Cheryl Mattox Berry

The author

“Everyone has a story, and I love digging for it.”

I’ve always been fascinated by people. I watch them. Eavesdrop. Sometimes, I’ll even strike up a conversation with a stranger. I weave nuggets of other people’s lives into my narratives.

Growing up in the South, I found colorful people, stories and scenes everywhere I went – from Nutbush, Tenn., (home of Tina Turner) to New Orleans, La. I took mental pictures of everything – although I didn’t know why at the time – and summon them when I sit down to write.

Here’s My Story

Just Released

Memphis Blues

By Cheryl Mattox Berry

Set during the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike that led to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memphis Blues delves into the intertwined lives of three people – a prominent doctor, his homely wife and the beautiful country girl who becomes entangled in his sordid life.
 
Here’s How to Order

$15.00

WREG-TV – Memphis, Live Appearance

Enjoy a Book Signing

CAPITAL SINS

COMING February 2019

In the highly competitive world of TV news in Washington, D.C., Jan Malone has set her sights on the main anchor’s job, but things don’t always go as planned for this savvy newswoman.

She thinks Finn Thornton, a U.S. Senator being groomed for the White House, can salvage her career. However, she soon learns that Finn has a shady side and can’t be trusted.

To take her mind off her troubles, Jan and her best friend, Kelly Mahoney, take a trip to Senegal, where they meet  Abdou Nyassi, who wines and dines the women.

He later pops up in D.C., and announces plans to open an art gallery. Despite his claims of wealth, diplomatic ties and social connections, he persuades the women to be partners in his venture.

Is Abdou a con man or an entrepreneur?

When Jan hears some disturbing news about him, she enlists Kelly and her street-smart friend, Darius Hooks, to help her investigate Abdou. The information they discover about his past links him to Capitol Hill and puts Jan in danger. She finds out who her real friends are when her life is on the line.

Miami Book Fair: This New Author Makes 1st Appearance

 

For years, I attended the Miami Book Fair, a major event that attracts hundreds of authors and thousands of book lovers. I used to drag my kids down to the Miami Dade College campus so they could enjoy activities in the Kids Zone. One year, I introduced one of my favorite authors.

This year – the 35th Annual Miami Book - was especially exciting because I was invited to discuss my debut novel, “Memphis Blues,” on Nov. 18.

I felt right at home on the stage that I shared with author Nadine Gonzalez, who has penned two novels, “Unconditionally Mine” (Miami Dreams) and “Exclusively Yours” (Miami Dreams.)

Many of my friends, sorority sisters from Alpha Kappa Alpha and members of the Dade County Chapter of The Links were in attendance.

After I gave the audience a synopsis of “”Memphis Blues,” I read an excerpt from the novel and shared how I developed the plot and characters. The Q&A came next. Several people in the audience dream of writing a book, and I encouraged them to sit down and just do it.

The best part of the day was the book signing, where I got a chance to meet what I hope will be a legion of new fans.