This one will shock them ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 03/06/16

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior and Snippet Sunday round. Every week writers post 8-to-10 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the
WeWriWa blog

& check out the

Facebook Snippet Sunday group

I am sharing snippets from a new short story I wrote, Always One More Time. This story has just been released in a terrific anthology called HeartWorks ~ Eight Great Stories of Love, Passion, and Romance from Vanilla Heart Publishing Authors Charmaine Gordon, Paul Zunckel, Chelle Cordero, Neva Squires-Rodriguez, Lauren Shiro, Tamara Philip, Gwendolyn Jensen-Woodard, and Angela Kay Austin.
  

Last week Callie told the Bernerd family that Jimmy proposed to her in a letter. This week she tells them the real reason she showed up at the Bernerd homestead. This is the final ten sentence snippet for this story.

Creative editing alert!  Here are ten lines... 

The older woman calmly smiled and took Callie’s hand again, “My Jimmy was a fine boy and it’s nice to know that he was loved.” She sighed, “But child, Jimmy is gone and you did not get married.” She stood, still holding Callie’s hand, “Thank you so much for letting us know that you cared for him.”

Realizing that she was being dismissed, Callie stayed seated, “I needed to talk with you.”

Lawrence guffawed, “This alleged proposal means nothing if you think you’re entitled to his benefits.”

Callie turned to Lawrence, “That’s not what I came for.”

Sighing, the mother sat down again, “Then why did you come?”

“I came for family, we have a son.”

Mrs. Bernerd put a hand to her chest, “I have a grandbaby?”

“Yes, his name is Jacob.”

just a hint: Not all arms welcome Callie and Jacob...
~~~~~

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

“Have enough courage to trust love
one more time.
And always, one more time.”
~ Maya Angelo

Buy Links

PayHip (.pdf)

Smashwords
Kindle

~~~~~

March 2016 is Women's History Month

• ***Please list 5 of your favorite FEMALE writers (novelists, poets, journalists, etc) in the comments...
  you must do this on my Facebook Author page

• ***On March 8 I'll choose one commenter to receive a free e-book from my back list  Heartworks NOT included

(Remember to celebrate International Women's Day
on March 8, 2016)

Leave a comment ON the

AUTHOR CHELLE CORDERO

FACEBOOK PAGE

(click above to get to the page)

Presidential Proclamation --
 Women's History Month, 2016

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Love transcends bloodlines ~ #MondayBlogs

I was involved in a recent discussion about one of my books (Within the Law) and the subject of adoption; it’s a topic discussed in the story.

Most of us view adoption as the concept of bringing a child into your home that was biologically born to someone else and raising that child as your own, a member of your family, and loving and caring for that child as a parent should. The online Free Dictionary defines adoption as: “adoption - a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relation between persons not related by blood; the adopted child is entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child of the adoptive parents (including the right to inherit)”. Some of these children are orphaned, other may have living biological parents who cannot, for health, finances, or age, provide a healthy home and choose to give their child a better chance at life.

Just as there are varied reasons why a child is available for adoption, there are also many reasons why parents seek to adopt. Some couples are physically unable to conceive, some choose not to conceive sometimes due to a hereditary condition, singles and same-sex couples often choose adoption over surrogacy or in-vitro, and sometimes people simply have room in their hearts and homes for another child. Whatever the reason, the result is a child growing up in a loving home and parents experiencing the joy and feelings of love that goes with raising a child. It’s a win-win for all. The concept of adoption isn’t new; it goes as far back as Moses being raised by Pharaoh’s daughter and other biblical stories.

In my book one of my characters worries about her future husband’s desire and willingness to raise and love “someone else’s child”. (He was all for it btw.) Do we really need a blood connection to love? No, not at all — millions of couples definitely not related by bloodlines manage to love each other just fine. Best friends are often found outside of the family structure and yet bonds are strong. And even the love shared between pets and owners can go tremendously deep. Blood is not a necessary ingredient; the ability to love is the only mandate.

Adopting a child is more complicated than just going to a store and making a choice. Thoroughly investigate your options and local laws governing the process. There are private and public adoption agencies. There are newborns where you actually get to meet the expectant mother [different states regulate expenses the new parents could or should contribute to the pregnancy], or arrange to meet the child shortly after birth. And there are older children, toddlers through teens, some who are recently orphaned, abandoned or have been in the foster system for a while. Meet with adoption counselors and a lawyer to fully understand what is ahead for you and the best options for both you and your adopted child.

Applying to adopt takes time, but then so does a pregnancy, and there is almost always a waiting period until that adoption is actually finalized. The child you adopt doesn’t need to be a matching race or religion; speak to your spiritual advisor if you have questions about raising your child in your faith. 

It’s all attainable and it is all rewarding.

Just when you thought it was safe... Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 10/12/14

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior round. Every week writers post 8 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the WeWriWa blog

Welcome to a snippet from Within the Law. The protagonist, Tom Hughes, was created in His Lucky Charm (formerly called Forgotten). Tom is cousin (& step brother) to the female main character in HLC. I fell in love with Tom, I think he might be my favorite hero from all of my books. His character and his history was so compelling that I HAD to write his story, one in which he has his own HEA.

Alli took Tom home after Brandon asked him to leave. They returned to the hospital at Brandon's request the following morning. The baby is fine and Cat's condition is improved. Brandon admitted that he needed Tom to leave because he didn't want to feel that they were waiting for Caitlyn to die. Tom tells Brandon that he came back to the hospital during the night after having a nightmare about Cat; he found Brandon asleep by her bedside and her sleeping peacefully and doing well.

The elevator doors opened and two uniformed sheriffs and two plainclothes detectives strode purposely to the little group in the lounge.

The first plainclothes officer, with a gold detective’s shield hanging from a chain around his neck, stood directly in front of Tom, “Thomas Hughes?”

Tom stood up, “yeah?”  

“Mr. Hughes, you are under arrest for the murder of Roy Dunlop.”

Tom was stunned, “he died?”

“Not another word,” Alli stopped him quickly, “Mr. Hughes has nothing to say until he’s spoken with his attorney.”

The detective turned to her. “And you are?”

“Alli Colton, Esquire, I'm representing Mr. Hughes.”

 For more WeWriWa snippets, go to www.wewriwa.com

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.

Amazon (print)

Amazon (Kindle)

.pdf E-Book (Payloadz)

multiple ebook formats (Smashwords)

Apple iTunes

Kobo

AUDIO/Audible AUDIO/Amazon 

Well folks, I think I've milked all I can out of Within the Law - your comments each week have been exceptional and have made me look more critically at my current WIP - Thank you. I am planning to move on to another book next week, A Chaunce of Riches.If you'd like you can read the first 999 words to ACoR in the First Page Review Bloghop, I'll begin the snippets after that excerpt.

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS IS HAVING A HUGE OCTOBER PARTY
AND VANILLA HEART PUBLISHING IS CELEBRATING!

Brandon arrives - Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 10/05/14

Hi! Welcome to another Weekend Writing Warrior round. Every week writers post 8 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book. Then we "hop" around and leave comments on each other's snippets. Whether our work is already published or in progress, the helpful comments help us become stronger writers on our next WIP. We welcome EVERYONE's comments.

See more at the WeWriWa blog

Welcome to a snippet from Within the Law. The protagonist, Tom Hughes, was created in His Lucky Charm (formerly called Forgotten). Tom is cousin (& step brother) to the female main character in HLC. I fell in love with Tom, I think he might be my favorite hero from all of my books. His character and his history was so compelling that I HAD to write his story, one in which he has his own HEA.

Alli stays by Tom's side in the waiting room. Finally the doctor comes out to talk to them. A baby girl was born, because she's a preemie she's taken to NICU, but she is otherwise in good health. The doctors are still working to save Caitlyn. Brandon gets there and is told he's a father and that Cat is still in critical condition.

Brandon spread his arms out, “what happened?”

“The entire thing, it’s my fault,” Tom explained everything that occurred. “I am so sorry, I never meant for Cat to get hurt.”

Brandon didn’t respond to Tom’s apology, “I have to see my wife...”

Alli left and returned with a nurse; the nurse offered to take Brandon in to see Caitlyn.

When Brandon came back, it was obvious he was choked up as he walked up to Tom and hugged him, “she’s not out of the woods yet, but they’re optimistic.”

Tom felt the fear drain out of him,“thank God.”

Brandon stepped back and caught his breath, “Tom, I need you to leave, go see your niece and then leave, please.”

 For more WeWriWa snippets, go to www.wewriwa.com

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.

Amazon (print)

Amazon (Kindle)

.pdf E-Book (Payloadz)

multiple ebook formats (Smashwords)

Apple iTunes

Kobo
AUDIO/Audible AUDIO/Amazon 

The other week Teresa Cypher posted about the FIRST PAGE REVIEW Blog Hop, a chance to post up to the first 1000 words of a novel or WIP and ask readers IF it's enticing enough to want to keep reading; honestly it is another terrific learning experience to be able to find out what works and what doesn't.  I posted the beginning of my (already published) novel A CHAUNCE OF RICHES (probably the next book I will feature snippets from in the WeWriWa hop).  I see a few other great authors have also posted their beginnings.  Please visit the complete list HERE or join us yourself with (up-to) 100 words from your work.

First Page Review

9/29/13 WEWRIWA a community of writers and readers

My entry this week is from Hostage Heart, a romantic suspense involving a young lady from Louisiana whose family was affected by the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. But life goes on and a baby is on the way. Although she is an unwed-mother-to-be, the baby's father wants to be a part of his child's life... and hers.

It was important to her that they pass along their legacy. Ryan picked the book up while she was in the bathroom and opened it to the pages on the mother’s family. 

Deanna had an older brother, Andres, but Ryan was dismayed to see a date of death listed. He looked at a picture she had stuck on the page of a young man in a marine uniform and assumed that was her brother.

 She had several relatives in the Louisiana area and there were references to the Creole and Cajun culture. A picture of her mamere who had drowned during the Katrina flooding showed an older woman with the same dark eyes and a darker complexion than Deanna and her mother shared; she was truly another beauty. Deanna wrote that her maternal mamere was Chacuma from her grandfather. Deanna’s paternal line was pure Creole.

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

Hostage Heart  by Chelle Cordero is now available as an AUDIOBOOK on Audible, iTunes, and on Amazon! Also in All Ebook Formats and  Print Editions.

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!

Review

Hostage Heart is a captivating read… I really enjoyed Chelle Cordero's 'Hostage Heart.  It read quickly and kept my interest until the very end. I would highly recommend this book and I plan to read all of the author's other books. It took me along on the adventure. I enjoyed the romance.

~LDB, on Amazon

 AUDIO on Audible  http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_5?asin=B00EAOCTTC

PRINT – http://www.amazon.com/Hostage-Heart-Chelle-Cordero/dp/1935407716

Kindle – http://www.amazon.com/Hostage-Heart-ebook/dp/B002I9YRKK

AllRomance Ebooks – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hostageheart-79508-149.html

Smashwords for All Ereaders –  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2943

Payloadz Instant Download –  http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=853567

                            

FREE Book Club Discussion Packet with full color printable bookmarks, author bio and photo, discussion starters, and synopsis –  http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=1778656

Happy Mother's Day Weekend

Just wanted to wish y'all a
Happy Mother's Day

There are always mixed feeling to such an observance for those of us who are blessed to be moms and for those of us who remember the gentle nurturing of our own mothers. 

So I say thank you to my mom who passed away in 1979, the lessons she taught have carried me through life and I only hope that I have been able to emulate some of her mommy-ness for my own offspring. ~  I also remember my husband's mom and want to say thank you to her for raising such a fine son. I am blessed with wonderful memories of strong and capable women who knew how to let their children know they were loved.

And speaking of blessings, I have the most beautiful of all - my daughter and my son and their chosen mates. I thrill each time one of them calls me Mom. And I marvel at the two babies I coddled and how they have grown to be absolutely fantastic adults. I love them for being my "babies" and I admire them for their accomplishments and talents.

But enough about my boasting...

This weekend also makes me think
"What is a mom?"

It isn't necessarily genetics or even gender anymore. A MOM is someone who nurtures and loves, a MOM is selfless and devoted, a MOM can give magical kisses and at least for a while is thought to know all the answers. Most of all, a MOM doesn't lose herself and yet her kids become her world. Being a mom is a great state of being.

So for all the nurturers, all the caregivers, all the huggers and all the confidants, I hope you enjoy your day with your little ones, with your fur-babies, and with the partner who helped make you a mom. (And if you are lucky enough to have your mom around, enjoy.)

Being a mom is one of the best feelings
in the world!