A Warm Welcome to Romance Author
CHERIE MARKS
First, Cherie shares how she got hooked on writing
It all started with an old fashioned typewriter. When my family brought it home, all those stories and characters rolling around in my head could finally get out. The press and click of the keys satisfied in their own right, but when I pulled out a finished page, I knew this was for me. Since then, I’ve graduated to a laptop, but the stories still find a way out.
I’m a breast cancer survivor, a teacher, a wife, a mother, and from the very beginning—a storyteller. Always a hint humorous and honest to a fault, I love to make people laugh and smile. My goal in life is to achieve tact and stop procrastinating. The battle wages on.
Here's the blurb of her latest release INTO THE FIRE
Months after he stole her affections—then her executive chef position—Shyann and Luke meet again under sizzling circumstances, competing head-to-head on a televised cooking show called Kitchen Twist. Each arrives with a motive: Luke intends to win back Shyann’s heart, even as she wants closure on the not-so-tasty heartbreak he once served up.Luke knows culinary masterpieces require a delicate touch, but that knowledge is tossed out with the leftovers as he works to show Shyann he’s not such a bad guy. Now he pushes his skills to the limit to win the competition and satisfy a bet.
Can two top chefs resist each other as they move out of the pan and into the fire?
And now Cherie Reveals...
In a couple of sentences, describe the hero’s character. What do you like best/least about him?
Luke Tracy is a New York City chef, transplanted from Texas, and he hates to lose. Upstanding and loyal, he does the right thing, most of the time, but something about the heroine brings out the caveman in him. The best thing about Luke is he’s finally figuring out his priorities. The thing I like the least about him is how long it took to realize how important Shyann really is.
And the heroine? How do you relate to her?
Shyann Devere is tough. I think a female chef would have to be in order to survive the male-dominated culinary world, but she’s confident in her cooking skills and that confidence shows in her drive to win. I’m sure this character shares characteristics with me, but she’s pretty far removed from my real life. I’m not the best in the kitchen, and I don’t have a competitive bone in my body. It was fun to take on that do-or-die mind-set for a little while though.
Who controls the story – you or your characters?
I’m totally in control of my stories, no matter what my characters might tell you. Like, I knew exactly how Luke was going to get Shyann’s attention during the competition—oh, wait, that’s right, he kind of let me in on that plan in the middle of writing it, but most of the time, I’m the one in charge. Most of the time.
What do you enjoy about writing romance?
For me, a book is an escape into another world, an experience I might never have otherwise, or a peek into someone else’s life. Many genres can provide an escape, an experience, or a peek, but not all of them provide a satisfying, happy ending. Romance is one of the best-selling genres because it does provide all of these things, and I like being a part of that.
What do you like best and least about writing?
Writing is a solitary job. With the exception of when I show to critique partners, I’m pretty much the only brain involved in creating the characters and story. I’m a team player during my day job, so sometimes, as a natural introvert, it’s nice to just listen to my own input for a while. Yet, it can get a little lonely, and it’s difficult to know if you’re moving in the right direction when you’re the only decision-maker. This is what I like best and worst about writing.
What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
I have a couple stories in different stages of development, but I have one that’s pretty much writing itself (don’t you love that). It’s about a girl who comes back to her small hometown with a different look and a different attitude. That’s all I’m going to say about it for now.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Free time? Most of my free time is spent with my husband of 15 years and our three children. We like to golf, swim, and see movies when we get a chance, but most of the time, if we have any free time, we’re doing all the things that keep a household running.
My guiltiest pleasure for free time is watching some of the reality game shows like Top Chef and Project Runway. These kind of shows can make me forget all my writing goals for an evening, but they're so worth it.
What is your culinary speciality?
My culinary speciality is black bean soup and cornbread. It’s a nutritious and easy-to-make meal that usually lasts for a couple dinners. All you need is to saute’ some onions and red pepper with some garlic and olive oil. Then mix together six cans of beans, chicken stock, the contents of the saute’ pan, and some spices like cumin, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Let it all cook in a big pot and serve with the cornbread. It’s a delicious, hearty meal that my whole family likes.
Sounds as scrumptious as the following excerpt
Finally, let Cherie tease you with a brief excerpt:
His hands burned with awareness of where they rested. His pulse raced, and her lips were mere inches from his. As if time stopped completely, they stared at each other, and for the life of him, Luke couldn’t seem to remember why he’d come in here.
Shyann shook off the haze first. “Let me go. I can get this without you.”
Against his need and with exaggerated motion, he pulled his hands away. She stumbled and eyed him suspiciously but went back to jumping for a high box.
Although he appreciated the bounce of her breasts each time she leaped upward, he forced
himself not to stare, gathering some of his ingredients instead. But after watching for a few more seconds, with an irritated grunt, he reached around her, grabbed her target, and handed it to her. “I said I didn’t need your help.”
“Fine, I’ll put it back.”
His hand touched the box, and she pulled it behind her. The motion caused their bodies to collide again. Her liquid brown eyes blazed up at him, and even as a small voice in the back of his brain screamed he didn’t have time for this, he couldn’t seem to pull away. She looked so damn soft and vulnerable, and all he wanted to do was step out of the way of her win, give it all to her because she deserved it. But first, he wanted to kiss her, a long, hot, turn-their-knees-to-jelly kiss.
