Simply Cheris. . .

Thank you to the manager at Wal-Mart, located at 7735 N Tryon St, Charlotte, for allowing me to sign a few copies of Recipe For Desire. And a special shout out to the two associates in the electronics department! 

Charlotte actress Jessica Macks is entertaining to talk to, so imagine her stage presence. The young actress has been seen in On Q Production's The Amen Corner and will be starring in Daughter of The King , a musical,  this summer. Meet the King sisters: the sassy, sophisticated and sensible daughters of the late pastor of the King Memorial Church. As different as night and day, their deep love for each other is about the only thing on which they can always agree. Deanna and Ophelia reunite with their older sister, Renee, for the church's annual Homecoming Revival expecting the usual: a little family and a little feudin', mixed with a whole lot of fun! But this year will be different. When a mysterious, regal visitor appears and reveals a life-changing secret, the sisters discover they have more in common than any of them ever dared to dream.... The African American theater scene in Charlotte is evolving. The productions being put on stage aren't just the...

Have you ever thought of a plot  and then discovered that it just doesn't work? No matter how you try to push and prod your characters, they're just not telling the story the way you want it to be told. So, what do you do? Abandon ship. Yes. Let. It. Go. This happened to me with Devon Harris and Alicia Michaels, two characters from my series. Devon, who kept whispering to me that he had a story to be told, needed his own book. The sexy chef is a woman's dream, great cook, big hands and heart of gold. Now, he's no saint. He did cheat on Kandace Davis and break her heart. I tried to put the couple back together at one point.  That didn't work either. I believe in second chances at love, I even wrote a book about it. (Product plug: Second Chances At Love ) But reuniting Kandace and Devon was cliche. I tried to create a hook and it all fell flat. Sometimes, you create a dynamic character that deserves a story that will show their growth and why you fell in lov...

The EpiCentre isn't a city project, but according to the Charlotte Observer : Occupying a city block at College and Trade streets, the EpiCentre is viewed by city officials as an important part of uptown's redevelopment. Don't be fooled by all of the black faces that were playing, partying and eating at the EpiCentre last weekend during the CIAA Basketball Tournament. You can bet your bottom dollar that won't be the scene this weekend. And let's not forget, this is the same place where an African American man was arrested for wearing his hat askew or that the Charlotte Community Relations Committee had to launch an investigation into the EpiCentre. Many blacks in Charlotte quietly talk about being discriminated against while trying to eat, party or play there -- when the CIAA is not in town. So, for the city to consider this place to be a major part of Uptown Charlotte's redevelopment, it makes you wonder: What kind of Uptown does the powers that be want...

Well, (in my Antonie Dobson voice), it's a good book. Here's what RT Book Reviews says about it:  Hodges has written a well-plotted and enjoyable story. She shines a light on the sensitive issue of domestic violence. There is sadness and laughter. But oh, what a beautiful love story this turns out to be. Here's what APOOO Book Club had to say about it:  Recipe for Desire has a touch of drama, humor and lots of sensual tension to keep readers turning page after page. Hodges shows that you really cannot judge a person based on circumstances, status, wealth or lifestyle. This was the first novel that I have read by Hodges and I would recommend it to romance readers. And here's what inspired me to write this book, My Sister's Place in Charlotte, NC.  In Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, an estimated 6,000 people don't have a place to call home. We see some of them when we head Uptown to Starbucks or for a night at the EpiCentre. And it's not out of ...

Do you want an autographed copy of Recipe For Desire? I know you do. So, if you want to win one answer this question (and please email the answer to cherisfhodges@gmail.com): In Too Hot For TV what was the name of the reality show that Raymond and Imani were on and where was it filmed? Send your mailing address by 5 p.m. today. Good luck.

Filmed at Su CASA Presents: The Su CASA Tournament Day Party at Dharma Lounge.