11/30/14 WEWRIWA

Neither storms nor ice and sleet kept us from enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner this year. Always grateful to be alive with our loved ones, we drove to daughter’s to put the finishing touches on a splendid meal. and here we are to enjoy another WEWRIWA Sunday where constructive critique is the watchword.

Last week Sally Atwood had an offer she couldn’t refuse from the sophisticated owner of a Cable Company. Watch out for men named Lance, ladies. She’s talking strictly business and he’s talking monkey business with big bucks! She returns home, hurries to find an old book to search for an answer.

Sally used a step stool to reach the top shelf in order to skim the titles and there, tucked into a corner, was the book about the stages of women’s growth.
Curled up in the comfortable old leather chair, Sally searched for the chapter she had to read to understand what happened with Lance Jordan today and why he’d be attracted to a middle aged woman.
She read: The middle years woman is just coming into her own, blossoming after years of caring for her family instead of the focus turning inward on herself.  Is she content to stay at home and be the caring wife and homemaker or does she choose to go out in the world to follow a dream of being an artist, a writer, an actor? Look in the mirror, dear lady and see there is a depth to you now from life experience.  You have a scent about you and I’m not referring to perfume; the answer is pheromones. This comes from personal sex with your mate; you are comfortable and other men feel it.  Look your best even when you go to the grocery store and see how many heads turn in your direction.

for more snippets from talented authors:

http://www.wewriwa.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/help-wanted/id933546940

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-helpwanted-1658298-149.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OWHOGYS

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/487447

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Charmaine-Gordon

11/9/14 WEWRIWA

Baby, it’s cold outside but are we worried? Not a bit. I’m delighted with sales rising for my latest book, Help Wanted. Readers want to move right into River’s Edge where the motto is Kindness to Strangers. Just like the good old days where neighbors took care of friends in need and children played outside without fear.

Today I continue with Sally Atwood returning to the cable company thinking she’d knock Jerald Adams socks off with the Grace Trumbull interview with the sad Saluki and give her the promised job.

Excerpt in eight:

The same receptionist checked the appointment book and with a sour look meant to pierce a heart, glowered at Sally; “You don’t have an appointment.”
Using her new authoritarian voice, Sally said, “Mr. Adams requested that I come in as soon as possible since I have fulfilled his assignment to obtain the in-depth interview with Ms. Grace Trumbull; I have it right here.”
“Oh. Just a minute. ” Out and in, she returned, a smug look on her face to say, “Mr. Adams said he’s not interested in such an interview and thanks you for your time.”
The words from the movie Dirty Dancing popped into Sally’s mind, “Nobody puts baby in the corner.”

Sally Atwood stormed through the door, eyes blazing.
The large imposing man sat, feet crossed at the ankles up on his desk, puffing on a cigar, king of a small kingdom, eyes widened at Sally’s unexpected intrusion.
“In good faith, I followed your assignment with a promise for a job and after I fulfilled my part I find I’ve wasted Grace Trumbull’s time and she’s an important member of River’s Edge Counsel.”  Sally spun on her heels and left Jerald Adam’s office.

for more snippets from talented writers:

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Steve and Sally Atwood have some big adjustments to make when they move to River’s Edge. Steve has lost his career in the corporate world and finds work painting houses. Sally flings off her apron and pursues her lifelong dream to be a reporter in the small town with a big heart, where the motto is ‘Kindness to Strangers’. Afraid he is losing Sally to a more exciting world, Steve panics, but despite Sally’s lecherous new boss, together they rediscover all the love of their thirty-five years together and the excitement that brings.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/help-wanted/id933546940

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-helpwanted-1658298-149.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OWHOGYS

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/487447

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Charmaine-Gordon

10/26/14 WEWRIWA

Hi and welcome to our Sunday’s at WEWRIWA where talented writers post eight sentences and wait for constructive critique. I look forward to this day and so will you. Don’t be shy. Just jump right in and make friends from all over. If I can do it, so can you.

I continue this week with my WIP. Chelle Cordero suggested Help Wanted as a title. My publisher and I said “Way cool” so that’s the title. We even have a cover to be revealed next week. Moving along, Sally Atwood is about to get an interview with the dog communicator, Grace Trumbull at the Pet Emporium. Grace’s husband Scott leads Sally into a room where the communication has just begun.

excerpt in eight:

Heart hammering with excitement, Sally walked behind Scott to the designated spot and watched, hand held the camcorder trained on a magnificent medium size dog. The sad pooch pressed his nose against the cheek of a lean youthful woman, to let out a low mournful sound.

She stroked his head all the way down the lush furry back several times murmuring in his floppy ear, repeating the process over and over.

Rubbing his nose against her fingers, the saluki gave her a few laps like kisses with his tongue and the silent conversation continued.

Grace nodded, listening and gave her full attention to the sleek graceful unhappy dog.

When he lifted a paw to her face to pat as if saying thanks, Grace embraced the silky haired canine in need of comfort.

Sally, the observer, felt  tears fall with the beauty of the moment and blotted her eyes with the white sleeve of her new shirt.

Abruptly the atmosphere changed when the Saluki’s owner barged in ending the consultation so Sally turned off the camcorder and hurried to the alcove to wait.

for more snippets from talented writers:

http://www.wewriwa.com

9/28/14 WEWRIWA

Welcome, dear readers and friends to another glorious fall day, toward the end of September. Weekend Writer Warriors are a community of writers who enjoy constructive critique and welcome newcomers.

I continue with my latest release Housebroken. Steve and Sally have had a major setback when the major corporation he worked for many years gave Steve him his walking papers. OUCH! Devastated , Sally sees her dreams of moving to the lovely town of River’s Edge fade away as she comforts her husband. The mood changes in this week’s eight and I do mean 8.as promised.

excerpt in eight:

“Hiro San firing me is an omen like an ill wind that sometimes blows good.” Steve sat up straight, resolution in his face and said,” I’m tired of traveling every week and since 9/11, air travel is complicated.  I’m sure we’ll manage the move to River’s Edge with some help from our new friend, Claudia.

With a sigh of relief, Sally said, “Oh, Steve, now what can I do to make you feel better if just for a little while?”

Steve got that gleam in his eyes as he tugged off her running bra and helped pull down her shorts after she kicked off her sneakers. “Lose the socks, Sally, while I peel off this damn suit ’cause  I sure hope my next job doesn’t require a tie.”

In the sweet afterglow, Steve revealed a secret he’d kept hidden from his wife and himself for a long time. “I have a confession to make, honey and I beg you please listen and don’t hate me.”

for more snippets from talented writers:

http://www.wewriwa.com

BUY LINKS
SMASHWORDS for All EReader Devices
including PC and Mac

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/464048

ALLROMANCE

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-housebroken-1587634-149.html

KINDLE
http://www.amazon.com/Housebroken-Rivers-Edge-Romantic-Suspense-ebook/dp/B00MDYI08U                             

9/21/14 WEWRIWA

Welcome, dear readers, writers and friends to another Sunday with Weekend writer warriors; we who hole up with computers in our snug nest typing away with fictional characters hovering over our shoulders. We laugh and cry and write The End only to begin again. Join the love fest. We’re a community of writers who welcome constructive critique.

Continuing with Housebroken. After Sally and Steve have fallen in love with this unusual town, River’s Edge in upstate NY where the credo is Kindness to Strangers, they’ve found the perfect house. This snippet takes place the next morning. It’s one of those -Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water moments. . .

Sally arrived home after the best workout in months to find Steve’s car in the driveway and stopped, frightened.

Fear flooded through her as she raced in the house calling, “Steve, Steve,” and up the stairs to the bedroom she ran to find him lying there on the bed face ashen, tie askew.

He struggled to sit up; “I got to work to find  a note from Hiro San the top boss left on my desk that said  he wanted to see me early in the day so I hurried over to his closed door.

“Steven San,”my superior  said with a smile, “We must close your division of the company therefore you are now retired.

Hiro San, the snake, I never liked him, pushed a paper across the desk and said, “Sign here, keep pen.”
“What did you do?” Sally’s hands clenched to hold back tears of the indignity he’d suffered after years of service.
“I had no choice; I signed, accepted a folder with pages of information and with much bowing on his part, I left—out of work for the first time in my life.”

Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Sally said, “Steve, we’ll find a way to survive. Let’s look at the damn folder and figure out how we’ll manage before you get a job and I can work. This is no time to move.” Her dreams of River’s Edge faded.

for more snippets by talented writers:

http://www.wewriwa.com

BUY LINKS
SMASHWORDS for All EReader Devices
including PC and Mac

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/464048

ALLROMANCE

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-housebroken-1587634-149.html

KINDLE
http://www.amazon.com/Housebroken-Rivers-Edge-Romantic-Suspense-ebook/dp/B00MDYI08U                             

8/31/14 WEWRIWA

Labor Day does not mean a celebration of when women went into childbirth labor and the pain that accompanies it. Oh No.

Copied from Wikipedia:Labor Day in the United States is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a celebration of the American labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country. Long May We Wave and God Bless America.

Back to Wewriwa, folks. Last week, Sally Atwood seduced Steve with apple dumplings. That plus new noisy neighbors convinced her reluctant husband to go house-hunting in adult communities further north from their home in Rockland County, NY. They drove to a couple of listings; a cottage on the Hudson River had a sold sign and another had a crime scene tape across the door. Disappointed, Sally checked the list

 

excerpt in eight:

“I did some research and this River’s Edge appears to be a great town, taxes low, a 5 star restaurant where people from New York City come to dine, with scenic beauty so I think we should give it a look-see.”
“What I really want to do is go home and snuggle with you, Sally and that’s the truth so let’s get it over with.”
“ Drive without a fuss or prejudice; keep an open mind and when we’re home, we’ll snuggle.”
The gas guzzling Mercedes tank was filled and the GPS lady named Mother after Steve’s bossy mom who knew everything, just ask her, took command.  Passed on a year ago, beloved by her only son, Sally, the daughter-in-law and three grandchildren, Granny Atwood had had a great sense of humor and got a kick out of the GPS lady.
Mother barked out orders, “Turn North to merge onto the Palisade Parkway and drive twenty miles until you see the sign River’s Edge; drive 0.1 mile and you are at your destination.”
They always got a kick out of her and said together,“Thanks, Mother, you’re always right.”
As the Atwood’s neared the town, they heard waterfalls rushing down a stream, crashing against rocks and boulders and  a sense of peace came over them.

For more snippets from talented writers:

http://www.wewriwa.com

BUY LINKS
SMASHWORDS for All EReader Devices
including PC and Mac

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/464048

ALLROMANCE

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-housebroken-1587634-149.html

KINDLE
http://www.amazon.com/Housebroken-Rivers-Edge-Romantic-Suspense-ebook/dp/B00MDYI08U                             

8/10 WEWRIWA

Hi Gang, so I thought my publisher, Vanilla Heart Publishing, was still editing Housebroken and to my surprise, she already did the job and my book was  released as of a few days ago. My error, folks. Always underestimating how fast she works when she approves a manuscript. The only change I made was the sex. “Tone it down, girl,” she said and I did.

The first eight introduced Steve and Sally Atwood when their youngest son drove away with his bride and Sally cried. Empty nest syndrome they didn’t expect. With kindness and love Steve opened a bottle of champagne and offered her chocolate covered strawberries in the jacuzzi as one solution to love alone at last after thirty five years of marriage

excerpt in eight:

Chapter 2–One month later

Steve’s voice announcing he’d returned from work broke the silence and Sally felt a tinge of annoyance because she was in the midst of writing an article for the local paper and needed concentration and all he wanted was sex. Well, sex was good, uh, great but she needed a time-out. As a would-be journalist, getting clients, submitting articles, becoming a name turned out to be hard work and damn social media for taking over to create another challenge. Steve had a solid position with a large corporation as managing sales director of the entire country and had no idea how hard she worked in an attempt to reach the first rung of the ladder at her age.

“The weather forecast is grim with a big snowstorm coming.” He opened the fridge and said,  “We’re short on milk, butter, bread, and what did you plan for dinner?”

Dinner, who gives a flying. . .“I’m sorry, sweetheart; I’ve been in all day writing an article about a new restaurant in town and this time I not only get paid,” she gave him a big wet kiss with tongue, “I get a byline because the editor likes the personal angle.”

“Mmm, I like your personal angle with or without pay.”

for more snippets from talented writers:

http://wewriwa.com

 

BUY LINKS

SMASHWORDS for All EReader Devices

including PC and Mac

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/464048

ALLROMANCE

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-housebroken-1587634-149.html

KINDLE

http://www.amazon.com/Housebroken-Rivers-Edge-Romantic-Suspense-ebook/dp/B00MDYI08U

Housebroken Sneak Peek Video

or

http://youtu.be/oRJy-liBArM

Across a crowded world. . .

Once upon a time, my son Paul was a performer with the Second Hand, dancing all over the world. He called me in New York.; “‘I’m in Copenhagen. I’ll be performing in Berlin in two week and I want you to meet me there.” Newly widowed, the idea of traveling to a foreign country alone frightened me. He encouraged me, said he’s pay the fare, the hotel. All I had to do was show up.

“Where in Copenhagen are you, my son?”

“I met a beautiful woman, Mom. her name is Eva. Gotta run. Call this number if you get over your scaredy cat self. ”

He rattled off a long number and hung up. I paced the floor. Should I–shouldn’t I.? My husband whispered from beyond, “Go.” I called Paul. We made a plan. I had two weeks to learn German from a tennis friend. Her husband came to America to open the first Volkswagen showroom way back in time. When Paul greeted me at the airport, I spoke relatively decent German while he, the linguist, was left behind. One of the shows planned was on television and I was on set. Lights, camera, action. There were the three young men performing wonderfully funny acrobatic and funny dances. Applause, applause.

Years later, Paul and Eva found each other across a crowded world on Facebook. Happily ever after, they live in Denmark where Eva is an artist if renown and Paul is re-establishing himself as a teacher of the performing arts. Married last October, they Skype with me often like two happy campers. I miss them and love them. I write my books here in NY; mature romance fifteen stories thus far and more to come where my motto is, “It isn’t over ’til it’s over.”

Here’s to love, good health, and happiness.

Feeling a bit poignant writing this; empty nest syndrome? After so many years, maybe.

Here’s my latest release Housebroken. No, it’s not about a dog. . .yet

 

Housebroken–No it’s not about a dog. . .yet.Empty nest syndrome has overtaken Sally and Steve Atwood. They must find a way to recapture the alone-at-last feeling.

Introducing

Charmaine Gordon’s Newest Series

River’s Edge
River’s Edge, where the town motto is Kindness to Strangers, is a
small town with a big heart, and stories to tell that will warm your
heart, make you smile, and turn a dreary day into a day of hope for
the Kindness of Strangers…
Book 1

Housebroken

by Charmaine Gordon

Sally and Steve Atwood must make a big adjustment – a fair number of them, actually – when after thirty-five years, three grown children, and a lifetime of memories, they are alone, together, at last… And,
then they found River’s Edge.

BUY LINKS

SMASHWORDS for All EReader Devices

including PC and Mac

https://www.smashwords.com/ books/view/464048

ALLROMANCE

https://www.allromanceebooks. com/product-housebroken- 1587634-149.html

KINDLE

http://www.amazon.com/ Housebroken-Rivers-Edge- Romantic-Suspense-ebook/dp/ B00MDYI08U

Housebroken Sneak Peek Video

or

Housebroken by Charmaine Gordon

Thank you for joining in, my friends. If you’ve surred from empty nest syndrome, please stop by and leave a comment.

3/16/14 WEWRIWA

Zooming along toward spring, chipping remnants of ice to widen driveways ever hopeful to hear  birds chirping, crocus blooming and a semblance of re-awakening nature brings. Welcome friends, to another Sunday of snippets from talented authors looking toward constructive criticism. Today I continue with She Didn’t Say No, the story of Grace Meredith and what happens next after she gives in to a night of pleasure with Scott Dwyer. Thanks to everyone who left wonderful comments encouraging me in my career as an author.

Excerpt in approximately eight:

 

Vowing to love each other forever, finish school in a few years and begin a life together, we became the hottest unlikely new couple on campus, the studious girl and the BMOC with school the first priority. We made a promise not to interfere with our different plans because I’d be off to Purdue and he hadn’t solidified his plans yet because law schools offered scholarships for the brightest students and Scott had almost made up his mind since graduation was in June, a couple of months away.

A month later I missed my period; always on time, first I worried and kept it to myself and then frantic, I told him a big fat lie crossing my fingers and hoping to die for what I was about to say, I called my dearest love and said I had the flu and didn’t want him to catch it. Busy with finals, Scott said okay and he missed me and hoped I felt better soon and we’d be together again.

By the second late period, I was sure so I skipped classes and had someone bring assignments to my apartment, I completed my work while making a list of pros and cons, I faced the facts because by now, I’d cried too much pacing the floor alone with no one to talk to and afraid I might hurt the baby with all my grief, I reached for an inner strength to move on. Heartbroken, the practical side of me decided Scott must never know; I couldn’t burden his life, ruin his career with a baby and as for me, I’d go to Buffalo, tell my parents and they’d help me solve the problem.

 My Dearest Scott, I’m saying goodbye, not because I want to but because I have to; our paths are too divergent to survive the long wait until we can be together so please, please know you are my one and only love; I wish you well; and, and I don’t know what else to say except goodbye.

The letter made no sense; choices made with no guidance; choices that changed our lives.

 

This is the last snippet from She Didn’t Say No. Thanks for all the encouragement, my friends.

 for more snippets from talented authors:                          

 http://wewriwa.com

http://www.amazon.com/She-Didnt-Say-Beginning-Not/dp/0615959865

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I1MRP9S

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shedidn039tsayno-1404960-149.html

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/400933

http://youtu.be/fdBbIVdBXXo

3/3/14 WEWRIWA

Polar Vortex? Remember when the weatherperson said, “Bundle up, folks. It’s gonna be a cold one”?????????Stay warm and read another snippet from She Didn’t Say No, my latest release from Vanilla Heart Publishing, a mature romance/suspense with a twist.

When last seen, Grace reeled from her first kiss ever. Scott Dwyer, the Big Man On Campus delivered a smooch to knock her socks off. After a burger and fries on the way back to campus, she wonders what happens next, just like a writer. We all know the possibilities when we face our computers.

excerpt in eight:

 

After burgers, fries, and milkshakes he followed directions to my apartment and parked looking up at the nice building, he smiled. “I’ve passed this place like a zillion times never thinking the girl of my dreams might be right upstairs.”

“Girl of your dreams?” I smacked his shoulder, “You probably say that to all the girls.”

“No, Grace, I mean it; I’ve admired you for months at the library and here we are.”

Is this where I say come up and then I heard myself asking if he’d like to come up and we were inside and kissing in my quiet apartment where no one ever came until now. I always wondered what happens when two young people are alone, hormones raging but hearing about it and reading books is not the same. I wore a spring sweater set, pleated skirt, underwear, socks and sneakers; nothing sexy except my feelings and wanting him and Scott had experience on his side. Was I expected to be a casual lay? Right now, I didn’t know and didn’t care.

for more snippets from talented writers:                                       

 http://wewriwa.com

http://www.amazon.com/She-Didnt-Say-Beginning-Not/dp/0615959865

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I1MRP9S

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shedidn039tsayno-1404960-149.html

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/400933

http://youtu.be/fdBbIVdBXXo