CHARLOTTE, N.C./ July 17, 2019 – Cheris Hodges ’99 is preparing for the release her 30th romance novel, Tempted at Midnight. The Johnson C. Smith University graduate, and former communication arts major, credits her professors with teaching her how to write.
“Professor Cassandra Wynn was instrumental in making me a better writer. I will always be grateful to her as a teacher and a mentor. She also taught me about hard work,” Hodges explained. “JCSU is filled with instructors who will support you and make you strive for more.”
Hodges’ success did not come without obstacles. Finding the right publishing company and agent has been a challenge through the course of her career, but her biggest challenge is telling black love stories.
“You would be surprised to know that some people don’t find black love realistic,” she said.
Despite the challenges she faced, Hodges believes her experience as a Smithite gave her the skills to deal with the unexpected circumstances she encountered as an author.
“When I think about challenges in the publishing industry, I realize that JCSU prepared me for greatness. I’m forever thankful for the education and the confidence that I received from attending JCSU. If I have to rank the top ten best decisions in my life, attending Johnson C. Smith University tops the list,” said Hodges.
Tempted at Midnight, which examines love, family strife and the magic of that midnight kiss, will be released September 24, 2019. For more information on Hodges, you can visit her website www.thecherishodges.com.
