Carla Swafford, Author

Brothers of Mayhem series, excerpt, Naked Heat

Excerpt from NAKED HEAT

Posted on August 16, 2016August 16, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

I thought you might be interested in a little excerpt from NAKED HEAT.

A scene when the heroine remembers meeting Wolf Savalas for the first time.

Calling him adorable was like calling a grizzly cuddly.

He’d noticed her standing a couple feet away with her hand over her mouth, trying to hide her laughter.

“What the hell’s the difference between a glaze, rub, and brine? I told them not to send me. What the hell? Thanksgiving isn’t for another two weeks.” He shook his head, tossing black hair into his eyes while the rest fell over his ears and straight around the nape of his neck.

His pale blue eyes peeked between the dark strands. God, they were almost otherworldly as he watched her. She guessed him to be taller than her cousin. That would make him easily six-three. The plain beaten-up brown leather jacket looked perfect for his olive skin and that gorgeous hair, giving him a bad boy look. She did have a problem being attracted to bad boys. She really needed to stay away from men like her soon-to-be ex-husband.

Turning on her heel, she made two steps before a hand reached out and lightly touched her arm. “Sorry, beautiful, but I have a feeling you know the difference. Could you help?”

Unable to say no when asked so nicely, she faced him and smiled. No one had called her beautiful before, and she didn’t care he was lying to assure her help. She blushed. He smiled back, and she knew she was screwed.

If she hadn’t been in the final stage of an ugly divorce, he would’ve had her panties off that afternoon when they met for coffee.

That had been the beginning of the most exhilarating time of her life. They’d seen each other almost everyday for the first three weeks though most times it had been only an hour or so. They talked about their childhood and their plans for the future, but never about their current life. Except on their second week together, she did mention she was going through a divorce, and her voice had cracked. His eyes had filled with compassion. Later, when he walked her to her car, he’d kissed her. It had been heaven.

Full Heat

Brothers of Mayhem Ride Again

Posted on July 18, 2016July 17, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

Release date July 19, 2016 in ebook only.
Full Heat_Swafford

From the author of Hidden Heat (“Filled with action, deception, and emotional and sexual tension.”—Publishers Weekly), the Brothers of Mayhem MC rides again in an explosive novel of wounded hearts and undeniable heat.

Forget shining armor. Motorcycle shop owner Mary Jane Parker could use a knight in black leather right about now. A local gang has been extorting her for protection money, and standing her ground would be a lot easier with the Brothers of Mayhem at her back. She just needs to convince the club’s new president to take the job. The powerful, brooding biker claims he’s not interested—but if his version of tough love is supposed to be punishment, Mary Jane would gladly misbehave for the rest of her life.

Storm Ryder has no interest in rescuing anyone but himself. He spent three agonizing years in prison, and there’s no way in hell he’s going back, not over a spoiled rich girl who’s flirting with trouble. So why does he find himself craving Mary Jane’s lips—and holding her close when he should be pushing her away? Deep down in his tortured soul, Storm knows she’ll be there for him. And when Mary Jane needs him most, he’ll find the courage to give her everything he’s got.

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Giveaways, My Books

Let’s Party Like It’s July 11!

Posted on July 8, 2016July 5, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

I couldn’t resist using that title.

Anyway, on July 11, I will be with a group of writers on Facebook giving away all kinds of goodies. My giveaway/post slot is 9 to 9:30 p.m. central time USA. (10-10:30 eastern; 8-8:30 mountain; 7-7:30 p.m. west coast).

I will be giving away Brothers of Mayhem cups (US only) and gift cards (US or International). So be sure to type it on your calendar and show up. Of course, I’m sure you’re wondering who are the other authors?

Jade Chandler (it’s her party)
Gillian Archer
Christi Barth
Claudia Connor
Ja Dena
Sarah Leyton
Carla Swafford (Me!!)

Considering what we all write, I have a feeling there will be lots of pictures of good looking men.

Go to the link below and click on Going or Interested.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1647867522203540/

Hope to see you there!

Odd Observation, Reading, Recommendations

Recommendations

Posted on July 5, 2016July 17, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. In the past, I’ve done a few blog posts on books I’ve loved but nothing consistently. In fact, the few I’ve done are on my old blog if I remember correctly. So I thought every once in awhile, I’ll recommend books and let you know what I’ve recently read.

But first, I’ll start with a few favorites of mine that I love to re-read. I was talking with some readers the other day and was actually shocked to hear a couple say they never do. Too many other books out there to read the first time they said.

Oh, well. I do know that I find a new book at least once a year that I enjoy re-reading. I guess because I learn something from each one that can hopefully improve my writing.

So here are a few.

The Rainbow Season by Lisa Gregory (aka Candace Camp) 1989 – a bad boy wanting to improve his life and he falls for a good girl. Yet, the girl believes she’s not so good as she’s in love with her brother-in-law. I love wounded misunderstood bad boys and good girls who are not quite good.

The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie by Jennifer Ashley 2011 – an man with autism (I believe) who pursues a widow. So well written and oddly because of his extreme concentration on the heroine, it’s quite sexy. And unique. I love unique.

All the Queen’s Men by Linda Howard 1999 – A super spy asks for help from a former female associate and during their new mission they fall in love. Doesn’t sound exciting, but the hero is awesome and Linda has a wicked sense of humor that comes out in her books. This book is the one that encouraged me to write Circle of Desire. My female assassin book. I love spy/assassin/mercenary books.

It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips 2002 – A ditzy blonde (smarter than everyone thinks) inherits a football team. The coach isn’t happy but finds love with the new owner. It’s funny and unique. At the least, that’s what I think. If you get a chance, read the first line. It’s a hoot!

Ryker by Sawyer Bennett 2015 – A goalie and the team’s female manager fall in love. This book has so much heart. Ryker is the near perfect man and the heroine isn’t no wimp. Strangely, I’ve listened to this at least three times. So it edged out the true favorite of this series, Alex. Alex is the bad boy of the series and you know how I love bad boys.

There are more, but it’s getting late and I need to go to work tomorrow.

Hope you’ll check them out. Just remember the older the book, the older the style and some people don’t care for them. Then again, I consider them classics even if they’re a year old.