Valley Affairs Series

Author of This Blog

Name::Charli Cole
From::Central Valley, California, United States
About Me::My name is Cali Castillo, but I write under the pseudonym Charli Cole. I'm a young women's fiction author, who created the Valley Affairs Series--a tasty, scandalous saga about a family living in the Central Valley. When will it be available in stores? I'll let you know just as soon as I'm informed. I, myself, come from a highly dysfunctional family, which is precisely why I love to write about such families. You will always discover something about my own life or family within my writing, which is actually non-fiction with a twist.

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(Click On Book For Excerpt--Soundtrack Included)

Besides the typical problems between two people who’ve decided to share their lives with each other, Lida "Li" Carrillo has what she believes to be a healthy relationship with her boyfriend of nearly six years, Mike Coleman. However, some of her loved ones beg to differ, and they’re attempting to shatter the bond she and Mike have developed, for one reason or another.

Shortly after Mike proposes, her life takes a drastic turn for the worse when the person she least expects shows up at her door and she’s forced to see Mike in a very different light. Without question, she leaves him and rashly takes up with her most recent suitor, the famous R&B singer/actor, Emery Blake. Not only does this move urge her to live in a world she considers far too racy, superficial, and cruel for her tasting, but it also serves as a catalyst for her emotional downfall.

As her life is put on public display, she quickly learns the baring of one’s skeletons has the capability of baring another’s, and accepts that her own deceptions are far worse than those she’s currently accusing of unforgivable deceit. She also starts coming to terms with a childhood tragedy she’s maintained silence about for eight years.

She comes to accept the fact that both she and Mike have been hiding some vital secrets from one another, yet realizes not everything is what it appears to be, which leaves her with some very difficult decisions to make. Whether or not those she holds dearest in her heart will be able to forgive her for her exposed secrets, she doesn’t know. But for her own well-being and the welcoming of love in her life again, she must put aside her pride, distrust, and need for control—all defense mechanisms in dealing with her tragedy. She must also own up to the storms of past and present truths hidden behind those eyes of gray.

She comes to realize not everything is what it appears to be, which leaves her with some very difficult decisions to make. Whether or not those she holds dearest in her heart will be able to forgive her for her exposed secrets, she doesn’t know. But for her own well-being and the welcoming of love in her life again, she must own up to the storms of past and present truths hidden behind those eyes of gray.

~~~~~~~~~~ her he’s never had for any other woman he’s met. As his heart opens up to her, it completely closes off to all the other women in his life. And he begins to realize just how trying a wandering affection can be.

~~~~~~~~~~

Book Reviews

"There’s a great use of dialogue here. This translates well into stage/screen writing as well because the setting is defined and you know the characters as they each enter/exit the various scenes.

I like how the characterizations are built in immediately to put the reader into the action as it unfolds. We know who's good/bad/patient/eccentric/naive immediately and this allows the reader to flesh out the who/what/where and we can figure out the why as we go through the pages.

Beautiful work. Thank you for the opportunity to read this!"

Barbara Bell, Editor of ReadingWriters.

~~~~~

"You have a crisp, inviting tone that easily draws in readers. The words and behavior are those of real people and not cardboard cutouts. You’ve already elicited strong feelings from me about one character—I abhor Jaydon—which proves you know what you’re doing. The conversations between your characters are original and each character has his/her own voice. You should have no problems getting it published. Much success!"

Elizabeth Guy, Editor of ReadingWriters.

~~~~~

"This has a wonderful voice. I can see that you have written in the voice that this genre is often in and that's such a good thing. Obviously, it's what the editors look for.

The prologue really drew me in and I am interested in that character...that woman.

A fiction writer who is a client of mine read your pages and here's what she said:

I like the prologue. It’s very cool and intriguing. I can see why it got picked up. A fantastic story is sure to follow the last line of the first chapter.

I also sent your pages around to my best writers. They said it's commercial, has emotion, and a good voice.

Thanks!"

Toni Lopopolo, Literary Agent & Former Executive Editor for St. Martin's Press

"When a writer combines talent, enthusiasm, smart networking and savvy marketing she's bound to achieve success.

It's clear to me that you're one of those writers and I feel certain that I'll be hearing good news about you receiving publishing contracts soon."

Daisy Dexter Dobbs, Author of Wicked Payback

~~~~~

"You have an amazing gift of capturing your characters' voices. And you tell a compelling story."

Bridget Midway, Author of Fascination Street

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"I know it's not complete yet...but EVERY SINGLE PERSON I sent the prologue and the website address for the trailer of Eyes of Gray loved it and can't wait for this one to be published!"

Tracy "Cherry" V., My Sexy Publicist

"You seem to know what you are writing about and you do it very well."

Kelley Heckart,Author of Water and Dragons

~~~~~

"You are such a wonderful and professional person and I hope to God that I can grow more as a woman and mature like you have. Your place in this world has already been set and you deserve a sparkling crown for being who you are. You are an inspiration to me and many other women around you, and everyone that knows or has a chance to hear about you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

A Dedicated Fan

~~~~~

"Wow. I just read "Chapter One". I practically needed a cigarette by the end. Good stuff."

A Married Ex-Fan of Mine...Say Something, Bitch. I'll Tell Your Wife About Your Ass.

~~~~~

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008