Interview with Author Joan Swan and Giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome back to RFTC, author Joan Swan. Joan is celebrating her newest release Blaze and has stopped by to answer a few questions. But first let's get to know a little about Joan.

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.

Places to find Joan:
| Site | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads |

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
Hi Danielle! Thanks for having me on the blog!

I’m just you average California girl. Born, raised, educated, living and working in the sunshine state. Married over 22 years to a veteran firefighter. Two beautiful daughters, one in college, one in high school. Work as a sonographer at UCSF Medical Center and write the rest of the time. A few of my rare hobbies are swimming, walking, photography, horses, knitting, scrapbooking…but I hardly ever participate…I’m usually writing.

Did you always want to be a writer?
Nope. Didn’t even think about it until I ran out of things I enjoyed reading and became impatient waiting for the next new release. I started penning the little stories floating around my head just to kill time and was instantly hooked.

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
Interestingly enough, I started out as a hard core plotter—down to the scene and sequel of every scene. Now, I “write into the mist” to the point that I have no idea what will happen until it comes out on the screen.

I seriously need to find a happy medium or resort to upping my anxiety meds.

Where do your ideas come from?
My psychotic little brain. Bwahahahaha! Actually, um, they do.

Idea used to come from outside sources—news, movies, books, etc. But the longer I write, the more I notice that stories actually come out of stories. What I mean is that not everything I want to put into one book will fit. Often, those little subplots or tendrils of subplots that I keep out spiral into an entire book or series of its own. In short, I’ve found my best ideas from writing.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
This is for BLAZE:
Endowed with paranormal powers from chemical exposure, ex-lovers are reunited to defeat the powerful enemy that originally tore them apart.

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
Suspense with action and a romance thread that ends on a positive note. I typically read thrillers, mainstream suspense and romantic suspense, but a good story is a good story, no matter what genre.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
No favorite book. I’m a rather eclectic reader, across genres, authors, series. I have many memorable books, but too many to list.

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Transition scenes. Weird, right? They should be easy. But they’re not! Nothing interesting is happening. No action, no drama, nothing noteworthy. **snooze** My challenge is getting those transition scenes to sing…or cut them out altogether.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
Elisabeth Naughton, Kristina McMorris and Katharine Ashe – because anytime I get together with any of those girls, I laugh my ass off.

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
Aaaaaaaalways!! Right now I’m finishing up book 3 in the Phoenix Rising series, RUSH, and will immediately start on book 4. I’m also going to squeeze in work on the second book in the Covert Affairs series. And I’ll probably brainstorm another book or two in between J.

Thanks so much for having me on the blog Danielle!

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: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Check out the other books in Phoenix Rising series:

Click on cover for more info. 

1 lucky commenter (US/Canada ONLY) will win a copy of Blaze

To Enter:

• Please leave a meaningful comment or question for Joan.
• Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck =)

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