As seen in the June issue of Uncaged Book Reviews:
A different format from just an interview, Cheryl talks to us about her editing and her first published book, Protecting Rose.
Thank you for hosting me. I’d thought I’d discuss my entry into the writing world as an author, then acquiring editor for Soul Mate Publishing.
My writing career began when my wonderful husband bought me a Kindle for Christmas and changed my world. I started reading romance novels, and fell in love with them. I decided to write one myself, so I took some online classes, checked out some books from the library, and disappeared into my room over a long Wisconsin winter to write Protecting Rose.
My only problem was I had no idea what to do with it. So, I did some more research and found this wonderful romance association right there in my backyard! Who knew? So I joined The Romance Writers of America, and everyone was very helpful and supportive. Armed with some great advice, I submitted my baby to a few publishing houses and received two contract offers.
I signed with Soul Mate Publishing in 2011, and couldn’t be happier. Protecting Rose went on to win the 2012 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence in the Romantic Suspense category.
Today, I’m a multi-published, award-winning author, and write romantic suspense and sexy contemporary. I can also be found under the pen name of CiCi Cordelia, with my writing partner and BFF, Char Chaffin. Together we write paranormal and western genres, both contemporary and historical.
In 2012, I was honored to have Debby Gilbert, Senior Editor and Founder of Soul Mate Publishing ask me to come onboard as an editor. I currently have over sixty-five edited novels under my belt, and an inbox that will keep me busy for the rest of the year. Eventually, I went on to become the coordinator for Soul Mate’s newsletter, cover art, and social media promotions. Busy, busy…
In my spare time, I write romance!! I can honestly say that I’m never bored. 🙂
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I’d like to share a short excerpt from my debut novel, Protecting Rose:
A fire ignited under the hood and billowed. Smoke flooded the car. The strong odor of gas hung in the air. His heart raced. Grasping the woman under the arms, he eased her back toward the door. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he murmured, “but we need to get you out of this car.”
A bright bolt of lightning ripped across the sky. Hungry flames, fed by the wind, spread through the car. He pulled her from the vehicle and cradled her in his arms. With a burst of adrenaline, he raced toward the coverage of the trees at the bottom of the hill. He sprinted the last few feet to safety before the car exploded behind him with a thunderous roar.
The shock of the blast nearly knocked him to the ground and he barely managed to stay on his feet as he stumbled forward. He clasped the woman to his chest and dove behind a line of trees. Nate turned at the last moment to take the brunt of the impact before rolling over to shield her with his body. The heat from the explosion enveloped them, and debris rained to the ground. When he lifted his head, the car was engulfed in flames.
She moaned.
Nate glanced down in time to see her eyes flutter open. His pulse raced when he looked into a pair of breathtakingly beautiful brown eyes, sheltered by long sweeping lashes.
“Where are you hurt?” He frowned when he noted a bruise on her cheek darker than the rest. He ran his hands over her, searching for injuries. She gasped and struggled against him. Her large doe eyes filled with confusion and fear. “Whoa there. Take it easy, sweetheart.”
Nate grasped her wrists to keep her from moving. “You need to remain still and wait for the paramedics.”
She cried out in a pained gasp. Nate froze and eased his grip. He cursed when he saw what appeared to be rope burns circling her wrists. Eyebrows furrowed, he released her and rolled to the side. He glanced down the length of her body to see the same red marks at her ankles.
His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed at the thought of her restrained in such a cruel fashion. “Who tied you up?” His gut screamed danger.
Nate lifted his head to scan the area. A loud thunderclap shook the air. The temperature dropped sharply when the storm rolled in. Suddenly, there was a loud pop, and dirt flew up next to him.
What the hell!
Someone was shooting at them.
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A fun little tidbit. I just finished adapting Protecting Rose into a screenplay. It was so much fun!
Since Protecting Rose was my debut novel, I’ve learned a lot about writing since then. I was able to pull out the best parts of the story, tweak or add other scenes to make the story better, and ended up with a 117-page screenplay. I’ve joined a local screenwriting association and hope to learn how to get it optioned. So who knows…maybe someday you’ll see Protecting Rose on the big screen. A girl can dream. 🙂
Char and I are currently working on a three-book series under our pen-name, CiCi Cordelia: THE BRIDES OF LITTLE CREEDE. A three-volume series centered around the men and women brave and resourceful enough to make a better life for themselves and their loved ones in the brand-new state of late-nineteenth-century Colorado.
I’m thrilled to announce: that Book One-RETTA, took First Place in the Historical category of URWA’s Annual “Great Beginnings” contest. Since this is our first foray into historical westerns, we are beyond thrilled. We hope to have RETTA completed by mid-summer. Look for it!
[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Cheryl Yeko is an award winning, multi-published author and lives in Wisconsin with her husband Patrick. She loves to read, play piano, and spend time with family and friends. She enjoys novels with fast-paced action and steamy romance, protective alpha men and strong heroines. Cheryl belongs to several writing groups, and is a member of Romance Writers of American (RWA), as well as the Wisconsin Chapter. Cheryl is also an Acquisitions Editor for Soul Mate Publishing. As an Editor, she welcomes Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, and Erotica. Cheryl is thrilled to be able to add author/editor to her resume and would love to hear comments from readers.[/symple_box]
Protecting Rose
Cheryl Yeko
Suspense/Romance
Rescuing damsels in distress is all in a day’s work for Detective Nate Stone. After saving a beautiful woman from a burning car and an assassin’s bullet, he vows to protect her. But the determined assassin always seems to be one step ahead of the game. Suspecting a leak within his Department, Nate takes Rose and runs. He soon discovers that the hardest part of the mission is resisting his desire for the woman who trusts him with her life.
Rose awakes in a hospital with no memory, only to discover that someone tried to kill her. Her only chance to survive an assassin’s game of cat and mouse is the man who saved her and who has promised to protect her. She may not know her past, but she knows her heart, and it longs for her protective warrior, who ignites a passion in her she can’t deny.
Uncaged Review: This book started out full tilt action, and grabbed my interest within a few pages – and that makes a great read. Nate is a Milwaukee detective, driving home when he witnesses an accident. Stopping to help, he pulls a lady from the car, and is promptly shot at. Getting her to the hospital and to safety is his number one priority. When she comes to, she doesn’t remember anything – and Nate is determined to keep her safe. Since they don’t know her name, he calls her Rose.
There is a lot of danger, and it doesn’t stop with one dramatic moment like a lot of books do. It keeps ramping up with each incident. This was a very easy read, very easy to get submerged in and keep going until you know who Rose really is and why someone wants to kill her. The only thing I had a hard time believing was the romance and how fast it took off, and especially with a girl who was thought to be sexually abused from the person chasing her, but it was easy to like the characters and the storyline was fast paced and didn’t slow down. Reviewed by Cyrene
4 1/2 Stars
