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!

Circle of Deception, excerpt, My Books

Two more days . . .

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

Excerpt

Jack stepped out of his Silverado and hesitated near the truck’s front end, keeping the thick engine block between him, the house, and anyone who might shoot. Besides, he wasn’t sure what mood Kat would be in.

The place appeared to be deserted. Not that anything looked different from last evening. Early morning sun reflected off the windows and exposed peeling paint beneath the eaves. The overgrown bushes near the long porch needed to go. Too easy for someone to hide behind and attack when entering the front door.

No birds chirped nearby. Something didn’t feel right. Kat wasn’t inside the house. A heavy sensation ran down his spine. Who was watching?

He stepped back and opened the crew door on his truck and pulled out a sawed-off shotgun. In the South, it was the weapon of choice against thieves and burglars. Using rock salt, the spray would cover anyone heading his way, and he didn’t worry about his aim, or killing anyone. Rather ironic considering the field of work he’d been in so long, but he was tired of people dying around him.

Circle of Dishonor, excerpt, My Books

A Snippet of CIRCLE OF DISHONOR

Posted on May 15, 2014May 31, 2014 by Carla Swafford, Author

The blurb for the small novella, CIRCLE OF DISHONOR.

John “Ice” Takahashi’s final job for The Circle has an unexpected hitch in it; he’s fallen for an innocent civilian and his enemies know. With his mission in a shambles, he’ll do anything to protect her, including kill. So how can a man without honor prove he’s worthy of her love?

Lena Matthews feels like she’s playing with fire by dating the mysterious Master J. He’s exotic, dangerous, and exactly what she needs in her boring life. With the bad guys bearing down on them, she discovers a whole new world of sensuality that binds her heart to his forever.

And here is the snippet from the first chapter.

Lena Matthews felt like a perverted voyeur.

Sitting in a coffee shop across the courtyard from the martial arts studio’s glass storefront, she stared at the tae kwon do class as they kicked and jabbed. Most of the students wore white pajama-like uniforms, except for the teacher. He stood out in black with his shaggy dark hair and ripped body. The man looked good enough to lick.

For the last five weeks after her tai chi class, she’d claimed the same chair and watched his every move. Behind her, others in the coffee shop chatted about the class and the mysterious man leading it.

From what she’d overheard, his name was John Takahashi, and the students called him Master J.

Master? Oh, yeah. She could imagine he’d master many things. With his strong hands and long muscled arms and legs, he likely controlled any situation or person. He could easily lift and hold her against the wall as he stroked her to a climax. She whimpered and squeezed her knees together.

A shake of her head knocked out the dirty thoughts racing through her mind. She knew better. He’d never be attracted to an ordinary person like her. The woman he chose would be totally the opposite of her: young, athletic with honey blonde hair. Lena was about as interesting as watching bread turn to toast.

I had hoped to have it out in June, but it will be later. No date at this time. Keep an eye out here. [Updated 5/31/14 – It will be out in June after all. YAY! Probably June 23. Be on the lookout for the announcement!]

Circle of Defiance, excerpt

A Taste of A Book

Posted on August 13, 2013August 13, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

I’ve been thinking about about placing some excerpts of my books on Goodreads, but a few things came to mind. A few years ago, Sherrilyn Kenyon told me not to use the first chapter as an excerpt because people will open the book and think they’ve read it.

That is so true. If I want to make sure I haven’t already read a book, I always read the first few paragraphs. I wonder how many books I placed back on the shelf for that reason?

But, of course, the first scene is what I posted when I gave readers a taste of my fourth book in The Circle series. Hopefully you won’t forget and think you’ve already bought the book when I self-publish it next year. And the same is true about the first three books that are already available (published through Avon Red, HarperCollins) wherever books are sold on line.

*Excerpts* *Amazon* *B&N* *ARe* *BAM*

Anyway, my questions today are, do you prefer the first scene or chapter? Or do you like to see a scene or chapter from further into the book? Maybe in the middle of a turning point (e.g., an emotional scene)?

And do you like a page or two, or more like ten to fifteen to read?

Circle of Danger, excerpt

CIRCLE OF DANGER Tidbit

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

One hand raised to hold them back, she asked, “Let me get this straight. The drug will cause me to have a driving need for sex at any time and any place? You’ve got to be kidding.” ~~ Marie receiving bad news in CIRCLE OF DANGER

Available in paperback and e-format.

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