Carla Swafford, Author

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!

My Books, Odd Observation

How to please every reader

Posted on January 9, 2015January 13, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

Yep. I tricked you. It’s on the Romance Magicians’ blog. HA!

And you’re right. You have to click here again to read the post. It’s my monthly journey to the dark side . . . to my Romance Writers of America chapter’s blog. *smirk*

I’ll be back in next few days when the urge hits me. For now, it’s time for me to get back to writing my newest book. My heroine is in deep doo-doo and doesn’t know it yet.

Contract, Odd Observation, Writing

Good Bye Bitter Sweet and Hello Brightness

Posted on January 1, 2015January 1, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

Earlier this week, I wrote a long post about the last year and what I have to look forward to and then yesterday morning I deleted it. It was way too sad and wordy. So the short version is this.

2014 had a lot of good moments to celebrate while darkened by one bad event.

At the end of August last year, I lost my biggest cheerleader. My dad. He died unexpectedly. One important thing was he knew I was in the middle of working with a new editor toward a new contract with a new publishing house, and my writing career was looking up. He was very happy for me. Being a voracious reader, he was as excited as I was about me being published and continuing to be so.

So in October, I received a two-book contract from a wonderful editor at Penguin/Random House’s Loveswept line. Yay! And then a couple months later, I signed with Prospect Agency. Love my new agent!

I’m starting off 2015 the right way. All fresh and new. I have to pinch myself on occasion. Other times, I freak out and worry that I have lost my mind. Who am I kidding? I can’t write!

Well, this is where I dig in my heels and prove I can do anything, if I want it bad enough. Nothing will stop me but me. And I won’t let that happen. Heck, my daughters and writing family won’t let me. I’m so grateful for them all.

Watch out! I’M BAAAACK!

Odd Observation, Writing

One in a Million

Posted on December 27, 2014January 1, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

The past week, I’ve been on vacation. So nice. Working on my writing during the day and watching TV or reading at night. Mercy, I’ve watched quite a few movies and TV shows on Netflix.

You know, it got me to thinking about the millions of actors and authors who hope to become famous for what they love to do. It blows my mind.

Does it make me want to quit? Goodness, no. All of this makes me want to work harder, to become a better writer. Every author should strive to improve with each book.

My Books, Odd Observation, Writing

Back In The Day

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Carla Swafford, Author

When my husband I were dating, he was known for being a bad boy. Since I don’t want to embarrass his family or my daughters, I won’t get into about what he did. But we hung out with some people you would call in a nice way – rough. Now, I’m not saying all of them were that way. A few of the girls were like me, from the middle class part of town and attracted to the bad boys.

I can tell you after a few years, I realized that life wasn’t for me. The drinking, drugs, smoking, cussing (still a bad habit of mine that slips out on a occasion) and living on the edge sucked big time. They cheated on each other, stole from anyone, even their friends, and many didn’t know the meaning of hygiene or taking care of their possessions. And they would laugh about it all.

Thankfully, my hubby grew up to be a good man, though that bad boy mentality (a.k.a. Cranky) comes out on occasion.

Over the years, a few people have recommended to me book series about motorcycle gangs/clubs. My sister even talked about how much she loved Sons of Anarchy. I gave in and bought one book, “sampled” a few others and watched the Sons. The book I didn’t finished, the others I didn’t buy, but I did watch all seasons of SOA. The TV series had some good moments. I think mainly I wanted to see Charlie/Jax’s butt. Otherwise, the show had more violence than plot.

The books and even the show reminded me of those days from my youth.

So now I’m writing a motorcycle club series. It will be toned down (really, I’m known for writing about sex and violence; so there will be enough in it) compared to the series and the partial books I’ve read. As I mentioned, I’ve been around those type of people. You don’t want to mess with them or be like them.

But there is something romantic and sexy about bad boys and dangerous men. Even more so when they’re reformed.