Black Page Turners

Romance fans have been in love with Cheris Hodges for years, and her Rumor series is no different. We caught up with her to discuss the upcoming release in the series ‘I Heard A Rumor.’

B.P.T: Tell the readers about your 19th novel ‘I Heard A Rumor?’ The follow up to ‘Rumor Has It.’
Cheris Hodges: Wow, 19 novels! I seriously had no idea. Well, I Heard A Rumor takes us back to the political world in Charlotte. Chante Britt is trying to put her life back together after her public break up with Robert Montgomery. So, imagine her surprise when he goes on TV and tells the city of Charlotte that she has forgiven him and plans to support his run for office.

Here’s the back blurb: Chante Britt is nobody’s fool—and she’s definitely not standing by her cheating ex-fiancé and current mayoral candidate, Robert Montgomery. Too bad he chose to tell the media otherwise. To escape an onslaught of prying reporters, Chante flees to her grandmother’s South Carolina beach house. But when she meets Zach Harrington, she may be out of the frying pan and into the fire. The man is arrogant, way too forward—and way too sexy…

Newly divorced and dealing with a scandal of his own, Zach should stay clear of all women. Yet something about Chante draws him in—maybe it’s the drink she throws in his face after his too-hot-to-handle surprise kiss. Still, Zach firmly believes they can help each other take the edge off. And once he gets her to agree, what could have been a fling promises to be much more—until their personal and public dramas catch up with them. Will past wrongs keep them from having a love that’s right?

B.P.T: Why did you chose to do a follow up? And so soon?
Cheris Hodges: When I finished Rumor Has It, I knew Chante needed a story. She was embarrassed in the worse way and she made a few missteps of her own. I wanted to redeem her, because I really liked Chante. I’m just lucky that my publisher was ready to put these books out back to back. I know readers hate waiting for the next installment in a series.

B.P.T: Will any of the characters from the first book make an appearance in ‘I Heard A Rumor?’ Besides Chante Britt and her cheating ex-fiance Robert Montgomery.
Cheris Hodges: Liza and Jackson will be back, as well as the fiend Nic! So, if Nic is coming back, so is Teresa! It’s like a reunion! LOL.

B.P.T: What is the inspiration for the ‘Rumor’ series? Is it inspired by any real life people?
Cheris Hodges: I wouldn’t say it was inspired by real life people, but several events. When I started writing the series, there were political scandals every other day, it seemed like, so my writer’s brain started clicking. Literally overnight and with two pots of coffee, I planned the series. It was fun and exciting.

To read more from our interview with Cheris, please pickup a copy of our Holiday 2015 issue. Also pick up a copy of her new novel ‘I Heard A Rumor‘ on November 24th. Click the version to purchase a copy. (Kindle) or (Mass Market Paperback)