Six Months in Review

There is nothing like a vacation that gives you time to reflect on your life and a reminder to count your blessings. I just spent an amazing week and one day (thanks to hurricane Sandy) on a Caribbean cruise relaxing; celebrating ten years of marriage to my wonderful husband; and thinking about the past few months of my writing career. I can’t believe it’s been six months since I self-published my first novel! It’s been a wild, and at times, an exhausting ride – but I have no complaints. So let me tell you about the last six months.

April 24th

I released my debut novel: Something New, an “edgy” sweet romance.

April 25th

My first short story, Best Woman for the Job, a contemporary romance, was not only published, but was “FREE” for the first three days. There were over 500 downloads within those three days!

May 2012

Best Woman for the Job became an All Romance ebook best seller.

June 2012

In knowing that the sky is the limit and believing that I’d be publishing books for many, many more years to come, I formed a LLC publishing company. Figured it would also be a good move come tax time. NOTE: This company is only publishing books by Sharon C. Cooper.

Something New, made the Amazon’s top 100 Best Seller list in Multi-cultural Romance.

Best Woman for the Job, made Amazon’s top 100 Best Seller list in Multi-cultural Romance.

July 2012

I self-published my second novel, Blue Roses (Book 1 of the Reunited Series), a romantic suspense.

Something New made Amazon’s top 50 Best Seller list in Multi-cultural Romance and the top 100 in both Religious Romance and African American Literature.

I was contacted by a senior editor from the country’s largest traditional publisher of category romance! I’ll tell you more about this in months to come.

August 2012

Something New and Blue Roses are now in paperback!

Blue Roses made Amazon’s top 100 Best Sellers list in Multi-Cultural Romance.

I mapped out my next book series – the Jenkins Family Series. Best Woman for the Job is the prequel for this five book series. Stay tuned – more information about this series coming January 2013.

September 2012

I outlined two new titles (contemporary romances). Stay tuned – more information to come -summer 2013.

October 2012

Released my second short story, Secret Rendezvous a romantic suspense and the prequel to my next novel, Rendezvous with Danger.  Secret Rendezvous is a “FREE” read – visit my website to find out how to get your copy. www.sharoncooper.net

Something New has been on Amazon’s top 100 Best Sellers list in Multi-cultural Romance for five months!

****

As I reflect on the last six months, I’m reminded that I didn’t get here alone. I am so thankful to my mentors, critique partners, family, friends and readers. Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement! It’s been a wonderful ride and I’m looking forward to the next six months!

Stay tuned…

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Secret Rendezvous – Release Day

Secret Rendezvous is now available – and it’s FREE!

As most of you know, Secret Rendezvous is the short story prequel to Rendezvous with Danger (Book 2 of the Reunited Series). Download your “FREE” e-copy today! Right now you can download an e-copy from Smashwords (in all formats – Kindle, Nook, etc) or you can download a copy from All Romance ebooks also in all formats. FYI -Smashwords usually sends a copy to Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Sony, etc. They should be available at those sites in the next few days. The short story is also on Amazon.com, but it’s 99 cents. I’m working on getting it free on their site as well.

Below is a short blurb of what Secret Rendezvous is about, and an excerpt from one of the scenes. Once you download your free copy, you’ll also get a sneak peek at Rendezvous with Danger (Chapter One).

Blurb

Former Navy SEAL, Quinn Hamilton, is a special operative for the U.S. government and has been secretly dating CIA counter-intelligence officer, Alandra Pargas, for eight months. She’s brilliant, excited by danger, and the sexiest woman he’s ever known. Together they are a force to be reckoned with – inside and outside of the bedroom. But while Alandra is on assignment in Guerrero, Mexico, she’s captured by the country’s most dangerous drug cartel, and Quinn sets out on a black op of his own to save the woman he can’t live without.

Secret Rendezvous is the short story prequel to Rendezvous with Danger. Join me as we visit an old friend, Quinn Hamilton (first introduced in Blue Roses) and meet his love interest, Alandra Pargas.

Excerpt –the excerpt below is right after Quinn finds out that Alandra is in trouble in Guerrero, Mexico.

“Damn! I can’t believe this shit,” he growled and slammed his hand against the steering wheel. This was why he hated her job, and knowing that she was in danger made him want to spit bullets. The CIA had their protocol for getting their agents out of dangerous situations, but Quinn could get into Guerrero and out before the CIA could mobilize a team.

He dug through the inside pocket of his jacket for his back up cell phone, his pulse pounding in his ears. He didn’t know what he’d do if anything happened to her. Alandra was everything he wanted in a woman. Strong willed, highly intelligent, and sexy as hell. They were perfect together. Eyes the color of honey, the face of an angel, and a curvaceous body made for loving. She was truly the total package, and he’d kill anyone who laid a hand on her.

He called a friend who owned a plane.

“Didn’t I just see you?” Terry Haines answered by way of greeting.

Quinn had run into Terry when he’d gotten off the plane twenty minutes ago.

“Yeah, man, but I have a huge favor.” He darted in and out of lanes hoping he wouldn’t get pulled over for reckless driving. “I need to get to Acapulco as soon as possible. Can you hook me up?”

“How fast can you get here?”

“Twenty minutes.”

He disconnected and speed-dialed the next person, not caring about the California hands free driving law.

“Yeah,” Cameron answered on the first ring.

“Wiz, I need your help.”

Cameron Miller earned his nickname “Wiz,” during their SEAL days for his uncanny ability to manipulate any computer or anything remotely related to a computer.

“You don’t sound too good. You okay?”

Hell no he wasn’t okay. The woman he loved more than life was in trouble and he was trying like hell to get to her before it was too late.

“I’m on my way to Mexico. Can you use your fancy equipment to trace this number?” He gave Wiz Alandra’s number, but not her name. He had yet to tell his friends he was seeing someone exclusively. Based on his bachelor for life motto, they probably wouldn’t believe it anyway. Besides, he wanted to keep their relationship quiet due to the work he did and the enemies he’d made. The last thing he needed was to have an adversary use her to get to him. “I’ll call you back when I get to the airport.”

“You got it. Anything else?”

“Yeah, call José in Acapulco. I’m heading that way and I’m going to need his help…and a helicopter.”

“Q, man, if you’re in some kind of trouble just say the word and I’m there.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. Right now I need you to stay near the phone and the computer. Let José know that this is a rescue mission. I need to get into Coyuca de Catalán once night falls and out of there even faster. I’ll call him with more details soon.”

A moment passed before Wiz spoke. “Who needs rescuing?”

“A friend.” Quinn’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. He didn’t want Alandra anywhere near the heartless bastards who ran drug cartels in Guerrero. He could still hear her in the background shouting out her location every so often. He not only wanted her to keep the phone on so that he could trace her location, but he wanted her to feel as if he were there with her.

Quinn blew out a ragged breath. He wanted to punch something or someone. He had to keep reminding himself that Alandra was a trained agent. She could kick ass better than some men he knew.

Wiz whistled through the phone. “Damn, this must be some friend. I seem to remember a certain ruthless drug lord who told you that if he caught you back in Guerrero again, he’d cut off your head and send it to your mother. Are you sure you don’t need me and Malik to roll with you?”

Malik Lewis, a fellow operative and another one of Quinn’s best friends, had saved his butt plenty of times, but right now there was no time to get everyone together. Besides, the less people involved the better.

“I’m good, man.” Quinn gave him additional instructions and disconnected just as he arrived at the airport.

Seconds later Alandra’s breath came in short spurts through the cell phone. She called out that she was climbing over yet another wall. He knew she heard dogs barking and yelling in the distance because he could hear them.

“They’re getting closer,” Alandra whispered. Quinn had been a part of more missions than he could count, some more dangerous than others, but this was personal. Nothing compared to hearing fear in his woman’s voice. So help me if anything happens to her…

***

Well, I’m heading on vacation, but while I’m gone enjoy your “FREE” copy of Secret Rendezvous!

Smashwords   All Romance ebooks   My website

Secret Rendezvous – Sneak Peek

Here’s an excerpt from Secret Rendezvous, the short story prequel to Rendezvous with Danger (book two of the Reunited Series). Some of you will recognize one of the main characters, Quinn Hamilton, the best friend and business partner of Tyler Hollister in Blue Roses. Enjoy.

Former Navy SEAL, Quinn Hamilton, is a special operative for the U.S. government and has been secretly dating CIA counter-intelligence officer, Alandra Pargas, for eight months. She’s brilliant, excited by danger, and the sexiest woman he’s ever known. Together they are a force to be reckoned with – inside and outside of the bedroom. But while Alandra is on assignment in Guerrero, Mexico, she’s captured by the country’s most dangerous drug cartel, and Quinn sets out on a black op of his own to save the woman he can’t live without.

Excerpt

“Hey, baby, where are you?” Quinn Hamilton merged into traffic going south on interstate 405 toward Huntington Beach, California.

“I’m still in Mexico, about an hour from the airport. God, I’ve missed you. It’s …”

When Alandra’s voice faded, Quinn thought the call had dropped. “Alandra? Hello?” He fiddled with the steering wheel’s volume control in his Escalade truck. “Hello? Lan?”

“Hey, I’m still here. The reception is awful. What I was saying is that it’s good to hear your voice. I’ve missed you.”

“Yeah, baby, me too. I can’t wait to see you. I have big plans for you tonight.”

“Mmm, I love it when you talk dirty, Papi. Tengo planes grandes para ti tambien.”

Quinn laughed. “Girl, don’t play with me. Somehow, I doubt your plans for me are as big as my plans for you. I already don’t think I’ll be able to control myself. We have five weeks to make up for.”

“I know, and I’m going to make it worth your while.”

“Oh, yeah, now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.” He had just arrived in L.A. after spending a month in the jungles of Belize on a mission, and he needed some relaxation. He drove a little faster, anxious to get to his vacation home overlooking the Pacific Ocean where he and Alandra would spend the next five days in seclusion.

“I just hope I don’t miss my plane. Traffic is literally inching along,” Alandra said.

“Was there an accident or something?”

“I’m not sure. I’m still a ways back, but hold on. Let me step out and see if I can tell what’s going on.” Seconds later Quinn heard her say, “Oh crap.”

“What?”

“There’s a road block or checkpoint ahead. They’re stopping people, and it looks like they’re searching cars. No wonder traffic is backed up.”

Quinn swore under his breath. He didn’t like the sound of that. A former Navy SEAL and now a special operative for the U.S. government, he was suspicious of anything that involved spot-checking cars, especially in Guerrero, one of the most violent states in Mexico.

“I know you know this, but make sure you’re in the far right lane, or whichever lane you can use to make the quickest exit. They’re looking for something…or someone. Are they federales?”

“I don’t know yet, but I should be able to tell when I get a little closer.”

“Lan, please tell me Harry didn’t put you on an assignment that has anything to do with dr—”

“Okay, I won’t tell you.”

Damn. Why the hell would he send her there by herself if it involved anything with drugs? As one of the CIA’s best counterintelligence agents, Alandra Pargas, could take care of herself, but that didn’t stop him from worrying about her or hating her job. Alandra’s boss, director Harry O’Brien, a total jerk in Quinn’s opinion, had given her the assignment that landed her in Mexico off and on for the past few months.

“Q, I will tell you this though. Something strange happened yesterday.”

“Strange like what?”

“Well, maybe not strange, but unnerving. Yesterday morning there was a scuffle across the street from my apartment. I looked out the window and three men were roughing up this kid, who was maybe…oh, I don’t know, seventeen or eighteen. Anyway, the kid handed over some money, but they kept saying ‘Where’s the rest of it? Where’s the rest of it?’ It definitely sounded like it was drug related.”

“Did either of them see you?”

“At first I didn’t think so. I had grabbed my camera so that I could get a better look and when I zoomed in, I recognized one of the men as being my neighbor, Tomás. Now this is where it got strange. A few hours later, I left my apartment, and he was standing against the wall outside my door.”

“Alandra, I don’t like this shit. Did he say anything to you?”

Seconds passed before she spoke. “He said, ‘I know who you are,’ and then he walked away.”

“What?” Quinn yelled. “Are you saying your cover is blown?”

“As far as I know, it’s not. I’ve only used the name, Selena McKenzie, since I first arrived. There’s no way he could know my real name. I think he was just trying to scare me.”

Well, he sure as hell scared Quinn. “I can’t stand you being so far away by yourself.”

“Aww, are you worried about me? Will you come looking for me if I’m not at our secret rendezvous spot on time?”

He never thought he’d ever feel this way about a woman, but he’d move heaven and earth to get to her. “You just get here. We’ll talk more about this Tomás guy when I see you.”

“Uhh…Quinn…”

The fine hairs on the back of his neck rose with those two words.

“What’s wrong?” He slowed down, not realizing he was going ninety miles an hour. “What’s going on, Lan?”

“I have a serious problem. I’m using the zoom on my camera and though there are a few cars ahead of me, from here it looks like the federales and some other men are showing my photo. And …oh damn, Tomás is one of them.”

Quinn swerved over to the shoulder of the highway and parked. “I need you to listen to me very carefully. Tell me exactly where you are. Tell me everything you see. Then you need to get the hell out of there.”

“I’m surrounded by cars. I can’t drive out of this mess.”

He heard rustling – and then, nothing. “Alandra!”

“I’m here. I’m here. I’m putting my camera away and gathering my stuff from the back seat.”

“All right, now tell me how many federales, or whoever the hell they are do you see? Are they carrying weapons? And where are you? Baby, I need as much information as you can give me before you exit that car.”

“Q, there’s no time.”

“Tell me, dammit!”

“Okay. Okay. I’m on Zihuatanejo, a two-lane highway going north. There’s a gas station, Pemex, and a storage unit next to it that has a lot of tires outside near the street. I see a half-wall on my right with advertisement of some sort. There are about six men going from car to car, two per car. Some are carrying machine guns and all are wearing military uniforms. Some look like federales, but the ones with purple bands around their left arms look harder…more dangerous. There are several SUVs with dark windows parked on the side of the road, near the checkpoint. Quinn, I have to get out now, or I’ll miss my opportunity.”

He darted back into traffic. A short distance ahead, he exited and returned to the interstate. He had to get back to the airport. Thank God, she had the phone he’d given her. The one with the tracking device his friend had invented. He’d be able to track her if the worst happened. But his goal was to make sure the worst didn’t happen.

“I’m glad you’re on the phone I gave you. Keep it on and put it in your pocket or somewhere I can still hear you.”

“But if I’m caught and they find it… it’ll lead back to you.”

“Don’t worry about it. Once we figure out exactly where you are, we’ll take care of the phone on this end.”

“What? How?”

“Alandra, baby, please, just leave it on. Every so often I want you to shout out where you are or what you see.” He knew all of her training would kick in once she hit the ground running, but that didn’t keep him from worrying about her safety.

“Got it,” she whispered. “And Quinn, I love you.”

“I love you too, and I will find you.”

STAY TUNED

Secret Rendezvous will be available as a “FREE” read, October 17, 2012

The Game of Seduction

It is with great pleasure that I share my blog today with a fellow author, and a very dear friend, Candace Shaw. Candace is here to  introduce her newly released novel, and to share a “hot” excerpt from: The Game of Seduction

Blurb:

Dr. Bria Arrington has had her heart broken by one bad boy playboy and doesn’t want to travel down that road again. However, she finds herself attracted to her best friend, self-proclaimed bachelor, Rasheed Vincent. After a passionate kiss leaves them desiring more, seducing each other is the only cure.

A retired basketball player, Rasheed is a player on and off the court. When a woman gets too close, he bounces to the next one. But the condition he’s in makes him want a permanent dose of Bria’s love, and he’s ready for the shot. She knows falling in love with Rasheed is a prescription for trouble, yet she’s willing to risk it. But can she trust him with her heart?

The Game of Seduction is the second book in the Arrington Family Series.

***Please be advised that this excerpt has adult content not recommended for those under the age of 18 

Excerpt: 

Bria stood on the front porch all in a frenzy waiting for him to finish speaking with the driver. Rasheed had set her on fire in the limo, and she knew it wasn’t because she hadn’t had sex in a while. It was him, Rasheed Vincent, turning her out like a teenaged, sex-crazed girl who had just lost her virginity and couldn’t get enough of the guy who took it.

She leaned on the front door to steady herself. The limo pulled away, and Rasheed strode up the steps. His eyes were dark and seemed almost possessed as they raked her body with a fierceness that drove tingles through her. He closed the gap between them and in one swoop lifted her up on his hard body. She wrapped her legs around his torso and cupped her hands around his bald head.

“I can’t wait to get inside,” he whispered before claiming her lips with a wild kiss. Her emotions of lust were running high, making her temperature rise. She was about to break out into a sweat even though it was thirty degrees outside.

“You mean the house or me?”

“Both.”

“Where are the keys?”

“The house key is in my pants’ pocket, and the key for you is in my silk boxers.”

She chuckled. “Okay, well, we have to get into the house first.”

“Reach into my left pocket.”

She moved her hand down to his pocket, but instead of finding his keys she stumbled upon a very hard erection. It was long and hard as brick. It hardened even more in response to her touch. He was right. The condom she bought at the club was a regular-sized one and wouldn’t even fit on what she was feeling.

“Wrong key, Bree,” he teased.

“Oh yeah.” She rummaged around until she felt his key ring, pulled it out, and handed it to him.

“Are you going to put me down first?”

“I’ll put you down when I get you to the bed.” He kissed her softly, letting his lips linger on hers. “Besides, I can bench press twice your weight. Hold on tight.”

He opened the door, turned off the alarm and closed the door back while she still held onto him. She shivered with anticipation as he carried her up the stairs to his bedroom. His eyes never left her face. They held an expression she hadn’t seen ever before from him, and it shook her to the core. Intense. Sexual. Animalistic. She almost feared him but not in the true sense of the word. She was scared that once she slept with Rasheed, she would fall for him more than she already had.

*****

He laid her down onto the soft comforter and stretched his long body next to hers. With his head over hers, he stared deeply into her eyes as he tenderly caressed her cheek with his hand. Every fiber in her body was awake as he ran his hand down the length of her body, each touch sending excitement through her veins. She shuddered as he dragged his lips across her cheek and gently kissed the side of her mouth. She was in awe over his tender handling of her, and she turned her mouth to his, tasting the sweet essence of his lips that stroked hers with an intensity she’d never experienced before. Her hands rested on either side of his bald head as he continued ravishing her lips with his as soft moans—which she had no control over—escaped her mouth. He moved on top of her pulling her legs up and wrapping them around his waist.

She closed her eyes so she could better feel his touch on her lips. His kiss deepened as his mouth tasted and pulled on her lips making them swollen. He was kissing her as if she was all his, as if he was taking possession over her which turned her on even more. The moistness between her legs became even slicker as she felt his erection rub against her panties. She met his kisses with more vigor and hunger. The power he had over her was causing her to lose her mind and heart to him with each caress of his lips.

“I wanted you so bad, Bree,” he said in an intoxicating tone. “I promise to show you just how much.”

The passion which erupted in her veins charged through at the intensity of his words. She grasped his shoulders tight to hold onto the roller coaster ride he had her on. When he pulled away from her, she let out a wounded cry.

“Don’t worry, baby. I’m nowhere near done. Just taking off this damn tuxedo jacket.” He tossed it to the floor, ripped off his bow tie and sent it flying somewhere across the bedroom.

She sat up and met him, both standing on their knees in the bed. He tossed the pillow shams aside and pulled the comforter to expose the sheets. His lips sought hers once more, claiming power over them and her heart, which was racing with raw pleasure.

“What are you doing to me, Bree?” he asked in an aroused tone as he planted kisses on her neck. “I’ve wanted to taste your beautiful, succulent lips again since the day of the wedding. I can’t sleep without thinking about kissing you and hearing your soft moans as I make love to you.”

Copyrighted by Candace Shaw, August 2012

If you enjoyed the steamy excerpt, the buy links are below.

Buy Links: Amazon     Amazon UK     Barnes and Noble     Smashwords      All Romance eBooks    Diesel eBookstore     Sony eReader

Woo! *fanning myself*

Okay, ya’ll, le’ts show Candace some love by leaving a comment below.