Saturday, June 27, 2015

Final WeWriWa from The Writer

It's WeWriWa time!


Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.
This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from a published work or even a WIP (work in progress). Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! It's a great way to meet readers, writers, and your next favorite book!  :)

This month, we will be focusing on Maria's story in the Loving Her series: The Writer.



Everyone has that one friend - the mother of the group. Maria is that one friend; nurturing, wise, and with a spicy streak, Maria is the matriarch of the clan. Cerebral, emotional, and even sometimes comical, Maria’s story is the seventh in the Loving Her series. The Writer tells the story of Maria through grief, and joy, love and fear, and an emotionally challenging family relationship that threatens to interfere with the love she'd given up ever finding again...


Background on the snippet: Steph and Maria are on a date. Stephania has just disclosed her battle with drug addiction, and the loss of her younger brother to drugs. Maria pauses before speaking. This snippet has been edited to fit 8 sentences.

     “I have learned that in life, we are all in some kind recovery. Whether physical or emotional, each of us is recovering from something. A surgery, an injury, a disease, an addiction.
     “What is important in all of these recoveries is the rehabilitation. Everyone needs to be doing something to maintain this recovery. It could be physical therapy, chiropractic, massages, exercises, therapy, or meetings. They are really all the same. They are the work – the exercises you need to ensure your health and well-being; they help you to get better so that you don’t have another crisis, medical or emotional.”


I hope you liked it! Happy reading!

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Character of the Week: Lareina from Unbreakable Hostage

Smart and sexy, Lareina Oliveira  is a rare gem.


She was born in Puerto Rico. Growing up, she and her family didn't have much. Her parents, Consuelo and Jose, wanted more for Lareina and her brother. They wanted to see their children succeed in life. So, the family packed what few items they had, and they came to the States.



At twelve, Lareina had to adjust to an entirely new culture and language. It was a difficult adjustment at times. Very few of her classmates had any interest in befriending her. She was the new girl, the foreign girl, the poor girl. Her parents worked tirelessly for her to have a better life. Lareina quickly learned to appreciate all that she had, and all that her parents worked for. At a young age, she carefully tended to all of her belongings. Her clothes - any of her property - was kept very clean, very well organized, and remained in perfect condition. That is a trait that stayed with her throughout her life.



Seeing her parents' sacrifices, Lareina also focused on school work. She knew she needed to make the best of her education, and she did. She was a smart girl, so school work was not difficult for her. Math, though, came especially easy.



Her studies paid off. She graduated at the top of her class. Lareina decided that she wanted to give back. She thought that if she became a teacher, she could do some good in the world, and that would be a way to honor her parents' sacrifice.


College - both undergrad and graduate - was a breeze for the young Latina. She studied diligently, but she also had a social life. She had quite a few friends, and she dated occasionally. One of her friends was a gal named Sandy. Sandy was from San Diego, and she was also an education major. The two hit it off, and they eventually became roommates. She and Sandy both landed  jobs at the same school, before they even graduated. They were definitely two peas in a pod - two peas wanting to make a difference in the lives of children. Lareina was so excited to share her love of math, and to help her students learn and grow.


Like all teachers, she had her good students, and her not-so-good students. Lareina did everything imaginable to help reach her less-than-stellar students. Sometimes her hard work paid off. Other times, not so much. The longer she taught, the harder it became to reach her students. Lareina eventually felt defeated. It seemed that nothing worked. Her students didn't care, and she was unable to ignite a passion within them. She gave up. She waived her white flag, and decided to return to school to get her doctorate. She was going to be a professor, where she could work with students who had the drive and enthusiasm that she had.



In her first class, she encounters a man named Tony Covelli. He is awkward, and Lareina felt very uncomfortable around him. Time after time, he tries to strike up conversation with her. It's strained at best. He asks her out on dates countless times. The more she rejects him, the more assertive he becomes. Lareina becomes increasingly concerned as his behavior worsens.




At the end of the semester, after countless rejections, Tony cannot hold out any longer. He had to have her. So, he kidnapped her.


Her kidnapping was a long and torturous event. Tony brought her up to an old cabin hidden deep within the woods near the Merced River. At times, he was abusive and controlling. He raped her, he cut her with knives, he smashed her hands under the leg of a rocking chair he sat in. He was a brute. There were, however, other times where he was tender and gentle. He would talk to her, feed her, and try to take care of her. His words and actions were unpredictable. Despite his monstrous behavior, he also showed Lareina that he was just a very sad, sick, and hurt human being. There were times where Lareina couldn't help but feel sorry for him, or connect with him in some way. The Stockholm Syndrome was prominent in her experience.


For all of the abuse she endures, Lareina remains strong and stoic. She knows that only her wits and determination are what will save her. She is resourceful, using anything and everything to help herself, and help lead her friends, family, and police to her. Though she sometimes feels hopeless, her determination and will to live keep her going. She has an inner strength that not even she is aware of. She is an incredibly strong and resilient woman.



Tony was able to elude the police for days. For about two weeks, they hide in the cabin, living in fear and squalor. A case against Tony's brother brings the police right to them. Lareina watches as Marc, a missing persons detective fights with Tony in order to save Lareina. Weak, and severely injured, Lareina also fights for her freedom.



Once she is free, she rides home in Marc's car. For the first time, she looks at herself in the mirror on the car visor. She sees all of her bruises, wounds, and scars. The woman who loved to keep herself pristine was anything but. It was more painful to see what she truly looked like than to endure all that Tony had done to her.



In a perfect, fairy tale ending, Lareina and Marc find hope, freedom, and love with each other. As Marc said to himself. "I might have rescued her, but she rescued my heart." Theirs is the ending we all hope and wish for.


Lareina is a very strong woman. She has inner strength, physical strength, a mental strength like no other. She is quick witted, clever, smart, resourceful - she's unlike anyone you have ever met before. A perfect combination of brains and beauty, Lareina Oliveira is the kind of heroine we all need today.


Favorite quote from Lareina: "I wanted to show them how much I appreciated what they had done for us. So, I studied hard and I always worked. It was all for them – for their sacrifice. My first obligation is to my family, not to just any man. The right man would understand; they always told me that and I fully believe it.
     “Besides, I was raised to be a good Catholic. My parents instilled morals into my brother and I. Between my family and my beliefs, I was simply living my life the best way I knew how.”


Happy reading!
http://www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Hostage-Lauren-Shiro/dp/0615902456/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1428701439&sr=8-13&keywords=lauren+shiro


Saturday, June 20, 2015

Another WeWriWa from The Writer

It's WeWriWa time!


Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.
This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from a published work or even a WIP (work in progress). Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! It's a great way to meet readers, writers, and your next favorite book!  :)

This month, we will be focusing on Maria's story in the Loving Her series: The Writer.




Everyone has that one friend - the mother of the group. Maria is that one friend; nurturing, wise, and with a spicy streak, Maria is the matriarch of the clan. Cerebral, emotional, and even sometimes comical, Maria’s story is the seventh in the Loving Her series. The Writer tells the story of Maria through grief, and joy, love and fear, and an emotionally challenging family relationship that threatens to interfere with the love she'd given up ever finding again...



Background on the snippet: Maria and Stephania are about to embark in their first weekend getaway together. Maria is petrified. This trip could either solidify or destroy their relationship. She fears the intimacy and connection that could develop. After years of isolation, her relationship with Steph has become something real, and that scares her.
     Stephania can feel Maria's fear. She loves Maria, and has been happy to take a slower, more respectful pace. Seeing that Maria is extremely nervous and uncomfortable, she does her best to break the tension.
     They have just gotten into the car. The scene starts with Maria starting the car.


     She turned the key in the ignition.
     “Are we there yet?” Stephania asked.
     Maria turned to her with narrowed eyes.
     “What? I gotta pee and I’m hungry and…are we there yet?”
     Maria could no longer maintain her stoic face. The laughter broke through and the pair
enjoyed a good chuckle.





I hope you liked it! Happy reading!

Saturday, June 13, 2015

The Writer WeWriWa

It's WeWriWa time!


Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.
This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from a published work or even a WIP (work in progress). Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! It's a great way to meet readers, writers, and your next favorite book!  :)

This month, we will be focusing on Maria's story in the Loving Her series: The Writer.




Everyone has that one friend - the mother of the group. Maria is that one friend; nurturing, wise, and with a spicy streak, Maria is the matriarch of the clan. Cerebral, emotional, and even sometimes comical, Maria’s story is the seventh in the Loving Her series. The Writer tells the story of Maria through grief, and joy, love and fear, and an emotionally challenging family relationship that threatens to interfere with the love she'd given up ever finding again...




Background on the snippet: Maria is on the phone with her sister, Marisol. Marisol has just told her that no one in the family approves of Stephania, and that their mother does not want to see Maria because she is gay. Marisol threatened Maria by giving her the worst ultimatum possible: partner or family. The snippet begins with Maria's reaction to said ultimatum. This snippet has been edited to fit 8 sentences.



     “Do not make me choose between my spouse and my family...I can’t do it.”
     “You are making that decision as long as you continue to be that way. Don’t come around
until she is gone - neither of you are wanted here.”
     There was a click, and then there was silence. A brutal, awful silence. A silence that
slashed Maria’s heart in two. A silence that weighed heavily on her shoulders. A silence that
strangled her.




I hope you liked it! Happy reading!


Thursday, June 11, 2015

Character of the Week: Donna from The Cop/the Loving Her series

Cop, hero, friend, lover, daughter...Donna White wears many hats. She is a deep and complex woman. Hers is an emotionally charged story.


Donna was an only child. Her father, Tony, was a cop. Her mother, Amanda, was a seamstress.



Tony was a narcotics detective. Donna watched him as he risked life and limb every day to clean up the streets of Philadelphia.



Her father's work had a tremendous impact on her. For one, it was made clear to Donna at a very early age that drugs and alcohol were dangerous to say the least. He and his work were also very inspirational to Donna. She saw all of the good that he did, and she wanted to emulate that. Most importantly, it showed her that nothing in life was guaranteed; to savor every moment, and always tell loved ones how important they are.




Following in her father's foot steps, she studied criminal justice at Chestnut Hill College before attending the Philly Police Academy.


She did well in her class. Studious and focused, Donna was one of the top students.


Father's Day came, and as was the tradition, Donna took her parents out to eat at one of their favorite restaurants in the city. Donna and her parents had a wonderful holiday dinner together.


At the end of the evening, her parents drove off back home, and Donna went out to her apartment. It was the last time she'd ever see her parents.


On their drive home, Tony and Amanda were hit head on by a drunk driver.


Losing her parents meant losing her life. Everything was cold, dark, and empty. Nothing made sense, nothing had meaning. Suddenly, Donna's only way of coping was to drink at home, or to try to numb her pain with one night stands. She didn't know of any other way to forget the pain. She couldn't function, no matter what she did.



She went through the motions of life, like she was supposed to, but it was all a facade.
                                       


One year went by, and everything stayed the same. Donna was still completely devastated. She continued to search for peace in alcohol and women. Graduation wasn't anything important. Life was still meaningless.


She started to get some reprieve from her depressive state when she began her field training. Her FTO (Field Training Officer) was tough with her. He tested her and he pushed her. At times, he drove her insane. At others, he was her best friend.



Two days before her field training was to end, Donna was shot when they went out to an armed robbery.


Donna was shot in the back, and lost a kidney as a result of her wounds. She survived, though. In the hospital, she was painful, angry, and depressed. Once again it seemed as though nothing could go easily for her.



She recovers, and much to her surprise, was given glowing ratings from her FTO. Normal protocol would have had her on patrol for three years before she could go into narcotics. Between her father's reputation, and the recommendations from Kirkpatrick, her FTO, some strings were pulled and Donna went right into Narcotics. To make the deal even sweeter, she was teamed up with John, her father's old partner.


Donna excells as a Narc. She does so well that she receives the highest award a police officer in Philadelphia can receive: the George Fencl Award. Donna hates being the center of attention, but she deserved this award (and she knew it).



Life continues on status quo, until Donna's birthday. Once again, she seeks out a woman to help ease her loneliness. But this time, something's different. Heather was beautiful, alluring, addictive. One night of passion lead to two, which lead to more. Donna suddenly found herself in a relationship. She had always been afraid to open her heart to anyone after she had been so devastated by her parents' death. But Heather was worth it.


Or was she?


The relationship had been going well, or so Donna thought. Donna was madly in love with her, she assumed Heather loved her. There had never been a sign to indicate otherwise. Until one night when Heather tells Donna that she had accepted a new position, and would be moving to Chicago. Donna was floored. Especially when Heather suddenly became very cold, and said some horrifically cruel things to her.


Once again, Donna's heart was shattered.



Donna had met a gal named Linda through Heather. Out of desperation and loneliness, Donna sought her out for some support. Thus began an incredible friendship for the two women. Linda introduces Donna to Liz and Jen, Maria and Stephania. Donna went from being a loner to being a part of a group - a family of sorts.



Liz and Jen bring Taffy, a little calico kitten, to Donna for more companionship. Donna's entire world opened up thanks to her connection to Linda. She had friends - people who genuinely cared about her. Now she had a little roommate to boot.




What Donna receives in acceptance from the group, she gives back in time. She always makes herself available to them. When Jen falls down a flight of stairs, Donna is the person she calls. When Linda's shop is vandalized, she knew she could call Donna. Later on, when Katie is kidnapped by her own parents, Donna is right there to save her. 


Katie's rescue came with a price, though. Donna had gone to bed early because she and John had a sting early the next morning. Katie called her in the middle of the night, and to come to a section of town that was quite a bit away. It took a while for Donna to arrive with two patrol officers. Then, they needed to find Katie. After Katie is safe, Donna brings her back home, only to drive her and Linda out to one of the hospitals for much needed medical treatment.


Donna finally crashes in the break room at the precinct. 

She only naps for a short while before going off to her raid with John.




Her exhaustion gets the best of her, and she flubs the operation. John gets shot as a result. It seems that once again, the people closest to Donna get hurt.


In a sick twist of irony, John loses a kidney, like Donna did, from his injury. He, too, recovers. His is a tad more lengthy, but he survives.


Dedicated completely, Donna works diligently to get the guy that shot John. Her work leads her to Brynn, a cop in Doylestown. Brynn and her family are friends with John and his wife, Beth. John had wanted to set them up for a date. Now, they were working together.


Between her concern for John, and her attraction to Brynn, working this case became difficult for Donna. She and Brynn, though, are able to bring justice to John's assailant. 



The most terrifying moment, though, comes when Brynn asks Donna out. That night, Liz was premiering as the new principle dancer for the Pennsylvania Ballet, so Brynn asks Donna if she can join her. Although she is petrified, Donna agrees.


Thus begins a wonderful romance for Donna. Her story ends with a happy ending, but Brynn reminds her that life isn't perfect. That their friends' relationships aren't impeccable. That Donna's quirks and insecurities are just like anyone else's. And that a real life, flawed relationship is even better than fiction.


Donna is such a rich, deep character. She is chock-full of heart, emotion, courage, and humanity. She is a wonderful woman, someone we can all connect to.

Favorite quote from Donna: "I gotta say, it really is an honor to be up here. I never expected to win an award like this. That’s not why I go out and do what I do. I’m a cop because…I’m a cop. My father was a police officer, I had to become one!
     “I do what I do because of my father. He instilled good morals into me. He taught me about honesty, integrity, doing the right thing, fairness. All the things that a police officer is meant to encompass.
     “And I work in the department that I do because of my father. Not only because I am following in his footsteps. But because of how he died. A drunk driver hit and killed both of my parents on Father’s Day. It was a drug related crime as far as I’m concerned. And I don’t want other people to suffer through what I went through. I want to make the streets cleaner and safer by getting rid of the chemicals that cause people to lose their sound judgment and their humanity.
     “I do what I do because I love it and because it’s important to me. Thank you.”




Happy reading!



Saturday, June 6, 2015

June WeWriWa: The Writer

It's WeWriWa time!


Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.
This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from a published work or even a WIP (work in progress). Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! It's a great way to meet readers, writers, and your next favorite book!  :)

This month, we will be focusing on Maria's story in the Loving Her series: The Writer.



Everyone has that one friend - the mother of the group. Maria is that one friend; nurturing, wise, and with a spicy streak, Maria is the matriarch of the clan. Cerebral, emotional, and even sometimes comical, Maria’s story is the seventh in the Loving Her series. The Writer tells the story of Maria through grief, and joy, love and fear, and an emotionally challenging family relationship that threatens to interfere with the love she'd given up ever finding again...



Background on the snippet: This is the beginning of the story. Maria is about to make the first of many life-altering changes. She is about to leave her job of twenty years to write for another publication. This preludes her job interview for the new periodical.



     Maria sat nervously in the chair. She hadn’t had to do anything like this in decades. Did she have what it takes? Would she succeed, or would her nerves get the best of her?
     The young girl who sat her reappeared. “Come this way.” She motioned for Maria to follow her.
     Taking in a deep breath, Maria rose and began to follow her through a maze of cubicles until they reached his office.




I hope you liked it! Happy reading!