Audio – Carla Swafford, Author

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Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – What Are You Reading?

February 10, 2024March 8, 2024by Carla Swafford

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

Audio, Reading, Recommendations

Series Reviews

March 16, 2020March 16, 2020by Carla Swafford

In the last few months, I’ve been listening to two series: Historical romance Survivors’ Club series by Mary Balogh, and paranormal romance Deep In Your Veins Series by Suzanne Wright. What a wide spectrum of genres, heh?

I came across Suzanne’s books while looking for a new shape-shifter story. I do love those. One of my favorites is Jennifer Ashley’s Shifters Unbound series. Sadly, she rarely writes new additions to it. So, I went looking for someone else’s. Suzanne does have a shape-shifter series but her vampire one caught my attention instead. With a title like Here Be Sexist Vampires, how could I resist?

The first book was funny and sexy with a yummy alpha male and a kick ass female. I would like to point out the heroine was strong, but still feminine. Some of the books I’ve read with kick-ass heroines often act like they want to be a man. Considering I love men, but don’t want to be one, I want to be able to relate to the main female character. Not everyone feels like I do and that’s okay. There are books for everyone out there, but I’m talking about what I like. You can talk about what you like on your blog. Ha!

The world building in the series has been unique to me. I’ve read paranormal romance back when it was called science fiction. So, that’s hard to do, being unique that is. She’s found a way around the drinking blood requirement. They don’t normally drink from humans. That’s pretty good.

The first three books (if I remember correctly) were of the same couple, but the later books are of different couples, same world with the original couples showing up and not taking over. I like that. Usually by a second or third book, I’m tired of the same couple. Suzanne handled that well and I’ve enjoyed the others so far. Some a little better than others, but overall, I’ll keep listening (or reading) as long as she’ll write them.

Be sure to check out her vampire books.

Now for Mary Balogh. Do you hear the reverence in that little sentence? Goodness, I’m not sure how to begin. Let’s say this. I’m learning so much about storytelling from this author. She’s like a story weaver. She takes an emotion and threads it through the fabric of the story until you have this beautiful picture about romance with all its twists and turns. See. She even has me waxing poetic about her books. Let’s say this. If you enjoy a well-written historical romance, with romance and certainly some hot kissing and a little bit of sex sprinkled throughout, this is certainly the author for you to read.

Her heroes are not always a typical alpha male. For example, Avery Archer in Someone to Love (Wescott series – as you can see, I listen to several series of hers ). He’s slightly taller than the heroine, almost effeminate, and he uses a quizzing glass to unnerve those around him. But DAMN the man is sexy when it comes to lovemaking and his sarcastic teasing and fighting. Yep, fighting. He knows his martial arts. Read/listen to the book to find out how he came about that skill.

I will say she’s not perfect, but 98% of the time she does not disappoint. Her heroes are usually most understanding. I can’t tell you how many times I tear up because the hero has said just the right thing. Remember, this is fiction. And being fiction, I want my heroes to be smarter than the average man.

The first 1% is the same problem most romance authors have (including me). We often understand why the heroine does the things she does, but sometimes as a reader we want to slap the back of her head. We must remember not all women are smart as ourselves (sarcastic font used in this last sentence).

The other 1% is about the pace. She does take her time telling you the secret or what the bad guy has planned or whatever happens that causes the couple to feel that love is hopeless. But I have never regretted or gotten bored (not like I did with the Outlander books – Geez, never again. Love Jamie, but the books overall, hell no, I got a life to live) with reading/listening to every word.

Okay. If you love regency, go buy her books or audio (Love Rosalyn Landor’s narrative. The woman is a genius with all the voices.) and plan to relax and enjoy.

Audio, Reading, Recommendations

Reviews Are Often More Than Personal Opinions

June 16, 2019October 6, 2019by Carla Swafford

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As an author, I get reviews on my books all the time. When the reviewer doesn’t like a book of mine, I get sad. Duh, of course. But I understand how everyone’s taste is different. Some people love my books and some don’t. The only time I get aggravated is when the reviewer doesn’t realize the book just isn’t their cup of tea, and they start sprouting personal insults or try to make jokes that are really not funny. HA! Wouldn’t it be nice to be able review the review? 51js7wauk7l

Anyway, I know I read many books that make me unhappy because the people do not act like I prefer or the story doesn’t go in the direction I want or the plot becomes boring. I have read books that people go on and on about how wonderful it is and I don’t understand why when I read it. Thank goodness there are plenty of books to read out there.

I had the pleasure of listening to one of Kerrigan Byrne’s books on audio and plan to listen/read many more. This one in particular, THE HUNTER, was wonderful, sexy, romantic, and different. The hero wasn’t heroic material, but he proved to be one along the way.

I like THE HUNTER so much, I bought the paperback copy as I plan to read it (again?) soon.

Now for a totally unique book, THE BRIDE TEST. Talk about different. But I enjoyed it so much. Actually, I’ve read both of her books. THE KISS QUOTIENT is the other one and just as good and fresh.

Audio, Thoughts

Love and Hate of the Outlander Series (Books)

November 19, 2017November 18, 2017by Carla Swafford2 Comments

First, let me say I LOVE the character Jamie in the book and TV series. His character is well-written, manly man with emotions and all the charm of what an American can imagine a Scotsman would be. He’s the only reason I listen to the books or watch any of the TV series. There is a small possibility I would have READ the full series just for him, but only a small chance. Nine hundred plus pages of one story is way too much to me, and really I can’t believe I listened to the series through the third book. Audio is the way to go. Davina Porter is a wonderful narrator.

Nevertheless, so many times I screamed at the audio (in my car alone) for the narrator to hurry the f**k up. The person pattered on about some of the most obvious and boring crap when all I wanted to know was what the person had to say or did or she/he would just die.

Personally, I could’ve deleted one-third, that’s being lenient, and the story would be the same and so much better.

Claire is a woman who lives in the now even if it was more than 200 years before she was born. I get so tired of her believing she must be the one to jump in and solve everything. She never thinks of the consequence beyond her need to be in control. Some would call her a strong-willed woman, personally, I thought she was totally self-centered. There’s a difference between brave and stupid. Claire was often stupid.

I think extremely long books are like soap operas. You get tired of all the angst and nothing going right. You need a break and it takes, if you’re lucky, hundreds of pages before the author thinks to lighten things up. I began to feel bad for everyone in the book along with myself. It is sad how Jamie meets trouble after trouble. No one has that much to go bad, but I understand why the author had to do it. If you’re going to write nine-hundred pages, you have to have something bad to happen over and over and over and over again. Yes. I could’ve dropped a couple of those overs, but I wanted to show how unnecessary they were to make a point. Hell, I could’ve cut half of this post.

Once again, that’s why I don’t love long series with the same lead character.

Latin names of plants, diseases, etc. WHY?! I couldn’t care less. Only interested if that was my field of study. I love history, but I read non-fiction for the details.

There. For almost two years I held up this post because I wanted to see if I changed my mind. Even the TV series didn’t help me do that. I fast forward in Claire’s scenes because she irritates me. All I can say is the only reason Jamie stays with her — when she’s in his time zone – ha! — is because she’s a good lay. There has to be reason.

Of course, what do I know? Just my lowly opinion. Millions of people love this long-ass series. They’re best sellers. Congrats to the author. I do believe the author is a talented writer, and I’ve heard the storytelling improved as the series went along. But life is too short for that much angst between the same two (or twenty) characters, and there are many wonderful — shorter, like 80,000 to 100,000 words — stories out there to read.

Besides, I have to save time to write my poor, pitiful short stories (60,000 to 80,000 words). LOL!

Audio, Recommendations

Recommendations

August 17, 2017October 28, 2017by Carla Swafford

book-signing Lately, I’ve realized how much I miss holding and reading a paperback book. Plus I hate how all of my e-books are all jumbled together. No matter how I set up categories in iBooks or Kindle, I still find myself thumbing through several unfinished books to find a new one. Then I’m not sure if they are unread or an unfinished one. While with a paperback, you can place the new book on a certain shelf or leave it in a shopping bag. Simple. Anyway, I’ve plan to read more paperback books.

Here are some recommendations. You’ll note that I do not recap story lines. So if you want to know more about the book, look it up on Amazon. Easy enough.

Funny how authors will give a title to a book that really does not do justice to the story. One such book is Dirty Daddies by Jade West. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what you’re thinking. Carla has a kinky side. Well, of course. Have you read what I write? Geez! In this case, the book isn’t like some I’ve read. Behave. Let me look at your e-reader and I’ll see what your kink is. As you can imagine, Dirty Daddies is a hot book, but so much more. It really surprised me by the layers of character development revealed in the story. Yes, it involves two older men (not too old, gross) and a younger woman (offhand, I can’t remember, but I do believe she’s 18. In the US, that’s considered an adult). But the heroes struggle with their desire for someone younger, they recognize the problem she has with low self-esteem, and they don’t want to take advantage, but as the book goes along, the men actually help her. Like I said, it’s hot, but the story is not all sex. There’s character growth for all of them. The book turned out to be a perfect love story. Besides, the romance having two heroes for one heroine (love that), it is an unique story. Just really needs a better title.

I love hockey books. Since I love hockey, that makes sense, right? As I’m all caught up on Sawyer Bennett’s Carolina’s Cold Fury series, I’m always searching for more. Well, I had almost given up as the others out there were not meeting my standards. Then I came across, Alicia Pace Hunter’s Nickolai’s Noel, and they (the author is a writing team) met my need for more. It’s a short story, but packed with romance and hockey. (Presently, you can find it in Fire On Ice: 4 Hockey Romances.) Their latest hockey romance is Face Off: Emile. They write romantic comedy and not the silly kind. More of the sweet and fun kind. Love their sense of humor. In Face Off, it does have a little bit of sex in it, but not hot like Sawyer’s. I love the time the heroine grabbed the hero’s butt. Sexy and funny at the same time. HA! But I like mixing up my reading of romance, from hot to sweet. And I love reading hockey books where the author really knows what they’re talking about. Yes. I’ve tried reading a couple you could tell the author was writing to the market and nothing else.

Now for audio, I have fallen in love with Louise Bay’s three books set mostly in New York. They don’t have a series name. They’re stand-alones, but one character in each book is connected in some way (sister, brother, friend) to another. So same world. The narrators do a wonderful job. The books are hot, but definitely have a romance storyline. They are King of Wall Street, Park Avenue Prince, and Duke of Manhattan. Talk about some sexy, well-rounded men (and women). You really need to listen or read these books. I plan to check out her other books next.

Presently, I’m listening to Radiance: Wraith Kings, Volume 1 by Grace Draven. It’s different enough to keep me interested ,and the writing is good overall. Though I have to mention, I get aggravated with the author writing a scene where the hero or heroine thinks about something that happened earlier in the day and then being jerked back to that scene. Why not write the scenes in order without the yanking around? It wasn’t like the event happened years and years ago. In that case, you would write the event in a scene mostly as backstory. In small doses, backstory is good if it is helping the reader understand why the hero or heroine is the way he or she is. But a current event of only hours earlier being out of sequence is jarring.

Though I’ve listened to and read or tried to read many more, those are the ones worth mentioning here.

Audio, Reading, Recommendations

My Latest Recommendations

May 1, 2017by Carla Swafford

Woman Reading a Diary As I mentioned before, I listen to audio books on my drive to the day job and back. Well, actually anywhere that takes tens minutes or more, such as trips to Nashville (Go Preds!), luncheons, conferences, and writers’ meetings.

This week, I enjoyed Shadow Music: A Novel by Julie Garwood. A story set in the Middle Ages (King John). In the range of my favorite time period. Plus, it reminds me of why I love Ms. Garwood’s books. The story is captivating, lightly sexy, charming, and well-written. A note about the story: some people may think the heroine is too accommodating to the hero’s dictatorial attitude. But I think it’s perfect for the time period. Besides, the heroine knows when to pick her battles. She’s a sweetheart. The hero gives in when she explains her reasoning. A great balance. Makes you fall in love with both of them.

The icing on the cake is the narrator. Davina Porter is massively talented. I love her Scottish accents. If her name sounds familiar, she was/is the narrator for the Outlander series. Her narration got me through the first three books of that series and thoroughly made me a happy girl with this book.

In April, I listened to Maya Banks’ The Enforcers series: Mastered, Dominated, and Kept. I will say I would have enjoyed this series better if I had read them. The narrator had an awesome voice, but the female voices and nuances were off.

When it comes to reading, I’ve gone through about six books since my last recommendation with a few DNFs. Only one is worth mentioning, and I’m not finished with it yet. Not that it’s great, it’s kept me reading. The writing is rich with wonderful detail. That can be a catch-22. It can drag down the story. The title is The Warrior’s Game by Denise Doming. Another one set during the King John’s reign. I guess I’m stuck in that era.

Happy reading!

Audio, Reading, Recommendations

Audio Book Favorites

September 2, 2016by Carla Swafford

Iphone-headphone-jack On and off for many years I’ve listened to audio books from cassettes to iTunes to Amazon’s Audible. Overall, the narrators have gotten better. At one time, authors wanted well-known actors narrating their books. You can even see a few still do. But I have to say they are not always the best choice.

The ones I enjoy the best is 1) a female or male who can change their voice enough to sound like or make you think of the character they are speaking for.

My favorite audio books

I’ve actually listened to these more than once (partly because I enjoyed the story so much and partly for the savings. HA!) You may notice some of the audio books below are repeats of my favorite books to reread. Goes without saying, I loved these stories.

Alex by Sawyer Bennett
Cris Dukehart did a great job on the female narration. The male narrator, Graham Halstead, has the kind of voice I love. Since the character is in his twenties, he has a young, but still mature, sexy voice. He’s the narrator in all of Sawyer’s Carolina Cold Fury books. Smart move on Random House’s part. Hockey!! Love hockey, but not all hockey books are equal. Just as the teams. Go, PREDATORS!

Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath
The narrator, Faye Adele, did a fascinating job. I completely forgot it was a woman talking during the male parts.

The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie by Jennifer Ashley
Ditto above, but the narrator is Angela Dawe. I don’t know how the women narrators do it.

Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren
I love it when they have female and male narrators. It appears they only do when it is first person. Grace Grant did a wonderful job narrating for the female voice. Jonathan R. Cole is the male narrator, and his British accent is perfect to me. Very sexy, and I quickly learned not to listen to the male narration in the dark, before going to sleep. It felt like I was cheating on my hubby. LOL!

Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
Kristen Potter did a great job of giving us a little of the Scottish accent but not overwhelming.

What am I listening to now

Easy Love by Kristen Proby; narrated by Sebastian York and Rachel Fulginiti.

I enjoyed the female narration most the time, except when she spoke with a “New Orlean’s accent” for the hero and his family. Horrible. She really shouldn’t try. The male narrator did not, thank goodness. As always for Sebastian, he has a sexy voice, but I cannot tell when it’s the hero’s thoughts or if the hero is speaking it. His voice doesn’t distinguish between the two.

The story was cute, hot, and laugh out-loud funny at times. Loved the Taylor Swift drinking game. The only problem I had with the story was the heroine was late often to work and never called in when she wasn’t going to show up at all (I don’t care if she was sleeping with the boss. Her co-workers were not to know.) Working in an office for most of my life, the girl would be fired before the month was out and her co-workers would resent her. They would have to do her “pretend” job. Someone had to. Plus I kept wondering how the heroine was going to find out who was stealing money from the company if she never worked? And how did she expect to keep her affair with the boss a secret if they were running around town?

I kept telling my inner, anal reader to shut up and enjoy the story. I did and I did. Besides, it is fiction and for pure entertainment. Certainly worth listening to one time. I bet if you’ve never worked in an office, you’ll enjoy it a hundred times more.

Side note about listening to Outlander.

Davina Porter is the narrator. I have to say, if not for her, I would’ve never gotten through the whole book. Well, her and Jamie. The author did great on him. But so many stretches were so boring with unnecessary details and don’t get me started on Claire. That review/comment post will be for a later time. It’s written, but I prefer letting it sit for a while. So far it’s been over a year. Anyway, Davina is a wonderful narrator and deserves every dime she receives.