Carla Swafford, Author

Odd Observation, Reading, Recommendations

Recommendations

Posted on July 5, 2016July 17, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. In the past, I’ve done a few blog posts on books I’ve loved but nothing consistently. In fact, the few I’ve done are on my old blog if I remember correctly. So I thought every once in awhile, I’ll recommend books and let you know what I’ve recently read.

But first, I’ll start with a few favorites of mine that I love to re-read. I was talking with some readers the other day and was actually shocked to hear a couple say they never do. Too many other books out there to read the first time they said.

Oh, well. I do know that I find a new book at least once a year that I enjoy re-reading. I guess because I learn something from each one that can hopefully improve my writing.

So here are a few.

The Rainbow Season by Lisa Gregory (aka Candace Camp) 1989 – a bad boy wanting to improve his life and he falls for a good girl. Yet, the girl believes she’s not so good as she’s in love with her brother-in-law. I love wounded misunderstood bad boys and good girls who are not quite good.

The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie by Jennifer Ashley 2011 – an man with autism (I believe) who pursues a widow. So well written and oddly because of his extreme concentration on the heroine, it’s quite sexy. And unique. I love unique.

All the Queen’s Men by Linda Howard 1999 – A super spy asks for help from a former female associate and during their new mission they fall in love. Doesn’t sound exciting, but the hero is awesome and Linda has a wicked sense of humor that comes out in her books. This book is the one that encouraged me to write Circle of Desire. My female assassin book. I love spy/assassin/mercenary books.

It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips 2002 – A ditzy blonde (smarter than everyone thinks) inherits a football team. The coach isn’t happy but finds love with the new owner. It’s funny and unique. At the least, that’s what I think. If you get a chance, read the first line. It’s a hoot!

Ryker by Sawyer Bennett 2015 – A goalie and the team’s female manager fall in love. This book has so much heart. Ryker is the near perfect man and the heroine isn’t no wimp. Strangely, I’ve listened to this at least three times. So it edged out the true favorite of this series, Alex. Alex is the bad boy of the series and you know how I love bad boys.

There are more, but it’s getting late and I need to go to work tomorrow.

Hope you’ll check them out. Just remember the older the book, the older the style and some people don’t care for them. Then again, I consider them classics even if they’re a year old.

Brothers of Mayhem series, excerpt, Hidden Heat, Special Price

A Real Deal

Posted on May 29, 2016May 29, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

My book, HIDDEN HEAT, is on sale for 99 cents. Presently, it’s on sale at Amazon and Kobo. Probably by Wednesday, it will be on sale at B&N and elsewhere. Remember that it only comes in e-format.

Hidden Heat_Swafford

Here’s a small excerpt.

Her gaze moved over the hood of the car and skidded to a stop on the man leaning against the bar’s outside wall facing the car. He inhaled on a cigarette and continued to watch her. Thorn. That was what Stonewall called him.

His eyes squinted against the bright sun. No sign of embarrassment in being caught staring, he remained there, one foot flat against the brick and a thumb hooked on a belt loop, taking another long draw. Silver rings on long fingers glistened in the sun. How long had he been there?

With a flick of his finger, the cigarette stub sailed over the hood to the asphalt parking lot.

Please go away.

Brothers of Mayhem series, Giveaways

Happenings

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

I had so much happen lately, and there is a lot going to happen in the next few months. Like the following.

June 4, Saturday, I will be signing books at the Athens-Limestone Public Library.

Since I have so many announcements, I thought you might want to be the first to hear about it. So be sure to sign up for my newsletter. I plan to include an excerpt from FULL HEAT, and as a thank you, I will be giving away two $10 gift cards (Amazon) to some lucky newsletter recipients (in U.S. or international).

Click here to sign up. Then be sure to add me to your contact list.

Thanks bunches!

Writing

Romance Readers Luncheon

Posted on May 7, 2016May 7, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

With two Romance Readers Luncheons coming up this year, one in Huntsville with Kristan Higgins and another in Birmingham with Jennifer Ashley (special guests Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love, and Lynn Raye Harris), I couldn’t help but remember about my favorite luncheon. It was the year Anne Stuart appeared as the keynote speaker in Birmingham.

Most people who follow me on my blog and Facebook know that I’m a big fan of hers. Anne’s Ice series is one of my favorites, especially the book FIRE AND ICE. Hey, I even have a hero named after her series and based on her hero in that book. Be sure to check out Ice Takahashi in my book, CIRCLE OF DISHONOR.

The best part of the luncheon with Anne was that I had volunteered to pick her up at the airport. Such a hardship. NOT! I greeted her with a sign that read “Your Greatest Fan!” Oh, yes, she had a worried look on her face. Think Stephen King’s MISERY. HA! I promised her I didn’t have a sledge hammer. She looked relieved to say the least. It was the best fifteen minutes I spent in a car. She was so much fun to talk with.

Though at any of the luncheons, you probably won’t have fifteen whole minutes of alone time like I did with one of my favorite authors, you do get a chance to speak with them, shake their hand, and get your book signed. I promise. They will be excited to be asked.

Plus you get a bag of free books, a chance at a door prize and other opportunities to take home a basket of goodies. And the authors (there are many) at each table usually have all kinds of fun swag for you to take home. Yes. You get to sit with a published author and ask questions to your hearts delight or sit there and listen to what others ask. If you’re an introvert, don’t worry. No need to say a word. Just sit and enjoy a lunch and lots of romantic literary energy around you.

So you want to know more about these fun happenings? Huntsville’s is June 11 at the Westin Hotel near Bridge Street Town Centre. Click here to find out more. Birmingham’s is November 5 at the Embassy Suites near the Riverchase Galleria in the suburb of Hoover. Click here to find out about this one. Come to one or both. You will have a great time. Food, free books, free author swag, opportunities to buy more books and get them signed by the author, and lots of entertainment.

Of course, I will be hanging around. Come and sit with me. Don’t leave me alone. You never know what kind of trouble I can get into. Well, maybe you want to help me get in trouble? Hmmm. You sound like my kind of people. HA!

Hope to see you there!

REVISED – Originally published on the Romance Magicians’ blog, August 25, 2015.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carla Swafford loves romance novels, action/adventure movies, and men, and her books reflect that. She’s a rare creature in the Deep South, she loves hockey too. Her current book is the Brothers of Mayhem MC book, HIDDEN HEAT. Be sure to check it out. The next one, FULL HEAT, will be released July 19.

http://www.carlaswafford.com
Look for me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+
Time Magazine, [Circle of Danger] “. . . involves deadly assassins, drug lords and doing it.”
Action-Adventure-Romantic-Suspense

My Books, Odd Observation

Helpful, Friendly Book Stores

Posted on April 16, 2016April 16, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

Hidden Heat_Swafford Some of you know (if you live in the Birmingham area) the Book Rack that use to be in Roebuck was bought out years ago and moved to Trussville near Kohl’s. It has a new owner again, and DeDe is romance friendly. New address – see below. YAY!

Be sure to go by and visit her store. So nicely put together.

Whenever I go by a used book store, I check to see if they have my book(s) there. So far none.

I believe it could mean 1) not enough were sold to be sitting in a used book store, 2) people hated them so much, they threw them away, 3) they are sitting in TBR piles (that’s why I hate TBR piles) or 4) they loved them, and they’re on their favorite bookshelf. With my crazy imagination, it’s got to be number 4. LOL!

DeDe’s Book Rack

104 S Chalkville Rd, Suite 101

Trussville, AL 35173

She’s on Facebook too. Go and click like.