Published author of 4 novels:
WHALE SONG (2007, Kunati Books)
THE RIVER (2005 Trafford Publishing)
DIVINE INTERVENTION (2004 Trafford Publishing)
WHALE SONG (2003 Trafford Publishing; out of print)

I write commercial fiction--suspense, mystery, horror and crime. My published novels range from emotional coming-of-age mystery (WHALE SONG) to paranormal suspense thriller (DIVINE INTERVENTION) to 'run-for-your-life' conspiracy thriller (THE RIVER).

My goal is to always write stories that make people think, and controversial social issues (like assisted suicide, bullying, racism, alcoholism, murder, kidnapping, child abuse, stem cell research) are prevalent in my work.

Major influences: Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Michael Crichton, Sandra Brown, Kay Hooper and Lisa Jackson.

Film rights:
Whale Song film rights may be pursued through www.Kunati.com. Whale Song is being read by numerous film companies, including some from Hollywood. I also have a completed movie treatment and screenplay available--contact me directly for those.

The River and Divine Intervention film rights are available. Both are suitable for major motion pictures or TV movies. Divine Intervention would also make a unique TV series. No deals yet.

WHALE SONG book trailer (click twice):

REVIEWS for Whale Song:
"Moving...perennially crowd-pleasing combination of sweet and sad." --BOOKLIST
"Deep and true, a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart...a beautiful, haunting novel." --Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author
"A beautifully written novel that deals with a controversial subject and combines elements of myth, legend, and family drama...A sad yet uplifting novel." --Midwest Book Review
"A tough act to follow for any written genre." --Fresh Fiction
"A wonderfully well-written novel. Wonderful characters [that] shine. The settings are exquisitely described. The writing is lyrical." --Writer's Digest
"A wise, enchanting story." --Edmonton Examiner
"I stopped reading Harry Potter 7 to read [Whale Song]." --Amanda Richards, Amazon Top 100 Reviewer

REVIEWS for Cheryl Kaye Tardif:
"Tardif, already a hit in Canada...a name to reckon with south of the border." --BOOKLIST
"Tadif specializes in mile-a-minute pot-boiler mysteries." --Edmonton Sun

Professional Memberships:
Canadian Authors Association (CAA)- Professional member
Writers Guild of Alberta (WGA)
Crime Writers of Canada (CWC)
Women in Film & Television Alberta (WIFTA)
Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI)
Sisters in Crime (SinC)

"I was the General Manger at Indigo Books and Music for 5 years and as a result, I had the opportunity to host many book signings by local and touring authors alike. I am very pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Cheryl Kaye Tardif. Cheryl was a pleasure to work with professionally and it was clear to me that my staff and customers felt the same way. She takes her job as an entrepreneur, writer, and sales rep very seriously and she stands out in many ways from most of the authors I had the opportunity to work with. She looks the part, and is consistently prepared for signings, from the professional signage to the tablecloth and the pen for autographs! She is friendly, approaches customers and staff with ease, and this always results in a successful signing. I have read both 'Whale Song' and more recently 'The River' and loved them! I've been very happy to recommend these titles to my customers, and that is the best part of all. I found working with Cheryl Tardif a great inspiration and I know she would be a successful addition to any roster."

~ Alexia Melnychuk, Former General Manager, Indigo Books and Music #290, South Edmonton Common, Edmonton, AB.

"Cheryl Kaye Tardif's visit to the Strathcona County Library was both entertaining and informative. Reading from her best-sellers, Whale Song, The River, and Divine Intervention, Cheryl gripped the attention of the attendees, drawing them into her suspenseful plot lines. Cheryl's open discussion about her writing inspirations and styles was informative and from the heart. The event was extremely successful and was a real treat for the Strathcona County Library Patrons. Thank-you Cheryl!!"

~ Angela Binnie, Adult Services, Strathcona County Library, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada

See my publisher's PM page

WHALE SONG - I took on a special project last year--connecting authors as sponsors for Alliance for Children's Enrichment. Every year ACE publishes a teen Christmas wish list in the Times-Herald. Last November, I discovered that my name and books were requested by a teen living in poverty in Georgia.

I was touched by this simple request, immediately sent out a package to ACE and then decided to do even more. I contacted other authors on this list, plus various publishers, book reviewers and more, and I blogged about it and sent out press releases, even hiring a publicist. ACE received numerous emails and their phone was "ringing off the hook".

It was a wonderful experience! ACE heard from authors who sponsored a child or two. I was featured on the front cover of the Times-Herald (go to the news page and scroll down). The story appeared in the December 2, 2007 issue. The most recent update (Dec. 11/07) appears HERE. I was also interviewed for the Edmonton Journal, CBC-Radio and I appeared on CityTV's "Celebrity Chefs" show.

I have completed my next suspense thriller--Children of the Fog.

I am now working on Divine Justice, book 2 in the Divine series.

~ WHALE SONG (Novel - ISBN: 1601640072 or 9781601640079); a percentage of my royalties goes to 3 nonprofit organizations to help combat poverty, homelessness and addictions.

~ JaysPorchMonkeys.com - a memorial website dedicated to my brother Jason who was murdered in 2006.

~ Journalist for two BC newspapers
~ Journalism/Short Story Writing course - graduated with Highest Honours and a 96% average
~ Motivational speaker for well-known international company for 2 years
~ Successfully self-employed for many years; entrepreneurial spirit
~ Taught creative writing courses to teens
~ Nominated in 2004 for the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award
~ Winner of a PSA contest. My PSA on anti-racism was produced and aired across Alberta
~ Participant in a 2006 reality TV game show for writers - A Total Write-Off! which aired across Canada
~ Presenter for schools, libraries, writers' conferences in Canada and the US
~ Recently taught a men's creative writing workshop to men with addictions

Projects available:
CHILDREN OF THE FOG (novel; suspense thriller/horror; complete - 76,000 words; 2 page synopsis available)

Tagline:
SADIE O’CONNELL has ten seconds to make a decision that no mother should ever have to make: let a madman kidnap her mute, six-year-old son SAM, or watch him die.

Summary:
SADIE O’CONNELL has ten seconds to make a decision that no mother should ever have to make: let a madman kidnap her mute, six-year-old son SAM, or watch him die.

When the serial abductor assaults Sadie and threatens that if she tells a soul she saw his face, he’ll send Sam back to her in “little bloody pieces”, she has no choice but to agree.

Then her unfaithful husband PHILIP stumbles across a drawing and sets into play a series of horrific events that sends her hurtling over the edge.

2-page SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE
SAMPLE CHAPTERS AVAILABLE
FULL MANUSCRIPT AVAILABLE

Projects in progress:
Novels:
DIVINE JUSTICE (novel; book 2 in the Divine series; paranormal suspense)
SUBMERGED (novel; suspense thriller)
THE 6th PLAGUE (novel; suspense thriller/horror)

Nonfiction
KISSED BY AN ANGEL: 12 Steps to Surviving the Death of a Child (nonfiction, health, grief)