Posted in An Atlanta Edge Hockey, Book Signings, Ethan, Fake Play, Newsletter, Recommendations, Sen, Southern Crime Family series

Author Carla Swafford – Book Signings

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Posted in Book Signings, Circle of Desire, Conference, Fake Play, Giveaways, Loving The Small-Town Hero, Newsletter, Sen

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Conference Hangover

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Posted in An Atlanta Edge Hockey, excerpt, Fake Play, My Books, Newsletter

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Excerpt

I felt like it was time to share an excerpt from Fake Play.

First, here’s the blurb.

Nothing like waking up in Vegas wearing only a gigantic diamond ring while sprawled out next to an equally naked stranger.

Connor Ellison

Yeah, yeah, I’m Atlanta Edge’s best winger and biggest prankster, but the coaches and PR department have given me an ultimatum: I must own up to my ill-considered stunt and stay married until the end of the run for the Cup or I’ll find myself being traded.

Lily Jones

I want nothing to do with his insane demand. But he convinces me the best decision is to play along. If we remain married and pretend to be in love, he’s offer to save my ice rink from bankruptcy. What’s another sacrifice for my family? I can put up with him until the end of the hockey season. Then we can go our separate ways.

Easy-peasy. No way will they go to the finals. And it’s not like we’ll fall in love or anything.


Now for the excerpt.


     “You like what you see?” He lifts his arms.
     “Yes. I like looking at you.” I spot several ugly bruises on his ribs, right shin—the area that at times becomes exposed between the skate and pads—and in the middle of his chest. That one worries me. He got it as a result of a slap shot during the game in Toronto. I watched it on the wide screen TV above the concession stand at work. I cringed when he blocked it, even pads can’t protect a person from a dark bruise. Without pads, he would most likely have been badly injured or dead. “What did your trainer say?”
     “He iced it. He’ll check it again before the game tomorrow.” He runs a finger across my lips. “I’m okay.”
     Nodding, I rub my hands over and down his chest, avoiding the bruise. “You’re more than okay.”
     He chuckles.
     The sparse hairs tickle my palms as I follow the thicker trail to his stomach. He sucks in air. I know it’s not to hide a beer gut, he doesn’t have one, but from my light touch. His cock, still hard from my play, jerks as if reaching for my hand.
     My lips quiver.
     “Are you laughing at my dick? You better not.” His teasing tone causes my lips to quirk up into a big smile for a second.
     “I would never laugh at your beautiful penis.” I stroke it with the tips of my fingers and glance up for a moment.
     What is it about him that makes me want to pet and play with him? I’ve never really been comfortable doing all of this foreplay. Not that I haven’t. If you want a real relationship with a man, you know sex in many variations will be involved. They are sexual beings, and treat it like food and air. Just a part of living. While most women require their emotions to be engaged.
     Though I will admit, I find I prefer sex over sharing feelings, but at the same time, I like to ignore both whenever possible. I guess that’s another reason my boyfriends break up with me.   They often said I’m hard to read. But with Connor, he’s different. That’s why I decided to go to bed with him even knowing mentally a divorce will be more difficult.
He gets me.
     Oddly, none of my old boyfriends played hockey. Oh, they watched it, but that’s not the same. Maybe it’s the reason I feel closer to Connor. He understands the pressure and the dedication of the sport.
     Why am I thinking of hockey when I’m touching this sexy man’s cock?
     “You’re grinning again. You really need to stop before it hurts my ego.”
     “I doubt I can do much damage. It’s a pretty big ego.
     “Thank you, but it’s average for my height. Obviously, the other men in your life were sad representations of manhood.”
     No longer able to hold back, I laugh so hard tears come to my eyes. He joins in. This is the strangest foreplay I’ve ever been part of.
     While still laughing with me, he pushes on my shoulders and my arms windmill as I land on the bed.
     “Perfect. The way I want you. Legs and arms spread out.” Before I can feel any embarrassment at my unladylike display, he lands on top, being careful to catch himself before flattening me. “If I had known you were so much fun in bed, I wouldn’t have waited so long.”
     “Who says I’d willingly fall in bed with you before today?”
     I’ve never imagined being naked in bed with such a sexy man and comfortably talking about our bodies. I feel a low boil of excitement and yearning. Yet, I’m not afraid of coming across as naive and ungraceful as I usually do in intimate times like this. Our attitude is like old friends enjoying each other’s bodies. Is this how it is to have a friend with benefits? Though we’re married, it’s only a technicality.


I picked this excerpt because it’s one of my favorite scenes. It shows that during making love it’s okay to laugh and joke around.

A reminder, be on the look out in September about some announcements.

Keep reading, especially romance.

Carla

Posted in An Atlanta Edge Hockey, excerpt, Fake Play, My Books, Savage Champion

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford’s First Audio

Yep, Savage Champion will also be my first audio and with a real live person(s). It should be released by the fall. As soon as I have a date, I’ll pass it on. If it goes well, I hope to have my other books narrated (gradually). By the way, Savage Champion rose to #203 (Enemies to Lovers) under Amazon’s ebooks. The 99 cents for the ebook will change after Memorial Day to $6.99. So buy it while the price is low.

Oh, if you don’t remember, Savage Champion is a standalone. I plan on more vampire, shifter, and other paranormal stories. They may be in the same “world” but not dependent on each other.


In Honor of The NHL Play-Offs, An Excerpt of Fake Play

Connor Ellison’s POV

For the next twenty game-clock minutes, my attention is plastered to the opposing team trying to protect their home ice. I manage to play without sneaking a look at Lily. When the buzzer sounds for intermission, I gamble I can handle another peek without going blind to my surroundings.

She’s exactly where she’d been before the game started. Fuck, she looks so good. My jersey fits her just right. Even from across the ice, I see her eyes bright with excitement. It’s a hell of a game so far, but I managed to get a point for an assist. Her head turns to the person next to her. For a second, jealousy swamps me, until I see the man has to be in his seventies. From what I’ve experienced so far, Lily doesn’t have a weakness for much older guys.

Tearing my gaze away, I follow my teammates off the ice.

“If Coach doesn’t kick your ass for letting your gonads control your attention, I sure as hell will.” Nick slaps my back.

Can’t get mad at the man. He’s right. No more asking Lily to come to games. My mind refuses to stay on what’s important. Far back in my brain a little voice sneers, “Like she’s not important to you?”

More significant than I should feel in such a short time.

We listen to Coach chew us out and then give the usual pep talk. Then back on the ice.

The second period is a jumbled mess. We miss passes, have too many interceptions, play like a bunch of girls —shit, if Lily read my thoughts, she’d cut my dick off—play like zombies. Yeah, that’s a better analogy.

Somehow we pull it together in the third period. We even edge by New York and win in overtime. I dare to check her out while in line to knock helmets with Liam in congrats on the win.

She’s jumping up and down, waving. I lift my hand and slam into a teammate. We barely remain upright on our skates.

“Fuck, Elly. What’s wrong with you?” Big Ryan gives me the evil eye with good reason.

“I think I’m in love,” I mutter beneath my breath.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Love? Yeah. And I have no idea how to handle it.


Finally Back To the Southern Crime Family

Once again, I’m working on Sen’s story. Hopefully, I’ll have it finished before the end of the year. Maybe it’ll be early enough to get published before Christmas too. We’ll see.


Hey, be sure to tell your friends about my books and get them to sign up for my newsletter. Pretty please. 🙂 CLICK HERE.

Hugs,

Carla

Posted in An Atlanta Edge Hockey, Audio, Crossing The Line, Fake Play, hockey, Holiday, My Books, Newsletter, Reading, Recommendations, Writing

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – What Are You Reading?

Pep Talk

Last evening while watching a romantic movie (shocked?), a commercial came on for Peloton, and they said, “run your own race.” I like the message. It can be applied anywhere in a person’s life, but especially writing. Authors are running a race to hit best seller lists, have more reviews, write more books, etc. Authors, like many people, can be competitive too. But what’s so important is not to worry about other authors’ successes, but concentrate on your own. Compete against yourself. It’s a healthier way to live.

Hockey Season

If you’re watching hockey (or not), be sure to pick up my books with the fellows of Atlanta Edge. Fake Play has a female goalie in it. Of course, the MMC is hot and in the NHL. And the other book, Crossing The Line has an ambitious Russian skater who screws up and must apologize big time to the sweet woman in his life. The FMC is a puck bunny and has a big secret. As all of my books, they’re spicy.

Fisting a handful of hair at the back of her skull, I bring her lips to mine. Her sweet submission and game-for-anything attitude has kept me interested in her more than any puck bunny prior.

Roman Volkov

Reading

Yes. I actually make time to read. I read in bed before I get up and start the day, I read in the car (of course, my husband’s behind the steering wheel; otherwise, I’m listening to an audio book). Then I read on my porch at some point during a beautiful day. Then I read before I go to sleep at night. A little obsessive? Nah.

There are a few authors I want to mention. No, I don’t know them personally, but I’ve enjoyed several of their books and “discovered” them recently.

If you love medieval romance, then you need to read Alice Coldbreath. She writes medieval (knights & ladies, etc.) set in a fictional country similar to Britain. She also writes Victorian romance. I’ve enjoyed those too.

If you love criminal romance, be sure to check out S. J. Tilly. I’m reading her Alliance series. They’re standalones. I’m on book four. Book two (King) was my favorite so far.

Then author C. M. Stunich’s book, Throwaway Prince. This is not for everyone. Some people would call it a dark romance. The hero is unique to say the least. Be aware it has a cliffhanger. She hasn’t published book two.

Thankfully, I’ve read more good ones than not. The weird thing was I purchased an old book (audio) by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I messed up. I was thinking it was The Wolf And The Dove (Medieval Romance), but it was her The Flame And The Flower (pre-civil war US). I loved the book back in the 70s, but it’s not my cup of tea now. So frustrating. I hate to return books (audio or whatever).

Beta Readers

Savage Champion is still with my editor. I’ve heard back from a Beta reader. It appears I need to smooth out the romantic relationship between the main characters and define my villain a little more. By the way, if you’re interested in being a beta reader, you can contact me on my website.

Be sure to pre-order the book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo Books, or Apple Books.


Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s day. If you don’t have a sweetheart or one who will give you chocolate (or treats), go and buy your own. As a romance author, I hit the shelves the next day for romantic giveaways.

Regards.

Carla