Chelle Cordero's Blog: ...from Chelle Cordero, page 51

Editorial reviews for Hyphema listed on Amazon

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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. Before long, Matt wonders if he is pursuing his dream or bringing his family into a nightmare from which they may never wake.

Editorial Reviews

In Hyphema, author Chelle Cordero meets headlong a number of real problems facing her characters. She doesn't sugar-coat cultural differences and prejudice. The series of incidents and the deaths faced by Matt and Sudah cause them to face these problems and gives the love story a depth well-done. -- Janet Lane Walters

Ms. Cordero tackles such amazingly current topics-hate, prejudice, fear of the different, with such enjoyable, suspenseful, and well-researched background, that this reader will be following her closely to see what she writes next. Each medical scene resonates with reality, and each chapter flows into the next with a flutter in the pit of the stomach for what is coming, as well as what has been. -- Brian Davidson

Back to the Beginning

Omigosh, I was looking over my latest virtual book tour for Hyphema and I surprised myself - I'm a writer! Wow.

This has been a terrific journey since my first published novel, Bartlett's Rule.

Did you see my guest post this past Saturday on The Professional Writer's Connection ? Please check it out ~ First Book Stories: Bartlett's Rule by Chelle Cordero
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.
See the page 69 Theory - Bartlett's Rule

Bartlett's Rule by Chelle Cordero

AMAZON B&N OMNILIT PDF

INSTANT DOWNLOAD SPECIAL

KINDLE SMASHWORDS MULTIFORMAT

Oh and by the way - PLEASE join me on the HYPHEMA Tour

Apr 21 Lindsay's Romantics
Apr 23 Jeanne St. James
Apr 24 Anne K Albert
Apr 26 Chelle Cordero, author
Apr 29 The Book Connection
May 1 Rochelle Weber
May 2 CCE613 on Xanga
May 3 Charmaine Gordon
May 8 Malcolm's Round Table
May 10 You Gotta Read
May 11 Roseanne Dowell
May 18 Skylar Kade
May 23 Stephanie Burkhart

A Changing World

As I listened to news reports about Bin Laden's death, tears formed in my eyes as I remembered the horror of a September day nearly ten years ago. Many Americans and others throughout the world felt the emotions once again surface…

"I never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." - Mark Twain. That's quite a quote and several of us posted such lines on Facebook and other social media sites to help explain the myriad of feelings.

I woke the next morning in a world where the man on the FBI's Most Wanted List was marked deceased. The lives lost because of Bin Laden and his followers are gone forever leaving only tears behind, but the world is changed once again.

I recently wrote a novel involving a very contemporary issue, the heroine is a Pakistani Muslim immigrant. She is a peaceful, gentle woman. I did a lot of research in writing about this potentially volatile subject. I believe that there is good and bad in every people. I also know there are some who refuse to see past a few and blame an entire group.

In Hyphema , Sudah encounters prejudice because of who she is and where she comes from. There is one scene where she is accused of being "the same"… I've thought about how ironic these words seem now.
"Wouldn't you be used to that?" Donna directed her question at Sudah.

"Donna?" Both Laurie and Trisha were shocked by Donna's question.

Sudah shrugged. "Why am I used to violence?"

Clucking her tongue, Donna waved off her friends. "Well I figure where you come from…"

"I come from Pakistan. We are not near the Afghanistan border where there are skirmishes. My home is in a little town, it is very nice there."

"Well you Arabs are always fighting." Trisha tried to stop Donna, Donna ignored her.

"But I am not Arabic, I am Pakistani."

Donna snorted. "Same thing."

Trisha broke in. "Donna I don't understand why you are being so rude. I am so sorry Sudah."

"Why are you apologizing?" Donna faced Sudah menacingly. "My older cousin's fiancé was killed on 9/11…"

"Oh goodness Donna, that was almost ten years ago. Sudah was only a little girl back then."

"I am very sorry for your loss, but we are very much alike then. My father's dear friend Jamaal also died on that terrible day."

"Hmmph. On one of the planes I bet."

Laurie gasped.

"He was working in a restaurant in New York City. He was very proud and working to bring his family to America. He loved this country and was studying to become a citizen."

Donna rolled her eyes. "So what happened?"

"He ran to the two buildings after the first plane crashed. The restaurant was across the street. He was trying to help when the second plane came. He was lost in the debris and fire." Sudah had to pause. "We were very sad that day. I remember when Jamaal's wife was told her husband was dead. I felt very bad for her."

"And yet you cover your head like those Arab women who cheered."

"I cover my head because I am Muslim. It is a sign of respect for my beliefs."

"Muslim? That's who attacked us." Donna snorted. "And they say that Bin Laden lives like a hero in Pakistan."

"I have not seen him. I do not know where he lives. I would tell authorities where if I knew." Sudah smiled sweetly and shook her head. "The Islamic people are people of peace. The few who murdered so many and the people who were happy about it are not true believers. They are cowards who hide behind a sign that says 'I am a Muslim'. They do not speak for most of us."

A Fairy Tale Wedding

Congratulations to Prince William & Kate Middleton!
It was a magnificent day, beautiful weather and a small, intimate ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Kate wore an elegant wedding gown designed by Sarah Burton - she was gorgeous!

We all love a good fairy-tale wedding... and I thought of one of the two wedding scenes I wrote about in His Lucky Charm.
This wedding takes place in a New York City church between the heroine's best friend and her special man. Keisha and Malcolm incorporate many ethnic customs into their ceremony witnessed by close friends and family...
It's a day for romance and weddings ~ so feel free to lose yourself in another fairy tale wedding.
Brandon was seated at the back of the church when the bridal procession started. He was pleased that he had entered the church in a crowd and blended among the many well wishers. Malcolm, his parents and his best man, his younger brother, took their places at the front of the church. He felt his heart skip when Caitlyn walked down the aisle. She was beautiful in a street length shiny gold dress. Her shoes were matching gold strapped sandals with ribbons that tied off above her slender ankles. She was carrying a small bouquet of tiny orchids, small yellow-white flowers on long stalks. Her beautiful chestnut hair was swept up into curls and tied off with gold ribbons.
Keisha followed with both of her parents escorting her. She wore a two-piece ethnic white wedding suit and ankle length skirt that was slit up one side to her thigh. The gold metallic embroidery around her neck and at the hem of the skirt glinted with every graceful move. Golden edged leaves surrounded her bouquet of white roses. Malcolm waited for her in a matching white dashiki and trousers that were also edged with gold metallic embroidery. Their parents, all four, joined them as they received blessings from the priest.
Malcolm had explained many of the traditions and rituals of their wedding to Brandon. He had told him that the wedding was the union of not just the couple, but of their families and their lives. Their parents and immediate families were just as much a part of the ceremony as the couple. It was a very spiritual time with prayers that were begun weeks earlier. Keisha's father blessed his daughter and son as he now referred to Malcolm. Malcolm's mother tied a loose string of conchi shells around Keisha's neck as a sign of fertility and luck for a happy family. The priest conducted the service interjecting the civil requirements among the prayers and blessings.
Malcolm spoke to his bride thanking her for completing his life. "A man without a wife is a man without a home." He promised to keep her happy and provide for her and he placed a simple band on her finger.
Keisha promised that her love for Malcolm would be never-ending like the circle of the wedding band. Then she placed a ring on his finger.
Both mothers took turns reciting an African marriage creed. Brandon noticed Caitlyn look downward as they gave the advice to "Be Open With Each Other. Bind not yourselves in the secretiveness that causes suspicion and doubt. Trust and reveal yourselves to each other, even as the budding rose opens to reveal its fragrance and beauty."
He berated himself again for having kept secrets from the woman he loved and wondered if he would ever have the opportunity again to reveal his true self to her. More than that, he worried that she no longer had an interest in him or of learning his truths.
The ceremony concluded with Malcolm's father tying Keisha and Malcolm's wrists together with a purple cloth to symbolize their union. Together they jumped over a broom laid on the floor to show that they were starting fresh and welcoming the new path before them. Smiling and happy, they walked together up the aisle to the back of the church while the audience applauded.
The parents followed the happy couple and so did Caitlyn and Malcolm's brother. Caitlyn noticed Brandon in the back row as she neared the door and her steps faltered. The best man placed a hand under her elbow and looked in the direction of her distraction. The smile Caitlyn had been wearing quickly left her face and she turned away from Brandon as she regained her footing.
http://ChelleCordero.com

Hyphema ~ the page 69 theory

There is a theory that if you pick up a book and turn to page 69, you will know if the book is interesting or not
so we are putting it to the test... ~~~~~~
"Sudah is the last person to ever be scared of." Matt knew how gentle and kind his wife was.
"Okay ladies," the chief entered the room. "There's a tropical storm moving in. I need you to be extra careful and keep an eye on your TAWS." Each chopper was outfitted with a terrain awareness and warning system as well as GPS, absolute necessities when flying in inclement weather. "I don't want any incidents out there."
The weather service was predicting an active storm and hurricane season through the summer. This storm was just the first of many.
"You and me both." Tony muttered under his breath.
Both Frankie and Matt hid their grins at Tony's comment.
"I'm serious." The chief scowled at Tony. "Frank, Chris is going to be riding with you today. Just remember, the barometer's gone crazy and there are winds of 60-miles-per-hour."
Frank and Chris were sent out to move a critical heart patient from the Outer Banks to a trauma center inland. The patient, a 53-year old man, needed pacing as they transferred him from the barrier reef's hospital unit.
Matt and Tony were toned out to a motorcycle accident on the mainland's coastal highway. As they were getting ready to land at the LZ, Matt could see the fast moving storm clouds and lightning flashes that were headed their way. He made up his mind to move the patient as quickly as possible or they might not be able to lift off at all.
The young man had taken his bike down on the normally busy highway; it was empty thanks to the high winds and storm warnings. The motorcycle crashed into a thicket of trees and neatly wrapped itself around one tall Magnolia. The cyclist was about 80-feet down the road against a guardrail, the first trooper on the scene had to scan...
You can purchase Hyphema for the
Kindle from Amazon (http://amzn.to/fEYUR7) or through
Smashwords for multiple e-book formats (http://bit.ly/epqtjy)
You can read a sample of Hyphema at http://bit.ly/ezia8N

Anne K. Albert: Featuring Chelle Cordero

Anne K. Albert: Featuring Chelle Cordero
Please check out today's stop on the HYPHEMA Virtual Book Tour - and don't forget to answer the question for a chance to win one of two pdf copies of my novels.

Virtual Blog Tour for Hyphema

Join me as the Hyphema Virtual Blog Tourkicks off on Thursday, April 21on Lindsay's Romantics
When a character lingers...
Here are some of the Hyphema tour stops ~ more will be added...21-Apr Thurs http://lindsaysromantics.blogspot.com/ Lindsay's Romantics 23-Apr Sat http://jeannestjames.blogspot.com Jeanne St. James 24-Apr Sun http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com/ Anne K Albert 29-Apr Fri http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com The Book Connection 1-May Sun http://rochelleweber.blogspot.com/ Rochelle Weber 3-May Tues http://authorcharmainegordon.xanga.com/ Charmaine Gordon 10-May Tues http://yougottareadguest.blogspot.com/ You Gotta Read 11-May Wed http://roseannedowellauthor.blogspot.com Roseanne Dowell 18-May Wed http://skylarkade.com/blog Skylar Kade

Visit my Smashwords Profile Page for multiple ebook formats of all my books.

Remember Matt from Final Sin?

(take a moment to meet him again...) (an excerpt from Final Sin)
"Hey Jules, I'm glad you're awake." Matt's voice carried into the kitchen. "We've got to get these forms to Don before our shift." He explained that a lawyer had subpoenaed records from a recent motor vehicle case. "Is that fresh coffee I smell?"

"Matt…" Julie tried to stop him.

Matt appeared at the kitchen doorway and stopped short when he saw Jake. He noted Jake's half-undressed state and Julie's swollen lips as she came up beside him.

"Good morning, Matt." Jake faced him calmly and was aware of the derision in the younger man's eyes as he correctly assessed the scene.

Matt answered him gruffly. "Good morning officer." He had told her he didn't like the guy. Matt couldn't help it, Julie was like a sister to him and he didn't like it when he saw the predatory look of hunger in Jake's eyes.

Julie went to Jake's side. "Matt has some paperwork we have to fill out."

"Yeah, I heard." His voice was tender as he looked down at her. "I'll go finish getting dressed now." He bent to place a quick kiss on her lips.

As Jake passed Matt, both men's eyes met with a matching hostility. Julie couldn't ignore the tension between them.

Matt went to the cabinet for a coffee cup. "So, he got you in the sack after all."

"Don't make it sound like something sordid, Matt."

"Hey Jules, the man has a son whose age is closer to yours than you are to him." Julie had told Matt about the broken date when he called on the phone last night. "You know, a few years ago you could even have been babysitting for the boy. He's like some pervert who would've seduced the teen-age babysitter."

"I'm not exactly a teen-ager Matt."

Matt sounded disgusted. "So what are you doing, huh? Figure when he's too old to pop you, the son will be the right age?" He cringed as soon as he said it.

"You are a pig!" Her voice was filled with hurt.

"I'm sorry Jules." Matt was contrite. "I wasn't thinking. That was stupid."

She ignored his apology.

"I just meant that I think he's too old for you."

"Age has nothing to do with it, Matt. Jake is a really nice guy." And a fantastic lover, Julie thought quietly.

"He talked you into bed right after he left his ex-wife. How nice is that? For him, maybe. But he used you."

"I asked him to come over and I was very clear that I knew what was going to happen. I wanted to go to bed with him." Julie sounded annoyed. "So just mind your business, Matt. You may be my best friend and I know you mean well, but butt out about this. I can make my own decisions in this area."

Both were silent as Julie got two more coffee cups from the cabinet. She closed the door a little more forcefully than she meant to. Matt sat at the table and watched quietly as she buttered a couple of slices of toast. She was putting milk and sugar to the table when Matt finally broke the silence.

"So, how are you feeling this morning?" His concern sounded genuine. He was sure she had made a mistake, but he would never want Julie to have regrets. But he was sure that the last thing she needed in her life was this cop….

It was a unique relationship that fostered between paramedic partners. They worked together to save lives and were there to console each other when they couldn't save someone. No matter how much someone else tried to feel compassion, you couldn't possibly understand the emotions unless you were there yourself. Jake was a cop and he had a pretty good idea of what she faced on a daily basis, but he didn't work by her side the way that Matt did. Julie wondered if she could even try to make Jake understand the depth of her friendship with Matt.

~~~Matt has his own story, coming soon - 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.

Before long, Matt wonders if he is pursuing his dream or bringing his family into a nightmare which they may never wake from.

Ego Trip

I was chatting with a friend yesterday when she related a story to me - She and another friend (not mutual) were engaged in a conversation about books. Her friend told her about finding a great unknown author who comes from the Hudson Valley (NY) but she couldn't remember the author's name. She did proceed to tell my friend a little about the story and then remembered the name of the book - Bartlett's Rule !!! Well my friend laughed, told her the author's name and bragged that she knew me.
Wow, my head sure swelled after hearing that.
Bartlett's Rule by Chelle Cordero 4.33 (from GoodReads)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.
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April VHP Specials to Benefit Sexual Assault Survivors Fiction and Non-FictionAll during the month of April, Vanilla Heart Publishing is donating our share of all proceeds for a select group of books - Bartlett's Rule by Chelle Cordero (Fiction), Voices of Survivors (Anthology), To Dance Amongst the Stars and the companion healing workbook by Namid, Secondary Survivors by Namid, and The Strength of a Man and the companion healing workbook by Namid.
Bartlett's Rule by Chelle Cordero (Smashwords) Bartlett's Rule by Chelle Cordero (Kindle) during the month of April 2011,
buy Bartlett's Rule for ONLY 99-cents

Local Author Book Fair in Warwick NY, Apr. 10

Come to the

Local Author Book Fair

(36 authors AND their books!!)

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011 – 1:00PM – 4:00PM ONE MCFARLAND DRIVE,
WARWICK, NY 10990
PHONE: 845-986-1047
(CLICK FOR DIRECTIONS)

this event will take place in the
Community Room on the Lower Level of the Warwick Library