Carla Swafford, Author

My latest book! Release date is February 16, 2016. Isn’t it sexy? This is the first book from the Brothers of Mayhem series. Expect three more! Yep. THREE! That makes four books in the series.

Here’s the unedited blurb for Hidden Heat.
Cassidy Ryder thinks nothing of wielding a bat against anyone who threatens her brother. The only problem is the teenager has disappeared while hanging around the Brothers of Mayhem Motorcycle Club, and their wall of menacing silence is driving her crazy.

Growing up in the middle of the MC has taught Cassidy to never fall for a biker. So when the newest Mayhem member, Thorn Savalas, plays white knight to her damsel in distress, she fights the attraction. But her big mouth has gotten her into deep trouble, and the only way for Thorn to protect Cassidy is to claim her as his old lady. Thorn’s aware of the fine line between pretending and what’s real, and his plan backfires when the MC’s president forces them to prove it by having sex.

As they become closer, Cassidy pieces together clues that point to Thorn working undercover. She offers to be his informant. He accepts, telling himself it has nothing to do with her tight jeans and sassy walk. And no matter how often she tells herself it is all an act with hot benefits, she still falls for the bad boy cop. Yet, she knows when he takes down the MC, he will disappear, leaving her behind, unloved and alone.

And chances are good that I’m getting another contract for THREE other books from a new series called the Wicked Dog Bail Bonds and Investigation. Oh, goodness, bad ass Bounty Hunters!

Conference, Odd Observation, Pictures

More Pictures From NYC Trip

Posted on August 2, 2015August 2, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

Shelf in wall at Madame X’s going up steps to Lady Jane’s Salon

Picture at Madame X’s going up steps to Lady Jane’s Salon

One of several seating areas for Lady Jane’s Salon

Another picture from the hotel. I couldn’t get over the crowds and the number of taxis.

Stage set up with big pool for dogs to jump in. Might have been something to do with Good Morning America (building on left)

Betty, me and Victoria – I look like I’m up to no good. Well, yeah.

If my feet wasn’t hurting, I would’ve walked across the street and gotten a better picture. Love horses. And cops.

My buddy, Heather, giving a workshop. She actually made law interesting.

Me with my 2015 RWA PRO Mentor award. So awesome!

The ball at top is the one they drop on New Years.

Yes. Another picture of Times Square. It was amazingly crowded.

Times Square – buses, taxis and so many tourists!

Random House’s cocktail party – view from window.

Random House’s cocktail party – Some famous names on those books.

Random House – more books on shelves both sides. I didn’t stop to look.

Loved the little Minion show/ad in Times Square.

There were a few naked women hanging around (pun intended). The men would pay to get their picture taken with them. One way to make a living.

Don’t know what the ad was, but it was so romantic, I had to take a picture.

Look close and you can see more naked girls. They had barely there bottoms and no tops. They have red, white and blue feathers on their heads. Just painted breasts.

My chocolate RITA (Everyone got one at the award ceremony. It tasted like Easter Bunny.)

I couldn’t resist and got Meda to take this picture while in our cab. HELLO KITTY! GIANT HELLO KITTY that is.

Conference, Odd Observation, Pictures

Party NYC

Posted on July 27, 2015July 27, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

I had a blast in New York City. Here are some pictures to enjoy.

Sightseeing cruise with buddy, Heather Leonard.

Intrepid Navy Ship in background with planes.

Times Square ahead (Heather Leonard and Meda White in front of me)

Yankee Stadium in background with cool speed boat

Heather and my other buddy, Meda. Had so much fun with these ladies.

One of the well dressed men I saw in NYC. SO MANY GOOD LOOKING MEN! My neck hurt from looking.

They did a presentation and opened this wall. Then you saw NYC from way above.

Food! This was one of the good restaurants. Sadly, I forgot the name but it was near the theater.

View from One World Trade Center (this was a floor – really an outside camera projecting beneath the glass)

View from One World Trade Center. (Amazing, isn’t it?)

Odd Observation

I’m Anti-Martyrdom

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

If you’re wondering what I mean, see if any of this sounds familiar?

Everyone ignores me in the meeting/class/workshop/conferences.
I’m always dumped on/given more work/forgotten.
Others have more fun/time to talk/goof off.

Oh, I’m sure I can think of a dozen more. Some that I’ve even said before I caught myself.

Really, people, most of those statements are simply because you won’t stand up for yourself or open up. Yes. I’m an extrovert, but I do have moments where I feel insecure. You wouldn’t know it but when I was a kid, I stuttered. Not terribly bad, but bad enough for people to poke fun at me. I still stutter when I get angry or extremely nervous. Plus I have difficulties pronouncing certain words. A little quirk of mine. I know what they mean, just don’t use them often enough in speech. And anyone who sees pictures of me know I’m overweight. Over the years, I’ve heard enough about that to be self-conscious.

Okay, what I’m getting to is that everyone have issues and insecurities. When you feel dumped on, ignored, or/and left out, stop and think of how you can fix it. More times than I can count the problem starts with yourself.

If I don’t want to feel that way, I found if I open myself up, things change. If they act like an asshole, the world is large. look for another friend, nice acquaintance or companion. There are others out and about who are in the same spot.

So keep that in mind next time you feel like a martyr.

Why do you think all of those nerd movies are so successful? One nerd finds like minded nerds to hang around.