Spotlight & Excerpt of Joan Swan’s Rush

Rush

by Joan Swan

Genre: Romantic Suspense (with paranormal elements)

Heat Level: 3.5/5

Elements/Tags: romance, suspense, paranormal abilities, conspiracy, remote viewing, rescue, firefighters, escape, amnesia, reunion, lobbyist, Washington DC

Publisher: Kensington

Publishing Date: 8/27/13

Series: Phoenix Rising, 3

Format: Print and Ebook

Words: 110k

Jessica Fury, Washington lobbyist, has money, connections, and her own firm. But five years ago she had something better: happiness. Her firefighter husband, Quaid, was handsome, courageous, and crazy about her. Then one day he walked into a chemical inferno—and never walked out. Jessica has been through hell to get back on her feet. And then a rumor surfaces that could bring a miracle or shatter her world – again.

Q has been a prisoner forever. He’s honed his mind and body into weapons. He’s developed abilities no one else understands. But he’s still at the mercy of a cabal of ruthless men, who blank his memory, test him like a lab rat, and tell him lies. Although his past has been erased and his future looks grim, instinct tells him he has a woman to live for. What his mind can’t remember, his body can’t forget…

The heat is on.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16057050-rush

The room fell silent again. Q felt Jessica’s stare on his face. Fought to open his eyes, but only got a flutter of lashes.

He pushed his mouth and tongue around. “Jess . . .” Came out in a rasp. He cracked his lids as she pushed up on her knees.

“Right here.” She reached for something beside him. Slid one hand behind his head and lifted, bringing a straw to his lips. “Take a sip. It’s orange juice, your favorite. We need to get some sugar into your blood.”

Q sucked at the straw. The tangy, sugary liquid hit his tongue and lit off an immediate unquenchable thirst. As if he’d been fueled with instant energy, Q opened his eyes.

“Hey, there.” Her voice was so soft, so sweet, it made his chest ache. “Are you really awake? Or is this just another temporary visit?”

The straw dried up and a slurping sound came from the glass. She set the empty drink on the ground, laid his head back carefully on a pillow and remained leaning over him, her hands caressing his face.

“Feel like heaven,” he managed, finding it easier to talk with a moist throat, though his voice didn’t sound any smoother. “So beautiful.”

A slow smile turned her lips. Her eyes grew wet.

He managed to get one of his hands up and over hers. The orange juice seemed to be hitting his bloodstream. “Missed you so much. Don’t leave.”

“Never.” Her whisper sounded rough as she shook her head. Tears dropped from her eyes and hit his cheeks. “I’ll never leave you again.”

Relief and excitement surged like a tidal wave and rocked him. No words could ever bring him this much joy. She lowered her head and kissed him. Just a touch of her lips, but Q needed more. He strained toward her, waiting for her lips to come back, but they didn’t.

Need gave him the strength to slide the hand covering hers around the back of her head. Gravity did the rest. When her mouth met his, he took as much as he could, unsure of how long he’d have her. She gave with generous lips that caressed and sucked his in ways that made his mind twist and his body want. The sounds she made, emotional, heart-wrenching sounds, shivered through his mouth and ignited need throughout his body.

She tasted sweet, so sweet. Or maybe that was just the orange juice he’d been drinking. But she was fresh, warm, succulent. She was a drug. But nothing like the drugs those bastards used on him. She didn’t suppress him, she lifted him. She was ecstasy. He was completely high. His entire body buzzed with excitement. Bright white light pulsed in his chest.

He felt alive.

Finally felt alive.

He rolled toward her and tried to wrap his free arm at her waist, but it was his bad arm and he didn’t have the strength. He managed to fist the fabric and drag her with him as he rolled back. She moved easily, sliding on top of him and aligning their bodies. And, oh, she was so much more than he’d dreamed. Soft and strong. Lush and lean. Alive and pliant and warm. She was heaven. Absolute heaven.

His hunger intensified to starvation and he tasted her with a stroke of his tongue. She immediately responded, and the sensation of tongue against tongue diverted blood from Q’s brain straight to his cock. The pressure was so intense he lifted his hips and rubbed against Jessica for relief.

She groaned, long and deep, before lifting her head and breaking their kiss. Tears shimmered in her eyes. They were so big. Such a soft, warm brown. Her rich, tawny hair spilled around her face, silky against his bare shoulders.

She gazed down at him, her lips turning in a tentative smile. “Am I hurting you?”

“Only if you stop.” His voice sounded so hideously rough compared to hers. “I can’t tell you . . . how long I’ve dreamt of this.”

He raked his hand through her hair gently, absorbing the feel of it between his fingers. She closed her eyes, those long lashes, which were the same gorgeous color as her hair, curved gently against her cheeks. A soft spray of freckles lay beneath, barely visible.

His chest had grown so incredibly tight, ribs squeezing his lungs until every intake of breath burned. Emotion welled inside until it overwhelmed him. Thoughts swirled in his mind without consent. Words pushed at his lips.

I love you.

The realization floated close as he held her face in one cupped hand. Fear encircled the warmth and excitement. How could he love her? How could he feel so overwhelmingly attached to her? And if Gorin found out how he felt . . .

Gorin.

Years of self-preservation and logic battled with the new and powerful emotions. His mind drifted to the man in the desert with the weapons and the hostages. Q still didn’t know what that had been. A test? And this, was this a test?

Or now that he’d escaped, was this a trap?

The word vibrated in his head. Internally, a thin, cold veneer slipped into place, pushing his emotions into the background, bringing instinct and intellect to the foreground. The orange juice? Had it been drugged? Was this some new experiment? Something they’d been prepping him for? Something they’d implanted in his subconscious for years in case they ever needed to pull it out and use it as a weapon against him?

“What’s wrong?” Her voice brought his eyes up to hers. They were worried. No . . . frightened. They were definitely frightened. “Quaid, honey? Are you o—”

Muscle memory took over. Q had no idea where he found the strength or the coordination, but he flipped her and closed his hand over her throat.

“Stop,” she rasped, clawing at his fingers. “Quaid, please. Stop. You’re hurting—”

“Why are you calling me Quaid?” And why did holding her down like this make him want to put a gun to his own head? “Who are you? Who do you work for?”

“Quaid!” She turned her head and dragged in air, squirming beneath him. “I can’t breathe!”

“What the fuck is going on?”

The deep voice sounded in the doorway. Q’s body reacted again, thought only a hum in the background. He jerked Jessica off the floor and pulled her in front of him with an arm around her neck. The man at the door was big. With an authoritative presence. But he wasn’t holding any weapons.

“Teague, take it easy.” A woman appeared beside him. Mixed race, part Asian with long black hair, light eyes, very pregnant. Unless that was fake, too.

More people rushed through the door. He didn’t know anyone. Didn’t know where he was. Didn’t know what the hell was going on. His body hardened. His mind sharpened. Fear pumped in his veins, preparing him for action.

A little about Joan Swan writes sexy romantic suspense for Kensington (Phoenix Rising Series) and independently (Covert Affairs Series). She also works as a sonographer at a top medical facility in San Francisco and lives in magnificent wine country on the central coast of California with her husband and two daughters.

Website: http://joanswan.com/

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/JoanSwanAuthor

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joan-Swan/120027341414640

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JoanSwan

Twitter giveaways: http://www.twitter.com/JoanSwan

Giveaway Details:

Tour Wide Giveaway found on Joan Swan’s FB Page:

(3) Designer purses filled with lots of goodies.

Per Stop Giveaway:

(1) print copy of either FEVER (#1) or BLAZE (#2) per the number of tour stops (15 Total) – US/Ca Only.
(1) digital copy of FIRST TEMPTATION by Joan Swan per the number of tour stops (15 Total)
(1) digital copy of RECKLESS by Skye Jordan per the number of tour stops (15 Total)

Please follow the Rafflecopter widget to enter to win at each stop. Then visit Joan Swan’s FB page to enter to win one of three designer purses filled with a variety of goodies! (Full Terms & Conditions located on the widgets.)
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For more tour stops:

http://events.litconnect.com/rush-by-joan-swan/ OR, at http://joanswan.com/

August 20, 2013August 20, 2013

Wicked First Excerpt from Katie Rues’ First Surrender

FIRST SURRENDER by Katie Reus

He’s dangerous, sexy, and everything she wants. And he’s about to make his claim…

Hayden, the dangerously sexy, tattooed ex-SEAL is one of the best friends Sierra has ever had—and the main star in her wildest fantasies. But he doesn’t see her that way. And she’d die of embarrassment if he found out she was still a virgin.

Hayden’s struggled to keep his attraction to the beautiful, dark haired casino chef a secret. But when an attacker targets Sierra, Hayden’s protective instincts go into overdrive. With the attraction between them burning out of control, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her and make her his.

EXCERPT FROM KATIE REUS’

Her cheeks flushed a delicious shade of pink as she sat at the table. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

He grunted, not wanting her appreciation.

“So have you heard anything from Jay or Iris? I know it hasn’t been that long, but I thought they might have found something.” She shivered lightly and Hayden resisted the urge to drag her into his arms and comfort her. He needed to show restraint when she was so vulnerable.

He shook his head as he set a plate of food in front of her. “Unfortunately, no. But give them time.”

Compared to the masterpieces she created, chicken and rice was nothing, but it would fill her up and warm her body. So far she’d been handling everything well, but he was waiting for her adrenaline to crash. Before she fell asleep, he wanted her fed. So when she took a few bites but only pushed her food around with a fork, he frowned.

“Is it that bad or are you not hungry?” he asked before taking a sip of his beer.

“It’s great, I’m just…I don’t know what I am but I’m not really hungry. It’s so sweet that you cooked for me. I’m sorry I screwed up your plans tonight though.” She said the last part in a rush and he didn’t miss the flash of…hurt in her eyes before she masked it.

But that didn’t make sense. “Plans?” He’d only had plans with her. Like every other Thursday for practically the past year.

“Your date.” She set her fork down now, not even pretending to eat.

Hayden blinked at her. What was she talking about? “I didn’t have a date—except with you. It’s Thursday.”

Now she looked confused. “Oh.”

A few things suddenly clicked into place. “You thought I had a date tonight? Is that why you left the security floor upset earlier?” He’d planned to ask her about it, but then the shit had hit the fan and that had been the least of his concerns.

“I wasn’t upset. I was mad you didn’t just tell me. I wouldn’t have wasted a trip up to the fiftieth floor if I’d known you had plans. But…you really didn’t?” she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

The thought that he might have had a date upset her no matter what she said. He could see it written all over her pretty face. Putting his own fork down, he scooted his chair closer and turned her so that she was facing him directly. He was going to set the record straight. “I don’t know who told you I had a date, but they were mistaken.” Casino gossip was notoriously wrong so he wasn’t surprised someone had come up with that bullshit. Practically everything got twisted out of proportion there. Hell, he’d heard that Sierra had hooked up with two of his security guys and he knew for a fact that wasn’t true. “I haven’t been on a date or fucked anyone since the week I met you.”

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

TWO $100.00 Amazon gift cards will be given away at the end of the tour.

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*****

WICKED FIRSTS

Authors: Elisabeth Naughton, Alexandra Ivy, Cynthia Eden, Laura Wright, Katie Reus, Joan Swan

Publication Date: August 19, 201399 cent SALE for FIRST week only!
Order Now!Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Six New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors bring you six all-new contemporary and super sexy suspense stories of first loves, first attractions, first temptations, first times and first obsessions.

FIRST EXPOSURE by Elisabeth Naughton
A film that could make her career. A weekend that will change her life…

When actress Avery Scott’s assistant goes missing researching a role for Avery at an exclusive adults-only resort, Avery finds herself with only one choice: travel to the resort herself and look for clues. She hires an elite operative from Aegis Security to accompany her. She just doesn’t expect to get former undercover FBI agent Cade Blackwell—the man who ripped out her teenage heart twelve years before. One weekend at the sexiest resort in the world with the only man she’s ever loved will expose her to more than just a kinky new lifestyle. It’ll expose her to numerous wicked firsts that will test every ounce of her self-control. And if she’s not careful, she could lose her heart—and her life—in the process. Visit Elisabeth’s website to find more of her incredible books.http://www.elisabethnaughton.com/

FIRST RAPTURE by Alexandra Ivy

Madison Philips has only one reason to return to Las Vegas: Luc Angeli. The tall, dark bad boy took her virginity on her eighteenth birthday and then walked away, now she’s back, and ready for revenge. Luc Angeli spent his youth trying to earn the approval of his philandering father. Now he’s his own man, but there’s still something missing from his life. He doesn’t know what it is until he catches sight of Madison across a balcony. Suddenly he knows this woman is what he’s been searching for, and this time he’s not walking away. Visit Alexandra’s website to find more of her incredible books.
http://www.alexandraivy.com/

FIRST TASTE OF DARKNESS by Cynthia Eden

Hot sex. No regrets. Jess Delaney has spent her life playing the role of the good-girl. On a trip to Vegas, she decides to walk on the wild side when she meets mysterious Blake Landon. Rich, powerful, and carrying plenty of secrets, Blake is unlike any man she has ever met before. But as the passion burns between them, danger waits in the darkness…a danger that may just claim Jess’s life… Visit Cynthia’s website to find more of her incredible books.http://www.cynthiaeden.com/

FIRST INK by Laura Wright

Rush
Women in his bed, celebs and rockers in his chair, life is pretty freaking swell. Then she walks back into it again. Not for pleasure, but for pain. For Ink. A bleeding heart to match the one she left him with five years ago.

Addison

She can’t forget him or the pain she caused him. All she has is a hope for redemption. But it’ll only work if he lets her inside his exclusive world, under his famous artist’s needle and into his bed—once again.Visit Laura’s website to find more of her incredible books http://laurawright.com/

FIRST SURRENDER by Katie Reus

He’s dangerous, sexy, and everything she wants. And he’s about to make his claim…

Visit Katie’s website to find more of her incredible books http://katiereus.com/FIRST TEMPTATION by Joan Swan

Counterterrorist agent Taft Walker is up for the challenge of posing as an adult store owner with a new female undercover partner who is also a sex-toy virgin. At least until he sees the real woman beneath her tough façade.Border Patrol Agent Zoe Brooks is ready to get off the front lines. She’s willing to tolerate a swaggering partner like Taft for a new opportunity. But she’s not prepared for the way he understands her deepest, sexiest desires.

Visit Joan’s website to find more of her incredible books http://joanswan.com/

August 19, 2013August 15, 2013

Spotlight Feature of Joan Swan’s First Temptation

First Temptation

by Joan Swan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Box Set Name: “Wicked Firsts” – 6 novellas from 6 bestselling authors

Publisher: The Indie Six, LLC

Pub Date: August 19, 2013

Length: 120,000 words (total collection)

Pre-Order Your Copy at Amazon.com for Only $0.99

Now Through Release Week!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/15C4iCO

Counterterrorist agent Taft Walker is up for the challenge of posing as an adult store owner with a new female undercover partner who is also a sex-toy virgin. At least until he sees the real woman beneath her tough façade.

Border Patrol Agent Zoe Brooks is ready to get off the front lines. She’s willing to tolerate a swaggering partner like Taft for a new opportunity. But she’s not prepared for the way he understands her deepest, sexiest desires.

Outside, the sky was dark, but Zoe still handed out fliers to gather spectators for her bright idea. They’d brought in another agent to pose as a cashier for the “event,” and she busily rang up sales at the register.

Taft glanced at his watch.

It was about time for the show to start.

“Hey, Honcho?” Dalton’s voice came over Taft’s earpiece. The other agent was positioned outside the store near Zoe. “Got some interesting action here.”

“I’m listening.”

“Our fringe players just showed up,” Dalton said, indicating Cantos and Vasquez. “Brooks is chatting them up now.”

“And the interesting part?”

“They’re…not alone.” Dalton hesitated, and Taft waited with clenched teeth and fists. “I’m trying to get a better view, but I’m pretty damned sure they’ve got the target with them.”

“Fuck.” Taft dropped his arms. His brain immediately searched for alternative plans. They hadn’t expected Picasso tonight. “What kind of security has he got with him?”

“Three beefy bouncer types. He’s wearing shades and a fedora, but…I’m pretty sure…”

Taft pushed off the wall. Alarm heated him from the inside out. He focused in on Zoe through the window again, but it was hard to see her with all the people milling around.

“Call three of the six guys in from the perimeter. And call in for backup.”

Taft made his way through the store toward two other agents, a man and a woman posing as a couple.

“Are we taking him now, Honcho?”

Dalton had dubbed Taft Honcho, short for head honcho. “Not unless it goes to shit. Way too many civilians here. I’ll call the boss, then come out to get her.”

“Copy that,” Dalton returned.

Taft paused before he reached the agents where he could see Zoe out the window and dialed Rio on his cell. She stood with her back toward Taft, encircled by men. And even though the body language of the group was loose and easy, even though the men were smiling and chuckling as Zoe spoke and gestured, Taft’s muscles tensed.

He forced his mind to imagine her as any other female partner. Or another male partner who happened to be small in stature. He couldn’t say the nerves were truly equal. He had to admit there was a personal element to his concern. But he felt better knowing he would still be acting just as cautiously even if it weren’t Zoe. Neither of them could afford to be weak in the heat of things.

“What’s up?” Rio answered.

“The target’s here with three bodyguards.”

“That was fast.”

“Too fast. We’re not prepared. Zoe’s idea was a little too popular. This place is packed. We don’t have enough men or enough of a plan to take him now. I need a team to follow him when he leaves.”

“Hold on.”

Rio got on another phone and ordered an undercover team to rendezvous at the mall with Taft’s agents to tail Picasso, then returned to Taft’s call.

“You got it,” Rio said. “This could work out even better. If we can follow him to where they’ve got him stashed, we can take him there. Keep your eye on him and hold tight. I’ve alerted SWAT.”

Taft pocketed his phone, released a long breath, and approached the agents. The woman, Aurora, had discovered a portable vibrator disguised as a tube of lipstick and was checking the vibration strengths against her palm.

“This is nifty,” she said to Taft when he stopped.

“A good seller too,” he said, still searching for a decent view of Zoe. “Listen, the target’s here.” Both agents instantly focused on Taft. “I don’t know if he’s going to come in, but he’s got muscle with him. I’ve called in guys from the perimeter and backup. But we’re in defense mode, got it? Nothing is going down here tonight. Too many people.”

Both agents nodded.

“I’m going to bring Brooks in and get this party started.”

Meet Author Joan Swan:

USA Today Bestselling Author Joan Swan writes sexy romantic suspense for Kensington (Phoenix Rising Series) and independently (Covert Affairs Series). She also works as a sonographer at a top medical facility in San Francisco and lives in magnificent wine country on the central coast of California with her husband and two daughters.

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About the WICKED FIRSTS Box Set:

Giveaway Details:

The tour wide giveaway consists of 3 digital copies per the number of tour stops, and three designer purses filled with goodies! Please see the Rafflecopter widget for entry options and full Terms & Conditions.

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Want to check out more of the Tour stops? Click HERE

May 23, 2013May 22, 2013

DARK NIGHTS DANGEROUS MEN

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | ARe
6 Bestselling Authors, 6 Sexy Reads…

From romantic suspense to paranormal romance; from a full length novel to a bite sized novella, whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got the story for you!
Total collection: 317,000 words

STOLEN FURY by Elisabeth Naughton

To unearth a centuries-old secret, an archaeologist must team up with the rakish thief who’s stolen both an ancient relic and her heart…

Word count: 100,000

BOUND BY BLOOD by Cynthia Eden

Married to the enemy. In order to save her clan, vampire princess Morgan LaBeaux will do anything…even marry werewolf alpha Jace Vaughn. She may have to trust him with her life, but Morgan vows to never give the wolf her heart.

Word Count: 21,000

NO ONE TO TRUST by Katie Reus

When Elizabeth Martinez is shoved into the cross hairs of one of Miami’s death-dealing drug lords she has no choice but to depend on former Marine Porter Caldwell, her ex-boyfriend and the one man she’s tried desperately to forget.

Word count: 45,000

RAPHAEL by Alexandra Ivy

The brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred. Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. It’s a miracle that might prove to be the salvation of his people, but only if he can keep her safe from the mercenaries determined to kill her.

Word count: 21,000

PARISH by Laura Wright

Untamed and undeniably sexy, Parish, leader of the Pantera hunters, rarely leaves the magic of the Wildlands to deal with the humans he despises. But with the prized and risky Pantera birth on the way, puma shifter, Parish must travel to New Orleans to find and bring back a human doctor. The moment he sees the lovely, talented and all too human Dr. Julia Cabot he cannot resist the wild, potent drive to make her his. Betrayed and destroyed by love, Julia will not let her heart choose her path again. But as she and Parish fight to save the life of an unborn child, a fierce and overwhelming bond develops between them, threatening her frozen heart with the secret hope and ultimate temptation of love and family.

Word count: 20,000

INTIMATE ENEMIES by Joan Swan

An emergency physician on leave returns to Baja Mexico in search of answers in the deaths of her mother and stepbrother and uncovers buried secrets that threaten her life and a man who threatens her heart.

Word count: 110,000

And if that was not enough…. Not only is Dark Nights, Dangerous Men on sale for $0.99 (ends Saturday May 25th)!!!!

The ladies are offering up Three $5 Amazon Gift Cards!!!! How do you enter you ask?

Help Spread the word.

Please share this sale on Facebook, Twitter, your blog or any other media outlet.

Let the everyone know that the sale ends Saturday….

Please come back here and leave me the link to where you posted

Your email address

Giveaway ends Friday at Midnight PST

I will announce winners Saturday morning and announced here by Noon

Go forth and spread the news…..

October 1, 2012September 29, 2012

Kelly’s review of Blaze by Joan Swan

TITLE: Blaze – Phoenix Rising #2
AUTHOR: Joan Swan
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
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. She needs 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

REVIEW:
Blaze is book 2 in Joan Swan’s Phoenix Rising series. Blaze is grabs you from the page one and keeps you turning the pages until the end. You will want to scream at the characters and then reach for the tissues, root for the characters and then want to slap them upside the head. There are some surprising turns of events that will shape the next few books in this series. New characters from the past walk into the team’s life and will change the fabric of who they all are. But even with this the team is left with more questions than answers as to who and what really happened to them.

I loved Luke in FEVER and loved him more in BLAZE. Luke is just an all around great guy. He loves his friends, family and can’t let go of the love of his life. He is willing to go the extra mile to do anything to keep her, but will even that be enough to winner her back?

Keira has had a very rough life and she is always ready to cut and run the minute life starts closing. The only constant in her life has been her love for Luke. But she even throw that away. But when Luke pops back into her life she is not sure if she can turn him away again, but is she strong enough to face the demons of her past in order to move on and live her life with Luke?

Luke & Kiera find themselves thrown together in order to save a group of kids from a madman. Little do they know the journey that they are about to go on and how one little boy will change everything for all of them.

Joan is such a great writer. I love how she tugs at my heartstrings the whole way through this book. Like any good author she loves to make us as readers suffer all the emotional highs and lows that she can. If you enjoyed FEVER you will love BLAZE!! I am very much looking forward to want is next in the Phoenix Rising series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

May 8, 2012

Catch the FEVER….

Books-n-Kisses is pleased as punch to let our pal Joan Swan take over the blog to talk about her debut book FEVER the was released back in February 2012… If you have not read this book it is totally AMAZING!!!! Okay so enough with my mumbling here is Joan……OH WAIT!!! I know Joan is going to tell you this, but FEVER is only $3.99 right now over on

Amazon.

I find choosing a new book to read terribly difficult. There is always so much to consider: author, genre, style, mood (yours and the book’s), price, format… And so many limitations: Money, time, interest… It’s even more difficult for me to take a chance on an author whom I’ve never read before.

So, as both a debut author and an author published in trade format, I am thrilled that FEVER, my first novel, was picked up by Amazon’s Top 100 program this month. That means FEVER is sale priced at $3.99 for the month of May! Now you can try a new-to-you author (me) at very low risk! And just to reduce the risk further, I’ve added a snipit from FEVER below. If you’re interested to know what others think of FEVER, there are many in-depth reviews on Amazon to browse and the entire first chapter on my website.

For those of you who have read and enjoyed FEVER, I’d really appreciate it if you spread the word! And I’m happy to reward you for your efforts with a chance to win 1 of 3 Amazon Gift Cards! $25, $15 and $10!

Everyone can enter! All you have to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below.

Good luck!

Now for a snippet from Fever by Joan Swan:

Teague set her down on the sofa in front of the fire. “Don’t move.”

He disappeared down the hall and Alyssa sat watching the fire in the hearth, wishing she could jump into it. As her body temperature rose, she shivered uncontrollably.

Teague returned with a space heater in one hand and a stack of towels in the other. After plugging in the heater and pointing it directly at Alyssa, he dropped to his knees in front of her. He pulled off her shoes and socks then tugged the jacket off her shoulders and threw it aside. Curled his fingers into the sleeves of her shirt at her wrist and pulled one arm out, then the other.

Alyssa gurgled a protest. Her arms were as stiff as tree limbs, her teeth clenched as if the hinges of her jaw were rusted shut. With one pull, her shirt came off over her head and joined the jacket on the floor.

He picked up a towel, threw it over her head and started scrubbing. Icy droplets from her hair needled her back like little knives. “S-s-s-so c-cold.”

She barely got the murmur from her mouth. Nothing was working right—not her limbs, her voice, and most definitely not her mind.

“I know. Give me a minute.” Teague slid the towel off her head, made one swipe of her back and tossed it away. “Lay down.”

She cast a sidelong look at the sofa, wanting more than anything to obey. “I c-c-can’t move.”

Teague lifted her legs and eased her back. Alyssa rolled onto her side and closed her eyes, soaking in the feel of the lush, warm corduroy fabric. Then his hands were on her again, pulling at her sweats. Before she could push his hands away, her pants were off.

“Everything has to go,” he said. “You’re soaked.”

With a simple flick of his fingers, the knot she’d tied in her pathetic excuse of a bra opened. Alyssa pulled in a surprised breath as he yanked it off. Then his hands were at her hips. A second later, her panties were gone. She found herself caught between shock and embarrassment before something soft layered over her, cocooning her in warmth. A breath of relief slipped through clenched teeth. Teague stood in front of her, bare-chested, his hands unbuttoning his jeans.

Excitement spiked in her chest, turned to heat and melted into her pelvis. “W-what are you d-d-d-doing?”

“Getting you warm as fast as possible.” He toed out of his boots and dropped his jeans.

Alyssa was too exhausted, and honestly, too interested, to look away. He was so beautiful, like a work of art she could study for endless hours. The tattoos were shadows of her imagination now, his body perfectly pristine and tan as if he spent a lot of time outdoors.

“W-w-warm w-w-water,” she said. Preferably with him in it, too.

“The water heater is ancient.” In an abrupt move, he lifted the blanket and lay on the sofa alongside her. “No warm water until tomorrow morning at the earliest.”

He pressed his body full length against hers, worked his arms around her back, laid his top leg over hers and ratcheted his body close. Alyssa sucked in a breath at the feel of him, so supremely warm, all hard muscle and soft skin.

Oh, man. Okay. This worked, too. Maybe even better.

“Jesus Christ,” he growled. “You’re a fucking ice cube.”

“S-s-stop—“

“Swearing,” he finished for her, “I know, I know.”

His hands were everywhere, sliding, rubbing. And every part of her that he touched warmed instantly, the feeling so primitive, so perfect. Alyssa pried her arms away from her chest and slid them around his back, pulling him until the flat plane of his chest pressed to hers. His warmth instantly seeped into her skin. This is just what she’d wanted a few hours ago. Now she was too damned frozen to take advantage.

“Oh, my, G-god,” she murmured against his chest. “You feel so g-good.”

She shifted closer, a leech searching for heat, and she found it when his hips aligned with hers. His erection pressed along her thigh, pumping heat through his cotton briefs and directly into Alyssa’s skin. A mixture of excitement and nervousness tangled in her throat. His arms tightened around her on an irritated groan, and he tried to shift his hips away. But with the edge of the sofa at his back, he didn’t get far.

“Stop wiggling for God’s sake. You’re going to push me off the couch.” With a kick of the blankets, he tightened the fabric around their feet then rubbed the arch of his foot over her instep and toes. And somehow managed to put space between her hips and his. “Your hands and feet are the parts I’m worried about.”

Those should be the least of his worries. He should be concerned with the craving deep in her chest, the one that made her mouth want to taste and her hands to touch. Between the moment he’d dragged her into the house and now, one vital fact she’d suspected had been confirmed: he had no plans to hurt her. She’d given him the perfect opportunity to get rid of her quickly, quietly, permanently, and without any involvement. All he’d had to do was leave her out there. Yet he’d saved her, not only from the wolves and from the elements, but ultimately, from herself.

She pried one hand from his grasp, slid it up his chest and around the back of his neck. With her face pressed between his thick pectoral muscles, Alyssa rubbed her cheek against the warmth and strength. Dragged in the scent of hotel soap lingering from his shower that morning and the his purely male and unique scent.

She hummed in pleasure. “How can you c-create so much h-heat?”

“We’ve been over this, remember?” His voice sounded thick and rough. “You know, my father, Hades, god of the fires of hell and all that?”

She would have at least snickered at that quip, only her face would crack. She wedged her other arm underneath him, trying to align every inch of her skin with his. He may not have had much room, but he managed to scoot away again.

Frustrated with both the lingering chill and his resistance, she pulled on his shoulder to roll him into her. “Hold m-me.”

“I am,” he snapped.

“Closer. I’m s-so cold.”

“Honey.” His voice dropped to a raspy growl. He slid a thigh between hers, wrapped his arm around her back and pressed their bodies together. “We can’t get a whole lot closer.”

She’d like to prove him wrong. Dammit. Only he was still resisting. And she just didn’t get it. She may not be a Swedish goddess like Hannah, but she wasn’t the Hunchback of Notre Dame, either.

She tightened her arms around him, soaking in his heat, revealing in the feel of him while the fire inside her kicked up a notch. He smelled good, he felt good, he looked good. He was the only good thing in the moment. She couldn’t look ahead, couldn’t look back, or everything fell apart. All she could do was live right now.

He wanted her, too. There had been hunger and passion of their kiss earlier in the day. There had been ownership and control in the way he touched and maneuvered her body in his arms. There had been demand and need in that thick, heavy shaft pressed against her pelvis.

Her thoughts raised her body temperature. Closing that last bit of distance between them gained more appeal by the moment.

There was no time left for second guessing herself. She knew what she wanted and she was going to reach for it.

Alyssa let her hand drift down Teague’s ribs, her fingers playing along each indentation as she kissed his chest.

He groaned, a wanton, pained, frustrated sound. His hips rocked and pressed into hers. His erection was thick and hard and so damn hot. Now this was more like it. Alyssa absorbed the deep zing of pleasure pulsing through her pelvis.

His fingers curved around her upper arm and pushed her back. His eyes skimmed her face and paused on her mouth.

Yes. Kiss me.

“What happened to that line in the sand?” he asked.

Damn you.

“What line?” She added pressure to the back of his head to bring him closer, craving the feel of his mouth.

His hand fisted in her hair. Yes. Yes. Yes. Her mouth parted in anticipation of the pressure of his lips, the swirl of his tongue.

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March 12, 2012

Guest blogger: Joan Swan (&giveaway)

Books-n-Kisses is so very, very excited to have my pal Joan Swan on the blog today to talk about her HOT hero in her debut novel FEVER. And really who doesn’t like a super hot hero? Will read on to find out how Joan builds just such a man….. Take it away Joan.

Building an unforgettable hero by Joan Swan

There is no formula, no right or wrong. These are some of the elements I put into play when I built Teague, my hero in FEVER. For those of you who haven’t read—or even heard the premise of—the book, here’s the elevator pitch:

FEVER is about a man with unusual powers whose been convicted of a murder he didn’t commit and imprisoned for life. He has lost the daughter he lived for, the career as a firefighter he loved and been denied an appeal. With no hope left, he plans an escape. But his plan goes wrong when the woman he kidnaps as leverage to get his daughter back turns out to be someone else. And this woman quickly clues into the abilities he tries to hide, creating a bond neither can afford while they’re on the run from both the cops and undercover operatives who want Teague silenced. This time, permanently.

Step One: Background

The base model of the hero. The before in the before-and-after picture.

Teague’s background prior to the warehouse fire was quite fulfilling. His life as a firefighter was the most defining element in his life. This is who he as a man, at his core, beneath the violent inmate façade he is forced to take on to stay alive in prison.

As a fireman, Teague was gregarious, confident and intelligent. He is loyal to the bone; his fellow firefighters, his wife and unborn daughter come first—even before himself. He’s dependable and steadfast. After working for a decade with fire, every type of emergency and tragedy, Teague has learned how to persevere under the worst circumstances—physically and emotionally. He has developed a myriad of skills in all areas of life encompassing everything from breaking into a car to saving a life.

Step Two: Torture

Ah, my favorite part. Let’s take this seemingly awesome dude, and put him to the test! A person’s true character comes out during times of stress.

Teague loses everything. He’s falsely convicted of murder and imprisoned for life. He loses the daughter he lived for, the career he loved and is denied all possibility of appeal.

This is where boys are separated from the men… or in our case, the good guys are separated from the bad. In the face of no hope, who does this man become? This is the key element of a hero (or heroine).

In hardship, a person’s deepest traits intensify and rise to the surface. For Teague, that was his loyalty to his daughter and his perseverance, his willingness to do anything to get back to her.

FEVER is, essentially, a story about that very journey and all Teague is willing to sacrifice to reach that goal.

Step Three: Strength of Character

But sacrifice alone isn’t enough, for a hero wouldn’t be very hero-like if he lost sight of all his values while pursuing his goal.

Throughout FEVER, Teague’s values are tested. He is constantly forced to choose between what he desires and what his conscience tells him is right—with Alyssa, with his accomplices, with the police, with other members of his team and ultimately, with his daughter. And each time an obstacle forces him to choose, his internal landscape shifts, pushing him to become the best version of himself, even when that may mean losing everything he wants. Everything he lives for.

Step Four: Surrender

This is the heart-melting moment for the reader, when the hero actually becomes the hero.

Surrender for a hero (in a romance) means giving up his own needs and wants in the best interest of someone he loves.

Because FEVER is a romantic suspense with paranormal elements, Teague must surrender on several levels. He must surrender to love: In the romance, he must choose between his freedom and his love for Alyssa. He must surrender to power: In the suspense, he must choose between his need for vengeance and his need to get his daughter back. He must surrender to fate: In the paranormal, he must choose between accepting his powers, using them for good and ignoring them, continue hurting others.

A true hero must surrender in the end because the journey has changed him. He is no longer the man he was when the story began and he cannot go back to wanting what he did then or acting the way he did then.

Step Five: Make them hot.

Yes, hot, as in attractive. J But men can be attractive in a variety of different ways, not just physically. Or they can have one or two standout physically attractive features that really do it for the heroine – which in turn, usually do it for the reader.

With Teague, I used several elements of all the above to make him hot.

Physically: His body is ripped. But not randomly, because it’s convenient for a romance. He’s ripped because 1) there’s not much else to do in prison but work out and 2) being ripped keeps other inmates at a distance, which in turn keeps him safe in the prison environment. Being ripped fits with his character….and, yes, it’s an added benefit for the romance.

Emotionally: Traits ingrained as a firefighter come out more and more as the story goes on—he’s protective, respectful, dependable. Traits he’s developed as a father show up now and then—he’s sensitive, gentle, thoughtful.

Temperamentally: Teague is an intriguing mix between the harsh prisoner and the strong fireman. He’s fierce when he needs to be, but has control over his emotions. He is patient but firm, understanding yet direct.

Other traits that don’t fit into these categories that make Teague attractive as a hero—confidence, intelligence, paternal instincts and, hell, he can cook!

How would you build the perfect hero?

Fever

By Joan Swan

Buy links: Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Booksamillion

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

But when she finds herself face to face with a convicted murderer with 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.

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

In her day job, she works as a sonographer for one of the top ten medical facilities in the nation and lives on the California central coast in beautiful wine country with her husband and two daughters.

My links: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway:

· A print copy of FEVER, US/Canada shipping.

Fill out Rafflecopter form below.

· All comments are eligible for tour grand prize of either a COLOR NOOK or KINDLE FIRE. Enter: http://joanswan.com/giveaways/blog-tour-ereader/

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January 15, 2012

Review of Fever by Joan Swan

Fever

By Joan Swan

Amazon | B&N

Paperback: 448 pages

Publisher: Brava (February 28, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0758266383

ISBN-13: 978-0758266385

When Dr. Alyssa Foster is taken hostage by a prison inmate, she knows she’s in deep trouble. Not just because Teague Creek is desperate for freedom. But because the moment his fingers brush against her skin, Alyssa feels a razor-sharp pang of need…A man with a life sentence has nothing to lose. At least Teague doesn’t, until his escape plan develops a fatal flaw: Alyssa. On the run from both the law and deadly undercover operatives, he can only give her lies, but every heated kiss tells him the fire between them could be just as devastating as the flames that changed him forever.

My thoughts:

Fever is Joan Swan’s break out novel. I had the great pleasure of getting to read an ARC of Fever. LOVED!!! LOVED!!!! LOVED this book!!!

Joan has created a world for us that starts with a single event. A Fire. A warehouse fire. A warehouse fire that will forever change the life’s of the men and women caught in that fire.

In Fever we meet Teague Creek an man on the run. On a mission to get to the one person he loves the most and nothing or no one will stand in his way. Teague is a tough talking, tough looking man who deep down is very loving and tormented by the past. I loved Teague. Loved to see how he grows over the course of this book. How he changes, how he tries to protect the ones he loves, even the one that have hurt him in the past. But Teague’s biggest lesson learned is to Trust. To trust those around him.

Alyssa kicks butt. For a girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time she makes a great heroine. I love to watch her stand up to these tough talking guys and bring them to their knees.

I loved this book and can’t wait for the second installment in this series. If you want to sneak peak at Fever, head over to Joan’s website and you can read chapter 1.

October 26, 2011

Interview & giveaway with debut author Joan Swan

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome the wonderful Joan Swan to the blog today. I am SO EXCITED to share Joan and her debut novel Fever with my followers.

Author Bio:

Joan Swan is a triple RWA® Golden Heart finalist, and a double Kiss of Death Daphne Du Maurier finalist. She writes sexy romantic suspense with a paranormal twist, and her first novel, FEVER, debuts with Kensington Brava February 28, 2012. BLAZE releases October, 2012.

Currently, Joan 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.

Kelly: Welcome Joan.
Joan: Hey, Kelly!!!!!!! Love that shirt!! **For those without webcam it says “I ‘heart’ ~~Delilah Marvelle~~<scribbled out by moi> Joan Swan”** Sorry, D, you know I love you, but…you have to share.

Kelly : Can I get you anything before we get started? Coffee, tea, water?

Joan: Good God, I could use a Margarita. Midori. Blended. Brain-freeze thick. Sugar, no salt. Triple tequila. Por favor, bonita…or is it Bonita por favor?

Q1) Joan, your bio pretty much covers who you are. So tell us something off your bucket list.

Joan: I have to admit—I didn’t see The Bucket List, but the way I understand it is that is a list of things you want to do before you die. I’ve been so very blessed with a keeper of a husband for 21 years and two absolutely fabulous, intelligent, healthy daughters. My parents are still happily married and healthy well into their 80’s, my 3 sisters and 1 brother are all happily married with healthy children and my husband and I have been lucky to have had stable jobs that have paid most of the bills.

And because I know how fragile life is and how lucky we have been, what’s at the top of my bucket list at the moment? Quitting the day job so I can stop looking, touching and examining strange men’s mangled private parts. I mean, seriously? The fact that I can still write hot sex scenes after that sh…stuff is a testament to my warped mind!

Q2) Tell us about your typical writing day. Are there things you have to have?

Joan: The only thing routine about my writing these days involves breakfast at my neighborhood McDonald’s, email, Twitter, blog posts and lots and lots and lots of procrastination. It’s an unfortunate pattern I’ve developed over the past few months that I plan to change.

Maybe tomorrow.

Q3) Have you always wanted to be an author?

Joan: No. Just about every other profession under the sun. Never an author.

Q4) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Joan: The authors I would consider favorites have changed as I’ve changed. Before I wrote, I wasn’t as demanding as I am now. I admire the writing skill of Dean Koontz, Sandra Brown, Harlan Coben, Tami Hoag and Ted Dekker. For decades I’ve loved Suzanne Brockman, Barbara Delinsky, Kat Martin, Joanne Ross, Cindy Gerard. I’ve more recently fallen in love with Darynda Jones and just discovered Robert Crais. My critique partner, Elisabeth Naughton, has inspired my writing with her strong story structure and amazing talent for world building.

Let’s talk about The Phoenix Rising Series:

Q5) Book one Fever will be coming out in February 28 2012. Tell us a little about this book

Freak love this cover this man is HAWT!!

Joan: FEVER is the first of the Phoenix Rising series.

The overarching series plot broils around a government conspiracy after the explosion of a military warehouse injuries a team of seven hazmat firefighters, killing one. The contents of the building, extremely confidential and dangerous radioactive chemicals used by the Department of Defense in secretive scientific experiments, have inflicted the team with various paranormal abilities. Abilities the government wants to study covertly. Abilities the team wants to understand and expose. With military advancement and national power at risk on one side and personal health and freedom at stake on the other, each group is fighting for precious stakes.

FEVER is about one of the seven firefighters, Teague Creek, convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, framed by a government threatened by his prying questions into the warehouse explosion. Teague has been denied an appeal, lost the daughter he lived for, and the career as a firefighter he loved. With no hope left, he plans an escape. But his plan goes wrong when the woman he kidnaps as leverage to get his daughter back turns out to be someone else. And this woman quickly clues into the abilities he tries to hide, creating a bond neither can afford while they’re on the run from both the cops and undercover operatives who want Teague silenced. This time, permanently.

Q6) Book Two Blaze is scheduled for Fall 2012. Can you share with us anything about this book?

Joan: Blaze is rather special to me. I’m not sure why, but the main characters, Luke and Keira, just seemed to speak to me. Maybe because it’s a reunion story – I am such a sucker for those. Maybe because both Luke and Keira are tortured in so many ways, which is also a character element that pulls me in. I can also see advancement in my writing skills and storytelling abilities in this work which I’m proud of. Whatever the case, this story remains very vivid and close to my heart.

Blaze takes place several months after Fever concludes. While the immediate threat to Teague has been remedied for the time being, the team is clearly not out of danger. And when a member of the government’s team makes a bad decision and messes with the wrong team member in just the wrong way, all hell breaks loose. Again.

Blurb: When a simple child custody retrieval turns into a Waco-slash-Jonestown rerun in the remote Nevada desert, former firefighter turned ATF agent Luke Ransom is paired begrudgingly with his ex, Keira O’Shay, also a former firefighter but now one of the FBIs sharpshooters. Thrust into the depths of a conspiracy they’d suspected, but couldn’t prove, they uncover a deeper, darker force at work, one that is somehow linked to the destruction of their former firefighting team and the development of strange paranormal abilities every team member has struggled with since the mysterious warehouse fire five years before that changed their lives forever.

What neither Luke nor Keira have forgotten in their time apart, is that their paranormal abilities are enhanced by the power of their relationship. Keira’s clairaudience blossoms with empathetic qualities and even a touch of clairvoyance. Luke’s gifts come back full force and not only is he immune to burns, his skin is impenetrable, his bones unbreakable. Each utilize their powers toward the success of their mission, but don’t expect the bond their interconnected powers create in their relationship.

And when the shadow agency that has been tracking them decides they’re getting to close to the truth, repressed passions and unspoken regrets won’t be the only thing keeping Luke and Keira apart. Now, they’re in a race not only to save a child’s life, but to save each other’s as well.

Q7) Book 3 is Inferno. Can you share more about this book?

Joan: Inferno is my heartbreaker. The one firefighter killed in the original warehouse fire that started this whole nightmare, Quaid Legend, was the new husband of another firefighter on the team, Jessica Fury. Watching her husband die ripped Jessica’s life apart. She’s lived without him for five years when the team discovers proof of life in Blaze. Quaid has spent five years living in a cell, being tested like a rat. The governments experiments have wiped out his memory. He trusts no one. He remembers no one. Which of course causes heartache and huge conflict when the team, and Jessica, finally get him back.

Blurb: JESSICA FURY once had everything to live for. Now, she lives for one purpose: revenge.

Five years ago, Jessica witnessed the death of her newlywed husband, QUAID LEGEND, when their hazmat firefighting team stumbled upon an illegal chemical stash in a government warehouse set aflame. Since her recovery, Jessica has slowly pieced together a plan to implement payback, and she’s just one piece of information away from achieving that satisfaction when she receives the biggest shock of her life: Quaid may still be alive.

Recent events involving other members of her team in BLAZE turn up evidence that Quaid has been held as a prisoner in a secret military laboratory. Jessica utilizes her scrying abilities—using an item to view events at a distance or in the future—to help find and free Quaid from the custody of the shadow government agency, only to discover that all the experimental testing he’s undergone over the years has wiped his mind clean, and he has no memory of her.

Utilizing the clustered paranormal abilities they developed within Quaid, the government scientists have created a powerful weapon for the U.S. military. When his former firefighting team rescues him from the secure facility, the government goes on an all-out mission to retrieve what they consider an extremely valuable element to national security.

With their past shadowed and their future threatened, Jessica and Quaid face the ultimate battles of freedom–one for life, one for love.

One of your prizes

Q8) Do you see the Phoenix Rising Series going beyond these three books?

Joan: Absolutely. There are 7 original members of the hazmat team: Teague, Luke, Quaid, Kai, Seth, Keira and Jessica. In book one, FEVER, I introduce the heroine’s brother, Mitch, a smartass, headstrong, brilliant attorney. I definitely see Kai, Seth and Mitch having their own books. And who knows what other strong characters will popup within those stories demanding their own book as well. Of course, the government is endless fodder for the roll of villain.

Q9) How did you come up with the idea for the Phoenix Rising Series?

Joan: Here’s the short version:

The kernel of an idea for a straight romantic suspense came from working as a sonographer and scanning a large population of prisoners. “What if a hospital employee was taken as a hostage in an escape attempt?”

When the hero in that story turned out to be a fireman, I knew he’d have a team—firemen are never loners.

My critique partner, Elisabeth Naughton, suggested I make Teague’s team members future heroes in a series. At the time I’d only written stand alone single titles and couldn’t fathom writing a series.

After the manuscript was rejected by a dozen agents, Elisabeth suggested I add a paranormal element to tailor the book to the current market.

I rewrote the manuscript with the paranormal element, which also meant changing the plotline. And it sold. The Phoenix Rising Series was born.

Q10) What is next for you?

Joan: I’m pretty excited about what I’m working on now. It’s another paranormal, but ventures deeper into the genre, exploring witchcraft, demons and true evil. It’s complicated, dark, gritty and sexy. Very fun!

Q11) I love to know what authors are reading. What have you read recently or what new release are you most looking forward too?

Joan: I actually read quite a bit, but not in the traditional way. Since I work 4 hrs from where I live, I spend a lot of time listening to audiobooks. I always choose the unabridged versions and if I particularly love a book, I often buy the Kindle or print version as well.

I just finished my first Robert Crais book, The Watchman. Really, really loved it—the poetry and freshness of his prose, the pacing and tension, but especially the amazing character arcs. I recently went on a Karin Slaughter binge where I read her Will Trent series one after the other, I just couldn’t get enough. Another strong character driven suspense. I’ve also become an avid fan of Darynda Jones’ Charlie Davidson series and can’t wait for Third Grave Dead Ahead to release.

Q12) Is there anything else you would like to add?

Joan: Yes! I’m having a BIG give away to celebrate FEVER’s availability for preorder and I hope everyone will enter! I’m giving away a week’s stay at a 2br/2b condo in Lake Tahoe with a value of over $3000! All you need to enter is your name and email. No strings, no gimmicks! Escape & Enjoy Mega Giveaway: http://www.joanswan.com/escapeandenjoy.htm.

Books-n-Kisses: Joan, Thank you so very much for taking time out of your busy writing schedule to sit down and talk with me about your upcoming releases.

Joan: Thank YOU, Kelly! So glad we connected on twitter and can’t wait to meet you at the next conference! Thanks to all your readers who came out to chat with me today!

You can order your copy of FEVER at the following locations:

Amazon (print & Kindle)Barnes & Noble (print & Nook)Booksamillion

Want to learn more about Joan and her up coming books please check her out here:

Website

Twitter

Romance Giveaway Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Now for the Giveaways:

1 winner will get a custom made Fever Bookmark

1 winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift card and a Fever Bookmark

and

The Grand prize is an author copy of Fever & a Fever Bookmark (please note winner of the Grand Prize will have to wait until close to the end of the year or early in 2012 for book to become available)

To Enter please use the form below.