Reading – Page 2 – Carla Swafford, Author

Series Reviews

Posted on March 16, 2020March 16, 2020 by Carla Swafford, Author

In the last few months, I’ve been listening to two series: Historical romance Survivors’ Club series by Mary Balogh, and paranormal romance Deep In Your Veins Series by Suzanne Wright. What a wide spectrum of genres, heh?

I came across Suzanne’s books while looking for a new shape-shifter story. I do love those. One of my favorites is Jennifer Ashley’s Shifters Unbound series. Sadly, she rarely writes new additions to it. So, I went looking for someone else’s. Suzanne does have a shape-shifter series but her vampire one caught my attention instead. With a title like Here Be Sexist Vampires, how could I resist?

The first book was funny and sexy with a yummy alpha male and a kick ass female. I would like to point out the heroine was strong, but still feminine. Some of the books I’ve read with kick-ass heroines often act like they want to be a man. Considering I love men, but don’t want to be one, I want to be able to relate to the main female character. Not everyone feels like I do and that’s okay. There are books for everyone out there, but I’m talking about what I like. You can talk about what you like on your blog. Ha!

The world building in the series has been unique to me. I’ve read paranormal romance back when it was called science fiction. So, that’s hard to do, being unique that is. She’s found a way around the drinking blood requirement. They don’t normally drink from humans. That’s pretty good.

The first three books (if I remember correctly) were of the same couple, but the later books are of different couples, same world with the original couples showing up and not taking over. I like that. Usually by a second or third book, I’m tired of the same couple. Suzanne handled that well and I’ve enjoyed the others so far. Some a little better than others, but overall, I’ll keep listening (or reading) as long as she’ll write them.

Be sure to check out her vampire books.

Now for Mary Balogh. Do you hear the reverence in that little sentence? Goodness, I’m not sure how to begin. Let’s say this. I’m learning so much about storytelling from this author. She’s like a story weaver. She takes an emotion and threads it through the fabric of the story until you have this beautiful picture about romance with all its twists and turns. See. She even has me waxing poetic about her books. Let’s say this. If you enjoy a well-written historical romance, with romance and certainly some hot kissing and a little bit of sex sprinkled throughout, this is certainly the author for you to read.

Her heroes are not always a typical alpha male. For example, Avery Archer in Someone to Love (Wescott series – as you can see, I listen to several series of hers ). He’s slightly taller than the heroine, almost effeminate, and he uses a quizzing glass to unnerve those around him. But DAMN the man is sexy when it comes to lovemaking and his sarcastic teasing and fighting. Yep, fighting. He knows his martial arts. Read/listen to the book to find out how he came about that skill.

I will say she’s not perfect, but 98% of the time she does not disappoint. Her heroes are usually most understanding. I can’t tell you how many times I tear up because the hero has said just the right thing. Remember, this is fiction. And being fiction, I want my heroes to be smarter than the average man.

The first 1% is the same problem most romance authors have (including me). We often understand why the heroine does the things she does, but sometimes as a reader we want to slap the back of her head. We must remember not all women are smart as ourselves (sarcastic font used in this last sentence).

The other 1% is about the pace. She does take her time telling you the secret or what the bad guy has planned or whatever happens that causes the couple to feel that love is hopeless. But I have never regretted or gotten bored (not like I did with the Outlander books – Geez, never again. Love Jamie, but the books overall, hell no, I got a life to live) with reading/listening to every word.

Okay. If you love regency, go buy her books or audio (Love Rosalyn Landor’s narrative. The woman is a genius with all the voices.) and plan to relax and enjoy.

Brothers of Mayhem series, Circle of Deception, Full Heat, Jake, My Books, Reading, Southern Crime Family series, The Circle series, Writing

Pile It on

Posted on November 29, 2019March 9, 2021 by Carla Swafford, Author

Female legs and revolver

You know what I like about romance books? Of course, the hot sex, but truthfully, the layers my favorite authors weave into their stories. For romances, there should be two main plots in the book.

One, of course is the mystery of romance. You know, the mystery of how they come to understand they should be together (not just because they are compatible in bed, though that is important as it is in relationship) and how they work out their happy ending. A lot of this is internal conflict because love is emotion. Like duh, right?

Second, what is going on in their lives that pull them together? Or make sure they are at the same place at the same time? It can be a missing child, a failing ranch, a killer on the loose, etc. You get the idea. This is the external conflict.

Then you can layer on more. Maybe the two main characters’ families are mortal enemies (Jake: A Southern Crime Family Novel), or hero has a problem with being touched (Full Heat: A Brothers of Mayhem Novel), or heroine reappears after disappearing years before (Circle of Deception: The Circle series). That’s right. The hero and heroine should never be perfect. One can be a little less perfect than the other, but both should have faults. That makes them so much more interesting.

Just be careful with the layers and plots. As an author, it’s important to keep up with Female legs and revolver
them. The plots need advancement throughout the book, and certainly need to be solved completely by the end. The layers need to show up along the way too. Usually, those faults need to be improved or a promise of improving. Not all of them, but the major ones. At the end of the book, the characters have to be better for knowing each other.

The only exception to solving a plot or improving a fault or more within a book is when it’s part of a series involving one main character. Such as Sylvia Day’s Crossfire series, Darynda Jones’s Charley Davidson series, Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series, etc.

Personally, I’ve quit reading series with a same main character. I get bored, and after awhile, the hero/heroine gets on my nerves. Maybe because they do not seem to grow and learn from their mistakes. Don’t get me wrong. The series above and many others are great series (they wouldn’t be NYT best selling books if they weren’t) but it’s just not my thing, my taste.

My series have a couple threads that run through them to connect, but nothing major. That’s why most can be read as standalones. The Southern Crime Family series is Full Heat_Swafford currently the only one that will need to be read in order. Only book one (Jake) is out. Book two should be in the summer of 2020. The series is about three brothers and their
journey to find love and the true killer responsible for their father’s death. Each book is about a brother.

Another thing about plots. In my books of 60,000 words or less, I try not to throw in a complicated plot(s). Simple is best. If you didn’t, you would limit the romance in such a small book. And no, geez, that doesn’t mean putting in more sex. Romance is emotion. Getting to know each other’s personality traits, understanding why they do the things they do, often learning to trust each other, they are all part of a romance.

For that matter, I write for entertainment. The only place I teach a person something is through my blog posts here (or the workshops I do on occasion).

Audio, Reading, Recommendations

Reviews Are Often More Than Personal Opinions

Posted on June 16, 2019October 6, 2019 by Carla Swafford, Author

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As an author, I get reviews on my books all the time. When the reviewer doesn’t like a book of mine, I get sad. Duh, of course. But I understand how everyone’s taste is different. Some people love my books and some don’t. The only time I get aggravated is when the reviewer doesn’t realize the book just isn’t their cup of tea, and they start sprouting personal insults or try to make jokes that are really not funny. HA! Wouldn’t it be nice to be able review the review? 51js7wauk7l

Anyway, I know I read many books that make me unhappy because the people do not act like I prefer or the story doesn’t go in the direction I want or the plot becomes boring. I have read books that people go on and on about how wonderful it is and I don’t understand why when I read it. Thank goodness there are plenty of books to read out there.

I had the pleasure of listening to one of Kerrigan Byrne’s books on audio and plan to listen/read many more. This one in particular, THE HUNTER, was wonderful, sexy, romantic, and different. The hero wasn’t heroic material, but he proved to be one along the way.

I like THE HUNTER so much, I bought the paperback copy as I plan to read it (again?) soon.

Now for a totally unique book, THE BRIDE TEST. Talk about different. But I enjoyed it so much. Actually, I’ve read both of her books. THE KISS QUOTIENT is the other one and just as good and fresh.

Blog Tour, Full Heat, Hidden Heat, My Books, Naked Heat, Reading, Recommendations

BLOGGERS: I HEART YA BOOKS

Posted on August 22, 2018August 20, 2018 by Carla Swafford, Author

A couple weeks ago, I came across my list of book review sites/bloggers I like and decided to let my readers know about them. Kind of give back to them what they do for all authors out there. You may find a few books you have to buy.

The first site I’m pointing you to is one of my favorites. Yes. She loved my first two books in the Brothers of Mayhem series and even understood my heroine so well in HIDDEN HEAT she almost made me cry with happiness.

Side note: If you’re wondering about book three in the series. I just haven’t sent it out to be reviewed.

Here’s the link to her blog:

https://iheartyabooks.blogspot.com/

And her link to her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/IHartYABooks/

She told me once that she likes more than just YA books. So true, considering the only thing about my books being YA is the age of the heroines and heroes. HA!

Oh, I see on her blog that she said, “I review Mature YA, New Adult and Adult Books. Romance is my heart!”

If you’re interested in the review of HIDDEN HEAT, click below.

http://iheartyabooks.blogspot.com/2016/02/newrelease-blast-review-excerpt_16.html

And here’s FULL HEAT’s review. Click below.

http://iheartyabooks.blogspot.com/2016/07/newrelease-review-for-mc.html

Book Signings, Giveaways, My Books, Reading, Writing

Love it? Review It.

Posted on July 28, 2018October 18, 2023 by Carla Swafford, Author

Heroine wants to save the man she loves, but not everyone is cut out to be a killer.

The last Bookbub I looked at was Tuesday’s. Today I caught up.

A few interested me, but not enough to buy. I’ve been wanting to cut back on my TBR pile. So the book has to interest me big time. Wednesday, nothing. Thursday, thought about one, but decided I’ve read too many like it and have been disappointed. Friday, interesting, but a no go.

Finally, Saturday’s has three I’m interested in. An erotic Romantic Suspense: Hero offers to pull heroine’s business out of debt if she obeys him in all ways for 30 days. Historical Romance: A Scottish warrior inherits an English earldom and an impoverished lady will teach him “proper” etiquette. Sci-Fi romance: Girl goes to war torn planet and meets two warriors.

I try to narrow my choices by looking at the full blurb on Amazon or iBooks. Sometimes it reveals the book isn’t what I really want. Maybe too heavy on history, or doesn’t really concentrate on the romance. And I’m not talking about sex. I like the one-on-one relationship building. I don’t mind a little arguing as long as it doesn’t get stupid. You know, arguing for argument sake.

Then if I’m still interested in the book, I read the sample. I can’t tell you how often I read the beginning and became SO bored. Then others are just not to my taste.

So far, I’ve bought the erotic Romantic Suspense. Passed on the Sci-Fi romance. The blurb did it. So not what I thought it would be. Maybe the author or editor messed up in telling the summary, but that’s the way it goes. Still thinking about the Historical Romance.

When it comes to To-Be-Read piles, mine is small. Around 10 e-books, and about the same in paperbacks.

I refuse to mistreat the authors who go out of their way to provide a deal that takes you years to read. When you finally read the book you bought 2-3 years ago, and it turns out to be great, and you go in search for the author, don’t be surprised if you can’t find another book from that author. Please understand. The author thought no one liked her books. You didn’t read it and review it, or tell your friends because you took so long to read it. For an author to make only $100 a year on her books isn’t enough to keep going.

And don’t get me started on selling a book that took months, if not a year to write for 99 cents. Someone told me recently that charging more than 99 cents for an e-book is horrible. She says the author doesn’t have to spend money on paper and printing. Like that’s the only reason a person reads a book. Maybe I’ll try to sell her a bunch of books with nothing printed inside. I bet she wouldn’t pay $7 dollars for each then. It’s the words inside that makes them valuable.

Think of it this way, I use a computer to write my books and often have to get a new one every two to four years. (Salesperson in the store said they aren’t made to last no more than two years. Bull crap!) When you write everyday in your spare time, they get overused and/or obsolete. My wage from a day job pays for it. Not my writing. Then I go to a writers conference to hear experts talk about how to make my manuscripts/books better, fresh, or more exciting. Again my day job helps pay for my airfare/gas, hotel, food, and the huge conference fee. Not my writing. Even if I go to a local college to take a class or two, I have to pay tuition. Not provided by my books. I giveaway book marks (readers still love them despite most read e-books), pens, t-shirts, and gift cards to readers. Day job, not writing. Let’s not even get into the costs of ads.

If I self-publish a book, there is the cover art that can range from $20 (if I do the design) to $400 (by a professional designer and you could pay even more if you want a unique design/cover). I can format the inside of the book through Draft2Digital free. Then there’s the editor. She receives $350 to $450 a book. Some editors charge a lot more. So I dare you to tell me again the book is worth less than a dollar.

You say, why do all of that? Just write a good book, they will come. Despite what the movie, Field of Dreams, make you believe, it doesn’t necessary work that way.

Even if you have a publishing house–I’ve had the biggest–behind your book advertising the hell out of it, you still need to help.

Book signings do little. They are more to stroke your ego. Actually, I say go for it. Authors need all the ego stroking they can get. It’s a rough, thankless job. Kind of like being a mom. At book signings, I’ve given away more books than I’ve sold just with the hope they will read the others.

Sure most publishers give the author books, but only one of the two large publishing houses I’ve been with gave me six. Yep. Six. And those I gave to relatives because they think you’re being cheap by not giving them a book. To cover everyone, I usually have to buy a few extra. The other publisher gave me zilch. My book was published in e-book only. I will say they provided the most advertising to readers and bloggers (that’s the one I mentioned above). Of course, the self-published copies were provided to my family at my cost. You know, I’m rich off all of those books. NOT!

As you can tell, authors deserve more for each book. No matter what, be sure to tell your family and friends about the latest book you enjoyed and write a review and share it everywhere! Thanks!