Circle of Defiance – Page 4 – Carla Swafford, Author

Valentine’s Day with Jack and Katerina & First Winner

Posted on February 14, 2015February 15, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

Let’s peek in and see what my hero and heroine from CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE had planned for Valentine’s Day.

Katerina’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying you want me to go with you to the tattoo parlor? So on the most romantic day of the year, I’m to sit there and watch some woman work on you? Been there. Done that. And burned the shirt.”

“Now, baby, didn’t I fix the top shelf for your dolls?” Jack crossed his arms as he towered over her, flashing a big grin.

“They’re Hello Kitties.” She looked away and said in a amused tone, “Thank you. I really loved the perch for Kinky too. She acts as if they’re her family. They do look like her.”

“If I catch you putting clothes on her, I’ll –”

Laughing, she shook her head. “I wouldn’t dare. Don’t worry. And I’m not going with you.”

“Damn it, woman. You ruined my surprise. Lucy said she could do a Hello Kitty.” He pulled her into his arms.

Katerina slipped a hand beneath his shirt. “Not sure a Hello Kitty would look so good next to the angel of death.” Her hand rubbed over his large tattoo.

Jack lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist. He whispered, “The tattoo is for you.”

Her heart stopped. She didn’t have anything against tattoos, she loved his. But needles always scared her.

“Will you hold my hand?”

“You betcha.” He snuggled her neck. “Happy Valentine’s Day, sugar.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day to you, love.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The winner of the first bag of books, shirt, Amazon gift card and Hello Kitty is Jenn McElroy!!! Congrats! I will be emailing her tonight.

[update: Jenn answered her email and the package will be placed in the mail this week! Congrats again to Jenn. Two more prizes to go.]

Circle of Defiance

Blurb for CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE

Posted on January 25, 2015February 8, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

Word is out Katerina Savalas has found a map that leads to a long-lost Union shipment of gold. She can’t take the chance of someone breaking into her home again. So she decides to hire a washed-up Circle operative to protect her home.

Jack Drago wants to be left alone in his drunken misery. When he receives an unusual offer from Katerina, he accepts. What red-blooded heterosexual male with a death wish can turn down a chance to have a mob boss’s daughter in his bed?

To be released at Amazon on February 24, 2015, and other booksellers April 1.

Be on the look out for giveaways the week leading up the release!

Circle of Danger, Circle of Deception, Circle of Defiance, Circle of Desire, Circle of Dishonor

All Paths Lead to Books

Posted on April 17, 2014April 18, 2014 by Carla Swafford, Author

I 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.

“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.

Circle of Defiance, excerpt

A Taste of A Book

Posted on August 13, 2013August 13, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

I’ve been thinking about about placing some excerpts of my books on Goodreads, but a few things came to mind. A few years ago, Sherrilyn Kenyon told me not to use the first chapter as an excerpt because people will open the book and think they’ve read it.

That is so true. If I want to make sure I haven’t already read a book, I always read the first few paragraphs. I wonder how many books I placed back on the shelf for that reason?

But, of course, the first scene is what I posted when I gave readers a taste of my fourth book in The Circle series. Hopefully you won’t forget and think you’ve already bought the book when I self-publish it next year. And the same is true about the first three books that are already available (published through Avon Red, HarperCollins) wherever books are sold on line.

*Excerpts* *Amazon* *B&N* *ARe* *BAM*

Anyway, my questions today are, do you prefer the first scene or chapter? Or do you like to see a scene or chapter from further into the book? Maybe in the middle of a turning point (e.g., an emotional scene)?

And do you like a page or two, or more like ten to fifteen to read?