HERO, The Cat Star Chronicles book #6 by Cheryl Brooks has been released this August from Sourcebooks. This is the story of Trag who's going through a bit of a rough patch. His brother is now happily mated and so are all his friends, the idea of finding his perfect mate isn't looking too good. Actually it is looking pretty bad for the poor guy.
That is until he meets the hissing stow away Micayla on his spaceship. Now Trag has never had a hard time with sex, his species is known to be pretty incredible and often the women are so overwhelmed that he ends up getting himself serviced for free. Thing is their planet was destroyed, their species all but wiped out and finding a female is something that Trag never thought would happen. Not to mention she is now a wanted woman, hunted by the same man responsible for destroying her home planet.
So when Micayla hisses at him neither one of them is aware that this is a sign in mating. That and the fact that although neither of them want to admit it, they are insanely attracted to one another. He is a lonely soul and sad so it was easy to love Trag, as strong and ornery as he really is he has so many weak spots. One of them is wanting to be loved. And now that Micayla is here the hope and caution. She was raised on Earth, and far far away from all the drama and life and death trouble she seems to find herself in now. Their bond seems so pure though, two lonely souls really just wanting to be loved and accepted.
If you haven't read any in this series you are truly missing out in this awesome Sci-Fi romance, it simply rocks!
So please enjoy the interview and don't forget to enter to win 1 of 2 copies of HERO!!!
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Can an ICU nurse work full-time and write two 90,000 word romance novels a year without going crazy and forgetting to feed the horses? Probably not. . . .
Can you tell us a little about your newest release Hero that isn't on the blurb?
LOL! That being bitten turns Trag on like nothing else!
What was your inspiration in creating The Cat Star Chronicles series?
My cats, every science fiction movie/TV series I’ve ever seen, and a certain knight at Medieval Times.
When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?
When I’m naming the heroes I try to come up with something that either sounds feline or is derived from the scientific name of a feline species. For the other names, I try to come up with names that sound alien and are different enough that the reader won’t get the characters confused.
What is the most challenging things for you as an author in creating and continuing on with a series?
Remembering to include the physical characteristics of the various alien species as I’m writing. I can see them in my own mind, so I think my readers can, too!
If you could trade places with one of your characters, would you want to?
Ha! That would depend on which character it was! However, if I could be one of my heroines and have a hot Zetithian of my very own, I might consider it!
What was the first romance book you read and how did it effect you?
I honestly don’t remember, but it was probably one of Mary Stewart’s romantic suspense novels. They taught me to love books written in first person and made me want to write that way.
Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
LOTS of them! However, I haven’t even tried to publish most of them yet, so there’s still hope. The one I’d most like to see published is called The Boy at the Bar, which is about a 50 year old woman and a 28 year old man who likes to be spanked. It was SO much fun to write!
What is the most interesting thing you’ve done in the name of research?
You really don’t want to know that, do you? Let’s just say it has to do with determining whether or not certain things are physically possible for the average person.
What accent is sure to get you to do naughty things?
Probably Italian, but Irish and Scottish are pretty cool, too. I think Craig Ferguson is hot!
What are you currently working on?
LOL! Guest blogs for Hero, of course! I recently finished writing Virgin, the seventh book in the series and haven’t really started on the next one yet, but I’m thinking about it.
If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
When you’re reading a book, is humor important to you, or do you prefer the dark, dramatic stuff?
How can the readers find out about you on-line?
My website is cherylbrooksonline.com, I’m also on Facebook, and my blog is cherylbrookserotic.blogspot.com, but be warned! I didn’t put ‘erotic’ in the title for nothing!
He is the sexiest, most irksome man she’s ever encountered...
Micayla is the last Zetithian female left in the universe. She doesn’t know what’s normal for her species, but she knows when she sees Trag that all she wants to do is bite him…
He has searched all over the galaxy for a woman like her…
Trag has sworn he’ll never marry unless he can find a Zetithian female. But now that he’s finally found Micayla, she may be more of a challenge than even he’s able to take on...
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, Outcast and Fugitive. She is a member of the RWA and lives with her husband and sons in rural Indiana. For more information, please visit http://cherylbrooksonline.com/
****GIVEAWAY****
For a chance to win 1 of 2 copies of HERO by Cheryl Brooks please follow the Rules below:
MUST answer Cherly's question above
MUST be a follower or become one
MUST leave e-mail address
Winner chosen 08/20
US and Canada only please
Posts
54 comments:
I like some humor in my books! Especially if it's a laugh-out-loud something that makes hubby and the boys look at me like I'm losing my mind.
August 16, 2010 11:55 AMmeredithfl at gmail dot com
Hi Cheryl - I'm a lurky follower of your awesome blog. It's always a luscious way to start the day. ;)
August 16, 2010 12:39 PMI do like some humor in my books, especially when it fits with my own (sometimes dorky) sense of humor. I think even the dark and dramatic ones sometimes need a little lightness to keep them from being too heavy -- but I think it has to fit the characters or it feels out of place.
Thanks for the giveaway, and congrats on the new release!
~Lindy
aromagik@gmail.com
I always love some humor in my books. Actually if it makes me laugh and cry so much the better. And I think humor can be in any type of book - even the dark ones.
August 16, 2010 12:55 PMI love your cover!
catslady5(at)aol.com
when reading i love the dark and dramatic but i think that some humor is important to lighten up the book a little.So dark and dramatic all the time is a little too much, and just a touch of humor can go a long way in my opinion.
August 16, 2010 1:28 PMthanks for the giveaway!
blue_star_10@hotmail.com
I like a little humor. I enjoy the dramatic stuff, but you can't keep that tension up during the whole book. Having a little humor makes me appreciate the buildup of everything else.
August 16, 2010 1:30 PMI am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a follower. When you’re reading a book, is humor important to you, or do you prefer the dark, dramatic stuff?
August 16, 2010 1:33 PMI love having some humor in the book. It doesn't have to all be dramatic and dark. Adding humor makes it more interesting and lightens the situation up. In real life not everything is series all the time. There is some humor. I love the sound of your books. I can't wait to read them all. I will be putting them on my list of books I want to read. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I love books that have humor in them... whether it's all hilarious or there's some laugh-out-loud moments here and there :)
August 16, 2010 1:41 PMOkay, you have me interested in the book that hasn't been published yet, about the 50yr old woman and 28yr old man... I sincerely hope that gets published one day :)
I'm a follower
aliciaeflores1 @ yahoo.com
Humor is very important, but so is all the rest. I love reading! Always have. I follow too!
August 16, 2010 1:56 PMterriavidreader at yahoo dot com
Hi Brande and Cheryl! Cheryl, you already know I love your stuff :). To answer your question -- I'm not sure I can, to be honest. I love a book with humor, but I'm a total sucker for the dark dramatic stuff as well. In fact, my own body of work encompasses both.
August 16, 2010 2:34 PMhelenhardt at gmail dot com
I like a little humor in my books. I can make a book about a difficult subject easier to swallow.
August 16, 2010 3:35 PMI am a follower.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
I love humor in books.
August 16, 2010 3:47 PMI have read the other books in this series and cannot wait to read about Trag.
follower
kissinoak at verizon dot net
First of all, thanks so much for having me here on Book Junkie, Brande, and second, thank you so much for the terrific review. You captured the spirit of Hero to a T!
August 16, 2010 4:07 PMI'm with you on that, Meredith. You want to laugh and you really don't want to have to explain it to the guys!
Thanks, Lindy! I'm glad you're enjoying the blog! It's been the source of more fun than I've had in a long time, and my commenters make me laugh every day.
Hi Catslady!
I think I have the most awesome covers in the business. Anne Cain does such a fabulous job! I like a full range of emotions, too. I can live without being grossed out or terrified, but make me laugh, cry, and care about the outcome and you've hooked me!
Hi Stella! I agree, a little humor can go a long way. Me, I prefer laughter over terror, so that's the direction I tend to lean in my writing. Often I have to write some pretty dark stuff, and it depresses me a lot while I'm writing it. Give me laughter and romance any day!
August 16, 2010 4:15 PMVery true, Debbie! If I had to write a book that was nothing but fear and misery, I'd be just as miserable as the characters, and that's not why I write!
Thanks, Tore, and good luck in the contest!
You aren't alone, Ali. I've got some friends whose eyes get all misty when I mention that one. I'm working on getting it published. Unfortunately, it's a contemporary, and when you make a name as a paranormal writer, it's hard to get an editor to take the plunge. Fingers crossed!
Terri,
August 16, 2010 4:24 PMI think we all read for the way a book can get us absorbed in the lives of others. It's the only time you can really get inside someone else's head, and it's often a fascinating place to be.
Hi Helen!
Your comment illustrates why it takes more than one writer to satisfy the reading public. If we all had the same tastes, there wouldn't be many books to choose from, and wouldn't need to be, which would be very boring!
Bethie,
I've had to write some dark spots myself, and when I'm finished, I can't wait to throw in the comic relief!
Estella,
Trag is one of my favorite characters, and I was as anxious to write his book as some others were to read it. I hope it doesn't disappoint!
Thanks so much for the great turn-out today, and good luck to all in the drawing!
August 16, 2010 4:25 PMI like some humor in my stories even when they are dramatic.
August 16, 2010 4:35 PMI am a follower.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
Hey Cheryl...Light or dark stories that contain humor on some level always adds to the story for me. Favorite moments are when the story catches me unaware and I literally laugh out loud...there's generally nobody around to question these moments and it doesn't matter one bit.
August 16, 2010 5:49 PMI had one of those moments reading part of HERO when the large insect and his dick were introduced. I fell out!
I'm a CBEB follower. Yea baby;)
nbristow @ cox.net
Hello there.
August 16, 2010 6:03 PMI like both humor and dark, dramatic stuff. I have been pleasantly surprised, though, when I discover a book has several humorous moments when I was expecting something dark and series.
I'm a follower.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Humor is my number one in all genres. There needs to be some, preferably lots. Even if subtle.
August 16, 2010 6:15 PMI am a follower.
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
While I do enjoy some humor when reading a book, I don't want to be bombarded by it. A hint placed here and there is quite enough for me. But then again, it all depends on what I am reading. If I know in advance to expect the H/h to have more humor than I'm used to, than yes. Although, I will have to say, the dark, dramatic stuff is what I do best!
August 16, 2010 6:36 PMI am a follower.
cindersmaria@yahoo.com
It depends on what kind of mood I'm in when I'm reading. I really enjoy reading a book that makes me laugh out loud but I also enjoy the dark dramatic stuff too. Pretty much as long as it's got romance in it I will read it.
August 16, 2010 7:05 PMsstrode@scrtc.com
Looks like we've got a fairly even mix here. Like I said, it takes a lot of different writers to keep everyone happy!
August 16, 2010 7:27 PMI do like humor, even if it is just a few sarcastic or snarky remarks in the darker stuff ;).
August 16, 2010 7:34 PMPam S
pams00 @ aol.com
Love a good cry but humor in novels is critical as well!
August 16, 2010 8:33 PMGoogle follower!
delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love laughing while reading a book. It feels good to laugh out loud and have people around wondering why your laughing. Makes me laugh even more!! I think that humor is important in a book, but it also depend on the book. Some are good with a little humor and some are good with ALOT of humor :P
August 16, 2010 9:18 PMI can't wait to get my hands on this book :D (That is, if I win!)
-Liz
I am a follower!
liztapioka14[at]yahoo[dot]com
i like the books both ways. Just depends on the book. I'd love to win this book.
August 16, 2010 9:49 PMscrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
Have never read anything in this series, but it sounds like I will have to. I haven't really read any Science Fiction for many years. I think it was Asimov's FOUNDATION.
August 16, 2010 10:51 PMI need humor in the books I read. Even when they are dark stories, there can still be wit and humor. It makes the characters more appealing to me.
I am a Follower.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
Hi Cheryl - so love your blog, it adds a little zing to the day :-)
August 16, 2010 11:22 PMI like a little humor if it's placed well, but for the most part I'm one for the dark and dramatic. Throw in lots of angst, tortured/tormented hero, and I'm so there!
I'm a follower annhonATaolDOTcom
Humor is inporten and dark drama two my favorite movie is die Hard and its full of Dark Humor.
August 17, 2010 12:10 AMI'm a follower via GFC
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
There's a fine line between too much and too little humor. I don't really like the "humorous" vamp books, but on the other hand, I adore the Kate Daniels series - it's very intense, yet the humor is so much a part of the characters that it can't be separated out.
August 17, 2010 12:57 AMjen at delux dot com
Great interview.
August 17, 2010 2:17 AMNo matter how dark & dramatic the book is, I like for there to be moments of humor. Doesn't mean I don't like books that have no humorous moments, but life is a mixture of fun and series so I think stories should be too.
My fave series is full of ROTFLMAO humor.
forgot to say
August 17, 2010 2:18 AMI'm a follower.
carolcobun(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love for there to be humor in the books I'm reading, but I enjoy the dramatic stuff, too.
August 17, 2010 3:23 AMI'm a GFC follower.
texas_gal45(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you!
Oh my, that cover is just....whew! Very nice. Oh and I agree with you about the Scottish Accent...very sexy. ;)
August 17, 2010 5:40 AMI like humor when reading, especially if the author can pull it off in the right way. If a joke is just put in at the wrong moment and it looks as though the author is trying to hard to get a laugh...well then that's not going to work. But if I am caught off guard and actually laugh out loud...I know it was funny.
Dark drama can be good too, it all depends on the scene, the characters, how the author pulls it off and if it makes sense.
I'm a follower.
miztik_rose@yahoo.com
Good morning, ladies! I see humor is still important to a lot of you. I wouldn't say my books are comedies, in fact, there was very little humor in Outcast, but I like to throw it in here and there in the form of secondary characters. If your hero is a comedian, he often won't come across as being sincere, which is why several of them have funny sidekicks.
August 17, 2010 8:22 AMGood luck to everyone in the contest!
oh yes a little humor is important. There is nothing like a little suspense etc with a little unsuspecting humor thrown in. I like the whole mix in a story. I want some serious suspenseful stuff and then that humor to lighten it up a bit and make me laugh out loud. When it's done right it makes for awesome reading. usually makes my favorite book list as well.
August 17, 2010 3:07 PMI'm a follower.
Lisa B
modokker at yahoo dot com
I love humor in a story when I least expect it. But dark and dramatic or funny I have no problem with. A little humor can indeed go a long way. :)
August 17, 2010 6:57 PMCarol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
It depends what mood I am in when I start a book. If I want something funny then I look for a book with humor. Otherwise I love the Dark, dramatic stuff.
August 17, 2010 10:13 PMjellybelly82158 at gmail dot com
Ooo, Carol L! Love your picture!!!
August 18, 2010 8:26 AMLooks like we're still hearing from those who like a touch of humor in their reading! Right on!
It really depends on the book and the mood I am in, but I do appreciate some humor in the books I read.
August 18, 2010 4:37 PMI am a follower
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
I like some humor in the books I read. It usually puts me in a good mood to come across humor in a book.
August 18, 2010 11:12 PMLove the Cat Star Chronicles (all of the covers are drool-worthy!) and look forward to each book that is released. Hero sounds awesome and I can hardly wait until I get my hands on a copy! :)
I am a follower.
TOPSAIL246(at)aol(dot)com
Throuthehaze and Annalisa,
August 19, 2010 8:40 AMThanks for commenting and good luck in the drawing!
I like dark and dramatic but sometimes a little humor can nicely break that up.
August 19, 2010 5:18 PMBlog follower
allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoy it if the author shows a sense of humor in their works
August 19, 2010 7:26 PMHumor? Yes, please. Too dark and depressing and I won't finish reading the book at all. The whole point of romances for me is the HEA. If I want unrelentingly dark and dramatic, I'd stick with teen novels. *shudders*
August 19, 2010 11:11 PMI'm a follower.
ironss[at]gmail.com
I follow as Renee G on GFC. Humor is fine in a book if handled correctly, but I don't consider it a necessity.
August 19, 2010 11:11 PMrsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
I love humor in books. =)
August 20, 2010 1:24 AMPublicly following Book Junkie with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}] -- I prefer the dark, dramatic stuff and would love to read HERO :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
August 20, 2010 3:13 AMtheluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com
i am a follower, i love dark intense reading, humor is good too
August 20, 2010 8:06 AMsusansmoaks at gmail dot com
Looks like an even mix in the last batch. Thanks for commenting and good luck in the drawing!
August 20, 2010 8:43 AMI'm a follower.
August 20, 2010 11:02 AMI think humor can help sometimes, and it can be a good part of the novel, but usually the dark is where it gets really interesting.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
i like both humor and the dark, dramatic stuff - it really depends on my mood! i do, however, like knowing what i'm going to be in for - like i hate if it's a cute, cheery cover, but the story is anything but!
August 20, 2010 2:01 PMk_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com
i am a follower
Good point, Julie. When something interesting happens to a character, it usually isn't a good thing...
August 20, 2010 3:57 PMK-sunshine,
I agree, the cover should set the mood for the book, but they don't always succeed. It really bugs me when the mental image I have of the main characters is nothing at all like the cover, but that does seem to happen a lot!
I prefer the dark, dramatic stuff. garrettsambo@aol.com
August 20, 2010 11:27 PMPost a Comment