SWEET DANGER

by

Sweet Danger is my first contemporary romantic suspense novel.  Up until this point, I have stuck with writing western historicals, though my third book, Time Plains Drifter, which is due to be released next month, is also a bit of a departure from that as it ventures into the paranormal/time travel aspect, as well as historical. 

Sweet Danger is the story of Jesse Nightwalker, an undercover cop, and Lindy Oliver, his beautiful next-door neighbor.  They’ve been very much aware of one another for the past year or so, but have never formally met, until one fateful Friday morning when they both come into the local deli and end up next to each other in line. 

But things turn deadly as a gang of criminals takes over the deli in what seems to be a robbery.  Unfortunately for Jesse, the leader of the pack is Tabor Hardin, a vicious cop killer that Jesse helped put behind bars.  Hardin’s purpose changes instantly.  The robbery was only a façade for a much more heinous crime—kidnapping the governor’s children from the adjoining daycare.  Now, Hardin swears to make Jesse pay for his part in Hardin’s imprisonment before anything else takes place. 

As if things couldn’t get worse, one of the other children in the daycare is Jesse’s own son, Nash.  Jesse has to walk a fine line to figure out what he can do to save his son and Lindy, as well as the other hostages—even though it means certain death for himself. 

When his wife died four years earlier, Jesse cut off all romantic feelings, immersing himself in his undercover work.  Now, Lindy Oliver has reawakened those feelings at a most inopportune time, and Jesse is incredulous at what’s happening between them, now that he stands to lose it all at Hardin’s bloody hands. 

I loved the premise of this book, and especially loved figuring out how to make it all “come around” so that Jesse and Lindy could have the HEA they so richly deserved. 

Sweet Danger became available through the Wild Rose Press on October 1, 2010. It’s also available through Barnes and Noble and Amazon, among other distributors.  I’ve posted the blurb and an excerpt below for your reading pleasure!  Please leave a comment.  Visit my website at http://www.cherylpierson.com  

 BLURB: 

When undercover cop Jesse Nightwalker enters Silverman’s Deli, he doesn’t expect to find himself at the mercy of Tabor Hardin, a sadistic murderer he helped put in prison five years earlier. Now, Hardin’s escaped, and he’s out for more blood—Jesse’s.

Lindy Oliver has had her eye on her handsome neighbor for several months. Fate provides the opportunity for them to finally meet when they both choose the same deli for breakfast. Becoming a hostage was not in Lindy’s plans when she sat down to share a pastry with Jesse, but neither was the hot kiss he gave her when bullets began to fly. That kiss seals both their fates, binding them to one another with the certainty of a vow.

But Jesse’s got some hard-hitting secrets. With both their lives at stake, Lindy has a plan that just might save them—if Hardin takes the bait. Will they find unending love in the midst of Sweet Danger? 

 EXCERPT FROM SWEET DANGER: 

This excerpt takes place in the first chapter.  Jesse Nightwalker, an undercover cop, runs into his neighbor, Lindy Oliver, in the local deli.  Though they’ve never met, they are very aware of one another. The deli owner introduces them officially and points them toward the only available booth.  But their Friday morning takes a quick nosedive in the next few minutes.  Here’s what happens.

Jesse looked past her, his smile fading rapidly. As the flash of worry entered his expression, Lindy became aware of a sudden lull in the noisy racket of the deli. Jesse’s dark gaze was locked on the front door, a scowl twisting his features.

“Damn it,” he swore, reaching for her hand. “Get down! Under the table, Lindy…”

But she hesitated a second too long, not understanding what was happening. In the next instant, the sound of semi-automatic gunfire and shattering glass filled the air.

Lindy reflexively ducked, covering her head. The breath of a bullet fanned her cheek as Jesse dragged her down beneath the sparse cover of the small table. He shielded her, his hard body crushing against her, on top of her, pushing her to the floor. The breath rushed out of her, and she felt the hard bulge of the shoulder holster he wore beneath the denim jacket as it pressed against her back. 

Her heart pounded wildly, realization of their situation flooding through her.  A robbery! But why, at this hour of the morning when the take would be so low? The gunfire stopped as abruptly as it had started. From somewhere near the counter, a man shouted, “Come out and you won’t be hurt! Come out—now!” 

Lindy looked up into Jesse’s face, scant inches from her own. What would he do? They were somewhat concealed here at the back of the deli, but these men were sporting semi-automatic weapons. 

“There’s a back door,” Jesse whispered raggedly. “Get the hell out of here. I’m gonna be your diversion.” She didn’t answer; couldn’t answer. He was likely to be killed, helping her go free. He gave her a slight shake. “Okay?” 

An interminable moment passed between them before she finally nodded. “Get going as soon as I get their attention.” He reached to brush a strand of hair out of her eyes, his own gaze softening as he leaned toward her and closed the gap between them. “Take care of yourself, Lindy,” he whispered, just before his mouth closed over hers. 

The instant their lips met shook her solidly. Every coherent thought fled, leaving nothing but the smoldering touch of his lips on hers, burning like wildfire through her mind. Soft, yet firm. Insistent and insolent. His teeth skimmed her lower lip, followed by his tongue, as he tasted her. Then, he pulled away from her, their eyes connecting for a heart-wrenching second.  

“Safe passage,” he whispered. 

Lindy didn’t answer, more stunned by the sudden sweet kiss than by the madness surrounding them. Jesse pushed himself out from under the table and stood up, directly in front of where Lindy crouched. Only then did she hear his muted groan of pain, his sharp, hissing intake of breath. The blossoming red stain of crimson contrasted starkly with the pale blue of his faded denim jacket as his blood sprang from the bullet wound, soaking the material. 

He’d been shot! 

Lindy gasped softly at the realization. How could she leave him now?

I will give away a pdf copy of SWEET DANGER to one commenter today!  To order SWEET DANGER and all other Cheryl Pierson work, click here:  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002JV8GUE 

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A native Oklahoman, I've been influenced by the west all my life. I love to write short stories and novels in the historical western and western romance genres, as well as contemporary romantic suspense! Check my Amazon author page to see my work: http://www.amazon.com/author/cherylpierson
I live in Oklahoma City with my husband of 40 years. I love to hear from readers and other authors--you can contact me here: fabkat_edit@yahoo.com
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41 thoughts on “SWEET DANGER”

  3. This book may not seem to be a western at first glance but it could be with a few changes. Jesse could be a Texas Ranger or town Sheriff instead of cop, the Deli could be a small restaurant and the Day Care could be the school house. Hardin would be just as evil in the old west as he is in contemporary times.

    To me modern police stories or futuristic space stories play as modern versions of westerns. All about good versus evil and how good will always prevail.

    Needless to say, I loved this story and keep it in my “reread” stack. Keep up the good work Cheryl and I hope to see Jesse and Lindy in future books.

    Carolyn

  4. Carolyn,

    You are right–I think of it in my mind as a kind of “western” because that is my mindset. LOL But like you, I think that stories from many time periods and settings can be considered western. As one of my author friends, Deborah MacGillivray, pointed out as well–even the knights that she writes about have a western slant because of the parallels between their charge to do good in the lands they were in and the “code of the west” that western writers adhere to in the cowboy stories. I am so glad that you enjoyed SWEET DANGER so much! Thanks for coming over and commenting, my friend.
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  7. I love a good suspense story. Tall, handsome, and dangerous heroes don’t hurt either. Liked the excerpt and look forward to reading the rest of their story.
    TIME PLAINS DRIFTER sounds interesting. I like time travel books.
    Good luck with its release.

  10. Hi Patricia,
    Thank you! I am especially excited about Time Plains Drifter’s release. It had come out in December of ’09 just briefly with a publisher that turned out to be unscrupulous. I asked for and received my rights back and it will be coming out with a different publisher most likely in June. While it was out, it received a 4.5 review rating from Romantic Times, the highest they give, and I also received Honorable Mention in the PEARL Awards for Best New Paranormal Author of 2009. I’ll be shouting to the skies when it comes out again, because it is one of my favorite stories, and I have a sequel in the works for it, too. Yes, I’m with you–those tall, dark, handsome heroes are sure easy to love!
    Cheryl

  11. Hi Elizabeth!

    Yes, it is a nice break to write in a different genre–kind of keeps you on pins and needles, wondering how it’s going to do.LOL Thanks so much for your kind words!
    Cheryl

  12. Congrats on your 1st contemporary romantic suspense novel! I love the sound of it! Great cover… the blurb has my attention… enjoyed the excerpt! Thanks for sharing! 😀

  13. Wow, Cheryl! This book has everything exciting–romance, suspense, adventure, mystery, action…I could go on and on.

    Congratulations on a wonderful read. Keep writing, my friend.

  15. Wow! This sounds like a fantastic story! And if it’s anything like your others it will be. The excerpt certainly pulled me in and left me wanting more.

  20. Maggie,
    You crack me up–“easterns” indeed! I thought you wrote “southerns”??? NO???LOL That means so much to know that you are so supportive, especially with as busy as you are right now with all your writing and publishing ventures! You are really cracking! Thanks so much for coming by and commenting.
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  22. Steph,
    I’ve often wondered what it says about me that my villains are so evil. LOL I am so glad you enjoyed the story, and I appreciate your review. Thanks so much for coming by and commenting today–I know you are busy as heck with your own releases right now.
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  24. MONA! Thanks so much for coming by and commenting–I know you have a suspenseful romance out right now yourself, just released. Prescription in Russian has a gorgeous cover and I’m SO looking forward to reading it. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I always try to make the suspense add to the romance and urge it along. I appreciate you!
    Cheryl

  25. Hi Tanya!!!
    Aw, thanks so much, Tanya. I appreciate you, my filly sis. And speaking of stepping outside the box–you are an expert on that with taking on that series of EIGHT with White Rose Press! AWESOME! I can’t wait to get my hands on those. Thanks again for your very kind words. Much appreciated!
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  27. Hi Cheryl!

    I loved Sweet Danger!What a story. I couldn’t put it down. Your villian in this story scared the heck out of me. lol But then the hero is just someone you want to hug. Love your stories!

  29. Kay,
    Thanks so much for commenting–you just got in off the road, I know! Oh, yes, I love villains. LOL Love to write about them, especially–and you’re right, it’s a subject unto itself! LOL I love that cover, too–I was very happy with both my covers for my novels at The Wild Rose Press.
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  30. Hi Karen Michelle,
    I am so glad you came over today to “play” here at P&P. Oh, Hardin was a scary one, all right, wasn’t he? LOL He scared me while I was writing him into the story. LOL Yes, Jesse was very huggable. I had trouble letting him go…LOL So glad you enjoyed it, and thank you so much for the review.
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  31. Hi Linda,
    I am so glad you enjoyed the excerpt–it’s one of my favorites–an easy one to choose because it shows what’s going on in the story and with the characters. Thank you so much for stopping by!
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  35. Oh, Anne, thanks so much for your well wishes and the kind words about Sweet Danger. You had some wonderful news of your own for FIRE AND ASH, I know!!Congratulations to you, and thanks for coming by!
    Cheryl

  40. Hey everyone, just wanted to announce my winner tonight before I signed off for the evening. I drew names from my trust cowboy hat that hangs by the door, and here’s my winner…

    KIRSTEN ARNOLD!!!

    If you will send me your e-mail address, I will send you your prize– a pdf copy of SWEET DANGER!

    Email me at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com

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