Simply Cheris. . .

COLUMBIA—If you remember sitting on the sofa with your grandma or your favorite auntie watching Victor Newman or Josh and Reva, then you need to meet romance author Synithia Williams. If you’re reading Williams’ latest novel,  The Secret to a Southern Wedding,  you might think it’s messy, soapy and full of drama, that’s exactly what she was going for. So, here’s the premise of the book: It’s been years since Dr. Imani Kemp has returned home to Peachtree Cove, Georgia. As Tallahassee’s most sought-after OB-GYN, she doesn’t have much time for anything else. But when her mom announces she’s marrying a man she just met on a dating app, Imani knows she has to put a stop to it immediately. Let her mom be hurt again after the disastrous way her last marriage ended? Absolutely not. Always her protector, Imani won’t rest until her mom sees reason. She just never expected sparks to fly with the groom’s son… After his mother’s tragic death, Cyril Dash and his father relocated to Peachtre...

The other day, I was doing some math in my head and realized, June marks the 20th anniversary of my first romance novel being published. Revelations was released by a now defunct publisher and I began my life as a romance author.  I love to tell stories that are rooted in realism, but have twists and turns that keep my readers turning the page and wanting more. And you know who I have to thank for that? My grandma.  If you're giving the post the side eye right now, let me explain. Growing up, we didn't have e-learning days so if I got sick, my grandma kept me while my mom and dad were at work. There were basically two rules to being grandma's favorite (which I was), don't talk when grown ups are talking and don't interrupt me when Victor Newman is on the TV. So, in between ginger ale and chicken noodle soup and following the Price is Right, I'd sit by my grandma as the iconic piano chords of the Young and The Restless theme song began. Every day, my grandma tun...

 

When an actor came for the Keanu Reaves, I had to talk with the bestselling author of “How To Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days” K.M. Jackson. Watch our fun discussion here ! And if Rom Coms are your jam, check out Kwana "KM" Jackson's recs! The Boyfriend Project series by Farrah Rochon The Love Con by Seressia Glass Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

It's romance awareness month and you know what that means? I have to make you aware of some of my favorite romance series.  Most people like to binge-watch shows, but I'm a binge reader. If an author writes a series, I'm all in. Here are a few of my must-read series: 1. Farrah Rochon's   The Boyfriend Project series.  Imagine finding out that your "man" is dating you and two other women. Instead of going all Real Housewives of whatever city, you and the other two women become best friends? And now we readers get to see Samiah, London and Taylor find the real love they deserve. And the friendship between these women is chef's kiss. I'm convinced that good friends teach folks how to love.  -The Boyfriend Project -The Dating Playbook -The Hookup Plan These books are better than anything streaming on Netflix. 2. Synithia Williams is a writer who loves to create messy problems and give you a wonderful happy ending. If you watched the Guiding Light or stil...

I'm a little biased here, but the guy in this pictures with the mustache and his arms around that lady who looks like me is pretty damned perfect. That's my Daddy. My rock. My ace. The man who never allowed me to believe that I couldn't do anything I put my mind to. A few things he tried to get me into didn't work out. Like basketball. He bought me a really nice one from the hardware store and I sat on it and read a book. This man still has my mold covered left handed softball glove at the house where I grew up.  A few weeks ago, I asked him why was he keeping it and in Freddie fashion, he took the glove out of my hand and put it right back where I had gotten it from. That was the end of that conversation. When I realized I wanted to be writer, it was my Daddy who got me a typewriter, then a word processor and my first laptop. He suffered though the sound of a dot matrix printer going off in the middle of the night because I was printing my "book."...

 Marlboro County High School was established in 1989. All of the high schools in Marlboro County became a big powerhouse, for sports at least. I mean, the school has struggled with educating the county from the start, you know because Marlboto County is the l east educated county in the state .  If you grew up in Marlboro County, you've always been told to give back to your community, never forget where you came from and always represent your home in a positive light. Do you know who does that spectacularly? Marlboro County High School principal, Dr. Jamane Watson. His hire as principal was a historic one. Watson graduated from Marlboro County High School in 1996.  He is the first alumni from the school lead it. He told SCnow.com  in 2020: “It means a lot because students who attend the school can see someone who walked the same halls they do, had some of the same teachers they do, came from similar backgrounds that they have, that they can make it,” Watson said. “I ...

  Look inside: Can’t Hide Love , the final Richardson Sister’s book. It’s Alex’s turn.    No matter what, the four very different Richardson sisters always uphold their family’s reputation and legacy—a historic bed-and-breakfast in Charleston, South Carolina. But romance that one sister never saw coming will up-end all their expectations . . .   She's the responsible sister, making sacrifices to run the family’s treasured B&B. But for once, Alexandria Richardson decides to take a vacation—a singles’ cruise, where she throws caution to the wind. And the handsome stranger she meets is just what she needs to make every moment sizzle—for all seven wildly sexy days. Energized and refreshed, Alex returns home—only to discover her holiday hottie is also the renowned architect tapped for the B&B’s major renovation project. How is she supposed to manage a business—and an all-consuming desire?   Wesley Prescott knows how easy it is to put success above everything ...

  Sports writer Nina Richardson has covered a certain Carolina football team and she remembers what happened when then starting quarterback Cody Cameron called her sweetheart at a press conference. Nina Richardson was pissed. The sportswriter had never felt more disrespected or more angry in her career. Did this quarterback just call her  sweetheart  in the middle of a press conference? Her male colleagues chuckled and tried to hide it behind coughs. Nina gritted her teeth and fought the urge to roll her eyes. Be the professional,  she told herself as she looked at his garish outfit. They weren’t in some nightclub; she was doing her damned job and he dismissed her question about his poor play and three interceptions with a sexist quip. “Sweetheart, I’m going to get a suggestion box and put it outside this door and I want your suggestions about my route accuracy to be in there.” Nina’s mouth dropped.  Oh, I have a suggestion. You might consider not mixing plaids ...

Spend Valentine's Day in Elmore, South Carolina.  Hot single dad Cool sexy neighbor A Mustang And desire. . . #AnotherChanceToLove .99 this week on Kindle! Buy Here!

Winston, Winston,  Winston . . . Jessica Davis  Last week Charlotte's revolutionary city councilmember showed the city and all the Black women across the Queen City that the misogynoir is strong in this one.  It's clear that Charlotte's establishment is afraid of Jessica Davis, who is Black, brilliant and full of fresh ideas that would:  take the shine off a mayor that may or may not be purchased by developers, a city councilman who's claim to fame is getting arrested and going viral and the old guard who hasn't had a fresh idea since Cash Money took over for the 99 and 2000s.  If you don't support Black women and elevate Black women, you aren't pro Black. Full stop.  Some Black folks don't throw up the power fist for Black women And if you don't do your job on city council, maybe it is time for you to go. You can't change a system when you block people from participating. Braxton Winston said about abstaining from his vote to have Davis fill the...

Growing up in a small town, I know there are so many stories there. Of course, there's the gossip. Phone lines burn up when Sally Mae gets a new car, but her house in foreclosure. Then there's Mr. Graham and his secret family two counties over. But outside of the gossip, there is so much love and devotion in the small towns. Since I grew up in one, I had a good time creating one, Elmore, South Carolina.  Not too far from Columbia, the state capital, yet close enough to Myrtle Beach for a romantic getaway. This is the kind of town where you can come back for a second chance at love, a new career or to reclaim the one who got away.  I wrote three books in Elmore and I hope you take a moment over the holidays to check them out.  J ust Can't Get Enough (Published 2007)  Both down-home sweet and seductive, Cheris Hodges's new novel is about breaking the rules, going back home. . .and finding more than your heart's desire. . .  Celina Hart had security, a steady job,...

 When you look at other Black women mayors across the country, like Keisha Lance Bottoms and Lori Lightfoot, don’t you feel proud? Like Black women lead.  Then, you remember you live in Charlotte and Vi Lyles is your mayor.  Real tears.  Lyles was super invisible at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic . She hasn’t kept her campaign promises and sat back while Charlotte Mecklenburg Police gassed protesters during a peaceful march in Uptown.  (Why is she not on the ballot so I could vote against her? Next year, y’all/) But earlier this month,Lyles and members of Charlotte City Council made total asses of themselves when they visited a local bar.  This is what the Charlotte Observer reported ,  The initial reservation was for 6 p.m., then it started getting pushed back, DeLoach said. The council members, along with Mayor Vi Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones, and other city employees showed up at 7:45 p.m., she said. Also in attendance on Monday night was...