Interview with Cherry Adair

If you’re a frequent Jen’s Jewels reader, then you know about my not-so-secret fascination with becoming an F.B.I. agent. Of course, it must include donning a stunning evening gown with a pistol discreetly strapped to my thigh. If you throw in secret powers along with the hot dress and gun, I would be on the next train out of there! Kind of like I Dream of Jeanie meets James Bond. That would be me!

You might be surprised to learn that I’m not the only one who dreams of espionage and celestial beings. New York Times Bestselling Author Cherry Adair is here this month talking about her latest paranormal action-packed suspense novel entitled NIGHT SHADOW. If you’re one of her many loyal fans, than you know that this is the final book in her latest explosive trilogy. And if Cherry Adair is a new name to you, then hold on to your hat! You’re in for a wild ride.

As part of this interview, Ballantine Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels part of your reading adventure. I’m so glad you’re here.

Jen: From Cape Town, South Africa to San Francisco, CA, your lifelong experiences have attributed to your panache for writing award-winning novels that consistently top the bestseller lists. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the talented woman behind the successes, please tell us about your educational and professional background that led to you becoming a writer.

Cherry: I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa and went to school there, graduating from the University of Cape Town with degrees in business and interior design. In my early 20’s I moved half way across the globe to the United States in search of adventure. I eventually settled in San Francisco and opened an interior design business, which I loved for the endless creative challenges. I’ve always been an avid reader and between seeing clients I could always be found with my nose in a book. Eventually my brain became crowded with characters and stories of my own and they demanded to be told. I eventually sold the business and started to write full time. These days I live on the banks of a lake in my dream home where my office has nine-foot ceilings, two plush overstuffed armchairs, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that house several thousands of my keepers.

Jen: As you know, the publishing business is a hard nut to crack. I read that you had written seventeen novels prior to selling to Harlequin. What perseverance! Was there a defining moment along the way that stands out as "the" turning point in your career?

Cherry: For many writers the BIG moment is hitting the New York Times Best seller list. But for me the major turning point was when I created a career plan for writing. I’d sold one book THE MERCENARY, and then not sold again for a period of almost five years. Once I began to treat writing as a job and not just something I loved to do, it changed my entire perception of what I was doing and why I was doing it. To this day I still get dressed for work (hair, make-up, shoes lol) just as I did with the interior design business, even though the commute just down the stairs is considerably shorter.

Jen: And now, in respect to your craft, in what areas have you experienced the most growth and how so? Would you agree with the statement that we, as writers, are never truly satisfied with our work and continually strive to reach the highest plateau?

Cherry: I know I’ve experienced tremendous growth in my posterior region with all the sitting. :-) I like to think I’ve grown in every aspect of my writing, and I would agree with your statement. I’m continually striving to improve my craft. Learning and reaching is a natural extension of the desire to learn new things and grow in our abilities. The reason people hold world records is because they are constantly challenging themselves to go just that little bit further. As an author I feel compelled to do the same. My last book isn’t my measure of success, it’s always the book I’m working on that demands more.

Jen: From conception to completion, what is the most challenging part of a novel to write and why? What is the most rewarding part and why?

Cherry: To me writing is like building a house, and not that dissimilar to the business I used to be in – interior design. The first draft is the blueprint for the building of the house. It’s a lot of left brain functions and by necessity -logic and reasoning. The hardest part of the book for me is writing the first draft. Once I have that done, I can go back and do all the fun things I love. (The choice of carpets and drapes and artwork, the colors and textures that take it from an interesting, but anyone could do it house, into a home filled with color and life.) Layering in description, fine-tuning dialogue so that it zings, rewriting passages where the pacing is too slow or find places to insert a bit of research to make something more authentic. Going back and rewriting is the fun part for me.

Jen: Your latest release, NIGHT SHADOW, is the third and final book in your highly popular paranormal romance trilogy. For those readers who are not familiar (yet!) with the storyline, please give us a quick overview of the series. Do you have to read the first book in order to understand the overall common thread that links these books together?

Cherry: NIGHT FALL, NIGHT SECRETS and NIGHT SHADOW, are a trilogy within the continuing T-FLAC series. All three operatives in these stories are wizards who were mentored by the same powerful scientist Mason Knight. When they find their powers short-circuiting, at the worst times, they begin to realize that something is wrong and connected to all three of them. Eventually we discover that a rogue army of wizards is directly related to them and that their existence may be the biggest threat to the people they love, the organization they serve and the world they’ve sworn to protect. Of course these books, like all my books, are best summarized best this way; running, shooting, chasing, shooting, sex, running, love, hot sex, shooting, chasing, sex, running, vanquishing the bad guy, and getting the girl kick-butt-his-equal-in- every-way-woman. :-)

Jen: On the first page of the book, it reads: Moscow 55 45 08 37 36 56 02 10 08. What do these numbers represent? And, what significance do they have in relation to the plot?

Cherry: While I’d love to give it away, (no I wouldn’t! lol) that’s part of the plot that readers will uncover as they read NIGHT SHADOW.

Jen: Your reputation for writing action-packed, hotter than fire romantic suspense novels is what keeps your readers coming back for more. First of all, how much research goes into each book? Secondly, why write about anti- terrorist cells? Do you come from a military family or is it just simply something that interests you?

Cherry: To answer the first part of your question, I do a tremendous amount of research for every book. Each book has its own 12" binder filled to overflowing with information on everything from weapons to details about careers, information on the different exotic locations in the book and scientific or specific information. I like to talk to people who talk the talk and walk the walk, and have met and spoken to some fascinating people along the way. For example- Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s grandson Fabien Cousteau helped me extensively (the fact that he’s as delicious looking as one of my heroes didn’t hurt either! :-) with research and interesting bits and pieces for IN TOO DEEP which had the hero, ex-Navy SEAL Michael Wright, sailing around the world, living on his boat and fighting his fear of water.

I write T-FLAC and counterterrorist stories because the safety of the world is a relevant topic in today’s climate. I’m fascinated by military personnel and what it requires for these true-life heroes to go out every day to make the world a safer place for the rest of us.

Jen: A quirky, yet endearing, part of this book is that the main characters share the same name...Alex Stone. Of course, the protagonist is Alexandra and her love interest is Alexander. Why did you choose to write it in this way?

Cherry: One of the reasons I did it was to help me showcase the difference in operatives. People assume that when you are dealing with military personnel, they are all interchangeable. They’re soldiers. But that’s not true. Each and every one is an individual with families, hopes, dreams, fears and needs. The same can be said of my characters. While they might dress the same, learn the same things, and in this case share the same name, they are still unique individuals with their own worries, fears and strengths. (And because I knew the same name thing would irritate Lexi no end. :-)

Jen: Tacking on to that last question, besides the same name, how else are they similar? And who is the stronger character and why?

Cherry: Both operatives bring their own strengths to the table. I deliberately made sure one wasn’t stronger than the other, but that they need the strengths of each other to come through their mission, each offering an essential contribution.

Jen: The sexual tension between these two characters is hard to miss. From one novel to the next, how do you manage to keep these scenes fresh without going overboard? Do you find love scenes difficult to write or just par for the course?

Cherry: Thank you :-) I always start with character and emotion when I write a love scene. There are only so many places you can slot A into B- and that’s basically choreography. I’m more interested in who these people are- to themselves and to one another- than what body part goes where. That, I think, is what makes each scene fresh and different, because no two people are alike.

Jen: Now that the series is complete, are you at work on your next project?

Cherry: Yes. But it’s top secret at the moment. Rest assured however, that it will be jam-packed with my unique blend of action, adventure, romance and suspense.

Jen: As I have previously said, your books are most certainly fast- paced, action-packed thrillers that keep the reader on the edge of her seat! In light of this fact, a question I just have to ask … are you a James Bond fan? Do you plan on seeing the new movie, QUANTUM OF SOLACE?

Cherry: Yes, I’m a James Bond fan, but I prefer Sean Connery and I have a difficult time seeing anyone else in the role, although I enjoyed Pierce Brosnan. That said, I’ll go to see QUANTUM OF SOLACE because it’s a great action flick and I love movies.

Jen: Of all the websites I have had the pleasure of visiting, by far, yours takes the cake. Bravo! If you wouldn’t mind, please tell us how you came up with the concept and also take us on a brief tour touching upon the highlights of the site.

Cherry: Thanks, I think my new site is a lot of fun, too. :-) www.cherryadair.com or www.tflac.com went live in 2008. Since I’m so visual, I really wanted to give my readers and visitors a feel for the T-FLAC world I’ve created. It opens with a rotating 3-D view of the T-FLAC command center. Visitors will find dossiers on my operatives, pictures (so, so cool I can’t believe that these pictures were found or photoshopped AFTER the books were written.) associated with the different missions my characters have been on, as well as interviews, book excerpts and more to entertain them.

It takes over an hour just to look at the images alone (Do something in moderation? Ffftt! Not me!) considerably more if people want to read excerpts, or delve into interviews with each operative or check out their passports. Frankly, while I find the site engrossing and riveting (lol), I never expected anyone else to spend hours upon hours there, so I was stunned to discover that thousands of my readers are doing just that. And not only have they looked at, and read every word on the site – they’ve done it more than once! And still, they claim they are constantly surprised by the cool and interesting things they missed the first time around.

While it was an enormous amount of work for everyone involved, it was a labor of love, and I’m extremely proud of it. (and it’s a shining example of how I can’t seem to do anything in moderation! Lol)

Jen: Are there discussion guides available for your books? Also, do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?

Cherry: Yes, each book has a discussion guide available. Me, talk? Of course! (see above re: moderation!) I love talking with readers. The best way for you to get both the discussion guides or arrange phone chats, or workshops is to contact Blue Moon Communications at 360-895-0879 or by email [email protected].

And if any of your readers would like one of my pithy 2’ buttons, (So Many Books, So Little, Time, Today Requires Chocolate or No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.) a bookmark or a personalized signed bookplate – they can send a SASE to Cherry Adair Free Stuff, P. O. Box 8591, Covington, Wa 98042.

Jen: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy tour schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. I wish you the best of luck in 2009! Please stop by again! I can’t wait for your next series!

Cherry: Thanks for the invitation to talk with you, this has been fun! Don’t forget that books make the best gifts. They are never the wrong size, always calorie-free, perfect for every gender and age and never need batteries. Happy Holidays!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Cherry! Now it’s time for the trivia contest, you could win your very own copy of NIGHT SHADOW.

Besides www.cherryadair.com, what is the other address for her website?

Thank you so much for joining me each and every month. I want to take this opportunity to wish all of my loyal readers a happy and safe holiday season.

Next time, I will be bringing to you my interview with New York Times Bestselling Author Steve Berry. You won’t want to miss it!

Happy Holidays!

Jen

When a twist of fate landed Jennifer at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would essentially be over. Instead, she figured out a clever way to combine her love for reading and writing and "voilà" She became a book reviewer and columnist with www.freshfiction.com. On the sidelines, her parents secretly hoped that her French degree from Vanderbilt would one day come in handy and Jennifer is happy to report that the phrases ‘Je ne sais pas' and ‘C'est incroyable!' have been quite useful when reviewing certain selections! As is typical in her whirlwind life, one thing led to another and soon she found herself facilitating a popular moms' book club and writing a column she cleverly named Jen's Jewels. (Jewelry is one of her many addictions, as is the color pink and Lilly Pulitzer, which when you think about it, would probably make for a good story! Hint! Hint! ) To keep herself away from her favorite retailer, Ann Taylor, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library in Maryland. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Classes, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. When asked how she manages to do all of these things and actually get some sleep at night, she simply replied, "It's just Par for the Course." Hmm! Now where have we heard that before?