ARC Review: Blaze by Joan Swan

 

(more like 4.5 feathers!)

Blaze

(Phoenix Rising #2)

by Joan Swan

From the get-go, Joan Swan demands your attention, opening up with a killer scene that hooks you right in. At first, I wondered if everything was happening too fast, but it’s as if Swan heard my thoughts because right after that the action levelled out and she gave readers time to breathe. This, my friends, is what I called great pacing. I’ve mentioned this before in my FEVER review, but I’ll say it again, Joan Swan is fantastic at pacing her work so that she controls the way your heart pumps faster with the action and lets you breathe after an intense scene.

I immediately felt a kinship for Keira O’Shea. I loved how physically and mentally tough she was and her sense of morality. Even amongst trained men, she still held her ground in times of distress and that made her admirable. But even though she is one tough chick, later on in the book you also get glimpses of a softer side to her. Though she says she doesn’t want children, there she is, holding little Mateo protectively in her arms. I loved reading about the different sides to her. She was a multidimensional character that really displays her resiliency and also her vulnerability nicely.

Then there is Luke Ransom (what a sexy name!) who is fireproof (fireproof!!!) making him more badass and hotter than he already is. Though sometimes he can be a jerk, I think it only added to the drama that Luke and Keira have in their relationship. After ending their passionate relationship on bad terms, seeing each other for the first time in three years does not bring back pleasant memories. Both are bitter and neither one is able to forgive the other for what was done to them.

But there is one thing they have in common and that is a broken heart. Despite the hate they so obviously display for one another, there’s sexual tension brewing beneath the surface.

Added to the intense sexual tension of this book is the action-packed, thrilling and explosive journey that these two endure together. Clutching little Mateo to her side, Keira and Luke fight to get to the bottom of this strange predicament they are in. After rescuing Mateo from enemy hands, they find out that something in embedded into Mateo’s head. It could be a tracker or it could be something far more dangerous. Regardless, BLAZE will hook you right in and never cease its pulse-pounding ride until the very end.

BLAZE can be read as a standalone novel, but familiar faces are present. You see Teague and Alyssa. Mitch also has some great lines. I’m eager to learn more of him.

This second book in the Phoenix Rising series is better than its predecessor, hitting harder and upping the romance. With more endearing characters and intense scenes, readers will be panting with their need for more. I hardly had time to catch my own breath while reading this!

*ARC provided by author

 

 

 Purchase Links: Amazon

Interview and Giveaway with Joan Swan

Hi Joan! Welcome back to UTC! We are thrilled to have you here again. Let's get to know you a little better first. Who is Joan Swan? What five things would readers not know about you?

Thanks for having me back! I love this place – colorful, upbeat, fun and friendly. A girl couldn’t ask for more. (Except maybe … chocolate!)

Well, let’s see…

· My birthday is on the cusp of two different signs, Cancer and Leo, and I swear I’m half of each.

· I don’t eat vegetables. **Collective gasp here** When I was a kid, I spent many, many hours sitting at the dinner table “until I finished my vegetables”, and ended up getting sent to my room because I wouldn’t relent and eat them. I still won’t eat them (because I don’t like the taste of them).

· My favorite color as a kid was yellow. My mom said she never had to worry about me being happy.

· When hurt or wronged, I rarely forgive and I never forget. That has been both a weakness and a strength for me over the years.

· I hate conflict, but once put there, I’m a relentless fighter.

How did the Phoenix Rising series come to be?

Phoenix Rising is my first series. Before this I’d always written stand alone single titles. But when I shopped FEVER, the market was offering multiple book deals with related storylines. So only after I’d written FEVER did I conceptualize the grand plan of the firefighting team and every team member getting a starring role in a book.

Also, Elisabeth Naughton, my critique partner helped me immensely with the structure of the series. Without her, there would be no Phoenix Rising series.

So far, of the Phoenix Rising series, BLAZE is my favorite! Can you tell us a little more about yummy Luke Ransom (sexy name, btw!) and Keira O'Shay?

YAY!!! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it so much!!

I love BLAZE also, though FEVER was a real push for me as an author, which makes me love it in a different way.

Thanks on the name kudos…I think that one goes to my muse. J

I adore this couple. They are both tortured characters with good souls looking for that ultimate love. I guess in that way, everyone can relate to them. We’re all flawed. We all have something in our background that haunts us, whether it was of our doing or something that was done to us. Yet despite our history, we all want to be loved. We all want to feel special to someone we find special.

Luke is one of those one-woman men and Keira is that woman for him. He thrives on both her strengths and her weaknesses. I once had a male friend of mine tell me that he enjoyed taking care of his wife, but that he also loved the fact that she was strong enough to take care of him if he needed it. Keira is that kind of woman. She needs Luke, but she can also take care of Luke when he needs her.

I happen to love the way one of my reviewers, GraveTells, describes Luke:

“…all charisma and wit, a capable agent with a big bad side of get-with-the-program-or-get-the-hell-out-of-my-way. Underneath all that swagger, though, is a man who has never gotten over the love of his life and is willing to give up just about anything to see her safe and happy... even if it means living the rest of his life in misery.”

Where Luke is strong from a childhood of stability and love in a secure family, Keira is strong from the lack of those things. Keira had a traumatic childhood filled with abuse and loss. She floated through the foster care system, living day to day with violence, fear and loneliness. Because of her background, she’s tough on the outside, but vulnerable on the inside. She’s reluctant to trust and risk her heart. Where Luke sees family as a strength, Keira sees it as a weakness, a liability, one more thing to screw up. This give Keira and Luke lots to argue about and stay divided over.

GraveTells describes Keira as:

“…a firecracker of a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it, before going after it like a guided missile. She's a smart, take-no-shit, expert markswoman with a shattered heart and traumatic childhood enfortressed behind a wall of emotional steel, packed muscles, and intense S.W.A.T. training, and the only one who can get past that shell is ATF agent and fire cop Luke Ransom.”

You balance the romance and the suspense very well. How do you make sure that there's enough of both in a book?

I don’t. I don’t think anyone does, because that’s a matter of opinion.

Romantic suspense can run between the boundries of 25% romance/75% suspense all the way to 75% romance/25% suspense. For me as a writer, the most compelling story is my ultimate goal. Whatever I need to do to get it there is what I include, regardless of what the % rates come out in the end.

Conflict in a romantic relationship between two characters that we love is a compelling reason to read on, which is one of the reasons I love writing romantic suspense as opposed to straight suspense—besides the fact that my characters never stay away from each other. That’s always a problem too.

Why did you decide to incorporate a paranormal element into this series instead of keeping everything strictly suspense?

The market. I originally wrote FEVER as a straight romantic suspense right at the time the RS market tanked. My critique partner suggested I add a paranormal element as paranormal romance was very popular at that time. Of course, that required rewriting the entire manuscript, but I liked where that idea took the story and the potential it gave the concept as a series, so I did it. And it sold.

What would you say was the most difficult thing about writing BLAZE and how did you overcome it?

The whole overarcing plot idea was a lot to get my mind around. Not only did I have to think about how to transition from the end of FEVER to the beginning of BLAZE, but I had to think about transitionsing from the end of BLAZE to the beginning of RUSH, book 3…without having written RUSH yet!

A series is a story within a story – the book’s story, the story question that will be asked and answered within the book itself and the overarching plot’s story, the story question that will be asked in book 1 and answered in the last book.

Honestly, the way I overcame that issue was with help from my critique partner, Elisabeth Naughton. Not only had she written a series like this before, her amazing Eternal Guardian series, but she has a remarkable ability to sift a story down to the bare elements and organize structure.

You are also writing the Covert Affairs series, the first book is called INTIMATE ENEMIES. How does this series different from the Phoenix Rising series and why should readers check this out?

Intimate Enemies is a completely different animal. This is a straight romantic suspense novel, set in Baja Mexico. The book is the first in the Covert Affairs series, but that series is linked by interrelated heroes and not by plot. Each Covert Affairs book has an individual plot without connection to the prior or the next, though characters from other novels in the series will play through.

I think readers will love Intimate Enemies for the same reasons I do—for the subtle threat, for the dark tone, for the danger lurking to ambush my hero and heroine. I believe readers will find Rio the hottest thing since their morning coffee and Cassie a strong, sympathetic heroine they can relate to and root for.

If you like hot romance and can’t-put-it-down suspense with strong emotion and a few laughs along the way, you’ll like Intimate Enemies. And it’s only $3.99!

You have a signing in October in San Jose at a Local Book club can you tell us about it?

Okay, is this fun, or is this fun?? I have to admit, I’m not a fan of signings. Big signings with lots of authors that’s more like a social get together, great! I’m threre. But a bookstore? Standing there greeting customers and making small talk about my books? Just shook me in the head instead!

But Angela told me Virna DePaul was going to be signing and I’ve been wanting to sit down and chat with Virna since I met her in passing at RT this year. So I said yes. And, then, promptly asked a few other authors I knew living in the bay area. Well, those authors asked a few authors…and before you know it, we’ve got 7 fabulous authors signing at the Barnes & Noble in San Jose on Oct 3rd. It’s going to be sooooo fun!! And yes – you’ll get pictures! We promise!

The authors who will be there are: Virna DePaul, Hannah Jayne, Marina Adair, Britt Bury, Elisabeth Barrett, Cassie Alexander, and me!

What's next for Joan Swan?

At the moment, I’m finishing up RUSH, book 3 in the Phoenix Rising series, which releases October 2013. Then I’m on to book 4 of the Phoenix Rising series and book 2 of the Covert Affairs series.

Once those are finished, I’m hoping to go back to work on a new paranormal series I’m hoping to shop soon! J

Phoenix Rising Series

FEVER

Book 1

Dr. Alyssa Foster will admit to a bad boy fetish…

But when she finds herself face to face with a convicted murderer with a ripped body, a determination for freedom and an eye on her as his get out of jail free card, Alyssa knows she’s in deep trouble…. Not just because Teague Creek is a prisoner desperate for freedom, but because his every touch makes her desperate for more.

A man with a life sentence has nothing to lose…

Teague Creek has one shot at freedom, but his plan to escape with a hostage develops a fatal flaw: Alyssa. On the run from both the law and deadly undercover operatives who know of his strange abilities, he needs to avoid trouble, but every heated kiss tells him the fire between them could be just as devastating as the flames that changed him forever.

Purchase Links:

Kensington / Amazon / Amazon Canada / Barnes & Noble / B-A-M
Book Depository / Chapters / IndieBound / Powell’s 

READ OUR REVIEW

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BLAZE

Book 2

The hotter they come, the harder they fall…

With a man like him, every mission becomes personal…
Ever since FBI agent Keira O’Shay started tracking a young boy named Mateo, she’s felt a connection even her empathic abilities can’t explain. Sheneeds to save Mateo from the cult leader holding him hostage. Nothing can interfere with that—not even the reappearance of Luke Ransom, the hot-as-hell fire captain she’s regretted walking out on for three long years.

Losing Keira left Luke vulnerable—in every way. When they were together, the powers each possesses were mysteriously enhanced. But it’s the sexy, surprising woman beneath the tough exterior that Luke’s really missed. Even if she betrayed him utterly. And even if agreeing to help her uncover a government conspiracy means watching his life and his heart go up in flames again…

Purchase Links:

Amazon / Amazon Canada / Barnes & Noble / B-A-M / Book Depository
Chapters / IndieBound / Powell’s

OUR REVIEW COMING NEXT WEEK!

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About the Author

I was never a star English student or a Literature buff, but I’ve always had a creative soul and an active imagination. Writing was a natural culmination of those two talents.

Sexy romantic suspense is my genre of choice, and, occasionally, I like to dabble in the lighter side of paranormal as well. I write the Phoenix Rising Series, FEVER, BLAZE, and two more books coming in 2013, for Kensington and the Covert Affairs Series, INTIMATE ENEMIES, independently.

A triple RWA Golden Heart finalist, I am a lover of craft and closet-hoarder of writing craft how-to books. I’m a recovering OCD perfectionist…bet you can just imagine how well that’s going.

In my day job, I work as a sonographer at UCSF Medical Center, rated one of the top ten best medical centers in the nation – a location with an intensity that makes me slightly—okay majorly—insane. This seems to work well with my inner writer. Access to abundant character material—and I’m not only talking about my patients—is a fringe benefit.

I’m married to my own personal hero, a veteran firefighter, we have two beautiful daughters and are blessed to live in the heart of wine country on the gorgeous Central Coast of California.

To keep up with my latest news & releases please visit me online:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Twitter Giveaways / Goodreads

Joan Swan's BLAZE Blog Tour Schedule
Tour runs from September 17 - October 6

September 17 - Grave Tells - http://gravetells.com/
September 18 - Book Reader Addicts - http://bookreaderaddictsgiveaways.blogspot.com/
September 19 - Pearl's World of Romance - http://pearlsworldofromance.wordpress.com/
September 20 - Under The Covers - http://underthecoversbookblog.blogspot.com
September 21 - Reading Between The Wines - http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/
September 22 - Riverina Romantics - http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/
September 23 - Reading on The Wild Side - http://readingonthewildside.blogspot.com/
September 24 - United By Books - http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/
September 25 - My Keeper Shelf - http://mykeepershelf.blogspot.com/
September 25 - The Reading Café - http://thereadingcafe.com/
September 26 - Ramblings From This Chick - http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/
September 27 - I Smell Sheep - http://www.ismellsheep.com/
September 28 - Paranormal Haven - http://www.paranormalhaven.com/
September 29 - Just Romantic Suspense - http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/
September 30 - Just Romantic Suspense - http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/
October 1 - Close Encounters With The Night Kind - http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/
October 2 - Book Monster Reviews / Literal Addiction -
Book Monster - http://bookmonsterreviews.blogspot.com/
Literal Addiction - http://www.literaladdiction.com/
October 3 - Books-n-Kisses - http://www.books-n-kisses.com/
October 4 - Readers Confession - http://www.readersconfession.com/
October 5 - Book Lovin' Mamas - http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//
October 6 - Cocktails & Books - http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

We have a paperback of BLAZE to one winner in US/Canada up for grabs!

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Review: Intimate Enemies by Joan Swan

4.5 Feathers

Intimate Enemies

by Joan Swan

(Covert Affairs # 1)

Intimate Enemies is an impressive novel that got me hooked right from the first few pages. This action packed, heart-pounding suspense, love story played like a great movie in my head. The plot, characters and dialogues were portrayed realistically and definitely engaging.

Mafias in Mexico and various gangs rule the streets and most are involved in drugs, kidnapping, human trafficking, and murders. This book is full of corruptions but, truth be told, this story is of fiction but still holds a fraction of truth about this country, unfortunately.

Fortunately for us, Ms. Swan has given us a super sexy undercover cop to save the day and boy, did he ever. Rio Santana exudes confidence and reeks of alpha traits. It was so hard not fall in love with him. I found a picture of Ms. Swan’s Character Inspiration of Rio in one of the social medias and I just had to share. This man is hot and I had him in my head the whole time.

Of course, with a beautiful hero comes a beautiful heroine. Cassie Christo is not only beautiful she is also smart, independent, proud but hardheaded, jaded and the stepdaughter of the man Rio plans to put away. Yup, Ms. Swan doesn’t make it easy on Rio but they were great together!

Heavy on the romance element but the suspense is just as strong. Ms. Swan had me at the edge of my seat from the plot and had me holding my breath from the sexual tension and the steamy sex scenes. Overall, a highly recommended read and I cannot wait to see what she has next for this series.

*Review copy provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Fever by Joan Swan

 

Fever 

(Phoenix Rising  #1)

by Joan Swan

Debut author Joan Swan takes you on a pulse-pounding, no-holds-barred, suspense-driven ride from beginning to end!

Doctor Alyssa gets caught up in a royal mess. Two inmates, working together have taken her from her workplace and brought her along a ride that changes the course of her life. Scared beyond reason, Alyssa tries to wrap her head around the situation that is happening to her. I found that I really liked Alyssa. She showed courage in times when I would have crawled into a ball and wept. Joan does a fantastic job of evoking emotions from her characters. I felt Alyssa’s fear and her frustration.

Teague Creek is one of the inmates who have taken Alyssa. While he is the less violent of the two inmates, he is still scary as hell. I had a hard time liking Teague. He was pushy, demanding, frustrating and dangerous, but through the course of the book, there are glimpses of another side of him. The author eases the softer side of Teague slowly and when I saw these glimpses, I wanted to know more about him. However, I did have a problem with the racial slurs in this book. I found it difficult to read and although it was meant to make me hate a particular character, I do think there are better and more effective ways to accomplish this.

I mentioned earlier about feeling Alyssa frustration and what I mean by that is that Teague has several secrets that he holds back from Alyssa. Not one to simply do things as she is told, Alyssa stands up to Teague more than once. Again, I have to commend her for her courage. Teague is still a convict, after all.

But whenever Alyssa was frustrated with Teague, I was as well. I loved that she pushed him, asking him to trust her with his secrets. Teague bottles things in and his frustration is evident as well when his plans don’t go his way. However, all this is understandable because what Teague is after is very important and holds his heart.

In other circumstances, Alyssa and Teague would have found each other eventually. But I think with this thrill ride of a story, Joan Swan brings in the action and the suspense to another level, making their meeting a memorable and lasting one. Even in the early pages of the book, you can already see the natural way Alyssa and Teague interact with one another.

There is also a slight paranormal element in this book. Teague has a hot touch. Literally. However, to him, the gift is more of a curse. He doesn’t know how to wield his talent, so more often than not, he is harming someone by accident. As he struggles with this gift and towards the goal he desperately seeks, I grew to like Teague a little more. Reading about his struggles made me admire his determination.

All in all, FEVER is a solid start for a new series that blends the romance and the suspense in perfect unison, topping it off with a dash of the paranormal.

*ARC provided by author

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Mind Spill: Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

How's it going up there at the North Pole? So far, it's one of the few places I haven't destroyed in my new series. It hasn't been easy, because Pestilence (the evil Horseman,) would love to send his demonic minions your way (demons love reindeer jerky!)

So anyway, if it's not too much to ask, I'd really love some snow for Christmas. It's December in Wisconsin, and NO SNOW! What's up with that? I'd also like a lifetime supply of mulled wine to go with the snow. Mmm...mulled wine...

If I could get even just the snow, I'll really do my best to keep the apocalypse away from the North Pole. No matter what, you're safe from zombies. They have a tendency to turn into immobile zombiecicles in freezing temperatures. Yay, you!

Thanks for listening, Santa! Merry Christmas!

Love and nibbles,

Larissa Ione 

~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~

Dear Santa,

It's been a great year for my fam bam, health, friends, work, etc.  It has also been a great book reading, friend gaining and author meeting year for me. I wish for all these things to continue for the next year, please.

Errrr, is that a lot of work? Ok. Ok. For Christmas, I would like a new LV bag or the new Nook Tab, Pretty please. #wishful thinking.

Angela (UTC)

~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~

Dear Santa:

What do you get for the assassin who has everything? If we’re talking flashy throwing knives or daggers, she’s got plenty. Expensive leather holsters for said weaponry? She’s got those too. There’s no use in asking for a fancy new wardrobe, she doesn’t really wear anything that isn’t black, utilitarian, and stretchy (gotta be able to move comfortably in a combat situation). And as for sparkling jewels or precious metals…she doesn’t have any use for those sorts of baubles. In fact, the only jewelry she wears was a gift from me: an ancient ring. And just between you and me, Santa—that’s all she needs.

I don’t need anything for myself this year. I’m too impatient to wait for Christmas to get the things that I want, and I’m not used to asking anyone for anything. But since this letter isn’t for me, I’m going to make an exception. Before I get down to the asking, I better throw a few things out on the table: I doubt that Darian has been on your “Nice” list for a very long time. Now, I know that being an assassin might make you leery of giving her anything at all this year. But as Darian’s employer, let me tell you that she has high moral standards considering her profession. She only takes out the bad guy, and hey, that’s got to count for something, doesn’t it? Aside from her job, she might have earned a spot on your “Naughty” list since she’s pretty good at coming across as emotionless and hard, and she’s fooled the few people who know her into believing that she has the personality of a wet cat. But that’s just an act, Santa. A way to keep people from getting too close. She made herself believe that the only way to survive was to shut her emotions off completely. And it’s worked so far. The first time I laid eyes on her, though, I could see through that cool, detached façade.

She wants to belong. To be loved. To be accepted for who and what she is. She doesn’t want to live in fear of the unknown or to be a slave to her past. She wants to forgive and forget, but no matter how hard she tries, she can’t free herself from the shackles of her past. She wants someone to protect her for a change, to swoop in, save the day, and not have ulterior motives for doing so. I’ve got the protection thing covered. In fact, I’d give my life for hers and whether she wants to admit it yet or not, she needs me. If you can mend a broken heart, Santa, if you can undo all of the wrongs done to her and erase the memories of betrayal that have hardened her heart, could you do me a solid and give that to her? I’m trying my best here, to do it on my own, but she’s a tough nut to crack. I can use all the help I can get.

Sincerely,
Tyler 
(Shaedes of Gray by Amanda Bonilla)

~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a good girl for (most of) the year. The small instances in where I have been less than nice is all because of these girls *jerks thumbs at Angela, Francesca and Suzanne*. In their presence, the Naughty Annie comes out!

Never once have I started collecting book boyfriends until I met them. I have never stored photos of half-naked men on my computer before taking up the hard and sometimes tedious work of posting Hottie of the Week. I also would have never started reading naughty books if it weren’t for these girls.
So, Santa if you could please ignore those times when I was a bad, bad girl, I’d really appreciate it if you sent me something cool for Christmas. It’s not much but.... I’d like a hunky Highlander. In a plaid kilt. With long hair and war braids. He must be at least 6 feet tall. Built like a mountain and hung like a ...*cough*

Thanks, Santa! You’re awesomesauce!

P.S. Don’t forget the Scottish brogue, that’s very important too.

Sincerely,
Annie (UTC)

~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~

Dear Santa,

I've been extra nice this year, regardless of what my hockey record shows. For starters, I taught a lady friend how to fight vampires. It wasn't easy, well, especially for her. But I sure enjoyed showing her different moves. Secondly, I helped my werewolf friend, Ryan, with a serious problem. One nasty werewolf who raped and murdered women is no longer a threat to others. Surely those two deeds alone account for a little extra special gift this year. Don't you think?

For Christmas this year, I want Jessie Garrett, half-demon soul-catcher, dressed in a red see through lace dress. If you can tie her to my bed, that would be nice too, but if she's too much trouble for you to handle, I can manage that task for myself. Be careful of her boyfriend, Drake. The vampire is quick and can be a real pain. No need to worry about how she'll get back home. I will see to it she is returned safely. What I'm asking for might seem out of the norm, but I think you will agree I've earned this gift. Thank you, Santa.

P.S. Don't tell her you're taking her for me. She might resist. You should probably just use your magic to get her to me. If you do this, I'll make sure you and your elf friends continue to live peacefully at the North Pole.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Ward 
(Claiming the Evil Dead by Mary Abshire)

~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~

Dear Santa,

I have been a really, really good girl this year and all I want for Christmas is to wake up and find this under my tree!

And of course I get to play with him for a while! ;)

PS: Make sure you get my girlies everything they asked for, I can vouch for their naughtiness angelic behavior.

xoxo
Francesca (UTC)

~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~

Dear Santa,

This year has been difficult, yet one of the best in my entire existence. I met a wonderful woman, Jessie Garrett. She's half-demon, but she has a heart of gold. She has this unique ability to send evil souls to hell. It's amazing to watch her, and every minute I'm with her I'm in total heaven. Yes, I'm in love with her, Santa. Fortunately, she loves me too.

But there's one problem. His name is Jeremy Ward. He's a demon and likes to stir up trouble with Jessie. My request for Christmas is simple. I want you to sprinkle your magic on Jeremy to keep him away from Jessie. Or, find a female demon to keep him occupied so he doesn't bother my angel.

I know this request must seem…out of the ordinary, but I would greatly appreciate it if you can find it in your power to oblige me this one time. Jessie and I are quite happy together. In fact, we're planning to marry. We couldn't be happier. Well, take Jeremy out of the picture and everything will be perfect.

Thank you, Santa.
Warm Wishes,
Drake  
(Claiming the Evil Dead by Mary Abshire)

~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~

Dear Santa

Although I have been led astray by Fran, Annie and Angela, before I met them I thought BDSM was a car insurance company, I have been a very good girl. So good, that I think that I deserve a couple of the men from my harem to come to life. I am thinking maybe Wrath and Curran, oh and maybe Lachlain MacRieve as well, I don't want to be too selfish. Speaking of my harem, I could also do with impenetrable  security system to stop certain ladies *glares at Fran, Annie and Angela* from stealing my men.

Seriously though, send hugs and kisses to the UTC girls and all my girlies on Goodreads, love them all!

Merry Christmas

Suz (UTC)

p.s. Maybe I can also have Simon Hunt too? I have serious needs Santa!

~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~

Dear Santa,

This year has been very exciting. I sent more evil souls to hell than I ever have before. Sadly, I lost my dear friend and guardian, Sean. But I met a wonderful man, a vampire, and we're in love. Life couldn't be better.

I have one request for Christmas, and it's not for me. It's for my best friend, Dani. She's staying with me and she could really use a man in her life. I know of the perfect one, and his name is Alan Vandett. He's an Alpha werewolf, but I think she can handle him. If you could see it in your heart to bring these two together, I'd really appreciate it. Start them off with a date and a movie, or dancing. She's had a difficult year and could really use a boost. The two have met already and I've seen a curious spark in both of them. So I think they just need a little push to bring them closer together. Can you help them out, Santa? Please?

Thank you so much.

Jessie Garrett
Soul Catcher 

(Claiming the Evil Dead by Mary Abshire)

 ~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~**~~~~~

Dear Santa,

I’ve been such a good girl this year! I have lied, stolen, maimed and murdered! I have caused misery and pain. I have torn lives apart. I have spent countless hours plotting to and torturing characters, twisting their little lives into unrecognizable uglies. Then, like the diligent romance author I am, I have treated the good guys to a spectacular HEA and incinerated the bad guys. It’s hard work, but someone’s got to do it, and I’m proud to say I’ve been unrelenting and successful. You should be so proud!

For Christmas I would like:
A new muse. Don’t tell her I said so, but mine is just not pulling her weight. I need a fast-thinker who can challenge me to shoot forward. The whole dragging the ass thing isn’t working for me. At all.
More hours in each day. Not a lot of hours, I don’t want to be greedy. Just a few would be great.
Need for less sleep. Let me clarify—this would be in addition to, not in lieu of, the item above.
Dream catcher. A real one that retains the ideas my subconscious delivers in my dreams instead of allows them to dissipate in the daylight.
A housekeeper. Please, please…pretty please?
An assistant. Please, please…pretty please with a sugar on top?
And last but not least…I’d be super, super happy if my new proposal with witches and demon spirits sold, cause I really, really want to write the dark, gritty, fun, sexy, sexy series.

You be careful tootling around those roofs this year. Don’t get stuck in any chimneys. And don’t you dare let me catch you peeping in any bedrooms again!

Merry Christmas!

Joan Swan
P.S. I left an ARC of FEVER for you by the chocolate milk and macadamia, chocolate chip cookies I made from scratch, but don’t read and fly. And I put a to-go bag together for you, too…brownies, truffles, candies…you’ve got a long flight. (You may infer a bribe if you like.)

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Dear Santa —

I'm not going to ask for anything for myself this year. There really isn't any thing I need.

But the people who live in my head have some things on their wishlists...

Kara wants a vacation alone with her hunky husband.

Reece wants a gift membership to the local gun range.

Tessa wants a spa day to use after her son is born.

Julian can't think of anything he wants if you put him on the spot, but deep down I know he wants season tickets to the Colorado Rockies.

Sophie would secretly love it if her brother surprised her by coming to Denver for Christmas.

Marc wants a Colt M1911 Rail Gun in .45 ACP with the extended beaver tail, rosewood grips and stainless steel finish.

Kat wants a double stroller.

Gabe wants a set of the new Armada JJ skis so he can rip the pow days.

Natalie wants a new computer, a big dry erase board for plotting novels (she's taken up writing), and a trip to an island with palm trees and umbrella drinks.

Zach just wants to be with Natalie, so maybe the vacation could be for both of them.

Back in 1760, Iain, Morgan and Connor need a new blade for their plough, lumber for a new house — it's getting a mite crowded with all of them in the cabin — as well as a second milk cow and a bull to breed both of the their cows.

Annie would like sturdy cotton cloth to make clothes for Iain Cameron and Mara and soft wool to knit a sweater for Iain. But those are for others, so please surprise her a silk shift and some new pots and pans.

Amalie would like cloth to make clothing for her growing twins, too, as well as cloth to sew Morgan some new shirts. Please bring her those things, but surprise her with parchment and ink so that she can write to her one-time ward, Bourlemaque.

Sarah needs everything a woman needs to start a household of her own — pots, pans, spoons, knives, dishes, cups, linens for the beds. Pack your sleigh full, Santa.

And little Iain Cameron, Mara, Lachlan and Connor Joseph — bring them toys and clothes their mothers don't have to stitch.

Thanks, Santa, you're the best.

P.S. If you want to bring something to this house, I would never say no to lots of fresh inspiration or a trip onto the New York Times bestseller list.

Pamela Clare

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MAKE SURE YOU TRACK SANTA! CLICK HERE

Author Override: Joan Swan and Marjorie Liu

Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

Today we have authors Joan Swan and Marjorie Liu with us as Joan continues on with her next stop of her Journey of a Debut Author Tour.  Please welcome them as they talk about the next step on the road to publication! Take it away, Joan!

Welcome to the Journey of a Debut Author Blog Tour!

This is our NINTH week in a behind the scenes look at what’s involved in getting a debut author prepared for publication. My own debut novel, FEVER, releases February, 2012, just two months away!  At every stop on the tour, I’ll have a guest NYT bestselling author answering questions about their experience as a debut author and I’ll also be giving away their books!  Links for previous topics and locations are listed at the end of this post.

My guest author this week is the wonderful Marjorie Liu, and I have FOUR of her books for giveaway!

Burnout -- that's our topic this week!

It's actually rather apropos considering the time of year -- traditionally filled with both cheer and stress as we try to fit all our regular activities into the day along with a bevy of new holiday fun.  But I'm going to take a little different approach on the subject today. 

Anyone who has ever attempted any significant endeavor knows a stellar outcome usually requires a significant investment of passion.  In a start up situation, such as mine as a debut author, that passion usually comes in the form of a whole lot of time, effort, selflessness, generosity, goodwill, prayer and hope, because, honestly, most first time authors don't have much in the way of money, fame or any noteworthy family in Hollywood standing by to give us a boost.

One of the definitions of burnout is a fire that has totally destroyed something.  While that may not be the first or most common description that comes to mind, it fits this situation quite well.  Generally, writers have two passions in their careers--the writing itself and everything else (i.e. promo, development, finances, management).  They are like dual fires, burning toward each other until they finally meet and extinguish each other for lack of oxygen. (Can you tell I've been married to a firefighter for over 20 years?)

This scenario can be applied to anyone suffering burnout from too much too do with too few resources in too short a time frame, not just writers.  Welcome to modern America, right?  Well, to a degree.  We all have choices. 

In my case, I am my own worst enemy.  An overzealous obsessive-compulsive perfectionist pleaser, I may as well plaster Kill Me Now on my forehead and be done with it, but evidently, I also have a masochistic streak and prefer to drag out the torture.  Lucky you.

In addition to all that, I'm nervous.  I really don't know what to expect when Fever releases, so I figure better to over prepare than under prepare.  The drawback there, given my crazy tendencies, is...you guessed it--burnout.  Big time. 

For me, burnout manifests in a variety of negative ways and it radiates outward.  What I mean by that is that I will sacrifice myself and the things I want and enjoy first.  The things I need next.  Beyond that, less important duties fall to the wayside and everyday tasks go uncompleted.  When this goes on week after week, month after month, a negative cycle develops and the dysfunction that I thought would be a temporary situation until I got through the rough spots has become an everyday norm, one that now takes significant effort, possibly even weeks of vacation time and purposeful focus, to break.  Additionally, the activities that I believed would extend for a two month time frame have created other, unexpected and continuous time consuming tasks. 

Can you see the cyclone?  That's me...that piece of twisted spaghetti waggling in the eye of the storm.

And it's truly a double-edged sword because individually, there is not one piece of this journey I don't enjoy.  Each new door I pass through has introduced me to new people, fresh opportunities and a stronger part of myself.  What is overwhelming is handling everything at once.  And, I'm not, honestly...at least, not very well.  I don't think anyone can.  Something has to give--personally, professionally, physically, emotionally...

Here's what I've done in the last few weeks to start my recovery.

• I've reduced my book reviews for publishers, taking only specific books because they are new releases of very good friends.
• I've decreased the number of guest authors on my website for the same reason.
• I've left a block of time open before my Feb/March blog tour to prepare posts ahead of time.
• I stay in touch with my writing friends--those who understand me and love me anyway.
• I've given myself permission to not be perfect.  (This may not sound like much, but it's huge.)
• I've accepted the fact that not everyone will like me, no matter how hard I try. (Another biggie.)
• I am learning to recognize my limits instead of running over them like a truck.
• I try to stick with a routine that keeps my dark side from taking over.
• I've enlisted the help of my family to pick up the pieces.

I don't know about you, but I'm dying to know how New York Best Selling Author Marjorie Liu handles burnout.  A lawyer by training, an author by love, Marjorie's portfolio of work includes paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels and comic books.

Marjorie has studied and traveled extensively through Taiwan and China, and spent some time working at the US Embassy in Beijing. She loves to read and loves poodles.

Today we're giving away FOUR books in Marjorie's paranormal romantic thriller Dirk & Steele series. The latest in the series, WITHIN THE FLAMES, released November 29th, and a brand new novel in her Hunter's Kiss series, THE MORTAL BONE, releases December 27th.   

You can find Marjorie at her website, Twitter, Yahoo, Myspace and blog.

Marjorie, as a debut author who had never experienced the complete production and publication cycle before, did you ever find yourself at a stage of burn out? If so, how did you deal with it?

For me, burn out is the same as writer's block -- like, multiplied by a million. It's exhaustion combined with a lack of direction, with an extra dose of frustration and self-doubt mixed in. Basically, it's pure misery. And yes, at least once in the writing of every book, I experience this. In the beginning of my career, I didn't deal with it very well. I didn't know how. I'd never experienced anything like it. So I'd stew and stew, trying to write, fighting for a break -- and eventually, I'd muddle through. But man, oh man. What heartache.

If you became burned out, at what specific point did you do so? Before publication? Afterward?

Again, burn out -- for me -- is the same as deep exhaustion. There were days when all the work would come to a standstill, and I'd have to walk away. Just walk away from the computer and read a book, see a movie, do some laundry -- anything but actually think about the story at hand. There was no specific point when that would happen, either. I've become exhausted writing a novel at 30,000 words -- or at 70,000. it just depends on the story I'm trying to tell.

By the time I'm finished writing a book, though, my energy levels have usually returned. This might have something to do with the fact that -- after a couple months writing the same thing -- I'm more than ready to move on to a new project.

Do you still experience now? To the same extent? What have you learned over the years?

I've learned how to give myself permission to relax, and ask for help from my editors. That was incredibly difficult for me to do in the beginning. In fact, I don't think I ever contemplated the concepts of "relaxing" or "calling my editor." How foreign! I was supposed to do this on my own! So I'd hit the wall and just sit there for days or weeks, gnashing my teeth.

Finally, about four years ago, I worked on a book that drove me up the wall. It was the last straw. I called my editor, and told her that I'd reached a point in the book that had me stumped. I didn't know what to write next. And, lo and behold, she talked me through it. She asked me just the right questions, soothed my rumpled, ruffled, feathers -- and by the end of the conversation, I had a direction and renewed sense of energy. I was able to start writing again.

I'm not shy about calling my editors anymore.

How do you balance the writing side vs. the business side of your career?

I don't balance it well. Not on my own. This is where having a great agent comes into play. Not only do I have a wonderful agent, but I also have a lovely publicist who helps keep me on track.

If you could tell debut authors one thing to do to avoid burn out, what would it be?

Give yourself permission to relax! Please! This is not a race. It's a long haul endurance run, and you need to give yourself permission to stop every now and then, and breathe. Also, ask for help. Call a friend if you get stuck or feel worn out. Call your editor. Don't hold all that frustration in. You have to talk it through.

What tips do you have to relieve stress at times when you might be burnt out but simply can't do anything about it?

That's so individual. Do what makes you happy. For me, it's reading and watching movies, and talking to my friends. It's cleaning (of all things) and reorganizing my closets. Or maybe just going for a long drive, or having a massage. Meditation helps. Prayer. But this is me we're talking about. Again, everyone is different.

What perspective can you give on the importance of your writing career in terms of your health, family, and friends?

Reading, telling stories...all of it, from cracking open a new book, to putting pen to paper, fills me with a sense of purpose. I also happen to think the act of writing -- for everyone -- is incredibly important. Words are the foundation of everything we do, and how we interact with one another.

But it doesn't matter how much you love something if you approach it in an unhealthy fashion. You need to live a balanced life, which is something I'm beginning to learn and integrate into my own day-to-day. Being able to do what I do -- full time -- is such a privilege. I have such incredible freedom, which allows me to spend time with my friends and family. Being a writer has also brought wonderful people into my life whom otherwise I would never have met. It's all such a blessing.

Prior Journey of a Debut Author Tour posts:
10/3 Romance at Random with Lauren Dane -- The Sales Call
10/10 Romance Novel News with Kat Martin -- Edits
10/24 Dear Author with Pamela Palmer -- Cover Art
11/7 USA Today, Happy Ever After with Suzanne Brockmann
11/14 Love, Romance, Passion with Carly Phillips -- Author Websites
11/21 Romance Dish with Brenda Novak -- Building an Author Network
11/30 Reading Between the Wines with Sharon Sala -- Writing a Series
12/7 Seductive Musings with Victoria Alexander -- Moving on to the Next Book

Joan Swan is a triple RWA® Golden Heart finalist. She writes sexy romantic suspense with a paranormal twist, and her first novel with Kensington Brava debuts February 28, 2012.  Her second, BLAZE, follows in October, 2012. 

Currently, she works as a sonographer at a one of the top ten medical facilities in the nation, and lives in magnificent wine country on the central coast of California with her husband and two daughters.

You can find Joan at her Website, Twitter, Facebook, Blog

Are you ready for the giveaway? 

Everyone experiences burnout, what unusual steps have you taken to
prevent or cure the problem?  

OR

Are you a Marjorie Liu fan?  What is your favorite Marjorie read and why?

Any comment enters you in a drawing to win 1 of 4 books by Majorie Liu.
~ IN THE DARK OF DREAMS
~ THE FIRE KING
~ THE WILD ROAD
~ THE LAST TWILIGHT

International giveaway!

All you have to do is:

1. Be a follower of this blog
2. Answer the question in the comments of this post
3. Fill out the form below