Charlie issues his demands ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 10/25/15

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 Every week writers post 8-to-10 sentences on their blogs from a published or unpublished book.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

My entry this week is from 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. 

Last week Justin was drugged on morphine and beaten until 2 ribs were broken, the PI his family hired to find Layne went missing, and Charlie had Layne and Dennis kidnapped and brought to his house in Philadelphia.

This will be the last week I'm posting from Common Bond, Tangled Hearts as I've reached the permitted limit... 

  (the following has been creatively edited to fit)  ...and now the eight nine:

Charlie had almost every toy a six-year-old boy could ever want, Dennis felt like he had been let loose in his own personal toy store. Layne regretted the fact that she hadn’t been able to provide a better life for her son so that he wouldn’t have been bewitched by the glitter.

Layne was waiting in Charlie's study just as he had instructed, he made it sound ominous.

Charlie finally walked into his den and closed the door behind him.

He tossed a large envelope onto the coffee table in front of her, "before we start our discussion I would suggest you look inside that folder."

She opened the envelope and gasped. Inside were photos, obviously taken through the fire escape window the night before, there were graphic shots of her and Justin making love.

"It's a shame that you and your lover didn't pull the blinds. Unless you cooperate, you will find yourself out on the street once again while I raise the boy without you."

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

About 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.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect… at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won’t give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie’s ugliest demands.

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon.com (print)

Kindle from Amazon

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Barnes & Noble

 ~~~~~

Trick or Treaters stop by on Oct. 26, 2015. 

Meet the authors and stick around for the party and you'll have a chance to win some treats.

This is a Virtual Party on Facebook

from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT)

I'll be there from 12:30-1PM to chat and give away prizes!
(that's 3:30-4PM EST)

Justin needs a plan - Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 10/18/15

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

My entry this week is from 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. 

Justin returns to his apartment to figure out what to do to get Layne back... and to heal. He calls on Larry Davis, the family attorney; they previously had words about his pursuing Layne and it didn't end well.

  (the following has been creatively edited to fit)  ...and now the eight nine ten:

Justin went straight to his apartment, if he showed up at the office or at the house he'd have far too much explaining to do. His face looked battered, one eye was black and his cheek was bruised and swollen, that was just what was visible; his heart was battered beyond belief.

He made a phone call to Larry Davis, he needed Larry's help.

Justin peeled back his shirt to look at his side again, the angry bruising on his rib cage was just as ugly as it felt. He was downing another three Ibuprofen when his doorbell rang; if he were lucky it would be Larry, if it were an answer to his prayers it would be Layne.

Larry was at the door, he looked at Justin’s bruises, "what the hell happened to you?"

"It would seem that I pissed somebody else off," Justin said wryly.

“You left the message that you needed my services," Larry noticed Justin's grimace as he turned, "you really are hurt."

"I'll live," Justin sat gently, "Layne and Dennis were kidnapped this morning, although everyone would like to think that she went back to her husband."

"The PI’s report never said anything about a husband, by the way our PI is missing."

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

About 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.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect… at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won’t give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie’s ugliest demands.

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon.com (print)

Kindle from Amazon

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Barnes & Noble

 ~~~~~

There is a scene in my novel Karma Visited (one of the dream sequences) where the heroine watches a large group of bedraggled and soaking wet people entering a shelter after a devastating storm and flood ~ this scene was stolen in full from my own memory of Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

A section of my hometown in New York's Hudson Valley was devastated by the high tides, pouring rain and violent winds. Homes that sat alongside the majestic Hudson River were literally washed away; other homes, more inland, suffered downed trees crashing through rooftops. In total nearly 100 residents had no where else to go and needed shelter to ride out the rest of the storm and to live temporarily until other arrangements could be made. It was heartbreaking.

As an Executive Board Member of our local ambulance corps it was my responsibility to liaison with the town and emergency services to set up a shelter for the displaced. The night the storm was at its worst, while my husband, son and daughter-in-law were riding the rigs and rescuing people from the high waters, I stood in the hallway of our building with other volunteers when a busload of frightened residents were dropped off and I watched them come down the hall - the memory remains burned into my mind.

Writers are often told to write what they know - I did. 

Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc three years ago this week

And thank you to all the volunteers who left the comfort & safety of their own homes to help.

Annie was standing at the end of a long hallway. A group of people were walking towards her. She noticed tear streaked faces and vacant eyes that had already seen too much. One woman was holding a toddler to her chest; both of them were soaked through and shivering. A young girl was holding a calico cat; the cat clung to her, and both of them looked scared. Arms around the furry feline, paws around the little girl’s neck, both of them looked like all they had in the world was each other. Silent tears were rolling down the girl’s cheeks.

The destination for the mass of bedraggled storm victims was a rickety table. Two women sat there asking gentle questions and taking names. As the evacuees signed in they were ushered into the room behind the table. A man brought in a heavy wool blanket and wrapped the woman and toddler in it. Through the tears and anxious whispers Annie heard the words rain, tornadoes and death. The shocked expressions and quivering voices bore testimony to the fierce winds of the monsters that left devastation in their path.

Looking around the room now teeming with both the rescued and the rescuers, Annie saw trophies and photos of uniformed men and women marching next to fire trucks and ambulances. The local fire department opened its doors as a shelter for the survivors of the storm. Even the heroes who were doling out blankets, hot coffee and comfort looked scared and overwhelmed. Every now and then she saw a shelter worker offer a consoling and light touch on the arm, a hug, a shoulder – human touches that were beyond her ability. Annie wondered why she was there, what she could do to help them.

The evacuees clung to family members and friends who walked in with them. She heard people crying as they spoke about homes that collapsed around them. A few people stood and shouted random names with passionate pleas for any information. A shelter volunteer began handing out dry clothes for people who needed, others got blankets and toiletries, a few of the very young were given stuffed animals and toy trucks. A non-stop stream of coffee, juice boxes and cookies were offered all around. People sat at tables clutching their new possessions, an armful of material things that represented all they owned.

Karma Visited

Trying to keep a brave face on - Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 10/11/15

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

My entry this week is from 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. 

A scene switch follows Justin's frustration at the police station. We're picking up a few lines later; Layne and her son Dennis are in the back of a limo headed into Philadelphia where Charlie lives

  (the following has been edited to fit)  ...and now the eight nine ten:

"Mommy, why are you crying?"

Layne told her son that they were going to live with an old friend of hers in a big house with lots of good things around them; she was trying very hard not to let him feel the same loss and fear that she was feeling.

"Will Justin come to visit?"

"N... no, I don't think he'll be able to, but I'm sure he'll be thinking about you a whole lot."

She was shattered; she knew she'd never again see Justin. When they threatened to give Justin a lethal injection on top of the one that already had him unconscious, Layne would have given up her own safety, even her own life, if it had just been her, but she had Dennis to think about.

"I want Justin to visit me," Dennis whined. "Can I call him and ask?"

"We'll have to see," she knew Charlie would never allow that.

Layne hadn't been back there since the evening Charlie took her to the doctor, she had hoped she'd never have to return.

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

About 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.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect… at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won’t give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie’s ugliest demands.

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon.com (print)

Kindle from Amazon

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Barnes & Noble

 ~~~~~

I am so proud of the publishing group I belong to

Download a FREE
Vanilla Heart Publishing Fall 2015 Catalog

Vanilla Heart Publishing Fall Catalog 2015 contains direct live links for Audiobooks, Print Editions, and Ebook Editions currently available, by Chelle Cordero, Lauren Shiro, Malcolm R. Campbell, Charmaine Gordon, Angela Kay Austin, Tamara Philip, Neva Squires-Rodriguez, Gwendolyn Jensen-Woodard, and Paul Zunckel. PLUS links to Chelle Cordero's books on Writing and the Business of Being a Writer, and a special tribute collection on Domestic Violence and Survivors by Namid.

They're gone ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 10/04/15

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
& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group

My entry this week is from 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. 

Justin finally wakes up in the alley next to the building he just exited. Still woozy he stumbles back to Layne's apartment to find her gone. Her clothing and Dennis' things are gone, but the few items she was sentimental about are still there. The nosy neighbor tells him that Layne and Dennis left in the company of some men; Layne said something about going home. 

  (the following has been edited to fit)  ...and now the eight nine ten:

More than once, Justin had to repeat his slurred words; the police officer he was speaking to was hanging up his phone.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ross, it doesn't look like they're missing after all. Miss Gillette wrote a very clear letter of resignation to her boss, he's faxing a copy here now, and she notified the school that she was taking her son out." He turned his attention to the fax machine nearby, "that should be the letter."

According to the words she had written on the paper Layne was taking her son home after having a wonderful reconciliation with her husband, then she thanked her boss and apologized that she hadn't given him two weeks’ notice.

Justin didn't care what had been written, "They beat me up to keep me out of the way so they could kidnap them."

The police officer looked at Justin, "Mr. Ross, it's obvious that you were mugged and if you'd like to file a report..."

"I wasn't mugged."

"I think you should just go home and forget about this woman."

Justin was dismissed; no one would believe that Layne and Dennis were taken against their will. 

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

About 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.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect… at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won’t give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie’s ugliest demands.

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon.com (print)

Kindle from Amazon

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Barnes & Noble

    ~~~~~~~~

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

and this is a theme that is built into the story of
Common Bond, Tangled Hearts

SAFETY ALERT:

If you are in danger call 911.
Or reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline 
at 1­-800-799-7233 or TTY 1­-800-787-3224.

REVIEW THESE SAFETY TIPS.

NCR

Too late? ~ Weekend Writing Warriors / #8sunday / 09/27/15

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
& check out the
Facebook Snippet Sunday group

My entry this week is from 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. 

After a passionate night (and morning) Justin gets dressed to leave, as promised, before Dennis is brought home.

  (the following has been edited to fit)  ...and now the eight nine ten:

"I'll be back in a few hours and I'll drive Dennis to school," he carefully donned his clothing. He kissed her and then was out the door, Layne stretched languidly and went back to sleep.

He was thinking how great it had been to wake up next to her as he trotted down the stairs and out the building exit onto the still dark morning street; the blow came from behind and knocked him to the ground.

Dazed, Justin tried to get up when he was kicked in the side; the sharp, stabbing pain knocked the breath out of him. Trying to block the blows, he realized there was more than one and he couldn't fend off all the punches and kicks, he fought a valiant fight, but there were three of them. He was struggling not to lose consciousness, a tight band was being wound on his arm. Through a swollen eye he saw the needle and felt the pinch as a hot fluid was squeezed into his vein.

"Keep your hands off what doesn't belong to you."

He heard those words through the fog that began to form in his head, they ran towards the street. Justin used the last of his strength to try to stand, he needed to get to Layne, he knew they were going after her; he fell and didn't get up again.

For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to: 

www.wewriwa.com

About 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.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect… at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne’s abusive “ex-husband” shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won’t give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie’s ugliest demands.

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats)

Amazon.com (print)

Kindle from Amazon

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Barnes & Noble

    ~~~~~~~~