“The Mission” by C.C. Solomon
Rule #6: Be mysterious, but always approachable…keep him wanting more!
Rule #11: Always remember, no sex in the beginning. Make him wait!
Rule #19: You’ve got to give a little to get a little. Be giving of yourself, and it will make a lasting impression to keep your Mr. Right.
Sheila and Denise are successful, funny and attractive, but very single women. Not that being single is horrible; but when Denise is hassled to have a date to an old friend’s wedding-of-the-century, and Shelia needs an escort to an industry banquet where everyone who’s anyone will be in attendance, being single loses its perks. To add to the dilemma, Sheila tells a little white lie to her workplace nemesis about dating a successful music producer, which explodes into a career-threatening rumor. Under extreme pressure from family, friends and coworkers, they resort to making a pact. Their Mission: Get A Man in Three Months. They will use “proven” rules to finding their Mr. Rights. Rules that worked for a friend of a friend …how hard could it be?
Join them in their hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking adventures as chapter by chapter they follow a new rule, and delve into the treacherous world of Washington, D.C. dating. The gal pals suffer through speed dating (Sam Needs-a-Bath). They allow themselves to be set up on blind dates (Bitter Crying Kevin). They try a dating service (Apron-Strings Adrian). They try the bar scene (Smoky the Bear who smokes more than cigars). They even meet men in the beauty salon (Javier Not Quite Straight). And there’s more, much more. Surrounded by family drama, workplace stressors and their own hang-ups about love, will the rules actually help them find their Mr. Rights in time for their events?
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GUEST POST
My Inspiration to Write the Mission
You know that part in Sex and the City where the girls are at breakfast and Charlotte says (through a hangover) that she’s been dating since she was 15 and wants to know where he (the proverbial “One”) is? Yeah, well after one too many conversations like that I decided to write The Mission. Not an endless gripe about wondering when Mr. Right would show up but based on conversations with gal pals about our dating adventures (and I say adventures on purpose).
Crazy enough I first started this book several years ago when I was younger than the characters now I’m slightly older and can still relate. And I do mean relate. I’ve been in many a scenario in dating, some of it so crazy that instead of getting upset about yet another mishap, I decided to write about it. I mean when a date rear ends your car when you’re leaving the restaurant you can’t help but think, this has gotta be good for something (either that or cry).
So I took to writing. No, I’m not throwing guys I’ve dated under the bus. The tales in The Mission are simply inspired by actual events but not real play by plays. Kind of the way The Exorcist was inspired by actual events. We don’t really believe a kid was spitting up pea soup do we? Well actually yeah, I could see a kid doing that (I still hate peas).
But I digress. I not only wrote The Mission as a cathartic way to vent about dating and serve as a creative outlet for my dating experiences but also as an ode to the ever growing genre of chick lit. And boy am I a chick lit (and chick flick) gal. From popular ones like Confessions of a Shopaholic to lesser known ones like His Insignificant Other, I eat up a good chick lit novel.
These are not your sappy romance novels. Sure romance is always in there in some way but what defines chick lit is a story of a woman doing any of the following: finding herself, struggling with family and friendships or overcoming an obstacle to reach a better self. And it’s always done with a little (or a lot) of humor. It’s about female empowerment. Yes the fairy tale ending is cute but I love a story that takes me somewhere emotionally or one I can truly relate to. So yes, I was inspired by other chick lit novels.
I was also inspired to fill a gap that I hadn’t found too many authors to fill. That of the minority chick lit novel. Truly it wouldn’t be vastly different from your regular style of chick lit but once in a while it’s nice to have a character that looks like yourself around. Not only that, there are some differences to acknowledge from the point of view of a woman of color when it comes to romantic comedy. Especially in a town like D.C. Sure we all have our dating war stories and rules for love but try being a single, successful brown gal in a political, transitory and predominantly female town like D.C. What stories could come from that perspective? Could The Rules, Think(ing) Like a Man and Tough Love really work in this town? Well those questions inspired me to write the Mission.
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About the author, C.C. Solomon: C.C. is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and has actively written fiction since the age of eleven. She is an avid “chick lit” reader and urban fantasy fan. In 2012, she participated as a writer and actress in the 48 hour film project. In her other life, she works in Equal Employment and Civil Rights for the Federal Government. Before becoming a public servant, C.C. briefly practiced law after graduating from the University of Maryland School of Law. C.C. currently resides in the Washington D.C. area and is an active blogger. The Mission is C.C.’s first novel and she is working on her next novel in the genre of urban fantasy.
**Contact C.C.: Website Facebook Twitter
**Book links: Amazon Barnes & Noble
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**Click HERE to see other stops on C.C.’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours!
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**GIVEAWAY**
**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases a copy of The Mission by September 8 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at)ChickLitPlus.com will receive 10 bonus entries!**
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