Year after year, two lives played out,
Actors on distant stages.
Linked forever from seasons ago,
On secretly written pages.


Poem excerpt, "The Letters," from A Friend Request, C. L. Gillmore

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IN THIS ISSUE
About the Author
Where to Purchase
Reviews
Book Launch

 About the Author 

      


Award winning novelist, poet, and Iowa native, C. L. Gillmore lived most of her childhood in Muscatine, a small, picturesque town nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River.

 

In the past four years, Gillmore wrote and published two social media based romance novels, Uncommon Bond and A Friend Request-and Of Roots, Shoes and Rhymes, a poetry book and audio CD. 

 

Gillmore retired after twenty-five years in education to pursue writing full time. She and her husband live in Surprise, Arizona with French bulldog, Pitty Pat. Two married sons and six grandchildren live nearby.

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Uncommon Bond Novel
Currently out of print, pending re-release with the added material and updates 


 

Winner of the 2012 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards  for Fiction/Romance

Finalist in the Indie Excellence Book Awards Romance Category

Nominated for the Global E-book Award for Best E-Book Trailer and Best Romance Fiction.

Uncommon Bond, aka Love Whispers Softly by Rose Richardson Companion Book to A Friend Request
Available in 2015
   

  

 

 Of Roots, Shoes and Rhymes

a poetry book and accompanying CD

 

   First Place Winner of the 2012 National Indie Excellence Awards for Poetry 

 

First Place Winner of Arizona Authors Association 2011 Literary Contest for Published Nonfiction

Greetings!

     "Even as a young child I wanted to write. I found out early on that writing and imagination could take me much farther away from any of the small Midwest towns where I lived. I could be someone else, go back to places I remembered, or travel to new ones. Plus, I could go alone or take with me whoever I wanted."

     Words, written by me, for Rose Allison to speak in the new novel, A Friend Request. I choose to take YOU, my friends and readers, along with me on this lovely, romantic journey with Rose and Jake!

     Before I preview some of A Friend Request, I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge those who helped in creating this lovely book: Ann Narcisian Videan, editor and formatter; Terry Duffy, cover design; Todd Weinstein, cover photographer; Jan Griesenbrock, interior photographs, and Kelli Linn Martinez, author photograph. Thank you for your collaboration! 

 

     You may purchase a signed copy of A Friend Request from the website on MONDAY, OCTOBER 6th! 


 

     Jake Richardson long ago abandoned his dream for a creative, professional life in the city and, instead, settled into a routine existence on his rural Illinois family farm. Though now in a dispassionate marriage, he does manage to find joy and purpose with his two teenaged sons, close-knit community, and friends. But, one Friend Request changes everything.

     The name Rose Allison, popping up on his computer screen, fills him with vivid memories of a powerful bond, forged amidst the heat of 1960s politics, culture, and music. Her simple message opens up a fresh world of opportunity for them both as technology shrinks their geographical and emotional distance. They regain a chance to heal individual and mutual demons, and potentially rekindle the passion and fulfillment so many people only dream about with their first love.   

     A Friend Request tells the story of Rose Allison and Jake Richardson's coming-of-age in midwestern America during the late 1960s and early 1970s when free love, the Vietnam War, drugs, and rock and roll formed their lives. Forty years later, thru the cultural phenomenon of social media, Rose and Jake reunite through a simple Friend request on Facebook. Gillmore's densely textured portrayal of their relationship flows between the hippie revolution and today's social media connections, revitalizing the love and friendship they both suppressed for so many years. -Jodie Wilson, Publisher, DiscoverTheRegion.com, LLC

     Anyone who's ever wondered about rekindling a romance with their first love will connect with A Friend Request. Gillmore's attention to detail and visceral understanding of her characters make you feel like you're eavesdropping on Jake and Rose's online exploration of their relationship. Despite the passage of years and inevitable life changes, they work to heal and forge a new fairytale ending solely through words, not unlike the love-letter writers of old. - Ann Narcisian Videan, award-winning editor, and author of Rhythms & Muse, and Song of the Ocarina


     With the release of A Friend Request, comes several exciting updates and events... beginning with the website.  Alana Roberts and I have revised the website to reflect the latest novel, beginning with the new banner on the October's newsletter. How do you like it? I hope you'll take time to visit my website and check out all the new additions and updates. If you are not on the mailing list, now is a good time to join. I have a special "download gift" for each new subscriber!


     Mark your calendars for three upcoming book events!

  • "A Book Signing Release Celebration" on Wednesday, October 15th from 5-8 p.m. at Wine Nutz in my hometown of Muscatine, Iowa.
  • An "Author Palooza" on Saturday, November 1st from 12-4 p.m. at Dog-Eared Pages Book Store with editor and fellow author, Ann Videan.
  • "A Book Signing Release Celebration" at Capture 12 Gallery on Saturday, November 22nd, from 4-8 p.m. with editor and fellow author, Ann Videan
See Details Below


Presents A Book Signing Event
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Wine Nutz
208 W. Second Street
Muscatine, Iowa 52761

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Dog-Eared Pages Presents
An Author Palooza 

Saturday, November 1, 2014

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location:  Dog-Eared Pages

16428 N. 32nd Street, Suite 111

Phoenix Arizona 85032

602.283.5423

 

           
C.L. Gillmore                     Ann Videan

  

          

 

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Capture 12 Gallery Presents

A Book Signing Celebration and Release Party

 

Saturday, November 22, 2014 

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Location:  417 East Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004

 

 

     It's bittersweet bidding good-bye to Rose and Jake. They've become two dear friends whose voices have whispered in my ear for nearly three years now. But at the same time, it's good to finally bundle and tie all their loose ends. 

      I have a surprise for all of you Jake and Rose fans. Uncommon Bond, currently out of print, will be re-released with added material and updates. Uncommon Bond, aka Love Whispers Softly by Rose Richardson, companion book to A Friend Request, will be available in 2015. I hope your curiosity is piqued!

     And then... what's next? Well, whisperings from two new character friends, Nick and Lily, have already begun. I haven't gotten a good look at them yet, but I have certainly heard their voices in my ears late at night. I can't wait to get to know them better and for you, my readers, to meet them on the pages of the next new novel, An Affair of Trust.

     Thanks to each of you for your patience and your words of encouragement as the storyline slowly unfolded. I continued to write each day, letting my imagination take me much farther away from any of the small Midwest towns where I lived as a child. Now, I can't wait for you to open the pages of A Friend Request and take that journey with me...

 

All my best,

 

Cheryl