Hi Gang. The lying weatherman claimed we’d have seventy degrees by the middle of the week. Snow two days ago and now the sweet smell of spring. The beach calls to me. I finished one book today and another will be released 3/11 Here’s the amazing news. Vanilla Heart, my publisher is having several books translated into foreign languages and Reconstructing Charlie is one of them. I’d jump in the air with joy but I’m afraid I’d break bones on the way down.
Last week Charlie had a welcome arms greeting from the aunt she didn’t know existed. Today I’ll fill you in a bit further. After a delicious breakfast with her aunt where she learned an inside story of her mother as a child and more than she needed to know about her new aunt and uncle, aunt Eleanor showed Charlie upstairs to a guest room on the second floor.
Excerpt: She left, footsteps muffled by the thick carpet; her scent lingered, something light and sweet. The room was breathtaking with everything so perfect, matched, luxurious and a four poster bed I tried out to bounce on a few times. The past twenty four hours hit me; did the cops believe Mom or were they searching for me, the piece of shit who ran away like a coward leaving my family.
I ran to the bathroom, unbuttoned my dress to hang it up but too late my aunt was in the doorway with me in my shabby bra and panties. She had her hand over her mouth as she saw my bruises__on my back and arms.
“Oh Charlie.”
“I heal fast, Aunt Eleanor; in two weeks they’ll be gone and no one will ever hurt me again, I promise,” and a flood of tears released from me.
She held me in her arms the way I’d held Mom a million times. My aunt was older and felt kind of fragile but I bet she had a core of steel. Backing away with tears in her eyes, my aunt left, her silk dress spotted with my guilt and shame.
for more snippets from talented writers:
http://www.amazon.com/Reconstructing-Charlie- Charmaine-Gordon/dp/0615909175
http://www.amazon.com/Reconstructing-Charlie- Charmaine-Gordon-ebook/dp/B004KKZ6WS
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product- reconstructingcharlie-511663-152.html
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/38890
Author Charmaine Gordon 
What a beautiful, expressive line: “her silk dress spotted with my guilt and shame”.
Your comment means the world to me, Ed. Thank you.
Beautifully intimate piece, Charmaine. And Ed is right about the line about her tears on the silk dress- it is a winner.
Kim, I appreciate your comment.
You are welcome Charmaine 🌹
Congratulations on finishing a book and having this story translated! Such an emotional excerpt! Charlie has been through so much.
I believe if you keep writing, something good happens to you. At best I hope so. I wrote this about five years ago. It became a series and I didn’t even know what that meant being a newbie back then. The latest book ties up secrets and the joys of family.
Enjoyed the snippet…definitely plenty of emotion to spare.
Hi, T.M. new to me. I’m happy to see your name here and thanks for your nifty comment.
I struggle to describe scenes with my characters crying, but you did a good job with this. I particularly like the flood of tears being suddenly released.
Frank, let it come from your heart. You’ve cried. Let your characters cry in different ways.
You’re right, it should come from the heart. Great suggestion!
This story is so wonderfully heartfelt and this scene is beautiful. Congrats on the translations- that’s great news!
Thanks, Christina, for all the lovely words written here.
Fabulous last line. Congrats on the translations.
Tweeted.
Daryl, you’re a peach. Thanks.
That last line packs a punch. Very nice.
Isn’t it amazing how fast the weather can shift? Poor trees must be so confused.
Punch is what we go for. Thanks.
Excellent Charmaine! You capture well the guilt victims feel, like its her fault but the aunt sees the truth. Wonderful job!
And congrats on the foreign language publishing. Wow! So exciting!
I speak a few words in different languages and admire linguists. Excited? Oh yes. Another step in the writing world.
Wonderful excerpt! You’ll have readers so caught up in Charlie, they’ll be crying too. More congrats on the foreign language publishing, that’s awesome news!
~Marcia
Some writers just hit the jackpot. Others creep along , baby steps and sometimes wonderful things happen. I’m so happy to be here to enjoy every moment. Thanks for being a part of my life, Marcia.
What a beautifully crafted piece. Heartfelt and poignant. Good luck with the new books, and they tell me that jumping (within reason) strengthens bones! But perhaps better not try.
Rachel, thanks a bunch. At 85 I really must be cautious. But my latest book, one I’m writing now is so , I guess, hot, is the word, it makes me wonder if somehow I’ve grown younger.
Congrats!
Too bad they can’t use he “needed killing” as an excuse, because it certainly seems like he did.
So he did. Or he got what was coming to him. Tire irons are good.
A bittersweet scene today, heart tugging. I just want to give your character a big hug! Powerful writing indeed….Congratulations on your book getting chosen for the foreign market – very exciting! YAY!
Maybe someone will know my name now. Who knows. I just keep on writing like we all do. Thanks for best wishes, dear friend.
Congrats on your news! What a poignant snippet today…love how she’s promising her aunt she won’t be hurt again, like she has to make it okay for other people. A real caretaker. Great bit of characterization.
Rose, you are a dear with your terrific comments. I so appreciate them.
I agree with everyone.
Yay–and congrats! Reconstructing Charlie in foreign language! I am so happy for you, and so proud of you!
And don’t give up on the weather. I hear we have a big warm up coming starting tomorrow–for two weeks.
Hugs, my friend.
Seventy degrees sounds just about right. We’ve built up a wonderful community of writers here. Isn’t this so fine? And to think you started it, Teresa!
Wow, that’s a hard hitting excerpt. In just a few lines, I really feel for Charlie. I can only guess what she’s been through, not having read the whole story, but I got a wealth of emotions in just these few lines. Nicely done.
If you can, read the short prologue. You’ll have an insight to the story. Thanks for your excellent comment.
Emotional, heartbreaking scene. The last line is perfect to bring home her feelings.
Oh Karen, how I love your comments.
This was such a moving excerpt. Congratulations on the new book release, finishing a new book, and the foreign translation. I know everyone will enjoy your stories.
Thanks, Elaine. We write and write in hopes of readers enjoying our stories
Yes, that line at the end is an absolute gem! Well done, indeed! You can’t help but wonder if Charlie is going to have a breathing space now. And congratulations on the foreign translation! Bravo!
Thanks, Jenna. As for the good wishes, I hope all of us reach new plateaus in our writing careers.
Without words, the love and tenderness from her aunt was wonderful.
Hey GF, I didn’t see your note ’til way after I posted here. My info came from the VHP pic. Excitement. What a thrill to see how the company has grown.
Congrats on all the book news!
E.D.and best to you, always.