Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Welcome Carla Swafford!


Why I Like To Write Romances Especially Hot Ones?

You probably can’t believe this but there are people out there who hate romance books. And to make it worse, a lot of those people are women. Yeah. Weird, isn’t it? I have a hard time understanding it too.

Considering women are naturally emotional creatures (duh!), and the best romances are filled to the brim with all kinds of feelings, you would think all of us would love them.

To me, romances have so much going for them along with all the mushy stuff. First and foremost, they guarantee you a happy ending. Then they offer numerous genres such as general contemporary, historical, suspense, paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, young adult (aww! puppy love) and the newest, horror. Yep. You read it right. The slasher, chill ‘em, thrill ‘em with blood and gore type. Hey, I don’t write it. I merely report it.

Now when it comes to my preferred reading material, I want them to be hot. It can be one of the first six above, but they need to be scorching with no bedroom door shut. I do read some young adult, but please leave the sex out. Even though they have the word adult in their genre description, most of the characters are younger than eighteen. The heavy kissing and petting can get a little steamy and that’s okay. Normal teenager stuff.

So when it came to writing my own book, it made sense I would write hot. I love reading a book where the hero and heroine have a hard time keeping their hands to themselves. I love how they have a problem thinking about anything but each other. When they finally get together, it’s so explosive, that the pages become singed by their lovemaking. Though they may call it having sex or by some other provocative word, we know what’s going to happen. It will be making love by the end of the book.

That’s what happens to Collin in the beginning of Circle of Desire. He has to pat down Olivia, check her for a locator beneath her skin. And for him to do that, she must be naked. He finds he can’t control his hands, and her enthusiastic reaction is a big turn on for him. Before he knows it, he … wait! You have to read the book. I will say that he’s a gentleman and keeps his clothes on. I do love to torment others with little teasing tidbits.

What I like best about that scene is that later you find out Collin is all about controlling his emotions. And every time Olivia is nearby, he’s so turned on, he’s nearly helpless. So he tries to twist the attraction into a means to manipulate her. But as time goes by, you can’t help but wonder if it didn’t backfire.

So to answer the question in the title of this post, I like them hot because it heightens not only the passionate love scenes, but all the emotions between the hero and heroine throughout the book.

So what are some of your favorite hot books?

Comment for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card or one of three $10 Barnes and Noble gift cards that Carla is giving away during her blog tour this week. Winner will be announced tonight at 8:00 PM (CST).

58 comments:

krisgils33 said...

Welcome Carla!
I downloaded your book last week on the recommendation of Christy, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I should be working right now, but everyone needs a little break...right????

I like all levels of hotness. Sometimes I'm just in the mood for a little sweetness-type book with a chaste kiss. Mostly, though, I like my books steamy. That's definitely my fave. There are so many that I adore, but the first that comes to mind is Lorelei James Rough Riders series. Smokin hot!

Carla Swafford said...

Ooo! I'll have to check those out.

Thanks, krisgils33. The one of the best things about working on a computer all day for me, if I'm reading something (or writing), no one can really tell. Ooop! Did my fingers just tell on myself?!

LOL!

JoAnn said...

Great point about "having sex" changing to "making love" by the end of the book. Love that!

Enjoyed your blog tour. :-)

Carla Swafford said...

Thanks for coming by, JoAnn.

That's what we like about romances. Even if it is all about sex in the beginning, it becomes more as they finally start to have a rounded relationship. Should I dare say, comes full CIRCLE. LOL! I'm picking up Christy's habits. :-)

Alison said...

Hi Carla!
I'm so excited to read your book! I downloaded it last week, but I haven't gotten to it yet. I plan to start it tonight!

I read all levels of hotness, it just depends on my mood. I do definitely prefer more to less steam in my books.

I'll second Kris's vote for Lorelei James Rough Riders series, definitely smokin'! Another smokin' series I've read is Maya Banks Sweet series...WOWZA!

Carla Swafford said...

Hey, Alison. I have several of Maya's books. But I'm horrible at remembering titles. LOL! Thanks for buying my book and stopping by!

Rashda Khan said...

Woot! Love the post...it made me run to read my copy...but I have to finish my edits before I can reward myself. It's just sitting there, tempting me. Waah!

Anyhow, good luck with book :) And so glad I'm finally being able to comment! WooHoo!

Carla Swafford said...

Me too, Rashda! Thanks!

Hey folks, if you want to read more assassin books (before CIRCLE OF DANGER comes out next year), check out Rashda's book The Djinn's Dilemma (written as Mina Khan) coming out 11/1. The Djinn is an assassin too. And it's so sexy.

Jackie P said...

Hi, Carla

Put your book on my wishlist to be downloaded, last week. Can't wait to read it.

I read all kinds of books. So my definition of hotness varies. :) Lets see my favorites would be Christy's "Run To Me" all because well I think Ethan is quite talented. :), Lora Leigh's "Wildcard", Kaylea Cross's "Relentless", Pamela Clare's "Extreme Exposure" & "Breaking Point", Marie Force's "Everyone Loves A Hero"

Major Hot
Maya Banks' "Sweet Seduction" &"Sweet Surrender", Lora Leigh's Nauti Series and Lauren Dane's Brown Sibling Series.

Anonymous said...

I will definitely have to checkout your new book. It sounds great. I would have to say Lora Leigh's Nauti Series.



tammie9472@yahoo.com

Carla Swafford said...

Jackie P, I'm rather partial to Noah, but, yeah, Ethan was yum too.

Lori Leigh's Men of August. OH MY GOODNESS! Loved it!

Thanks for putting CIRCLE OF DESIRE in your wish list!

Carla Swafford said...

And, oh, krisgils33, thanks to you too for buying my book! Apreciated very much.

Carla Swafford said...

Thanks, tammie9472@yahoo.com. I hope you will. If you like edgey, hot assassins, then it's the book for you. LOL!

And after that, CIRCLE OF DANGER will be even hotter. :-)

Carla Swafford said...

Obviously, I cannot type or spell. That's "If you like edgy..." LOL!

Angela N. Blount (RedPeril) said...

I suppose I'd have to consider myself to be a mild to moderate kind of person. I'm more interested in the character, emotional, and plot development over the overtly sexual. Probably why I'm more drawn to the YA, in the same fashion that you mentioned. Call me prudish--I just regard love, sex, and romance all as distinctly different entities. All of which, I enjoy. But when it comes to my literary intake, it's all about the context and the quality.

I do look forward to getting ahold of your book, Carla. It sounds like there'll be plenty of action and intrigue to go along with the emotional tension.

Lexi said...

Shannon McKenna writes some doggone hot love scenes. Yowzah! Congrats on your book release, Carla, and much success!

Christy Reece said...

I love all levels heat in romance. For me, it's about the emotions and the journey of the couple as they fall in love. Even if there's steam in the beginning and no emotional attachment, I want to see their journey to love. That may or may not include steam as the relationship grows.

But when the couple finally admits their love, subconsciously, in their hearts or they've actually said the words, I do want to see the culmination of those emotions revealed in a love scene. Maybe it's the voyeur inside me, but I am disappointed when they close the door and won't let me experience that wonderful moment with them. (:

Carla Swafford said...

I understand where you coming from, Red Peril (Angela). Though I believe the writing can be quality with or without open bedroom doors. :-)

Thanks for giving it a shot.

Carla Swafford said...

I love Shannon McKenna's books. Thanks for your kind words and stopping by, Lexi!

Lisa Dunick said...

I loved Erin McCarthy's NASCAR series. :O) And pretty much anything by Lori Foster.

Carla Swafford said...

Amen, Christy!!

Carla Swafford said...

Oh, yeah. Lori Foster's current ones are wonderful. I'm holding off to read Savor The Danger during Thanksgiving.

I'll have to check out Erin's, Lisa. Considering I love NASCAR and cars, I can't believe I haven't read them.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kara C said...

Hey Carla and Christy,

I read Circle of Desire last week. What an intriguing read! Lots of action and emotion, and a scorching hotness level!
Everyone has posted great authors who really know how to spice things up. Shannon McKenna's earlier books are some of my favorites. And now, of course, Carla, your books will join my CIRCLE of favorites. SWEET, huh? ;-)

Chelsea B. said...

Yes! I agree with your post completely!
Some of my favorite hot books are: Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series, Cynthia Eden's Night Watch series, Gena Showalter's Atlantis series, Kerrelyn Sparks' Love at Stake series.... and so many more!

justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Carla Swafford said...

Ooo! You're good Kara! Thank you for your SWEET words! LOL!

Carla Swafford said...

Howdy, Chelsea! You love those wild men from paranormals, huh? I understand completely. What is better than having something "supernatural" in the bedroom? Especially if he's protective and big enough to scare the bad guys away. LOL!

Be on the lookout for November 8 when the paperback edition of CIRCLE OF DESIRE will be out, and I'll be celebrating it on Cynthia Eden's blog. :-)

Na said...

Hi Carla!
I enjoy romances in all its many sub-genres because of its emotional impact. How can I resist a story that makes me cry, laugh, sad, angry, and happy?? It doesn't matter if it's a historical, a contemporary, paranormal or futuristic, or that it's steamy or chaste. The story and characters are what matters. Some steamy books I like are the BDB series by J.R. Ward.

Cambonified[at]yahoo[dot]com

Carla Swafford said...

The first one and the 3rd book (Zsadist) were my favorites of those.

Thanks, Na!

Cathy M said...

I love hot and over the top sexy storylines and have tons of favorites. Have a soft spot for Sarah McCarty's sexy cowboys in the Promises series.


caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Carla Swafford said...

Thanks for visiting, Cathy. I'll have to check out Sarah McCarty's books.

Gail said...

Hello Carla,
I am new to your books but would like to read them where do I start? Is this Book part of a series? As for "hot" love all of Ms.Reece'd LCR books and Maya Banks KGI series and Stephanie Tyler's "hold" series heroes

Carla Swafford said...

Hi there, Gail! CIRCLE OF DESIRE is the first book. So you're coming in the right part. I try to write them as stand alones though like any series that do that, there will be tidbits you'll get from each one that will lead up to other characters' stories. Should make it more fun to read all of them.

Of course, I've read all of Christy's (except for the last two. I have SWEET REVENGE - holding off for Thanksgiving - I can read more when not at the day job and of course SWEET REWARD is pre-ordered). I'll have to check out Stephanie Tyler's.

I will say I'm lucky and have read another one of Christy's that's not published (no, not the one she's working on now) and it was real hot! Maybe we'll see it one day in print. She's got a great sense of humor that comes across in her writing.

KC said...

I love all romance. But sometimes I think we need a little steam (or a lot!) I really like Lora Leigh's books, they are pretty steamy, also Lorelei James has some pretty hot love scenes. Shayla Black is another one that has HOT, HOT scenes!

Circle of Desire sounds amazing I can't wait to read it.

Carla Swafford said...

Awww! Thanks, KC.

I would recomment Jory Strong and Claire Thompson too.

Unknown said...

My introduction to romance novels and hot love scenes was Nora Roberts and her Born In trilogy, it is still one of my fav series of hers :-) I also love anything written by Erin Nicholas and Monica Mccarty.

Congratulations on your release Carla, I'm really excited about Circle of Desire!

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Jane said...

Hello Carla,
I like them hot, too. I'm a huge fan of Lisa Marie Rice's and Shannon McKenna's books.

Hope said...

Hi Carla, Welcome.....I too downloaded your book when Christy recommended it last week, but haven't had time to dig in to it. You are next on my book list though.

One of my favorite hot series is by Lora Leigh, I call it her pleasures series, but she calls it Bound Hearts series. She also has another "hot" series called the Nauti boys, which I LOVED.

Carla Swafford said...

Thanks for coming by, Jane. I'll have to check out Lisa Marie Rice's.

I'm getting a good list of new authors to read. The holidays can't get here fast enough.

Carla Swafford said...

Thanks, Stella!

And I'll for sure check out Erin Nicholas and Monica McCarty.

Carla Swafford said...

Aww! You and Christy are such sweeties. Thanks.

I haven't read Lora's Nauti series. But two of the ladies at work loved them. So I guess I need to put them on my list too. I loved her August Men series and the one (Breeds?) that started with them being in a lab and then it was blown up. Can't remember the name of it.

cherio1 said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! I love reading romance books. I am especially excited when they are happily ever after type.

Unknown said...

Your books sound fabulous. The author that comes to mind for me that write a lot of sex in her books is Maya Banks and her books are Hot with a wonderful story to them.

Thanks for the great giveaway!

Carla Swafford said...

cherio1, I agree. Happily ever after is a must. :-)

Carla Swafford said...

Virginia, thank you!

Yes, Maya's favorite for me is WICKED TIES.

Unknown said...

I like it when a book is hot because I can escape and live through the characters. LOL. My life is not at a hot point anymore now that I have MS so reading a hot books brings back the days before MS as I like to call it when my life was hot.

Carla Swafford said...

Sarah, thank goodness for romance novels, especially hot romance novels for sure. HUG.

Anonymous said...

Carla, I forgot Stephanie Tyler. She is a must. I love the secondary character Saint in her first Trilogy. Oh, and Nina Bruhns' trilogy with "Shoot To Thrill", "If Looks Could Chill" and "Kiss To Kill".

Jackie P.

Carla Swafford said...

Hello, Jackie P. Nina Bruhns' trilogy, heh? I'll add hers too.

Thanks!

Louisa Cornell said...

Hey Carla and Christy!

And WOOOOT! Lets hear it for HOT romance!

Those who don't understand the attraction of reading hot romance just don't get it (in more ways than one!) And that is their loss.

Anything by Shannon McKenna is smoking hot!

And if you want to read HOT try Jane's Warlord by Angela Knight. In fact try ANYTHING by Angela Knight.

And I LOVE the Lynn Rae Harris smokes it up in her romances.

Carla, I can't wait to read your debut! I hope your debut day is everything you ever dreamed and more!

Carla Swafford said...

Thanks, Louisa! It was wonderful.

Oh, I completely forgot about Angela Knight.

Carla Swafford said...

Okay, everyone, give me a few minutes. My hubby will be pulling the names. Plus I had to check the other blogs to make sure I hadn't missed anyone. There was a total of 119 comments, many who followed. THANKS for making my first blog tour so successfull!

Carla Swafford said...

Here are the winners:

For the Amazon $25 gift certificate from Avon: Kara C

For (1) B&N $10 Gift Card: Chris Bails

For (1) B&N $10 Gift Card: Grace Burrowes

For (1) B&N $10 Gift Card: Stella

Congratulations. I will be in contact soon.

Thank you, Christy, for inviting me to your blog. Everyone has been most kind and welcoming.

Christy Reece said...

Yay! Congratulations to the winners!

Thanks so much for hanging out with us today, Carla. Lots of great discussion and some wonderful recommendations for great reads.

Congrats again on a fabulous debut book!

Kara C said...

What a way to end the day! Thanks, Carla, and congrats again on the book's release!

Mary Preston said...

I discovered Desiree Holt some years ago. Her books are **HOT** indeed.

I'm enjoying the tour thank you.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Carla Swafford said...

Thank you for having me on your blog, Christy! I enjoyed it so much. Lots of nice people. HUGS.

Carla Swafford said...

Thanks, Marybelle. I'm so glad you followed along and hope to see you around again.

And I'll certainly check out Desiree Holt.

Carla Swafford said...

Have a good time spending it on Amazon, but be sure to check back early 2012 for my next book, CIRCLE OF DANGER! :-)