Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Countdown Starts

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Today, I added a countdown to my website. So 52 days and counting before Savage Champion is released into the world. As I have mentioned before, it’s a paranormal horror romance. If you have read my Circle books and enjoyed them, you won’t be bothered by the little bit of horror in my newest book. You have to remember, I am a romance writer. So most of my books (in my mind) are Romance, Suspense, and then everything else. The only books I’ve published without suspense (true suspense, not just wondering will they ever have a happy ending) are my hockey romance. That’s pure relationship. They were fun to write and very spicy.

Anyway, please pre-order Savage Champion. The price is only 99 cents. So you’re not endangering your life savings. HA! And be sure to tell your friends.

Spicy vs Erotica

Don’t read this section if naughty words bother you. Then again, why are you getting my newsletter? All of my books have these naughty words in them.

Have you ever wondered about the difference between spicy and erotica? You know that every author has their own answer, because what I think is hot and what someone else believes is hot can be totally poles apart. I’ve read adult books since I was twelve. Of course, I never understood the sex scenes until my older female cousin explained it to me at fourteen. That’s when we found “those books” beneath our fathers’ beds. (Long story for a day when I’ve had a margarita or two.) So here’s my explanation.

Spicy – A book that has sex scenes, but not necessarily many of them and not necessarily using actual body parts. Anywhere between a hard penis to a sword of manhood, you get the idea. I tell people all the time my books are spicy. They are, but I’ve never thought of them having a lot of sex scenes, though I will say my characters think about sex a lot. But don’t we all? What? You don’t. Really? *smirk*

Erotica – A book that has lots of sex scenes and mainly is about sex. Sure they can have plots, suspense, humor, true drama, but nearly every chapter they are thinking, doing, talking, or dreaming about sex (fucking, eating pussy, sucking cock, and the many ways of enhancing all of that). About the only time they will use euphemisms is in a historical setting. But it’s a romance, so it will have a happy ending with the couple (or more) together. Oddly, at least I thought it odd, HarperCollins considered my books erotica. That’s why even though the first one was published under the Impulse imprint, the other two were placed under the Red imprint. (Circle of Desire, Circle of Danger, and Circle of Deception.)

There you go. Like I said, I don’t think my books have a lot of sex scenes as one reviewer claimed. But of course, another reviewer for the same book said I had too few. People have to decide on their own.

Giveaway

Just a reminder, if you wish a copy of the short story, Kidnapped For A Day (part of The Circle series), email me at authorcarlaswafford @ gmail. com (no spaces) asking for it, and I’ll send it to you. Only for newsletter subscribers.

Be sure to tell your friends to join my newsletter if you think they will like my books, or the short story or the newsletters. I’m not picky. HA!

Have a wonderful Mardi Gra day!

Hugs.

Carla

Newsletter Author Carla Swafford: New Covers

For the last year, I’ve been thinking of changing the covers on my Circle Series from an action/adventure look to a more romantic one. So I finally did. As a subscriber, you get first peek. Be sure to click on SHOW IMAGES (if they don’t show up) or you’ll miss out.

They should show up on Amazon, B&N, etc. over the next few days.

If you haven’t read the series, be sure to check them out. All are standalones, but for best reading experience, read in the following order: Circle of Desire, Circle of Danger, Circle of Deception, Circle of Dishonor, Circle of Defiance, and Kidnapped for a Day. Be sure to note the tropes and triggers shown below all of the covers. Thought you might find them of interest. And yes, Desire has the most. It’s a little dark.

Circle of Desire (Novel)

TROPES & TRIGGERS: Female Assassin, Captor/Captive, Rivals, Redemption. Nonconsensual Sexual Contact, FMC kidnapped by MMC, Childhood Abuse, Enemies to Lovers/Rivals, Orphan, Forced Proximity.

Circle of Danger (Novel)

TROPES & TRIGGERS: Damsel in Distress, Trouble in Relationship, Fish Out of Water, Childhood Sweethearts, All Grown Up, Beauty and the Beast, Attempt at Change/Makeover, Alpha Male, Childhood Abuse, Hero Caged/Captive, PTSD.

Circle of Deception (Novel)

TROPES & TRIGGERS: Hero In Jeopardy, Second Chance, Forced Proximity, Fake Marriage, Undercover, Love Triangle, Return From The Dead, First Love, Hero Restrained.

Circle of Dishonor (Novella)

TROPES & TRIGGERS: Insta-Love, Protector, Secret Identity, Consensual Bondage, Fighting Nude.

Circle of Defiance (Novella)

TROPES & TRIGGERS: Mafia Daughter, Hired Protector, Treasure Map, Enemies to Lovers, Alpha Male.

Kidnapped For A Day (Short Story)

TROPES & TRIGGERS: Captives, Threat to Life. (It’s a short story. So not many tropes and I don’t believe any triggers.)

All of the novels will be available in Ebook and Paperback. The novellas will be available separately in Ebooks, combined in Paperback with the short story.

The short story is available in Ebook. If you’re a subscriber to my newsletter, you can receive it free, just email me at About Carla, form is at the bottom of the page and mention if you want it for your Amazon’s, Apple’s, or B&N’s app.

WHAT AM I DOING, BESIDES CHANGING BOOK COVERS?

I presently editing (taking me forever) my next book. It’s different from any of the others already published. Hopefully, you like vampires. Here’s a little excerpt (not professionally edited). The vampire, Tori, has tracked down a pedophile in effort to save one of his victims.

~~Working title is THE CHAMPION~~

Tree limbs swayed eerily in the windy night. The frantic rustling of leaves drowned the roar of traffic on the nearby interstate. 

I strolled across a moonlit backyard, easily springing over a four-foot fence without hesitation. A Doberman charged from beneath a porch and lunged at me, barking nonstop. I grabbed him by the scruff and stared into his eyes. Trembling, he whimpered, and his back legs curled up as he dangled above the ground. Once I released my hold, he yipped all the way back, crawling under the porch to hide. A corner of my lips lifted and I shook my head. Funny how animals sensed how dangerous I was without me even hurting them.

After so many years, I’m still amazed by my powers and abilities. Reading emotions and past events helped in tracking my prey. A light touch on a passerby’s arm and I could picture each pedestrians’ direction he’d seen moments earlier. But it was also a danger in itself to me, for people’s cruel thoughts were often near the surface. The monsters would often replay the worst of their crimes when faced with death. The scenes stayed in my mind for months, years, nearly driving me crazy. Blocking them was best for my sanity. The easiest way to do so was to wear gloves, soft leather did the trick.

I reached the address after jumping a couple more fences. The house was like so many others in the poor section of larger cities, long strips of peeling paint floated off in the light breeze, black bars on the windows gave a menacing appearance, and a corner section of the rusty metal fencing laying on the ground. The backyard was rock and red clay with patches of knee-high weeds. The lack of grass was concerning. How many bodies had he buried?

A kitchen light shone like a small square on the backyard. I gingerly walked around it. Being spotted from a neighbor’s house was the last thing I needed.

There was no sound from inside, not even a TV or electronic device to betray the inhabitants. Two large overgrown bushes hid the back door from the neighbors and the few cars passing on the street. It was locked, not a surprise considering the vicinity and time of night. 

With my preternatural strength, it was easy to slowly push the knob until the latch bolt or other parts broke with little sound, allowing me to open the door. 

The malodor slapped me in the face. The hint of blood teased my fangs to drop despite the ammonia stink. I squeezed my eyes shut for a couple seconds, shaking my head to regain control.

He was already at work.

I stepped inside. I had no problem crossing the threshold without his permission. Thank goodness most humans were ignorant of spells that prevented a vampire from entering a private residence.

Thick vinyl muffled my well-placed footsteps across the kitchen floor. I stopped at a doorway that lead to a short staircase. Next to it was a long hallway. Uncertain of the direction to take, a soft cry in the depths of the house helped me make the decision. 

With blurring speed, I ran down the hallway and burst opened a thin door. If I had been human, my stomach would have emptied. A young boy, naked, bleeding from numerous cuts and bruises, lay curled in a fetal position at the feet of a well-dressed man. 

That always surprised me, no matter how many of these deviants I punished. They always appeared so damn normal. Even while working on their perversions, they had the same look in their eyes. Manic excitement. Their version of lust.

“Who in the hell are you?” The man wiped the back of his hand across his lips as if in anticipation of performing his sadistic art on me next.

“I’m the angel of death,” I answered coldly. My sneer big enough to reveal the sharp canines.

“Well, little girl, you’ve played Halloween at the wrong house.” 

~~

Speaking of Halloween, have a fun and safe one.

Regards.

Carla

Book Signing February 8, 2020

MR-BN-Social-2400x1200Be sure to come and meet me. I’ll have copies of Circle of Desire, Circle of Danger and Circle of Deception available to sign. For the people who are in my Readers Group or purchase a copy of my book, I have swag to give you. So much fun!

For those who already have the books, take a picture of  yourself holding the book and show me the picture and I’ll give you swag!

For everyone else, I have book marks and excerpts (and possibly candy) to give out.

See you there!

RT BookReviews

RT BookReviews closed it operations on May 16, 2018. It was a sad moment for many including myself. I read the magazine from the time it was actually a newspaper (1980s). At least, my dream of having a review of my book(s) done by the magazine came true. Plus my name was mentioned a few times in the magazine.

Before the website goes dark next year, here are copies of the reviews and such. Side note: The highest star rating you could get at RT was 4-1/2 stars.

By the way, my first book came out 7 years and 17 days ago.

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(Out of the Shadows was the pre-published title.  Now it’s Circle of Desire)

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You can find the video at the bottom right of this website.

New Covers for The Circle Books

Here we go. Starting June 12, 2018, one book a week will be re-released with a new cover. I’m so excited and hope if you haven’t read them, you’ll give them a try.  Click on MY BOOKS above to see the back blurb on each.

 

Female legs and revolverFemale legs and revolverFemale legs and revolver

Romance in Entertainment Weekly

Entertainment Weekly magazine had an interesting article this week. They announced the on-line version will have a “roundup” (reviews) of the latest romance novels. I was so proud that in the short article they hadn’t said the two words I hate (initials are B. R.). Then I pulled up the column on-line. There were those hated words. Oh, well, hopefully they won’t use them again. Anyway, I’m just glad they are giving all of our hard work some recognition. Be sure to check it out.

http://ew.com/books/2017/10/06/romancing-the-tome-novels-ew-reviews-september-2017/

Danger cover2

And by the way, CIRCLE OF DANGER is only 99 cents.  Not sure how long HarperCollins will price it that low, but be sure to go and buy it now. Links below.

REMEMBER TO READ IT SOON!  If you’ve been following my blog for long, you know how I feel about LARGE to-be-read piles (ebook or paperback). TBR piles kill authors’ careers.

~~~

In a follow-up to Carla Swafford’s sexy Circle of Desire, the agents of The Circle—a top-secret group of assassins—are back and on the hunt for a dangerous drug lord capable of bringing women to the brink of pleasure . . . and devastation.

Marie Beltane, a lowly data entry specialist for The Circle, resents being treated like a little girl and wants to help by proving she’s worthy of being a full-fledged operative. Disobeying Arthur Ryker’s orders to stay out of the way, she accepts a simple fact-finding assignment—only to have everything go horribly wrong. Now she’s been injected with the drug responsible for the deaths of four local women, a drug that puts her sex drive into overdrive.

Ryker wants nothing more than to keep Marie safe from the world. He’s already killed to protect her from one madman, and he may have to do it again. While on a search for an antidote to her mysterious drug, he falls into a trap and must fight a new evil. Now he must become the monster he’s always feared to save the woman he’s always loved.

Amazon

iBooks

Barnes and Noble

Kobo Books

Google Play

Books a Million

Month Long Contest with Surprises

Coming Soon Arrow

Be sure to check back on May 1 for a month long contest with a big giveaway of a mini iPad. Plus I plan to have several more giveaways throughout the month from my author friends.

This is my fourth anniversary of receiving an offer for publication from HarperCollins. On May 4, 2011, I received an email from an editor at Avon offering me a two book deal that later turned into another contract for one more book. That’s how Circle of Desire, Circle of Danger, and Circle of Deception came about.

In the last year, I’ve released two novellas, Circle of Dishonor and Circle of Defiance. Be sure to check them all out.

During the month of May, Circle of Dishonor will be free at Barnes & Noble, All Romance Ebooks, Kobo, and several other book sellers.  Hopefully, I can get Amazon to play along too.

(The mini iPad will be for U.S. participates only due to postage and restricted laws on electronic equipment being shipped overseas.)

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 . . .

All Paths Lead to Books

Businessman Wearing CapeI usually avoid talking about the day job except for the occasional remarks about working overtime and it kicking my butt. But today I’m in the mood to talk in general about it.

A few years ago, I started the current job after an old one sold out and moved away. Freaking stressful. See, I’ve realized over the years, I’m a slow starter. At first I don’t know for sure what questions to ask. I mainly soak in as much information as my brain can handle. Then I work through the areas I need improvement. Along the way, I either make bad choices or good ones. Then I work out the kinks.

I’m not much for tooting my own horn, though you may say differently if you read my blog regularly. But really, this is my place to make all kinds of noise.

Anyway, the point I’m getting to is even though I’m slow, I catch on and it sticks. My job reviews are always great. And I feel my books are that way.

Thankfully my critique partner and my beta readers say my books get better and better. That is so satisfying. I know I love each book I write, but the last one is always my favorite. LOL! Maybe one day will come that I have an old favorite. We’ll see.

So I hope everyone will give each of my books a try. Remember they’re along the lines of James Bond or Nikita, but way hot! They’re a little out there in adventure, but they are written for pure entertainment.

Wait until I finish Jack’s story (Rex’s brother in CIRCLE OF DECEPTION). He has a few surprises. At times, he can be an asshole, but can’t we all? Katerina (CIRCLE OF DANGER) will certainly straighten out his butt. I hope to have this story completed and published by August.

In June, I’m planning to release a novella (short story) with Ice Takahashi (CIRCLE OF DANGER) as the hero. The heroine wasn’t in the previous books, but you will find out some truths about Ice’s past and his real name.Young model

“Ice” Takahashi’s final job for The Circle has an unexpected hitch in it; he’s fallen for an innocent civilian. When his mission goes haywire, he’s determined to protect her and still come out of it alive. Maybe he can be an honorable man who’s worthy of her love.

Lena Matthews feels like she’s playing with fire by dating the mysterious Master J. He’s exotic, dangerous, and exactly what she needs in her boring life. With the bad guys bearing down on them, she discovers a whole new world of sensuality that binds her heart to his forever.

Hero Angst of The Circle Books

Beware – some spoilers mixed in.

Who doesn’t love a hero with a problem?  It could be the trouble-making heroine he’s fallen in love with or it could be the garbage he brought to the story from years before. Sherrilyn Kenyon is great at making the hero suffer as a kid and young adult. I’m sure there are other authors who do the same. Personally, I believe I pick on the heroine more than the hero, but I thought I would go over the angst that came out of my stories for the men.

CircleofDesire mm cCIRCLE OF DESIRE

In his twenties, Collin Ryker was the lead operative of the internal group of deadly mercenaries called the OS (Onyx Scepter), the heart of The Circle. When he realized his guardian, Theo, the head of the organization his father built, was insane, he convinced most of the operatives in the OS to follow him and split off from The Circle. The decision had been a hard one as when his parents had died in a car bomb, Theo had been there for him.

He’d lost his whole family when that car exploded and had to deal with survivor’s guilt. He worked at being like the father he admired by being emotionless and cold in his decision making. To him, that was a sign of a great leader. But when it came to Olivia, he loved fighting with her. They argue and actually try to kick each other’s butts, not abusively, as they love testing each other. The end results brought about some great love scenes.

I have to say he’s the only hero of The Circle series who has the least angst.

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Arthur Ryker is the leader of The Circle, and mercy, he has some big time angst. Let’s start with the scar on the side of face and body, and the blind eye. They are reminders from when his life fell apart. He’d been near the car that exploded with his mother and father inside. He’d tried to save them.

Then there is the psycho old leader, Theo. He blackmailed a teenager Ryker, promising to not rape a young girl if he obeyed him in all things, including a despicable act that Ryker had thought to never experience again. He has to live with his decisions.


Final Hi-Res CoverCIRCLE OF DECEPTION

Finally, Rex Drago’s angst has nothing to do with Theo. His is actually tied in with his height. You say, height? Yeah. His dad had the short man syndrome and resented a son who was taller than him by the time he reached high school. Even in elementary, he was taller than the other kids and adults treated him as if he was mentally handicapped. A child of that height should be older and smarter they thought.

He feels he’s not smart enough to be the second in command of The Circle.

Oh, and then there is the relationship between him and his bad ass brother, Jack. He tries to love his older brother, but with too much “water under the bridge,” it may be too late.

Side note about the series:

If you noticed in The Circle series, there is a thin string of the King Arthur legend references. The heaviest are in the first book. Psycho Theo dresses up like a knight, and he believes a sword proves he deserves to be a leader (feeling guilty much?). Of course, The Circle is in reference to the table that all the knights sat around. Last, but not least, Ryker’s first name in CIRCLE OF DANGER. Arthur.

There’s another reference to King Arthur’s legend in the books?  Do you know what it is? I’ll give you a hint. It’s a name.

Do You Have A Question?

MM900395769The other day, I was thinking how people may have questions about my books? Maybe you’re curious about how I choose the names and places? Why I matched up the characters the way I did? What do I plan for future books?

Well, if you have any questions, ask away.

Be Kind To An Author Day

Pawns In LoveI’ve decided to proclaim today as “Be Kind To An Author.”

So you have your favorites. Well, then go out and show them.

1) Review one or more of her book(s) or at least rate it.

2) Click LIKE on her Facebook page.

3) Follow her on Twitter (@carlaswafford).

4) Do all of the above on Goodreads.

5) Sign up for her newsletter.

Hey, I can only hope I’m one of your favorites.  😀

You’re invited to the party!

Final Hi-Res CoverCome to the party on Facebook! Lots and I mean lots of Avon authors! The party doesn’t end until midnight (EST). Lots of goodies being given away.  Winners will be announced tomorrow there.  I’m giving away my 3 books and swag. My post will be there at 7 p.m. (CST).  Check it out.  Click here.