Chelle Cordero's Blog: ...from Chelle Cordero, page 46

How to make a gal feel special

I guess it's because I write about romance, or maybe it's not that complicated and simply because I'm a "mom figure"… I was recently asked by a young man how he could get a certain young lady's attention (young adults, not teens)

I thought for a few minutes, I remembered the way my dad treated my mom, the way my husband treats me and then, lol, I thought about the ways my novel heroes treat the heroines. Not surprisingly my heroes tend to emulate a lot of the romantic gestures of good and great relationships I've been privileged to witness.

I told him not to be pushy. If she isn't ready for a serious relationship it might scare her off. I did tell him to make sure that he knew her, really knew her, but to be subtle about it. Acknowledge who she is and encourage her personal identity. He has to share his likes and dislikes, but he shouldn't expect her to always agree. I said just be a constant and let her know she is appreciated.

In my novel Within the Law, Tom notices the glass miniature figurine collection in Allie's apartment. Later in the story when he wants to get her flowers, he gives her crystal roses and other flowers. She's touched that he remembered this about her even though they never discussed it.

In A Chaunce of Riches, even though it's been years since they were together, Ben surprises Samantha when he remembers her favorite drink and prepares it for her after an extra long day at work. Even though she moved on without him, he still lets her know he admires where she's gotten to educationally and in business.

It's just touches here and there, little things a guy does to make a woman feel special, one of a kind, and important. Like all the times my dad introduced my mom as his queen… And like all the times my husband brags about his romance author wife even though he is not a fan of romance novels himself.

Make a woman feel special, that's how you get her attention.

Stock Up Now, Read an E-book Week is March 4-10

It's READ AN E-BOOK WEEKMarch 4-10, 2012
I caved this year and bought myself a Kindle. While the feel of real paper and a bound book in my hands is truly exquisite, I began to notice the convenience of "the e-book" as I won a contest here or there and received a free book, or I was sent a book to review or edit. On one side I had piles of books and no more shelf room and on the other I had volumes of reading material on a computer disk or, better yet, a thumb drive to plug into my Netbook while I sat in the living room.
Then I found GOLD - some e-book retailers offer their specific reading applications FREE for the computer. As soon as I found that out, I downloaded and installed Kindle for the PC, Nook for PC, and the Sony e-Reader. In addition I already had Adobe (.pdf) reader and word processing that opens .txt. So you don't even need a separate e-reader to enjoy the convenience and economy of e-books.
I felt like I was sitting in front of an entire library wall all my own!
I decided to go the whole route though and after researching available e-readers, chose one that fit my budget and my needs the best. There were a lot of surprisingly affordable choices. I finally settled on a Kindle Keyboard 3G. I've found that e-books generally cost about one-third of the price of print books (some more, some less) so buying books re really economical. And a really fun fact, there are several FREE e-books in various formats available! My Kindle is loaded and anywhere I go, I always have terrific reading material.
*btw, all of my novels are available in print and e-book formats. Visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords.
Publishers, from the larger conglomerates to the small-press, have found the economy of publishing in e-book format (especially for a newer author) instead of absorbing the huge investment of a run of print books. And the convenience and speed of downloads is enough to impress any avid reader. If you need more convincing, here is a well stated article on the subject: The Book Is Dead Or Soon Will Be by Nicholas Hirst.
I still plan to patronize my local brick and mortar bookstores, especially the Indie stores - but my Kindle is here to stay. To help you stock up for this year's Read An E-Book Week, here are a few FREE .pdf downloads: Until the Ambulance Arrives Love and Chocolate Nature's Gifts 2011 A Gift For You from VHP Authors Celebrate Glacier National Park and Sweet Victory Companion Cookbook
Happy Reading!

Gifts

Happy Valentine's Day!
Wishing you a wonderfully happy and loving Valentine's Day
I want to share my favorite love poem by Sara Teasdale with you:
Gifts
I gave my first love laughter, I gave my second tears, I gave my third love silence Thru all the years.
My first love gave me singing, My second eyes to see, But oh, it was my third love Who gave my soul to me.
Leave a comment below and tell me what romantic thing you did for Valentine's Day (this is a PG-13 blog so please keep it clean & remember to leave your email)and I will choose one lucky commenter to win a free book from my back-list(see http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/chellecordero)
You are also welcome to download the following 3 FREE .pdf books, just because...
Until the Ambulance Arrives Love and Chocolate Nature's Gifts 2011
And...(brand new) [image error] A Gift for You from Vanilla Heart Publishing Authors
Short stories, poems, and excerpts
celebrating all kinds of L-O-V-E

Real Life or Fiction?

My fiction writing is really a mix, always inspired by something "real" but wound through a vivid imagination to create, what I hope is, an interesting story.

As a child in grade school I used to relate stories about my family, the family history I knew of, daily events and more. Of course I delivered these stories with a flourish sometimes garnishing them with elaborate details, but ALMOST always telling my perceived truth. While most of my teachers and my parents encouraged me by listening, nodding, and asking me to tell more, I did have some classmates and skeptical teachers who accused me of "telling tales" and dismissing me as a "fibber".

In reality almost every story I told was based on truth even though it was colored by my young perspective. There WAS the time three strange men were tapping phone lines in the building next door to where I lived, and two friends and I snuck down there to observe. At a time when spy shows were the big fad on television, our imaginations immediately went to international espionage. (Now as a adult I can imagine it was probably something as simple as a marital dispute, but it was still very exciting.) Of course my classmates didn't believe that my friends and I stumbled upon something so extraordinary and they weren't very kind in letting me know how they felt. That never really stopped me, I loved to tell stories.

My parents were great role models and encouraged both my sister and me to be heavily involved in our communities and to volunteer where we could to help others. Being involved and volunteering has led to many real-life adventures and experiences that are often out of the ordinary for most people. I volunteered with the NYC Auxiliary Police in the early 70's, and currently I've been a volunteer EMT with my local ambulance corps since 1986, so I've responded to a lot of emergency situations, dealt with a lot of people during a crisis.

My stories often contain MANY bits and pieces from real-life experiences. Both of my "EMS novels", Final Sin and Hyphema revolve around the EMS and emergency services world. I find the background of emergency services to be very exciting and I feel that putting characters into that setting just creates action. I hope that my readers enjoy it as much as I do.

Enjoy a Tantalizing Sample of Hyphema

[image error] Want more???? Hyphema by Chelle Cordero

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*****

Free Hyphema & Final Sin Trading Cards Available

just send a self-addressed-stamped #10 envelope to:

Chelle Cordero
P.O. Box 333
Tompkins Cove NY 10986

& write "Trading Cards" on the back flap!

Hyphema's Sudah Garratti is interviewed...

What's your name?

My name is Sudah Garratti, I am also called Mrs. Matt Garratti.

What are your speech patterns like?

I try very hard to speak English like Americans do, but I sometimes get confused with strange phrases.

How do you handle anger?

A few times I have lost my temper and raised my voice, but this is something I should not do. I do not believe I give people any reason to be afraid of me.
Usually when a person wishes to argue, they are not willing to listen to the way another person sees things so I prefer not to argue.

How much power do you wield at home, in the workplace, and in social situations? Are you the quiet "power behind the throne" type or do you wield obvious power?

I try to let the outside world see that my husband is in charge – but at home I know how much it means to Matt that I am happy, so in truth, I feel very powerful.

What would be the first impression most people get when they meet you?

People see a small woman who wears a scarf to be modest, they see a woman who comes from "over there" and sometimes they worry that I am there to do harm. People are very suspicious of dark skinned Muslims, they do not understand that most of us are just like everybody else.

What is your level of education?

I was schooled in Pakistan, I guess it would be equivalent to high school. I came to America to study business in college but the college course ended because the school lost funding.
I do not study business right now, but I still go to college to learn about American history, I wish to become an American citizen and this is something I must know.

Where do you live?

We recently moved from New York to North Carolina.
I live in a house with my husband and young son. Matt says the house is small but to me it is very nice size. My cousin Raja comes to live in America and stays with us.

Are you in a relationship, or part of a family?

I am a wife and a mother. My parents, aunts, uncles and cousins are still in Pakistan.

If yes, are you happy or discontented in the relationship / this family?

I am very happy being married to Matt and mother to Aden. My family in Pakistan is not happy that I am married to an American non-Muslim, it makes me sad that they do not accept my marriage.
It would make me very happy if my parents accepted Matt and thought of Aden as their grandson – I think maybe one day they will soften but for now this is the way it is. I chose to marry Matt, I love him and our son very much.

Who is your best friend?

My real best friend is my husband, Matt. I have a very nice friendship with his former paramedic partner, Julie – I met her after Matt and I were married. I am making good friends with some of the wives of Matt's coworkers here in North Carolina.

Who do you dislike most? Why?

I do not really dislike anyone. It makes me upset when someone tries to hurt the people I love.

Who else is in your circle of acquaintances? Who would you turn to in times of trouble?

I like to go shopping with the wives of Matt's coworkers, I get along nicely with most of them. If I need to turn to someone it would be Laurie or Trish, their husbands have worked with the EMS response agency for a while and they have welcomed Matt and me nicely.

If there is anyone in your circle that might betray you, who would it be?

There is one of the wives, her name is Donna. She does not like the fact that I am Pakistani or Muslim. She says many mean things and she embarrasses her husband with her insults.
I would never expect Matt or Raja to betray me. Matt loves me and lets me know all the time how much. Raja and I are like sisters, we were raised together. I would be very, very hurt if either of them ever betrayed me.

How would you describe your life to this point?
I am very happy, I married a man who loves me and is a good man. I am very proud of him, he cares about people. My son brings me much joy. I like the home we live in and the land around us is very pretty. I have a good life.

How important are material possessions to you?

Material possessions can bring you comfort but they are not as important as the people you love or your self respect. It is nice to give nice things to the people we love but when we get too busy having nice things that we ignore our families, it is not right.

Can you tell us a little bit more about you?

I have many more opportunities in America than I did in Pakistan. Matt takes good care of us so I can go to school and study.
I live a simple life. It is important to me that I keep a nice home for my husband. The kitchen is an important room in our home, that is where I cook meals and feed our son.
I feel that I am on my way to achieving all the things I want to in life – right now I am a good mother and I try to be a good wife. As I learn more to become an American woman I will make matt proud of me. Maybe one day I will be a business woman too.

What are you about to do right now - today? How is this relevant to what is important to you?

I am studying my history books because the teacher said there will be a test. The more I learn, the easier it will be to pass my citizenship tests.

What will you do next?

I will cook a nice dinner for Matt.

Hyphema by Chelle Cordero

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Your next book club discussion: Hyphema

Here is the HYPHEMA Book Club Discussion Pack

Hyphema is a thriller involving murder, suspense, prejudice, love, and emergency medical services. Former New York Paramedic Matt Garratti trains as a flight medic, but when the economy forces a career relocation he moves his immigrant Pakistani-Muslim wife and infant son to North Carolina.

The area of northeast North Carolina the Garratti family moves to is scenic and known for "southern hospitality", but there are huge pockets of town folk who have never met a Muslim believer and only know of "them" from news reports after 9-11.

Matt's wife Sudah is looked at with disdain by some of their neighbors. When strange things happen that threaten the small family's well-being, there are those, including the local police, who erroneously believe that it is reaction to Sudah's ethnicity – and while no one thinks it is right, they also seem to think it is not all that serious.

Here are some thoughts to ponder and discuss:

1) Muslims have been in America even before we were the United States of America. Christopher Columbus made a celebrated voyage to "the new world" in 1492 and America won its independence in 1776. Did you know that as early as 1178 a Chinese document known as the Sung Document records the voyage of Muslim sailors to America? In 1530 several million African slaves, arrived in America during the slave trade of that time and became part of the backbone of the American economy of that period. The first mosque in the United States was built in Maine in 1915. Until 1952 Islam was not recognized as a legitimate religion until after the American military was sued.

When did you first become aware of the Muslim (Islam) faith in the United States? Are you surprised by the extensive history of Muslims in American long before 2001?

2) In 1790, Congress established a formal process enabling the foreign born to become U.S. citizens; Policies established in 1965 are still largely in place. The policies have been changed many times since as immigration to this country has grown at often record rates. Today NON-immigrants are permitted lawful entry to the U.S. for reasons like tourism, diplomatic missions, study, and temporary work; temporary admission does not permit citizenship by naturalization. Non-immigrants wishing to remain in the United States on a permanent basis must apply for permanent admission. A real marriage to a U.S. citizen will, depending on circumstances, allow an immigrant to apply for naturalization sooner than an immigrant having no relatives in the U.S.

When did your family come to the United States? If they immigrated here, what do you know of the challenges they faced and any prejudices they had to deal with? Depending on how many generations your family has been in the U.S. do you feel strong ties to the country if your heritage? Have you ever visited the place(s) your ancestors came from?

3) Matt Garratti is a skilled paramedic with many years of experience answering 911 medial and trauma emergencies. He makes the move to becoming a fight medic and working in an aeromedical environment (an airborne "ambulance"). There are some increased risks associated with being a flight medic including hearing loss, exposure to heat and fumes, back injuries and air crashes. Why do you think someone would become a flight medic?

4) How does your local 9-1-1 system work? Are the first responders who work in your area paid or volunteer? Have you ever been a patient in a ground or air ambulance? If your local department is volunteer, how could you get involved? Did you know that a "paramedic" is sometimes also called "hands of the doctor"? What do you think it would be like to administer crucial life-saving skills during transport of a patient to the hospital?

5) If you were to move to another location such as Matt did from New York to North Carolina, what information would you need to know in order to find a place to settle (ie: schools, etc)? Is there a dream place that you would like to move to? Describe it.

6) Have you ever eaten Pakistani/Indian/South Asian foods? Some of the common spices used in Pakistani cooking are cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, curry, ginger, and cumin; dishes are often highly spiced and fragrant. Observant Muslins are forbidden to eat pork or consume alcohol and must follow the halal dietary guidelines.

What are some ethnic foods or dietary customs from your heritage? Do you often prepare foods native to your heritage? How do these dishes differ from the "usual cuisine" of the area where you live?

7) Sudah is a practicing Muslim. Matt is Christian. What problems do you think a mixed religion marriage might face? What are ways to blend both cultures so that each individual retains their own identity while sharing a life and customs with their partner? What about children, how should they be told why mommy and daddy are different faiths?

Hyphema is available in multiple e-book formats
Hyphema is also available in print through
Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com
Additional Reading:

Final Sin by Chelle Cordero

The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, and That Veil Thing by Sumbul Ali-Karamali

A Paramedic's Diary: Life and Death on the Streets by Stuart Gray

The Complete Asian Cookbook by Nina Solomon and Charmaine Solomon

Coming to America (Second Edition): A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life by Roger Daniels

Blog Hop - Friday, January 13th

The first Friday the 13th of 2012 is
"Blame Someone Else Day" It's the one day of the year we don't have to take ownership
of the things that go wrong - what a great day this is!!!!
Go in late to work - it's okay, your alarm clock didn't go off...
Pay a bill late - hey, the check is in the mail, blame the post office...
Burnt dinner - Not my fault, you didn't make dinner reservations at the restaurant...
No homework - dog ate it, even if you had to borrow your neighbor's dog...
Whatever you want today, "NOT ME" did it
~~LOL~~
What I did do is write a few books and get together with some terrific writers to give you the chance to visit some blogs, hear about some terrific authors and possibly win some great prizes.
Please take a look at my blog and a few of the entries below - and then hop on over to Jocelyn Vaughn's site...
At this end of this blog hop, you'll have a chance to enter for a terrific grand prize - so be sure to hop on every spot!
and...
if you comment below, you might win a .pdf ebook copy from my backlist
and please, come on back to visit now and then

a few plaudits my novels have received

Hyphema won the Dec 9, 2011
Friday Book Cover Vote on the Shades of Love website

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.

Final Sin was an Honorable Mention in the Fiction Category of the 2010 NY Book Festival & a 2009 Pushcart Prize nominee.

Deputy Sherriff 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.

Bartlett's Rule was named one of
Carolyn Howar d Johnson's Top Ten Reads for 2009

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.

It's coming - Friday, January 13th, 2012