Simply Cheris. . .

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 book...

Sharon C. Cooper has been writing for years. And believe it or not, her first book wasn't a romance. She was reaching out to a different demographic —kids. But romance won out and we are thankful because since 2012, she's been penning hot novels. And I had the pleasure of meeting Sharon at Romance Slam Jam in New Orleans. She is as nice as she is talented.  Sharon spoke with me about her debut Kimani Press novel, Legal Seduction  —which is a RT Book Reviews Top Pick  — and writing. Sharon C. Cooper 1. Your debut Kimani novel is a RT top pick, what did you feel when you saw that review? I was TOTALLY shocked and flattered at the same time! As an author, you just never know how your work will be received, especially since books are so subjective. Also, I had never heard of RT "Top Picks" before (sad to say). I first found out about the review from author Wayne Jordan. After that, I started getting FB inbox messages and emails regarding being a "Top P...

Some people are just meant to be writers. Aja Graves is one of those people. She attended Romance Slam Jam this year as a published author. Her debut literary work is titled, Unexpected .  Maya Taylor has been left stung by the arrow of love one too many times for her liking. Swearing off heartache she decides that the staid and boring life is just fine for her. But a well-meaning friend points out that she isn’t really living at all and helps Maya embark on a journey with a new attitude. This leads to a chance encounter with a handsome gentleman that is all about living in the moment. Roman Newsome has constantly been on the search for the perfect woman. She needs to look beautiful, have something to talk about other than herself and be able to keep up with his prowess in bed. But having found out that most women pretend to have it all only to reveal their true unappealing colors, he’s decided the perfect woman must not exist. Until he meets Maya. ....

 AC Arthur won four Emma awards, including author of the year at the recent Romance Slam Jam Conference in New Orleans. The Maryland native has always had an active imagination and we're lucky enough to savor the fruits of her mind. Working in the legal field for more than twenty years now she’s seen lots of horrific things and longs for the safe haven reading a romance novel brings. Her debut novel Object of His Desire was written when a picture of an Italian villa sparked the idea of an African-American/Italian hero. To date, Artist has written in several genres including, young adult paranormal (written as Artist Arthur, www.artistarthurbooks.com ), erotic romance as Sapphire Blue, a sensual contemporary romance following the loves and life of The Donovan Family, and most recently a sexy paranormal series titled The Shadow Shifters, both written as A.C. Arthur. Coming in October. AC spoke to me about her award winning night and the upcoming Season of the Shifters event ...