Carla Swafford, Author

Author Carla Swafford: Everyone Likes Free Stuff

Posted on July 23, 2023March 18, 2024 by Carla Swafford, Author

(If you don’t see pictures, be sure to click on Display Images)

Got your attention with that subject line, didn’t I? It normally pulls me in. I promise this isn’t a gimmick.

First free item. I decided as a thank you to those who follow my website/blog or signed up for my newsletter (they are the same now), I will provide you with a free copy of ebook Kidnapped For A Day (The Circle Organization short story). Just email me at authorcarlaswafford @gmail.com and ask for a copy. Then in 48 hrs you should receive a “redemption link” from Amazon (for US recipients). If you live outside the US, let me know in your email, and I’ll arrange another way to send you a copy.

A side note: The short story was published in a book called What A Day! with other authors. So I had to write a tame story. It’s rated PG-13 instead of my usual X.

You must be on my subscriber list to receive a copy . If you received this notice via email from me, then you’re a subscriber. If you receive this from someone else or read it on my website, you are not, and if you would love a copy. Sign up for my newsletter. Click here for subscriber link.

“Really, how many women could resist snuggling up to a broad-shouldered, long-legged man with such inscrutable gray eyes?”
Kidnapped For A Day: Short Story
Carla Swafford

Second free item. In August, I will provide a free presentation called Save The Story (No Sagging Middles). If you’re a thinking about becoming a writer, or you’re a beginner or been doing it for years and want to improve your plotting or pump up the middle (or use guides to help your pantser story), then this will be perfect for you. It’s based on Blake Snyder’s Save The Cat. His original book was for screenwriting, but it applies for novels too. You can find it, plus many others geared toward novel writing, on Amazon.

If you’re wondering, I’ve provided this program to two Romance Writers of America chapters (numerous times), two public libraries, a large conference, and soon in September to the Georgia Romance Writers organization. The presentation is geared toward romance, but you can use it for any genre (thriller, sci-fi, YA, etc.).

The program will be on Zoom. If you plan to attend, be sure to do two things: (1) fill out the form here and I’ll confirm I received it, Then I’ll email you before the date with instructions on how to join the Zoom presentation. (2) In the meanwhile, sign up for a Zoom account (free) at Zoom.us and be prepared by watching the movie Pretty Woman, if you haven’t before .

When: August 26, 2023; Saturday, 12 noon on Zoom. Where: Coming to your desktop, laptop, or phone via Zoom. How long: 45 minutes plus 15 minutes of question/answer time at the end. This is open to anyone, but I do have a cap. So sign up soon.

Just a heads up. My latest books have two covers. One for ebook (Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited only), and one for paperbacks (everywhere). I’m planning to provide them in hardback too.

That’s it for now. I’ll probably have more news soon. I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards.

Carla Swafford

P.S. Remember, you can find me on the following social sites.

Reading, Recommendations

Rare Book Review: Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Carla Swafford, Author

It’s been a long time since my last book review (on my blog or elsewhere). True, I do few anyway, and even less the last couple years. Even though I enjoy certain books throughout the year, only one or two, if I’m lucky, are worth, to me, a review. See, any typing I do, I want the time and energy to go to writing books. HA!

I had the pleasure of reading Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston. If you want to know what it’s about check out her blurb.

One of my go-to historical period romances is a regency. This is one of the best. No stupid misunderstandings. No too stupid to live moments, but some of the most emotional scenes.

I don’t know if I’m going through something I’m unaware of or if the story was so moving it made me cry in a couple spots. I teared up in one place that was heart-wrenching (mother worried about the custody of her children) and the others were from the hero’s realization and change.

If you’re wondering, the book has spice (what I consider light) but not explicit.

The whole book was beautiful and well-worth reading. It might even be a book I’ll read again.

blurb, Love In A Small Town, Loving The Small-Town Hero, My Books, Writing

Another New Release soon!

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Carla Swafford, Author

A crazy old song echoes in her head. Why? Well, she shot the sheriff, but her brother didn’t shoot the deputy. Or something like that. So let’s find out what really happened…

Years before, Molly Hicks escaped her hometown of Sand City, Alabama, but her plans of never returning are ignored when her parents demand she help control her troublemaking younger brother. No sooner than she arrives, he’s thrown in jail accused of killing a deputy. Then she shoots the sheriff. Just a graze, but she lands in a cell alongside her sibling.

Sheriff J.T. Rogan refuses to admit he has a soft spot for any Hicks, especially Molly. The same girl whose father kicked him out of town as a teenager. So when he releases her without filing charges, it’s no surprise she stalks him around town, insisting he find the real killer.

When another body turns up, while her brother is locked up, J.T. is beginning to believe Molly. As they track down clues and come up with suspects, he remembers why he always wanted to be her hero.

Writing

Sign Up For Workshop – Event In June

Posted on May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 by Carla Swafford, Author

Date: June 3, 2023, Saturday
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: North Shelby Library, upstairs meeting room
5521 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, AL 35242. 205-439-5500
Presented by Southern Magic Romance Writers of America.
Open to all published or unpublished writers of any genre

Four 45-minute Sessions

So You Think You Want to Write

By Louisa Cornell

Choosing a Publishing Path

By Carla Swafford

(www.carlaswafford.com)

Preparing Your Writing for Submission/Publication

By Betty Bolté

(www.bettybolte.com)

Marketing and Social Media/Other Resources

By Jo Chambliss

(www.jochambliss.com)

Go here to register and get more info: https://wordpress.com/page/southernmagic.org/286

Love In A Small Town, Loving The Small-Town Preacher's Son, Men, My Books

New Release: Loving The Small-Town Preacher’s Son

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Carla Swafford, Author

Former Vegas showgirl Mary Hightower swore off dangerous men after the death of her mafia husband. To protect her and her mom, they move to a small southern town far from her past life to start a new bad-boy-free existence. Then she meets Luke.

Ex-convict Luke Blackwood works hard to be the man his mom could have been proud of, yet his bruised knuckles prove he’s a failure. Though his dad still believes in him, it may take the love of a long-legged, soft-spoken woman to repair what is broken inside.

When her husband’s former boss demands the evidence she has hidden, she turns to the only man she can trust. But is the reformed bad boy willing to do whatever’s needed to save the woman he wants for his own?

Will be available on Kindle Unlimited (ebook)

Paperback everywhere else