Fresh Fiction Blog | Cheryl Brooks | Introducing ... STUD

Hello to everyone at Fresh Fiction, and thank you for having me here to celebrate the release of STUD, the eighth book in my Cat Star Chronicles series! To get things started, allow me to tease you with a little excerpt...

Tarq smelled her before he ever laid eyes on her—a glorious, delectable aroma that curled through his head and shot straight into his bloodstream. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply as the effect of her fragrance hit him like a pulse blast, obliterating his every thought with the instantaneous ecstasy of an erection so hard it made his head swim.

He glanced away from his menu, taking in the shape of her legs out of the corner of his eye—what he could see of them, that is. Her baggy trousers and apron concealed everything about her legs except the fact that she had two of them.

"Hi, my name is Lucy, and I'll be your server," she said. "Do you already know what you'd like, or do you need more time?"

Tarq smiled to himself as he shook his head. No, he didn't need more time. He knew exactly what he wanted. "You," he replied. "I'd like a full order of you."

When I begin a new story, inspiring my muse requires very little effort on my part. My mind only needs to be open to suggestion. If I try to force it by thinking too hard, the ideas don't come quite as easily. I have to leave my brain alone and let sift through my life's experiences and allow it to see the possibilities that might occur when boy meets girl, or girl meets sexy alien hunk. Then, when I least expect it, an idea will pop into my head. Sometimes those ideas are lines of dialog, but since my muse is very visual, more often they're like photographs in my mind.

I've spent a lot of time with the men of Zetith since I first began writing about them six years ago, and the worlds I created then are as real to me now as any memory. The stench of the slave market on Orpheseus Prime where Jacinth found Cat lingers in the air, as does the freshness of the heavy snowfall when Leo and Tisana first began their perilous journey through the forest of Utopia. The rocky desert on Darconia still scorches my feet, and I can stand on the spaceport platform in Arconcia and see the palace gleaming in the distance. The lumbering tread of the reptilian Darconians echoes through the palace corridors, and the stifling heat and riotous growth in The Shrine of the Desert robs me of breath. I've never forgotten them, nor will I ever forget the alien worlds and species I've dreamed up since then.

I can visualize Lucy and Tarq and the mountains through which they traveled, and their strange alien companions are as familiar to me as my own family. I can feel the heat of passion when Tarq and Lucy make love, as well as the paralyzing fear when the fierce vrelnots attack. But most of all, I can see the tenderness in Tarq's eyes when he looks at Lucy, and can feel his wrenching pain when he convinces himself that his past is too tarnished for a good woman to ever want him.

I recently finished writing the ninth and final book in the series, WILDCAT, which will be released next February. I'm going to miss my Zetithians dreadfully, but knowing that I can revisit them anytime I like is some consolation. I have only to close my eyes and I'm right there beside them once again. My only hope is that I've been able to successfully communicate all of those emotions and sensations to my readers.

I'll leave you with a question to get the comments going. Do movies ever recapture the mental images you had when you read the book? Which ones did it best? Or worst?

STUDBY CHERYL BROOKS – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2012

They're galaxies apart...

Even for a Zetithian, Tarq Zulveidinoe's sexual prowess is legendary. Believing it's all he's good for, Tarq sets out to perpetuate his threatened species by offering his services to women across the galaxy...

But one force can bring them together...

Lucinda Force is the sensitive dark horse in a self-absorbed family, repeatedly told that no man will ever want such a plain woman. Lucy longs for romance, but is resigned to her loveless lot in life—until Tarq walks through the door of her father's restaurant on Talus Five...

Slave Cat Star Chronicles #1 April 2008	Warrior Cat Star Chronicles #2 October 2008	Rogue Cat Star Chronicles #3 March 2009	Outcast Cat Star Chronicles #4 June 2009
Fugitive Cat Star Chronicles #5 January 2010	Hero Cat Star Chronicles #6 August 2010	Virgin Cat Star Chronicles #7 June 2011	Stud Cat Star Chronicles #8 February 2012

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cheryl Brooks is a critical care nurse by night and a romance writer by day. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America. She is the author of The Cat Star Chronicles series and lives with her husband, two sons, five cats, five horses and one dog in Indiana. For more information, please visit http://cherylbrooksonline.com/ or follow her on Twitter: @CherylCatMaster.

Comments

No, the movies don't but I have to say I have really enjoyed the Harry Potter movies, they are amazing
(Darci Paice 1:45am February 8, 2012)

The movies are never as good as the books, but Sundays at Tiffany's and the Twilight series are the ones I think got it the closest :)
Thanks for doing this
(MaDonna Lemmen 2:03am February 8, 2012)

The Twilight movies are the ones I enjoyed the best.
(Natasha Donohoo 2:04am February 8, 2012)

Oh no say it ain't so!: "I recently finished writing the ninth and final book in the series, WILDCAT"

Anywho Best book to movie adaptation - The lord of the rings, Worst would be Twilight
(Tanya W 2:08am February 8, 2012)

Movies are never really as good as the books but some do manage to get some aspect of the book across well. The Harry Potter series was a pretty good adaption, especially the first two movies.
(Chelsea Knestrick 5:56am February 8, 2012)

No, I find the films miss so much out and books can give much better discriptions on feelings and thoughts.
(Barbara Hanson 9:09am February 8, 2012)

Movies are never as good as the books but two have come really close (shorter versions of course) But I think "To Kill A Mockingbird" and "Where The Heart Is" did a great job!
(Dawn Staniszeski 9:30am February 8, 2012)

Looks like books have it over movies with this group! I agree with most of your choices on great movie adaptations, but would also agree that sex scenes are never as good because you have no idea what the characters are thinking. Guess that's why books will never go out of style!
Good luck to everyone in the giveaway!
(Cheryl Brooks 10:07am February 8, 2012)

Silence of the Lambs wasn't bad. Jurassic Park was a good movie but I missed the chaos theory. It explained more. The Help was good. Movie and Book. I know that movies do not have the same scope as books, but I think they sometimes leave out the best parts. At least what I think are the best. I find that I will wait to read the book if I know the movie is coming out. So far I have not seen movie that was better than the book.
(Jo Anne Benware 10:41am February 8, 2012)

I have always liked reading books first then watching the movies. Movies do leave out alot of detail but with the time given for a movie it is understandable. I useally go back and read the books again after the seeing the movie because the books always seem better to me than movies.
(Wendy Hulbert 11:58am February 8, 2012)

I find that if I have read a book and it becomes a movie... it is never as good... I tend to find the descriptions in a book bring the story to life better with my imagination than seeing someone else's interpretation... I enjoy movies more when I am not comparing them to a book!
(Colleen Conklin 12:24pm February 8, 2012)

I think some of the Harry Potter and Twilight movies were
good but...the books are always better. I think this is true
since a movie has a certain amount of time to bring the story
to the screen. So that is why I think the books are always
better.
(Cindy Olp 12:48pm February 8, 2012)

Movies can never be as good as the book, so I try not to read a book if I know they are turning it into a movie. I can watch a movie and enjoy the book, even if the movies is not good because I knoe the books are better. But I can not read the book and then watch the movie. I have to wait a least a year before I can watch the movie. I enjoyed the Davinci Code in the movies, but after reading it and then watching it on DVD, I was so disappointed.
(Elizabeth Rodriguez 1:25pm February 8, 2012)

Most movies never live up to the books. I find that if I have read the book
first, the movie normally lets me down. Of course there are always exceptions.
I was quite happy with the Harry Potter movies for the most part (especially
the last 2), and then there are movies like A Walk To Remember that I just
loved, and the mini series by Stephen King The Stand was pretty good and
pretty true to the book as well.
(Andrea Amy 1:33pm February 8, 2012)

Some do, most don't. I watched the Harry Potter series before I read the books, so, I saw the characters as they'd been cast, but I thought they did a great job in casting...
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:47pm February 8, 2012)

No I have my own visions of how things look and they are not hollywood's. - That's OK though - you get to "see" it twice.
(Beth Elder 2:08pm February 8, 2012)

I think that movies do a good job of showing different worlds or magic but I don't think they show the character's emotions as well.
(Maureen Emmons 2:39pm February 8, 2012)

Movies cut scenes and change characters for the audience
they want to gear to, so no, movies don't live up to the
book..although for some I do like interpretation..The
Princess Bride for one, enjoyed the movie as much as the
book, even Forrest Gump..which I did like the movie a bit
more. The best interpretation and respect shown to
keeping as much true is Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings
trilogy. The worst, Michael Crichton books have never
translated well to the screen, the books are amazing only
to be destroyed when becoming a movie and distributing
to the masses.
(Carla Carlson 3:33pm February 8, 2012)

some do some don't, but i want to read this!
(Debbi Shaw 3:40pm February 8, 2012)

I find that a movie version of a book is always different, so
I accept that & just try to enjoy the movie on it's own.
(Diane Sallans 3:44pm February 8, 2012)

I find that seldom does the movie have the images that I have formed in my minds eye. Usually I like my images better.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 4:12pm February 8, 2012)

Although, I have ready many books and seen the movies
created from them, I often find myself disappointed. I've
never read Tolkien, yet, loved the movies. I read Harry
Potter-I've seen the movies- The first two were very good
adaptations, the last five/six were disappointing in how
much they cut/changed, I fear they got caught up.. after all
there was more money to be made, and even a bad movie would
make lots of money.

I've often found that I have to choose, read or watch. One
way or the other I'll be disappointed if I do both. Yet, I
can't seem to stop myself from watching if it's a book I
loved reading.

Have a wonderful day!
Tiana
(Christiana Tegethoff 4:25pm February 8, 2012)

This sounds like your best Zetithian yet!
I always try to think of them as two separate endeavors because I'm usually disappointed, so it helps to not link them in my mind.
I'm thinking of two TV movies that exemplify he best and the worst, both from Barbara Michaels novels: Ammie Come Home-best, the Crying Child-worst. The worst is when they change a key story line for no reason. Another worst: the YA novel Avalon High. In a misguided attempt to make it more "girl power", they pointlessly changed a character point of the female lead. Fail!
(Lisa Elwood 5:25pm February 8, 2012)

I've found that movies are never as good as the book, because you're expecting more, but details and parts are often left out. Movie-makers try to get it as close as they can in the allocated amount of screen time and make cuts. Often a really good book makes you really want to see the movie, and then leaves you feeling dissappointed. If you see the movie first, you may or may not desire to read the book. A lot of the true story Lifetime movies, that were also books, are done pretty well. However, the Jessica Lynch story was very poorly done, and viewers only got a brief general idea of what actually happened to her and the book far outweighed the movie. Anyone wanting more details, truths and education, would most definitely be further ahead reading the book.
(Linda Luinstra 5:53pm February 8, 2012)

I intentionally wait to see the films before I read the books. I am usually disappointed if I read the book first. I waited to read the Harry Potter books until after I saw the movies.
(Stacie Deramo 5:53pm February 8, 2012)

Movies tend to only hit the highlights of the book and then sensationalize others. I think they call it taking liberties which sounds more like a navy term.
(Alyson Widen 5:58pm February 8, 2012)

I liked the book and the film : Jane Eyre.
Harry Potter I prefer as a movie.
My mother thinks Agatha Christie and Michael Crichton books are better, they give more information.
Most of my friends think Stephen King's books also have more information,but I prefer the movies
(Deb Pelletier 6:17pm February 8, 2012)

Due to illness, I really don't get out to the movies, and financially, renting them isn't in the budget right now. Putting that aside, the picture that popped into my mind was The Bridges of Madison County. Of course they couldn't do the book exactly as written, but it was nonetheless a good movie in my opinion. Your excerpt took my breath away, and I'm anxiously looking forward to reading the rest of your book!! I'm also looking forward to the final installment.
(Peggy Roberson 6:50pm February 8, 2012)

Hey ms brooks!! Remember me? ;3 just wanted to comment an support
ya! Keep up the amazing work sista gal!!
(24373 Ray 7:21pm February 8, 2012)

reading the book because it has more than the movie.
(Jennifer Beck 7:26pm February 8, 2012)

I don't tend to get out to the movies too often & the movies I watch tend not to based upon stories I've read. guess my movie & book tastes just tend to differ ;)
(d Kenney 7:48pm February 8, 2012)

No movies and tv shows (like True Blood) do not come close to what I imagine when I read a book. I really did enjoy the Potter movies' visual style though and probably enjoyed them more than the books, cause most of the books were 200-400 pages too long in my opinion.
(Anne Muller 7:51pm February 8, 2012)

I'm usually disappointed in movies that were made from books I enjoyed. You've all given some terrific examples, and I must agree that the LOTR books were done very well as movies. I'd mentally cast the films for those books a long time ago, but Peter Jackson's version is close to perfect. Some scenes were even better in the movies, for example, when the Riders of Rohan come to the rescue, that massive charge of men and horses was even more amazing than I'd pictured it.

@Gwen and Linda, Tarq IS rather yummy and I LOVE my covers!

Hi Ray! Thanks for the support!

@Peggy. Bridges of Madison County was a great movie. I cried my eyes out when I read the book. I've even mentioned in a book I'm currently writing!

Hope you like this one, Lisa!

Thanks, Debbie! Good luck!

Thanks to everyone who commented and best wishes to all of you who entered the contest!
(Cheryl Brooks 8:40pm February 8, 2012)

The movies are never the same as the book.
(Wilma Frana 8:55pm February 8, 2012)

The only movie that ever truly brought a book to life for me was the first Harry Potter movie. Most movies are disappointing to some degree if I have already read the book. The things that makes books great don't work on the screen. The mediums are different.
(Carol Drummond 9:00pm February 8, 2012)

Movies never capture the images I have. :(
(Lisa Garrett 9:08pm February 8, 2012)

I don't usually compare the characters. Sometimes I get what
the characters look like from the cover of the book so we've
got influences on what we think of the characters most of
the time before we read the book. Some of the movies I do
compare with the book story. Sometimes I don't like how the
story ends compared to the book (i.e. Blood and Chocolate,
My sister's Keeper, etc.)
(Jessica B 9:34pm February 8, 2012)

I rarely like the movies after reading the book because they leave so much out but I thought LOTR was one of the better ones. Love your covers.
(Jeanne Sheats 9:48pm February 8, 2012)

The Help is one of the few movies that I think lived up to the
book for me.
(CarolJean Guth 9:50pm February 8, 2012)

I always like to read the book before I watch the movie,but it seems like the book is better than the movie. Thanks for giving me a chance to win your book. Love the covers.
(Linda Hall 11:00pm February 8, 2012)

I've never been movie fan, so I don't really know. The first Harry Potter is the only book to movie I've read/seen. I liked the movie, but the book was more fun to read in the dark before sleep.
(Judith Quiroz 11:12pm February 8, 2012)

I don't think it is ever possible for a movie to live up to the book. First of all when I imagine the people from the descriptions in a book the image in my head of each person is unique to my interpretation. I think someone is always disappointed because you could never hit everyones ideal. Plus the information you read is always way more than they can convey in a movie. There always seems to be pieces missing.
(Patti Paonessa 11:50pm February 8, 2012)

The Harry Potter movies did a very good job of faithfully bring the books to
life.
The worse job done was when Hallmark took Julie Garwood's Clayborne series
and made it into Rose Hill. Except for the opening scene and the names of
the characters, NOTHING was the same. They took 3 good books and turned
them into a cliche filled piece. People may have liked it, but if they knew the
books, the were disappointed. It took me 3 years to get a copy of the tape,
and I wanted to burn it after watching it.
(Patricia Barraclough 12:58pm February 9, 2012)

The Three Musketeers with Michael York did that for me.
(G. Bisbjerg 1:01am February 9, 2012)

I don't think there has ever been a movie that matched the idea in my head of the characters, but Kathryn Heigel came pretty close as Stephanie Plum.
(Lisa Kendall 1:19am February 9, 2012)

Awesome series and great cover candy!
I have never been a fan of reading the book and watching the movie. Many, many years ago I had watched Thorn Birds then read the book and I was so disappointed so ff I read the book, I skip the movie and if I see the movie, I skip the book.
(Tracie Travis 2:29am February 9, 2012)

I watch the movies of the book with no preconceived ideas of
it actually resembling the book at all :D

I liked Lord Of The Rings and Harry Potter (among others)not
because of any resemblance to the book but because they were
good films :D
(Ilona Fenton 5:38am February 9, 2012)

I loved the book Titanic and the movie. I never realized what those people had to endure. It was just terrible.
(Cheryl English 7:21am February 9, 2012)

Generally movies don't live up to the book. LORD OF THE RINGS is the exception. It surpassed the book.
(Mary Preston 8:05am February 9, 2012)

@Patricia. LOL! The movie I wanted to burn was the 1984 version of Dune. They didn't get anything right, except maybe the sandworms. ;) I don't think I've ever been more disappointed by a movie in my life!
You're welcome, Linda! I love my covers too, Jeanne!
(Cheryl Brooks 8:10am February 9, 2012)

This series looks awesome! Thanks for the great post and
giveaway! I also love the covers :)
(Erin Fender 9:56am February 9, 2012)

I liked the Harry Potter movies and my husband enjoyed Lord of the Rings. I
think the best movies are what they are because of great casting. That said, I
prefer books to movies. The movies never (or almost never) match the
images I have formed while reading the books. I have a strong imagination
and set preferences so bring on the books. I'll pass on the movies.
(Sandra Spilecki 12:25pm February 9, 2012)

Most movies don't live up to the books in my opinion, but I did enjoy the first few Harry Potter movies. My husband and I recently saw the movie "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and it had both of us totally confused as to what was going on. Didn't enjoy it at all. I think there were too many things that were changed from the book.

Thanks for having this giveaway! Can hardly wait to read STUD. It sounds AWESOME! =^..^=
(Anna McKenrick 8:04pm February 9, 2012)

Casting is half the battle, Sandra. Yet another thing I hated about Dune...
Thanks, Anna! Hope you enjoy it!
(Cheryl Brooks 9:11pm February 10, 2012)

Basically, I try to keep the two separate. I LOVED LOTR, and enjoyed the Harry Potter movies...never read Tolkein except The Hobbit,and only read the last Potter book.Totally enjoyed the books, but they changed too much in True Blood...it's not even the same story, anymore. I have hope that the people doing Sherrilyn Kenyon's books will do right by them, since they are fans themselves, but as stated before, they will have a problem with some of the love scenes, and maybe some of the "torture" scenes, and needing to know what's in the character's minds.Still....!Thanks for the giveaway and the gorgeous covers!
(Mary Holden 5:47pm February 13, 2012)

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