Adam is ready to talk - Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / June 22, 2014

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 Every week writers post 8 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book.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 Courage of the Heart. Courage of the Heart was originally published by Xlibris in 1999 (BEFORE they went full vanity press) - with no real marketing efforts from the publisher and before I knew much about the subject, it didn't do very well. However it was revised slightly and republished by Vanilla Heart Publishing in 2009 and has enjoyed a healthier reception.

Davie comes back from her father's to find Adam in the hospital with a serious case of pneumonia. When he is released, she stays with him to nurse him back to health.

This will be the final snippet from Courage of the Heart, next week I'll move on to another story. Your comments have helped me see different views of my writing and it's been really helpful. I used creative punctuation to make this fit:

"You said earlier that you wanted to talk."

"Yeah, Davie, this is really important…"

Davie knelt on the carpet next to the couch, "I'm here."

Adam twisted to face her, he realized he was having difficulty finding the right words to start, "It's about us, I want there to be an us, I don't know where this relationship will wind up, but suddenly I find myself thinking of tomorrow…with you. I never meant for that to happen."

"Why does that scare you?" Davie spoke softly.

"It scares me that you might not want to be a part of it," Adam swallowed and looked uncomfortably around the room; he realized that this could be the most important thing he ever had to say. His eyes finally settled on her, "Davie, there are some things I have to tell you about my past, some things that may make you walk out and never look back."

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

Courage of the Heart

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.

Audiobook

Smashwords

Amazon (print)  

Seeking comfort ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/15/14

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 Courage of the Heart. Courage of the Heart was originally published by Xlibris in 1999 (BEFORE they went full vanity press) - with no real marketing efforts from the publisher and before I knew much about the subject, it didn't do very well. However it was revised slightly and republished by Vanilla Heart Publishing in 2009 and has enjoyed a healthier reception.

Feeling rejected by Adam - again - Davie takes a bus to visit her father in time for the anniversary of her mother's passing. It's always been her habit to be with him to remember her mom together, but since she was busy the night before taking care of the very sick Adam she never got around to calling her dad about her visit. Spurned by one of the men in her life, she was ready to be comforted by her father. Imagine her surprise when she walks in on him and his special lady-friend. (btw, "Gizzy" is her childhood dog that still lives at home.)

Davie stared out the bedroom window into the dark night, she couldn’t sleep; there were so many things running through her mind. Gizzy was snoring as he lay at her feet. She was still upset that Adam had forced her to leave and she was confused to find that her father was moving on with his life without her mother and without Davie’s blessing if need be.

She had been surprised to see her father's tears at the cemetery; her father's grieving over the loss of her mother comforted Davie, at the same time she felt terrible seeing his pain. They had gone to church together and she sat with his arm around her shoulders, it was good to be with him and just him. Davie was grateful that Elizabeth understood that she would only be intruding.

On the drive home from the church, he told her that they would be having dinner with Elizabeth and that's when the fighting started.

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

Courage of the Heart

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.

Audiobook

Smashwords

Amazon (print)  

Is this the end? ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/08/14

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 Courage of the Heart. Courage of the Heart was originally published by Xlibris in 1999 (BEFORE they went full vanity press) - with no real marketing efforts from the publisher and before I knew much about the subject, it didn't do very well. However it was revised slightly and republished by Vanilla Heart Publishing in 2009 and has enjoyed a healthier reception.

Davie and Adam has enjoyed a very amicable relationship (finally) and have spent lots of time together. Suddenly Adam is MIA from work and Davie finds him at home suffering from what he says is "just the flu". She stays to take care of him, feed him chicken soup and give him aspirin... He becomes delirious and is afraid he is going to hurt her, so he sends her away and is cruel with his words when she refuses. She tearfully leaves him alone in his misery.

Adam had never felt so sick before; he had to speak to Davie, he had to let her know he never wanted to hurt her. He struggled to get dressed and nearly gave up when he couldn't button his shirt. After he found her and apologized again, he was going to see his doctor. He felt sick.

Adam struggled to get to his front door and the exertion made him breathless. He wondered if the pain he felt in his chest was even worth the effort to breathe. Adam pulled the door closed behind him and only made it a few steps away from his door when he felt himself falling forward. He remembered thinking how far away the floor was when darkness surrounded him.

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

Courage of the Heart

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.

Audiobook

Smashwords

Amazon (print)  

(a previously published post) 

Oy - what I put my heroes through...

I put each one of my heroes into the hospital!!!

I realized that the other day and wondered why. Am I being sadistic? Yikes.

But then I suddenly understood – vulnerability. I like knowing that my muscled and independent hunks are vulnerable. Okay, maybe hospitalizing each of them is a bit extreme, but it helps to point out how very human they are and it gives a chance for the heroines to take care of them.   (read more...)

A turning point? ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 06/01/14

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 Courage of the Heart. Courage of the Heart was originally published by Xlibris in 1999 (BEFORE they went full vanity press) - with no real marketing efforts from the publisher and before I knew much about the subject, it didn't do very well. However it was revised slightly and republished by Vanilla Heart Publishing in 2009 and has enjoyed a healthier reception.

Adam has managed to soften Davie's heart and he has taken her out on a bona-fide date. We're entering during a conversation they are having. By the way, I will probably just do this story for one, maybe two, more weeks. Your commentary has really helped me see the way I present my characters in a very different light and I hope the lessons learned will help my writing get stronger. Thank you.

"…and of course you don't want to get married," Davie really felt she was a long way off from that herself although she eventually did want a family.

"I used to think I didn't," he looked away and left his answer hanging.

"Adam," Davie waited for him to turn back to her, "why are we spending time together?"

He shrugged, "why not?"

"We both know that I'm not your usual type."

"Tell me what my usual type is," Adam grinned; his potent smile was enough to make Davie stammer.

"Uh, you know…older, pretty, sophisticated…and more experienced," she blushed slightly.

He answered her quietly, "you are very pretty, I thought you knew that Davie."

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

Courage of the Heart

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.

Audiobook

Smashwords
Amazon (print)  

(excerpt previously published Jan 2009, and yes, it comes AFTER the 8 sentences above))

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

"Really?" He looked really young and boyish for a moment.

"Of course." Davie laughed. "For some stupid reason I do care about what happens to you even though you keep on pushing me away."

"I'm sorry. Sorry about pushing you away, but not about you caring. I like to know that you care about me." He reached for her hand again. "So, what was the occasion for going home?"

Davie bit her lip. "The sixth anniversary of my mom's death."

"I'm sorry, Davie." Adam knew from the way Davie had talked about her mom that she still took her passing very hard. "I'm glad you were able to be there with your dad."

Davie shook her head and grimaced. "He didn't need me."

"Of course he did."

"Nope. What my father needed was privacy." She looked at Adam with a defensive smile. "I walked in on a lovers' tryst."

"What?"

"It seems that Daddy has a girlfriend and they're getting married."

"That's great!" He saw her hurt expression. "Isn't it?"

Davie stood up and began to pace around Adam's bed. "I guess so. I don't know." Sighing, she stopped at the foot of his bed. "I guess I just have to get used to it."

"You really are upset about this." He frowned.

Davie returned to the chair and leaned closer to Adam. It was comfortable to talk with him. "It's just that I never thought my father could love anybody except for my mom."

"It doesn't mean that he doesn't love her."

Trying Again - Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 05/25/14

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 Courage of the Heart. Courage of the Heart was originally published by Xlibris in 1999 (BEFORE they went full vanity press) - with no real marketing efforts from the publisher and before I knew much about the subject, it didn't do very well. However it was revised slightly and republished by Vanilla Heart Publishing in 2009 and has enjoyed a healthier reception.

Adam and Davie have reached a point of amicability and it makes working together a little easier. They are both still attracted to each other. Will they ever move beyond mere friendship into the kind of relationship they both really want?

As far as Davie was concerned, it was obvious that their relationship had no future anyway. There was nowhere for them to go as a couple, especially since she was relatively inexperienced in physical love; Adam's position on commitment, or lack of, was well known throughout the company. She did enjoy spending time with him though.

He had a gentle, vulnerable side that reached out to her as a woman. He had a rakish-quality that titillated her even if their physical relationship never went any further. His interest in her made her feel desirable even if, unfortunately, not enough to him. Even if it was only a fantasy, Davie wanted to be with him.

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

Courage of the Heart

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.

Audiobook

Smashwords
Amazon (print)  

When I write my stories I often think of who I would have playing the main parts as if it were a movie... okay, I admit, I just want to be prepared for that big movie deal, lol. (One never knows?)

Here is how I would cast

Courage of the Heart

Davie Prescott would be played by Anna Belknap

Adam Sherman would be played by Brandon Beemer

Can you see these actors as Davie and Adam?

What about family? - Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 05/18/14

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 Courage of the Heart. Courage of the Heart was originally published by Xlibris in 1999 (BEFORE they went full vanity press) - with no real marketing efforts from the publisher and before I knew much about the subject, it didn't do very well. However it was revised slightly and republished by Vanilla Heart Publishing in 2009 and has enjoyed a healthier reception.

Thanks to all of your insightful comments last week, I saw Adam's perseverance in a different light and it is a big help to me in my current WIP. This week I'm skipping ahead a bit - Adam and Davie are working on being friends again. This week we'll learn a little about Adam.

Adam, were you alone for Thanksgiving?" Davie was so used to big family gatherings on every holiday and the idea of being alone seemed abhorrent to her.

"I watched the game on TV."

"Alone?"

For the first time Adam had actually felt alone for the holiday; he kept wishing Davie had been by his side, "not everyone goes home for the holidays."

"It's just, uh," she hadn't meant to offend him, "I was just raised with a huge family and these colossal gatherings every holiday; I'm sorry if I offended you."

"We never really spent time with family. My mother usually worked the bar on holidays anyway and then later, it was just my father and me."

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

Courage of the Heart

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.

Audiobook

Smashwords
Amazon (print)  

E-book Club Discussion Packet: Courage of the Heart

(FREE Download)

Book Club Extras Packet includes author bio and photo, title information,
covers, discussion starters, and full color printable bookmarks.

Bid on a Bartlett’s Rule audiobook & 

raise money for Diabetes Research

I’m participating in Brenda Novak’s 10th Anniversary Online Auction for Diabetes Research – the auction runs through May and there are LOTS of terrific items being auctioned off; proceeds go to The Diabetes Research Institute.

AN AUDIO COPY OF BARTLETT’S RULE IS BEING AUCTIONED OFF. 

Adam is not giving up - Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 05/11/14

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 Courage of the Heart. Courage of the Heart was originally published by Xlibris in 1999 (BEFORE they went full vanity press) - with no real marketing efforts from the publisher and before I knew much about the subject, it didn't do very well. However it was revised slightly and republished by Vanilla Heart Publishing in 2009 and has enjoyed a healthier reception.

When we last read about Adam and Davie he was trying to apologize and Davie wasn't giving him much of an opportunity. He's persistent. She's stubborn. [creative punctuation has been used and I hope I counted correctly this week] :

         "You are a pompous…egotistical…self-serving…"

         "Can I help you fill in the blanks?" he was trying to get her to smile, Adam really thought she was gorgeous when she smiled, especially when the smile was for him; he was disappointed.

         She let out an exasperated sigh and sat down, "look, I've got exams at school all week, I don't need this harassment"; Davie was aware that her voice had risen and she had left the door open, "look Adam, I need this job, I can't afford to file complaints if you won't leave me alone here…please, leave me alone."

         "Okay, I screwed up again, I'll keep it out of the office," he sounded too patronizing.

         "That doesn't mean you can show up at my door again," she thought she saw him hiding a grin.

         "How about this weekend?"

         "I have plans, I'm going away."

Courage of the Heart

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.

Audiobook

Smashwords

Amazon (print)

Adam tries to apologize ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 5/4/14

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 Courage of the Heart. Courage of the Heart was originally published by Xlibris in 1999 (BEFORE they went full vanity press) - with no real marketing efforts from the publisher and before I knew much about the subject, it didn't do very well. However it was revised slightly and republished by Vanilla Heart Publishing in 2009 and has enjoyed a healthier reception.

Adam knows how badly he messed things up. He told Davie that he "can't be the first", but he can't tell her why. He's tried to apologize and Davie isn't willing to accept his regrets, she feels he's humiliated her. Davie has managed to avoid him at work, for the most part, when he suddenly shows up at her home uninvited.

          "I'm getting ready to go out, have a friend coming over," she started to push the door closed.

          He put his hand against the door to prop it open, "I promise you I won't keep you long."

          She looked at the watch on her wrist and shrugged, "keep it short."

          He followed her inside, "please Davie, take pity on me, I feel like a jerk already."

          'There's nothing I can do about that,” placing her hands on her hips Davie tried to ignore the trembling she felt inside; the same trembling she got whenever she saw him lately, "did you have anything…important…you had to say?"

          "I want to see you…"

          "Why?"

          He shrugged.

          "I'm still a virgin, Adam, so you're not interested, nothing has changed," she walked back to the door and put her hand on the knob to open it.

          "I guess I just like you, Davie," he hadn't been able to get her out of his mind. He had tried, but he hadn't even been able to bring himself to see anyone else since before the fiasco when they almost made love; that was a new experience for Adam Sherman, spending his nights alone, sitting in a movie house alone, dreaming of Davie and waking to take a cold shower…alone.

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

Courage of the Heart

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.

Audiobook

Smashwords

Amazon (print)

Looking back at this twice published work, the first time 13-years ago, I can see for myself how my writing style has changed and I hope improved. I received some nice reviews on this book so I am hoping that something in my writing way back then did work and I look forward to your comments.

From Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read with characters I cared about.

By Gloria Antypowich

Adam Sherman is a computer expert and a womanizer who is
dedicated to "Bedding but not Wedding." When he becomes
aware of Davie Prescott, a twenty year old student who works
part time at the same place that he does, he pursues her.

Davie feels an equal attraction, but she is not an average 20 year
old. When Adam makes his move to take her to bed, she
confesses that she is still a virgin. His reaction is the exact
opposite to what she might have expected; he is not thrilled that
he is her first. In fact he pulls away in shock and says he will not
make love to her. Then he gets out of the bedroom as fast as he

can.

Davie is humiliated and angered, assuming that her lack of
experience had been a turn off for him.

Adam is still attracted to her and tries to smooth the troubled
situation between them, but she is not willing to open up to him
again. Adam has a dark secret that he has been hiding, but
eventually his past catches up to him in his work place. He shares
his secret with Davie and is shocked that she doesn't turn away in
disgust; instead she is supportive.

Then he learns that she has been hiding a secret too. They both
have deep emotional wounds, and together they help each other
come to terms with the problems that have created turmoil in their
lives. Their commitment to each other gives them the courage to
face their problems and make a new life.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, full of twists and turns,
mystery, danger and tragedy. I cared for these two characters. I
was reminded again that sometimes people have no control over
the circumstances in their lives and without love and support from
family and community, they flounder in shame and fear.

Don't miss a great read. I'll be looking for more books from
Chelle Cordero.

Welcome to Courage of the Heart ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 04/27/14

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 Courage of the Heart. Courage of the Heart was originally published by Xlibris in 1999 (BEFORE they went full vanity press) - with no real marketing efforts from the publisher and before I knew much about the subject, it didn't do very well. However it was revised slightly and republished by Vanilla Heart Publishing in 2009 and has enjoyed a healthier reception.

The opening scene, actually the prologue, opens with our hero, Adam, and our heroine, Davie, in bed about to make love for the first time. However Davie confesses something to Adam... and his reaction is certainly not what she expected. Creative punctuation has been used (of course) so it is only 8 sentences:

  

Davie felt another shudder run through her, "but, I don't know…Adam, I," she inhaled sharply as she felt his fingers probing inside her, "Adam…I've never…"

For the first time Adam remained motionless, "never…what?"

"I've…never been with a man before," she sensed his withdrawal before he actually pulled away.

Adam's brow was furrowed, "what are you saying, Davie?"

The icy chill that Davie felt left her feeling embarrassed to be lying naked in bed with this man, she pulled the bedsheet over her exposed breasts, "I've never been with a man…before"

He sat upright in bed seemingly unaware that he was just as naked as she was, "are you telling me that you're a virgin?"

Davie sat up clutching the bed linens tightly to her body, "yes."

"Damnation," Adam got up from the bed angrily, "you couldn't have told me that before?"

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

Courage of the Heart

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.

Audiobook

Smashwords

Amazon (print)

 Adam Sherman has remained quiet about his scandalous past and is comfortable with his reputation as a womanizing and dedicated bachelor. He is an expert in the field of computers including programming, networking and hacking. At twenty-five years old, he is content with his management job at a local Internet Provider. Davie Prescott is twenty years old and a college student who is working part-time at the same Internet Provider where Adam is employed. She was raised in a very close knit family of aunts, uncles and cousins. She and her widowed father are very close. Adam is attracted to Davie, but he shies away from her innocence because he feels his shameful past is too harsh for her existence. Adam finally shares his darkest secret with Davie and is amazed to find that she doesn´t turn away from him. When Adam' s past catches up to him, he soon learns that there´s a lot more at stake than just his nightmares. Adam is prepared to give Davie up if need be in order to protect her until he learns that she´s got a secret of her own. With Davie´s help, Adam learns a courage that is born of love, courage of the heart.

More Chelle Cordero Audiobooks