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.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Become a Character in SUBMERGED, a heart-stopping thriller by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Ever wonder what it would be like to have a character in a novel named after you? Ever secretly harbor that need to be 'famous'...or 'infamous'?

Well, here's your chance!

In conjunction with Family Productions Inc. the show producers for the Edmonton Woman's Show, mystery author Cheryl Kaye Tardif is participating in a...

Become a Character in a Novel Contest.

Cheryl is about to start her new thriller...SUBMERGED. It is the story of a man submerged in his past--a past of weakness and drug addiction. It is the tale of a man haunted by his own failings and SUBMERGED in guilt after the death of his wife and child. SUBMERGED explores our human failings and the possibility that our 'sins' can be forgiven. Maybe there is redemption after all.

Enter the contest here.

Contest rules.

NOTE: When you enter this contest, you have the chance to have your name selected as a winner for either Cheryl's novel or for one of the other authors participating. You cannot specify authors. But regardless, you will be able to see your name in print! Good luck! :) CKT

Friday, January 26, 2007

Special Screening of the 3-Day Novel Contest: The Series

Ok...first, I must confess that I am a reality TV fan. Ok, don't shoot me or call 911 just yet. I have my favorites and can live without the rest. For me, the hit TV show Survivor has reigned supreme since it's inception. And I will even admit to following along with The Amazing Race for a few seasons--especially when Rob and Amber from Survivor were on. And I'm an Idol Fan--Canadian and American. And yes, I voted for Eva Avila!

Reality shows are big! And they're addictive.

But there's a new kid in town! A new kind of "Survivor". And it's one I can identify with.

The 3-Day Novel Contest: The Series. "12 Writers, 12 Novels, 72 Hours".

The 3-Day Novel contest is the most grueling challenge a writer can face. I've heard it be said that one would have to be "crazy" to want to submit themselves to that kind of mental anguish and stress. Well, grab me a straightjacket! Purple preferably.

Last September, over the Labour Day weekend, 12 contestants gathered together at the South Point Chapters in Edmonton, Alberta, which by the way is the same store that will be hosting my Whale Song Book Launch in April. (See? I knew I could segue that in!)

I had entered the contest last year and applied to be a contestant, but (maybe mercifully) was not selected to participate. Instead, I appeared on the new TV reality show series, A Total Write-Off, which was a total blast. However, I did attend last night's special screening of the first episode of the 3-Day Novel Contest reality show, which premieres on BookTelevision, one of my sponsors for the Whale Song Book Launch (segue #2), on Sundays at 7:30 MT/9:30 ET.

In the back of South Point Chapters, rows of chairs were set up in front of a big screen TV and we enjoyed an excellent array of catered munchies. And then the show began with an introduction from Tate, the show's producer.

My first impression was: Wow, awesome photography and a great mix of suspenseful music! My second impression was: Oh my God...what those poor people endured!

Well, since I won't be giving away much here, you're just going to have to check it out for yourselves. This aint your momma's reality TV show...and it aint for woosies!

Ok, so there weren't the physical challenges, like running an obstacle course as in Survivor or racing through a muddy swamp as in The Amazing Race. But the mental challenges that faced these writers are not to be taken lightly.

[]Imagine trying to write a novel in three days.

[]Imagine living with 12 other people (ok, Big Brother move over!) while trying to write.

[]Imagine sleeping in bunk beds in one room...with a snorer, or two. (They have no idea what life would have been like if I had been accepted because apparently--although I will deny it--I snore like a forest filled with logging trucks.)

[]Imagine being in a huge bookstore overnight that is haunted by a ghost! Hey, the people working there claim it's a co-worker who passed on and doesn't like people disturbing the books. So she knocks them off the shelves herself every now and then and unplugs the vacuums just to be mischievous.

[]Imagine staring at a blank computer screen, waiting for the right words...any words...one word.

[]And imagine sitting next to someone who constantly hummed (and not in tune apparently) while working. (Ok, another reason why they should be damned happy I wasn't accepted...but at least I can hum and sing in tune! And you know who else can sing in tune? The wonderful, fabulous Alexia Melnychuk, who will be performing at my Whale Song Book Launch on April 7, 2007...yup, another segue.)

Meet the 12 contestants of the 3-Day Novel Contest: The Series
* Timothy Anderson, a "starving artist", student and published novelist, worked on a novel titled Juggernaut. I'm thinking that Timothy may have reeked a little havoc on his fellow writers...a bit of troublemaker, perhaps? Guess we'll have to watch and see.
* Ali Riley, a community rehab worker and book reviewer (hmmm, maybe I can get her to review Whale Song) from Nanton, AB, wrote a novel titled Hag. This is one witty woman!
* Darren Zenko, a freelance writer and radio host/DJ (If you interview me on your radio show I'll give away a copy of Whale Song:) from Edmonton, AB, who wrote a novel titled The Perpendiculars. This young man has a penchant for drinking out of goblets--and I don't think it was water!
* Catherine Ford, a retired journalist for the Calgary Herald from Calgary, AB, wrote The Pine Street Conspiracy. Now she knows how to write a 25-word tagline or synopsis!
* Tyler Morency, a copy editor, proofreader and journalist from Edmonton, AB, wrote The Strange Ballad of Curtis Aberdeen. He's the young puppy of the group.
* Mar'ce Merrell, a writing teacher and children's chapter book author from Edmonton, AB, wrote Drive Carefully. Entering this contest was her 40th birthday gift to herself (uh, Mar'ce, you may want to try a root canal next time; it may be less painful and stress free :)
* Felicia Pacentrilli, a student, poet and actor from Calgary, AB, wrote Quote Me. This bubbly redhead had never entered this contest before.
* Mark John Hiemstra, a cook and avid blogger from Jasper, AB, wrote The Most Beautiful Noose. Here is a guy who has risen above a past of drugs and living on the street. KUDOS, Mark John!
* Jill Battson, a poet born in the UK who now resides in Guelph, ON, wrote The Design of Everyday Things. This woman is one tough cookie!
* Wayne Arthurson, a writer and published novelist from Edmonton, AB, wrote Fuzzy Logic. This guy's done everything from working as a security guard to a house painter to a clown and a punk rock drummer.
* Laura Kjolby, a graphic artist from Vanocuver, BC, wrote Cured. I'm wondering if it's the story of a writer who entered a grueling writing competition and decided never to do it again.
* Ron Yamauchi states his profession as a Crown representative. This "ex-punk musician/government officer/freelance critic" from Vancouver, BC, wrote MEOW: A Thriller on Four Legs. He has attempted the 3-Day Novel contest twice in the past.

And then there are the three judges: Todd Babiuk, a novelist and journalist for the Edmonton Journal; Jenn Farrell, author, freelance writer and editor; and Minister Faust, author and freelance writer.

And last but not least, the host of the show, Kim Clarke Champniss, whose successes include being cast in the role of the alien child in the sci-fi classic Village of the Damned, managing the band Images in Vogue, and interviewing varaious bands such as U2 and The Sex Pistols.

On behalf of the viewers who were invited to this private screening, thanks to Rachel Sentes, the wonderful manager of Chapters South Point. This gal knows how to put on an EVENT! I don't know where she gets her energy, but as an author who's had the pleasure of working with her, I admire her dedication to everything she plans. I can't wait until my book launch! Oh, and in case I forgot to mention, it's the Whale Song Book Launch, held at Chapters South Point, Edmonton, AB, on April 7th from 7:00 - 9:30 pm. It's going to be Edmonton's BIGGEST and BEST BOOK LAUNCH ever!

For more information on air dates and times for the 3-Day Novel series, please go here.

View the trailer here.

Don't forget to check out my new website for information about my Whale Song Book Launch!

And for those of you who just can't get enough of reality TV, be sure to check out my fellow Kunati author Derek Armstrong and his tongue-in-cheek thriller The Game, a novel that takes a hard look at reality TV.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Whale Song Featured in Publishers Weekly - Spring 2007

Exciting news to share...the kind that makes me say: "Cheryl, you've finally made it to the big leagues!" :)

The Spring 2007 edition of Publishers Weekly lists Whale Song in the category of
Trade Paperbacks: Fiction/General & Short Stories

Whale Song has the honor of launching the UNA trade paperback imprint from Kunati Books. This means that my novel is their first published paperback. And Whale Song is one of 8 Kunati covers featured on the back cover of Publishers Weekly.


Click on this link: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6408830.html and scroll down to the Whale Song listing under "Kunati".

And don't forget to pre-order Whale Song right now to ensure you get one of the first copies!

It's ON SALE for only $10.36 US and if you order 3 copies, you'll get FREE SHIPPING!

Whale Song makes a wonderful Mother's Day gift!!

Now...time to celebrate! Time to relax and watch CSI...while I wait for my copy of Forensics for Dummies to arrive. :)

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

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Cheryl Interviewed by Tony Kay - Authors-First

Well, I must tell you that I just finished an extremely exciting interview tonight on Authors-First with Tony Kay, at www.artistfirst.com. ArtistFirst Radio Network, an independent, online radio broadcaster, is celebrating their 10th year and I wish them all the best.

I found Tony's questions to be very insightful, and he did a great job of keeping me in line and on topic! (Because anyone who knows me also knows that if you ask me about writing or my novels, I could talk forever. :)

If you've come to my site because of ArtistFirst Radio, please sign my guestbook and let me know. I was very pleased at the opportunity to share just a bit of my passion of writing, and give you a sneak peek at Whale Song, which releases April 2007.

Don't forget to pre-order and reserve your copy now. Right now, it's on sale! (And it isn't even on the shelves yet :)

To order Whale Song, go HERE.

To check out my main website, please visit http://www.cherylktardif.com.

My other blogs:
http://www.writetype.blogspot.com (I think I goofed in the interview and said 'the writetype.blogspot...sorry)
http://www.criminalmindsatwork.blogspot.com

If you are a fan or aspiring author, please don't hesitate to email me at cheryl@kunati.com.

If you are looking for self-publishing options, please see these companies:
http://www.infinitypublishing.com
http://www.trafford.com

I have the honor of being both self-published and traditionally published. Please check out my new and fabulous publisher, Kunati Books, the publisher of Whale Song. http://www.kunati.com

Thank you, TONY! That was fun! I had a great time and would love to come back. Perhaps once I hear back from Hollywood that they're taking Whale Song, giving me a cameo and paying me an unheard of amount for a Canadian author...lol :)

My motto: Dare to Dream...and DREAM BIG!
And if that doesn't work, DREAM BIGGER!!

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif

An Eagle for Jason

Well, I made it through the roughest month! I can't believe I did. January was a month I've been dreading since probably November. This is the month with nothing but bittersweet reminders of my youngest brother's murder, and it's been really hard.

January 7th was the memorial held in Edmonton for all the people who had died in Edmonton over the past year, those who had lived in the inner city--and my brother Jason was one of them.

January 15th was Jay's birthday. He would have been 29 this year. Just a baby. Always a baby. Forever my baby.

January 23rd was the 1 year anniversary of his murder. A year ago, Jason Kaye was found beaten in a dark alley in downtown east. He was Edmonton's third homicide of 2006, a year that ended up being one of our deadliest.

Today, well, yesterday now since it's 1:30 in the AM, I spoke with my mother in Vancouver, my dad in Victoria and my other brother Derek in Trenton. We've all been feeling the burden and stress of this month. Of our memories.

But then my dad shared a story today that made me smile. If you go on Jason's website, you can read how he and my dad used to watch for bald eagles, and how my dad saw some soaring overhead just after Jason's death last year. This was unusual because he no longer lives in an area that sees them often.

Well, today when my dad got home from work, and just before I called him, he was standing outside, visiting the hummingbirds that usually would be gone but haven't left for about a year. He was thinking of Jason...remembering.

My dad looked up...and what did he see?

One lone bald eagle soaring high above the house. And then it disappeared.

There is no doubt...it was Jason, coming to say he remembers too.

*******************

I have remembered Jason in a very special way. I have dedicated Whale Song to him...and 5% of my royalties will go each to three inner city organizations to help those less fortunate.

Order your copy of Whale Song now and become part of something greater.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Whale Song Book Launch Tour - April 2007

April 2007 ~ Alberta , Canada
April 7th The Whale Song Book Launch ~ A KILLER Whale of a Launch Party
Where: Chapters – South Point, 3227 Calgary Trail, Edmonton
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Catered munchies, sensational entertainment, fabulous door prizes
Event sponsored in part by West Edmonton Mall, BookTelevision and more.

April 12th Whale Song Book Tour begins with this book signing
Where: Coles – Southgate Shopping Centre, 111 St & 51 Ave, Edmonton
Time: 12 noon to 4:00 pm

April 13th Book signing for Whale Song Book Tour
Where: Coles – Londonderry Mall, 137 Ave & 66 St, Edmonton
Time: 12 noon to 4:00 pm

April 14th Authors’ Row at the Edmonton Woman’s Show
Where: Northlands Agri-Com, Hall A, Edmonton
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
http://www.woman.edmontonshows.com/ and http://www.authorsrow.com/

April 15th Authors’ Row at the Edmonton Woman’s Show
Where: Northlands Agri-Com, Hall A, Edmonton
Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
http://www.woman.edmontonshows.com/ and www.authorsrow.com

April 18th Book signing for Whale Song Book Tour
Where: Audrey's Books, 10702 Jasper Ave, Edmonton
Time: 12 noon to 2:00 pm

April 19th Book signing for Whale Song Book Tour
Where: Chapters – Whyte Ave , 10504-82 Ave, Edmonton
Time: 12 noon to 5:00 pm

April 20th Book signing for Whale Song Book Tour
Where: Coles – Northgate Mall, 9499-137 Ave, Edmonton
Time: 12 noon to 4:00 pm

April 21st Book signing for Whale Song Book Tour
Where: Chapters – West Side , 9952-170 St, Edmonton
Time: 12 noon to 4:00 pm

April 22nd Book signing for Whale Song Book Tour
Where: Coles – West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton
Time: 12 noon to 4:00 pm

April 26th Book signing for Whale Song Book Tour
Where: Coles – Millwoods Town Centre, Edmonton
Time: 12 noon to 4:00 pm

More to be announced soon!

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Cheryl Kaye Tardif - Interviewed on Novel Journey Blog

Please check out the new interview on the Novel Journey blog. I was recently interviewed by Gina Holmes, "an author on a mission". Not only was it a fun interview, her questions were insightful and challenging. Thanks, Gina!

Here's a sneak peek:

Tell us about your journey to publication. How long had you been writing before you got the call you had a contract, how you heard and what went through your head.

People ask me all the time, “When did you start writing?” I honestly don’t remember NOT writing. As a teen, I wrote for a weekly BC newspaper. I made $5.00/week for my small column on the happenings of my town. When I was 16, I wrote my first...

Read the entire interview.

Also, be sure to check out my fellow Kunati author Derek Armstrong and his "dark, tongue-in-cheek thriller" The Game.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Assisted Suicide: The Topic of Films and Books


A person's right to die has been the focus of many movies and books over the years, including the award winning film Million Dollar Baby and the highly anticipated 2007 release of Whale Song, the 'assisted suicide novel' by Canadian author Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

/24-7PressRelease/ - EDMONTON, AB, CANADA, January 15, 2007 - A person's right to die has been the focus of many movies over the years, including award winning films Million Dollar Baby, starring Hilary Swank and Clint Eastwood, and The Sea Inside, directed by Alejandro AmenĂ¡bar, and EXIT: The Right to Die, an advocacy piece filmed in Switzerland.

The literary world has also addressed the topic of assisted suicide. Unplugged: Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America and Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying, are non-fiction books that explore the topic in great detail. And April 2007 (just two months before the release of the infamous 'Dr. Death' a.k.a. Jack Kevorkian) sees the release of Whale Song, the highly anticipated 'assisted suicide novel' by Canadian author Cheryl Kaye Tardif. Whale Song is a work of fiction that was called "moving...sweet and sad" by Booklist.

Read the rest of this press release.

More info on Whale Song.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Author of controversial novel Whale Song to be interviewed on radio shows

Mystery author Cheryl Kaye Tardif to guest on Internet Voices Radio on Monday, January 15th, 2007, with host Lillian Cauldwell. The interview will air at 4:30 EST. Cheryl will be discussing her upcoming new release Whale Song. For more information, please visit: www.whalesongbook.com.

To listen to broadcast: www.internetvoicesradio.com


Mystery author Cheryl Kaye Tardif to guest on ArtistFirst Radio Network on Wednesday, January 24th, 2007, with a re-broadcast on April 3rd. Both dates will air at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Cheryl will be discussing her upcoming new release Whale Song. For more information, please visit: www.whalesongbook.com.

To listen to broadcasts: www.artistfirst.com

Sponsors for The Whale Song Book Launch

Thank you to the following local sponsors who have provided services & door prizes:

And don't forget to check out my fellow Kunati author Ric Wasley's fast paced new novel, Shadow of Innocence.

The Newport Folk Festival provides a groovy backdrop for this fun and exciting mystery set in the music and drug soaked sixties. The Baby Boomers and everyone else are sure to enjoy this appealing mystery featuring a pair of musician partners in love and danger.

Don't miss Shadow of Innocence from Kunati Publishing.
Available now for pre-order at Amazon.com.

West Edmonton Mall Sponsors Whale Song Book Launch


West Edmonton Mall, "the greatest indoor show on Earth", has sponsored
The Whale Song Book Launch ~ A KILLER Whale of a Launch Party

In support of Edmonton mystery author Cheryl Kaye Tardif and her new April release Whale Song, West Edmonton Mall will be providing World Waterpark passes and optional attraction passes as door prize items to be given away during the launch.

The Whale Song Book Launch will be held at Chapters - South Point, in Edmonton, AB, on Saturday, April 7th, 2007, from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

Catered munchies, great entertainment provided by local musicians and singers, and fabulous door prizes will make this the "BIGGEST and BEST book launch Edmonton has ever seen".

For more information about Cheryl Kaye Tardif, please visit www.cherylktardif.com.

For information on Whale Song, see www.whalesongbook.com.

Visit West Edmonton Mall's site at www.westedmontonmall.com.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Press Release: Edmonton Author Cheryl Kaye Tardif Announces Donations to Hope Mission, the Bissell Centre and the Mustard Seed Church

At a special memorial service for residents of Hope Mission and others in the Edmonton community who have died, author Cheryl Kaye Tardif announced donations of a percentage of royalties from Whale Song to three inner city organizations that help inner city residents...

Read the full release.

Memorial for Cheryl Kaye Tardif's brother, Jason Kaye, and for others who died in Edmonton


On January 7, 2007, a special memorial service was held at Hope Mission in Edmonton, Alberta, for all people who had died on or around Edmonton streets and those who had used the services of Hope Mission.

And Jason Kaye was one of them.


Below is the eulogy and announcement made by Jason's sister and Edmonton author, Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

My name is Cheryl Kaye Tardif and I am the sister of Jason Kaye, Edmonton’s third homicide last January. Jason was a young man, only 28 when he died, who struggled with alcohol and depression. We tried to be there for him and never gave up hope that he’d turn his life around. Until he was murdered and left to die alone.

As a teen, Jason was a red-headed computer genius, who had so much potential. As an adult, he was always the jokester and would give his shirt off his back to help a friend. Since his death, we have heard so many heartening stories from some of his wonderful friends, and this comforts us to know that he was not alone, even though he had cut himself off from family.


It was difficult for the police to track us down, since my last name is not the same and we’re the only family Jason had in Edmonton. But Jason had told his friends that his sister was an author who had written a book about whales. That’s how the police found me. Whale Song, a novel, was the only book of mine that my brother had ever read, and this April it will be re-released, bigger and better, with a special dedication to my brother. Whale Song is Jason’s book now...

Read Cheryl's special announcement that will affect Hope Mission, the Mustard Seed Church and the Bissell Center. Click here.

Friday, January 05, 2007

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Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Can ‘Dr. Death’, a.k.a. Jack Kevorkian, Keep His Resolution Not to Assist in Deaths?

Since Whale Song has a strong controversial element, the topic of assisted suicide, I'be been doing some research on the subject...

In five months, the infamous ‘Dr. Death’ will be released from prison and will be on probation for two years, where Jack Kevorkian will be closely monitored and expected to fulfill his promise to the court to not participate in any way in any assisted suicide. Kevorkian has claimed responsibility in assisting at least 130 deaths in the United States.

For eight years, the 78-year-old retired pathologist has been imprisoned for his crimes in the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan. According to prison authorities, his defiance and flagrantly vocal disregard for the law have changed and he no longer spouts contempt for society and the legal system. Kevorkian now says that he should have worked to change the system legally.

In April 1999, just prior to being convicted, Kevorkian told Jack Lessenberry, ombudsman for The Blade, “Now I’ve got them where I want them.” His revolutionary statements to the public and media, and his obvious disdain for the laws have made his name synonymous with assisted suicide. At one time, he was one of the most famous US personalities.

Dr. Death’s reign began in June 1990 with the assisted suicide of ...

Read the full press release.

Then discuss it at the Whale Song Forum.

*And don't forget to check out my fellow Kunati author Ric Wasley's fast paced new novel, Shadow of Innocence.

The Newport Folk Festival provides a groovy backdrop for this fun and exciting mystery set in the music and drug soaked sixties. The Baby Boomers and everyone else are sure to enjoy this appealing mystery featuring a pair of musician partners in love and danger.

Don't miss Shadow of Innocence from Kunati Publishing.
Available now for pre-order at Amazon.com.

Booklist Reviews WHALE SONG, a Novel that Explores Assisted Suicide


Well, here we are. It's 2007, January 2nd to be precise, and already my year is looking stunning and exciting. Everything started with an email from my publisher announcing that Whale Song had been reviewed by the esteemed Booklist.


And here are just a few things they said:

"Moving..."
"Sweet and sad..."

This has made my year already! :)

To Mary Frances Wilkens, Booklist's gracious reviewer...I wish you the very best year and I hope you can feel how happy you have made one humble author...and the year has just begun.

To read the full review, please go HERE!

The Assisted Suicide Controversy

Here's a question from my Whale Song Forum. Please follow the link to the site to answer.

If someone you loved was suffering from chronic pain, with very little chance of survival and only a painful, traumatic death to look forward to, could you see the possibility of assisted suicide?

Monday, January 01, 2007

Criminal Minds at Work Blog

Ok, ok, so I admit it. I'm a bloggin' addict! I need another blog like I need a hole in the head. Wait! I guess I needed the hole in the head then too. Anyone have a drill?? :)

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hannibal Lector and I'll be making dinner tonight. You bring the wine...

Announcing...a new blog featuring numerous talented crime writers. It was officially set up January 1, 2007, so please be patient...we'll be posting soon.

Feel free to check out our...