Heart Publishing staff members and contracted editors. Authors whose pieces are selected will be notified by February 1, 2010.

All selected contributors, in addition to receiving the print copy of the published anthology in which they appear, will also be announced on this Website, and on Facebook, MySpace, and Xanga blogs, as well as inclusion in the donation letter to The Nature Conservancy, and be invited to participate in the Vanilla Heart Publishing Earth Day 2010 Celebrations.

Open for submissions September 1-December 31, 2009
Submission Details

Vanilla Heart Publishing

Another Review of Hostage Heart - 4 Hearts!

Review of

Hostage Heart

Chelle Cordero
Romantic suspense
Vanilla Heart Publisher
ISBN: 978-1-935407-71-3
July 2009

Deanna Blair moved to New York City to make more money so she could send it home to her parents whose home and business were ravaged by the hurricanes. Then Deanna is accidentally caught up in the middle of a bank robbery and taken captive. One of the brutal men seems different from the rest and he keeps Deanna safe from the other men and she is very attracted to him. When the police find and raid the group, the man she has feelings for is shot down in front of her. Now Deanna's entire life has been turned upside down. But there is more to the story than even Deanna knows¦ This is a highly emotional and stressful read. My heart pounded and I cried for Deanna in several places in the story. Deanna is truly an innocent in all of this and now she will likely live with the aftermath from the kidnapping for years to come and no one seems really concerned about helping her get on with her life except one man but can she trust him? Deanna's heart has been broken, her innocence shattered, and she doesn't trust her instincts anymore. How does she move forward with her life? I found the first part of the story, when Deanna is with the kidnappers, very hard to read and I was tempted to put the book down. I kept going though and I am very glad I did, Deanna proves to have a fighting spirit and the rest of the book about what she does after the incident is wonderful! Chelle Cordero is an author I will keep my eye on; her story telling ability is riveting and she has a gift for making even unlikable people likeable! If you want a suspense filled, emotion charged story, then read Hostage Heart! Overall rating: Sensuality rating: Very sensual Reviewer: Steph B. August 28, 2009

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from
Copyright © 2009 theromancestudio.com

Hostage Heart (print)
on Smashwords (ebook formats)

A Review of Hostage Heart

http://coffeetimeromance.com

Deanna Blair works in a bookstore and is from Louisiana. She is living and working in New York so she can help to support her parents.

Ryan Hunter is a hot shot FBI agent who has no idea that his life is about to change in a very drastic way. He is instantly attracted Deanna.

When Deanna goes to pick up a large sum of money for her employer at the local bank, she is less than enthused. She is never comfortable with carrying large sums, but she needs the job and so does so anyway. One morning when she goes to pick up the money, the bank she is in is robbed, and instead of handing over her purse she fights with the bank robbers. In the ensuing scuffle she gets taken as a hostage, and discovers that the handsome man she was trying to help is in cahoots with the bank robbers. Needless to say Deanna is less than happy. Fortunately for her Ryan is not all that he seems, and her intuition tells her that he is a good man. When she sees him shot in front her, and is told he has died, she is devastated. Deanna tries to get on with her life, but when she discovers she is pregnant with Ryan’s child, she knows her life has been irrevocably changed by her two encounters with the handsome Ryan. What will she do when Ryan comes back seemingly from the dead? Will she accept his story, or will she walk away?

I enjoyed reading Hostage Heart. It is a well written story with characters that are realistic. While it was hard at times going through the ups and downs in Ryan and Deanna’s relationship, it certainly kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next. The descriptions of Louisiana, and Deanna’s Cajun heritage were obviously well researched and gave the book a great ethnic flavor. I especially liked the parts about Deanna’s grandmother. For those who love to read about sexy FBI agents saving damsels in distress, this book is definitely for you!

Regina, Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Hostage Heart
By Chelle Cordero

Life was hard after the hurricanes swept through, destroying her parents' home and livelihood...Deanna did the only thing she could do. She moved to New York City, found a job, worked hard, scrimped and saved to send what little she could manage back home to Louisiana to her parents. An errand for her boss - a chance encounter with a crew of bank robbers - a kind man who tried to help her and deserved her courageous help in return... But he wasn't the man she thought he was...no, he was so very much more!

Another FUN Contest!

1..Cordero's writing and plot is engaging and entertaining

2. A major work, and a great story

3. the author skillfully captures emotion and feeling

4. Chelle Cordero has shared a suspenseful, romantic tale of two people the reader can't help but become involved with

5. another Cordero whirlwind of gut-wrenching danger and prospective star-crossed love

6. High RPM Romantic Suspense

7. This is a five star book by a five star author

8. I kept turning pages because I had to know what happened next. The author didn't let me down.

9. Any more books by Chelle Cordero?????

10. Gut-wrenching novel

11. Kudos to Ms. Cordero for penning an entertaining read.

12. The combined love story and suspense story really kept me intrigued

13. There is so much depth, intrigue

14. winning combination of romance and suspense

15. The story is so well crafted and the characters evoke lots of emotion from the reader

16. This author is a true hidden gem

17. Real people, Real Problems and Real Solutions

18. a love story between two seemingly very different kinds of people

19. turns in the plot to keep readers guessing about choices and outcomes until the last page.

20. she poignantly tells the story of their journey

Lazy days of August - just the perfect time for a contest!

Above are actual quotes & phrases from reviews about MY books (hint, ALL of these reviews appear on Amazon.com).

Just find the NAMES OF THE REVIEWERS for any 3 or more of the quotes above and your name will be put in for a drawing - there will be prizes (ebooks, lady's XL ChelleCordero.com T-shirt, ???)

I will hold a random drawing from everyone who emails me at ChelleCordero@gmail.com and lists the names of 3 or more reviewers along with the # of the specific quote (in other words, if I wrote a review of someone's book and the quote was number 3 on the list, the answer would be 3-Chelle Cordero) - put Contest in the subject line.

Winners will be drawn September 7!

Download a FREE First Chapter Chapbook of Bartlett’s Rule, Forgotten, Within the Law, Courage of the Heart, Final Sin & Hostage Heart