I’m Anti-Martyrdom

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

If you’re wondering what I mean, see if any of this sounds familiar?

Everyone ignores me in the meeting/class/workshop/conferences.
I’m always dumped on/given more work/forgotten.
Others have more fun/time to talk/goof off.

Oh, I’m sure I can think of a dozen more. Some that I’ve even said before I caught myself.

Really, people, most of those statements are simply because you won’t stand up for yourself or open up. Yes. I’m an extrovert, but I do have moments where I feel insecure. You wouldn’t know it but when I was a kid, I stuttered. Not terribly bad, but bad enough for people to poke fun at me. I still stutter when I get angry or extremely nervous. Plus I have difficulties pronouncing certain words. A little quirk of mine. I know what they mean, just don’t use them often enough in speech. And anyone who sees pictures of me know I’m overweight. Over the years, I’ve heard enough about that to be self-conscious.

Okay, what I’m getting to is that everyone have issues and insecurities. When you feel dumped on, ignored, or/and left out, stop and think of how you can fix it. More times than I can count the problem starts with yourself.

If I don’t want to feel that way, I found if I open myself up, things change. If they act like an asshole, the world is large. look for another friend, nice acquaintance or companion. There are others out and about who are in the same spot.

So keep that in mind next time you feel like a martyr.

Why do you think all of those nerd movies are so successful? One nerd finds like minded nerds to hang around.

Circle of Defiance, Circle of Dishonor, Contests, excerpt, Giveaways, My Books, Special Price

The Contest Continues for the iPad Mini

Posted on May 31, 2015June 30, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

If you haven’t caught the news here or on Facebook, I’ve decided to give more people time to read CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE (novella – in other words, short story) and answer the questions for a chance to win the iPad Mini. The contest has been extended to June 30. If you’ve already read it, click here and answer the questions. They give you three possible answers. They’re not easy, and a couple are trick questions. BUT, if you read the book, you won’t have a problem.

CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE is only $2.99. And during the contest, I’ve made CIRCLE OF DISHONOR free during this time. So double bonus!

Here’s a little tidbit from CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE. (No answers given away.)

He lightly squeezed the woman in his arms. Who was he kidding? He was up shit creek without a paddle when Kat learned the truth. So, he’d keep her safe and when it was over, leave. Same old, same old. Chances were she wouldn’t want anything to do with him when she found out he still worked for The Circle, and they had set her up.

[June 30, 2015: Congratulations to Jenn Williams. She was one of the few to answer all the questions correctly. The iPad Mini will be mailed this week! Please keep reading! Thanks! Carla]

Contests, excerpt, Giveaways, Guest

Welcome Katherine Bone (Giveaway)

Posted on May 27, 2015March 17, 2026 by Carla Swafford, Author

Contests, Giveaways, Guest

Welcome Hildie McQueen (Giveaway)

Posted on May 22, 2015March 17, 2026 by Carla Swafford, Author

Circle of Defiance, Contests, excerpt, Giveaways, My Books

Excerpt from CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE

Posted on May 21, 2015May 2, 2017 by Carla Swafford, Author

Be sure to go and buy CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE, read the whole novella (short book) and

click here

for a chance to win an iPad Mini by answering the questions correctly. You really and truly have to read the book to answer them. There has been such a low number of people answering the questions (and getting them right), I’ve decided to extend the contest to June 30. So that should give you plenty of time to read it.

Here’s an excerpt from CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE. And no, none of the answers are in it. Hopefully, it will be interesting enough for you to want to read it all contest or not.

~~~~~

“I’ll take you up on your offer, but the money isn’t enough,” he said in a near growl.

“What? Are you kidding me? That kind of money could get me ten guys like you.” As soon as it came out of her mouth, she wished each word would evaporate into the night air.

The pierced eyebrow lifted. “If that was true, you wouldn’t be begging me to help you. You know I’m the only one who can protect and help you at the same time.” That smirk she hated was back.

Beg? He only wished. The handsome devil. He was evil.

She crossed her arms. “So you don’t want money. What will it take to get your help?” She avoided thinking about it too hard. The heated look he gave hinted at what it entailed. Would she have the strength or will power to say no?

“I want the money. That’s part of the deal. From what you’ve told me, there’s no guarantee the gold will be found. So I could do all that work and end up with nothing.”

“And?” She hated sounding like a smartass, but she really wanted him to get to the point.

He grinned and leaned forward, one hand resting on the wall behind her. She should feel trapped, but her body started melting against his. Yeah. She wanted him. Badly.

“Give me free access to your body for the next week and then if the deal goes tits up,” his grin deepened, “we’re even.”

“Deal.”

His eyebrows rose.

Did she just say that without hesitation? Oh, Lord of Mercy, she’d lost her mind.

A new series is coming February 2016. Brothers of Mayhem. Yep, an outlaw motorcycle club and wait until you get to meet the heroes. Ohoooo, baby! Hot! The first book is HIDDEN HEAT!