The Perils of Being a Romance Author

Ever since my first book, Bartlett’sRule, was published in 2008, people have come to me to discuss “personal issues” thinking I would have the right words to help them reach their Happy-Ever-After. I only wish I had the advice to help them, but the truth is even my storybook characters have had to go through a lot of their own false starts and some mistakes before they found their true loves. The most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me because of the books I write was when the husband of one of my then close friends came to me to complain about his wife’s “performance” in the bedroom and wanted me to give him some advice to get her to be “willing to experiment”! Pushed for an answer I haltingly told him to just talk to her and tell her how he feels. (It was hard to look her in the face after that.)

The truth is that while many writers are told to “write what you know” we also have to use A LOT of creative imagination. I remember at a book discussion appearance for His Lucky Charm one audience member actually asked me if I was describing my husband in the love scenes! I think I turned beet-red right then and there. (I still refuse to answer that question, it will forever be a mystery.) I remember a fellow-romance writer friend whose husband refused to read any of her books because he was afraid if the hero wasn’t him he would be jealous. By the way, I have always used at least one of my husband’s traits in every hero I create, but I will never say which one it is.

Not all of my books are sexually explicit, and never just for shock value, I basically use what I feel is appropriate for the story. In my first EMS-based novel Final Sin the villain was a sexual predator so, yes, I went there. Then in my first paranormal story Karma Visited the two would-be lovers weren’t really ever together (until the very end) so there wasn’t exactly too much they could do; while the sexual innuendos went further in the sequel Annie’s Karma, the sex was still rather downplayed even while the passion was heated.

I love the idea that people like to read about passion and hot romance, it’s certainly one of my favorite book topics as well, but read the stories and let them get you in the mood. One couple I know (because one of them told me so) likes to read a chapter together and cuddle — I don’t ask what else they may do… Some women who have attended my book discussions have said that they like to read passionate, sexy stories because it gives them a wonderful escape from the mundane; that’s why I write romance. It’s not auto-biographical, it’s just a fictional story that enthralls me and I feel needs to be shared.

I hope you enjoy reading my stories as much as I like writing them.

visit Chelle Cordero on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords

When the author creates that persistent character…

The author in “writing mode” creates characters, situations and sometimes even whole worlds — when those creations seem to become real, so real that they won’t fade away without a struggle, it is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

I’ve known that joy and in some cases the characters were so persistent that even though I had already typed “The End” there was so much more to say.

The first time this happened to me was after I finished the story His Lucky Charm (by the way the original title was “Forgotten”). The story centered around Caitlyn and Brandon, their love affair, a wee bit of espionage, and their battle to get back to each other despite the dangers. There were a few supporting characters, aunt-&-uncle/step-parents Sylvia and Walter. This whole cast of characters continued in a sequel, Within the Law.

Tom Hughes fulfilled the big brother role for Caitlyn’s angst about Brandon, he was wise and supportive. At one point Brandon voices his surprise to Caitlyn that despite Tom’s strong family values he was going through life alone. That was the moment Caitlyn let Brandon know about Tom’s tragic past when his high-school girlfriend and fiancé was murdered and Tom had to say good-bye. I really liked Tom and I couldn’t help it, I actually worried about him. (Writers can be a strange breed, our imaginary friends become very real to us.) Tom deserved his own Happily-Ever-After.

And thus began 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.

Alli and Tom share a mutual and passionate attraction but Alli refuses to make any commitments. She is hiding a huge secret. Tom falls in love with her and pursues her despite a false arrest, kidnapping and attempt on his life.”

A similar story of persistence occurred after I finished Final Sin. The heroine of the story, Julie, was a paramedic, her paramedic partner Matt had decided he needed to move on career wise by the end of the book, He also had gotten married by the end of the book although we never met his wife. My story Hyphema focuses on Matt and his wife Sudah as they settle in at their new home and Matt’s new Job.

“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.”

Things were slightly different when I wrote Karma Visited and its sequel Annie’s Karma, both books focused on the same couple, Annie and Dave, and was truly a continuation of their journey. This was an interesting experience for me because I really got to see my characters’ growth in their circumstances and in their relationship with each other.

“Annie Furman moves on from her past and into her future with Undersheriff Dave Turner. Her gifts – or are they her curse? – grow stronger, and she finds out that she is not alone in the realm of astral travel. Dave saved her life, now she has to fight another ‘traveler’ to save Dave… if she survives.”

How about you? Have you ever read a story and wondered what happened in the future with one of your favorite characters?

So… do YOU believe in Karma?

 Karma Visited

Based on Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, Karma means “Good intent and good deed contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deed contribute to bad karma and future suffering.” [Wikipedia]  

Many people have beliefs that include phenomena that seem unexplainable, things that really can’t be proven beyond doubt. Even our major religions all refer to angels and spirits. Some people believe in, and might even have abilities, in ESP, a sixth sense, and contact with the afterlife. 

Annie travels in her sleep to help people, literal strangers. Who are we to say that someone might not be “sleep traveling”? Actually there is a more acceptable word for what my character, Annie, can do in Karma Visited — it’s called Astral Projection, also known as an Out-of-Body experience.

Annie doesn’t understand what’s happening to her; for some reason Dave can “see” her and neither of them can understand that either. But then that’s how my story develops and it’s exciting and even though I wrote it, I keep rooting for Annie and Dave to find a way to be together. (btw, their story continues in Annie’s Karma)

 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 & Thrive novels and Mature Romances

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also available in foreign translations
Portuguese ~ Italian ~ French ~ Spanish

Is it just a dream?

from Annie's Karma

“Tomorrow. He won’t know what’s coming.” The man sitting on the lower bunk was picking at his nails with a shiny blade.

“In the showers?” Another man had his back to her as he urinated in the stainless steel toilet in the corner.

“Yeah. The guards will keep everyone out.” He heard someone walking down the corridor and quickly stashed the metal razor under his mattress.

The men didn’t see Annie standing there, but then she was only dreaming. It looked like the inside of a prison cell. Even though she knew she was dreaming, she could still smell the rancid sweat and it nauseated her. She was glad they couldn’t see her. They were making plans to hurt someone – she needed to find out who that someone was.

“He’s gonna deserve what he gets. He’s gotta learn to respect the right people around here.”

“But we’re not gonna kill him though?”

“No. Just maim him real good. That’s what we got paid for.”

“Shit, I wouldn’t mind doing Furman in for good. Don’t like his ‘tude, thinks he’s better than everybody.”

Furman? Was this the prison Scott was in? Annie visited him once, but that was in the waiting room. That was the day they signed the divorce papers. She had to find him and warn him.

Annie slipped into the corridor and moved past each cell until she found him. He was in a cell by himself and huddled under a scratchy blanket in the bottom bunk, but he wasn’t sleeping. He looked scared, and thinner than she remembered. She actually felt sorry for him.

“Scott!” He didn’t hear her or see her. “Scott, you have to hear me.”

He lay on the mattress with his eyes open and stared right through her.

Annie's Karma buy links

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Do You Believe in Karma?

"My life changed after I died.
It’s not like I had any special powers.
They just didn’t understand me.
They underestimated me.
I had a gift."

an excerpt

The girl sobbed and Annie looked at her again. The girl was staring back at her. Her eyes were wide with fright.

“Can… you… see me?” Annie’s voice was shaky. Her dreams had always taken her to accidents, disasters, and the victim was always ready to die. Annie hoped this girl wasn’t going to die. This wasn’t an accident, this was evil. “Where are we?”

The young woman just continued to stare. Confused, Annie wasn’t sure the girl actually saw her, but when she moved she saw the other woman’s eyes following her. Then she wondered if the girl could hear the things that Annie said, maybe that was the problem.

“You do see me.” The girl still wouldn’t answer, she just cried. “Tell me what you can and I will try to get you help.”

No answer.

“I need you to tell me something, anything. Who are you? Where are we?” The girl cried harder. Annie was frustrated. She looked around the room, it began to spin. She closed her eyes and held her head.

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...available in English, French, Italian, Portuguese & Spanish

from Amazon http://amzn.to/2mQgjSr

...

the story continues...

Just saying HI with an update about my latest book

Things have been busy and hectic in real life lately and I realize that I haven't done as much posting as I'd like. I am very excited to have my third series out there, so far it's been very well received. I would be thrilled to hear what you think of it. (While you are at it, could you post a review?)

Have you checked out my latest book, Annie's Karma? 

Annie's Karma picks up where Karma Visited left off and we have a chance to follow Annie and Dave's relationship. Most importantly, we see that Annie is learning more about her unusual ability, how to control it AND that she is NOT the only one with that ability. It's a thrilling ride as she must defend herself and others against another superior astral traveler.

The Karma Series

If you like reading series books, then you might like reading two more sets I've written.

Final Sin is a tense thriller about a serial murderer. It's also a passionate love story between free spirited Paramedic Julie Jennings and strong willed Deputy Sheriff Commander Jake Carson and the danger they are both placed in finding the murderer. If you like suspense, EMS and crime novels...

Hyphema follows Paramedic Matt Garratti, Julie Jennings former partner, and his wife Sudah, a Pakistani Muslim immigrant, as they move their small family to North Carolina when Matt decides to pursue his dream job as a flight medic. Matt unwittingly crosses paths with a killer who sets his sight on revenge, but the local authorities can't see beyond the prejudice surrounding Sudah's presence. It's another thriller which includes EMS and the current topics of immigration and prejudice.

The EMS Series

One of my earlier books from Vanilla Heart Publishing, His Lucky Charm, told a tale of espionage and danger. Brandon Price tries to win back Caitlyn Smythe, the woman he loves, but his work and a jealous, obsessed co-worker get in the way.

In Within the Law Tom Hughes, Caitlyn's cousin that we met in His Lucky Charm, has his story. After losing the woman he loved to violence he had given up hope of ever feeling that way again — then he meets Alli Davis, the lawyer defending his fiance's murderer.

The Cousins Series

Chelle Cordero's books are available at:

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Please come join me on Facebook
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Introducing Annie's Karma by Chelle Cordero

After Karma Visited...

Annie's Karma by Chelle Cordero

Annie's Karma is the sequel to Karma Visited

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.

Excerpt from Annie's Karma:

“We just got into town. I haven’t had a chance to make any connections yet. I’m trying to get a job and I have to open a bank account. I just enrolled my son in the school.” Donna took the handwritten receipt from Annie’s hand. “Thank you. This apartment will be perfect. I’m grateful that you’re renting it to us.”

Donna explained to Annie that she and her four-year-old son were slowly meandering their way across the country, but she realized that the child needed a stable place to live instead of being on the move constantly. She was driving through and liked the small town atmosphere she noticed in Catawai. Donna told Annie that she was a recent widow and that her husband died of cancer, it was already very advanced when they discovered it. Neither she nor her late husband had any family. She wanted to move away and get a fresh start where there weren’t so many memories. She wanted someplace where her little boy could grow up without the constant reminders of a dad who was no longer there for him.

“There wasn’t much that Gene left us, but he had taken a small term life insurance policy, so at least I have cash in my pocket to pay our way for a bit without worrying too much.” Donna shrugged. “Hopefully I’ll get that job I interviewed for…”

Annie listened sympathetically and tried not to ask too many questions, but she noticed a look in Donna’s eyes that she thought she could understand even without knowing why. She couldn’t say for sure, but she knew that Donna wasn’t being entirely truthful. Annie suddenly realized why she felt connected with the woman. She wondered if she had ever had that same look during the years she needed to escape from Scott. Annie decided not to question Donna’s story, at least not for the time being. Maybe she could even find some way to help the other woman.

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Promise of revenge ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 09/11/16

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

A long, long time ago I shared a few snippets from my Paranormal Romantic Suspense, Karma Visited (only 5) - and we didn't get a full taste of this . Since I am working on a sequel and revisiting the story for myself, I'm sharing more with you and soaking up your comments.

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.

Last week, after an angry town meeting, Annie overheard her husband and his friend promising to "stop" anyone who got in their way.
Annie is confronted by an angry Sherry Pulaski in a local store.

This will probably be the last snippet from Karma Visited (maybe?). I will be sharing snippets from another story in a week (or two).

Creative editing (a.k.a. condensed to fit) alert!  Here are Ten lines...  

“You tell your husband and his buddies I am not backing down and you tell them to keep the hell away from my son’s school.”

“Is everything okay with your son?” Sherry’s son had Autism Spectrum Disorder, she and her husband fought to mainstream the boy in school and make sure he received every resource he was entitled to.

“Trying to take services away from an innocent child,” Sherry let out a loud sigh, “that’s low.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s going on?”

Sherry paused her tirade to look at Annie, “Yeah, I’m sure you don’t.”

“I don’t,” she wasn’t sure if she was believed or being mocked.

“Well you tell him that I’m not backing down, they try to hurt my son and they’ll get it back where it hurts.”

“I am so sorry, he’s a sweet little boy,” she was still confused, “who hurt him?”

“If your husband screws with me or my family, he’s got a whole world of hurt coming, I will stop them.”

~~~~~

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

My life changed after I died.

It’s not like I had any special powers.

They just didn’t understand me.

They underestimated me.

I had a gift.

Buy Links

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Amazon (Kindle)

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Apple iTunes

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InkTerra

~~~~~

Just Say No ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 09/04/16

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

A long, long time ago I shared a few snippets from my Paranormal Romantic Suspense, Karma Visited (only 5) - and we didn't get a full taste of this . Since I am working on a sequel and revisiting the story for myself, I'm sharing more with you and soaking up your comments.

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.

Here we are a few pages later and there is an ugly and angry town meeting going on about the pipeline and mall project. Sherry Pulaski has brought an expert environmental engineer and his comments have riled up the townspeople even more. Scott and his buddy (Old Man Hunter) are not happy.

(btw, last week Annie left suddenly because she was murmuring in her sleep and disturbed her husband who angrily woke her and told her to go sleep on the couch)

Creative editing (a.k.a. condensed to fit) alert!  Here are Nine lines...  

People were angry, Annie didn’t like what she was hearing, she had a bad feeling that Scott was deeply entrenched in whatever was being bullied through.

Annie saw Scott and Old Man Hunter in the back of the room, and they looked angry.

Led by Pulaski, the crowd started chanting “Just say no.”

Annie kept her mouth shut, she didn’t want to incur her husband’s wrath.

She followed the crowd as they filed out of the room when the meeting was over and walked up behind Scott and Hunter and overheard their angry comments.

“She’s got to be stopped and all of her damn compatriots, too.”

“Don’t worry, they will be,” Hunter reassured Scott.

“You’re still going ahead with the plan?”

They realized that Annie was there and stopped talking.

~~~~~

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

My life changed after I died.

It’s not like I had any special powers.

They just didn’t understand me.

They underestimated me.

I had a gift.

Buy Links

PayHip (pdf)

Kobo

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon (Kindle)

Amazon (Print)

Amazon (Audio)

Apple iTunes

Nook 

InkTerra

~~~~~

Disappearing act ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 08/28/16

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

A long, long time ago I shared a few snippets from my Paranormal Romantic Suspense, Karma Visited (only 5) - and we didn't get a full taste of this . Since I am working on a sequel and revisiting the story for myself, I'm sharing more with you and soaking up your comments.

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.

We are still in Annie's dream in Dave's living room. They've shared alot about the threat Annie has been living with. Dave offers to help her but she is afraid that will only make things worse. (I'm probably only going to share two more times from Karma Visited)

Creative editing (condensed to fit) alert!  Here are Eight lines...  

“You said you needed to disappear, does that mean I’ll never get to see you again?” Dave fidgeted uncomfortably, “this is only the second time I’ve talked with you but something tells me I really want to get to know you better, I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the other night.”

Annie chuckled, “I think maybe you couldn’t stop thinking about me just because no one else could see me.”

“Yeah, well, there was that,” he grinned, “are you able to come here whenever you want?”

“I don’t know, it worked this time, somehow.” Annie suddenly looked scared, “I’ve got to go.”

“Wait, when will I see you again?”

She was gone.

~~~~~

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

My life changed after I died.

It’s not like I had any special powers.

They just didn’t understand me.

They underestimated me.

I had a gift.

Buy Links

PayHip (pdf)

Kobo

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon (Kindle)

Amazon (Print)

Amazon (Audio)

Apple iTunes

Nook 

InkTerra

~~~~~