Cheris Hodges's Blog, page 16

Book Club Spotlight: Building Relationships Around Books

Book clubs keep authors in business.
Book clubs keep authors motivated.

And without book clubs, many of your favorite authors may have quit a long time ago. So, let's hear it for the book clubs!

This month, I want to highlight a club that started on Facebook, but has branched out with off line events for readers and one of the most active pages on the world wide web!





Building Relationships Around Books or BRAB is the brain child of Sharon Blount, who joins me today to talk about the club and, of course, books!

Sharon Blount, founder and president of BRAB, with author Keith Thomas Walker in Atlanta at the book club's reader's retreat. 
Why did you decide to start BRAB?
I was reading so many books and I did not have anyone I could talk to about it. At one point time, I did have a physical book club but it did not work out with me. Being a new mom at the time, meeting up became difficult. Years later, I still wanted a place where i could talk about book characters they are like family members without getting the side eye (lol ). I did some research about online book clubs and took the leap of faith and started Building Relationships Around Books in 2009 I am very proud to still be around.

When I was thinking about book club names, I asked myself what I wanted out of the book club. I wanted friendships that was built around books, that was actually the name I had.  I sat on it for a while and it just did not feel right. I was stuck for two weeks thinking, then one day I had the light bulb moment. How do you obtain a friendship you build on it, and BAM, there goes the name Building Relationships Around Books.

 What has been the biggest surprise for you about running your online book club?
The biggest surprise in running online book club is the amount of work it takes to run it property. I could have a book club where you don't have anyone talking just posting, but I knew I wanted more for BRAB than that. What's the point in having a book club if your not talking about your favorite books and characters.  Another thing I found surprising is the  sisterhood that comes along with running a book club. Every morning I look forward to chatting with the members. I met some wonderful women in the group that I now call sisters, my admins Ms. Prissy Parker and Denise Stokes, they help me run the group.  We are truly Building Relationships Around Books.

 Who was the first author that BRAB hosted?
Keith Thomas Walker was the first author BRAB hosted. I remember being so nervous talking to him I spelled his name wrong  even though I was looking right at it LOL. He was a sport about it gave me tips on running a group. Very proud to to say he's still a member of the group and a friend.
You just recently hosted a book club event in Atlanta, tell the readers about it and the next BRAB event.
Our recent event "A Readers Retreat A Southern Affair", was simply amazing we all had fun readers and authors.
Our actives ranged from character based baby shower where we threw a baby shower for our favorite fictional characters.  Yeah I know it sounds strange but everyone had a blast.  It was so much fun with games also with the donations of baby items we were able to help three different organizations for families in need. 
We had an author's Q& A with book signing and Award nomination party.  It was a weekend nobody would soon forget. Next year we are going to Las Vegas so you know it's going to be an event you don't want to miss!

What are the rules to joining your book club?
The rules to join BRAB are have a Facebook account. You have to love to read and talk about books. Most important of all BRAB is DRAMA FREE book club. Oh yeah be prepared to spend money we are all addicted to one clicking lol..


Want your book club highlighted? Email me at cherisfhodges@gmail.com

Chatting with Andrew Neiderman. . .carrying on the Legacy of VC Andrews

I must have been in the fifth grade when I discovered Flowers in The Attic by V.C. Andrews. It was a haunting story that had me wondering how could a mother and grandmother be so cruel. With each book, Petals on The Wind, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday and Garden of Shadows, I fell deeper in love with this author and the world she created.

My favorite V.C. Andrews book has to be My Sweet Audrina. I'm thankful that Andrews legacy has been continued by writer, Andrew Neiderman.
Neiderman, author of one of my favorite books, The Devil's Advocate, joins me today to talk about the upcoming Christopher's Diary: Secrets of Foxworth and some exciting news about the Landry series.


What was the first full series you wrote as VC Andrews? Neiderman: I completed the Dollanganger series by writing Garden of Shadows and completed the Heaven series and everything since.
 

Tell the readers about the upcoming Christopher's Diary: Secrets of Foxworth (Dollanganger). What other secrets are left in the Foxworth Family? I can't reveal the secrets. That's for the readers to delightfully discover. They will enjoy some of the new twists and revelations and the new characters who are involved with the discovery of the diary. It's the first of a three book series.
What is your favorite part about carrying on the VC Andrews legacy? Meeting the fans worldwide and having the satisfaction of satisfying them.  Under my work, we have built the books from just under 30 million worldwide to now over 106 million in 95 countries.  How has writing as VC Andrews changed Andrew Neiderman's writing? I taught creative writing for 20 years and was familiar with style and voice.  It has helped me build my own novels by building characters.  The next Neiderman novel is The Terrorist's Holiday out March 10. What are your favorite VC Andrews books? Probably Ruby , the whole Landry series because of the research  involved. I spent time in the Cajun world to do it. Fascinating.  Now it will be developed as a television series.  What's next on the horizon for you?  I  have written the stage play of Flowers in the Attic. It will be produced in England first next year. I am developing The Devil's Advocate as a stage musical in London as well. I just finished a new Neiderman novel, The Incident and we're now working on V.C. Andrews novels for 2016.
 How can readers keep up with you online?  
The best way is the Official V.C. Andrews page right now on Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVCAndrews 
 A message from Andrew: 

Why Did I Write Christopher’s Diary? By Andrew Neiderman  After writing V.C. Andrews novels now for over 27 years and developing a Facebook page for the fans that Facebook itself called the 7th most explosive in terms of its growth, I realized that
Flowers in the Attic and indeed the entire Dollanganger series has been and continues to be a phenomenon in the publishing world. If any title deserved a retrospect and revisit, it was surely this one. But it was important not to simply retell the story developed in Flowers in the Attic. Christopher’s Diary does give another prospective to the events. Christopher, as a character, has been seen only through Cathy’s eyes, and basically she assumes and interprets as would anyone, through her own perspective and subjective feelings about what’s happening to them throughout the series. Virginia Andrews did a wonderful job of fleshing out Cathy’s character and although limited obviously by her point of view, Christopher’s and Corrine’s characters especially. It was time to delve deeper into Christopher’s motivations. He is, we quickly see, an extraordinarily intelligent boy, far more mature than most his age. Like any child, he is not objective about his parents, but in Christopher’s Diary we see that he can be when it is necessary to be. His disappointments in his father and his mother become clearer and understandable for us. Most important, perhaps, we see more motivation for why and how he put up with his mother’s obvious lies. He battles the child in himself constantly, the urge to be optimistic and naïve, and eventually he faces the truths about his parents and most importantly, about himself. What a wonder all this can be when it is brought together with some of the mysteries not really solved in the Dollanganger series. Christopher’s Diary provides that. The second major reason for the novel is to develop the A-story, the story of the high school senior girl whose father while evaluating the ruins of Foxworth Hall discovers the diary. Couched now in what would be closer to reality if such an event as depicted in Flowers in the Attic really happened, Christopher’s Diary is full of discoveries for any reader. What the novel examines and personifies through the main character, Kristin Masterwood, is how readers through the decades reacted to reading Flowers in the Attic. The way the diary affects her is the way the novel affected the millions of readers who experienced it. There will be a great deal of understanding and the resurrection of feelings that were experienced. Christopher’s Diary reinforces therefore why Flowers in the Attic is a publishing phenomenon and will help it live on for decades to come.

Christopher's Diary now available to preorder.

Be the first to read it in print or e-book:
Amazon : http://amzn.to/1jXG90CBN: http://bit.ly/1ns9z9BApple: http://bit.ly/1rd0qD7

Chatting with Orsayor Simmons of The Book Referees

You know what makes a book review amazing, when the reviewer isn't afraid to tell it like it is.

We as writers can learn from all book reviews, the good ones, the bad ones and even the ugly ones.
Today I have the pleasure of talking to a woman who knows good books and isn't afraid to talk about them.

Orsayor Simmons of The Book Referees  calls it like she sees it. (Yes, I stole her tag line. LOL)

She spoke to me about books and reviews as well as a secret project.

When did you decide to start reviewing books?
2008 - I wrote my first “review” on Amazon after reading a Carl Weber book.  That book was so good – I couldn’t keep it to myself.  It wasn’t until 2010 when I started Book Referees and the rest is history.
What is the worst way an author can try to get you to do a review?
The worse way an author can try to get a review from me is to friend me on Facebook – then start sending me purchase links to their book(s).  
Of the books you’ve reviewed, what are your top five favorites?
 Only 5? I will list the first 5 books that pop in my head…
All of Brian W. Smith books (even the 3.5 star review)Dream Girl Awakened – Stacy CampbellDiary of A Stalker – Electa Rome ParksParallel Pasts – Julia BluesHomecoming Weekend – Curtis Bunn 
Has an author ever thanked you for a bad review? 
Yes! I was actually surprised when it first happened because I’m used to authors reacting in a negative way. I have the utmost respect for authors who can take constructive criticism. 

What advice do you have to people who want to get into reviewing books?  1. Create your own style. There’s nothing worse than seeing another reviewer copy another’s reviewer style.  2. Do it for the love of reading. If you are doing it only to become friends with authors - then you have already failed. 3. Be Honest – Don’t let your personal feeling interfere with your ratings. If the author gets mad at you for a low rating – that’s their problem not yours.  4. Review with Respect – If you didn’t like the book – there’s no need to insult the book or the author. There’s always a way to voice your opinion respectfully.  5. Grammar Check – There’s nothing worse than a book reviewer that doesn’t know how to spell or use their grammar correctly.  6. Stay Humble – Check your EGO at the door.
What’s your favorite genre?
I read it all.

Have one of your favorite authors ever disappointed you with a book?
Wow! The word disappoint is such a harsh word. LOL!  I will say this… Yes! There have been a book or two from my favorite authors that have made me give them the side eye.
What are the things you look for when you review a book?
The first thing I look at is the book cover & title.  No disrespect to anyone, but I refuse to review books on my blog with nudity or the word BITCH/HOE/SLUT on the cover. When reviewing books I look for elements I think every good book should have: vivid settings, fresh plot/storyline, story structure, dialogue, character development, and proper grammar.  (She did tell me that a parody of Gone Girl, titled Gone Bitch, might make it on the web site!)
Is there a proper way to write a review and what is it? Yes! Start with a couple of sentences describing what the book is about
Discuss what you particularly liked/disliked about the book
Summarize your review Refrain from being harsh in your reviews. (ex: This book sucked... )Don't be afraid to add your personality to your reviews.Edit your reviews (How can you tell someone about their book - if you can't spell or compose a simple sentence)Limit/Avoid Spoilers (Don't mention anything more than what the synopsis says - these days synopsis give away a lot of the book. Just be careful not to give away any key points) 

You read a lot; do you ever plan to write a book? 
I’m working on something. This project is very close to my heart, so I won’t share it with a soul. Not yet anyway!

The One That I Want is almost here: #TeamDonnaZuriCheris #WhatIWantOneClickWednesday

Don’t forget to order your copy of The One That I Want! 

On Wednesday, please order the e-book version of this sexy holiday anthology featuring Essence best selling author Donna Hill, Zuri Day and Cheris Hodges! 


The One That I WantPublication Date: October 7, 2014Heat up the winter nights with this trio of sexy, festive stories. A Promise For The Holiday Donna Hill
Devastated by her divorce, Cara Holiday vowed never to be vulnerable again. Now she's a wildly successful real estate broker, and wildly lonely. Restaurateur Mitch Davis has had his eye on her, but can't break the ice--until he cooks up a scheme to hire her. Soon Cara is enjoying his company--and secretly drawing out the process of selling his house. When their deceptions collide, will their blossoming relationship make it to the holidays?
A Sexy Christmas Carol Zuri Day
After years of travel working for a pop diva, Carol Robbins has moved back to Detroit in time for the holidays. She's bought a home and bonded with her family. As for romance, she's got no prospects--until she attends a VIP party and makes a surprising love connection. Soon she's torn between her old "big life," her hopes for the future--and one man who may give her the greatest gift of all. . .
Christmas Surprise Cheris Hodges
Tired of coming second to her wealthy husband's career, Lola Yvonne Joseph is sending him a very special gift this year: divorce papers. Then she's leaving Miami for the kind of wintery white Christmas she's always wanted. She definitely does not expect Jonathan to track her down, whisk her away, and do everything possible to win her back. If he succeeds, Lola has one more surprise in store for him. . .

#WhatIWantOneClickWednesday: Let the Countdown begin

Chatting with AC Arthur, Farrah Rochon and Phyllis Bourne: The Wintersage Weddings series

Farrah Rochon Three of the hottest names in romance have teamed up to bring readers a three book series about best friends and weddings. Farrah Rochon, AC Arthur, Phyllis Bourne will be heating up the fall and winter with the Wintersage Wedding series focusing on the Silk Sisters.

And while I'd like to think that these three powerhouse writers sat around in Starbucks with their MacBooks drinking coffee and writing — they gave me the real deal on putting this series together.


AC Arthur Phyllis Bourne How did you all come up with the Silk Sisters idea? 

AC: Actually, WE didn't. LOL The Wintersage Weddings is what Kimani Romance calls a continuity series. This means that Kimani comes up with the theme and the majority of the storyline -- even though the authors usually end up making changes once they start writing. 

Farrah: The Silk Sisters were actually developed as a continuity series by Harlequin. We each received an extensive "writer's bible" to follow, which contained detailed information about all three stories. 

Phyllis: It was an assignment. My editor asked if I’d like to participate in a three-book continuity set in New England. As a former resident of New Hampshire, I immediately said yes.
 Talk about the writing process. Did you get to read each other's stories before writing your own?

AC: For me, because the basic concept was not my own, it's always hard to get started writing a continuity series. I had to read the bible (this is the document that give the authors all the information about each book, each character, etc.) like twenty times before some ideas for how to write the story began formulating in my mind. Farrah, Phyllis and I shared detail changes that we each had for our characters and how we would tell their story. We talked about things like setting (we sent each other pictures of what we thought would be in the town), character clothing and even sometimes their conversations. We worked pretty closely together to make sure we were being consistent throughout, but we did not have time to read each other's books. :(

Farrah: No, unfortunately, we did not. All three stories were due back to the publisher pretty close to one another. We communicated a lot through email to make sure we were all on the same page. 

Phyllis: Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to read each other’s books. Although, Farrah’s is third in the series, her book was actually due before mine.

Eve of Passion is at the top of my to-be-read list, and I’ve pre-ordered A Mistletoe Affair. I’m dying to read both of them!
When the idea for the continuation came up, how did you three feel about working with one another?

AC: This is the second continuity series I've participated in with Farrah so I was pleased to be working with her again. It was my first time with Phyllis but I'd already known she was a great storyteller, so I wasn't worried. What I think I liked most about working with these ladies is that they were very professional and very honest. We laughed and commiserated together and I think we had a really good time, in spite of... (inside joke that we'll keep to ourselves, lol)
Farrah: That wasn't really our choice. The Harlequin editors chose which authors they wanted to include in the continuity. Personally, I was thrilled to work with AC again (we did The Draysons: Sprinkled with Love continuity) and with Phyllis, who I talk to every day, but haven't worked with since The Holiday Inn anthology many years ago. 
Phyllis: I didn’t know who the other authors would be until almost a year after I was contracted to participate. I was delighted when I found out. I’m a huge fan of both AC and Farrah.  
Farrah’s also a good friend, who I met while working on THE HOLIDAY INN anthology in 2007.
What is the best part about doing series like this for you ladies?
AC: I'd have to say meeting and working with like-minded authors. It was comforting to know that we could whine and moan for hours on end, but then we'd all go to our computers and write the damned story! I really enjoyed that.
Farrah: Getting a feel for how other authors work is always interesting. I read through the story bible and usually come away with a certain idea of how the other authors books will come out, but it isn't always the case. I find it fascinating to see their take on the characters. Hopefully, we will all be introduced to new readers, as well. 
Phyllis: Both AC and Farrah are continuity series veterans, but this was my first one. I enjoyed being able to take someone else’s vision and give it my personal twist. By the time I finished writing FALLING INTO FOREVER, Sandra and Isaiah were as familiar to me as the characters I’ve created.

Tell the readers what each story is about.
AC:  Eve of Passion is about Janelle Howerton, a very ambitious heroine who because of a bad experience years ago has worked really hard to appease her father and protect her friends. So when Janelle is asked by her father to get the political backing from billionaire Ballard Dubois, she only hesitates slightly about doing so. As it turns out Ballard has other ideas in mind when it comes to Janelle and her father's campaign as he's under pressure from his own family to marry well and start a family. Two headstrong adults come together under unlikely circumstances and actually end up striking a business deal, but that deal soon becomes very personal.
Farrah: My story, A MISTLETOE AFFAIR, is the third story in the Wintersage Weddings continuity. It follows the third member of the Silk Sisters, shy and reserved florist, Vicki Ahlfors. Vicki's unrequited love for her best friend Sandra's older brother, Jordan Wollcott, comes to a head in A MISTLETOE AFFAIR. Of course, the best way to learn about the story is through the back cover blurb. 
From A MISTLETOE AFFAIR, Kimani Romance, December 2014:
Floral designer Vicki Ahlfors is a shy, hopeless romantic. The dutiful daughter of a banking dynasty, she has always done what was expected of her—until she falls for her best friend's divorced brother. 
Attorney turned political strategist Jordan Woolcott has always defined himself by his work. Now at a crossroads, Jordan's not sure who he is, other than a dad to his young son, Mason. It's a rewarding job, but being a single father is so much harder than he'd ever imagined. 
Vicki has a magical touch when it comes to Mason, and her heart goes out to the overwhelmed Jordan. As feelings grow tender, will an explosive political scandal end their dream of forever before it even begins?
Phyllis: I wrote the second book of the Wintersage Weddings series.
In FALLING INTO FOREVER Sandra’s and Isaiah’s parents are overbearing, embarrassing and hilariously obnoxious. They’re also loyal, loving and filled with high expectations for their offspring.
While the book is foremost a sexy Thanksgiving romance, at heart it’s a story about us as children—from toddlers to gray-haired adults with kids and grandkids of our own. We never lose our desire to make our parents proud.
What's next for the three of you?AC: I'm releasing the next installment in my erotic romance trilogy, The Carrington Chronicles. The book is titled Needing You and it will be available in ebook on October 7, 2014.  
Farrah: I have a number of projects in the works this Fall/Winter season, including new stories in two of my small town romance series. Here's a quick and dirty rundown of my upcoming novels and novellas:

TUSCAN NIGHTSIn the HOT CHRISTMAS NIGHTS AnthologySeptember 2014 
I DARE YOU! Book Four in the “Moments in Maplesville” SeriesOctober 2014
A MISTLETOE AFFAIRBook Three in the Wintersage Weddings TrilogyDecember 2014
FOREVER WITH YOU Book Five in the Bayou Dreams SeriesFebruary 2015
Phyllis: Next up for me is the second book of my Espresso Empire series for Harlequin Kimani. MOONLIGHT KISSES is a May 2015 release. 

Book Clubs United event, Greensboro 9/27/2014

Cheris Hodges Fall Newsletter

Also, this past weekend, I had a chance to hang out with some amazing readers and authors at the Book Club United event in Greensboro, NC.
Here's my fan girl moment with the amazing Beverly Jenkins!
Make sure you pick up Destiny's Captive on October 28th!

USA Today best selling author Yvette Hines visits the dark side with Haulcon's Revenge

 Just in time for those cool Fall nights, award winning and best selling author Yvette Hines has a sizzling new novel hitting the e-shelves on October 3.

Haulcon's Revenge ! (Click to preorder now)


Haulcon has been left to die—without pride or honor. The clan he believed was family, brethren to him, turned out to be vicious thieves. Thieves of life. Now revenge’s blood beats Haulcon’s heart and he will stop at nothing to see those who attempted his murder pay. Resolving the issue of his saving grace, Adair, is a distraction he can’t risk. Adair Ellis is a wildlife photographer, an explorer of sorts. However, the day she meets Haulcon, her life becomes more of an adventure than she can handle. Everything changes for her when she is drawn into a world so dark and dangerous it seems to rob her of her very being. But, she can’t turn back and she can’t flee the valf that she has become bound to for life Yvette Hines is back with a dark and steamy paranormal romanceHere's a sneak peek!

EXCERPT: “Ahh!” Haulcon’s scream ripped through the air vibrating the branches of the trees above him. He didn’t want to cry out. Had tried to fight it, but they pulled it out of him. Brought him this low. He would be dead soon. He knew that. The breaths he took were counting down to his last. One of two things would kill him, either the silver seeping into his bloodstream and headed for his heart or the sunlight that would shine in a few hours. Being a valf there weren’t many things that could end his life. However those that could were deadly, permanent. If he could shift into his wolfen form, he would be able to fight the silver poison. However they had made sure he would not be able to save himself. They had beaten and tied him spread-eagle in the middle of the woods, hands and feet to sturdy, thick oaks. The thick ropes bit deep into his wrists and ankles. If he even attempted to transform, the tight binding would snap his animal limbs at the joints. No wolf could tolerate being in such a position.They hadn’t stopped there. Those silver-dipped blades they had used to pierce his sides allowed his blood to drain, even as the silver flowed into him. He needed to feed. Blood sustained his clan and their wolves gave them strength, made them powerful, undefeatable; except to their own kind. Those who plotted and planned subterfuge and attacks. Now he lay in his own pool of blood, waste, and agony waiting for death to come for him. However, he was not fortunate enough for the valf-reaper to come quickly. No, they—his clansmen, his friends—had ensured the afterlife guide’s travel would be unhurried.His clan, the men he’d grown, learned, and traveled with could have given him the honor of a single silver bullet to his chest. They could have notified his family to bathe his remains in holy water then burn him to ashes. They hadn’t wanted him to have pride in his death. No, he would be left drained and stiffened by the sun’s light. His carcass left for human scientists to discover and examine like a worthless specimen. “Holy Hell!” The voice could have been that of one of the valf Great Spirit’s angels. The relief at hearing it washed over him just the same.His senses were deadening. When he was at full valf capacity he would have smelled a human getting close to him from miles away. Now, like a grotesque exhibit he lay prone as the female cringed before him.
“Release me…”

Jerry Richardson's tears and a bucket. . .

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson cried. Cried as he was honored by The Echo Foundation for standing against Indifference. 
Credit WCNC
Richardson cried but he has yet to suspend, fire or even talk about the convicted woman beater on his team, Greg Hardy. 

“When it comes to domestic violence, my stance is not one of indifference,” Ricardson said, via Bill Voth of BlackAndBlueReview.com.  “I stand firmly against domestic violence, plain and simple.  To those who would suggest we’ve been too slow to act, I ask that you consider to not be too quick to judge.  Over the course of our 20 years, we have worked extremely hard to build an organization with integrity and earn the trust of your community.  I look forward to continuing to earn your trust and I thank you for this award.”

So, why the tears? Probably his medication.
My Dad had a heart transplant as well. He cries at the drop of a hat because of his anti-rejection medication.
Richardson's tears don't help Hardy's victim. Richardson's tears don't mean he's sorry that he's enabling an abuser.
 At the end of the day, this is what Richardson's tears mean: