Posted in Circle of Danger, Circle of Deception, Circle of Defiance, Circle of Desire, Circle of Dishonor, My Books, Writing

Just Chillin’

MM900046560Well, I say I’m just chilling, but really I’m writing and writing. With a lot of staring off into space wishing my brain would work faster. You know it’s kind of funny, when I wrote CIRCLE OF DANGER for Avon, I expected to have anxiety problems like most debut authors have with their second book. But no. It was one of the most painless books I’ve written. For some reason, it fell together so easily. Though I’m sure in the middle of it I hated the book . . . I always hate a book midway in my writing. It’s natural.

That’s when you worry it will be boring. When I may even become bored with the whole storyline. When all the doubts of being a decent writer comes to head. Of course, it makes me work harder to ensure the reader doesn’t fall asleep.

That’s where I’m at, at this point. I’m in the middle of the first book of a new series for Loveswept. That’s when the evil doubt-demon picks at me saying, who are you kidding? Maybe your husband is right and all of this is a lovely pipe dream. Maybe I need to give it up. (He actually said that a few months before I was offered my first contract. And I bet he still thinks that when he hears me moan about my dwindling sales and my vanishing dreams of becoming a NYT best selling author.)

So many authors worry about the second book slump where the next book contracted (and often in a series) doesn’t do as well as the first. Strangely, I didn’t worry about that. Maybe I should’ve. It’s just that I loved the second book of my first series as much as the first and the same for the third book. Though all three books are in the same series, they are all different and can be read in any order.

The first had a kick-ass heroine, the second had a heroine wanting to be kick-ass but finding out that wasn’t her talent, and the third was a laid back kick-ass, not high maintenance like the first one. She worried more about her past and how she could move on. I admire all three of those women. Maybe if someone were to ask me which one was I most like, I would say the wanna-be, Marie, in the second book. Though I would’ve preferred to be like the other two.

Back to what I’m doing now.

The new series is a contemporary set up in the world of motorcycle clubs, the 1%ers. Should be a piece of cake, right? New series, new start. But even so, you still have to meet the players, immerse yourself into their lifestyle and see what problems they’re in the middle of and running into before they can solve them to our satisfaction. So then they can have that beautiful, happy ending.

Yes, folks, I write romance, and I’m proud of it.

So I guess I’m having my second series doubts. The SSDs. Does sound like a disease. The cure is to keep writing. It’ll wear off. One day.

Okay. Back to work . . .

Posted in Circle of Defiance, Circle of Dishonor, My Books

Yep, Me Again

You probably have noticed I’ve been posting about ads lately. That’s part of my New Year’s resolution. I had decided to do more ads and less contests. No. An alien hasn’t taken over my body. After 21 years (first contest in 1994, skipped 5 years before 2nd one), this contest diva decided it was time to cut back. So I plan to enter only two or three. Though I will continue to support contests by judging them.

This one will be in the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo program book. If you live in northern Alabama and attend, be sure to look for it.

Defiance ad for Rodeo

And I changed up the one that will be in the Romance Writers of America’s program book. Appears to be quite a theme I have going here — program books and all. The assassins and mercenaries are a given. HA!

Defiance and Dishonor ad

Posted in Circle of Defiance, Giveaways, My Books

Happy Birthday, Dad. Giveaway!

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000039_00009]In remembrance of my dad (today he would’ve been 84), I will be giving away 11 copies of CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE (e-format only). How can you win a copy? Just comment with what is your favorite genre in romance and that special aspect. For me, it’s Romantic Suspense – Spies/Assassins. By the way, I will give away 6 copies on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CarlaSwaffordAuthor)  and 5 copies here Looking forward to the answers. The winners will be notified this evening (presently, 8:40 a.m. central time USA).

[3.11.15 9:15 PM Contest ended. Sorry, had to end it though the number wasn’t met. Denise and bn100 won copies.]

Posted in Circle of Defiance, Giveaways, My Books

Another Giveaway!

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000039_00009]On March 11, at 7 p.m. central, I will be giving away 11 copies of CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE (e-format only). Six copies on Facebook and five copies here.

Be sure to come back then to find out how you can win.

Posted in Circle of Defiance, Giveaways, Men, My Books, Writing

What We Imagine

Dwayne JohnsonThe other day, my oldest daughter was saying how she loved seeing what people imagine certain book heroes look like. So I thought I would share what I think Jack in CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE looks like. A combination of the two fellows in the top two pictures. Jack keeps his head shaved (his story will reveal why he does it), has piercings, tattoos, and isn’t classically vinsidehandsome though women would call him good-looking in that manly way. He’s a lady’s man. So he loves women. Not for just sex. He actually has a female best friend. Though his younger brother, Rex, hates him, he will do anything to keep him happy. Jack even tricked Rex into marrying the woman his brother had loved for years. Because of the decisions Jack has made, he’s a lonely, lonely man. Thankfully, Katerina comes along and cheers him up.  LOL! If you could call fearing for his life as cheering up. Don’t forget CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE is on sale now at Amazon!  Plus Amazon has CIRCLE OF DESIRE and CIRCLE OF DANGER on sale for $1.99.  Not sure how long that will last. For those who have been following my blog, I’ve mentioned a couple times I’m working on a new series. This hero let’s his hair grow, unlike Jack, and wears it in a hairstyle that has become popular again.  It was the thing to wear in the 1930s to 1940s. I wasn’t alive then, but I’ve seen the movies (reruns 100 times over) from back in the day. I so hope fedoras come back in style too. Here are a couple pictures of the hairstyle I’m talking about. So sexy if done right. Plus the new hero leaves some scruff on his face. haircut brad haircut hero By the way, CONGRATULATIONS to Melissa Ruiz!  She won the 2nd set of books, bag, Hello Kitty, $10 Amazon Gift Card and tee shirt!  Melissa, be sure to answer my email.  Thank you!

[Update:  Melissa is excited to have won.  Her package is being mailed out Saturday.  Congrats again!]