Walking in Peace

Those who have followed my blog for a few years know that every now and then I share random thoughts. Today is one of those days.

I still start my day with morning devotion, and a cup of tea, coffee or sometimes just water, meditating on how blessed I am and what I want to accomplish that day. At any rate, today I was reading from a devotional and the subject was – Your Purpose Will Be Accompanied by Peace. It basically discussed how many of us walk through life asking questions like: What am I supposed to do with my life? What’s my purpose? What does God want me to do?

Occasionally I’ll ask myself questions like these, hoping I’m on the right track, but not knowing for sure. According to the devotion in The Word for You Today, God leads us through our life’s purpose through our gifts that we perform easily (whether with formal training or not). Do what you do well and watch God confirm it by blessing your endeavors. It went on to say something like, don’t waste time trying to do what you’re not gifted to do. If what you’re doing is making you miserable and you go into it with anxiety, it might not be what you’re supposed to be doing. I thought that was so powerful.

The devotional referenced the Bible verse – Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)- “You will go out in joy, and be led forth with peace.” Observe the things that you do well and that you enjoy doing and watch God work through you. I think another part of the devotion that really resonated with me today was when it said something like, trust God’s ability in you and don’t be afraid to be unique, be you. “God has a specific place and a specific plan for each of us.” I had to quote that part to make sure I got it right because I think that’s so important for all of us to remember.

Another question was posed in the devotion: “How will you know you’re in the right place fulfilling His plan?”

The simple answer: You’ll have peace.

I know I want to live a peace-filled life, but what about you? Are you doing what you feel you were meant to be doing? Are you walking in your purpose? Are you walking in peace?

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New Release – Seducing the Boss Lady!

Hi All,

It’s official – release day for SEDUCING THE BOSS LADY!

If you have read the first four books in the Jenkins Family Series, then I’m sure you remember Peyton Jenkins. She’s the oldest of the Jenkins’ girls, as well as an electrician and the senior manager of Jenkins & Sons Construction. Over the last couple of years, Peyton has stood by and watched her sister and cousins find the loves of their lives. Now it’s her turn. When Peyton first meets Michael Cutter, it’s not exactly love at first sight, but Michael is not a man who can be easily ignored.

Here’s their story.

Blurb:

Master electrician, Peyton Jenkins, is tired of being the responsible Jenkins’ girl. She’s ready to hand over the reins of the family business for a chance to live life and find love. However, fear of getting hurt again keeps her from letting down her guard. That is until her world intersects with bad-boy, Michael Cutter. Their sparks ignite a passion that can’t be denied.

Private investigator, Michael Cutter, has no intention of falling for another pretty face, not even someone as beautiful as Peyton. But her smokin’ hot body and sass can’t be ignored. She desires love and commitment, yet the sins of his father continue to haunt Michael, deterring him from pursuing any type of relationship other than a casual fling.

Will their pasts keep them from taking a chance on love? And will love be enough to heal old wounds?

Excerpt:

Minutes later, Michael handed Peyton the whipped cream and strawberries while he climbed the stairs with her luggage. He couldn’t wait to get her naked and into his bed, and not necessarily in that order.

Michael guided her down the hallway to his bedroom and pushed open the door. Setting her bags inside the room, he flipped the two switches against the wall. One bathed the room with dim lighting from the bedside table lamps. The other controlled the room’s audio system. The sound of Boney James melodic saxophone flowed softly around the room through the hidden speakers in the ceiling.

“Come on in and make yourself comfortable.”

Peyton set the props next to the lamp on the bedside table, closest to the door, and slowly glanced around the space. “This room is huge. Ohhh and you have a fireplace. I’ve always wanted one in my bedroom.” The awe in her voice had him sticking his chest out more, glad that she liked the space that was probably more masculine than she was accustomed to. His large, king sized bed made of a dark cherry wood, took up much of the space. A small reading area, comprised of his favorite wide chair and a round table, sat near the fireplace.

“I’ll get us a fire going and warm it up in here,” Michael said when Peyton stepped away from the fireplace and roamed around the bedroom, studying the artwork he had on the walls. Michael bent to place a log in the fireplace.

A slight tremble of his hands when he added the log, had him chuckling to himself. This was the first time he’d ever brought a woman to his home, and never had one shared his bed. Not even Octavia. He preferred to go to a woman’s place not only because of Michaela but because he didn’t want any woman getting too comfortable in his space. But Peyton wasn’t just any woman. He knew there was something special about her from the moment they met.

Michael pulled the flimsy fireplace screen together and stood. “If you want, you ca…” His words lodged inside of his throat when he turned to find Peyton stretched out on his bed in the skimpiest bra and panty set he’d ever seen on a woman.

“You said to make myself comfortable.” The sexy purr of her voice had him lifting his T-shirt over his head and tossing it to the floor.

“I did, didn’t I?”

*

Copyright © June 2016 Sharon C. Cooper

Read the rest of the story. Get your copy today!

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Smashwords  |  ARe

iTunes &  Kobo coming soon!  

 

A Sneak Peek and Updates

Hi All!

I have a lot to celebrate these days! Can you believe that it’s been four years since I published my first book? I have to say – it’s been an awesome four years! When I started my writing journey, I had no idea it would be this rewarding. During this time, I have established great friendships with some amazing authors and don’t even get me started talking about my readers – they ROCK!

But before I tell you what’s been going on lately (and what’s coming), let me give you a sneak peek at my next release – SEDUCING THE BOSS LADY – book 5 of the Jenkins Family Series. Many of you probably remember Peyton “PJ” Jenkins. She’s an electrician and also the senior manager of Jenkins & Sons Construction. Well, Peyton has finally found love -again, unexpectedly, of course. Here’s a sneak peek:

Blurb:

Master electrician, Peyton Jenkins, is tired of being the responsible Jenkins’ girl. She’s ready to hand over the reins of the family business for a chance to live life and find love. However, fear of getting hurt again keeps her from letting down her guard. That is until her world intersects with bad-boy, Michael Cutter. Their sparks ignite a passion that can’t be denied.

Private investigator, Michael Cutter, has no intention of falling for another pretty face, not even someone as beautiful as Peyton. But her smokin’ hot body and sass can’t be ignored. She desires love and commitment, yet the sins of his father continue to haunt Michael, deterring him from pursuing any relationship other than a casual fling.

Will their pasts keep them from taking a chance on love? And will love be enough to heal old wounds?

Excerpt:

Peyton glanced at the boarding pass in her hand to confirm her row and seat. 4A.

Annoyance jockeyed within her. Of course, someone would be sitting in 4A because that’s the way her morning had been going. First getting to the office at three and losing track of time, then running for her first flight only to be told once she was on the plane that it was delayed. Then landing in Miami thirty minutes late and having to run through yet another airport.

“Excuse me. You’re in my seat,” Peyton said to the man who was on his cell phone, papers and a file folder spread across the seat near the window as if he owned the whole row, using it as his office. “Excuse me,” she said a little louder when he ignored her.

Finally, he glanced up.

Peyton’s breath caught, and she swallowed hard. Hypnotic, light-brown, almost hazel-colored eyes met hers and she struggled to keep her mouth from hanging open. The man’s eyes, such a startling contrast against his tawny brown skin, stood out like a beacon in the night, guiding a lost soul home.

His intense gaze started at her slicked back hair and did a leisure crawl down her body, taking in every inch of her until he reached her black pumps. Suddenly, Peyton wished she had dressed a little sexier. Those gorgeous eyes met hers again, and her pulse kicked up. He didn’t speak, didn’t smile, nothing. But it was as if a magnetic force passed between them, his scrutiny pulling her in as he studied her face and she studied his.

Peyton’s throat went dry as she stood motionless.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but we need you to take your seat.” The flight attendant slammed closed the bin above Peyton’s head.

Poof. The spell was broken.

“And sir, I’m going to have to ask you to put your cell phone away as we prepare for takeoff.”

Peyton straightened and finally found her voice again. “You’re in my seat.”

*

Come along on this journey with Peyton (and Mr. Gorgeous Eyes) as they banter, laugh together, and fall madly in love. SEDUCING THE BOSS LADY coming – Friday, June 10, 2016!

Other News

RSJ Conference

This year I had the pleasure of traveling to Detroit, Michigan for the Romance Slam Jam conference. As usual, it was great hanging out with fellow authors and having readers come up to me and discuss my books – that never gets old! Like I said, my readers ROCK! They make me want to keep writing!

The weekend was filled with laughs and learning opportunities. I think my favorite event (besides Romancing Family Feud) was Friday night’s Riverboat Dinner & Cruise. The organizers laid the night out perfectly. There was great food, dancing, giveaways and A LOT of laughs…and cheering (like when author Deborah Mello’s mother won the dance contest)! It was nice to see authors and readers hanging out and having a good time together.

Next year, RSJ will be held in Los Angeles. Visit Rsjconvention.org for more information.

Building Relationships Around Books (BRAB – book club)

Just a reminder – I’ll be attending BRAB’s Reading Warriors Retreat Thursday, October 6- Saturday, October 8, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee. There’s still time for you to register and reserve your hotel room (but hurry). It’s going to be a fun weekend with authors and readers. I would love to see you there!

For more information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-reading-warrior-retreat-book-club-romantic-mysteries-at-the-prom-registration-18143625071

Awards/Recognition

Recently, my book SIN CITY TEMPTATION (Harlequin Kimani), was chosen for a Reviewers Choice Award by Romance in Color! This was a wonderful surprise! Check out their review for SIN CITY TEMPTATION: http://romanceincolor.com/Review_2015/Review_Sin_City_Temptation_Cooper_SF_0315.html

Future Projects & Book Series

I have a full schedule over the next few months. Now that the Jenkins Family Series is coming to an end, I have a couple of new series starting at the end of this year and early 2017. Jenkins & Sons Construction Series, as well as Atlanta’s Finest Series is coming soon. Both will be contemporary romance, but Atlanta’s Finest will have some suspense elements for those who like a little action (and drama) in their stories.

I’m also working on a fun project, coming at the end of this summer, with my good friends Candace Shaw and Delaney Diamond. I can’t wait to tell you more about this project – soon!

In the meantime, keep a look out for SEDUCING THE BOSS LADY – coming in a few days!