Authorsday: Cherish D'Angelo

Interview with romantic suspense author Cherish D'Angelo


Thank you so much, Chris, for hosting me during my Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour, which launches my contemporary romantic suspense, Lancelot's Lady.

What was the name of the first novel you wrote? Did you try to publish it?

Beckoning Wrath. I would have tried to publish it, but Beckoning Wrath was stolen. I'd brought it to school to show my high school English teacher and someone broke into my locker. The only thing missing was my manuscript, which had been typed. Since this was back in the early 80s, it was the only copy.



What do you consider your strengths in terms of your writing?
I have a very firm grasp of my characters and the plot before I even start writing. That I see as a definite strength as many writers I know, haven't got a clue what's going to happen or how their book will end. I always know. My other strength is the ability to really get into my characters' emotions.



What do you consider your weakness and what strategies do you use to overcome it?
My biggest weakness is that I can be distracted from writing by other things that may seem important. Like laundry. Or dishes. Or shopping. I've learned to let some things go in the interest of accomplishing my goals. Goal setting is the key for me. I set my goals early in the day. When I accomplish them, I can move on to other things. Like laundry. Maybe...



How many rejections have you received?
I've received hundreds of rejections. I've been submitting manuscripts since my early 20s. I haven't counted them, but I have enough to wallpaper my home office, probably twice.


What was the worst advice you've been given? Did you know it at the time?
"Don't EVER self-publish a book! It'll ruin your career. No one will take you seriously. A traditional publisher will never pick you up and they'll never publish any self-published book. And you won't get an agent." That was the advice given to me years ago by various people, most of them traditionally published writers. At the time, I believed them, so I sent out query after query and followed the "rules". (See above question and answer.)

That advice has proved to be the very worst advice I've ever been given―in my life. Not only did I successfully self-publish a book, I've successfully self-published many. It has definitely NOT ruined my career; it kick-started it. People take me seriously because they know I'm a serious writer who dedicates herself to the craft and the business. I'm respected in the industry, have been called a "marketing whiz" by many and have spoken at conferences in Canada and the US.
AND I went on to be published by a traditional publisher. AND they published Whale Song, a previously self-published novel. AND a very respected New York agent signed me on as his client. I'm so glad I stopped listening to that terrible advice.



Where do you write?
My writing location changes depending on my mood and my living situation. When we were living in our old home, I wrote in my office about half the time. The other half I spent writing at a couple of local Starbucks. We're now living in a rented home; we sold the old house and are building a new one, which should be ready in November.

I don't have an office in the rental and much of my stuff is still packed, so I write in the living room most of the time. I lounge in a recliner with my laptop and my Pomeranian. Since hubby is at work as well as my daughter, this works for me. But every now and then, I take off to Starbucks. They make better coffee than I do. In my new house, I will have a huge office with a very large window. I can't wait.


What three things would you want with you on a desert island?

My husband, a boat and my laptop.

What place that you haven’t visited would you like to go?
The Bahamas. Especially since doing the research for Lancelot's Lady.



Who is your favorite character in Lancelot's Lady?
Winston Chambers, the evil, blackmailing private investigator that is determined to have Rhianna―at all cost.



You're working on a new novel, SUBMERGED, under your suspense pen name Cheryl Kaye Tardif. Can you tell us about it?
I can. But then I'd have to kill you. ;-)



Author Bio:
When romance author Cherish D'Angelo is not busy relaxing in her hot tub, sipping champagne, eating chocolate-covered strawberries or plotting romantic suspense with scintillating sensuality, she is ruthlessly killing people off in her thrillers as bestselling Canadian suspense author, Cheryl Kaye Tardif.
Cherish's debut romance, Lancelot's Lady placed in the semi-finals of Dorchester Publishing's "Next Best Celler" contest and went on to win an Editor's Choice Award from Textnovel. Currently living in Edmonton, Alberta, Cherish enjoys long walks on the beach, except there aren't any around so she has to make do with trips around the hot tub. And margaritas.



Book Blurb:

When palliative care nurse Rhianna McLeod is given a gift of a dream holiday to the Bahamas from her dying patient, billionaire JT Lance, Rhianna has no idea that her 'holiday' will include being stranded on a private island with Jonathan, an irritating but irresistibly handsome recluse. Or that she'll fall head over heels for the man.
Jonathan isn't happy to discover a drop-dead gorgeous redhead has invaded his island. But his anger soon turns to attraction. After one failed marriage, he has guarded his heart, but Rhianna's sudden appearance makes him yearn to throw caution to the wind.
Lancelot's Lady is available in ebook edition at KoboBooks, Amazon's Kindle Store, Smashwords and other ebook retailers. Help me celebrate by picking up a copy today and "Cherish the romance..."
You can learn more about Lancelot's Lady and Cherish D'Angelo (aka Cheryl Kaye Tardif) at http://www.cherishdangelo.com and http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com. Follow Cherish from September 27 to October 10 on her Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour and win prizes.



Do you have a question for Cherish?
Leave a comment here, with email address, to be entered into the prize draws. You're guaranteed to receive at least 1 free ebook just for doing so. Plus you'll be entered to win a Kobo ereader. Winners will be announced after October 10th.