Guest Blogger, Cheryl Brooks

I’d like to welcome author Cheryl Brooks to Thoughts in Progress today as our special guest blogger.

Cheryl writes a series that combines romance and sci-fi. Her books explore another world filled with romance, danger, intrigue, and the paranormal. She will be giving away a copy of her book to one lucky person who comments on her post today through 8 p.m. (EST) Sunday, Jan. 24. The winner will be announced Monday, Jan. 25.

Here’s a blurb from the back cover of her latest book, “Fugitive” : 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.

I have to say, Cheryl was a little reluctant to agree to guest blog since she doesn’t write murder mysteries. I explained that I wanted to share the work of authors from diverse genres. She finally agreed. I’ll let her tell you the rest of the story.

Hello! My name is Cheryl Brooks, author of The Cat Star Chronicles series. When Mason asked me to guest blog here, I wasn’t sure she knew what she was getting into. She told me she hadn’t read any of my books, but since she is a regular visitor to the Casablanca Authors blog, she had seen enough to pique her interest. 

However, upon visiting here on Thoughts in Progress, I discovered that the focus is primarily murder mysteries, and I thought to myself, “I don’t write murder mysteries, I write erotic science fiction romance! What on Earth will I talk about?” 

Then it came to me. My series is one gigantic murder mystery. The planet Zetith and all its inhabitants have been destroyed, and there is a bounty on the survivors. The evil Nedwuts redirected an asteroid to blow up that world, and they’ve been hunting down the survivors ever since, but who is paying for it? 

The Nedwut homeworld is relatively poor, and the snarling beasts aren’t all that smart, so someone else must be behind the dastardly plot. Someone with lots of money and a very good reason for his or her actions. But who? And why?

These questions will be answered in Hero, book six of the series, but there is a bit of insight into it in book five, Fugitive, which is the current release. One reviewer said she had hoped that the villain would be revealed in Fugitive, but for that answer, readers must wait until August 2010. Sorry about that, folks, but it’s my job to keep you guessing—and reading!

Murder mysteries are all about creating suspense, and romance novels are no different. You might already know whodunit, but watching the detective sift through the clues to unravel the puzzle is half the fun. The other half is in not knowing what dangerous twists and turns and red herrings our hero or heroine will encounter along the way.

In romance novels, you may safely assume that the hero and heroine will find their happily ever after, but it’s the rocky road to romance that keeps the reader engaged. In this series, those twists and turns involve romance—of the sizzling hot, highly erotic variety—but it is also set in the distant future, in outer space, with starships and aliens and strange new worlds.

In Fugitive, I have a delicious hero in Manx, a Zetithian who has been on the run from the Nedwut bounty hunters for so long that secrecy is second nature to him and risking everything for love is the very last thing on his mind. However, this changes when wildlife artist, Drusilla Chevrault visits the remote world of Barada Seven, and finds not only fabulous birds to paint, but also the elusive and intriguing Manx hiding out in the jungle. 

Throw in a fabulous lakeshore house run by a meddling computer, a housekeeping droid with a flair for always knowing exactly what you’re craving, and a lake-dwelling eltran who loves to play matchmaker, and you’ve got the perfect setting for an idyllic romance. But the Nedwuts are still on the hunt, and they are not the only ones searching for the last Zetithian. Have Drusilla and Manx found love only to be torn apart by greed and hatred? 

I love stories with humor, a little action/adventure, offbeat characters, tough, but loveable heroes, and strong, independent heroines. I’ve tried to incorporate all of those things in my writing to create fun, sexy, exciting adventures, and I hope I’ve succeeded. 

Now, I realize that this type of novel is not everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who like their “tea: Earl Grey, hot”—and if you’re following me on that quote, you’ll have some idea where much of my inspiration comes from—you might want to give this series a try.

Cheryl, thanks so much for stopping by. There is a lot of mystery blended in with your writing. I’ve recently gotten a copy of the second book in Cheryl’s series, "Warrior," and it has been fascinating to say the least.

You can visit Cheryl’s Website at cherylbrooksonline.com. She also blogs at Casablanca Authors and Wickedly Romantic. Thanks again Cheryl for stopping by.

Cheryl will be dropping back by during the day to answer any questions you might have and response to your comments. Remember, she is also giving away a copy of her book to one lucky person who comments on this post. Visitors can comment between today and 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24. The winner will be announced on Monday, Jan.  25.

Does the remote world of Barada Seven sound intriguing? What about a Zetithian hero like Manx trying to save the earth woman, Drusilla Chevrault?