Blog Tour: Interview and Giveaway with Joan Swan

I would like to welcome debut author Joan Swan to Book Flame. 

1.What inspired you to write Fever?

Spending too much time with too many bad boys!

I've been a sonographer for twenty years and one of the hospitals where I worked gained a huge prisoner clientele over a year’s time span.  I went from scanning two or three prisoners a week to scanning five to eight prisoners every single morning, so I spent half my day surrounded by guards and inmates.  

The more I understand their routines and procedures, the more clearly I recognized how easily something could go wrong with something as simple as one tip off from someone inside the hospital to a prisoner’s family member or one officer off his game that day.  Many, many times I was left in dangerous situations with prisoners that should have never been allowed to exist.  

I was lucky, nothing ever happened.  But that didn’t keep me from thinking, “What if…?”

2. Can you see yourself in any of your characters? 

LOL, I wish.  But then, that’s the point, right?  As readers, we want to watch compelling characters go after what they want.  Compelling characters go above and beyond.  They do all the things we wish we could do.  They are us if we could life again. So, maybe certain elements of my characters are those I had in a previous life. 

3. What character intrigued you the most as the author? And why? 

Oh, man, that’s like choosing a favorite child.  And like children, they all intrigued me in different ways for different reasons.  

How Teague’s life inside prison would affect him once he was outside again and in desperate situations fascinated me.  Keeping him in character—a man who’s lived inside a concrete box alongside animals for the last three years while attempting to maintain some element of humanism—was a constant reality check.

Alyssa’s internal drive to succeed and her tricky family relationship struggle was tricky to portray when she’s faced with life threatening situations, which, of course, always alter all perceptions.

Luke, the poor bastard, was actually fun to write because I knew what an awesome book he was getting next, so torturing him was so much easier.  And the complex relationship between Luke and Teague was fabulous to write, as it gave both characters so much texture.

And Mitch, my stellar smartass shark.  Man, he has been so freaking much fun to write, but I feel wrong saying he’s the most fun, because, well, he’s not my hero…yet.

4. Do you have any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?  

I have MANY books in the works.  Don’t all writers?   My most pressing and the one I’m spending 99% of my time on at the moment is a two time Golden Heart finalist, which I’m revising for Indie publication in April 2012.  INTIMATE ENEMIES is about a woman on a quest for answers in the death of her family and a man dedicated to keeping her from getting those answers in the name of US national security.  And when these two clash—up close and personal, sparks fly.

I also have a partial proposal pending to continue the Phoenix Rising series with Kensington.  INFERNO is Jessica and Quaid’s book and I’m really excited to write it.

  

5. If you could co-author a book with any author who would it be? 

Elisabeth Naughton.  Elisabeth and I have been critique partners for over five years.  We both have varied strengths and I admire her writing and am awed by her worth ethic and drive.  Plus, it often feels like we share the same brain.  We could finish each others’ sentences.  I trust Elisabeth to make decisions for me, because not only does she know me that well, but she would take my wants and needs and thoughts into account before casting my vote.  And one of the most important things to consider when choosing a co-author is editing style.  Elisabeth and I are open to criticism and suggestions and if, after considering that criticism and suggestions, either of us choose to leave our work the way it is…we’d both be fine with that.

6. If you could travel back in time and meet yourself as a 10 year old what advice would you give?  

Believe in yourself.  Believe you can be or do anything you want to be.  Believe that if you have a dream, go for it because you’ll find a way to achieve it.  Ignore the naysayers.

7. What is the one quote that inspires you above all others? 

One word at a time.  It’s my own, and it keeps me going, reminding me that big progress is made in baby steps.

About The Author

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.

Book Blurb

Release Date: 2/28

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...

Pre-Order:  Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Booksamillion

Connect with Joan Swan:  Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway: 

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

Please 

 Share your favorite quote or ask Joan a question to enter to win a print copy of FEVER!  

·      All comments here qualify towards an entry for the blog tour grand prize: A Nook or Kindle Fire! Winners choice.For more  Details visit Joan Swan’s website: http://joanswan.com/giveaways/blog-tour-ereader/.

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