Reviews – Page 4 – Carla Swafford, Author

Well Said

Posted on February 22, 2016February 21, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

***Beware Spoiler**

When I received a notice of another five star review for Hidden Heat, I was excited to click on it and see what it said. (We authors can be such needy people.) The reviewer at I Heart YA Books blew me away with her insight into my heroine.

Several reviewers had mentioned their dissatisfaction in the heroine’s easy acceptance of the hero’s return at the end of the book. Of course, everyone feels differently about many situations, but no matter how I feel about it, this was Cassidy’s story and her reactions are her own. So I had planned to write a post on why my spunky heroine became such a pushover at the end.

But when I read the review, I felt the reviewer had said it all, and I asked permission to reprint. Debbie was a sweetheart and said okay.

Here’s the review.

——

Hidden Heat is a fantastic read. This might be one of the few times that I’ve loved the heroine more than the hero. Cassidy Ryder is a girl who definitely has her stuff together. I loved that Cassidy wasn’t a whiney girl—that she’s a mature-thinking woman even though she’s only twenty-one. And this came from Cassidy’s hard life of being raised around a Motorcycle Club. Daughter of an ex MC President and her mother who was murdered when she was a young girl, has made Cassidy tough. She had to grow up fast, especially when she had a young brother to take care of. With that thought in mind about Cassidy, that’s why I loved Cassidy and Thorn’s ending to their story. It’s just the way I would imagine Cassidy to be when Thorn returns.

Cassidy handled her relationship with Thorn—who’s an undercover cop—with the right frame of mind. Cassidy knew that when she was falling in love with Thorn, there was no guarantee that she and Thorn would have a future together. Cassidy also knew Thorn would go on to the next undercover job, so she accepted what she was getting into when she fell in love with Thorn. I know I’m talking about the ending first in my review, but I just thought it was an awesome, happily ever after ending with Cassidy and Thorn, because of Cassidy’s maturity in the way she handled things. Great communication between the Cassidy and Thorn.

Thorn Savalas is a cop working undercover to bring down the top leaders in the Brothers of Mayhem MC. But just when he’s close to getting the information he needs to finish the job, Cassidy Ryder walks into the Brother of Mayhem’s bar with a baseball bat looking for her younger brother, Storm, who’s been hanging with the MC. And the only way for Thorn to protect the headstrong, sassy mouthed Cassidy from getting killed is to claim her as his old lady. Cassidy and Thorn’s hot, steamy hook-up will become their most dangerous adventure to their forever love story.

Hidden Heat is a keep you on the edge suspense with a sizzling hot romance. It also has a tiny little twist at the end that will melt your heart. I recommend Cassidy and Thorn’s story as a must read.

5 Hearts of Love for Cassidy & Thorn

——

Well said, Debbie. Thank you. Hugs.

Be sure to check out her reviews. Click here.

Brothers of Mayhem series, Full Heat, Hidden Heat

What People Are Saying . . .

Posted on February 13, 2016February 13, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

This is what readers on Goodreads are saying about HIDDEN HEAT coming out February 16.

“This is a great ride that has a lot of surprises . . . I am looking forward to see what’s next from this author because I have become a fan.”

“I promise you will love it!!”

“I completely enjoyed this story, it’s many plot twists & turns had me riveted. I loved Thorn’s crazy relatives!”

“Overall Hidden Heat is a fantastic introduction to the Brothers Of Mayhem with more characters to be explored such as Wolf, Angel and of course Storm…his story is not yet over.”

“Fans of the genre will love this book. I have added the author to my must read authors’ list.”

“Wow! I really liked it. This author will definitely be on my watch list.”

“There is a LOT of drama and angst and twists, so there will be no further story line hints given… READ IT…. and start begging Carla for the sequel!”

“A thrilling story, full of surprises, intrigue, steamy passion and some really nasty sounding dudes (makes a change from everyone looking hot and sexy). I loved it.”

“For me it was fast paced and an exciting read. Will definitely be looking for more of the Brothers of Mayhem in the future.”

“I really liked Thorn. A LOT.”

“Cassidy is a tough chic that looks out for her brother.”

“The bat swinging bundle of hotness who busted into the Skull and Bones is none other than the daughter of the founding Skull…

“Swafford wrote a compelling story of how far will the love for a brother take you.”

“I liked the fact that Cass was a kick ass take no prisoner chick, and Thorn (Holy hell) he sounds totally HOT!”

“I couldn’t put this book down.”

“This is my first book by this author and I loved it.”

“I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.”

“My Favorite Moment: I really loved when Cassidy found out the real story about who Thorn is.”

“Super easy read, great flow, great character development and I really enjoyed it.”

“Cassidy was a strong female lead and even though she knew something would get her into trouble, she did it anyway because she knew without a doubt it was the right thing to do.”

“The plot is fairly well developed with about as much mistrust as you might expect within the motorcycle club . . .”

“Every few pages, just when you think you have a handle on the plot line another twist comes along.”

“I was instantly pulled into this story. It was an easy read. It had a great flow to it. I am looking forward to the next in the series. ”

“I could not put this book down. I loved Cassidy and her determination to protect her brother from the harsh life within the MC.”

“Such an amazing and exciting story!! Started reading and could not stop until I was completely finished! 100% recommend!!”

“I hated to say goodbye to Cassidy and Thorn. 5 stars!!”

“Carla S[w]afford has a new fan due to her depth of characters and twisting plot lines”

“Two very different people, with lots of plot twist to make you keep reading to find out more.”

“Carla is great at weaving suspense into her romances so this was hit for me.”

Hey, I believe in celebrating the positive! Thank you, everyone! I can’t wait until you read Storm’s book (FULL HEAT). It’s going to blow your socks off! An angst filled hero and a laid-back heroine. What a switch, heh?

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Barnes and Noble
iBooks
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Odd Observation, Romance Readers Luncheon

Here Let Me Help You

Posted on October 14, 2013October 15, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a review (not mine) and become frustrated when an angry reviewer gives a novella one star because “It was too short.” You’re reading and that’s important. Obviously, you want to learn. So be sure to watch for certain words before you click on that FREE, $0.99 or $1.99 specials.

Short Story: That means exactly what it says. It’s a story that’s short. Probably around 50 pages or less.

Novella: Dictionary.com tells us, “A fictional prose narrative that is longer and more complex than a short story; a short novel.” I would say anything 51 pages to around 200 pages.

Part 1 (or 2 or 3, etc.): That book will be short. Can’t guess at the size as it varies and is up to the author (or publisher) of how many pages they want to make each part. But it’s like watching a 30 minute TV series that continues next week. You will only get PART of the story.

Okay, this is what you need to look at closely if you’re not sure.

For example, on Amazon they now tell you how many pages under Product Details. No guessing.

At Barnes and Noble, they don’t give you the number but if you see a File Size of around 126 KB under Product Details, chances are it’s short. If you’re still unsure, look at the reviews. Yes. People will complain about the length. Thus why I’m writing this post.

I checked Kobo and they don’t show pages or file size, but let’s use some common sense. Chances are if it is $0.99 and has the word(s) Novella, Short Story or Part 1, it will not be a full novel.

Now I’m not saying all $1.99 or lower price books are short stories. My books have been $1.99 and $0.99 before and they are full pledged novels, and I’ve grabbed up some great books for those prices myself. You just need to stop and read a little bit if this sort of thing pisses you off.

Authors love happy readers.