Aloha to Joan Swan and FEVER

Body Tattoos.  Flaming Attitude.   Mystical Powers.   We discovered these intriguing attributes during our recent trip to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - body tattoos are part of the Hawaiian culture.  Madame Pele has a flaming attitude.   The entire island is seeped in mystical powers.   

And these can describe Joan Swan's debut book, FEVER.   Maybe even Joan herself.  From her bio,

A triple RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a double Daphne Du Maurier finalist, I am a lover of craft and closet-hoarder of writing craft how-to books.

In my day job, I work as a sonographer at UCSF Medical Center, a location with an intensity that makes me slightly insane…which works well with the writer in me. Not to mention all the character material I have access to–and I’m not talking about the patients (well…mostly).

I have been married twenty years 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.

Kim:  Can you share your favorite sight, sound, and smell of "wine country on the gorgeous Central Coast of California?

Joan:  The sight here that makes me sigh is just after harvest, from Sept to Oct, when the grape leaves turn color like fall foliage. The really cool thing, aside from the awesome color, is that grape varieties are planted in sections across rolling hills, and each variety turns at different time and into its own shade. So at this time of year, we are treated to a kaleidoscope of greens, ambers, reds, oranges and golds in amazing patterns across the beautiful hillsides. That is something I look forward to each and every year. 

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Kim:  Your job as a sonographer may generate character material .... how about your husband, the veteran firefighter? How do you incorporate real inspirations into fictional characters?

Joan:  My husband’s job has always been a great source of intrigue for me, long before I started to write. Firefighters have a unique, fascinating and incredibly attractive personality—part kid that never grew up, part alpha leader, part fun loving beta. They’re good at everything, jovial, damn smart, and loyal to the core. To top it off, they look hot in uniform, do laundry, cook, clean and take care of their bodies…hell, how could a romance writer NOT find inspiration there? Real firefighters are true fodder for romance heroes. 

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Kim:  Congrats on your stellar performance with the Golden Heart and Daphne Du Maurier. How did you find your path to publishing?

Joan:  Thanks so much! Those awards have been highlights, but honestly, my path is not anything unusual. I was not one of those authors who aspired to write from the time I could hold a crayon. I started writing out of boredom at 35 and caught the bug. Because I love to learn in all my interests, I became a craft addict and focused there for the next 8 years until I sold – in the most mundane way…from the slush pile.

I’m a firm believer that anyone can do anything they set their mind to doing if they are willing to learn, grow, adapt and persevere. I’ve seen it happen over and over in my own life and in others’. 

Kim:  Tell us about FEVER - did your DH pose for the cover?!?!

Joan:  DH absolutely posed for the cover – but don’t tell Paul Marron, he thinks it’s him. And don’t tell my male coworkers, they think it’s them. I have to admit, the art department DID have to airbrush on the tattoo. DH’s is barbed wire and daggers. 

Kim:  What's next for Joan Swan?

Joan:  I just, as in at 2am last night, finished final edits on BLAZE, book 2 in the Phoenix Rising series, which releases in September—seriously LOVE this book!

And I’m releasing my first Indie romantic suspense INTIMATE ENEMIES, in April. This book was a two time Golden Heart finalist and I’m thrilled to be able to share it with readers. 

Mahaho, Joan, for joining us at SOS Aloha!  Joan is giving away a print copy of FEVER:

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.

To enter the giveaway, 

1.  Leave a comment about your job - does it inspire character material?

2.  This giveaway is open to North American residents only .... for international readers, I am giving away a Big Island souvenir.  

3.  This giveaway is open through Saturday, March 17, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 18.

Wait! There's more .... all comments are eligible for tour grand prize of either a COLOR NOOK or KINDLE FIRE. Enter on her website at this link.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Joan and her books, check out her social media:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

To purchase FEVER, check out these links:

Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Booksamillion

To learn more about the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, check out its website at this link.