The Romance Reviews

Friday 1 May 2009

Villains - not necessarily bad people

Last April (2008) I was nervously anticipating the public release of my first romantic-suspense novel, Bartlett’s Rule – and was I ever nervous!


Since then Vanilla Heart Publishing has introduced three more of my romantic-suspense novels.

Just barely more than a year later, I am once again frantically nervous about the release of my latest novel – a mainstream murder-mystery this time – Final Sin.
Deputy Sheriff Commander Jake Carson has his hands full with the investigation of brutal multiple homicides, a troubled son and a vindictive ex-wife when he meets young, free-spirited paramedic Julie Jennings. He is immediately drawn to her and finds himself unexpectedly falling in love. Julie finds herself just as drawn to him. When Julie becomes the subject of an obsession, it puts both of their lives in extreme danger...” Trust me, I did the research, some of the scenes in Final Sin aren’t so pretty.

In a little more than a year, I seem to be on my way to creating a village of characters and I hope they will be as memorable to my readers as they are to me. Each book has a lead couple; oh yes, even though Final Sin is not genre romance, the couple is in love and readers will understand how this adds to the heightened tension and threat. Each story also features a cast of “supporting characters” including some not-so-nice people.

Especially since I have written Final Sin, a book with a VERY DARK SIDE, I have been thinking about my protagonists. Just as my heroes and heroines are not perfect, I think I can actually find redeeming qualities in almost all of my characters; for instance, even Hal (Bartlett’s Rule) in his dying scene, finally tells Lon where he can find Paige before it is too late – I don’t think he was trying to save himself, I think he just finally had a pang of conscience.

There were multiple “bad guys” in Forgotten but the one that stands out in my mind the most is Amanda. Amanda did so many mean-spirited things simply because of unrequited love – she loved Brandon, Brandon loved Caitlyn. It must have been very difficult for her to know that the man she loved had no feelings for her. Within the Law had Alli’s ex-husband, Bryan – I admit I am having a hard time finding anything redeeming about him except to say that at one time Alli loved him so he must have had something decent in him. Finally in Courage of the Heart there is a small crew that terrorizes Adam and Davey; it is obvious that Gonzo, the youngest member of the group, is himself a victim and goes along with the things he is told to do out of fear.

Final Sin has a villain, a very evil villain. But I am not going to tell you more about him right now until after you’ve read the book. Later this month, right here on Lindsay’s Romantics, I would like to host an online book discussion, check it out on Friday, May 29, right here on Lindsay's Romantics. In the meanwhile, if you would like to send me any questions, please write to me at ChelleCordero@gmail.com.

Final Sin is available for INSTANT download in




and also in





Vanilla Heart Publishing just announced
EXCITING news!
MAY CELEBRATION ~ May 1 - May 31, 2009


ALL FICTION EBOOKS in VHP Ebook Catalog are just $7.50 Instant Download!

(print)

8 comments:

Lindsay Townsend said...

Hi Chelle! Many congratulations on the release of FINAL SIN! Happy release day and many sales! This series sounds fantastic!

Yes, please, host an online chat here, later this month - I think that's a super idea.

elaine cantrell said...

Final Sin sounds good. I hope you have lots of luck with it. I like the idea of a series too. Giving the bad guy a touch of humanity makes the story more realistic.

Kathleen O said...

This sounds like a great book. I like it when an author writes and her characters are a bit flawed. Makes them more believeable. And in the end if the bad guy turns out to have a bit of a good side, well all the better.
Good luck with this book Lindsay.

Lindsay Townsend said...

Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for the feedback. I agree about flawed characters being more realistic - and giving baddies reasons. It's Chelle's book and series, btw.
Best wishes,Lindsay

Savanna Kougar said...

Chelle, the title of your blog cracked me up, in a good way.
Yep, Villains usually have their good reasons for being very, very bad.
I do my best to let the reader know the reasons or psychology behind the Villains' actions.

Chelle Cordero said...

The online discussion for Final Sin will be on Friday, May 29 from 9am-7pm (EST).

Please send questions and comments to me at ChelleCordero@gmail.com

Remember VHP's special May pricing for ebooks (just $7.50).

I will start with a brief posting based on emails I receive and then will stop in several times throughout the day to respond to comments.

I'm looking forward to it!

LK Hunsaker said...

Congrats on your release!

I think we'd be hard-pressed to find mainstream books that didn't have some kind of love story, also, right?

Chelle Cordero said...

Love, whether fiction or real life, is always a good source of drama ;>