11/24/13 WEWRIWA

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays but this is Sunday and the writing never ceases so join us as we read and give constructive criticism so we may learn and grow our craft as authors.

This week I continue with The Catch due to public response. Tom Donnelly The Catch, and Joanne McKenna Friedman seesaw in an attempt to put a relationship together. Big surprise when they find themselves at the elevator in the same law firm. He asks her to have dinner. She declines and melts away in the throng of people leaving work after saying. . .

excerpt in eight:

“Tom, I don’t trust anyone and I hold my feelings close. My job is what counts. You caught me at a weak moment the night of the storm.”
Before he had a chance to respond Joanne vanished in the crowd.
In a cab he itched for the old life; stop for a drink or two during happy hour, pick up a pretty woman at the bar, be a good old boy but not this time so eyes squeezed tight, he gave his address to the driver, told him not to stop even if he begged to get out. The cab driver swiveled his head around and nodded, “Ya think you’re the only guy; are ya married or just need a drink?”
“No to both; just a damn fool” and Tom wiped sweat from his brow and sat back to consider the obvious move to let her go. In the past the old Tom, the catch, never needed to do the one hand mambo but maybe the time was ripe because he certainly was. Go for a run, make a spinach cheese omelet and work on his best clients, the Anderson’s, latest acquisition.  Joanne McKenna Friedman you’ve dug a hole in my heart. Damn.

For more snippets by talented writers

www.wewriwa.com

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/295820

http://www.amazon.com/The-Catch-ebook/dp/B00BUGFI2I

http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=1573951

Video

http://youtu.be/zGDljrb8i18

 

11/17/13 WEWRIWA

Soon comes the frenzy of shopping with people forgetting the meaning of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas. Let’s not forget the spirit of these treasured holidays, my friends.

Welcome to our special Sunday where everyone is welcome to read and give constructive critique.

Today, I continue with The Catch where we get to know a bit more about Joanne, the heroine in the story. A young woman with a jaded past she can’t get over,  Tom comes to her apartment, worried that she hadn’t been around and a nor’easter is in progress. She doesn’t want his help and sends him away. She’s taken and passed the Bar exam and is about to start a new job with a prestigious law firm.

excerpt in eight:

 

At her door, Joanne found a bouquet of red roses complete with baby’s breath and fern in a glass vase, the little white card read: Here’s to the power back on with a day as bright as you are from Tom Donnelly.

Damn the tears and damn him for provoking this reaction, she thought; I have no room for anyone in my life. Now she’d have to call and thank him and blah, blah, blah, the way real people do and then a friendship begins and NO she did not want a friend.

 “Hey Tom, the roses are,” choked up she almost cried and stopped to clear her throat, “the roses are uh, special so thanks and goodbye because I’m starting a new job with a law firm and I have to get to bed early.”

 “Do you want to have a real dinner out with me to celebrate?”

 “Thanks but no and thanks again for the flowers, they smell, uh, hey what’s a good word for the scent of fresh roses?”

He laughed and said, “Divine?”

“Divine, yes, in my whole life, I never used such a word,” and as Joanne McKenna Friedman  inhaled the flowers again she knew the fragrance was divine and Tom Donnelly was a man to stay far away from no matter how many flowers he sent.

 

 

For more snippets by talented writers

www.wewriwa.com

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/295820

http://www.amazon.com/The-Catch-ebook/dp/B00BUGFI2I

http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=1573951

Video

http://youtu.be/zGDljrb8i18

 

11/3/13 WEWRIWA

The autumn leaves drift by my window. You betcha. Be careful out there. They are slippery when wet. Welcome to a beautiful Sunday and what can be better than a satisfying eight sentences to whet your appetite.

I continue with my fallen hero in The Catch. Once a star quarterback at Northwestern University, now a lawyer who fears he’s about to lose his job. When last seen, the call girl slammed the door leaving him alone on New Years Day.

excerpt in eight:

 

The bathroom cabinet contained sleeping pills; an easy way out with a glass of vodka to wash them down; and peace. Shaking hands, a gift from the hellish hangover, and Tom fumbled opening the bottle of pills. Tiny clicks as small capsules cascaded over the counter onto the floor. Tom arranged the capsules in a row then automatically rearranged them into a formation; the corners of his mouth tugged into a smile. They looked like a football formation made of pills and he pictured the play to come next. First a scramble for position he–the quarterback—called for; a winning strategy ended in another touchdown.

One quick motion and the capsules were flushed, a part of sewage in the great city of Chicago. As for me, Tom straightened, there’s nowhere to go but up.

 

For more snippets by talented writers

www.wewriwa.com

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/295820

http://www.amazon.com/The-Catch-ebook/dp/B00BUGFI2I

http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=1573951

Video

http://youtu.be/zGDljrb8i18

 

10/27/13 WEWRIWA a Community of Writers and Readers

Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writers where we post eight sentences and seek constructive criticism from you.

This week my eight comes from my recently released book The Catch published by Vanilla Heart.

Take one lawyer fallen from the ladder of success; add another woman lawyer with a jaded secret past, distrustful of everyone and what have you got? Trouble when the unscrupulous top lawyer of their firm tries to force her into a situation.

excerpt in eight:

The woman in his bed sat up and shoved him hard and said, “Time’s up, handsome.”

Tom Donnelly rolled over and blinked awake.

“My name’s Vicki in case you’ve forgotten.”

He attempted his winning grin; it didn’t work and then the fog lifted to recall speaking to an escort service for a date.

Naked, Vicki stalked to the bathroom with an armload of clothes picked up on the way. Five minutes later, money in her tight fist, Vicki came running out of the bathroom to scream in his face saying, “The deal was a thousand dollars, I count five hundred so where’s the rest?” Hands on voluptuous hips she glared at him.

Head pounding from the world’s worst hangover, Tom staggered out of bed and lurched to his dresser; face flushed, he handed her four hundred fifty dollars and said, “Sorry. I’ll make it up next time.”

For more snippets by talented writers

www.wewriwa.com

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/295820

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615792545

http://www.amazon.com/The-Catch-ebook/dp/B00BUGFI2I

http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=1573951

Video

http://youtu.be/zGDljrb8i18

Blurb

Tom Donnelly, once known as The Catch – every woman’s dream guy, has fallen down every rung of the ladder he once worked so hard to climb. On New Year’s Day, he realizes just how far he’s fallen, and makes a list of resolutions to change his life. He vows to regain the trust lost from his family, his law firm, and his friends – and maybe even find the right woman this time.

He crosses paths with Joanne McKenna Friedman – a smart young lawyer, beautiful on the outside, damaged on the inside. Joanne’s secret past leaves her distrustful of everyone. Until a court case comes up to threaten her career and even her life, and she turns to Tom for help.

 

7/14/13 WEWRIWA

After a week at Cape May Point, NJ, I returned tan and ready to resume The Catch begun two weeks ago. Hi friends and writers, Hope all is well. I love your comments and enjoy reading your eights. Here we go.

Last time, I opened with the very beginning of my latest release, The Catch. Tom Donnelly reached the bottom of the ladder after being on the fast track. It’s New Years Day. A paid escort just stormed out because he didn’t have enough money to pay her fee.

excerpt in eight:

 

The bathroom cabinet contained sleeping pills; an easy way out with a glass of vodka to wash them down , then peace. Shaking hands, a gift from the hellish hangover, and he fumbled opening the bottle of pills; tiny clicks as small capsules cascaded over the counter onto the floor.

Tom arranged the capsules in a row then automatically rearranged them into a formation causing the corners of his mouth to tug into a smile. They looked like a football formation made of pills and he pictured the play to come next. First a scramble for position he–the quarterback—called for. A winning strategy ended in another touchdown.

One quick motion and the capsules were flushed, a part of sewage in the great city of Chicago. As for me, Tom straightened, there’s nowhere to go but up.

for more snippets from talented authors:

http://www.wewriwa.com

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/295820

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615792545

http://www.amazon.com/The-Catch-ebook/dp/B00BUGFI2I

http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=1573951

Video

http://youtu.be/zGDljrb8i18

Blurb

Tom Donnelly, once known as The Catch – every woman’s dream guy, has fallen down every rung of the ladder he once worked so hard to climb. On New Year’s Day, he realizes just how far he’s fallen, and makes a list of resolutions to change his life. He vows to regain the trust lost from his family, his law firm, and his friends – and maybe even find the right woman this time.

He crosses paths with Joanne McKenna Friedman – a smart young lawyer, beautiful on the outside, damaged on the inside. Joanne’s secret past leaves her distrustful of everyone. Until a court case comes up to threaten her career and even her life, and she turns to Tom for help.

 

6/30/13 WEWRIWA

Welcome friends and writers to almost July. Are we having fun or what? This week my eight is devoted to The Catch, released in late May by Vanilla Heart, the best small publishing company ever.

The woman in his bed sat up and shoved him hard and said, “Time’s up, handsome.”

Tom Donnelly rolled over and blinked awake.“My name’s Vicki in case you’ve forgotten.” He attempted his winning grin; it didn’t work and then the fog lifted to recall speaking to an escort service for a date.

Naked, Vicki stalked to the bathroom with an armload of clothes picked up on the way. Five minutes later, money in her tight fist, Vicki came running out of the bathroom to scream in his face saying, “The deal was a thousand dollars, I count five hundred so where’s the rest?” Hands on voluptuous hips she glared at him.

Head pounding from the world’s worst hangover, Tom staggered out of bed and lurched to his dresser; face flushed, he handed her four hundred fifty dollars and said, “Sorry. I’ll make it up next time.”

For more snippets by talented writers

www.wewriwa.com

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/295820

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615792545

http://www.amazon.com/The-Catch-ebook/dp/B00BUGFI2I

http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=1573951

Video

http://youtu.be/zGDljrb8i18

Blurb

Tom Donnelly, once known as The Catch – every woman’s dream guy, has fallen down every rung of the ladder he once worked so hard to climb. On New Year’s Day, he realizes just how far he’s fallen, and makes a list of resolutions to change his life. He vows to regain the trust lost from his family, his law firm, and his friends – and maybe even find the right woman this time.

He crosses paths with Joanne McKenna Friedman – a smart young lawyer, beautiful on the outside, damaged on the inside. Joanne’s secret past leaves her distrustful of everyone. Until a court case comes up to threaten her career and even her life, and she turns to Tom for help.

 

Rewarding the author–Yippee!

Five Star review for The Catch

May30

The day began just fine because I woke up, always a plus, and when I turned on my Dell the sun sparkled despite the rain. Why you may ask? A 5, count them, 5 star review was posted on Amazon for my latest release, The Catch. Happy dancing all over the place as I read and reread words to live by. Someone, a reader, loves my baby.

And what a journey it was as I wrote page after page a thousand words a day. The story took on a life of it’s own, twisting this way and that like a roller coaster ride without making the rider throw up. I laughed and cried typing, scenes taking shape before my eyes. Consumed with the joy of writing, I disliked every intrusion. Where was an assistant who brought lunch and beverages, picked up my granddaughter–age 5–and played with her? No, just me. So write fast, come home, edit, polish and move on until the story ended.

I forgot to mention research. Writing about a paraplegic required research, as did law cases, delivering twins, shooting a Lady Smith and Wesson. About the gun, my husband took me to his club where they shoot paper and clay and taught me stance and everything and way more I needed for my book. “Enough”, I said. Once Don got into instruction mode, he didn’t want to quit. I must admit, a few threats were necessary before he gave it up.

So dear readers, when you sit down with a good book that transports you to another place for a few hours, remember the author and maybe a 5 star review.

direct link to review   http://amzn.to/1auJOsT

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29580

http://www.amazon.com/The-Catch-ebook/dp/B00BUGFI2I

http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=1573951

Video

http://youtu.be/zGDljrb8i18

Blurb

Tom Donnelly, once known as The Catch – every woman’s dream guy, has fallen down every rung of the ladder he once worked so hard to climb. On New Year’s Day, he realizes just how far he’s fallen, and makes a list of resolutions to change his life. He vows to regain the trust lost from his family, his law firm, and his friends – and maybe even find the right woman this time.

He crosses paths with Joanne McKenna Friedman – a smart young lawyer, beautiful on the outside, damaged on the inside. Joanne’s secret past leaves her distrustful of everyone. Until a court case comes up to threaten her career and even her life, and she turns to Tom for help.

 

This entry was posted on May 30, 2013 and tagged author Charmaine Gordon, friendships, lawyers, love, paraplegic, prejudice, romance/suspense, The Catch, Vanilla Heart, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

YES I CAN!

My grandest shouts Yes I Can along with the other students of Taekwondo at the Academy in New City, NY. What wonderful words to learn at an early age when the world is wide open to every possibility.Master Yu and  my granddaughter

Born long ago when girls were subservient to boys, I learned to cook, sew, tap dance, and was expected to be the good wife and mother. Jobs? If you went to college teaching and nursing would be the best choices. No YES I CAN for this woman until much later in life.

Today I’m proud to announce the release of my latest book The Catch in all formats. It takes a lot of courage to write and hope someone will read what you’ve written. I feel like Grandma Moses beginning a new career so late in life.

Here’s a link to a four chapter free read. Let me know what you think. http://www.freado.com/book/14856/the-catch

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/295820http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615792545

http://www.amazon.com/The-Catch-ebook/dp/B00BUGFI2I

Enter Into My Imagination

I recall  “Enter Into My Imagination” as words spoken by Richard Kiley starring as Don Quixote  in Man of La Mancha on Broadway back in the seventies. Maybe the first words in the opening scene. His song “The Impossible Dream” became a major hit.

“During the Spanish Inquisition in the late 1500s, an impoverished storyteller named Miguel Cervantes is thrown into a dungeon. His fellow inmates threaten to steal his possessions and toss his newly written novel into the fire.

To save his book (and perhaps his life), he draws upon the sympathies of the prisoners by reenacting the misadventures of Don Quixote. The inmates become caught up with Cervantes’ imagination, and they become part of this play-within-a-play.

The Character of Don Quixote: The original novel pokes fun of Quixote, reveling in his obliviousness. In Cervantes’ fiction, Don Quixote warns the readers of the dangers of fantasy and the delusions of grandeur. The novel was published in two parts. The first part displays Quixote as a confused, well-meaning buffoon. The second part becomes more serious, ending with Don Quixote’s deathbed renunciation of chivalry.

The musical version, based upon Dale Wasserman’s 1959 teleplay, contrasts a few of the themes from the original material. Don Quixote is naïve and prone to hallucination, but the audience favors Quixote’s imagination versus the brutal reality of the everyday world.(culled from Wikipedia)

Becoming a professional actor was my impossible dream come true and when my voice failed I dreamed of writing a book. This impossible dream came true. I’m going to share how my latest story is coming to fruition. Another Impossible Dream. Difficult to sit after hip replacement surgery and blah, blah numerous woes, it’s easy to stagger away from the task of focusing on writing. I have a steely reserve and decided to fight lethargy. Here comes the funny part. Without humor, you can’t survive, folks.

I dug myself into a hole after finding a hero and heroine with conflicts, all the good stuff before happy ever after BUT I gave her a career as a lawyer. I know nothing about law, courtroom drama was not on my mind and what the hell? I wrote what I considered to be a good, no great scene and didn’t know what to do when the bad guy showed up for the big conference. Nothing to do except go to sleep where all solutions never fail. I woke up smiling, not what you’re thinking, kids, and wrote a plausible solution. Yippee! Forty thou word count and more to go before The End. Watch for The Catch to be released by Vanilla Heart mid February.

Thanks for reading, my friends. Remember to make your Impossible Dream possible.

 

Isn’t it Romantic?

When I saw this picture on Brad Stanton’s post just now, I thought of my work in progress titled The Catch. Tom Donnelly falls in love with the aloof Joanne McKenna Friedman, a lawyer at the same firm he works for. How to interest her is the question. Flowers, flattery, or just being a good friend. A conflict to be solved as in all romances.

As comical as the above picture is, romance blooms at an early age and hopefully never stops. In all my romance/suspense novels, the heroine survives what appears to be overwhelming obstacles and thrives by putting one foot in front of the other step by step until she’s created a new improved life.

In The Catch,

 

Tom, my first hero, struggles to regain his footing after a single mishap. The story begins New Year’s Day with resolutions he intends to keep. Read how he grows with determination by giving back to the community and his family and the way he gains the trust of Joanne with all her secrets of a sad past life. For she too is considered to be a Catch at their law firm.

With humor and love, I’m writing another sequel to Reconstructing Charlie

Reconstructing Charlie by Charmaine Gordon

and

Sin of Omission

to be released in February. Vanilla Heart Publishing.

Happy New Year to all and to all, happy Reading.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sin-of-omission-charmaine-gordon/1111456\
096

http://www.amazon.com/Reconstructing-Charlie-Charmaine-Gordon/dp/1935407910