Women Authors of VHP ~ Charmaine Gordon

Please come in to my parlor and meet one of my fellow Vanilla Heart Publishing authors, Charmaine Gordon.

Charmaine Gordon writes books  about women who Survive and Thrive.  Her motto is take one step and then another to leave your past behind and begin again. Six books and several short stories in three years, she’s always at work on the next story. The books include To Be Continued, Starting Over, Now What?, Reconstructing Charlie, Sin of Omission, The Catch, The River’s Edge series and more. Charmaine’s first novel with Vanilla Heart Publishing, To Be Continued, has been optioned for a television movie!

 

Can you describe the time you realized you were indeed a “real” writer?

Oh yes indeed. When our fearless leader said send me the manuscript, I sat up , all 5’3” of me and yelled, Yippee!

Can you tell us about what you are writing now, or have ideas for later?

Two days after I wrote The End for Spreading Her Wings, I had an idea. Her husband dies suddenly. There are two sons, the youngest one is successful and dear, the older one is cold, married to the wicked witch of the East. Slowly the story unfolds as she finds herself, step by step. Two thousand words and cooking, loving every moment.

Do you have a milestone birthday coming up? If so, how are you approaching it?

I love birthdays and hope to have so many more. Gimme, Gimme.

Do you schedule time to write or is writing all-consuming to the exclusion of everything else and you schedule time to do other things? Like eat.

With caring for my granddaughter, I rush through the day, promo, dinner, writing, taking her to karate and gymnastics. YIKES! A bit much. Husband is such a sweetie.

How do you develop your plots and your characters? Do you use any set formula?

The stories seem to form all alone and I follow the lead with no formula.

How do you think others would describe you?

Gorgeous, glamorous, amazing and a big liar. Just kidding, friends. Frankly I don’t know.

How many books are in your office or home?

Bunches, old and new. Especially a full set of C Cordero’s

          (aww, thanks Charmaine)

Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.

Gardening and building patios. This has gotten more difficult with age yet I do it. Also exercise daily.

Plotter or Pantser? Why?

Seat of the pants because I don’t know any other way.

Tell us about the absolute BEST review you have received .

This one for To Be Continued is nifty.

LAS Reviewer “The Long and the Short Of It Reviews”

Rising from the ashes of a burned-out marriage, Elizabeth feels like forty years of her life went up in smoke. Her successful husband, Dr. Frank Malone sneaked away in the night leaving only a note.

With a daughter that “pooh-poohs” the whole thing as just a temporary mid-life crisis and “friends” that avoid her, Elizabeth must rely on herself. Even her longtime lawyer turns out to be a stinker.

The Elizabeth that once was, before subverting her aspirations and becoming Dr. Frank Malone’s wife and Susie’s mother, begins to find herself–and what a self it is. The emotional journey she makes magnifies that life is to be continued, even if old dreams and an old marriage die.

(read more)

 

What books have most influenced your life?

To Kill a Mocking Bird. I’ve read this many times, always touched with the completeness of the story.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

After dinner, we turn on a movie and I do stretch’s. A regular routine. Wild and crazy when I dance to the credit music.

What makes you happy?

The cats, the husband, daughter and grandest, sunshine, writing

When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?

Daytime when I can manage and juggle, A thousand words a day if possible. I find I write in my head a lot. 

When you were a child, what was your most treasured book?

Ah, ancient times, my friend. I don’t know. I had to care for my baby brother, sew, knit, iron. A busy girl. No spreading my wings.

Why do you write?

Because I can’t stop.

Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website? Blog?

http://AuthorCharmaineGordon.wordpress.com

Is there a place where readers can reach you?

For a good time email AuthorCharmaineGordon@gmail.com
or touch base with me  on
Twitter @CharJGordon
or check out my
Facebook page Author Charmaine Gordon 

Bridging the Gap
by Charmaine Gordon

Anna Youngblood and James Chandler have problems. His little daughter overheard his ex say she never wanted kids; Anna must make amends for breaking rules of her tribe; he has a serious concussion and she’s pregnant. Can this couple find happiness in River’s Edge?

 

iTunes

All Romance E-Books

Kindle

SMASHWORDS for All E-Reader Devices
including PC and Mac

Barnes&Noble

Chatting with Charmaine Gordon…

Today we welcome my bff and fellow VHP author Charmaine Gordon. Charmaine’s books are all fantastic stories about women who Survive and Thrive, and the journey through is completely enthralling. Charmaine has also written a Mature Romance series which proves that we are never too old for love and passion. I highly recommend ALL of Ms. Gordon’s books, they are filled with humor, emotion, inspiration and a refreshing brand of happy-ever-afters. Thanks so much for joining me here in the Potpourri Parlor.

 

Hi Chelle. I’m delighted to visit with you today. We’ve had many fun twists and turns since meeting about five years ago on a rainy Friday night at Barnes & Noble in the Palisades Mall, no customers and no air conditioning on that stifling evening. I had one book, you had eight. I was a newbie and you were a woman of the writing world. Humbled I listened and learned.

 

Tell us about your favorite character from your books

I write about women who survive and thrive so there are many characters I love. All of them qualify as my fave so I’ll tell you about Joy Davison from my latest book, Farewell, Hello or rather, Joy speaks for herself.

“Hi, I’m Joy coming to you right from the pages of Farewell Hello. Born in Chicago, Illinois, my real story begins in 1948 when I met a senior, the most popular boy in high school, and Mother said, “Don’t allow privileges” and I didn’t know what she meant. Danny and I fell in love and now two years later, he’s furious with me and just hung up the phone from his base at San Antonio, Texas where he’s about to graduate from pilot school.

I’m crying staring at my sparkling diamond ring on the third finger of my left hand. I had to postpone our wedding because Mother is suddenly sick with something called Multiple Sclerosis and the doctor says she may not live long. Father says family comes first and since I’m the daughter, I have to take care of sweet Mother. I know in my heart Danny and I will find each other. The main concern is the war in Korea. Little did I know then, there were many obstacles to overcome more than a war.”

What was your first sale as an author?

That’s easy. I bought a copy of To Be Continued and gave it to my daughter. I don’t think she’s read my first book. I’ve signed an option for a television movie with a production company, have had many wonderful reviews. She loves me and has my book tucked in next to her bed, unread. No biggie.

Where do you do your research?

Google is the go-to for research; fast and easy. As for my husband, he knows I’m doing something in my small office besides not making dinner yet he prefers no-fiction and has never looked at even Page One of any of the fifteen stories I’ve written. Again, no biggie. . .but someday, POW! Right in the kisser.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing your books?

It’s a solitary pre-occupation where fictional characters talk to you. As an actor, I was accustomed to applause and standing ovations once in a while and people hugging me in the streets. And now the characters I’ve brought to life yearn for the same applause and hugging. My fictional characters never let me go, They reach out calling, “Me, me, one more time.” Very cool.

Do you hear from your readers? What kinds of questions do they ask?

Yes, sometimes. They thank me and wonder how I knew about loss and recovery and how to move on using humor to get through each day. I tell them once you’ve had so many experiences, it’s not all that difficult.

What was the scariest moment of your life?

The sudden death of my mother and then later my first husband. I didn’t know how to reconcile a world without them. Face it, I did. A hurdle to overcome alone. Sink or swim and I became a strong swimmer against an almost overwhelming tide.

What is your favorite meal?

I do love broiled salmon, risotto rice, steamed spinach topped off with my favorite dessert, crème brulee.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?

If you really want to write, I say write. Find time every day to write without censoring your words for about twenty minutes. Only then, reread. You might be surprised at what you see. Tell your story, claim it for your own in your own voice and when and if you’ve told the whole story, polished like a jewel, find a home for it. Best wishes from someone who knows.

What hobbies do you actively pursue?

I walk and stretch every day but best of all I hang out with my six year old granddaughter. She brings joy and fun every time we’re together. We climb up into the highest part of her play yard and talk about important things like boys, math, sports, and nasty girls. We also sing and make up stories. I plan to live to about 100 and ten, minimum. There are many ideas I must share with her.

What makes you happy?

Waking up is a plus; writing, creating a new story another plus. World peace is an unfulfilled dream so I fear we citizens have little say in the outcome of this and that war. I say ENOUGH, you selfish fools, but no one listens. The best I hope for is a good life for us and our children

 

Thanks, dear Chelle for inviting me to be your guest today.

 

Farewell Hello
by Charmaine Gordon

Buy links for Farewell, Hello my latest release are here.

Farewell, Hello

http://itunes.apple.com/us/Book/farewell-hello/id888930945

http://Barnesandnoble.com/w/farewell-hello-charmaine-gordon/1119733592

 

 

 

To Be Continued – Audiobook-style

Can you hear it now? YOU BET!

 

To Be Continued by Charmaine Gordon is now available as an AUDIOBOOK on Audible, iTunes, and on Amazon! Also in All Ebook Formats and Print Editions. To Be Continued is Charmaine Gordon’s first novel with Vanilla Heart Publishing and Vanilla Heart Publishing’s first novel to be optioned for a television movie.

To Be Continued

by Charmaine Gordon

Elizabeth Malone wakes up the morning after an amazing night of passion with her husband of forty years to find a note: “Dear Lizzie, it’s not you, it’s me.”

Abandoned by her husband, disappointed in daughter Susie’s casual attitude – ‘Dad’s having a mid-life crisis’, Beth decides to re-establish herself as the winner she once was.

When Frank Malone returns, he’s in for a big surprise!

Review

Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Camellia for Long And Short Reviews

…Everyone should be fortunate enough to have a new friend like Lisa, a pool man like Maverick (WOW), a new lawyer like Elise Bergen, and a Sister Mary Margaret type to help rekindle the fire to be a “winner” after feeling like a total “loser”. Besides these supportive new people in her life, Elizabeth’s life is influenced by a tempting but troubled psychiatrist that wrote a book entitled “Get A Grip”, a remarkable son-in-law, and some super guests at “The Night for Possibilities” not the least of which is Sam Taylor.

Charmaine Gordon brings the characters to life with humor, decisive action, shared tears and stories. In To Be ContinuedMs. Gordon takes the reader from a situation of despair to one of joy and love with lots of living done with mature and some not-so-mature exuberance.

To Be Continued with a survive-and-thrive attitude is captivating.

To Be Continued is narrated and produced by Rebecca Roberts, professional voiceover artist and narrator, residing in Florida.

         

AUDIO, PRINT, and ALL ELECTRONIC EDITIONS

BUY LINKS

AUDIO on Amazon –

http://www.amazon.com/To-Be-Continued/dp/B00FMPIBX6

And if you decide to use the Amazon-exclusive Audible.com 30-day free trial membership it includes:

• This audiobook free, plus a bonus audiobook of your choice
• Exchange any book you don’t like with our Great Listen Guarantee
• Total flexibility – cancel, pause or upgrade membership easily and whenever you like

PRINT – http://www.amazon.com/To-Be-Continued-Charmaine-Gordon/dp/1935407430

Kindle – http://www.amazon.com/To-Be-Continued-ebook/dp/B0030IM65G 

AllRomance Ebooks – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-tobecontinued-395548-149.html

Smashwords for All Ereaders – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7283

Payloadz Instant Download – http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=853560

Free Book Club Discussion Packet – http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=912108

Charmaine Gordon & VHP – a winning combo

   

VANILLA HEART PUBLISHING

SIGNS FIRST TELEVISION FILM

OPTION AGREEMENT 

FOR CHARMAINE GORDON’S 

TO BE CONTINUED!

 

 

Vanilla Heart Publishing has completed negotiations with Willy-Gilly Productions, and received the signed Option Agreement for television movie production of Charmaine Gordon’s  first Vanilla Heart Publishing novel, To Be Continued. 

This will be a unique opportunity for Charmaine Gordon, a former actor who will now be on the other side of the camera. Charmaine’s extraordinary talent for writing both novels and short stories is apparent throughout her backlist, and we are thrilled To Be Continued is the first optioned novel for Charmaine and Vanilla Heart Publishing.

Roll Cameras!

&

ANNOUNCING

The Beginning…Not the End,
Volume 1

Three Stories of Mature
Love, Passion, & Suspense

Now in Print!

PRINT EDITION

http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Not-End-Stories-Passion-Suspense/dp/0615888240

Instant Grandpa   

Summer at the Jersey Shore just got hotter… Take one widower grandfather, add two little grandkids, and widowed grandmother with a small granddaughter. Mix well. Stir in sun drenched beach days and moonlit nights. What have you got? A kite flying high with a new tail; an author writing a book to sort out emotions; a talented boy with his mother returned to claim the prize.

Young at Heart    

Seventy year old Joyce Campbell expected her new left hip to heal at Helen Hayes Rehabilitation. What she didn’t expect was to fall in love with the distinguished silver haired Collin Brody who wouldn’t give her a second glance. Until Kizzy, the therapy dog comes into Collin’s life…and into his heart. What happens next? The Beginning, Not the End.

 

Before the Final Curtain  

Once lovers, aging actors collide on stage as stars in a romantic comedy written and directed by a manipulative director. Add to the mix the talented assistant, a tough stage manager, one prominent costume designer, two young actors, secrets and gossip. Show business. There’s no business like it.

Also Available as Singles for all Ebook reading devices!