Simply Cheris. . .

This economy sucks. Joseph Beth Bookseller is closing at the end of the month. This trendy, independent book store was a great addition the the Charlotte landscape. The Charlotte Observer  reports that: Joseph-Beth Booksellers, which opened at SouthPark in 2005, is shutting its doors by the end of November, the company announced today. It will hold scheduled events through this week, with most other events set for this month being moved to Park Road Books. "We've absolutely loved being a part of this community, and we were so sad," marketing manager Caroline Crownover said. Sadly, the launch party for His Sexy Bad Habit was scheduled at Joseph Beth for Jan.4. Needless to say, it's been canceled. And rescheduled. Park Road Books , Charlotte's other premiere independent book store, has stepped in and will host the event. When: Jan 8, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. PS: THERE WILL STILL BE CAKE!!

November 2010-Cheris Hodges Book Signings Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 p.m. Barnes and Noble Book Fair,   7804 Abercorn St,   Savannah, GA, 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 December 2010 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 1:30 p.m. Holiday Party at Knightdale Library 946 Steeple Square Ct. Knightdale, NC 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 ...

HER FANTASY AND HIS REALITY… Classically trained actress Imani Gilliam is gifted, beautiful—and broke. Facing eviction, her only hope of staying afloat is to do the reality TV show, “Let’s Get Married.” The show pairs up single strangers, and viewers vote for who should be united in wedded bliss. Imani is only looking to be united with a paycheck—until she locks eyes with a fellow contestant… ARE ABOUT TO CREATE A BUZZ… Dr. Raymond Thomas is determined to keep his struggling free clinic running—even if it means appearing on “Let’s Get Married.” He can’t imagine finding love on TV—but when he spots Imani, he definitely finds lust. And their attraction isn’t lost on the producers. But as the cameras start focusing on them, Raymond wonders if he’s just a tool in Imani’s career. Only time—and a life-changing choice—will tell…

Want to come into my crazy world as I write? I'm going to do a weekly video post of me writing my latest book about a reality show that puts a New York doctor with a D-list actress trying to earn her Oscar. Check back and see what goes on when I'm writing. And see how my BlackBerry drives me crazy!

When it comes to fashion, Cosmo, Elle and Vanity Fair have never been friends to sisters. But we always had Essence. That's right, had. Essence, once the black woman's bible, has hired a white fashion editor . Really? It's bad enough that the magazine has become a chocolate coated Cosmo. It's all about the celebs and not the average black woman. Where is Susan Taylor when you need her? I can't remember the last time that I picked up a copy of Essence and felt empowered. Not since the take back the music campaign. Everybody wants to talk about this post racial society, but we are far from there. Just ask Shirley Sherrod .  Still, black women need something of our own. We had that with Essence -- once upon a time. Where do black women go to get that support, that "You Go, Girl?" Now, it seems no where. I don't know what some white chick will be able to tell me about fashion. Will she know how some jeans don't fit a black woman's body. We ...

She Makes A Move For His Heart… He’s hot and he’s single, but Antonio Billups has been out of the dating game for three years. Since his wife died, his focus has been on his business—and their son A.J. Enter new-in-town sultry, sexy Serena Jacobs, a woman who just might inspire Antonio to change his mind about being alone… That His Body Can’t Resist… Serena’s new restaurant is about to take off, and so is her heart—to Antonio. But events from her past are about to hit the fan—with a little help from Antonio’s scheming sister-in-law. Soon, Hollywood catfights and long-ago love affairs threaten the steamy relationship between Antonio and Serena, and when their secret histories collide, they must choose between a future with—or without—love… “Hodges delivers a sizzling romance…” -- Publishers Weekly on More Than He Can Handle

Real is defined by Webster’s as: not artificial, fraudulent, or illusory: genuine. Put this in front of the word friend and you’re supposed to have something strong and forever. Well, I’ve found out that isn’t always true. Friendships change, people change and not always for the best. But here’s what I know, there are things that a real friend wouldn’t do and shouldn’t even have to ask. Example number one: If you can go seven months without noticing that you haven’t talked to someone, y’all are not real friends. Even with Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, real friends talk on the phone. Maybe not everyday because this isn’t high school and we’re older now. Some of us have kids, husbands, boyfriends, ex-husbands and court orders — still a seven-month lag in have a real conversation signals that you’re an unobservant bitch friend or not real at all. Example number two: There are questions that a real friend doesn’t even need to ask. Is “Kevin” your off limits ex? Let’s see, I c...

Here's what I sent to these sorry sap suckers (that's the SC in me) To Jackson Hewitt: You people have no ethics. To charge a customer $35 because your tax services are too expensive is ridiculous. I've used Jackson Hewitt in the past, but $414 for a tax return is too much and a cancellation fee, which says it MAY be charged to be accessed has cost you people a customer as well as the devil may care attitude of your employees. I will tell everyone I know on social media, in the media and that I pass in the street not to use you unethical people. My information BETTER be deleted from your system or I will sue you. I want my $35 back or I will make NOISE that will cost you more than $35.  Don't use Jackson Hewitt, they have low morals and no customer service.

The head of the GOP Michael Steele is having a hard time. Not because he signed off on a meeting at a bondage club or because the members of the GOP would rather be led by Rush 'I'm leaving but still here and healthcare reform was passed' Limbaugh, but because he and President Barack Obama are black. Excuse me, but when did you become a black man? I'm not one of those people who believes that you can't talk about Obama because he's back. He's a politician, we're going to have issues with him. But Michael Steele is a token. He knew that when his black ass was offered the job as the head of the RNC. So to hear him utter this bullshit: Stephanopoulos, offering up a question from a viewer named "Myron" via his blog , asked, "Do you feel that, as an African-American, you have a slimmer margin for error than another chairman would?" "The honest answer is yes," said Steele responded. " Barack Obama has a slimmer mar...

Latia Winchester didn't have to die. The 25-year-old daycare worker from Charlotte was killed instantly Saturday night after the N.C. Highway Patrol decided to chase someone who didn't want to go through a checkpoint in North Charlotte. Here's what happened according to the Charlotte Observer : But shortly after 10:15 p.m. Saturday, passing through the intersection at North Davidson Street and Parkwood Avenue, Winchester's maroon Chevrolet Impala was broadsided by a car being chased by an N.C. Highway Patrol cruiser, authorities said. Winchester, 25, died immediately. Witnesses said she wasn't wearing a seat belt and apparently was thrown from her car, which slammed into the side of a house at 1617 North Davidson. The chase began after a silver Cadillac driven by Eddie Bernard Ellison, 41, had stopped, U-turned and sped away from a routine highway patrol checkpoint at 30th Street and The Plaza, patrol spokesman Sgt. J.E. Brewer said Sunday. The Highwa...

Waking up Sunday morning, I logged on to my computer to check out the morning's headlines with a cup of strong coffee. I nearly choked on my java when I read the headline on the Charlotte Observer's web site. Ex-Bobcats owner blasts Charlotte. Days after selling the Charlotte Bobcats, Bob Johnson called Charlotte's business community "arrogant" and "incestuous" and said the city doesn't do enough for existing and potential minority-owned business. While there is truth to Johnson's statement, he has the market cornered on arrogance. First of all, Charlotte is a small city and people like to support local businesses. They also want the owners of said businesses to have a connection with the city. When Bob owned the Bobcats, he was rarely seen in town. He spent his time in DC. Maybe he should've purchased the Wizards. The teams that Johnson put on the floor during his ownership were horrible. Charlotte isn't a city that supports lose...

By now you've heard about Natalie Randolph Kudos, sister! I'm proud of her and her team hasn't even played one down of football yet. But today as I was driving and listening to the Michael Baisden show, I was disgusted as he and co-host George Wilborn implied that Ms. Randolph wasn't up for the job. Was this supposed to be a joke? If so, it isn't funny. George and Michael are in the middle of this one million mentors drive, which I would've lauded if not for today's exchange. I don't want either of these sexist men mentoring my son or daughter. Is your message to little girls that you have to have a woman's job? (Which they talked about and even questioned if a woman can be a program director for radio.) If I have a daughter who wants to coach football, will you and your mentors discourage her? Every week, Baisden does a battle of the sexes. I guess it's supposed to be a fun part of his show. But why in the hell does he keep pitting men a...

Long ago, I gave up on BET and this was before Nelly's credit card swipe. I had such hate for this network that as a teenager I watched everyday, that when Bob Johnson bought the Charlotte Bobcats, I was so disappointed. And I live in Charlotte and enjoyed the Hornets. As I grew up, I saw that BET was not for me. Black women on this network were portrayed as objects. Big booty girls, breasts and thighs. I was more than that. My friends were more than that. And I had a young niece that needed to grow up knowing she was more than that. So, I said f**k BET. That's not my black. That's not entertaining either. Teen Summit had disappeared, BET News was gone and then they fired Tavis Smiley. Bob Johnson sold BET for $3 billion and Viacom didn't come in and overhaul things. The network simply got worse. Even with a woman at the top. Deborah Lee didn't do anything to change BET. Now she's hosting black women leadership talks? Bullshit. The network has long come ...

Rico Carlson wasn’t used to hearing no. But that was what the shapely red head standing in his office just said to him. No, she’d said with an attitude and with finality. But he was holding all of the cards and he knew that. “Miss Norris,” Rico said, leaning back in his leather desk seat and kicking his Italian loafer clad feet up on the desk. “I own the property where you and your father have that non working farm and I will do with it what I damn well please. You can take my offer of five hundred thousand dollars or you can leave with nothing.” She leaned across his desk giving him a birds eye view of her creamy cleavage. “I’m not taking a thing and we’re not going anywhere. That non working farm, as you call, it is a historic landmark.” “And history is always being rewritten.” Pounding her hand on the desk, she glared at him and Rico didn’t intimidated easily, but those hazel eyes trained on him as if they were heat seeking missiles aimed at his heart. If looks could ...

SHE MAKES A MOVE FOR HIS HEART… He’s hot and he’s single, but Antonio Billups has been out of the dating game for three years. Since his wife died, his focus has been on his business—and their son A.J. Enter new-in-town sultry, sexy Serena Jacobs, a woman who just might inspire Antonio to change his mind about being alone… THAT HIS BODY CAN’T RESIST… Serena’s new restaurant is about to take off, and so is her heart—to Antonio. But events from her past are about to hit the fan—with a little help from Antonio’s scheming sister-in-law. Soon, Hollywood catfights and long-ago love affairs threaten the steamy relationship between Antonio and Serena, and when their secret histories collide, they must choose between a future with—or without—love…