The Cheerleader is out in the world!

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Hello ,

After 8 months in the works, I'm finally celebrating the release of The Cheerleader today! 🎉

Getting this book to you has been one of those long bumpy roads. So, coming to the end holds a lot of mixed emotions. Not the least of which is trepidation, if I'm honest.

It hasn't taken me this long to write a book in many years. My first book took 4 years, my second about 2 years, then I cut it to 8 months on my third book and after that, most of my books took 2 to 4 months to write, tops. Until this one.

Maybe part of the delay was the hip replacement surgery, but honestly, I think it was more that my mental game has become ragged and in need of some R&R.

So now, I'm slowing down and taking a break before I start Lucky Puck, even if it's just for a week or so.

The important thing is that I still want to write, still have stories to tell and after my break between books, I know I'll want--no, need to get back to writing.

I'd appreciate it if when you read The Cheerleader, you would consider sending me a note with your honest thoughts.

Did the story strike a chord? Do the characters fascinate you? Did you feel your heart strings pulled at any moments? Were you intrigued? Did you need to know what was going to happen? Did you care about any of the characters?

Are you on team Susie or team Liz?

These are some of the things writers want to make you feel, mostly to make them care.

For me, I cared a lot while writing the story, but when it's finished, I let it go. It's not as hard as it might sound. When it's ready, there's a need to let it go.

Now all I can do is hope and worry that you all will enjoy The Cheerleader and give it some care.

In the coming weeks, look for the special hardcover edition of The Cheerleader on my new upcoming Shopify Store - Stephanie Queen Romance Books. It's not live yet, but I'll keep you posted!

My next project is Lucky Puck - a Portsmouth Whalers hockey rom-com and you'll be the first to see the cover reveal!

Check out my featured hockey romance author and featured book deals below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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At SQ's House

I visited with my mother in Connecticut this weekend and had a fleeting rest from writing and the writing business.

I also managed to enjoy watching UConn basketball. At least the women's team won!

H and I are getting outside every day for a walk (for 3 days in a row--hey, it's a start! Lol!) in spite of the cold. ➜➜➜➜

It's been in the 20's every day for over a week.

Luckily this year, I'm not bothered by the cold.

(I knew there was a benefit to adding that extra layer of fat over the holidays!) 💜

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The next best thing to an in-person book club!

If you enjoy my books, I invite you to

➜➜Join the SQ Team on Facebook Here!

We talk about books and whatever else grabs our attention. I share covers and contests and some behind the scenes writer stuff and you share what you're up to.

I'd love the chance to get to know you better!

💜

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THE CHEERLEADER

Available Now!

The story is packed with passion, action, drama and a nostalgic look back at the archaic life of the 70's. (Long-distance phone calls anyone?)

The Cheerleader is available at your favorite store. 💞

AMAZON | APPLE | KOBO | B&N | GOOGLE

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SQ's Favorite Review from the Past - With an Excerpt!

Playing the Game - Playing Series

One of my favorite reviews:

"I have over 1300 books on my kindle and this has to be one of my top 10 favourites.I keep looking at the progress bar, hoping the book will never end."

--Pamela R. Mitchell, Amazon

READ PLAYING THE GAME NOW!

On Kindle Unlimited!

EXCERPT from PLAYING THE GAME

Roxanne Monet

“Damn it,” Roxanne muttered. Her drink had splashed on her dress. Looking right, then left, at the partygoers around her, she took a surreptitious glance down to inspect the damage.

A very large, dark, wet spot spread over her left breast. Luckily it was only ice water—or maybe not so lucky, on second thought. She watched in horror as the red silk material clung to her skin.

“Double damn. My nipple is showing.” This time she forgot to keep her comment under her breath.

“Now that I’d like to see.” The man appeared from nowhere, towering beside her. He watched her reflection in the floor to ceiling window.

The heat of embarrassment ignited her face. The man was no gentleman. Her embarrassment turned to anger in a flash. Turning to face him, she jutted her breast out for him to see.

“You can look all you want,” she dared, wanting to shift the discomfort to him.

She thought she’d succeeded, until the signature dimpled half-grin split his face.

“I’m Brian Dennis.” He held out his free hand for her to shake. He held a bottle of beer in the other. The famous lopsided smirk remained in place.

“Must be my lucky night.” She ignored his hand.

He laughed.

Biting her lip, she reminded herself to behave professionally. He was the star attraction at this gala and they were both there to raise money for a good cause.

“I’m Roxanne Monet.” She shook his hand. She eyed him, wondering if he’d dare to say something about her nipple.

“I know who you are. I watched you get fired from your job at the TV studio a few days ago. You were supposed to interview me.” Unrestrained amusement shone in his eyes and his grin widened. She was really starting to dislike this guy.

“I was only fifteen minutes late.”

“I only had ten.”

He still smiled, but it was no joke to her.

“They didn’t fire you because of me,” he said. His gaze dropped to her still-erect nipple.

Heat returned to her body, but it wasn’t embarrassment this time. It was anger. Especially since he was right about her job.

“I got some bad press recently. The studio brass was nervous and I was expendable.” No need to hide the truth. It was all over the news. No need to go into the details either.

“I never did schedule another interview.” He took a swig of beer.

“Hank—the producer—must have loved that.” She resisted the urge to fold her arms over her breasts as he continued to stare. She had started it. She had to see it through. The nipple refused to soften.

“Hank expressed his disappointment. I was disappointed that you wouldn’t be the one asking the questions. I was looking forward to a confrontation.” He stopped and took a handkerchief from his tux pocket and handed it to her.

Maybe he wasn’t such a cad. Maybe his ‘too cool’ reputation was undeserved. God knows she knew how unfair the press could be. Finding the real man behind the enigmatic superstar was supposed to be her job—when she had a job.

“Well here we are. Would you like me to ask you some probing questions?” She snatched the hanky from his hand and resigned herself to the task of blotting the spot on her left breast to hasten the drying process. It was tough to be cool and sophisticated while she dabbed at her nipple.

He laughed. “Give it your best shot.”

He was probably the happiest man in the world right now, Roxanne thought. The Irish-Catholic boy from Queens had grown up to be the MVP of the National Basketball Association for four years running. At age thirty-one, the six-foot-nine guard was an international superstar.

“What’s it like having all your dreams come true, Mr. Basketball Superstar?”

Brian paused and stared at her with that unnerving blue fire in his eyes. “It’s like being at Disneyland. Temporary fantasy. You have to go home sometime.” He took a gulp of his beer. A more cynical smile now appeared.

“I can’t picture you turning into a pumpkin,” she said.

Brian chuckled.

“You don’t really think the fantasy will end when you leave basketball?” She couldn’t help the serious curiosity that mixed in with the seduction in her voice, as if she were asking the question of a lover and soul mate instead of a perfect stranger.

“I don’t know. I don’t think about it much. Everything I have, everything I am, is invested in the present—in basketball. I don’t think about what happens when they shut down Disneyland.” He took a longer gulp from his bottle.

“Maybe you’ll find Cinderella and carry her off to your castle.”

Brian remained silent for too long. Her pulse raced.

“Enough of the fantasy bull. I’m realistic enough to know when I’m being seduced by a woman like you.”

“It’s not bull. It’s a metaphor. And what kind of woman do you think I am anyway?”

“The kind of woman who is so sexy that she could have any man she wanted. Any time she wanted,” he whispered. His mouth twitched.

“That’s the problem. I don’t want just any man.”

He moved closer. Her pulse jumped to a racing pace. It had been so long since she’d flirted. A waiter came by and Brian dismissed him with a nod. Then he lowered his voice.

“Luckily, I like a challenge.”

Read more now...

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Stephanie Queen's Featured Author

a hockey romance

Win Me Over - Natalie Cross

All’s fair in love and war…until a professional hockey star skates into town and pucks everything up.

Win Me Over is a steamy rivals-to-lovers romance packed with fiery chemistry, playful banter, matchmaking aunties, and swoon-worthy small-town charm. 

Read Win Me Over to watch these two fall in love from the sidelines today!

READ ON KU FOR FREE!

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SQ’s Featured Book Deals

KU BOOKS TO READ

KU SPICY ROMANCE READS

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Thank you for reading this newsletter. I'll be sharing more about my upcoming Shopify store and cover reveals for 2025 new releases in the coming weeks. 😘 💜

Warmest Regards and Happy New Year!