Featured Author: Sharon C. Cooper

About the book:

Alandra Pargas, ex-CIA counter-intelligence officer, plans to wreak vengeance on the people who tried to kill her. A little rendezvous with danger is not what scares her, though. It’s seeing the tall, dark, and dangerously sexy man she vowed to love forever that has her running for cover.



Former U.S. Special Operative, Quinn Hamilton, left the world of covert operations after the love of his life died in his arms during a black op. Three years later, he still loses sleep wondering if maybe he could have done something more to save her – until Alandra shows up on his doorstep. With her lies and betrayal, he wants nothing to do with her, yet, his heart won’t cooperate. It’s not until unknown enemies come after her that he must decide if he can leave the past behind and protect the woman he’ll always love. Will they survive this last mission and rekindle the love and passion they once shared?

Interview with Sharon C. Cooper

Sharon, can you describe your book in a tweet (140 characters or less)?

CIA counter-intelligence officer, Alandra, & U.S. Special Operative, Quinn, join forces- Rendezvous with Danger http://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Danger-Reunited-Series-ebook/dp/B00BLSR3Y6/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1362056882&sr=8-12&keywords=rendezvous+with+danger

How did you create the plot for this book?

The story-line for this novel gained momentum after I finished Blue Roses, book 1 of the Reunited Series. I received numerous emails from readers wanting to know more about Quinn Hamilton - the sexy, dangerous, and well-connected best friend of Tyler Hollister. I knew Quinn was a former Navy SEAL as well as an ex-Special Operative, and I knew he needed to be hooked up with an amazing woman.

I started with a short-story for Quinn – reintroducing him to readers and introducing his love interest, Alandra Pargas. The short story, "Secret Rendezvous," is a prequel to Rendezvous with Danger. NOTE: Secret Rendezvous is FREE on all online ebook retailers.

Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to write?

I outline – especially for romantic suspense.

Did you have any say in your cover art?

This particular book was indie published. As an indie author, I have a say in every aspect of the publishing process, and I make all final decisions, such as which editor I’ll use, what type of photos I want used for the book cover, which retailers I’ll have my books with, etc.

What books have you read more than once or want to read again?

Redemption Song, by Dr. Bertice Berry is a book that I’ve read more than once. It’s a beautiful love story that is uniquely and wonderfully written. It’s my favorite because it’s a layered love story. Not just between a man and a woman, but love of family and their history. The story has a little bit of everything that kept me turning the pages - humor, drama, the amazing journey of two African American families whose lives intertwine over two or three generations...and the book also exposed the awesome power of love.

Do you have imaginary friends? When do they talk to you?

I’m not embarrassed to say that technically, I do have imaginary friends (smile). My characters are always rolling around in my head and often times while I’m working on their story, they take me on a different path than I intended to go with their character.

Do you have a favorite of your characters?

Of all of the stories that I’ve written, my favorite character has been Tyler Hollister, the hero in Blue Roses, book 1 of the Reunited Series. I absolutely love him! He is gorgeous, smart, wealthy, maybe a little arrogant, but also caring. He makes million dollar deals happen, but is just as comfortable playing a pick-up game of b-ball in the neighborhood he grew up in. And what I love most - he’s not afraid to go after what he wants – and he wanted Dallas Marcel (the heroine).

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

Though Tyler Hollister was my favorite character, I most enjoyed writing Quinn Hamilton from my latest release – Rendezvous with Danger, book 2 of the Reunited Series. As a former Navy SEAL and special operative, Quinn is totally alpha male.

If you could be one of your characters, which one would you choose?

I’d be Alandra Pargas, the heroin in my latest novel, Rendezvous with Danger. She has a black belt in Taekwondo; she’s a former CIA agent and is in love with a former Navy SEAL who is downright sexy. I think it would be kinda cool to have her wild and exciting life.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

"Reunited" by Peaches and Herb.

Which author would you most like to invite to dinner, and what would you fix me? I mean, him. Or her.

LOL! Though I would love to invite you, I would probably invite Beverly Jenkins. I wouldn’t take the liberty of preparing her anything I wanted (at first), I would ask if she had any dietary restrictions or foods she dislike. And if she didn’t I would probably do grilled salmon, brown rice, and a vegetable medley. For dessert I would probably do cheesecake...or chocolate chip cookies.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

A bestselling author once told me (prior to my first story being published) that “everyone is not going to like your story, but there will be so many others who do.” I try to keep that in mind – knowing that everyone has different taste when it comes to books/stories – I try not to get offended if someone can’t connect with one of my stories.

Excerpt from Rendezvous with Danger

Quinn continued to stare. The intensity in his midnight dark eyes scrutinized every inch of her.

“I don’t even know what to say to you,” he finally spoke just above a whisper, his voice laced with anguish.

Alandra looked at him, unsure of how to respond, but didn’t have to say anything when he continued.

“A part of me wants to wrap you in my arms and love on you so fierce that you’ll never want to leave me again, but then there’s the other part of me. The part that is mad as hell that my wife has been alive all this time, working in the city that I live in, and has never tried to contact me. That part of me wants nothing more than for you to get your ass out of my house and stay the hell out of my life...for good.”

Alandra reared back, stunned by the bitterness of his words. But what had she expected - to be welcomed with opened arms? Maybe not, but she had hoped they could at least talk. Yet, if she was honest with herself, she knew his unforgiving heart would rear its wicked head. He was the most committed, determined and trusted man to those he loved, but merciless toward his enemies. And right now she wasn’t sure how Quinn saw her.

Quinn released a long ragged sigh and leaned against a nearby wall, his muscular arms folded across his chest. “Do you have any idea what I’ve been through these last few years, thinking you were dead? Thinking I’d never be able to touch you, hold you, or make love to you? Hell, I watched you die, Alandra, in my arms! You have any idea what that feels like? To watch the one woman you loved more than life get gunned down.”

His voice broke, but he held his gaze steady, maintaining his usual tough-guy composure, and Alandra’s heart crumbled. She blinked rapidly to keep tears from falling. He had always been so hard, tough, and strong willed. It had been too easy for her to forget he was just a man. She drew in a deep breath as she walked toward him.

“Quinn, I’m sorry, but I lost too. I’ve missed you so much, and staying away was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. So many times I wanted to call you, but I couldn’t. It wasn’t safe.”

He pushed slowly away from the wall and approached her with concern in his eyes. “What do you mean it wasn’t safe?” He reached out to touch her, but dropped his arm.

Disappointment crept in when he took a step back as if she were toxic, as if touching her would somehow weaken him. Alandra swallowed hard and decided it was probably for the best. Had he pulled her into his arms, there was no telling what would happen. Besides, that wasn’t why she had come. Three years ago someone tried to kill her, and now she was determined to find out who and why, but she needed Quinn’s help.

She sighed, anxious about getting him to understand. “Quinn, I’m in the midst of something big and you’re going to blow my cover if you keep coming to the hospi—”

“Are you kidding me?” he yelled. His angry eyes pierced her soul deeper than any knife ever could. “This three year disappearance is connected to some goddamn op?”

She stepped to him and placed her hands on his chest in hopes of calming him down. “No. No, you don’t understand. It’s just that—”

“I can’t believe this shit!” He jerked away from her and raised his fist as if he were going to punch through the wall.

“Let me explain,” Alandra grabbed his arm.

He turned abruptly. “Explain? Hell, you’ve had three damn years to explain.”

“But I couldn’t. I—”

“Yeah, you could have,” he said in a hoarse whisper. He held her face in his large hands, his lips inches from hers. Her pulse quickened. “Lan, baby, there is nothing I wouldn’t have done for you including give my life. I mean absolutely nothing. And you knew that, so don’t tell me you didn’t have a choice.”

 

About the author

Bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, lives in Atlanta with her husband and enjoys reading, writing, and rainy days. She hasn't always been tied to a desk, a computer and a chair. Earlier in life, Sharon spent 10 years as a sheet metal worker. And while enjoying that unique line of work, she attended college in the evening and obtained her B.A. from Concordia University in Business Management with an emphasis in Communication. She writes sweet and contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense. 

Sharon is a Pro member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), board member and member of Georgia Romance Writers (GRW), and a member of the Page a Day Writers Group. To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit www.sharoncooper.net


Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon