The Inspiration Behind Hostage Heart

In 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated areas of the Gulf Coast. There were more than 1800 fatalities from Katrina alone and the majority of New Orleans was underwater when the levees broke. It was a total nightmare as horror scenes of destruction and tales of families torn apart were broadcast over all of the news channels.

Many viewers felt helpless as we watched and prayed for all of the victims. Collections of money and resources were started to try to help in the recovery. So many emergency responders went to the devastation and worked around the clock rescuing survivors, digging victims out of the flooded rubble, and eventually helping to rebuild. The Army Corps of Engineers worked on restoring the levees.

My husband was a part of a federal medical team, his team spent tours of three weeks in the various areas — he went twice to the New Orleans area and environs to provide medical assistance. When he finally came home to stay he told us about the wonderful people he met, people whose spirits should have been trampled, but instead they cared about each other, they were looking forward to rebuilding, and they even brought vats of Louisiana home cooking as a thank you to the folks who were bandaging and tending to their medical needs.

The spirit of the people in Louisiana was both admirable and amazing. Those stories remained with me and grew into the heroine's sweet mother and father. And of course being a New Yorker myself I threw the streets of the city into the mix... added a crime, a sexy stranger and Hostage Heart was born. I had a lot of fun studying the contrast of New York-ese and the Cajun dialect. Hostage Heart begins in New York and travels to Baton Rouge and Little Rock, Arkansas. (I love researching new destinations for my stories!)

Life was hard after the hurricanes swept through, destroying her parents' home and livelihood...Deanna did the only thing she could do. She moved to New York City, found a job, worked hard, scrimped and saved to send what little she could manage back home to Louisiana to her parents.

An errand for her boss - a chance encounter with a crew of bank robbers - a kind man who tried to help her and deserved her courageous help in return...

But he wasn't the man she thought he was...no, he was so very much more!

To purchase:

KINDLE

AMAZON PRINT

NOOK

B&N PRINT

APPLE

KOBO

SMASHWORDS

AUDIOBOOK

Art Imitating Life? …or Vice-Versa?

Common Bond, Tangled Hearts

by Chelle Cordero

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.

~ ~ ~

Often I find that my writing touches on very hot topics for today’s world — honest, I’m not doing it on purpose, or maybe I am?

I like to write Contemporary Romantic Suspense, I guess I find it easier to relate to since it is here and now (although I often enjoy reading historical romances and other genres). But sometimes when I write these stories the topic, while still quite relevant, isn’t always as hot as it could be and then there are the times when I am shocked by how close my FICTIONAL story and real life collide.

[When I wrote my novel Hyphema, a thriller involving a Pakistani immigrant and prejudice, I wrote a scene where the immigrant was pretty much accused of hiding Bin Laden in Pakistan. During the week between the e-book release and the print release Bin Laden was actually found and killed in Pakistan! I was very surprised. That book was the most CURRENT EVENT I ever wrote, so far.]

There are book club discussion packets for almost all of my books, this is one of the “questions” from the Common Bond, Tangled Hearts discussion packet:

Each state has laws regarding the minimum age for a woman or man in order to marry by their own consent. Several states also have individual laws whereby a parent or legal guardian can consent for an underage minor to be permitted to marry. What is the minimum age to marry in your state? Do you think there are inherent problems when one or both members of a couple are very young? What do you think is a healthy age for marriage? If you are married, how old were you when you said “I do”?

I am sure that you’ve been following some of the arguments regarding “child brides”. Just this week there was an article about one state’s Senate bill moving through legislation while there were those trying to block it. Within the state, all over the media and across the Twitter-verse, there were heated words and lots of name calling. This is a situation in more than just this state – how old does a girl have to be before being married (often) to a much older man? Many of these children have been “given” in marriage with parental consent and sometimes by mothers who themselves were child brides.

Maybe the story in Common Bond, Tangled Hearts will get people thinking? I guess this is just one of the stories (unintentionally) ripped from the headlines, it sure does seem to be a story about the times we live in.

Buy Links

KINDLE

AMAZON PRINT

NOOK

B&N PRINT

APPLE

KOBO

SMASHWORDS

This Mardi Gras season, read a book about a Louisiana gal

Mardi Gras History and Traditions

Mardi Gras is about music, parades, picnics, floats and excitement.  It's one big holiday in New Orleans!

Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold, and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. You'll see a lot of crazy costumes, kids everywhere, and both locals and visitors having a great time.  People sit on the ground, throw balls, play music, eat great food and watch the crowds walk by between parades.  During Mardi Gras, all of the businesses and roads are practically shut down.  People walk everywhere and meet new friends.

Deanna Blair grew up in Louisiana, her parents built a business outside of Baton Rouge. Deanna'a beloved mamere lived in New Orleans until becoming one of the scores of fatalities after the hurricanes and floods. Deanna, like her parents, is proud of the Louisiana and Cajun culture. 

Hostage Heart by Chelle Cordero

Life was hard after the hurricanes swept through, destroying her parents’ home and livelihood…Deanna did the only thing she could do. She moved to New York City, found a job, worked hard, scrimped and saved to send what little she could manage back home to Louisiana to her parents.

An errand for her boss – a chance encounter with a crew of bank robbers – a kind man who tried to help her and deserved her courageous help in return… But he wasn’t the man she thought he was…no, he was so very much more!

Hostage Heart  by Chelle Cordero is available as 

an AUDIOBOOK on Audible, iTunes, and on Amazon! 

Also in All Ebook Formats and  Print Editions. 

AUDIO, PRINT, and ALL ELECTRONIC EDITIONS  

BUY LINKS

 AUDIO on Audible

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

Or, 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 Audible’s Great Listen Guarantee
• Total flexibility - cancel, pause or upgrade membership easily and whenever you like

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

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

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

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

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

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