Category: hockey

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?

by 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

An Atlanta Edge Hockey, excerpt, Fake Play, hockey, Men, My Books, Video

A Tease of Fake Play

by Carla Swafford

Yep. If you didn’t see it in an earlier post, I’m on TikTok. Be careful. It’s addictive.

@carlaswafford

Available with all major booksellers, ebook or paperback.#NHL #hockeygirl #hockeygoalie #hockeyromance #spicy #vegaswedding #booktok #Fakeplay

♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
Advertisement, An Atlanta Edge Hockey, Fake Play, hockey, My Books, The Circle series

What’s Going On With Me?

by Carla Swafford

I’ve been working SLOWLY on the next Southern Crime Family novel. Sen’s story. But for some reason I couldn’t concentrate on it like I should. So I decided to do sometime I’ve put off for TWO years! Yes. Count them. One, two whole frigging years. Crazy. I had previously replaced the ebook covers for The Circle Organization books, but hadn’t taken care of the paperbacks. Same design, but I needed to include the spine and back copy.

Then they really needed to be reformatted (the inners). That takes time. Plus I wanted to added excerpts for the other books. As in Circle of Desire to have Danger and Deception excerpts in the back and so on.

Doesn’t sound like much trouble, but that includes updating the lists of books. I do have a total of 11 books out. Of course, there are two that are still with RandomHouse. I haven’t decided when to ask for the rights back. I had gotten the rights from HarperCollins to The Circle books two years ago (thus the new covers), but I’ve been putting off the RH ones. Maybe because I hope to write for them again one day? *shrug*

Beyond the 11 for sale, I have 10 books written that are not published. One day soon (hopefully), I plan to rewrite most of them. Not counting, I have another hockey romance and a suspense book I plan to write. Then I might even try my hand at historical (1910s). Goodness, I need to get myself back into forward gear and get to writing.

And I also have plans to release The Circle in a bundle hopefully in the next month or so.

Moving on. As I like to include these on my website, here are copies of my latest ads. By the way, I’m on TikTok. Be sure to follow me! See. I doing a lot of stuff.

An Atlanta Edge Hockey, Crossing The Line, hockey, My Books, Writing

So Minor, But Important

by Carla Swafford

Female legs and revolver

I was watching an interview with Mike Fisher, a retired NHL Nashville Predator and hubby of Carrie Underwood. In being teased about NHL roommates on the road, he mentioned they no longer have to share a room (per the CBA).

So many hockey romances I’ve read mention roommates. The junior leagues probably still do and that’s where others picked it up. Thus one of many reasons I read interviews, opinions, etc. about the NHL. I’m striving to make it real. Well, as real as a romance should be. Most readers appear to not want real-real. (e.g., My Brothers of Mayhem books.)

An Atlanta Edge Hockey, Crossing The Line, hockey, My Books, Writing

New Release March 26!

by Carla Swafford

Female legs and revolver

Atlanta Edge’s hottest Russian hockey star made a big mistake. Now he must find a way to apologize big time to the girl he left behind in the States.

I’ve been a puck bunny most of my life. So when Roman Volkov, up and coming hockey star with the Atlanta Edge, takes me home and treats me like a queen, I believe I’ve found the man I can love. Then one morning, I wake to the news that Roman has left me behind while he plays in Russia. His agent takes pleasure in kicking me out of Roman’s house. I don’t believe anything the sleazy man says. Roman is good to me. No way will he treat me this way. So I go in search for the truth and I discover so much more.

I’m suffocating on the third line when the season ends. So when I get a call from Russia in the middle of the night to participate in a high-profile tournament, I go for it. I’m certain a gold medal will launch me into the top line with my team back in the States. No sooner than I arrive, I call Kitty Summerville to explain why I left without waking her. She’s not answering. Has my ambition destroyed any chance of a future with her? When I return, my sexy kitten and I will have a long conversation.

Only, I want to know why is she living with my Coach, and his wife and family?

hockey, Men, Recommendations

Hat Trick, Power Play, and an Empty Net Goal

by Carla Swafford

A few years ago, if you had asked me what the above meant, I would have thought you were talking about a new video game. For those who don’t know, they are hockey terms.preds goals
You’re probably wondering what is a nice southern girl doing becoming involved in a Yankee game.  Heck, there’s rarely any ice in Alabama.

Well, first, a couple friends of mine mentioned that theyhad fallen in love with hockey. They talked about the Predators hockey team located in Nashville. Who knew? Just a hop and skip from north Alabama. *Mind blown* In fact, one is a billet parent (takes in an out-of-town teenage hockey player into her home) and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Then about a couple months or so, I listen to the audios of Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey series. *sigh* Loved them! It caught my interest. Not just for the men, but some of things she brought up about the game. I can’t pinpoint what, but anyway, I decided to check it out on TV and fell in love.

How in the hell do those big guys fall and get up so fast? Amazes me. So freaking limber! Hmmm…never mind.

So have you read a book or series that interested you in a sport? Or into checking out something you never thought about? I bet a lot of people got into BDSM after reading 50 Shades.

I have to add:  GOOD WRITERS AND GOOD STORIES INFLUENCE PEOPLE.