Inspired by her time as an Army Officer during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, as well as her time spent in Puerto Rico and her hometown of Kissimmee, Cherisa I. Jerez has written her debut novel, "At the Island’s Edge", about a single mother who returns to her native Puerto Rico with her son to heal from the trauma of war.
“As a writer, I want my stories to positively promote Latin culture, real-life struggles that deeply affect our society, and representation of people of color and people with disabilities.” Jerez said.
Jerez is a proud Latina who was born in Miami. Her mother, a native New Yorker, blessed her with both Puerto Rican and Irish roots, while her father, a Cuban immigrant, inspired her to embrace the culture of the Caribbean. These multicultural influences, while growing up on the West Texas border in El Paso, have shaped her desire to bring Latina and Latino characters to life in her stories. After graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso, she commissioned as a signal officer in the US Army and rose to the rank of Major before transitioning out of the military, according to www.cijerezbooks.com.
"I poured all of my favorite moments on the island with the friends I made there into this novel,” Jerez said about her time in Puerto Rico, the setting where her debut novel takes place. “I knew writing this story was a way of writing a letter of love and thanks to an island that’s always embraced me with wide, open arms.”
‘At the Island’s Edge’ is about a combat medic, Lina LaSalle who went to Iraq to save the lives of fellow soldiers. But when her convoy is attacked, she must set aside her identity as a healer and take a life herself. Although she is honored as a hero when she returns to the US, Lina cannot find her footing.
Stricken with PTSD and unsure of how to support her young son, Teó, a little boy with Tourette’s. Her attempts to self-medicate become harder to hide and Lina realizes she must do the toughest thing yet: ask for help. Retreating to her parents’ house in Puerto Rico, where Teó thrives under her family’s care. Lina finds kinship, too— with a cousin whose dreams were also shattered by the war and with a handsome and caring veteran who sought refuge on the island and runs a neighborhood bar.
“I knew I had an opportunity to honor the complexities of that journey, especially by incorporating cultural dynamics and a child with special needs into the storyline. This book is a tribute to honor the more than 300,000 women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan alone, in addition to all the women who came before in each of our nation’s wars.” Jerez said.
Since 2022, ‘At the Island’s Edge’, has undergone an impactful transformation forged through the experiences Jerez has faced and the help she has gained throughout the years from friends throughout the country. Through expanding on the experiences and challenges Lina faces from parenting and class disparities, to PTSD and addiction, Jerez has created a brilliantly complex story through the eyes of many diverse characters that will connect with readers driving home that community can help the journey towards healing.
"Then when I had to determine the catalyst in Lina’s life that would help shape her journey toward healing, I kept coming back to a place that has always brought me such peace and safety—the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.” Jerez said.
Jerez said she knows the importance of writing stories based on complex topics and themes that both entertain and possibly offer a newfound perspective. Her tagline, "Where Storytelling Makes an Impact," hones in on the significance of storytelling and the impact that results when giving readers insight into the struggles and lives of others.
“I hope this novel gives readers an insight into the realities of what wartime experiences might be like for women in combat, particularly the mothers with younger children. I also hope readers, enjoy the journey with an entirely unique perspective on the beauty of Puerto Rico, its culture, and everything the island has to offer.” Jerez exclaimed.
‘At the Island’s Edge’ by C. I. Jerez can be found on Cherisa’s Jerez’s website or through Amazon.
