Simply Cheris. . .

I watched the Emmys on Sunday for the first time in many years. And just like everybody else, I was blown away by the sisterly love shown to Regina King and Viola Davis as they picked up golden hardware.  Then I felt something, something familiar —I felt like I'm already a part of a sisterhood just like that. It's called being a romance writer. Yep, as much as people talk about writer beefs on social media and what not, I am HAPPY to say that Romance writers are different.  Exhibit A: Beverly Jenkins and Brenda Jackson. Romance royality. They treat everyone with such respect and a happy to drop knowledge to up and coming writers. Yes, these best selling authors are the most down to Earth ladies you could ever meet and they let me call them auntie! These ladies are the role models, the gold standards. The ones who are opening doors and reaching back to bring others along for the ride. Why? BECAUSE they are freaking awesome. Point blank. Period.  Exhibit B: Sisters stick to...

Y'all... Y'all... Y'all... If you glance at my profile pic you know I'm a thick'ems. And honestly, though I have my insecure days, overall, I wear my weight proudly. It took a lot for me to get to a point where I could love myself and the body I'm in. That being said, the body I'm in isn't exactly loving   me, so before something bad happens, I decided to get to a healthy weight that isn't on that BMI chart. Because that mess will have me looking like a strung out meth head looking for a fix. I'm 5'1 -and a half thank you very much - and I think getting to 155 would be a good weight for my body type. Now Ashley, why are you telling me all this boring mess? Well I'm glad you asked reader! I said all of that to say, those fit folks - you know the ones that get up at 4:45 every morning to go for a 5 mile run. Then, they get home and have the audacity to eat some nuts and freaking berries while I'm over here chomping on bluebe...

In my first ever blog post, I want to say somethings that has steadily been on my mind. Hopefully, it'll help you understand a little about me.  1. I am a Christian. But I'm also me. Beautifully, flawed me. I seek after God's face but I'm not there yet. Therefore, I curse sometimes, I act a fool sometimes and I do me sometimes. I guess someone would consider me a "Liberal Christian." I honestly don't care what you call me, but just keep it classy when you do call me.  2. Fuck love! (That cursing happened quick didn't it?) Love just might be the greatest pimp/terrorist/hoe ever created. Forget money, the desire of love is the root of all evil. I have a great respect for love. I want it more than anything I've ever wanted in life. It's the one constant prayer I have. While everyone else is on their knees Sunday morning asking God for a house, new car, more money; or for my less self-involved readers, better health, their son's salv...

THE FORBIDDEN MAN by  Elle   Wright  (July 28, 2015; Forever Mass Market; The Edge of Scandal #1) In Love With the Wrong Man Sydney Williams has forgiven her fiancé, Den, more times than she can count. But his latest betrayal just days before their wedding is too big to ignore. Shocking her friends and family, she calls off the engagement. She walks out on Den . . . and into the arms of his brother, Morgan. Known as a player, Morgan Smith has secretly spent years fighting his feelings for Sydney. When Den's latest dirty deed leaves Sydney devastated, Morgan can't stop himself from coming to her rescue. What begins as friendship quickly escalates into all-consuming passion. Despite their intense connection, Sydney would rather deny her desire than come between brothers. But as Morgan is determined to make Sydney his, Den won't give her up without a fight . . . Buy the book! Amazon   B&N iBooks   GooglePlay   Kobo ...

The moment two black girls in white beads took over the tennis world, I was a Serena Williams fan. I love Venus too, but Serena is the younger sister and I can relate. When you hear the word curvy , if you don't think of Serena, something ain't right in your head. But after Serena's latest   Wimbledon title all we hear about is her body is too manly and other (white) tennis players don't want to look like her.   Williams, who will be vying for the Wimbledon title against Garbiñe Muguruza on Saturday, has large biceps and a mold-breaking muscular frame, which packs the power and athleticism that have dominated women’s tennis for years. Her rivals could try to emulate her physique, but most of them choose not to. It's OK, because not only can they not look like Serena, they can't play like her either. 2 1 grand-slam singles titles and her fourth in a row, the problem isn't Serena's muscles, it's her dominance. People still can't get over...