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Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – New Words
Category: Newsletter
Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Same Old…
If you’ve been looking for my Author page (carlaswaffordauthor) on Facebook, you won’t find it. I was hacked and I notified Meta. It’s a terrible long story that taught me that criminals will play the long game to get it. (No, I did not click on a link of any type.) Meta shutdown that portion of my FB. So I still have my personal page where I accept “friends.” Meta has been trying to get my Author page to come back up, but it’s looking like that will not happen. At least, if it stays down, the criminals can’t use it too. There are two parts of this that make me even more sad: 1) all of my photos are gone. So many memories. Sure, I probably have copies lying around the house, but still…you know. 2) There were over two thousand people following me. It took me a few years to build that up (I started the page in 2011) and I doubt I can do that again without spending money. Anyway, I had been drifting away from FB the last couple years and this might be the final straw to push me to stay on Instagram the majority of the time. TikTok is too much of a pain in the ass to deal with though I do post some there. Yet, I won’t leave FB totally because the groups are so helpful in keeping in touch with family, friends, and communities of interest. So be careful who you believe. ALWAYS go to the source and ask questions.
Booksigning
In my last newsletter, I told you about Bookfest in Sumiton, AL. It was a beautiful day and we had nice crowds to come through. They are planning a third one for October 2025 and it will most likely be indoors. So if you live in Alabama USA or nearby states, plan to visit. Lots of authors and book related goodies. Here’s a pic of me. I sold all of my Savage Champion books except for one.
Workshop
The North Shelby Library has asked my writers group to present a writers workshop this Saturday (10/19). Here’s the info on it. Link at bottom. I don’t believe it will last to 6 p.m. We should be finished by 4 p.m. I will be presenting Plotter vs Pantster. That’s referring to the type of writer you could be and will help you relax and accept whatever method you use is okay.
Fiction Focus: All-Day Writing Workshop
10:00am – 6:00pm
North Shelby
Registration Open
Library Branch: North Shelby
Room: Mueller Annex Classroom
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 34
Event Details:
Are you ready to captivate readers with your words? Just starting out and don’t know where to begin? Join us for this writing workshop designed to ignite your creativity and elevate your writing skills to new heights. It’s free.
Register here: https://northshelby.librarycalendar.com/event/nanowrimo-event-11944
Writing
Sen’s book is coming along. I came across an unique problem for me. Now, I don’t usually know who the bad guy is until I’ve written most of the book, but this time I was so certain who it was, but then bam! I realized I was wrong. So be on the lookout for a twist in the story. Hopefully, you won’t be disappointed.
That’s it for now. Here’s hoping the storms stay away for the rest of the year and everyone chill during elections. Scary times for sure. So keep reading romance and you’ll know there is a happy future for the couple (or more). Reading helps our mental health. It’s good to believe in happy endings.
Hugs.
Carla
Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Staying Busy
For any of my newsletter followers who are barely (or not presently able) to read this for they are dealing with real life issues of a partial or fully destroyed home and/or lost family members, I’m keeping you in my prayers. We never know when or where a natural disaster will strike, and Hurricane Helene has certainly reminded us of that.
In case you’re one of the lucky ones and not dealing with Helene’s aftermath, be sure to prepare ahead. Hurricanes, tornados, snow, fire, heat, terrorists, locust, anything can interfere with our lifestyle. The government has a website for a survival kit. You can click here for the list of items needed.
Reviews
Well, from what I hear by emails/messages/texts, readers are enjoying Savage Champion and even giving it lots of five stars. Bookbub has one written review (thank you, Bleem58, whoever you are). There’s a nice comment on one of my ads in Facebook, and two written reviews at Goodreads.
And WOW, the long one from Suzanne (I don’t know her, I swear) makes me feel like a genius. The awesome review blew me away. Though she gave it four stars (negative due to world building-that’s okay-I know I can always improve), she said so many nice things. Her recommendation was “…for Lovers of darker paranormal romance with multi-dimensional characters and situation-mandated moral ambiguity on a frequent occasion. Fans of series by J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, or Laurell K. Hamilton will find just the right dose of suspense, supernatural creatures, and romance they love.”
Audio
I still have free codes for Savage Champion’s audio (U.S. and U.K.). If you have friends or relatives ready to listen to a paranormal romance in time for Halloween, let me know, and I’ll send them a copy or you can forward to them. The code will only allow one download. When it comes to the review, they can do just stars. By the way, the prologue has a gory scene. You can skip through the first couple minutes if it bothers you.
Bookfest
You can find me at Sumiton’s (Alabama, USA) Bookfest October 12, Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 FOUR p.m. I think the time is right. There will be many other authors, and vendors selling book related items. Plus food vendors. Got to have eats! Hope to see you there. Let me know you’re a newsletter subscriber and I’ll give you a small gift.
Writing
There are only six chapters left to write in Sen (A Southern Crime Family Novel – book 2). I hate it has taken me so long to finish this book. Hopefully, the next one, Ethan, will go faster. Then I have several books /ideas lined up (a paranormal, hockey, or billionaire romance). Surely, I’ll make up my mind by then what to write.
Per John Steinbeck, “I guess there are never enough books.” So true.
Happy reading.
Carla
Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Almost There
The narrators are finished with Savage Champion and I’ve listened to the whole thing, and approved it. They are great. It gives me chills listening to my characters come to life. I hope you will check it out soon. When I get the date for release of the audio, I’ll notify you.
Red Herrings & Dangling Strings
If you read enough of my books, you will know that I love red herrings . They are, of course, to keep you guessing who the true bad guy is or who will die next. I won’t go into detail here, for most people understand their purpose.
When it comes to the dangling strings, they can show up in another book of the same series or even other series entirely. They’re not really important, just something for fans to note.
One of my favorite dangling strings was in The Circle books. Though the first book a person is mentioned to have been moved out of a cell before the heroine was placed inside another. Then in the second book, they use a name of a known dangerous man no one alive has seen. Then in the final full novel, the man shows up as a secondary character. He was to have his own book, but HarperCollins/Avon didn’t want another Circle book. Even so, he shows up in a novella I self-published, but still as a secondary character.
Not only do people show up in different books or series, but places too. I created fictional Sand County, Alabama, because the law enforcement was known to be crooked in my books (Brothers of Mayhem series). I didn’t want the local authority to become upset with me if I used a real one.
Be sure to check out the latest romances.
Thanks.
Carla
Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Character Interview
Years ago, I “interviewed” Olivia and Collin from The Circle Organization’s book, Circle of Desire, and I’ve meant to do this again with other main characters in my books. So here’s an interview with Cassidy and Thorn, the main characters of the Brothers of Mayhem MC book, Hidden Heat.
“Welcome. I’m glad you’re visiting with us today.” I smile at the couple sitting on my sofa.
“Good to be here,” Thorn says, one arm stretched out behind Cassidy’s shoulders.
Cassidy smirks, one eyebrow cocked as she glares back at me.
“Babe.” Thorn nudges her shoulder. “Be nice.”
My lips fold in as I hide a smile. I must’ve stared at Thorn too long. He is mighty fine.
“Let’s get to the first question. How did you meet Thorn?” I ask, looking straight at Cassidy. I’d heard she was a tough chick. With a rough childhood, being raised by two self-absorbed parents in the midst of a outlaw motorcycle club, I respected that.
She sighs. “I met him at a bar.”
Seconds tick by. Cassidy glances around the room. Obviously, in her mind, she’d answered my question. Thorn snaps his fingers in front of her face. She bats away his hand, cussing a blue streak.
Chuckling at her attitude, he explains, “Since she’s not going to elaborate, I will. We met at the Skull and Bones Bar. It’s owned by the Brothers of Mayhem Motorcycle Club. One time in particular when she came in really stuck. I was bartending, and she, being a biker princess, came sashaying in looking for her teenage brother.” His grin spreads wider. “With her dad being a the former president of the club, everyone gave her a lot of leeway. She was a spoilt princess.” He grunts when she elbows his ribs. “She impressed the hell out of me when she swung the baseball bat she was carrying, ready to beat the info out of someone about her brother’s whereabouts. Babe doesn’t take shit off anyone. Do you, Babe?”
“And don’t you forget it.” She laughs and turns to me. “I pretty much raised my brother by myself. Our mom died years earlier and Dad was in prison at the time. Storm, that’s my brother, only had me to look out for him. He knew not to hang around the Brothers of Mayhem. Being near those assholes only brought trouble.”
“So was it love at first sight?” I nudge.
“Ha!” Cassidy shakes her head.
Thorn squeezes her to his side. “I was working undercover and had to think quick to get her out of a bad situation.”
“I was handling it fine without your help,” she tosses back. Her face flushes. Is it from embarrassment at how he’s looking at her? He appears to be thinking of eating her with a spoon. Damn, that is sexy.
“Your dad’s protection could only reach so far from prison. I had to claim you as my old lady,” he says in a soft voice as if he wants to reenact that moment.
“Old lady, sheesh. I’m not old.” She rolls her eyes. “You only did so so you could go down on me.”
I blink in surprise by the answer.
“Yeah, there is that. Had to prove you were mine. Plus you tasted so good.” Thorn whispers into Cassidy’s ear, but loud enough for me to catch.
The glint in his eyes said there was more to that story, but wanting to keep it PG, I ask my next question, this time directed at Thorn. “I heard she’s rather forgiving. You had left without a word at one point. Did you deserve it?”
“No. But I’m grateful she’s so understanding. Being a strong, smart woman, she understands the circumstances of an undercover cop. We can’t talk with those involved in the case until after the trial. I was sent out of state to protect me and those who helped my case. It ate me up inside leaving her, but I came back as soon as I could.”
“How did you feel about coming back and her being pregnant with your kid?” I catch the look Cassidy shoots Thorn. Her gaze full of tenderness and love for the man next to her. My chest tightens on seeing how he returns the look, feeling. Anyone in the same room would know, these two are madly in love even after so many years.
“I have no words to describe it. I’m a lucky man.” He kisses the top of her head. Cassidy leans against him, contentment softening her smile.
“What are you two doing now? Still working uncover or security together?”
“No,” Cassidy answers. “We moved to Nashville. Thorn is working with a friend in bail bonds and such. I’m running a small shop selling my brother’s work.”
“The ‘and such’ is bounty hunting, right?” I hope she clarifies for my readers.
“Yes. He’s a bounty hunter.” She shrugs. “He’s good at tracking down people.”
“And Storm’s work is painting motorcycle gas tanks and other parts?” I ask,
“He does that, plus he has been known to put paint to canvas too. You should the picture he did for us. It’s hanging above my couch. He’s so talented.” Each word reveals how proud she is of her younger brother.
“So do either of you ever hear from the club? Any of the Brothers of Mayhem?”
“Last I heard from my brother,” Thorn’s voice deepens as if the subject is one he hates talking about, “they were working for the Whitfield brothers in Marystown, south of Sand City. That can’t be good. Those boys are nothing but trouble with a capital T. “
“Your brother?”
“Yeah, that’s a whole ‘nother story,” Thorn says with a sour expression as he stood, pulling Cassidy up with him. It appears he’s finished with the interview.
“Well, thank you so much for talking with me today. I hope you have a safe trip back home.”
Cassidy surprises me by hugging me. Then Thorn shakes my hand and leads his wife out of the front door. No long goodbyes from them.
~~
Hope you enjoyed hearing from Cassidy and Thorn (Hidden Heat) and learning a little about Storm (Full Heat) and Thorn’s brother, Wolf, (Naked Heat).
Keep reading and talking about books!
Carla
Carla Swafford, Author 