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.
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.
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).
I felt like it was time to share an excerpt from Fake Play.
First, here’s the blurb.
Nothing like waking up in Vegas wearing only a gigantic diamond ring while sprawled out next to an equally naked stranger.
Connor Ellison
Yeah, yeah, I’m Atlanta Edge’s best winger and biggest prankster, but the coaches and PR department have given me an ultimatum: I must own up to my ill-considered stunt and stay married until the end of the run for the Cup or I’ll find myself being traded.
Lily Jones
I want nothing to do with his insane demand. But he convinces me the best decision is to play along. If we remain married and pretend to be in love, he’s offer to save my ice rink from bankruptcy. What’s another sacrifice for my family? I can put up with him until the end of the hockey season. Then we can go our separate ways.
Easy-peasy. No way will they go to the finals. And it’s not like we’ll fall in love or anything.
Now for the excerpt.
“You like what you see?” He lifts his arms. “Yes. I like looking at you.” I spot several ugly bruises on his ribs, right shin—the area that at times becomes exposed between the skate and pads—and in the middle of his chest. That one worries me. He got it as a result of a slap shot during the game in Toronto. I watched it on the wide screen TV above the concession stand at work. I cringed when he blocked it, even pads can’t protect a person from a dark bruise. Without pads, he would most likely have been badly injured or dead. “What did your trainer say?” “He iced it. He’ll check it again before the game tomorrow.” He runs a finger across my lips. “I’m okay.” Nodding, I rub my hands over and down his chest, avoiding the bruise. “You’re more than okay.” He chuckles. The sparse hairs tickle my palms as I follow the thicker trail to his stomach. He sucks in air. I know it’s not to hide a beer gut, he doesn’t have one, but from my light touch. His cock, still hard from my play, jerks as if reaching for my hand. My lips quiver. “Are you laughing at my dick? You better not.” His teasing tone causes my lips to quirk up into a big smile for a second. “I would never laugh at your beautiful penis.” I stroke it with the tips of my fingers and glance up for a moment. What is it about him that makes me want to pet and play with him? I’ve never really been comfortable doing all of this foreplay. Not that I haven’t. If you want a real relationship with a man, you know sex in many variations will be involved. They are sexual beings, and treat it like food and air. Just a part of living. While most women require their emotions to be engaged. Though I will admit, I find I prefer sex over sharing feelings, but at the same time, I like to ignore both whenever possible. I guess that’s another reason my boyfriends break up with me. They often said I’m hard to read. But with Connor, he’s different. That’s why I decided to go to bed with him even knowing mentally a divorce will be more difficult. He gets me. Oddly, none of my old boyfriends played hockey. Oh, they watched it, but that’s not the same. Maybe it’s the reason I feel closer to Connor. He understands the pressure and the dedication of the sport. Why am I thinking of hockey when I’m touching this sexy man’s cock? “You’re grinning again. You really need to stop before it hurts my ego.” “I doubt I can do much damage. It’s a pretty big ego. “Thank you, but it’s average for my height. Obviously, the other men in your life were sad representations of manhood.” No longer able to hold back, I laugh so hard tears come to my eyes. He joins in. This is the strangest foreplay I’ve ever been part of. While still laughing with me, he pushes on my shoulders and my arms windmill as I land on the bed. “Perfect. The way I want you. Legs and arms spread out.” Before I can feel any embarrassment at my unladylike display, he lands on top, being careful to catch himself before flattening me. “If I had known you were so much fun in bed, I wouldn’t have waited so long.” “Who says I’d willingly fall in bed with you before today?” I’ve never imagined being naked in bed with such a sexy man and comfortably talking about our bodies. I feel a low boil of excitement and yearning. Yet, I’m not afraid of coming across as naive and ungraceful as I usually do in intimate times like this. Our attitude is like old friends enjoying each other’s bodies. Is this how it is to have a friend with benefits? Though we’re married, it’s only a technicality.
I picked this excerpt because it’s one of my favorite scenes. It shows that during making love it’s okay to laugh and joke around.
A reminder, be on the look out in September about some announcements.
I’ve decided I need a friend called Sam. They’re loyal. They’ll follow you into danger and protect your back, tell you when you’re wrong, support you when you’re right, and so much more. Why do I say that? You may have already guessed. As many of you have done, years ago, I’d watched all of the Lord of The Rings movies. Now, I’m watching the Game of Thrones series. When it was originally on, I missed numerous episodes. So I decided to watch them from beginning to end. I’ve already seen several I had missed. You may remember in the two series, they have a main character whose best friend is name Sam (or Samwell). I wouldn’t be surprised to find other series with loyal friends with the same name. There has to be a reason they’re called Sam.
Writing Tip
How often have you read about the shape of a character’s furniture or the way rain hits a puddle of water? If I kept those type of descriptions in a short sentence or two of setting, I believe most people would find the description interesting enough. Even a list of items in a room, no longer than a sentence, can be entertaining. It’s when an author types paragraphs and pages describing rooms, plant uses, or the weather (etc.) that bores me. I usually skip over it. While for other people they claim such writing gives the story layers. I guess my imagination doesn’t need all the extra words to help a story along. All of that is something to think about, heh?
Next Book
Presently, I’m working on the next book of the Southern Crime Family. It’s been a rough go, because I couldn’t get a handle on Sen (middle brother) and what his deal was. Finally, I figured it out and it’s coming together. Sorry for being vague, but I should provide excerpts before too much longer.
Here’s what the cover will look like.
Audio Coming Soon
The narration for Savage Champion should be finished in a few more weeks. I keep saying it, but I’m so excited. There are two narrators (female and male) and I think you’ll enjoy it. More details to come as soon as I’m notified they’re finished.
This is the cover for the audio. Note the narrators.
As you can tell, this is a short newsletter this time.
Take care. Read, read, read. And be sure to let people know about any books you enjoyed.
Carla Swafford, Author 