Guest Post: Cheryl Douglas

We'd like to welcome author, Cheryl Douglas, to the Dark Nest today.

Topic: Interview with ‘Fearless’ Heroine, Lexi 

 Author: Cheryl Douglas 

 Series: Nashville Nights 

 Book: Fearless, Book Two 

 Q: You’ve been very successful investing in residential real estate. What can you tell us about your business? 

 I completed my degree and researched the topic exhaustively before I got started. I read everything I could get my hands on, talked to dozens of people, and joined local investment groups, so I really did my homework before I applied for the loan to start the business. Unfortunately, banks were apprehensive, so my brother-in-law, Trey Turner, was kind enough to give me the seed money to get started. Since then it’s grown from a single – unit residential to a portfolio worth several million dollars. 

 Q: You must be very proud of your accomplishments. 

 I am, but it’s come at a steep price. I’m a workaholic. I love what I do, and it’s given me an enormous amount of freedom, but it’s a lot of hard work. Not to mention the fact that reward always comes with a certain amount of risk. My portfolio took a hit due to the recent downturn in the economy, but I know there’s an ebb and flow to these things, so I just have to take a deep breath and ride it out. 

 Q: You mention the freedom the business provides, can you explain? 

 I have a great property management company dealing with the day-to-day tenant and property issues, so I’m free to prospect and look for new properties. Fortunately, I’m able to run my business from anywhere, so I’m free to travel and see a bit of the world. For the first time in my life, I’m actually able to afford those luxuries, so it’s a pretty exciting time for me. 

 Q: Is that your plan, to travel, and see the world? 

 Absolutely! I don’t have any other commitments like a husband or kids to consider, so I can take off whenever the urge strikes. I love having that freedom. 

 Q: Do you think getting married and having kids might be in the cards for you in the near future? 

 (Laughs) I don’t think so. I made the wrong choice once. I was engaged to a man who fooled me into believing he was someone he wasn’t, and that experience turned me into someone I didn’t want to be. Since then, I’ve become a pretty strong, independent woman, and I like it that way. 

 Q: If there were a man capable of changing your mind about marriage, what would he be like?  

(Laughs) Uh, I don’t know, George Clooney, maybe? No seriously, he’d have to be my best friend and soul mate. He’d have to be someone I couldn’t imagine living without in order for me to sacrifice my freedom. 

 Q: So, in other words, you would never say never? 

 I still buy lottery tickets, so obviously I’m a believer in the improbable. Put in this way, I’m more likely to win the lottery than to get married and have a family. 

 Q: Do you like kids? 

 I love kids, other people’s kids. In fact, I’m beyond excited about becoming an auntie soon. 

 Q: Why did you make the decision to move to Nashville recently? 

 Nashville is home. My sister, Sierra, moved back to the area recently and I wanted to be closer to her. I also have some close friends in the area. 

 Q: Any special friends? 

 (Laughs) All of my friends are special. 

 Q: What are your plans for the future, Lexi? 

 My primary focus is growing my business. I want to build something that I can be proud of. Beyond that, I want to spend quality time with my family and friends, travel, experience different cultures, and meet new people. To me, that sounds like the ideal life.

Shameless 

Book #1 Nashville Nights Series 

By Cheryl Douglas 

 Trey Turner may be topping the country music charts but his life has been going downhill since his wife left him five years ago. He’s desperate to make amends for the mistakes he’s made and convince Sierra their love deserves a second chance. Sierra Brooks is happy for the first time since her divorce. She has a career she loves and a fiancé who loves her. Unfortunately, her fiancé isn’t the only man professing his love. He may be able to offer her safety and security but will she decide to risk everything for another chance with the man who broke her heart?

 Amazon  

Fearless 

Book Two Nashville Nights Series 

By Cheryl Douglas 

 Lexi Brooks has overcome adversity to build a successful real estate business that will enable her live life on her terms. The life she envisions includes travel, fun, and excitement, not marriage, kids or commitment. But will Trey’s sexy bodyguard throw a wrench into her plans? Being a cop taught Josh Cooper to take calculated risks, but he’s tired of living with the daily threat of danger. He’s ready to settle down with someone who wants to be a step-mother to his two teenage sons. Too bad Lexi isn’t that woman. She’s smart, sexy, and head-strong, and they’re totally in sync in the bedroom, but she isn’t willing to ‘settle’ for a life of domestic bliss. Or is she?

Amazon

About the Author 

 It took me thirty-seven years to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I thought I'd found my calling. In fact, I worked as a nutritionist for twelve years before I finally admitted to myself that while I enjoyed my work, I couldn't imagine doing it for the next thirty years. 

 My sub-conscious knew that I wanted to be a writer long before the conscious part of my mind decided to get with the program. While my sub- conscious was hard at work creating character profiles, plots and storylines, my conscious mind was telling me it was crazy to give up a successful business on the off-chance one of my manuscripts might rise to the top of someone's never-ending slush pile. After years of listening to that negative voice, I was finally ready to stop making excuses, face the fear and follow my dream of becoming a full-time writer, no matter the outcome. I'm so thankful I did. 

 I love bringing my characters to life and I am so grateful to have readers who love those characters as much as I do. 

 When I take a break from writing it's to spend time with my husband (a.k.a. my real life hero), my son, and my writing partner, Tia, a spirited Havanese who enjoys tapping her paw on my keyboard whenever I need a little comic relief.