Hi, everyone!  If you’re in the U.S., I hope you’re gearing up for a great Thanksgiving. I’m already so eager for that turkey! Thursday can’t come fast enough.

I wanted to mention two giveaways that are currently running for ANGEL OF DARKNESS…

Over at EBook Obsessed, I’m taking about vampires and angels (oh, such unlikely lovers) and giving away ANGEL OF DARKNESS.

Then, over at Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind, I’m offering a deeper look at angels–and, yes–another ANGEL OF DARKNESS copy is up for grabs! Two chances to win. (And more chances will be coming.)

And speaking of giveaways…

On Friday (Black Friday–November 25th), I’ll be participating in a very fun blog hop event.

Here are the details (taken from the very organized Cassandra Carr who got this blog hopping fun all organized!):

The theme of our hop?   Holiday shopping tips & deals! (Can’t we all use those?)

AND we’ve got a deal for you! One random commenter (can be on any of the blogs participating in the hop) will win a Kindle Fire, along with the prizes below! That’s the easiest kind of shopping I can think of…

Prizes:

– Cassandra Carr: copy of either of my two current releases, Talk to Me or Head Games
– Kristabel Reed: back list copy of one of her stories and then on her own blog a $10 GC plus a copy of her newest release, Risque, a Regency Menage Tale
– Lucy Felthouse: back list copy of any of her single-title books
– Cari Quinn: back list copy of one of her books
– Leigh Elwood: two back list copies of her books
– Natasha Blackthorne: copies of her two Regency era novellas: Grey’s Lady and Waltz of Seduction
– Amber Kallyn: e-copy of Dragos 1
– Camryn Rhys: Kindle copies of The Barn Dance and Off the Record – Foodie Erotic Romances
– Lissa Matthews: two of her back list books
– Misa Buckley: an e-copy of Ironhaven and To Reach the Dawn
– Lacey Wolfe: a copy of Ambers Muse
– Courtney Sheets: a $25 GC to Ravenous Romance and a copy of Kona Warrior – PDF
– Sara Brookes: an e-copy of one of my back list books
– Cynthia Arsuaga: a copy of an e-book, and on her own blog five book charm book tethers
– Louisa Bacio: .pdf copy of my first book in The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf series, and on her own blog a $10 certificate to Ravenous Romance, and each commenter will also be entered to win a Goody Bag of new Orleans treats
– Malia Mallory: one copy each of The ABC’s of Erotica and Santa’s Back Door Baby
– Cynthia Eden: a copy of Angel of Darkness (either print or digital)

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So I hope you get a chance to check out the blog hopping fun–when you aren’t out enjoying that Black Friday madness!

It’s less than two weeks until the ANGEL OF DARKNESS release–Yay!!  ANGEL OF DARKNESS will be out in the bookstore and digital wild on 11/29/11.

So, of course, the release means…PARTY TIME!! Yes, I am planning for one of my day-long release parties. Right here on the old blog, you can come and get your party groove on.

Here are the details…

When:  Tuesday, November 29, 2011, from 7 am until 10 PM (Okay, let me clarify–a new guest author and giveaway will be announced each hour, but the contests will all actually stay open until noon on Wednesday, November 30th–that way, folks in different time zones will all have a chance to win

What:  Party!! A big party with lots of great guest authors, fabulous posts, and some fun prizes. (Including some surprise prizes that I am working on right now.)

Why:  Well…to celebrate, of course! The holidays are coming. It’s a stressful time. So why not de-stress a bit with prizes and fun?  Mark your calendar and plan to come by!

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And in case you missed it before…the prologue for ANGEL OF DARKNESS is posted on my Facebook page! Hope you enjoy it!

I want to take a moment and thank all of the veterans for their courage and sacrifice. I hope that you have a great Veteran’s Day.

For the veteran closest to me…Happy Veteran’s Day, Dad.

Would you like to read the ANGEL OF DARKNESS prologue? (And find out just why Keenan falls?) Thanks to the lovely folks at Open Road Media, that prologue is up at my Facebook Fan Page.  Learn all the details about Keenan’s fall…

Read Prologue

I hope you enjoy the introduction to ANGEL OF DARKNESS!

Hi, everyone!  Have I mentioned how much I love romantic suspense? I mean, LOVE IT.  Because I do. And that’s why I’m thrilled to have debut author Carla Swafford joining me today. Not only is Carla one terrific lady, but she’s also a fabulous writer of romantic suspense. Carla, thanks for coming by my blog!

Why I Love Alphas, and No! My Heroine Isn’t A B*tch.

Thank goodness Cynthia doesn’t write young adult. Otherwise, I would have to change the title, and I would hate that as it clearly tells you what I’m about to post.

First, let’s talk about heroines, especially those strong willed and confident ones. In Circle of Desire, Olivia St. Vincent is logical and capable of doing the job required without allowing her emotions to interfere with the job. When I first wrote the book, my critique partners disliked her. Yet, I thought she was interesting. She was totally different than any of the tough heroines in the books I love to read.

So I had to figure out a way to get the readers to give her a chance and not throw the book against the wall. What I found is I needed to show what’s happening deep, deep inside of her in the beginning. Otherwise, she comes across cold and cardboard-like. By inserting a few physical tremors and self-deprecating humor after she completes an assignment (killing a man), readers can look into her psyche and realize she’s what she is because she’s a survivor. Life has thrown her some really hard curve balls and her skin has toughened with each hit.

I do enjoy writing women like Olivia. Resilient and self-sufficient and enjoys a sexy man on her own terms.

Now let’s talk about my favorite man to read: the Alpha male. Of course, you have to capitalize Alpha for no other reason than they’re, well, Alpha. Seems appropriate, doesn’t it? They’re larger than life. Masterful, dangerous, and downright sexy. Some are more caveman than gentleman. I lean more toward gentleman with an edge. I like them smart. They can talk you into their bed. Who am I kidding? They can look at you with one eyebrow lifted and you’re willing to crawl into their bed, but don’t we all love making them work for it?

Collin Ryker is a gentleman. In the beginning of the book ― don’t worry, I’m not giving away anything that isn’t in the blurb ― he tries to get Olivia to take the knockout drug without forcing her. That is, besides restraining her hands and feet. But when she resists and time has run out, he persuades her to swallow the pills in a unique, and dare I say it, sexy way.

My heroes know they can’t boss around their ladies without repercussions. Hey, the fellows even respect them for it. In Collin’s case, he even gets a little excited by Olivia’s way of showing her displeasure. Heehee.

Collin isn’t the only Alpha in this series. Yes. Another one is due out the first half of 2012. It’s titled Circle of Danger. And I hope to write several more. In Circle of Danger, you’ll find out what makes Collin’s brother tick. While Collin is a gentleman with an edge, Ryker’s all edge with an emphasis on intense. His heroine, Marie, is the only person who can calm his beast. Sigh.

Now, what are some of your favorite traits in the Alpha heroes you enjoy reading?

(If you leave a comment for Carla, you’ll automatically be entered in a giveaway to win a Kindle copy of CIRCLE OF DESIRE.  The winner will be announced tomorrow at noon.)

Carla Swafford

CIRCLE OF DESIRE

Available in paperback and e-format on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony, and iBooks.

www.carlaswafford.com

http://carlaswafford.blogspot.com

Twitter: @carlaswafford

www.goodreads.com/carlaswafford

http://www.facebook.com/CarlaSwaffordAuthor