Tag: books

Posted in Circle of Danger, Circle of Deception, Circle of Desire, Giveaways, Gmail, My Books, Newsletter, Savage Champion, Writing

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Countdown Starts

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

T-Minus and Counting

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

Posted in An Atlanta Edge Hockey, Audio, Crossing The Line, Fake Play, hockey, Holiday, My Books, Newsletter, Reading, Recommendations, Writing

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – What Are You Reading?

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

Pep Talk

Last evening while watching a romantic movie (shocked?), a commercial came on for Peloton, and they said, “run your own race.” I like the message. It can be applied anywhere in a person’s life, but especially writing. Authors are running a race to hit best seller lists, have more reviews, write more books, etc. Authors, like many people, can be competitive too. But what’s so important is not to worry about other authors’ successes, but concentrate on your own. Compete against yourself. It’s a healthier way to live.

Hockey Season

If you’re watching hockey (or not), be sure to pick up my books with the fellows of Atlanta Edge. Fake Play has a female goalie in it. Of course, the MMC is hot and in the NHL. And the other book, Crossing The Line has an ambitious Russian skater who screws up and must apologize big time to the sweet woman in his life. The FMC is a puck bunny and has a big secret. As all of my books, they’re spicy.

Fisting a handful of hair at the back of her skull, I bring her lips to mine. Her sweet submission and game-for-anything attitude has kept me interested in her more than any puck bunny prior.

Roman Volkov

Reading

Yes. I actually make time to read. I read in bed before I get up and start the day, I read in the car (of course, my husband’s behind the steering wheel; otherwise, I’m listening to an audio book). Then I read on my porch at some point during a beautiful day. Then I read before I go to sleep at night. A little obsessive? Nah.

There are a few authors I want to mention. No, I don’t know them personally, but I’ve enjoyed several of their books and “discovered” them recently.

If you love medieval romance, then you need to read Alice Coldbreath. She writes medieval (knights & ladies, etc.) set in a fictional country similar to Britain. She also writes Victorian romance. I’ve enjoyed those too.

If you love criminal romance, be sure to check out S. J. Tilly. I’m reading her Alliance series. They’re standalones. I’m on book four. Book two (King) was my favorite so far.

Then author C. M. Stunich’s book, Throwaway Prince. This is not for everyone. Some people would call it a dark romance. The hero is unique to say the least. Be aware it has a cliffhanger. She hasn’t published book two.

Thankfully, I’ve read more good ones than not. The weird thing was I purchased an old book (audio) by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I messed up. I was thinking it was The Wolf And The Dove (Medieval Romance), but it was her The Flame And The Flower (pre-civil war US). I loved the book back in the 70s, but it’s not my cup of tea now. So frustrating. I hate to return books (audio or whatever).

Beta Readers

Savage Champion is still with my editor. I’ve heard back from a Beta reader. It appears I need to smooth out the romantic relationship between the main characters and define my villain a little more. By the way, if you’re interested in being a beta reader, you can contact me on my website.

Be sure to pre-order the book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo Books, or Apple Books.

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s day. If you don’t have a sweetheart or one who will give you chocolate (or treats), go and buy your own. As a romance author, I hit the shelves the next day for romantic giveaways.

Regards.

Carla

Posted in Book Signings, excerpt, My Books, Newsletter, Savage Champion, Special Price

Newsletter: Author Carla Swafford – Trudging Along

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

So many manuscripts, so many stories to write. I’m presently working on editing another paranormal romance, and then I have three more books (one is romantic suspense, and two are contemporary romances: one with an asshole billionaire and the other I’m co-writing with my friend Betty Bolte) to finish this year. We’ll see if I can get it all done. Eeek!

Be sure to pre-order Savage Champion before April 23, 2024. Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo Books, Only 99 cents.

***Excerpt (unedited): Tori helps Ronan experience “Death Sleep” as a vampire for the first time.***

“What’s happening? My legs and arms feel so heavy.” Ronan’s puzzled tone was expected. I’d felt the same way when the first death-sleep came over me. 

He stumbled toward the bed, an angry look came over his face.

“What have you done to me?”

“Shh. Do you not feel it? The sun is just moments away from peeking between the trees. When you’re first reincarnated, a fledgling has difficulty staying awake beyond sunrise.” 

I helped him into bed, and he stretched on his back across the mattress. 

His unwarranted anger was so typical of a male vampire. Aggressive and territorial, the young vampire was unpredictable, but I hopefully waylaid the worst by providing an outlet for  his aggression.

“Isn’t it bothering you?”

“The longer you’re a vampire, the longer you can withstand the lure of the death sleep. Rarely, can a new vampire stay awake through dawn and never to high noon.” 

I watched him fight the sleep like a child, though nothing about the way he looked was childish. The black cotton shirt, unbuttoned to mid-chest, and black jeans along with his dark hair and olive skin, the combination gave him a dangerous air. Heated desire taunted me. Temptation to touch him while he slept almost overtook me. He would resent that. It would be too much like taking advantage of him during a weakness. 

His eyelids were at half mast. The beautiful depth glistening in the bedroom’s lights as he tried to keep me in his sight. He slowly closed them and snapped them back open, then they closed again. 

I lifted his large, rough hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to the back.

“Relax. I’ll watch over you until it’s time for me to join you. Guards surround the place and the house is secure. Wolfric wouldn’t have reached the ripe old age of a millennium if he was careless.” 

Immediately, his hand fell limp and his body sank further into the mattress. His chest no longer rose and fell with his breathing, and I knew his heartbeat would be near to nonexistent. I brushed the back of my fingers against his cheek, his skin was cold to the touch. Like death.

Wolfric was too wary to have vampires sleep in his bed when death sleep overtook him, if he did. I really had no idea. Only once, had I been near another vampire during death sleep. It had been when I traveled to Atlanta on Wolfric’s orders. 

There, the large vampire colony had consisted of artists and musicians. Though during that period, I’d spent most of my time recuperating from my wounds and controlling my urge to kill every deviant in a twenty-mile area, I’d allowed a tall blond male vampire to slip under my guard. 

The slightly older vampire had never met an instrument he couldn’t play and my body had been no exception. He’d been the only vampire I ever made love to or slept with before Ronan. After the Atlanta experience, I spent my sexual desires on my servants. Less of a distraction and I didn’t have to pretend softer feelings to achieve satisfaction.

Looking down at the man beside me, a softening around my heart eased the ache I endured for so long. I loved him, but how long would it take before he decided I was wrong to change him. 

Tired and no longer feeling the brew, I pressed my body to his and kissed him on the cheek. His shoulder was perfect for my head to rest on. 

I will be at the Capital City Author Event with many, many others. Please come by and say hi! Per Michelle Rls Sewell, founder and organizer, visit downtown Montgomery, AL, rich in history and southern hospitality, to meet some of your favorite authors of various genres. The Capital City Author Event will host over 80 authors/vendors, including many locally from Alabama, on May 17-18, 2024, Friday and Saturday.

LINK FOR MORE INFO: https://CCAE2024.eventbrite.com

Hope you stayed warm and read a lot like I did.

Hugs.

Carla

Posted in Giveaways, Jake, Newsletter, Southern Crime Family series

Newsletter Author Carla Swafford: Giveaway

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

I bet that heading got your attention. Everyone loves a free book. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ve seen my post about a giveaway to subscribers. The book is Jake: A Southern Crime Family Novel.

So you want to know how to win a copy. Send me an email to authorcarlaswafford @gmail.com (no spaces) and say Happy Holidays. And I will draw 8 names to win four paperbacks and four ebooks (one book per winner). Winners will be announced Christmas Day.

You may know that Jake has two brothers, Sen and Ethan. Their books were due out 2021 and 2022, but things happened that threw me off my schedule. So I’m hoping Sen will be out the end of next year and Ethan the following year if not sooner. Don’t worry, Jake’s book does not end on a cliff hanger. He solves his old man’s murder. But it does leave a couple questions unanswered. Sen’s and Ethan’s stories will happen in the same timeline as their older brother’s and will answer those questions. They have their own mysteries surrounding their father’s death and by the end of each they are solved.

He motioned his gun toward her, his face still in the shadows. “Strip.”

“What? Her whole body flushed with embarrassment and hunger.

“You heard me.”

“Is this how you get women in bed with you?”

Jake Whitfield and Angel Tally

Be sure to go and preorder Savage Champion. The ebook is ready for preorder. Only 99 cents from preorder to first week after published. Then the price will go up. If you prefer a paperback, it can be preordered in the next month or so, but it will be for $10.99.

“Then you understand this. I’ll not let him harm one hair on your head. Do you understand me? You’re mine.”

Ronan Michaels in Savage Champion

Just a little side story about my writing. Before my first book sold to HarperCollins, I had written 11 books. The first one they published was #10. They decided on the title Circle of Desire. I had called it Out of The Shadows. I was in the middle of writing the second book for them when my buying editor left the company. OH, NO! See, the editor who believed in you and your writing has left and you don’t have a cheerleader any more. Oh, well, after the third book, my new editor wanted a new series. I sent her a few ideas and we talked about them. She wanted something different. That’s the way the business goes. I’ll tell you another time about my experience with Random House.

Merry Christmas!

Carla

Posted in blurb, Love In A Small Town, Loving The Small-Town Hero, My Books, Writing

Another New Release soon!

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

A crazy old song echoes in her head. Why? Well, she shot the sheriff, but her brother didn’t shoot the deputy. Or something like that. So let’s find out what really happened…

Years before, Molly Hicks escaped her hometown of Sand City, Alabama, but her plans of never returning are ignored when her parents demand she help control her troublemaking younger brother. No sooner than she arrives, he’s thrown in jail accused of killing a deputy. Then she shoots the sheriff. Just a graze, but she lands in a cell alongside her sibling.

Sheriff J.T. Rogan refuses to admit he has a soft spot for any Hicks, especially Molly. The same girl whose father kicked him out of town as a teenager. So when he releases her without filing charges, it’s no surprise she stalks him around town, insisting he find the real killer.

When another body turns up, while her brother is locked up, J.T. is beginning to believe Molly. As they track down clues and come up with suspects, he remembers why he always wanted to be her hero.