Wednesday, August 28, 2013

A New Release - Exciting Times!

It's almost September and my new release (in e-book form) comes out in just a little more than two weeks!
“Karma Visited captured me from the beginning and never let go. This tale of good, evil, and a miraculous gift between has a cast of characters you’ll never forget. Well done, Chelle Cordero.” ~Charmaine Gordon, Author of Survive and Thrive novels and Mature Romances

Karma Visited e-book is available for pre-order through September 15, 2013 from KOBObooks,Barnes and NobleSmashwords, andiTunesApple.

But why wait? Check out my Back~List


The Many Faces of Chelle Cordero   
The Many Faces of Chelle Cordero is a single author collection of short stories featuring Introduction, Pussycat Tails, Holiday Happiness, Not Alone, I Swear That Raccoon Just Knocked on the Door, Stormy Weather, A Mother’s Love, More Than a Friend, The Meeting, The Vacation and a special bonus section.
Living, Breathing, Writing: A Lesson A Day, Vol 2  
In celebration of Volume 1 going to print edition due to demand, Chelle Cordero and Vanilla Heart Publishing have put together another complete month of lessons about the craft of writing and being a writer, from time management to social networking, organizing queries to publication, and more. Includes more than 50 brain-starting exercises and prompts to help you get those words on paper.
Hyphema   
Hyphema: Bleeding in the eye caused by trauma… Matt Garratti, a paramedic from New York, moves his wife and son to North Carolina to work at his dream job as a flight medic. Pakistani born Sudah, his wife, receives frosty stares and insensitive comments from their new neighbors... Matt wonders if he is pursuing his dream or bringing his family into a nightmare from which they may never wake.
Living, Breathing, Writing: A Lesson A Day    
A complete month of lessons about the craft of writing and being a writer, from time management to social networking, organizing queries to publication, and more. In the Bonus Section of this book you’ll find more than 50 brain-starting exercises to help you get those words on paper.
His Lucky Charm    
What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas... this time it follows Brandon and Caitlyn across the country and into a world of espionage and danger. The one thing that Brandon knows for sure is that he can't afford to lose his lucky charm, Caitlyn.
Common Bond, Tangled Hearts   
Layne Gillette’s world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son. When Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies.
A Chaunce of Riches    
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.
Hostage Heart     
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
Final Sin    
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 subject of an obsession, it puts both of them in danger...
Courage of the Heart    
COURAGE OF THE HEART shows us that 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.
Within the Law    
Tom gave up on ever falling in love again the day that he buried his high school sweetheart and fiancé. He started a career in law enforcement just so that he could find her murderer and rapist. 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.
Bartlett's Rule     
Bartlett's Rule shares the story of Lon and Paige's love affair; a romance 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 and Lon are real; they are human, they cry and they laugh. Paige has to learn to trust. Lon has to learn to be patient.

My books are available in multiple e-book formats (click Smashwords links above) Kobo, iTunes. NOOK, Kindle, & other online retailers.
My books are also available in Print (Amazon & Barnes and Noble), and some in Audio.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Hey Book Clubs !!!

Are you a member a Book Club and looking for new material?

Are you growing bored by the same old discussions and need new material?

My fantastic Managing Editor at Vanilla Heart Publishing helped me create Book Club Discussion packets for each of my novels ~ and they are FREE and instantly downloadable. Each packet has loads of intriguing discussion starters, bookmarks, resource info and more...

 Karma Visited (pdf file)
Bartlett’s Rule (pdf file)
His Lucky Charm (pdf file)
Final Sin (pdf file)
Hyphema (pdf file) 
Hostage Heart  (pdf file)
Within the Law (pdf file)
A Chaunce of Riches (pdf file)

Enjoy!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Why I am loving Vanilla Heart Publishing

Back in 1999 I signed with a publishing company to publish my story Courage of the Heart - such excitement! By 2001 when the book became available, the company had changed it's format. It went from a "had-to-be-accepted" POD publisher to a "pay-to-self-publish". They still honored my contract although they no longer offered services without payment (marketing, cover design, reviews, etc) I was stubborn and refused to pay fees that originally would have been included (the contract was detailed too loosely). Since I didn't know then anything about promotions, the book didn't go far.

By 2007 I had written a few more manuscripts and was looking for a traditional (small press) publishing house when I had a conversation with L.E. Harvey (now Lauren Shiro), she had just made a connection with Kimberlee Williams, managing editor and owner of Vanilla Heart Publishing in Washington state, and was raving about the encouragement and professionalism. I asked if she would mind if I sent Kimberlee a query for my novel Bartlett's Rule.

Kimberlee accepted my query, asked to see the full manuscript and sent me an acceptance letter by email. I was so ecstatic I couldn't even talk and had to drag my husband to the computer screen to read it for himself. Bartlett's Rule came out in 2008 followed soon after by Forgotten (renamed and republished as His Lucky Charm) and Within the Law. Kimberlee also helped me work through the muck to get the rights back to Courage of the Heart and after a few minor edits, it was re-published under the VHP imprint.

I kept on writing, mostly Romantic Suspense, and guided by Kimberlee, learned about promotion and so much more about the writing industry. My confidence level as a novelist was way high (I had been writing as a journalist for most of my adult life) and loving it all.

In 2009, with Kimberlee's encouragement, I "experimented" with a murder mystery based in Emergency Medical Services and wrote Final Sin. It was received very well and I followed it with the story of one of the Final Sin characters (Matt) and wrote another EMS mystery, Hyphema.

Just this past year VHP published a collection of short stories, The Many Faces of Chelle Cordero, which range from poignant, humorous, passionate and suspense themes. And now I am so very proud to report that my next novel, a paranormal suspense, is available through September 15 for pre-sale orders - Karma Visited is my tenth novel to be published at VHP! Each novel has been given great covers, book trailers and a number of promotional items/designs from Kimberlee.

Kimberlee has held my hand, encouraged me, soothed my fears and has been a terrific publisher, editor and a cherished friend. She's also been on the cutting edge of the industry and my books are available in print ebook and audio (varies by title). And thanks to Kimberlee, I've received plaudits such as Honorable Mention in the NY Book Festival, inclusion in Carolyn Howard Johnson's Top Ten Reads, Pushcart Prize Nominations and more!

I am so very lucky to have found her and her publishing company.

Thank you Kimberlee Williams!  

From to !




Monday, August 19, 2013

I blogged today at Lindsay's Romantics

So I dabbled in Paranormal


I finally broke out of the mold. For years I wrote romantic suspense novels, liked the genre (and apparently so did some readers), and was very comfortable with the genre. I’ve always liked a bit of edge of the seat mystery and am a hopeless romantic myself, so…  (read more)

Hope you'll go by and leave a comment.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Help promote my next novel ~ Karma Visited

I am looking for up to 10 street team volunteers nationwide
to help publicize my next novel.

Email me at ChelleCordero@gmail.com with your name, email, region, and snail mail address

Karma Visited, the Street Team

suggested activities

  1. Read pdf copy - talk up the book with friends in person. 
  2. Distribute bookmarks and other promo material (supplied) to potential readers; distribute sales sheets to libraries/bookstores with ebook capability. 
  3. Go to local library and/or bookstores and offer to moderate a book discussion on Karma Visited. (Discussion packet available)
  4. Online support - join Author Chelle Cordero FaceBook page, like, share & comment on Karma Visited posts.
  5. Follow me on Twitter and retweet Karma Visited tweets
  6. Visit blogs with Karma Visited guest posts and leave comments. 
  7. Post the Karma Visited YouTube trailer on FaceBook and personal blogs. Include buy links.
  8. Use #KarmaVisited Hashtag on Twitter, on FaceBook, and Google+
  9. When the book is published in print, speak to local bookstores and libraries about stocking books (publisher does NOT offer return policy)
  10. Share ideas how to promote with the rest of the street team

Up to 10 volunteers will be chosen - 
each will receive a pre-release .pdf copy of Karma Visited

Karma Visited    by Chelle CorderoDo you believe in karma? Annie Furman has a gift that allows her, while she sleeps, to visit people in their time of need - but who will be there for her when she needs help? Undersheriff Dave Turner is investigating a series of home invasions and homicides. He has no idea that solving this case will lead him to the woman of his dreams.


Thank you!


Sunday, August 11, 2013

You had me from Hello

I admit it, authors try to reel their readers in with enticing opening lines to their books. We affectionately call these opening lines "hooks".

Here are a few of the "hooks" that I've used in my books. I'd love to hear from you about which ones caught your interest, just comment below. Thanks!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Friday, August 9, 2013

Love a Book

Happy Book Lover's Day 2013


Time to curl up with a good book

The Indie Bestseller Lists put the diversity of America's independent bookstores on display. It's produced just two days after the end of the sales week, and is the most current snapshot of what’s selling in indie bookstores nationwide. (from American Booksellers Association)
Bestseller List for August 8, 2013
Based on sales for the week ending August 4, 2013
For an independent bookstore store near you, call 1-888-266-5736, or visit IndieBound.org.
Trade Paperback FictionLast Week/
Weeks on List
1.Beautiful Ruins
Jess Walter, Harper Perennial, $15.99, 9780061928178
Walter's dazzling yet deeply human novel spans 50 years and nearly as many lives.
1/18
2.Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Maria Semple, Back Bay, $14.99, 9780316204262
Semple's compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's roles in an absurd world.
3/18
3.The Casual Vacancy
J.K. Rowling, Little Brown, $18, 9780316228589
Rowling's darkly comic and thought-provoking first novel for adults.
4/2
4.Flight Behavior
Barbara Kingsolver, Harper Perennial, $16.99, 9780062124272
Kingsolver's powerful novel about the complexities of modern life in rural Appalachia.
2/9
5.The Orphan Master's Son
Adam Johnson, Random House, $15, 9780812982626
Johnson's epic story of a young man's journey through the mysterious dictatorship of North Korea.
6/16
6.The Bat
Jo Nesbø, Vintage, $14.95, 9780345807090
The first Inspector Harry Hole novel by the bestselling author of The Redeemer.
5/5
7.The Light Between Oceans 
M.L. Stedman, Scribner, $16, 9781451681758
Stedman's heartbreaking and transcendent debut novel is now available in paperback.
9/18
8.Sweet Tooth
Ian McEwan, Anchor, $15.95, 9780345803450
A wonderfully witty novel of betrayal and intrigue by the bestselling author of The Innocent.
10/5
9.Joyland
Stephen King, Hard Case Crime, $12.95, 9781781162644
KIng's novel, set in a small-town amusement park in 1973, tells the story of a college student who comes to work as a carny and how his life is changed forever.
7/9
10.The Art Forger
B.A. Shapiro, Algonquin, $14.95, 9781616203160
Shapiro's absorbing literary thriller treats readers to three centuries of forgers, art thieves, and obsessive collectors.
8/14
11.Dear Life- Debut
Alice Munro, Vintage, $15.95, 9780307743725
A brilliant collection of stories from one of the most acclaimed and beloved writers of our time.
/1
12.The Secret Keeper
Kate Morton, Washington Square Press, $16, 9781439152812
A spellbinding novel of love and intrigue by the bestselling author of The Distant Hours.
11/3
13.A Hologram for the King
Dave Eggers, Vintage, $15.95, 9780307947512
Eggers takes readers around the world in this novel about one man's fight to hold himself and his family together in the face of the global economic crisis.
14/9
14.Me Before You- Debut
Jojo Moyes, Penguin, $16, 9780143124542
A memorable love story about two people who couldn't have less in common.
/1
15.The Orchardist
Amanda Coplin, Harper Perennial, $15.99, 9780062188519
Coplin's touching debut novel about a reclusive man who opens his heart and lets the world in.
/19
Rankings according to the Indie Bestseller List, and based on sales in independent bookstores nationwide during the week ended August 4, 2013. Produced by the American Booksellers Association

Discover a new book and help put it on the Bestseller List
Check out the newest releases at Vanilla Heart Publishing


Why shop Indie?

When you shop at an independently owned business, your entire community benefits:
The Economy
  • Spend $100 at a local and $68 of that stays in your community. Spend the same $100 at a national chain, and your community only sees $43.
  • Local businesses create higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
  • More of your taxes are reinvested in your community--where they belong.
The Environment
  • Buying local means less packaging, less transportation, and a smaller carbon footprint.
  • Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money to beautify your community.
The Community
  • Local retailers are your friends and neighbors—support them and they’ll support you.
  • Local businesses donate to charities at more than twice the rate of national chains.
  • More independents means more choice, more diversity, and a truly unique community.
Now is the time to stand up and join your fellow individuals in the IndieBound mission supporting local businesses and celebrating independents.
IndieBound supports Independent Business Alliances around the country. To find an alliance near you, visit AMIBA orBALLE.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Karma Visited ~ the book cover

Karma Visited will be available
for pre-order in a few weeks

Do you believe in karma? 

Annie Furman has a gift that allows her, while she sleeps, to visit people in their time of need - but who will be there for her when she needs help? 

Undersheriff Dave Turner is investigating a series of home invasions and homicides. He has no idea that solving this case will lead him to the woman of his dreams.

Monday, August 5, 2013

A Book Cover In honor of National Underwear Day

In honor of National Underwear Day I'm posting an appropriate book cover... 

COURAGE OF THE HEART shows us that 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.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Ssh, Kitty Power Rules! (we took control of mom's blog)


Hi there, my name is Tigger, my mom is the author of Karma Visited.
Karma Visited is a paranormal suspense story by Chelle Cordero and published by Vanilla Heart Publishing; it will be out in mid-September, right after the "dog days" of summer...


My brothers (Mario & Luigi) and I were real excited to meet one of the characters from Karma Visited. Mom gave a character in one of her other books a childhood pet that still lived in her childhood home with her dad. But this is the first time that she gave a feline a real part in her book.

Anyway, we want to introduce Mauszer
                        ...and without further meowing

Tigger: Hi Mauszer, can you tell our readers what role you play in Karma Visited.

Mauszer: I live with Undersheriff Dave Turner. We met when I was house sitting at the house that he rented. Now he feeds me so that I take care of the house and watch it while he goes off to work everyday.

Mario: Ooh, ooh, what kind of food does he feed you? What do you do with the leftovers? Maybe I could come over and have dinner with you one day?

Tigger: Hey Mario, don't be a mooch.

Mauszer: Oh that's okay Tiggs. The food is pretty simple, Mario, canned stuff. Dave is a pretty simple guy, no gourmet stuff for either of us.

Luigi: Hey, can I ask a question? Please... Mauszer, what is Dave like as an owner? Does he pet you a lot? Does he play with you? What's it like? What's it like?

Mauszer: Luigi, Dave doesn't own me, we're really just roommates. We respect each other's space for the most part, but yeah, we have our moments when we just like to be together. 

Tigger: How does it feel to be the hero's side-kick?

Mauszer: I don't really look at it like being a side-kick, I feel really crucial to the story, sort of like Tonto to the Lone Ranger... and if you saw the movie then you know how Johnny "Tonto" Depp really WAS the movie.

Tigger: How do you feel about Annie?

Mauszer: She's okay. I'm willing to share my human with her so long as she accepts that I was here first. Dave seems happy when he gets to be with her... of course she's got to really be here. This holographic stuff really freaks me out.

Luigi: What did you think of Rose? I didn't like her. She;s not a nice lady. What did you think of her Mauszer?

Mauszer: I only met Dave's ex-wife one time. She really wasn't nice to me at all. She came to my home, uninvited, and really acted like she belonged there. I didn't like her and I don't think Dave wants her around either.

Tigger: Do you ever get to help Dave with his work?

Mauszer: Well I don't get to go to his office with him, but sometimes he does bring work home. And when he's sitting in his chair reading files, I let him use me like a sounding board and let him talk thinks out. And when he gets all moody because a case isn't going well I bump into him and make him pet me... you know of course that petting a pussycat can lower your blood pressure? Anyway, I try to help keep him focused.

Tigger: There's another cat that appears in the story, Whiskas? Did you get to meet him? Whiskas is named for another Whiskas who is actually our older brother, he passed away before we came home with mom and dad...

Mario: But I think he visits us every so often and tells us fun things we can do.

Mauszer: Whiskas is a real nice cat. He plays the part of a cat who survives a tornado with his human, a little girl who seems to have lost everything except for him. It's really very emotional, but I am so glad that they have each other.

Tigger: Mauszer, I think I hear my mom coming down the hall so we really have to go. Thanks so much for taking the time to meow-chat with us today.

Mauszer: It was my pleasure.

Mario: We can't wait 'til Karma Visited is available in September. People are really going to enjoy getting to know you and everybody else.

Luigi: Yeah. I really hope you'll be our friend. I like you.

Tigger: Uh-oh, mom's here. Maybe we'll get to do this again sometime...
Tigger, Mario & Luigi: Bye all!
Mario  ~  Luigi  ~  Tigger

Friday, August 2, 2013

An EMS Thriller Now in Audio ~ Hyphema



Can you hear it now? YOU BET!
Hyphema by Chelle Cordero is now available as an AUDIOBOOK
on Audible, iTunes, and on Amazon! Also in All Ebook Formats and  Print Editions.

Hyphema: Bleeding in the eye caused by trauma…
Matt Garratti, a paramedic from New York, moves his wife and son to North Carolina to work at his dream job as a flight medic. Pakistani born Sudah, his wife, receives frosty stares and insensitive comments from their new neighbors.

Before long, Matt wonders if he is pursuing his dream or bringing his family into a nightmare from which they may never wake.
Review
Ms. Cordero tackles such amazingly current topics-hate, prejudice, fear of the different, with such enjoyable, suspenseful, and well-researched background, that this reader will be following her closely to see what she writes next. Each medical scene resonates with reality, and each chapter flows into the next with a flutter in the pit of the stomach for what is coming, as well as what has been.
Brian Davidson, new Cordero fan

Hyphema is narrated and produced by Tim Danko, professional voiceover artist and narrator living in Pennsylvania. 
He has studied with Pat Fraley, Scott Brick, Hillary Huber, and Paul Alan Ruben,
and enjoys narrating mysteries, thrillers, and science fiction.

                             
AUDIO, PRINT, and ALL ELECTRONIC EDITIONS
BUY LINKS
 AUDIO –  on Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Hyphema/dp/B00EAH2Z3E
And, if you decide to use the Amazon-exclusive Audible.com 30-day free trial membership it includes:
  • This audiobook free, plus a bonus audiobook of your choice
  • Exchange any book you don't like with Audible’s Great Listen Guarantee
  • Total flexibility - cancel, pause or upgrade membership easily and whenever you like



Smashwords for All Ereaders –  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/54453

Payloadz Instant Download – http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=1778600

and the FREE Book Club Discussion Packet with full color printable bookmarks, author bio and photo, discussion starters, and synopsis –  http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=945317