Category: Newsletter

Posted in 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?

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

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

Posted in Book Signings, excerpt, My Books, Newsletter, Savage Champion, Special Price

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Trudging Along

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

So many manuscripts, so many stories to write. I’m presently working on editing another paranormal romance, and then I have three more books (one is romantic suspense, and two are contemporary romances: one with an asshole billionaire and the other I’m co-writing with my friend Betty Bolte) to finish this year. We’ll see if I can get it all done. Eeek!

Be sure to pre-order Savage Champion before April 23, 2024. Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo Books, Only 99 cents.

***Excerpt (unedited): Tori helps Ronan experience “Death Sleep” as a vampire for the first time.***

“What’s happening? My legs and arms feel so heavy.” Ronan’s puzzled tone was expected. I’d felt the same way when the first death-sleep came over me. 

He stumbled toward the bed, an angry look came over his face.

“What have you done to me?”

“Shh. Do you not feel it? The sun is just moments away from peeking between the trees. When you’re first reincarnated, a fledgling has difficulty staying awake beyond sunrise.” 

I helped him into bed, and he stretched on his back across the mattress. 

His unwarranted anger was so typical of a male vampire. Aggressive and territorial, the young vampire was unpredictable, but I hopefully waylaid the worst by providing an outlet for  his aggression.

“Isn’t it bothering you?”

“The longer you’re a vampire, the longer you can withstand the lure of the death sleep. Rarely, can a new vampire stay awake through dawn and never to high noon.” 

I watched him fight the sleep like a child, though nothing about the way he looked was childish. The black cotton shirt, unbuttoned to mid-chest, and black jeans along with his dark hair and olive skin, the combination gave him a dangerous air. Heated desire taunted me. Temptation to touch him while he slept almost overtook me. He would resent that. It would be too much like taking advantage of him during a weakness. 

His eyelids were at half mast. The beautiful depth glistening in the bedroom’s lights as he tried to keep me in his sight. He slowly closed them and snapped them back open, then they closed again. 

I lifted his large, rough hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to the back.

“Relax. I’ll watch over you until it’s time for me to join you. Guards surround the place and the house is secure. Wolfric wouldn’t have reached the ripe old age of a millennium if he was careless.” 

Immediately, his hand fell limp and his body sank further into the mattress. His chest no longer rose and fell with his breathing, and I knew his heartbeat would be near to nonexistent. I brushed the back of my fingers against his cheek, his skin was cold to the touch. Like death.

Wolfric was too wary to have vampires sleep in his bed when death sleep overtook him, if he did. I really had no idea. Only once, had I been near another vampire during death sleep. It had been when I traveled to Atlanta on Wolfric’s orders. 

There, the large vampire colony had consisted of artists and musicians. Though during that period, I’d spent most of my time recuperating from my wounds and controlling my urge to kill every deviant in a twenty-mile area, I’d allowed a tall blond male vampire to slip under my guard. 

The slightly older vampire had never met an instrument he couldn’t play and my body had been no exception. He’d been the only vampire I ever made love to or slept with before Ronan. After the Atlanta experience, I spent my sexual desires on my servants. Less of a distraction and I didn’t have to pretend softer feelings to achieve satisfaction.

Looking down at the man beside me, a softening around my heart eased the ache I endured for so long. I loved him, but how long would it take before he decided I was wrong to change him. 

Tired and no longer feeling the brew, I pressed my body to his and kissed him on the cheek. His shoulder was perfect for my head to rest on. 

I will be at the Capital City Author Event with many, many others. Please come by and say hi! Per Michelle Rls Sewell, founder and organizer, visit downtown Montgomery, AL, rich in history and southern hospitality, to meet some of your favorite authors of various genres. The Capital City Author Event will host over 80 authors/vendors, including many locally from Alabama, on May 17-18, 2024, Friday and Saturday.

LINK FOR MORE INFO: https://CCAE2024.eventbrite.com

Hope you stayed warm and read a lot like I did.

Hugs.

Carla

Posted in Advertisement, excerpt, My Books, Newsletter

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – What’s Next?

Posted on by Carla Swafford

As you probably remember from the last newsletter, Savage Champion is coming out April 23, 2024 for US$0.99 in ebook. I had mentioned the paperback would be $10.99 but forgot to mention that will most likely be on Amazon only. Everywhere else, the paperback will probably higher. It’s just the way the margins work when published through Ingram Sparks. Be sure to preorder your ebook copy. I’ll let you know when the paperback can be preordered. This is actually my longest book, over 90,000 words. Most of mine are 60,000+ to 80,000+. In case, you’ve forgotten what the cover looks like, here it is.

Tori Amherst

I died years ago.

In my savage new life, I revenge the helpless.

But a hunter came. A human. A former cop. Now a private eye.

His body, his blood, and his wounded soul is perfect.

Then I discover I’m not a champion, but a terror.

Ronan Michaels

I died in her arms.

But I woke to a new life full of hate

She hides truth. I hate secrets.

I crave her body, her blood, and her lost soul.

Then I discover the lies.

I will get my revenge and she will be mine.

Excerpt From Savage Champion

Here’s the first time Ronan (MMC) clearly sees Tori Amherst (FMC).

At that moment, the Maserati door opened and one long leg stretched out followed by another. Damn. Black hosiery and stilettos covered shapely limbs and dainty feet. She’d dumped the ugly ass coat. With a subtle wiggle, she smoothed her short leather skirt and turned to close the door. A flash of pale skin under her open leather jacket caught my eye. Only a strip of some type of clingy material covered her full breasts.

She moved like a panther, smooth and seductive. I grabbed my phone and hit video record. No one would believe me. The woman was fine. When she strolled beneath a street light, I remembered the grainy picture her brother had given me. It hadn’t done her justice. She’d cut her dark hair. Chin length strands caressed her enchanting face with each toss of her head.

My stomach clenched, answered by an unwelcome swelling in my groin. Her hair was dark red, more of an auburn color. I was a sucker for redheads.

Damn. She was the sexiest woman I’d ever seen in my life, and she was my client’s crazy sister. Fuck.

Ronan Michaels ~ Savage Champion

I was about to push the button to send out my newsletter, and decided to check on the book I mentioned in the following paragraph, you know, just in case Amazon finally did something about it. Well, they did. They finally took my name off it, but have deleted my reviews, not placing them on the correct book. No surprise. Anyway, I decided not to delete the paragraph and let you read what I deal with every time I turn around with Amazon. So sad. Of course, I won’t be calling them. The reviews (201) are still on Goodreads. I will not be surprised at any point if they disappear there too. Amazon does own Goodreads.

It's a struggle working with Amazon. The other day, I contacted them via chat about my book's, Circle of Desire, reviews showing up on another author's book with the same title. The incorrect book has two women and a sailor on the cover, and you can tell the book is from the forties or fifties, and it's a MALE author's name. A used bookstore has it for sale. Amazon kept telling me they couldn't do anything about it. Bull crap. So that means I will have to actually call Amazon and I really hate it. They are so hard to deal with. Their personnel have a script and they stick to it, never trying to listening to what I say. Keep your fingers crossed that I can make them understand this time. I've been dealing with a problem on this book or another (usually something so simple) for over 3 years.

Work, Work, Work (quote from Blazing Saddles)

Presently, I’m working on two books. One with my best friend, Betty Bolte´, and one of my own about a big asshole male billionaire. That’s a favorite trope of mine. There are so many books waiting for me to finish or revamp/edit. So who knows what will come out this year (besides Sen’s book).

If you’re wondering about the giveaway winners, I only heard from one subscriber. She didn’t say Happy Holiday as part of the rules, but I went ahead and offered her a paperback or ebook. She never answered. Oh, well. So none were given away. I’ll try again maybe next month. I’m thinking positive, believing everyone already has a copy of Jake.

Next newsletter, I’ll talk about the practice of giving stars, diamonds, coffee cups, peppers etc. In other words, ratings.

Happy New Year! Talk to you again soon.

Carla

Posted in Giveaways, Jake, Newsletter, Southern Crime Family series

Newsletter Author Carla Swafford: Giveaway

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

I bet that heading got your attention. Everyone loves a free book. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ve seen my post about a giveaway to subscribers. The book is Jake: A Southern Crime Family Novel.

So you want to know how to win a copy. Send me an email to authorcarlaswafford @gmail.com (no spaces) and say Happy Holidays. And I will draw 8 names to win four paperbacks and four ebooks (one book per winner). Winners will be announced Christmas Day.

You may know that Jake has two brothers, Sen and Ethan. Their books were due out 2021 and 2022, but things happened that threw me off my schedule. So I’m hoping Sen will be out the end of next year and Ethan the following year if not sooner. Don’t worry, Jake’s book does not end on a cliff hanger. He solves his old man’s murder. But it does leave a couple questions unanswered. Sen’s and Ethan’s stories will happen in the same timeline as their older brother’s and will answer those questions. They have their own mysteries surrounding their father’s death and by the end of each they are solved.

He motioned his gun toward her, his face still in the shadows. “Strip.”

“What? Her whole body flushed with embarrassment and hunger.

“You heard me.”

“Is this how you get women in bed with you?”

Jake Whitfield and Angel Tally

Be sure to go and preorder Savage Champion. The ebook is ready for preorder. Only 99 cents from preorder to first week after published. Then the price will go up. If you prefer a paperback, it can be preordered in the next month or so, but it will be for $10.99.

“Then you understand this. I’ll not let him harm one hair on your head. Do you understand me? You’re mine.”

Ronan Michaels in Savage Champion

Just a little side story about my writing. Before my first book sold to HarperCollins, I had written 11 books. The first one they published was #10. They decided on the title Circle of Desire. I had called it Out of The Shadows. I was in the middle of writing the second book for them when my buying editor left the company. OH, NO! See, the editor who believed in you and your writing has left and you don’t have a cheerleader any more. Oh, well, after the third book, my new editor wanted a new series. I sent her a few ideas and we talked about them. She wanted something different. That’s the way the business goes. I’ll tell you another time about my experience with Random House.

Merry Christmas!

Carla

Posted in Circle of Desire, excerpt, Giveaways, My Books, Newsletter, The Circle series

Newsletter Author Carla Swafford: Edits & Tidbits

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

Finally, I finished the first round of edits to my newest book. Remember, the one that’s a paranormal thriller. Vampires are the main focus, but there are serial killers (who are not vampires), mafia, witches, pixies, and a hot as hell private detective.

Next? I have a choice of three (possibly four) projects planned for next year. I would like to think I can release two books (or more) next year, but that’s me being hopeful.

Three newsletters ago, I added an interview with my characters Jake and Angel from the Southern Crime Family novel, Jake. Since then I’ve been thinking about what readers would like to know about my characters in all of my books. So I thought you might be interested in some background information about each book spread across the next few newsletters.

I guess I should start from the beginning. Circle of Desire was my debut book. It was actually the tenth book I wrote. I had finished eleven when I received “the email” from Avon Impulse (HarperCollins) wanting to publish it. The first book I had completed was a medieval romance. I still love knights, horses, and castles. Then I wrote a romantic suspense about a DEA agent who fell in love with the wrong guy. About the time I finished it, I fell in love with paranormal romances. Vampires, warlocks, and everything that went bump in the night. But after writing four paranormal romances without a successful interest, I decided to go back to romantic suspense and write a female assassin who was the main character. She wasn’t a good person, but she thought she was doing good. What a conundrum!

She squeezed the trigger. The jogger’s body continued straight ahead, propelled by the bullet’s trajectory, and he toppled off the edge of the pier and splashed into the water as his god-awful shoes tumbled across the boardwalk.

Circle of Desire

So I started it and realized I wanted the opening scene to be real as possible. At the time, my local writers group was having a couple come in and talk to us about guns. The husband was a former Special Forces guy, and they had a friend who had worked for a private military contractor (formerly called Blackwater). I asked him about the first scene in my book. He said it sounded feasible, but I needed to change two things. One I did, but then other I didn’t. What were they? One, the woman used a sniper rifle, and she took with her after the kill. He had said an assassin would leave the rifle. I wanted it used later in the book. So instead I had her break it down into several boxes and mail out separately to her Atlanta office. Two, he said the jogger wouldn’t fall in the water, but lie exactly in the spot he was shot. I needed him in the water. People would think he tripped and fell in. So they would be concerned in saving him, instead of looking for where the shot came from (silencer used). I asked the guy, if the target was jogging along a pier and about to turn back, would his body fall in then. He said it was possible. That was enough for me. It was fiction after all.

Giveaway

Three people will receive a ebook of their choice (only mine). Winners will be notified Thanksgiving Day (November 23). Click here and go to the bottom of the page. Use that form to email me. Be sure to let me know the title you’re interested in. It will be in Amazon’s format. [Updated December 1, 2023 – no one sent me an email. So none given out. I like to think everyone, who receives my newsletters, has all of my books.]

For those in the U.S., have a happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks.

Carla