Heroes of Both Sexes

Several years ago I made the astonishing discovery that I liked putting my book’s heroes in the hospital… well maybe not liked, but I did it anyway. I even wrote a blog about it. Lately I have been giving my inclination to make my heroes suffer some more introspection.

While I admit I like to see all of my characters with a little touch of vulnerability (males and females) I have discovered what I enjoy more is the opportunity for one, or more, of my characters to step up, step forward, and shoulder some of the strength that is needed for everyone to pull through okay. 

Coming from a family filled with first-responders and military personnel, it is not strange at all for me to see courage, compassion and outright heroics from both the men and women that surround me. My close friends and family have displayed pure compassion, generosity, nurturing, encouragement and unbelievable skills in the face of any crisis, in response to any person (or animal’s) needs, and true caring (both emotional and physical) when someone needs the kindness.

I have tried to show both my heroes and heroines with strength and courage when their own partners need them or as an invincible team. The blurb for my book Annie’s Karma reads, “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.” This is the story of a strong man AND a strong woman.

I have several stories where the WOMAN steps up to save the day and her big, strong hunk can rely on her strength. In Within the Law, when Tom is accused of murder, the important lady in his life, who just happens to be a lawyer, defends him even risking her own professional reputation. In A Chaunce of Riches Ben finds out just how far Samantha was and is willing to go to save his life and protect him. Then there is Courage of the Heart where Davie’s love, trust and commitment to Adam saves him and gives him the ability to save them both.

I could tell you more but I think you get the point — I like strong men AND strong women. I like it when the ‘hero’ in HEROine does describe her. It’s okay to throw in a touch of damsel in distress, but it is also pretty wonderful when it is her man in distress and she is there to save the day. It is really great when two people are there for each other, it’s just that simple. Be a hero with your love, your attentiveness, your commitment and your courage. Be a hero for the people who depend on you most.

Please share some of the heroes in your life.

What is a MOM?

In the literal sense a MOM (Mother) is a female parent, traditionally it is assumed she is the woman who gave birth to a child although she may also have adopted a child. A mother shows maternal tenderness or affection to her child, she nurtures and helps care for a young human being to bring him/her into adulthood.

I would say it’s much more than that. There are blended families and step-moms, there are godmothers, aunts, grandmothers, and even sometimes older sisters who helped to raise a child. All of these roles can also nurture, show affection and tenderness, and all can raise a child.

In today’s world there are also some men who can and do raise children nurturing them, holding them and showing them tenderness, Single Dads. Same-sex couples. Two Moms, two Dads, it could be only one… EITHER one.

As a matter of fact card-producer Hallmark has put out cards that say Happy Mother’s Day, Dad and Happy Father’s Day, Mom. Gender and roles are not nearly as specific anymore. Several years ago artist Marshall Davis Jones introduced an expressive poem called I Spell Father M-O-T-H-E-R.  

A few more observations about Moms, I object to the idea that they are only involved in raising their children into adulthood. Yes, Mothers have to learn that their children be on their own when they become adults, begin jobs, and married; if they did a good job guiding them through adolescent and teens, they are probably pretty capable of living productive lives on their own. Still a Mom’s love never ends no matter what age their child is.

Finally let’s not discount Moms who care for and LOVE cats, dogs and other companion animals. There may be a difference between human and animal children, no one pretends otherwise, but there is still true love, concern, and nurturing — and that spells MOM in my book.

Sending you Happy Mother’s Day wishes to all Nurturers from the Moms and others in my books. With love from Sudah (Hyphema), Deanna (Hostage Heart), Davie (Courage of the Heart), Alli (Within the Law), Sam (A Chaunce of Riches), Layne (Common Bond, Tangled Hearts), and, of course, ME.

Hyphema

KINDLE  ~  B&N  ~  SMASHWORDS  ~  APPLE

Hostage Heart

KINDLE  ~  B&N  ~  SMASHWORDS  ~  APPLE

Courage of the Heart

KINDLE  ~  B&N  ~  SMASHWORDS  ~  APPLE

Within the Law

KINDLE  ~  B&N  ~  SMASHWORDS  ~  APPLE

A Chaunce of Riches

KINDLE  ~  B&N  ~  SMASHWORDS  ~  APPLE

Common Bond, Tangled Hearts

KINDLE  ~  B&N  ~  SMASHWORDS  ~  APPLE

25 hours left in the #EMSWeekBookChallenge ~ Win AudioBooks

Contest is Over, Thank you!
25 hours left in the #EMSWeekBookChallenge!!!
(follow links for clues)

#EMSWeekBookChallenge ~ scrambled character: anaStace mhaCunh  http://bit.ly/1elKuKl

#EMSWeekBookChallenge ~ scrambled character: rCkJ aneaso http://wp.me/plEZO-Q9 

#EMSWeekBookChallenge ~ scrambled character: Fnria nemnuA http://wp.me/plEZO-Q6 

#EMSWeekBookChallenge ~ scrambled character: yeelt LanlietG http://wp.me/plEZO-Q2 

#EMSWeekBookChallenge ~ scrambled character: ritM atttGraa http://wp.me/plEZO-PZ 

Memorable Characters

Do you remember...

Some of the more memorable characters today come from television commercials. Some popular favorites include Flo the Progressive Girl (Stephanie Courtney), the Geico Gekko, Jan from Toyota (Laurel Coppock), the Allstate Voice (Dennis Haybert), and Old Spice (Isaiah Mustafa… ooh-la-la!).

Stephanie Courtney

Check out a list of 20 Of The Most Recognizable Commercial Actors and go back, back in time with a long list of commercial characters and the actors who played them at List of American advertising characters. Who remembers the Taco Bell Chihuahua?  Or how about Savarin coffee’s El Exigente played by Carlos Montalban? My personal favorite oldie was Barbara Feldon’s (Agent 99) Top Brass Dandruff prevention commercial before the Maxwell Smart days 

 

I’ve created characters in my novels and I hope at least some of them will become as memorable as these commercial characters. While each character is dear to me, there are a few I think of most often from past works –

I think of Samantha Chaunce who gave the only thing she had to give to help the man she loved and I think of Ben Johnson’s hurt over what he thought was Sam’s betrayal (A Chaunce of Riches).

I think of Tom Hughes, a man who thought he would never fall in love again until he meets Alli Davis the lawyer who is defending the man who killed Tom’s fiancé (Within the Law).

I think of Julie Jennings whose life’s vocation as a paramedic is saving lives when she becomes the coveted subject of a vicious stalker and I think of Sheriff Jake Carlson who is in love with Julie and trying to stop the stalker before he kills again (Final Sin).

And so often I think of Janis Phelan and Jerry Stein, friends, patrol partners, and more in my short story More Than A Friend (The Many Faces of Chelle Cordero); these two were originally born to tell a story long before my first novel ever made it into print.

I hope that my characters will be memorable to readers long after they close the covers of my books — or power down their e-reader. I’d like to know that I managed to bring heroes and heroines to life and that they will be remembered — and yes, I hope the author will be remembered, too.

Smashwords

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

PayLoadz

Welcome to A Chaunce of Riches - Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 10/19/14

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 everyone to a snippet from A Chaunce of Riches (it is NOT a misspelling...) A Chaunce of Riches asks the hard question, how far would YOU go in the name of love? 

I previously posted the first 999 words to A Chaunce of Riches in the  First Page Review blog hop; if you haven't read it yet, click HERE. 

Ben just let Sam know what he thought of her - and it was not complimentary. He accused her of abandoning him because she was money hungry.

She managed to draw in a deep breath and as she let it out slowly she felt in control of her emotions again, “well, now that you've voiced your opinion of me,” she stopped to swallow as she heard her voice catch. Even though she expected it, it was too painful to hear how much he still despised her, “I’d like to get back to the purpose of our meeting...” There was no way she could let him know that the coldness that crept into her voice was all an act.

Ben snorted and shook his head, “Sam, you know this isn't going to work.” He knew he should have called her Mrs. Chaunce, but this was Sam. “I can’t stay by your side twenty-four hours a day protecting you.” He read some of the threats she had received, he had also seen police reports of vandalism and intrusions both here and at her office.

“I don’t want you to protect me, you’re here to protect my son.”

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

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.

Review

Samantha Chaunce has had a lot going on with her life. First, her husband Julian passes away from a massive heart attack, and then she starts receiving threatening messages. When her firm hires a security guard, Sam figures it will at least help protect her and her eight year old son.

Ben Johnson loves his job, but he is not too happy about taking a job dealing with the wealthy widow of Chaunce Publications. Then he sees Sam and realizes his ex-girlfriend and first love is the woman he is supposed to be protecting.

Sam is stunned to realize her love for Ben never died. He seems to feel the same way, at first. But when her wealth and secrets from their past come back to rip apart their new found love, it will test not only their trust for one another, but their very lives. An unforeseen enemy, one who is closer than Sam thinks, comes forward with an evil plan to annihilate her and point the crime at Ben. Will Ben be able to stop the evildoer before it is too late to save Samantha, her son, and prove his innocence?

A Chaunce of Riches is a great read full of both pros and cons. Ms. Cordero starts the story off with enough tension in the air to crackle the pages, but it soon tapers down just a bit. However, it was not long before I found myself wrapped up in the exchange of emotions and sensual pull between Ben and Sam. When the suspense continued to build to an almost breaking point, it made this good story that much better. This is the type of novel that will have a reader knowing who the bad guy is but unwilling to put the book down, and you will not want to because you will miss out on a skillfully written story!

Danielle, Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

BUY LINKS

AUDIO –   http://www.amazon.com/A-Chaunce-of-Riches/dp/B00IXWZIDQ 

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 our Great Listen Guarantee
• Total flexibility - cancel, pause or upgrade membership easily and whenever you like

PRINT

http://www.amazon.com/Chaunce-Riches-Chelle-Cordero/dp/0615986994

Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Chaunce-Riches-Chelle-Cordero-ebook/dp/B002VBWDN8

Smashwords Direct

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/5422

AllRomance

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-achaunceofriches-365553-152.html

Kobo

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-chaunce-of-riches

Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-chaunce-of-riches-chelle-cordero/1019258437

and the FREE Book Club Discussion Packet with full color printable bookmarks, author bio and photo, discussion starters, and synopsis –  http://store.payloadz.com/details/1779151

***Please Note***

(added 10/20/2014)

It was pointed out to me that I had previously posted snippets from A Chaunce of Riches so next week I will move on to another book...

In the meanwhile if this snippet intrigued you, here's a list of the ACOR snippets I previously posted. (sorry about that...)

12/8/13 WEWRIWA 

12/15/13 WEWRIWA

12/22/13 WEWRIWA

WeWriWa 12/28/2013

Ben is fighting his need 01/05/14

After the lovemaking 01/12/14

The Plot Thickens 01/19/14

The detectives are fishing 01/26/14

Will they ever mend their relationship? 02/01/14

The last snippet from ACOR 02/08/14

#TBT: Author Spotlight – Chelle Cordero

Originally posted on the VHP Book Tours blog on February 19, 2014

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

I love the idea of people reading the words I write and considering the ideas I pen. I feel a literal thrill every time I see my name on a book or as a byline to an article. It is an astonishing feeling to get people thinking and feeling.

What do your fans mean to you?

My fans and all of my readers are the people I reach out to every time I write. They are the people I look to communicate with, they are the people I write for.

If you were to write a series of novels, what would it be about?

I would probably write a series of novels about Emergency Services, especially medical. I spent nearly three decades myself as a volunteer NYS Certified Emergency Medical Technician responding via an ambulance to all forms of medical and traumatic emergencies; my husband has also been a volunteer EMT and both of our offspring are career EMS. I also spent several years as a volunteer with the NYC Auxiliary Police (where I finally got together with my husband) and I have a lot of folks I care about in fire services. Emergency responders (paid or volunteer) put their own lives on the line constantly and have my complete admiration, respect and gratitude – they help to ensure the welfare of our homes and communities. I’ve already written two EMS stories, Final Sin and Hyphemaand I probably will write more.

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.

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.

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 Sheriff 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
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.

Sneak Peek Video

http://ChelleCordero.com

Unanswered Prayers - #MondayBlogs

“Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers”

~ Garth Brooks

How many of your childhood dreams and plans actually came to be? Is your life today very different from the way you imagined it would be? And how many of you are much happier now than you thought you ever would be?

While dating my 7^th grade boyfriend I filled my school notebooks with scribbles of “Mrs. Stephen H*****” and “Chelle H*****” – obviously it wasn’t meant to be. Later in my years I did allow my dreams to wander about committing myself to one man; fortunately I was never able to force a “yes” past my lips when he asked and as time went on and I saw his true character I understood my reluctance. In the meanwhile I met my husband and swore I couldn’t stand him! But I did go out with Mark (don’t ask, I thought he was joking when he asked me out!) and by our second date I was in love; we were engaged within two weeks.

At the tender age of young adulthood we KNEW what our plans were and all of the things we were going to do. There is a Yiddish proverb “Man plans and God laughs” – even when you are set on a goal and even know what you want, the forces and influences around you are not necessarily in tune with those expectations. So you adjust and continue forging ahead with (hopefully) no regrets and at some point in your life you look back and realize that while it may not be what you THOUGHT you wanted, you have everything you really need.

Unanswered prayers are indeed the greatest gifts.

Characters in several of my books have found that life’s surprises can lead to wonderful happy ever afters. Sometimes a twist of fate, even though at the time it may seem painful, but when we take everything we’ve been given and make the most of it, our lives often turn out being wonderful. Don’t dwell on the things you think are disappointments.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” ― Charles R. Swindoll

Get a FREE Sampler of My Novels - the first 4 chapters of each!

Download for FREE

This Chelle Cordero sampler is free for your enjoyment. All of Chelle’s great books are available in both print and ebook editions for every reading device, through online retailers and in select bookstores around the world. Audiobooks available at Amazon, iTunes, and Audible. Four chapters each of Ten Chelle Cordero Novels...

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.

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.

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 Sheriff 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 ~ 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.

Buy Links for my Novels

Smashwords

Amazon

All Romance

Barnes&Noble

#Throw Back Thursday - reposted from May 4, 2010

an interview by Kathryn Attalla

Author Chelle Cordero

as interviewed by Kathryn Attalla

Chelle has written some memorable stories over the years. Her books include Bartlett’s Rule, Forgotten, Within the Law, Courage of the Heart, Hostage Heart, A Chaunce of Riches & most recently Common Bond,Tangled Hearts. Her murder-mystery thriller, Final Sin, was published in May 2009.

I was lucky enough to steal her away from her very busy schedule to answer a few questions..

How long have you been in the business?

• It’s hard to decipher which part of “the business” started when. For a few actual dates, I had my first published newspaper article when I was just 18, but I didn’t pursue writing on a full time basis until I was pregnant with my first child; luckily since I freelanced I was able to work from home. I always said that I wanted to “grow up and become a novelist” but I didn’t have my first book actually published until 2001.

Are you a plotter or pantster?

• Definitely a pantser – I’m much too unorganized and random to do anything by outline. Besides I have a tendency to allow my characters to make their own decisions and write their own stories.

Do you write multiple drafts or barely need revisions when typing The End?

• I usually have to do only grammatical and spelling edits on my manuscripts. Since my characters write their stories I find that I rarely have much to say, I just make sure it flows.

What's a typical writing day like for you?

• Very random. I always start my day (whatever hour that may be) by checking and responding to email. Next I move on to social networking and blog updates – this takes me a few hours between email and blogging. That’s when I finally start writing, but if I am working on a deadline (most often for my non-fiction work) I deal with that first. During the “work day” I go in and out of each project as the brain functions – if I am stymied in one project I move to another to keep the words flowing.

What kind of promotion do you do and why?

• I blog, do social networking (FaceBook, Twitter, MySpace and forums), send out press releases and participate in several events which promote writers as a group (hand-outs of promo materials like cards, brochures, etc.)

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life (i.e., day job, family, etc.)?

• Ah, but that would be implying that I have balance in my life… Since my “day job” is a full time freelance writer, my romance writing fits in very well. As I said above I flit between writing projects as ideas strike. My husband’s work hours vary (he is a freelance photographer and AV technician) and my kids are independent adults and not demanding of my time – I can decide to “work” whenever I feel around the clock.

Where do you get your ideas for a romance novel?

• Life. I look around me and observe people and I let my imagination run wild. I use my own daily experiences (not necessarily all romantic!) and build on little bits. I naturally like to embellish events and stories – if nothing else, everyday becomes very interesting.

How important is it for you to have a critique partner?

• I don’t really work with a critique partner for the most part. I enjoy having someone I can bounce ideas off of – like my sister – because talking out loud sometimes brings that “aha!” moment.

If your book was made into a movie, which actors would you like to see play your characters?

• I almost always cast my characters, especially my heroes, while I am writing because it helps me to focus on the person – in A Chaunce of Riches I would want Ben to be played by Galen Gering (he plays Rafe on Days of Our Lives) and Samantha by a young Mary Page Keller.

What do you know now about writing/publishing that you wished you knew before The Call?

• I wish I had known more about marketing and promotion – my first book (the original version of Courage of the Heart) published in 2001 sold very few copies. I didn’t know how to get my name out there nor did I have a realistic expectation of what publishers and authors do to promote the stories. I’ve made it a point to learn and between my new-found knowledge and a very supportive publisher, I can certainly see the difference.

*******

*special note: Kat interviewed me on the Hudson Valley Romance Writers website in January 2010, she's given me permission to re-post this interview here.

Thanks Kat!

Skeletons in the Closet

     I just had a really good chuckle reading a quote from George Bernard Shaw,

"If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you'd best teach it to dance."

This particular phrase has a funny, special memory for me...

Just weeks before my wedding, my then fiance and I were in my bedroom in my parents' Bronx apartment - he was sitting on my bed while I was packing clothing and getting ready to move into OUR new home, a one bedroom and overpriced apartment in the Hudson Valley.

Mark thought he was being cute when he said, with a straight face, "Well I guess I should have asked before, but we're getting married soon so I can't put it off any longer. Do you have any skeletons in the closet I should know about?"

I looked at him and then at my CLOSED wardrobe door (actually two sliding doors), he couldn't understand my surprised expression. Before he could reassure me that he was only joking, I slid one of the wardrobe doors open - and there, hanging carefully on the closet rod, was a life size cardboard Halloween skeleton! He almost fell off of my bed.

What Mark didn't know was that my parents always allowed me to set up the entry hallway for Halloween. I had rigged this skeleton to come rushing towards the door when I opened it - it always elicited excited shrieks from the little trick-or-treaters. LOL, I never expected to shock my future husband!

We all have some kind of skeleton in our closet - everyone has something to be embarrassed about, some have regrets, and a few have outright horror at the thought of discovery. It's the same for each of my characters - take Tom Hughes from Within the Law for instance...

Tom is easily my favorite hero from any of my books because he is soooo human. He is endearing, a truly good guy, but he is certainly not an angel! Tom has things in his past that he would prefer not having to admit to, things that get broadcast in a packed courtroom when he shows up to TRY to put his high school girlfriend's murderer away. And he has a temper, oy such a temper, that he manages MOST TIMES to control, but loses it during a face-to-face with the lowlife who took the girl away from him.

Tom is not the only one of my characters to have something to hide: Brandon Price in His Lucky Charm wants to hide his privileged upbringing and estranged relationship with his father; in A Chaunce of Riches Samantha Chaunce has to hide the reason she left Ben and married Julian; Adam Sherman in Courage of the Heart is ashamed of his past and worries that he is going to lose Davie once she finds out about it; and in Karma Visited Annie Furman needs to keep her unique gift hidden for fear of ridicule and worse.

Do you have a skeleton in your closet?

Please don't post any true confessions, lol, but think about it; what secret do you have in your past that you would really rather be kept as a buried secret? Was your secret ever exposed and if so how did you cope with it - with a head held high or a face redder than cherries?

And if you really, really need to share, please feel free to comment below.