Simply Cheris. . .

I'm going to let you in on a secret: I'm better at writing love stories than I am at living them. It's not as if I haven't been surrounded by love my entire life. I've watched my parents and my siblings have successful marriages, raise amazing kids and I have countless aunts, uncles and cousins who have done the same thing. Then there's me. I think I'm just in love with being in love. Because I keep picking the wrong damn man. When I date dingbats, which is obviously what I do, I come up with a story of our relationship in my head that never translates into reality. And just like Britany Spears, Oops I did it again. Here's the story: Me and Dingleberry met in high school. Reconnected on Facebook. Exchanged phone numbers. Spent time together. He met the parents. Then poof, like a unicorn, he disappeared. When a fire burns bright, it usually burns out the quickest. And ladies and gentlemen, here's the story line of my love life — or lack the...

Is it hot in here or is it just my new book? Feel The Heat is available in paperback right now! I love this story because Mimi Collins is a character who has been with me for years. She's headstrong, she's hot-headed and she has a mouth on her. I knew Mimi needed a special man in her life. Enter Brent Daniels. He's a man who is the total opposite of Mimi. And just like Paula said, opposites attract. So, what's this book about? I'm so glad you asked. Behind closed doors?  Relationship blogger and bestselling author Mimi Collins built her brand by talking openly about sex and love. But after a blog she posts negatively depicting a speed-dating site goes viral, she needs legal advice, and fast. Lucky for her, she has an irresistible advocate in Brent Daniels, her gorgeous new neighbor. The celebrated attorney and TV personality just took on her case. And he plays to win—in and out of court.  Putting the moves on his client is taboo, but how can Brent turn d...

So, I can't sleep and I turned on Netflix and started watching the CNN documentary, The Eighties. The Challenger explosion still gives me chills. I remember sitting in my classroom watching the first teacher go into space. More than anything else, we were excited and filled with pride that Ron McNair, a Lake City, South Carolina native, was on that shuttle. Innocence died that day. Along with my dreams of flying into space. For years and to this day, I'm afraid to fly. The little girl who didn't have a concept of death watched people die. Watched a hero die. As I watched the story being retold, that little girl wondered, she could've been had she not allowed fear to hold her back. After Challenger, I didn't want anything to do with science. I thought, science could kill you. I was beginning to understand why my Daddy jumped out of airplanes (and yes, I know it is not the same) instead of sitting in one and going up, up and away. Looking back on the 80s,...

So, my Starbucks card was hacked or something like that. A creature from somewhere in North Carolina went to Lincolnton and spent $10.36 at Starbucks using my money! I called the Starbucks customer service line and thought I was going to be in for a fight. How about, no. How about I spoke to a woman who did her job and didn't make me wade through bullcrap. And this made me smile. And I realized something as I head into the 40th anniversary of my birth, I need to kinder and gentler. Now, the petty isn't going anywhere because you can be nice and petty. But I digress. Not only did Starbucks make my day yesterday, but then I found out that my Christmas anthology is available for pre-order and it has a beautiful cover. The Perfect Present   is the second Christmas anthology that I've been included in. I am so honored to share this book with the amazing Rochelle Alers and the amazing Pamela Yaye. So, when I was playing Christmas music in September and October last ...

Most anyone who knows me knows that Starbucks is my vice. Seriously, tell me that there is free Starbucks and I'm there. So, when I got a plethora of Starbucks gift cards for Christmas, who was happy? This girl right here: Well, this girl ain't that happy right now. I logged on to my Starbucks app to check my stars and see if I was going to use my free reward tomorrow before work. What did I find?  Some son of a bitch spent $10.36 in Lincolnton, North Carolina on my card Saturday. At 1:41 PM when I was at work! Color me pissed and scared.  A. Who is the Starbucks thief? B. How in the blue hell did they hack me? C. Did this happen because I think Donald Trump is a piece of Orange Shit?  D. When am I going to get my mother#*king money back?  My family didn't give me these gift cards for some lame bastard to steal. And I wonder what the piece of shit ordered. I hope is was nasty and burned them. Like, I'm connected to stuff, but I'm really just like...

I knew there was going to be something different about 2016. When the clock struck midnight on December 31st, 2015, I knew January 1, 2016 was going to be different. I'm no clairvoyant or a woman with sight beyond sight, but I'd been having crazy dreams and weird thoughts. I'd just started a new job at yet another car dealership. I know the money is good in selling cars, but it does damage your soul if you work for the wrong people. Yes, I'd taken a job with the wrong people. But it was a Christmas present that I'd given to someone that had set the tone for 2016. A pair of Timberland boots. My mother always said that if you give some one shoes, they will walk out of your life. She left out the part about the parade and second line that they do across your heart. When I give a gift, I actually want one in return. I know, it's better to give than to receive, but I can be petty and selfish. Trying to work on that in the New Year. I got a kiss on the cheek a...