THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR CHERYL KAYE TARDIF

Mystery, suspense, thrillers, paranormal, horror & YA by "Cheryl Kaye Tardif" & romance by "Cherish D'Angelo". Cheryl is represented by Trident Media Group in NY.

Friday, August 31, 2007

Last day of Cheryl Kaye Tardif's virtual book tour: read chapter 2 of Children of the Fog

Today marks the end of my month long virtual book tour, and I will confess, I am exhausted! It's been a long time since I've written these many articles and answered these many interviews. :) But I had so much fun visiting all of my hosts' wonderful sites, getting to know them and answering questions from visitors via email or comments.

Thank you! You have all made my 'Touring the World' virtual book tour a success! And I look forward to doing it again.

For today's stop, and because I had so many email requests, I have given you chapter 2 of my new unpublished novel, Children of the Fog.

You will notice a "book cover". This is something I designed to inspire me and it is not intended to be the actual cover. In fact, I'm hoping my publisher will come up with something even more eerie and creepy and foggy. :) On the back of my mock up cover is the following text:

Would you let a monster take your child?

A mother's descent into alcoholism and madness leads to strange apparitions and a face-to-face encounter with the monster who abducted her son--a man known only as...

The Fog.

Sadie O'Connell is a bestselling author and a proud mother. But her life is about to spiral out of control.

After her six-year-old son Sam is kidnapped by a serial abductor known as The Fog, she nearly goes insane. But it isn't just the fear and grief that is ripping her apart. It's the guilt.

She is the only person who knows what The Fog looks like. And she can't tell a soul. For if she does, her son will be sent back to her in "little bloody pieces".

When her unfaithful husband stumbles across a drawing of The Fog, he sets into play a series of horrific events that sends Sadie hurtling over the edge. Unable to deal with her pain, she drowns her sorrow the only way she knows.

"Tardif specializes in mile-a-minute pot-boiler mysteries." --Edmonton Sun


Read chapter 2 of Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Read the prologue and chapter 1 first!

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Day 30 of Cheryl's VBT: contest reminder and racial acceptance interview


Two days to go on my 'Touring the World' virtual book tour. Today, I have to remind those of you who ordered Whale Song on August 12th as part of my 44 Prizes contest to remember to email me with your Amazon shipping confirmation. The first 44 emails I receive will WIN FREE BOOKS! For more info, please check my contests page.

And now...for today's stop. Today I am visiting Newspaper Rock, an interesting blog that discusses native topics and pop culture. I have read many of Rob Schmidt's posts and find them very thought-provoking. Today he interviews me in a 2-part post.


Part 1 deals with the native element in my novel Whale Song.


Part 2 deals with the theme of bullying and racism, particularly among our children.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Day 29 of virtual book tour: a peek at Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif is nearing the end of her 'Touring the World' virtual book tour, so she decided to do something she doesn't usually do. She is giving you a sneak peek at an UNpublished novel, one that she is very excited about and one that Kunati Books is currently considering. If you enjoy it, please sign Cheryl's guestbook and tell her (and her publisher). Keep in mind this has not gone through final edits. You can read the prologue and chapter one at NamelessGrace.com.

Children of the Fog is a chilling story, one that is sure to make you get up and check your doors and windows.

CHILDREN of the FOG

©2007 Cheryl Kaye Tardif

prologue

May 14th, 2006


She was ready to die.

She sat at the kitchen table―a nearly empty bottle of Philip’s precious red wine in one hand, a loaded gun in the other. Staring at the foreign chunk of metal, she willed it to vanish. But it didn’t.

Sadie checked the gun and noted the single bullet.

“One’s all you need.”

If she did it right.

She placed the gun on the table and glanced at a pewter-framed photograph that hung off-kilter above the mantle of the fireplace. It was illuminated by a vanilla scented candle, one of many that threw flickering shadows over the rough wood walls of the log cabin.

Sam’s sweet face stared back at her, smiling.

Alive.

From where she sat, she could see the small chip in his right front tooth, the result of an impatient father raising the training wheels too early. But there was no point in blaming Philip―not when they’d both lost so much.

Not when it’s all my fault.

Her gaze swept over the mantle. There were three objects on it besides the candle. Two envelopes, one addressed to Leah and one to Philip, and the portfolio case containing the illustrations and manuscript on disc for Sam’s book.

She had finished it, just like she had promised.

“And promises can’t be broken. Right, Sam?”

A single tear burned a path down her cheek.

Sam was gone.

What reason do I have for living now?

She gulped back the last pungent mouthful of Cabernet and dropped the empty bottle. It rolled under the chair, unbroken, rocking on the hardwood floor. Then all was silent, except the antique grandfather clock in the far corner. Its ticking reminded her of the clown’s shoe. The one with the tack in it.

Tick, tick, tick…

The clock belched out an ominous gong.

It was almost midnight.

Almost time...

Read the prologue and chapter 1 of Children of the Fog.

Please note: some spacing issues may occur as a result of copying and pasting from MS Word to blogs or sites. These will not appear in the final product.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

"The sparks fly in this red hot paranormal thriller" -- Amanda Richards, Amazon Top 100 reviewer, says of Divine Intervention


Amazon Top 100 Reviewer has fast become a fan of my novels. She has reviewed 3/3 novels, giving them all high praise. This is what Amanda has to say about my psychic suspense thriller Divine Intervention...

"Things get really hot in this paranormal thriller when a serial arsonist murders three people, one of whom is the father of a politician on the rise. Set in British Columbia at a time in the near future, the case is assigned to a very special team of investigators with psychic abilities.

Leading the team is agent Jasmine McLellan, a Pyro-Psychic who can visit the remains of an arsonist's target and reconstruct the crime through the mind of the perpetrator. The other two members are Ben, a Psychometric Empath who can check you out by just touching your bare skin, and Natassia, a Victim Empath, who can reverse the saying that dead men tell no tales. The three form a very closely knit group, so that when they are ordered to temporarily expand the group by one, things get really tense, especially when the newest member is tall, rugged and handsome, but most of all, a skeptic.

The trail blows hot and cold as it leads them across British Columbia, as do the emotions, but the thing is, how many more people does the arsonist intend to kill, and how are the victims connected to each other?
The author combines murder, arson, adultery, blackmail, abuse and much more in this fast-paced book that you'll just have to read in one sitting. The only problem with it is that there is a book two mentioned, and I don't yet have a copy in my hands. "

In an email to Cheryl, she ends it with, "More, more".


Dear Amanda:

I am hoping that Kunati Books will add Divine Intervention to their UNA paperback imprint so that I will be free to finish the second book--Divine Justice. Please feel free to sign my guestbook (and anyone else) if you would like to see Divine Justice come out within the next 2 years. :) Cheryl

Day 28 of virtual book tour: chapter 3 of Whale Song


For the first time, my publisher has allowed me to give you a sneak peek of chapter 3 of my bestselling novel Whale Song, a novel that author New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice called "a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart".

Chapter three

I WHIRLED AROUND and saw a girl about my age treading water near the raft. She had black hair braided into two long plaits and dark eyes that stared at me curiously.

“What do you mean your brother’?” I asked when my voice had returned from the pit of my stomach.

The girl grinned. “He comes back once in a while. To visit.”

She swam toward the raft, climbed up and plopped down cross-legged in front of me.

“I’m Goldie,” she said. “Goldie Dixon. What’s your name?”

She was smaller than I was, and her skin was darker.

“Sarah Richardson,” I replied shyly.

I glanced beyond the edge of the raft, wondering if I’d catch a glimpse of her brother.

“Did you see his fluke?” Goldie asked, her face beaming.

Fluke? Of course…

I knew what the black thing was. It was a whale’s tail, its fluke. My father had shown me photos of whales from his marine biology class. Some pictures showed the whales’ flukes or tails, some showed whales spouting water and one even caught a whale as it breached and rose almost completely out of the ocean.

“So where’s your brother?” I asked, looking around the raft.

“He’s dead.”

Read the entire chapter.

Read chapters 1 and 2 first.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Day 27: Cheryl visits John Kremer's site with an article on book signings

On day 27 of my 'Touring the World' virtual book tour, I stop off at John Kremer's site. John is a respected book marketing expert and the author of numerous books including 1001 Ways to Market Your Books. At writers' conferences, he often presents on book marketing, publishing, writing, branding, and more. When John asked me if I could supply an article on marketing tips, I knew I had the perfect article, especially since we're heading into major promotion time--the pre-Christmas rush.

Book Signings Are Your Best Friends

So you’ve written a book, had it published and you are now facing the dreaded book signing or book launch. Your palms sweat at the thought of facing droves of people and actually having to talk to them. You are a writer, not a salesperson, right? Wrong! If you do not have the guts and determination to sell your own work, then why should anyone else do it for you?Book signings are your lifeline -- your best friends.

Before you step out into virgin territory and cross that boundary that is called a book signing, endless questions will bombard your brain. How many books should you expect to sell? What if you don’t sell any books? And what if someone should ask that one little question that makes you quiver and shake in your shoes: “What’s your book about?”

Read the entire article on John Kremer's site.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Day 26 of virtual book tour: author Cheryl Kaye Tardif is interviewed on Families.com

Want to know how I became an author, and how Whale Song evolved? Check out this interview on Families.com.

'Last night I reviewed "Whale Song" by author Cheryl Kaye Tardif. Today Cheryl is joining us for an interview.

Cheryl, thank you for stopping by on your virtual book tour. I have so many questions I'd like to ask. First off, how long have you been writing, and what are your previous books?

I have been writing for most of my life. I was a paid journalist at 14, writing a weekly column for a small BC newspaper. I really enjoyed it, but even then, my passion was writing fiction. I went on to publish articles and poetry in other newspapers, all the while trying to get a novel published...'

Read the entire interview.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Day 25 of virtual book tour: Picture Perfect by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

With one week left of my 'Touring the World' virtual book tour, I want to give you more samples of my work. Today's shocking short is one of my personal favorites, and the first short story of mine that Amazon picked up for their Amazon Shorts program.

So here's a sneak peek...

Picture Perfect

© 2006 Cheryl Kaye Tardif


When my sister, Belle, vanished back in 1956, I lost more than you could possibly imagine. And in the last fifty years, I've never told anyone what I saw. That summer day, I lost a part of my family, a piece of my heart…and I think I lost my soul as well.

In 1956, on the morning of the Calgary Summer Carnival, my baby sister and I were so giddy with excitement that our mother threatened to ground us for bad behavior. There's no worse punishment on the face of this earth than being left behind on Summer Carnival day.

Well, maybe there's one worse thing...

Check out the excerpt at Criminal Minds at Work.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Day 24 of VBT: A new review of Whale Song and chapter 3 of The River

Drop by FictionScribe.com to read a new review of Whale Song and for another glimpse into the life of Del Hawthorne as she gets ready for the adventure of her life, in Cheryl Kaye Tardif's The River, an action-packed techno-thriller that takes you down the wild Nahanni River.

three

It had been years since she had set foot inside Bio-Tec Canada, the company her father had worked for. The company that was mentioned in Schroeder’s journal. Not much had changed. Even Annette Taylor was still there.
The receptionist’s eyes widened as Del approached.
“Delila, what a surprise. What are you doing here?”
“I’m not really sure, Annette. Who’s in charge now?”
“Edward Moran.”
Moran had been one of her father’s associates, a man with a hard edge and a way of looking at her that made her cringe. She had always avoided him whenever her father had invited her to social events.
“Do you want me to buzz him for you, Delila?”
“I guess so. To be honest, I’m not even sure why I’m here.”
She was starting to sweat and her legs were beginning to shake.
Damn! Not now!
Annette returned with a glass of water. “Mr. Moran will be down shortly. Can I get you anything else?”
“No, I’m fine, Annette. Thanks.”
Ten minutes later, Edward Moran strutted through the doorway, his chest puffed like an old rooster. He was a heavy-set man with a round, pudgy face. Small, squinty brown eyes were framed by copper-rimmed glasses perched atop a thick nose. Dark, curly hair receded from a wide forehead and settled into gray streaks above his ears. On some men it would look distinguished but on Moran, it just made him look old.
The man’s navy-colored suit strained across his stomach as he approached. It was at least one size too small. The black buttons on the jacket were fastened…barely. One sneeze or cough would likely send them flying like shrapnel, and Del pitied whoever was in the line of fire.
“Delila Hawthorne, is that really you?”
“Can we talk somewhere private?”

Read chapter 3 of The River.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Day 23 of VBT: I answer questions on writing from Eileen Bell's mailbag

Today's 'Touring the World' virtual book tour stop is at EileenBell.com. Eileen is a friend of mine and a very talented writer, and I was honored when she decided to be one of my hosts on this tour. This past week Eileen has been collecting questions from visitors via email, and I had a lot of fun answering them. Today's post is perfect for anyone who is looking for tips on writing or just general information on what it's like to be a writer.

FROM EILEEN'S MAILBAG:

From Roxanne:
You work across a lot of different genres – and mediums - screenplays, comedy, mystery. I find myself attracted to a lot of genres as well, but feel like I should finish my book before I try my hand at plays, for example. Do you have any advice for a novice writer who is interested in many different forms? (as someone who seems to work in many formats herself?) Thanks :)

Roxanne, thank you for your question. First, regarding genres, it has become more acceptable to write cross-over works, such as a combination of suspense, horror and romance. As writers we...

Read more at EileenBell.com.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Day 22 of VBT: Whale Song inspires a different kind of global 'warming'

Today I am visiting Climate of our Future, a wonderful site that is dedicated to informing and education people on all aspects of our envirnment and how it affects our world.

When Climate of our Future first asked to host me on my ‘Touring the World’ virtual book tour, I hesitated. Not because I don’t like the site (I DO!), but because I was trying to think of a way to segue their theme into Whale Song, writing or my other suspense novels. I’ll admit, it was a challenge at first. However, anyone who knows me knows that I don’t shy away from challenges.
So today’s topic is Global Warming. But a different kind of ‘global warming.’ One of racial and cultural acceptance. It really is time that we (as in those living on Earth) embrace each other in tolerance, understanding and acceptance. We spend so much time and energy fighting each other in various wars, murdering our fellow man, hating people of different race, skin color or religion, and then we teach this to the next generation so that they can continue our legacy. Hatred is pure energy and that energy has to go somewhere. Some people spend their entire lives focused on hating … and it’s that energy that grows within them and becomes pure evil.
What we need is a wake up call...

Read the entire article on Climate of our Future.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

"Mix some Michael Crichton with a touch of Dean Koontz..." says Amanda Richards, Top 100 Amazon Reviewer, about The River by Cheryl Kaye Tardif


I was thrilled when I got back from a 'date day' with my husband late last night and checked my emails. I received an email from Amanda Richards, the Amazon Top 100 reviewer who recently gave me a 5-star review for Whale Song. She told me she read and reviewed The River on Amazon...

"Mix some Michael Crichton with a touch of Dean Koontz, add a generous dash of sci-fi and then distill the resulting mixture until all you have left is the good stuff. That, in a nutshell, is "The River". "

Read Amanda Richard's review of The River on Amazon.com. Scroll to the bottom section.

Day 21: Whale Song reviewed at Raspberry Latte - The Bookworm's Book Review


Stacie Penny at Raspberry Latte has this to say about Whale Song by Cheryl Kaye Tardif:

"Eleven year old Sarah moves to Canada with her parents when her father accepts a post to study whales off the coastline. Even though she leaves everything behind, Sarah discovers that life can become complicated in a heartbeat. Or in the absence of one..."

Read the entire review.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Day 20 of VBT: Short Story: Ouija by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Here's a short story you'll want to read with the lights on. Inspired by true events, OUIJA is the story of a woman who opens a box that should never be opened.

You know what they say about curiousity...

OUIJA
by Cheryl Kaye Tardif


Last spring, while packing away my aunt's belongings at her lakeside cottage, I discovered this letter in a box of old party games…


February 13, 2004


To Whom It May Concern:


If you found this letter, it means I'm dead.

DEAD!

Plain and simple.

And if I'm dead it's not by natural causes, I can assure you. I'm writing in haste cause I know I don't got much time.

It’s after me!

What, you're asking. Well, I'll tell you.

It all started with that gawdforbidden Ouija board. The board that my best friend and I found in her attic.

Liza and I had been friends and neighbors for more than 45 years. We even buried our husbands within 2 years of each other. And no, we didn't bury them in the backyard.

Let me make somethin clear, first off. I'm not crazy. I'm of sound mind. Maybe not sound body though. I'm not crazy and neither was Liza. I'm as sane as you, whoever is reading this, and what I'm about to tell you is true. TRUE! Not one word is a lie.

My phone rang a few nights ago.

"Liza," I said. "It’s 3 o'clock in the gawddamn morning!"

"You gotta come over, Sharon. Quick!"

"Why do I have to come over now? Can't it wait until morning?"

There was silence.

I sat up in bed and turned on my lamp. " Liza, you there?"

"I hear voices, " she whispered. "There's someone in my attic."

She sounded scared, more scared than I ever heard her before, and her voice gave me a chill up my spine...

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Day 19: Chapter 3 of Cheryl Kaye Tardif's psychic crime suspense--Divine Intervention

"Another wonderful Tardif novel shows her mastery of any genre. Tardif first enthralled me with Whale Song. What a magnificent transition she accomplishes here with Divine Intervention, a future-thriller, or speculative crime fiction, or sci-fi/mystery. Tardif shows that a great story and wonderful voice can bring any genre to life. Of course, I know her secret. Characters. Jasi and her team make this oh-so-very-hip story jump...I sense a potential movie here. Powerful, emotional, riveting, transcending genre. Which is a good thing, because here is a blend of speculative fiction and crime novel, although clearly more of the latter. Thumbs up and waiting for more from Cheryl Tardif." --Derek Armstrong, author of The Game

Divine Intervention

©2004 Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Chapter 3

~ Loon Lake near Kelowna , BC

The helicopter deployed Jasi and her PSI team one mile from the fire. A fog of gray smoke greeted them. It hung in the air over the crime scene like a smothering electric blanket set on high. The scorching sun smiled down upon them, adding to the heat.

Fire trucks were parked on the side of a grassy field surrounded by thick trees and weedy underbrush. An oversized khaki-colored army tent had been pitched in the center of the field while an exhausted group of firefighters slept nearby in the shade. A variety of police vehicles slanted across the gravel road, blocking off public access.

A tired, sooty police officer strolled toward them. "Hey, Ben."

Read Chapter 3 of Divine Intervention, a sizzling paranormal suspense that has been likened by fans to Kay Hooper's and J.D. Robb's series.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Day 18: Read Chapter 2 of The River by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Read Chapter 2 of Cheryl Kaye Tardif's terrifying thriller The River

“Cheryl Kaye Tardif has once again captivated readers in her third novel and latest suspense thriller, The River . Set in the wilds of Canada 's north, The River combines intrigue, science, love and adventure and is sure to keep readers clamoring for more.” ― Edmonton Sun

Before you read Chapter 2 of The River I wanted to share with you some very interesting and intriguing coincidences that occurred recently. I noticed one day that I had a guestbook post from a woman and when I saw her name, there was an instant where I thought it was a joke. Her name is Del Hawthorne. And as some of you may know, that is the name of my main character in The River. So of course I had to message her back. She had stumbled across my thriller when she Googled her own name. :)

I thought that possibly her 'Del' was short for Delia or Delamina...or some other variation. What are the odds that it would be short for Delila? Well, it is. The only difference is she spells it Delilah. So as a joke I said, "Just don't tell me you live in Vancouver, BC. (Because that's where my fictitious Del lives at first) Well...Delilah lives in Vancouver, BC! In our email exchanges we found a variety of similarities between the real life Del and my Del. Coincidence?

There is no such thing as coincidence!

Read Chapter 1 first , then return here…

The River

©2005 Cheryl Kaye Tardif

two

Early the next morning, Del entered UBC, greeted security and headed down the hall. At her classroom door, she juggled her briefcase and fumbled with the key.

“Del!”

She swiveled on one heel and was greeted by Phoebe Smythe, president of the university. Phoebe was a tall, attractive woman with hair the color of rich, dark chocolate―except for the pure white streak that sprouted from her widow’s peak.

“I just heard,” Phoebe said, tucking the streak behind one ear. “Is there anything I can do?”

“About what? The fact that a dear friend whom we all thought was dead has returned from the grave? Or that he’s adamant that my dad is alive?”

“Oh God! I heard about Arnold, but I didn’t know anything about your father. Are you all right?”

Del shrugged. “I will be. Once I talk to Professor Schroeder. Do you know where he is?”

“They took him to Riverview. He’s in rough shape, Del.”

“What did the doctors say?”

Phoebe patted her arm. “He has an unusual form of Progeria.”

“Accelerated aging? But Progeria is usually found in children.”

“It’s a mystery. That’s for sure.”

“Well, that certainly explains why I didn’t recognize him. But it still doesn’t make sense. Even with Progeria, he shouldn’t look as old as he does.”

“They’re bringing a specialist in, Del. Someone from downtown. I heard Progeria, Werner Syndrome…they really don’t know. But what they do know is that Arnold ’s mental capacity is irreparably diminished.”

“So you’re saying he could have made it up―about my dad?”

Phoebe slipped her a piece of memo paper. “Call the hospital. Tell them you’re family. Arnold ’s wife moved to London and his sons are both married and living in another province. You’re all he has.”

Alone in her classroom, Del called Riverview Hospital and made arrangements to see Schroeder just before four o’clock.

It was going to be a very long day.



“In review, anthropology seeks to understand the whole picture when it comes to the study of man―Homo sapiens,” Del told her summer class. “As an anthropologist, you will explore geographic space and evolutionary time so that you may understand human existence. Anthropology is a unique blend of folklore and commonplace science. It encompasses the evolution of language and the microscopic killer diseases that have wiped out entire civilizations.”

She glanced at the clock. “Time’s up.”

“Mr. Cavanaugh, are you okay about yesterday?” she asked Peter as he scurried past. “About the man who was in the classroom?”

“I heard he’s a friend of yours.”

“He…is a friend of my dad’s.”

Although he looks old enough to be my grandfather.

The young man shifted the laptop and books in his arms. “Is he gonna be alright?”

“I hope so.”

After Peter left, she peered out the window.

It was raining.

Vancouver―the city of rain.

To Del , it was perfect weather to dredge up the past. Perfect weather to revisit the dead. Or not so dead.



By the time she reached the outskirts of Riverview Hospital, an early summer storm had unleashed its fury on the entire Vancouver area, swamping the streets with water. She turned into the visitor’s parking lot, snatched a ticket from the dispenser and made her way to an empty stall. Dashing through the main doors of the hospital, she was caught off guard by the slippery floor. She slid across the tiled surface―straight into the arms of a very handsome stranger.

“Well, hello,” he said, rewarding her with a dazzling smile.

The man who held her was dressed in a casual suit. But he could have been wearing nothing at all as far as she was concerned. His dark brown hair was slicked back, except for an errant lock over one finely sculpted brow. The man’s face was angular, with a strong jaw and ridiculously high cheekbones. He sported a closely shaved moustache and goatee. Kind of a seven o’clock shadow look.

Regardless, Del liked it. Hell, what wasn’t there to like?

If he lets go, I’ll melt to the floor.

“Sorry. I-I…slipped.”

“Good thing I was here to catch you then.”

His voice was warm and inviting, like comfort food.

“Yeah, good thing,” she murmured.

“You don’t look sick.”

“I’m, uh, visiting a friend.”

“Hmm…lucky friend.”

Her mouth dropped. Oh my!

He released her and she was suddenly cold.

“Well, uh…thanks for, uh, catching me.”

She could have kicked herself. Could she possibly sound more dim-witted?

Deep blue eyes swept over her. “Anytime.”

Mesmerized, she stared as he walked away. Then she turned toward the elevator and made it inside before she caught sight of him again. He was standing at the receptionist’s cubicle. Before the elevator doors closed, before her raging hormones kicked into overdrive, the man turned and winked.

Cursing under her breath, she jabbed at the button for the third floor―the secured psychiatric wing. When she reached the main nurse’s station, she signed a form and was escorted through a set of locked doors.

The nurse placed a hand on her arm. “I’ll warn you, Miss Hawthorne, we had to sedate him. When he was admitted, he was hallucinating…and he’s in a lot of pain.”

Del forgot all about Mr. Tall, Dark and Oh-So-Sexy the instant she stepped inside Schroeder’s room―a room lit only by a small night-light glowing in the far corner. Someone had pulled the curtains partially open but it made no difference. Outside, the raging black sky held the sun at bay and unleashed its wrath.

Schroeder was lying in the bed, one wrinkled hand strapped to the rail while the other was swathed in thick cloth bandages. An IV ran from his hand to a bag of clear liquid suspended on a pole, and near the bed, a heart monitor beeped steadily.

Del watched the heart blips.

Schroeder was still alive.

“Professor?”

He didn’t move.

Stepping closer, she stared in shock.

Arnold Schroeder’s face had severely aged. The skin under his chin hung in loose folds across his neck. Every inch of his spotted flesh was withered and scaly. His lips were cracked, peeling.

Yesterday, in her classroom, the man had looked about seventy.

Now he looked like he was nearing his nineties. Nearing death.

What could have happened to make him age so rapidly? Progeria?

Del reached forward and brushed the hair from Schroeder’s face. When she withdrew her hand, the hair went with it. Appalled, she shook the tuft into the garbage can next to the bed.

The man’s rheumy eyes opened slowly.

“You’re in the hospital,” she said, stroking his arm.

“Delly?”

“I’m here, Professor.”

“Aw, isn’t it about time you called me Arnold?”

His question ended with a ragged coughing spell.

She picked up a glass of water that was sitting abandoned on a cafeteria tray. She brought the straw to his mouth and was shocked by the sight of his bloody gums and missing teeth.

After a few weak sips, he waved the glass away.

“Did you find it, Delly?”

“The journal? Yeah.”

“It’s all in there. Everything you need to know. Follow your heart. Find the key first. But, Delly…don’t tell anyone! If you tell the police that you know your father’s alive, you’ll both be in danger.”

He groaned as a spasm of pain wracked his body.

Del gripped his hand. “Do you want me to call a nurse?”

“No, it’s too late for me. It’s only a matter of time now. But you, Delly…you have to go, find the key.”

He coughed sharply, spewing up blood.

“Leave no stone unturned. Remember…that. Take care again―”

Suddenly, the heart monitor raced and an alarm pierced the air.

Del watched, helpless, as every muscle in Schroeder’s body convulsed. The veins in his forehead and scalp protruded, his eyes rolled back into their sockets and he let out a horrific scream of agony. Then he collapsed―silent, unmoving.

A tall Asian doctor rushed into the room. She was followed closely by two men pushing a crash cart.

“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to leave.”

Del ’s pulse raced as she stepped out into the hallway. She peered through the small window in the door while the doctor held the paddles over Schroeder’s bare chest. When his body arched in response to the electrical current, Del pulled away from the glass.

Depressed, she wandered into the small sitting area, with nothing to do but gaze at other visitors, their faces drawn in sorrow as they waited to hear news of a loved one. How she hated hospitals! She hated the smell of death and illness, the taste of decay. She abhorred the poking and prodding by doctors, nurses. And the endless tiresome tests.

Yeah, she and hospitals were intimately familiar.

She shook her head.

No time to dwell on that now. There was Schroeder to think about…and her father. Something terrible had happened to them, and she was determined to find out what.

The doctor exited the professor’s room and approached with an apologetic look on her face.

“You’re Arnold Schroeder’s family?”

Del remained silent.

“I’m Dr. Wang. He’s stabilized at the moment but I have to tell you, I think it’s only a matter of time.”

Exactly what Schroeder said.

“We have a specialist on his way. In fact, he arrived about thirty minutes ago.”

Del was shocked. What’s taking him so long?

Dr. Wang suddenly smiled. “There he is now. Excuse me.”

Standing at the counter, the specialist turned his head and Del recognized him immediately.

The man from the hospital lobby.

Dr. Wang greeted him. They exchanged a few words and the doctor shook her head. Minutes later, they disappeared into Schroeder’s room.

Del ’s shock quickly turned to anger.

Mr. Tall, Dark, Oh-So-Sexy and Selfish had certainly taken his sweet old time. He should have been checking on Schroeder, not flirting with her.

She left the hospital feeling pissed off and disappointed.

At the handsome specialist…and herself.



An hour later, she was sitting in her living room with Lisa.

Lisa Shaw had been her best friend since high school. They were like sisters, although Lisa was the complete opposite of her in almost every way. Six inches shorter than Del ’s five-foot-nine frame, Lisa was a brunette with a figure made for modeling. Her eyes were hazel in comparison to Del ’s pale blue.

"So exactly how cute was this guy?” Lisa asked between mouthfuls of pizza. “I mean, was he Orlando Bloom cute or Harrison Ford cute?”

“More like Johnny Depp cute.”

“My God!”

“Well, he thinks he is.”

Lisa threw her a knowing look. “You think he’s a God too, Delila Bea Hawthorne. I know it.”

Del felt the heat rising in her face. “Shut up and eat your pizza.”

“So, you gonna show me this book?”

Del grabbed the journal and set it on the table.

Lisa opened it carefully. “What’s with all these numbers?”

One line read 233253 = 3132218142! And one number was repeated throughout the book. 233253.

“I have no idea.”

Lisa scowled. “He’s not much of an artist.”

“Just because you studied under David C. Miller doesn’t mean everyone had that honor.”

Miller was an internationally acclaimed marine artist from the United States , and he had taken Lisa under his wing. In two weeks, Lisa’s newest collection of giclee canvases would be shown at Imagine―one of the most prestigious art galleries in Canada . There was already a buzz amongst the media, and some influential people planned to attend. Even Miller and his wife would be there for the big reveal.

“This looks like a tree, Del. With two main branches. See? And this N shows that he was looking north through the trees.”

"How the hell am I supposed to find my dad with this?”

“The professor said everything was in this book, right? Well then, you’ll figure it out. When are you leaving?”

Del ’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not sure. I have to make flight arrangements, but I can’t even do that until I find some people to come with me.”

“You know I’d go…if I didn’t have this―”

“I completely understand, Lis. I’ll find someone to help me bring my dad back. You just make sure your show is a smashing success.”

“What about TJ?” Lisa asked hesitantly.

Del arched a brow. “What about him?”

“You know he’d do anything for you. Plus he’s an expert rafter.”

“Yeah, and an expert liar.”

“Have you seen Julie lately? She’s an elephant.”

Lisa mimed a huge pregnant belly, then noticed Del ’s expression.

“Oh, crap, Del. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. TJ made his bed―well, mine actually―and he doesn’t seem to mind lying in it. I hope he’s happy with her. And the kid. He always said he wanted a large family.”

She closed the journal, signaling the end of the conversation.

“Do you want butter or cheese popcorn, my friend?”

Lisa gave her a wide-eyed innocent look. “Why not both?”

Del snorted.

If there was one true gift that her friend had, it was the ability to make her laugh.

“Comic relief. That’s what you’re here for, Lis.”

They watched two Jackie Chan movies back-to-back, pigged out on popcorn and finished off two six-packs of beer. Then Lisa passed out on the couch, snoring softly and fighting for space with Kayber.

When Del crawled into bed, she wasn’t feeling any pain either.



A million thoughts raced through her mind when she awoke.

How could she possibly convince anyone to join her on a crazy trek down the Nahanni River ? People would think she was nuts if she told them she was searching for her presumed-dead father. And who in their right mind would go with her, knowing that she had no idea where her father might be and no proof that he was actually alive?

Maybe I should ask TJ to go with me.

Frustrated, she whipped the blankets aside and listened for the familiar clanging of pots and pans that always followed one of Lisa’s sleepovers.

There were no sounds of life from the kitchen.

Del ’s stomach growled rebelliously.

Groaning with hunger, she clambered out of bed. She threw on an old blue robe, stuffed her feet into Tweety slippers and plodded into the hallway.

“Hey, Lisa!” she hollered, raking her fingers through unruly, short blond curls. “Is breakfast ready?”

No one answered.

She reached the kitchen, expecting the aroma of bacon and coffee to assault her senses.

What she got was a note stuck to the fridge door.

Mrs. Johnny Depp,

I left you some herbal tea. It has some kind of root bark from Africa in it. Supposed to give you energy, ward off the effects of alcohol. J

Love Lisa. XO

P.S. I called TJ. He said of course he’ll go.

“Traitor!” Del muttered.

She looked around the empty, foodless kitchen and spotted Kayber pacing by the door. She threw him a disgruntled look.

“The least she could have done was make us breakfast.”

Lisa’s tea sat on the counter, in an unmarked bag.

Sniffing the contents suspiciously, Del prayed that her house wouldn’t be the target of a drug raid.

“Whatever’s in here probably isn’t tea.”

It probably isn’t legal either.

She made herself a cup, just to be sure.

Afterward, she headed for Bio-Tec.

©2005 Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Read Chapter 3

Get the whole story. Order THE RIVER now.

You can order The River from Amazon.com, Chapters.ca or other online retailers, or ask for it at your favorite bookstore.

Thank you!

~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention

http://www.whalesongbook.com/

(Please note: there may be some minor spacing or punctuation errors while pasting this chapter into this site. They do not appear in the printed text of the novel. CKT)

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Day 15 of virtual book tour: Cheryl talks about assisted suicide

Book reviewer and film critic Jack Anthony interviews author Cheryl Kaye Tardif about Whale Song, the Controversial Novel that Explores Assisted Suicide

On Day 15 of Cheryl's 'Touring the World' virtual book tour, she completed part two of an interview with Jack Anthony. The entire interview is below.

Jack Anthony (JA): Whale Song seems at first an innocent, sweet and poignant tale with a hint of mystery. But there is a darker side to this novel―the shocking assisted suicide of a key character. What compelled you to tackle such a controversial and emotional topic?

Cheryl Kaye Tardif (CKT): Assisted suicide or assisted dying is one of the most horrifying scenarios a person could imagine. That’s why I tackled it. The morality surrounding assisted dying has been questioned by human rights activists, the legal system, religious organizations and the general public for decades, and it is an issue that has fascinated and saddened me. In countries such as Switzerland and Belgium, assisted dying is legal, while in Canada and the US, it is illegal. Headlines have blasted us with stories of people like Sue Rodriguez, a Canadian who fought for right-to-die laws to be changed but then lost, and the infamous Dr. Jack Kevorkian, an American doctor who invented a self-inflicted lethal injection dubbed ‘the suicide machine’. Kevorkian was released from prison in June 2007 and promises to fight for reform.

The disturbing subject of assisted suicide/dying prompts readers to question their own beliefs. If a person you loved was dying, with no hope for survival, with only a life of pain and agony ahead of them or a lifetime of vegetative coma, could you pull the proverbial plug? Should you help them die with dignity, or shouldn’t you? And if you do, how do you live with yourself afterwards? These are the questions I wanted to explore in Whale Song. I am drawn to writing stories that make us question our beliefs, our laws and our very existence. Whale Song started from one thought: What would happen if someone felt compelled to ‘pull the plug’…?”

To read the entire interview please go to Cheryl's interview page.

To view Cheryl Kaye Tardif's 'Touring the World' virtual book tour, please go to her virtual book tour schedule.

Monday, August 13, 2007

'Sarah Richardson' from Whale Song has a story to tell



To read Whale Song for yourself, please order from Amazon.com, Chapters.ca or your favorite bookstore!

Music used with permission from Julie Blue.

Day 13 of her virtual book tour: Cheryl talks about Whale Song and movie options

Today Cheryl Kaye Tardif has 2 stops on her 'Touring the World' virtual book tour.

She'll be visiting Campaign for the American Reader where she'll be giving you a brief synopsis or description, much like back cover text. This is great for deciding if Whale Song is right for you. And remember, it makes the perfect gift for any women in your life!

And Cheryl is also visiting My Book, The Movie where she'll be discussing the possibilities of a feature film, and her thoughts on who would play the lead roles, Sarah and Adam.

Note from Cheryl: I'll tell you one thing: I could have talked about this a bit longer. I should have told you that I could see Brad Pitt as Sarah's father, Jack Richardson. And Madeline Stowe as Daniella, Sarah's mother.

So come and check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's tour stops today. You never know if there's a free book to be given away! :)

http://americareads.blogspot.com/
http://mybookthemovie.blogspot.com/

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Whale Song - An Amazon.com Bestseller

Today, on my birthday, Whale Song made Amazon.com's bestseller's list in Canadian literature (#5 spot). This makes Whale Song an Amazon Top 1000 Bestseller.

My 44 prizes contest is still on, so order your copy of Whale Song today to qualify to enter.

Read the contest rules.

Day 12: Cheryl visits Grow Mercy and talks about the murder of her brother Jason

On Grow Mercy I share a very personal tregedy with you, and I explain how Whale Song is benefitting others:


Let me introduce you to author Cheryl Kaye Tardif and her story…and how she is using one story to help homeless people.


Thanks, Steve, for having me visit Grow Mercy on Day 12 of my ‘Touring the World’ virtual book tour, where I’m promoting my latest novel Whale Song, a novel that will change the way you view life…and death. This is the first stop where I get truly personal, sharing a very painful part of my life…but one that is also filled with hope.


First, I’d like to pose a few questions. If you saw a beggar on the sidewalk, hand out for a bit of change, would you scowl, judge him and walk by? Or would you say ‘Sorry, I don’t have any change.” Or would you buy him a coffee and donut? Or would you hand him some money?...


Read the entire story at http://www.growmercy.org


This is also my big 44 prizes contest day. To qualify to enter you must order Whale Song today from Amazon.com or Chapters.ca! More on this at Grow Mercy.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Day 11: Cheryl talks about Virtual Book Tours on LesTout.com

At today's stop, you'll find information on virtual book tours, how to organize one and how they benefit authors, hosts and avid readers. So drop by LesTout.com to find out how much work went into my 1-month VBT.

There is a new wave of online marketing on the rise―virtual book tours (also known as virtual author tours or blog tours). About five years ago, various authors decided to promote their works online at host sites and announce those dates just as they would a bona fide book signing tour. It started off small―one or two appearances on someone else’s website. In fact, virtual book tours (VBTs) have really only taken off in the past year or two.

The concept is simple: the author “tours” various blogs and sites, often ones pertaining to a theme in the book or the host’s theme, or to writing in general. This way, an author can potentially reach thousands of avid readers each tour day from the privacy of his or her office or home...

Read the article: Virtual Book Tours - Touring the World.

Also, be sure to order my novel Whale Song on August 12th from Amazon.com or Chapters.ca to qualify to enter for my 44 Prizes giveaway!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Day 10: Cheryl is interviewed by The Dark Phantom Review

Along with a link to the review of Whale Song, by The Dark Phantom Review, you'll find an enlightening interview with me, as I embark upon Day 10 of my 'Touring the World' virtual book tour.

Welcome to The Dark Phantom Review, Cheryl! It’s nice to have you here. Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about your book, and what inspired you to write such a story?

Thank you for having me here.

Whale Song is an emotional novel about choices and consequences, suitable for adult and YA readers. It’s the story of Sarah, a young woman who is haunted by her past and by the assisted suicide of her mother. A teenaged Sarah moves from Wyoming to Vancouver Island where she is suddenly thrown into a world of racism, hatred, school bullying and more. Thankfully, Sarah befriends a native girl, and through stories told by her friend’s wise old grandmother, Sarah learns the legends of the animals around her–of Seagull, Whale and Wolf. As these legends begin to parallel her life, she moves through the tragedy of her mother’s death and the partial amnesia that has blocked out the truth, becoming a jaded young woman who has hardened herself to love and life. And then someone from her past returns to make her finally face all that she has forgotten...

Read the entire interview at The Dark Phantom Review.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Sarah Richardson from Whale Song has a message for you!


Click on the little black and white arrow and turn on your speakers to hear Sarah's message.


Order Whale Song from Amazon.

Day 9 of Cheryl's VBT gives you a glimpse of 'The Car'

As part of my 'Touring the World' virtual book tour I wanted to make sure that you had some fun along the way. I wanted to give you interesting articles and interviews, plus samples of my work, and today's sampling is a creepy short story (unpublished) that I hope you'll enjoy.



And for something a bit different, I decided to record this short story. So check it out, turn up your speakers and listen to...


THE CAR.


Day 8 of Cheryl's virtual book tour - an interview with Muze's Musings and ArtistFirst Radio Network

Day 8 finds me with two exciting stops. First, please visit Muze's Musings where I am interviewed by author Nikki Leigh. Today we talk about everything Whale Song, from setting to native legends to research.



Nikki - Tell us a bit about how Whale Song came to be.



Cheryl - Whale Song arrived as a simple idea: ‘What if your mother died when you were young, a pre-teen?’ It then evolved to: ‘What if there was a mystery surrounding your mother’s death?’ And of course, these ideas took shape, joining with a native legend I had heard years ago about killer whales being the reincarnated souls of loved ones who have passed on.



The plot for Whale Song literally ‘haunted’ me for two years, but I was jaded by the writing business, and wasn’t sure if I wanted to go through writing something, sending it out and getting back another stack of rejection letters. And then one day, I was visiting with a friend and for some reason started telling her the story of Whale Song. The tears in her eyes made me realize I was really onto something. And then she gave me some very wise advice. She said...


Read the entire interview.



And be sure to stop by ArtistFirst Radio Network TONIGHT, AUGUST 8th at 6:00 PM Eastern when Cheryl is interviewed LIVE and in person.


Go to ArtistFirst and click on Click 2 Listen Live!

Day 7 of Cheryl Kaye Tardif's virtual book tour - read Chapter 2 of Whale Song

Day 7: Cheryl's 'Touring the World' virtual book tour - here's Chapter 2 of Whale Song, a haunting and compelling novel by Cheryl Kaye Tardif.


If you want to read the Prologue and Chapter 1 first, please go HERE.


Whale Song


©2007 Cheryl Kaye Tardif


two


IT WAS THE dazzling light that hit us first.


Large picture windows wrapped the entire front of the house and faced the ocean. The flaming sunset outside made the interior glow like the embers of a fire.


“Wow,” I murmured.


My eyes swept across the open main floor. There was a living room to my left. It was decorated in bronze and copper tones, and two beige plaid couches framed a chocolate-brown area rug. To my right, a dining room table and four chairs claimed the area in front of one of the windows.


I ran to it, almost knocking over a potted plant. I looked out the window and stared, mesmerized, as the setting sun sparkled on the bay.


“I can hear the ocean, Dad.”


Read all of Chapter 2

Monday, August 06, 2007

Amazon customers love Whale Song - "Unforgettable"

"THANK YOU for a powerful, unforgettable story. It is rare that I read a book that moves me so much that I feel compelled to write to the author and her publisher, thanking them for making the book available to be experienced. Whale Song is such a book for me. I was taken on a journey with Sarah Richardson as she experienced loss after loss, yet emerged victorious, wiser, and stronger. This is a story of grief but most of all of the enduring power of love, and of the amazing connections that all beings have with one another. I look forward to reading more of Cheryl Kaye Tardif's work."

-- Beth Fehlbaum, author of Courage in Patience

2 new Barnes and Noble reviews -- 5 Gold Seals!

Reviews for Whale Song by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Customer Rating for this product is 5 out of 5 "Redemption. This beautiful coming of age novel takes us from what seems to be a single tragic event in the life of a young girl, to the even more tragic aftermath. We see this young girl become someone else entirely as she grows into adulthood. It doesn't end there - as she has to complete the circle the tragedy started. Right when you think you know the ending, you might be surprised!" -- Jennine Gleghorn, teacher

Customer Rating for this product is 5 out of 5 "Softly written and beautifully configured, WHALE SONG takes you on an emotional journey of mystery and faith. The losses and healing in a young girls life are described realistically and powerfully. Cheryl Kaye Tardif has done an outstanding job of writing a novel that wants to be read. I couldn't put it down!!!" -- Pam Peters, artist

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Day 5: Cheryl stops by KillerHobbies blog to discuss some of her past hobbies

Learn more about me on Day 5 of my 'Touring the World' virtual book tour, as I chat with the ladies over at KillerHobbies.blogspot.com. What strange, interesting or unique hobbies shaped my life as a child?

And don't forget, there could be prizes at this stop! :)
CKT

Friday, August 03, 2007

Day 4: A Sneak Peek at Whale Song, a novel that will change the way you view life...and death.

August 4th: Today's special treat is an excerpt from Cheryl Kaye Tardif's new bestseller Whale Song, a novel that will change the way you view life...and death.

So drop by her host site, sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy the prologue and first chapter.

I ONCE FEARED death.
It is said that death begins with the absence of life. And life begins when death is no longer feared. I have stared death in the face and survived. A survivor who has learned about unfailing love and forgiveness. I realize now that I am but a tiny fragment in an endless ocean of life, just as a killer whale is a speck in her immense underwater domain...

Read the excerpt.

http://www.whalesongbook.com/

Cheryl Kaye Tardif - Interviewed on Bookpleasures.com

Day 3 of Cheryl's 'Touring the World' virtual book tour:

Today Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com, is once again excited to have as our guest Canadian author Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

Cheryl has made quite a name for herself in the world of literature in Canada and elsewhere. In 2004, Tardif was nominated for the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award. In addition, Cheryl has been extensively interviewed by the media and she has been featured in The Edmonton Examiner, Edmonton Woman Magazine, Alberta Native News, California Chronicle and Real Estate Weekly ( Edmonton ). According to photojournalist, Heather Andrews Miller, who interviewed the author for the Real Estate Weekly article, Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a “gem in the literary world.” And Booklist calls her “a big hit…a name to reckon with south of the border.”

Good day Cheryl and thanks once again for participating in our interview.

Norm:
Since we last spoke about two years ago, what have you been up to insofar as your writing achievements are concerned?


Cheryl:
Thanks for having me back at BookPleasures! Wow, has it only been two years? So much has happened...

READ THE INTERVIEW AT BOOKPLEASURES.COM.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

"Original and Satisfying" --Mo Addams, Amazon reviewer

"Original and Satisfying. The first thing that draws attention to Whale Song is the cover of the book. Maybe we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I am drawn to books with interesting images or ways of displaying titles. By my standards, this book had a lot to live up to with such an intriguing cover. I needn't have been concerned...the book was as as good as the cover implied...I also think Book Clubs would benefit from Whale Song as readers uncover a wealth of material to discuss."

--Mo Addams, Amazon reviewer
Read more

"Whale Song is a beautifully written novel." - Midwest Book Review

"Whale Song is a beautifully written novel that deals with a controversial subject and combines elements of myth, legend, and family drama...A sad yet uplifting novel, Whale Song is about the fear and innocence of a young girl and about coming to terms with the shocking and painful truth one often must face. Above all, it is a novel about forgiveness and forgiving oneself."

--Reviewer's Choice, Midwest Book Review (Mayra Calvani)

Day 2: Cheryl's 'Touring the World' Virtual Book Tour

A minor glitch at virtualbooktourdenet.blogspot.com has postponed this interview's appearance there, so it is being posted here temporarily.

Karina Fabian of Virtual Book Tour de'Net interviews Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song

1. What inspired you to write Whale Song?

Many years ago, while living on the Queen Charlotte Islands in BC, Canada, I heard a native legend that really appealed to me. The story goes that if you see a killer whale close to shore...

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Cheryl Kaye Tardif 'Visits 3Rs Reading Den on her Virtual Book Tour

This morning, on Day 1 of my 'Touring the World' virtual book tour, I dropped by 3Rs Reading Den for a chat with RJ. Check it out! You never know what you might learn about me, Whale Song or my other novels. And you never know what surprises may lie in wait!

rj: Let’s start off with talking about characters - the creation of & the relationship the character has to the author.

CKT: Characters are often created as extensions of the author. Sometimes, when I write...

3Rs Reading Den