Guest Author Cheryl Brooks
Hello to all of you Romance Junkies out there! My name is Cheryl Brooks, and I’m here to talk about my latest release, the third installment in The Cat Star Chronicles series of erotic science fiction romance, Rogue.
What makes an author smile the most? Big advance checks? Sales beyond all expectations? Talk of movie rights and megabucks?
Nope, that’s not it—though these things are wonderful, to be sure. What makes an author smile is the same as for anyone involved in a creative occupation: Appreciation for the work. No one likes to hear that the project they’ve put months of time and effort into isn’t worth the time or the money for a reader to spend. No, what we like to hear is “Run, don’t walk, to your local bookstore and see for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll kiss seven bucks goodbye!” This is what makes it all worthwhile. It’s the ooh’s and ahh’s over the shiny new cover, the smile on a friend’s face when they hold their own copy in their hands for the first time, the gasps and giggles as they read, the sound of pages anxiously being turned, the obvious absorption in the story and the frustration they display whenever they are interrupted, the laughter, the tears, the wide-eyed blush during the love scenes, and, best of all, the right emotion at the end, whether happy or poignant. These are the things a writer enjoys the most. Bad reviews will hit you in the chest with the impact of a coronary, but good ones are like getting a shot of joyous energy. I’m already getting reviews and emails from readers who are loving this story, and, needless to say, it makes me feel very happy.
Now for a peek at the book! Imagine daily life inside a palace on an alien world where guards, princes, slaves, mercenaries, and politicians all thrown in together—and most of them are reptiles. There’s the usual good natured banter and bickering, palace intrigue, political unrest, and, of course, romantic liaisons. So what happens when Kyra Aramis, a young piano teacher from Earth arrives to teach piano to the Princess? One thing is certain, nothing will ever be the same, especially for Tychar and Trag, the two gorgeous Zetithian hunks who are the favorite slaves of the Queen. They’ve been pampered pets for twenty years, but Kyra’s presence changes everything.
In the first book in the series, Slave, I just wrote it, not caring about what others would think. It was my story, and I let my desires, imagination, and sense of the absurd run wild to write the book of my heart. Since it was published, I’m told I need to consider what my readers want, but something tells me they want the same things I do: fun, excitement, and sizzling romance with a little action thrown in.
I’ve had great fun with the books I’ve written, and Rogue is no exception. I think reading should be fun. I don’t want a story that leaves me feeling drained and depressed; I want one that will make me smile, stimulate my imagination, and leave me dreaming of passionate, enduring romance. This is what I set out to do with every book I write, and I hope I’ve succeeded. But you be the judge. After all, it’s your opinion that matters the most!
Yet each of us has the indisputable impression that the sum total of his own experience and memory forms a unit, quite distinct from that of any other person. ,
I’m glad the POV didn’t stop you from reading it, Ana. Thanks for keeping an open mind!
O__O It’s going to be in third person? Wow. When I first read Slave the first person perspective bothered me (Only because I’d never read a book that way before) but I loved it.
Hi Ana!
It’s nice to know I’m getting better at this, but it will be interesting to see what you think of Outcast since it’s written in third person. In that book, Lynx is a free man, but he’s been so broken down by his experiences as a slave, that it’s a much harder road back to happiness for him than it was for the others–but when he finally gets there, look out!
Hi Carol!
I agree. Fun is what it’s all about. We get enough sadness from the news, and if I can give just one person a little boost, then I’ve done what I set out to do. I hope I can do the same for you!
I believe your books keep getting better and better with every one published. That is not to say that Slave was not great. It was amazing! Actually to phrase it better I can say this. Each one of the books so far had their own unique things that are great about them. And it’s a wonderful feeling when you feel happy because the characters in the book are happy. It’s a connection you have with the characters.
I haven’t read any of the books yet Cheryl, but I certainly will now.
I agree about the imagination being stimulated. After all I’ve always looked at reading any books as forms of entertainment and that’s what I’d want in my reading choices, the absurd, the hope, love and almost impossible with some humor thrown in.
Carol L.
Hi Kendra!
No chance I’ll ever lose my sense of the absurd. It’s been with me for far too long to disappear now.
I wouldn’t want to have your head burst into flames or anything, but tomorrow’s guy isn’t wearing a collar. Guess I could paint one on, though. . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, Cheryl! You hit it right on the head…the best thing of all is when the stories we’ve created make people happy. Hearing about it makes me smile like nothing else. And please, don’t lose that sense of the absurd…it’s part of what makes you and your writing awesome:-)
I love the idea of two hot guys as pampered pets. Of course, if I think too long about any of those guys you find for you blog wearing nothing but a collar, my head will burst into flames. Since that would freak my kids out, I’ll behave:-)
Hi Linda!
Your books make me smile, too. I just got Wicked by Any Other Name along with Sharon’s book, so I’m sure I’ll be smiling soon!
Thanks for stopping by,
Cheryl
Great post, Cheryl! And you’re right, reading should be fun. Your books do that too.
Linda
Hi Sharon!
I certainly hope it’s a home run! So far I haven’t needed too much commiserating and building back up on this one, I’m happy to say, but it’s nice to know you’re there!:)
Thanks!
Cheryl
Oh Yeah! You got it to work for you! Looks great, and it sounds great. Cheryl Brooks hits another home run! I am sure of it. Good luck my friend. And remember, if the bad reviews get ya down, we can all commiserate and build you back up. 🙂 Sharon