Who is Cheryl Brooks? Give us the lowdown.
Cheryl Brooks is a composite of many people. She is a writer, a mother, a cook, a wife, a nurse, a gardener, a horse lover, and a musician. Shy with strangers, but outgoing with friends, she can be serious and professional, but is also a romantic who loves to laugh.
Fugitive is the fifth book in the Cat Star Chronicles series. How has your writing evolved? Is each book easier/harder to write or are they all different?
The most obvious change over the course of the series has been the switch from writing in first person to writing in third. Fugitive is the second of my books to be written from the different point of view, and I’m still learning how to do it. I was nearly finished with Fugitive when I first heard the term “head hopping.” As a reader, I was unaware of the taboo, but I may be in the minority there. I did my best to avoid switching back and forth between Manx and Drusilla’s thoughts, but there are places where I felt it was necessary. They say if you change POV more often than every three paragraphs, you’re head hopping, so I don’t think I’m guilty, but that’s for someone else to decide. I can’t honestly say that they are getting easier to write or more difficult. Each book is different and poses different problems. I will say that the opening chapters are much harder to write than the ending because while you know where a story is going to end up, where to begin that story is often difficult to determine.
You have some very unique names in your books – what is the process for coming up with them?
With the Zetithian names, I come up with the shorter nickname first (Manx) and then elongate it to the full Zetithian form (Manxarkodrath). Other times, I take a common name and alter it to make it sound more alien or, since the Zetithians have cat-like characteristics, more feline. For example, Manx’s surname, Panteris, is a combination of Banderas (as in Antonio) and the word panther. With secondary character names, I try to make them different enough that the reader won’t confuse them. Often, a name will evolve as I write about the character; I may change a letter here and there, or scrap it entirely in favor of something completely different. Other times, names are suggested to me; Drusilla, by a blog commenter, and Zefa’gu, by my son.
Give three words that describe Manx, your hero in Fugitive.
Elusive. Erotic. Exciting.
There is a lot of sexin’ going on – by book five does anything make you blush anymore?
Not really. In fact, I think my editor blushes a lot more than I do, and I’ve had to revise a few scenes for that reason. I worked out most of my blushes a long time ago when I wrote a book about a man who liked some rather unusual things in the bedroom—then my friends read it while I was watching them. So, nope. No blushes anymore!
The setting in Fugitive, the world of Barada Seven, is such a visually stunning place. What inspired this world?
I’d done a desert planet in Rogue and more Earth-like worlds in Slave and Warrior, but played around with different seasons. Outcast was set on a world with a climate and terrain similar to central Africa, so for Fugitive, I wanted something different. The story dictated the setting to a certain extent because Manx, the elusive fugitive of the story, is reminiscent of Tarzan in many ways, and giving him a jungle home seemed logical. Also, with a heroine who is a wildlife artist, a jungle teeming with wildlife—primarily exotic birds—was necessary in order to draw her to the planet to begin with. The furtive nature of their relationship early on was better served by being in a jungle because with the dense undergrowth, you can be ten feet away from someone and not see them.
How far do you see this series going? Do you ever want to try a different genre?
Right now, I’m not sure how far the series will go. I was originally asked for six books, but that number was recently increased to nine. I’ve written in other genres, primarily contemporary, but my take on that was a little different from that of other authors. Some of them had paranormal aspects, but the major difference is that I write about characters that I can relate to better than the usual millionaires and beautiful heiresses. I believe that romance isn’t just for the rich and famous, but for everyone.
How important is blogging as a networking tool for you? Is it more for personal pleasure or do you use it as a business tool as well?
I began blogging primarily as a promotional tool, but have found a great deal of pleasure in it, particularly after starting my own blog. I’ve developed friendships with several readers and authors through it, and it’s become almost as important to me as writing the books.
Since you are in Smexyville, I must ask:
What fictional character do you lust after the most?
Would it be fair to use one of my own fictional creations? I developed the Zetithians as the ultimate lovers, but I’m aware that they aren’t the alpha males that so many readers favor. I can’t lust after a character that I could only love in a fictional setting. Does that make sense? Many women lust after the bad boys, but admit they wouldn’t want to be married to one. However, there is one bad boy I’d take in a heartbeat—mainly because he isn’t bad at heart—and that would be Han Solo.
Which heroine would you love to trade places with?
Having answered the last question the way I did, I’d have to go with Princess Leia on that one. Of course, it would have made for a much less interesting story, because I would have admitted to loving him long before Darth Vader decided to freeze him in carbonite, thus robbing us of one of the all-time great comebacks.
Chest hair – Is it smexy?
Of course! As long as it doesn’t make me think of a gorilla. I love a nice treasure trail.
FUGITIVE BY CHERYL BROOKS—IN STORES JANUARY 2010
When a Zetithian fugitive meets a beautiful Earth woman, their passion may cost them both their lives…
Manx is a Zetithian fugitive with a feline gene that gives him remarkable sexual powers. He has been in hiding in the remote jungles of Barada Seven ever since being marked for extermination by the violent Nedwuts.
Artist Drusilla arrives on Barada Seven, enticed only by the promise of finding a nature paradise there. But she discovers a wildlife she wasn’t expecting when she encounters Manx. Reckless with desire for the beautiful Earth woman, Manx risks his life to win her as his mate.
It’s only a matter of time until the Nedwuts find them, but it will take all of Manx and Drusilla’s passion, skill, and ingenuity to survive.
About the Author
Cheryl Brooks is an Intensive Care Unit nurse by night and a romance writer by day. Previous books in The Cat Star Chronicles series include Slave, Warrior, Rogue and Outcast. Hero, book six, will be in stores August 2010. She is a member of the RWA and lives with her husband and sons in Bloomfield, Indiana. For more information, please visit http://cherylbrooksonline.com/
Thanks Cheryl!!
Sourcebooks has offered to give away two copies of Fugitive!
To enter, just leave a comment. Contest runs through Saturday, January 23rd and I will announce the winner on Sunday. Please leave your email address if it is not included in your profile. Open to US and Canada only.
Hi Cheryl! I am very intrigued about your book. It sounds fascinating. I find all of the "rules" for writing…about head hopping, use of adverbs and exclamation points, totally irritating!!!! Hee hee…sorry, couldn't help myself.
Hi Mandi! Loved the review yesterday. :)
Cheryl and Mandi, thanks for the great interview. It's always valuable to find out how other writers approach their work.
Manx sounds like my kind of guy. I would love to read his story.
Hi Penelope!
Yeah, somebody said I used too many exclamation marks in Slave, the first book in the series, so I've backed off a bit!!!!!
Can't you tell???
Hi Patricia!
Manx is a guy you could actually live with, and there's a reason for the "cat" name. He can purr!
Hi Mandi, and thanks for having me here on Smexy Books! I think you captured the spirit of Fugitive in yesterday's fun review. Not many reviewers are brave enough to mention the snard and the ruffled yummydoodle!
Good morning! Great post!
You've got me curious Cheryl…"a long time ago when I wrote a book about a man who liked some rather unusual things in the bedroom"
*grins*
:o)
MsM
*****Please don't enter me in the contest as I have all Cheryls books – except that one about the guy in the bedroom*****
Hi Cheryl :)
I had a lot of fun reading your book! So entertaining and steamy ;) Thanks for being here today!
very entertaining and a little steamy great to read x
twitter tracey1972
Hi MsM!
LOL! Sounds like you need to read The Boy at the Bar! It's about an affair between an older woman and a younger man who likes to be tied up and spanked–among other things….
You're quite welcome, Mandi. It's a pleasure to be here.
Thanks, Tracey. That's the kind of combination I like best.
You see? I CAN leave out the exclamation marks if I so choose. It just doesn't feel the same though. *sigh*
The Boys at the Bar? RAWR!!
Use the !!!!. We are ! friendly here at Smexy…LOL.
Okay, I have been hot on this woman's trail for a while now… and NOW I am finding out there is a book about THE BOYS AT THE BAR…. tied up.. and it even made Ms. M's gleam… MUST CHECK OUT!!!
Smexy & Ms. Cheryl, great interview!
I think you know already though that I am hussying over Manx right now!
Smexy, drop my name (hell, drop my whole body) in the hat for a chance to win this… And I will be searching for that other **Cough** book!!!
Have a great day!
Hi, Cheryl! I can't remember what I was going to say at first. You distracted me with that Panther/Antonio Banderas Combo! Chest Hair…Sam Elliott…"Lifeguard"!!! Cheryl, have you secretly cloned yourself? I think you must have done so in order to be in so many places at one time and excel as a multi-tasker! The best thing is, you kept your sense of humor, and your creative streak keeps growing and growing! My cats send "Pats" to Peaches & all >^..^<
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Hi Cheryl – I saw one of your books in my local B&N under "try this, you'll like it" and picked it up – I did enjoy it. Now I've got to get caught up with the series.
Congratulations on your Fugitive release, I'm looking forward to reading it. (BTW – love your blog!)
Hi Cheryl! I am a huge fan of your work. My question is what is your muse when writing these books?
Please count me in.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
Another great post by the Cat Master. And as always she leaves us licking our lips and purring. Meow!!!!!!!I'm with Ms.M. I have a book to find. Cougar, Spanking S/M HMM!!!
HI Cheryl *waves* Mandi had such interesting points to share about your book yesterday, I love futuristic sci-fi romances!!!
And yes Han Solo is swoon worthy!!!
Great interview.
Great interview! I'm reading the series now, and I'm on Warrior. Funny and sexy, and SNARD! hehe :)
Hi Mrs. Cheryl,
This book sounds very interesting just from reading the little bit that was posted, I would to be entered into this giveaway and today's my birthday maybe it's a lucky day :)
Great interview. Would love to win the book!! Thanks, Amy
tnsongbird865@aol.com
Please enter me!
squiggles87(at)aol(dot)com
Following you all over the blogosphere. It was great to see you here and another great post.
Please enter me, like Cecile, I'm hot and heavy over Manx by now.
armiefox at yahoo dot com
Mandi, thanks for having Cheryl over on Smexy Books.
Cheryl, another great post! You've been holding out on us..Where is this "Boy At The Bar" book you speak of. With an 'older' woman. Yay!
This series sounds great! I need to check it out :)
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Mandi! Thanks!!!! That feels SO much better….
Cecile,
There's just one problem with The Boy at the Bar. It is unpublished. However, with this kind of response, perhaps I should run it past another editor…. or post an excerpt from it on my blog sometime.
Virginia C,
Nope, I don't have a clone–I only WISH I had one.
OMG! Sam Elliott!!!! Be still my heart!
Peaches says "ARF!"
Hi Patti!
Yet another blog lurker coming to the surface!!
Glad you're enjoying the series! Good luck to you (and everyone else!) in the contest!
I Heart Book Gossip,
My muse? Whoa, that's a tough one! Not sure I have a muse, actually, but if I do, it might have something to do with all the testosterone floating around in my house. Or not. Jeeze, I don't know… might be my adventurous brain longing to be an a more adventure-worthy body. Honestly, no clue….
*cringing* You won't find TBATB anywhere, Donna, though I do have a self-published book called If You Could Read My Mind. It was written under the name Samantha R. Michaels. There's a link to it on my website if you're interested. No spanking in it, though. Sorry….
*waving back to Smokinhotbooks*
Yay!!! Another Han Solo swooner! *sigh* He is just too cool! I think the "other" Star Wars trilogy suffered from the lack of him. He was what made Star Wars fun–and smexy!
Hi Ferishia!
I don't know if that was your first read in the series, but Warrior was one that a lot of avid followers read first. Not sure why that is, though–might be the pretty red cover!
Happy Birthday Tweetybrd22! Good luck in the giveaway!
Thanks Amy and Squiggles! Good luck!
Hi Armenia!
ARRGGGHHH!! I'm being followed!!!
Not that I mind….
Lisa,
My editor wasn't sure about The Boy at the Bar, and wanted me to change so many things. I did it, but she never specifically asked me for it again, so I never sent it to her. I felt the original version was best.
I know, I'm being stubborn, but, hey, when you write about a she 50/he 28 S&M affair, you want to keep it like it is. VERRY HOT, believable, and has a HEA to boot!
Hey there, throuthehaze! Check away! Maybe you'll win a copy here. Good luck!
This sounds great, enter me please :)
kaylajohnson3969@sbcglobal.net
Great interview Cheryl.
I'm flipping through the book again and I can't help but laugh every time I think of when Jack and Cat and Leo go to talk to Drusilla. It's just great when you mention how the couples still have such a deep love for each other. You can't help but want that in real life if you don't have it.
Enjoyable interview Cheryl…loved the "treasure trail" comment and the questions asked.
Since I'm up-to-date on the entire Cat Star Chronicle books, it sounds like a solid idea to pimp The Boy At The Bar manuscript *grin*. I'm all about OWYM (older women, younger men) stories…especially with a HEA. Power. I mean really, is there anything sexier than a man who looks past a woman's exterior to appreciate who she is?! That kind of man confidence is a turn on for me.
For readers who haven't read Cheryl yet…if you like unique, hot, humorous and wrapped in a HEA, then I believe you'll enjoy Fugitive as well as the rest of the series. I'm a lightweight when it comes to the sci-fi genre but Cheryl's books have been a huge surprise and great diversion from other genres I read. She's now on my auto buy.
If I should win, I will gift it to my best book bud who lives many states away. She has not been introduced to Cheryl's voice (yet) but since our taste are extremely similar, I believe she will love it as I do.
nbristow at cox.net
I have read the other books in this series and can't wait to read Fugitive
kissinoak at verizon dot net
Thanks, Kayla! Good luck! This could be the start of a beautiful readership.
*Extra brownie points to anyone who can tell me the origin of that quote!*
Hi Ana,
I see no reason why married couples can't have the hots for each other. If it was real to start with, it should remain that way, and I wish that kind of happiness for everyone.
Thanks, Nancy!
LOL! Maybe you should be my agent and pitch that book again! The best part about TBATB was that the younger guy thought the older woman was hot! He loved her looks, as well as her inner self.
Hello there, Estella!
There's a copy of Fugitive somewhere with your name on it! Perhaps you'll win it here!
This sounds like a great series. I will definitely be adding it to my wish list. The world and characters sound fascinating!
robin@intensewhisper.com
Hi Cheryl, better late than never. It's been fun hitting all the blog sites you've been to here lately.
Don't enter me in the contest, I have all her books and looking forward to the new one, Hero! Thanks.
Thanks, Robin! I hope your wishes come true!
Hi Jessica,
You'll be happy to know that I'm currently working on the copyedited version of Hero, putting a few finishing touches on it. I think you'll like it! Thanks for dropping by!
I enjoyed the interview and would love to read the book. I've heard great things about it.
seriousreader at live dot com
Thanks, Linda!
I'm glad you're hearing GOOD things! Good luck on winning a copy!
Hi Cheryl, you are a new author for me…but anytime I read something like….(Elusive. Erotic. Exciting) I know I have to read it. Looking forward to your stories.
mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net
Hi Cheryl!
Congratulations on the book! :) Many thanks for the giveaway too!
I loved the part in the interview where you don't blush anymore when your friends read your book! lol. I guess when it was first out, you were sooo red in the face!
Hi Mitzi H!
Looking forward to having you as a reader! Good luck in the contest!
Thanks, Ruby! I never really got red in the face because it was too much fun watching my friends flip pages as fast as they could read and get really mad when they were interrupted!
Please count me in.
simplystacieblog at gmail dot com
Good luck, Simply Stacie!
Nice interview Cheryl. I`ve only read the first book of the Cat Chronciles. Have a few to catch up on. Would love to win this one.
lynnflagler@yahoo.com
Hi Lynnette! Have fun catching up and good luck winning Fugitive!