If this author has a trade/wordmark on “Cocky”, then they have to defend it or lose it, that’s the nature of trademarks. Now, some firms do it with grace, Jack Daniels is one that comes to mind. In this particular instance, I do think having the trademark is a bit cocky, but if you’ve got a series, you have to trademark something distinctive about it. (ie “Harry Potter”). For romance, “Cocky” would certainly be in the list of candidates … is “Sexy” trademarked?