Friday, September 21, 2012

Blog Tour: Joan Swan's BLAZE (Interview/Giveaway)

What better author to have stop by the blog today than one who lives in the heart of wine country California? Raise your wine glasses and welcome Joan Swan! 


Joan: Thank you, Lexi! I do love wine country!!

Lexi: Joan you are a relatively new author. Your debut, Fever, being released this past March. Now book two, Blaze, in your Phoenix Rising series will be released this month! Congrats! Does it ever feel surreal for you?

Joan: LOL, no. I’ve worked too hard for it to feel surreal. After months and months of writing and more months of revising, it feels very, very real. 
Lexi: You have two series, Phoenix Rising and Covert Affairs. Do you have a favorite yet? Or a favorite hero, one man who takes you out of your normal everyday life and makes you weak in the knees?

Joan: Oh, boy. That’s a little like choosing a favorite child. But, okay, I have to confess…so far, it’s Luke. *Sigh*  

I patterned him after Paul Walker…YUM…but beyond the looks, I tortured that poor man.  There is nothing I love more than a tortured hero.  Except one so hung up on a woman he can’t quite get his junk together to move on after the breakup, even though he tries.  And yes, that’s my Luke.  Poor bastard.

The only upside in getting me for an author is that the more I torture a character, the sweeter their HEA.  And, yes, Luke’s happily ever after is sweeeeet.

Lexi: Your regular (I use that word because we all know how glamorous and carefree being an author is...ha!) job is a sonographer. Being around patients and doctors is a guarantee fodder for character building. Do you think your job has helped you create your characters?


Joan: Oh, absolutely!  I meet some of the most interesting people, the craziest people, the angriest people, the funniest people…and because I’m in San Francisco, some very famous people too. I also see every side of human nature in the hospital. Writers by nature are excellent observers, and I’m observing all the time.

Lexi: Do you still read romantic suspense now that you are writing that genre? Or is it difficult to pick up this kind of book and enjoy it without picking it apart?

Joan: Yes and no.  I do still read romantic suspense, but I’ve also branched out into the thriller and mainstream suspense genres. And there are times I can lose myself in stories when they are written very well, but I’m a tough critic and it takes a lot to get me invested.
Lexi: Have you had a fan girl moment happen to you yet? Have any of your patients recognized you as an author? 
Joan: Um…I don’t think so.  And no.  
Lexi: Regardless I am sure you will have fan girl moments in your future. Your books have the right amount of suspense, mystery, and hot loving. It will be fun to see where both your Phoenix Rising and Covert Affairs series take us next!
Joan: Awww, thank you Lexi! You made my day!  Thanks so much for having me! Cheers!



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.
Add to your Goodreads Shelf


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…

Add to your Goodreads Shelf



About the Author:

Short:
Joan Swan is an award-winning author of sexy romantic suspense and occasionally throws in a paranormal twist or two for some extra spark.  In her day job, Joan works as a sonographer at UCSF Medical Center. She lives on the central coast of California in beautiful wine country with her husband and two daughters.
Longer:
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, FEVERBLAZE, 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



~*GIVEAWAY*~
Joan is spreading book love by offering up a copy of Blaze to one lucky follower (US/Canada only please). To enter leave Joan a comment about either of her series, have a favorite hero yourself? Then fill out the Rafflecopter. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Check out the rest of 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.ca
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 -
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/

46 comments:

  1. I really liked Teague in Fever. I'll be more than happy to give Luke a try but I'm not sure he can live up to Teague.

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  2. I enjoyed Fever so will give Blaze a try for sure!

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  3. I loved Teague and thought Fever was great. Blaze sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  4. FEVER was one of my favorite reads this year. I've suggested it to all my friends. I cannot wait for BLAZE. Thank you.
    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. I thought Teague was hot (pardon the pun - ha) in Fever. I fell in love with Rio in Intimate Enemies. Therefore, I can't wait to meet Luke. Looking forward to reading Blaze. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  6. Congrats on the upcoming release, Joan. Looking forward to learning more about Luke.

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  8. I agree with the others. I adored Teague, what he stood for and was trying to accomplish. You have to appreciate a sexy, hot man on a mission!
    I love how you used Paul Walker as a pattern for Luke. In everything that I have seen him in, he portrays that alpha male personality, not to mention those looks! ;)
    One of my favorite heroes is Demetrius in Elisabeth Naughton's Tempted. He is definitely one of my "dream men"!
    Congrats on the upcoming release! I can't wait to read it.

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  9. This is a new to me series but they sound wonderful. On my TBR list. Thanks so much for a chance in your lovely giveaway. Carin

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  10. I enjoyed the characters in Fever especially her brother. I look forward to reading Luke's story, but I hope her brother- name eludes me at the moment- gets his story too.

    My all-time favorite hero is Jamie Fraser from the Diana Gabaldon series.


    Enjoyed the interview and thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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  11. Congrats on the new release The book sounds great. I liked Fever alot. Thanks

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  12. Haven't read any of your books before,but definetely
    looking forward to starting.Excerpt was good.
    Like Cian from Karen Marie Moning's highlander series.

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  13. So many commenters love Joan's characters - I think I better meet them.

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  14. I've read both the series, and cannot wait for BLAZE!
    Can I have Rio to myself? :P

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  15. I have read so many books, it's hard to pick a favorite hero. Each hero has his own special qualities that made him the hero of his book. I think I fall in love with every one of them. I haven't read Fever yet. Both books sound like fantastic reads.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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  16. I haven't read any of Joan's books, but I cannot wait to start this series since the the covers look delicious and the stories sound even better:)

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  17. I have not read any of her books. They sound very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  18. I read and loved Fever. Looking forward to Blaze. Paul Walker...Yum!

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  19. I can't pick between Teague and Rio....can I just have both ;) Can't wait to read about Luke too!

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  20. I've only read Fever, but I loved Teague and am really looking forward to Luke!!

    Buffy Kennedy
    buffykennedy[at]gmail[dot]com

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  21. I loved Fever :)! I can't wait to read Blaze

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  22. Teague, Luke - They were yummy yummy male characters. Gotta love the female characters too.

    Can't wait to see Mitchy's lady!

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  23. Oh, Andrea -- them's fightin' words! Luke loves a challenge! ;)

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  24. Hi Tina -- Demetrius was such a tortured soul, wasn't he? Whenever I tell E that, she says, "No, he's just an ass." :)

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  25. Sophia, That's Mitch...and yes, he's a big part of BLAZE and mouthy as ever! :)

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  26. Thanks for all the FEVER and INTIMATE ENEMIES love ladies! I'm so thrilled you love the men as much as I do!! <3<3<3 I promise, Luke will NOT disappoint you!

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  27. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I'm looking forward to reading Blaze. I loved the hero in book 1 and I hope the second one can live up to the first.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win.

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  28. I love a man who can't get his stuff together to move on after a breakup! Luke sounds like my kind of hero.

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  29. These books sound great! Really want to read them :) Luke sounds like an awesome hero!
    Lacey T

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  30. I have just recently got Fever and haven't started it yet...can't wait to. Super hot covers!

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  31. Sigh. More books to add to the TBR pile. I'm new to your series, but I'm looking forward to giving them a try.

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  32. Your upcoming release looks great, Joan! It's hard to choose a favorite hero but traits I look for is loyalty, intelligence and strength.

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  33. These are definitely on my TRL Joan. These Heroes sound delicious :)
    Jamie Fraser from Outlander is #1 and a close second is Roarke from the In Death series by JD Robb.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  34. I absolutely adored Fever and loved drooling over Teague!
    Can't wait for Blaze!
    Thank you so much for the chance!
    Sebrina

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  35. Loved Fever! Cannot wait to read about Luke in Blaze!

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  36. I have not read any of the series yet- but hope to. I have a hero worship going on for the alphas in the Midnight Breed series. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. Just Peachy, I love Teague too! Luke is different, but just as yummy! I promise :)

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  38. Hi Sarah,

    I KNOW, right? God, that's just so...tortured, isn't it? I looooove tortured heroes. They make me sort of melty!

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  39. Lacey, Andie, Shawny,

    Thanks ladies! Sure hope you LOVE them when you try them!

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  40. Hi Na! Well said! Those are very heroic traits :)

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  41. Hi Sebrina and JoAnna!

    I'm thrilled you enjoyed FEVER. Teague and Alyssa are special :). You'll enjoy them again in BLAZE.

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  42. Oh, yes, SdyLion, you are not alone! :)

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  43. Congrats on the release! Cant wait to read Blaze.

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  44. I haven't read any of her books. But Blaze sounds amazing. I just love the covers on all of the books. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  45. I have purchased Fever but have not had the opportunity to read it yet. I would love to add Blaze as I like to read a series from beginning to end. Congrats on the release and thank you for the giveaway!

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  46. I really enjoyed Fever. I cannot wait to continue the series!

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