The Kiss and Thrill blog, where this was originally published, will soon be disappearing, and I am republishing my Kiss and Thrill posts here to keep a copy. This one is from March 2012.
It’s happened to all of us, right? You innocently pick up a book, start to read, and get caught up in the story. You can’t put it down. It gets late. You have to be up early the next day. You keep reading anyway. Finally, in desperation, you turn off the light, even though you are wide-awake.
You must sleep.
But you can’t.
You find yourself worrying how Teague and Alyssa (example names chosen at random) are possibly going to get their happily ever after. I mean, the situation is impossible. He’s an escaped convict. There is no way he can elude the net that is closing in on him. And she…she still doesn’t trust him. After all, he did kidnap her…
Finally, sleep comes. But what are the dreams about? Teague and Alyssa. Their impossible situation. The hot, intense attraction they can’t ignore…
I (ahem, I mean, you) should have just stayed up and finished the book like you wanted to do in the first place. Morning comes, and you want to call in sick to work. You have reading to do. Doctor appointment? Reschedule it. Teague and Alyssa are in trouble. They need you to read their story.
After finding myself in a situation shockingly similar to the one described above, it occurred to me, the book I was reading, FEVER by Joan Swan, should come with a warning label.
Without a warning label, I didn’t know what I was getting into. Joan Swan, I demand restitution. Or at least rest.
For this reason, I have decided to spearhead a class action lawsuit against Joan for her lack of warning labels. How can you join the class action?
1) Read FEVER.
2) Suffer at the hands of Joan, who mercilessly builds sexual tension while at the same time making the situation go from bad to worse for Teague and Alyssa.
3) Behave irresponsibly due to need to finish book.
4) Document behaviors in #3 above. Oh, wait. This part is impossible, because you will be too obsessed with the need to finish the book. This might be where the class action falls apart. In fact, what am I doing writing this, when I could be finishing FEVER?
Forget the class action. I’ve got a book to read. Someone call my son’s teacher and tell her I’m not available to help out in the classroom today, okay?
[Rachel tries to post this and call it a day, but the ladies at Kiss and Thrill drag her back to the computer, reminding her of her responsibilities.]
Rachel: What, I still have to interview her? I’m busy. I’ve got a book to read.
Kiss & Thrill: You didn’t even mention that Joan is giving away a copy of FEVER to one lucky commenter. Or link to the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Books-A-million. Or link to her website .
Rachel: But if I post those things, then she’ll get more victims. More hapless, unwarned readers like me.
Kiss & Thrill: Readers will thank you. Now get to the interview.
Rachel: [sighing heavily] Okay, but I’d much rather be reading. Joan, I’d say I’m happy to have you join us today, but I think you know how I feel.
Joan: Thanks for having me. I think.
Rachel: What published author—in any genre—turns you into a total fangirl? Is there a particular book or is this based on their entire body of work?
Joan: Oh, definitely Suzanne Brockmann. I become a bumbling idiot, and I’d have to say for Suzanne it’s her body of work.
But there are so many others that would get me all starry eyed, like Harlan Coben, Sandra Brown, Cindy Gerard, Tami Hoag, Victoria Dahl, Tess Gerritsen, Dean Koontz…and on and on…
Rachel: [Warming to Joan] You’ve named several of my favorite authors—who come to think of it, don’t have warning labels on their books either…
On a similar subject, have you ever written fan fiction, and if so, what work was it based on? If you haven’t, what would you be tempted to write fan fiction about?
Joan: I haven’t written fan fiction. In fact, I’ve never even read fan fiction, but I’ve heard of it, so I know what it is. If I were to write fan fiction, I’d probably write something very similar to what I write now, because…well…I love what I write – romantic suspense and romantic thrillers with paranormal elements.
Rachel: Tell us one guilty pleasure.
Joan: Disappearing into a movie theatre for a matinee with a gigantic diet coke and a box of Red Vines. I haven’t done a double feature since I was a kid, but I dream of it often.
Rachel: Ohhh, a double feature! I haven’t been to one of those in ages. Sounds like heaven. I’m going to add that to my to do list, right after I finish FEVER and get caught up on life.
What is the strangest weapon you’ve used to kill off a character, either on or off-scene?
Joan: Strange is…well…an opinion. Some would consider a curse the strangest. Others would consider burning alive the strangest. Really, it’s all in the eye of the beholder.
Rachel: I vote for the curse. Can you tell us about your upcoming release?
Joan: Why thanks for asking, Rachel!! ?
Rachel: The Kiss and Thrill team made me. I know you are just going to use this opportunity to lure me into your trap.
Joan: [entirely unremorseful] I have two releases coming up that I’m pretty excited about.
I’m releasing my first Indie, Intimate Enemies, in April. This is a two-time Golden Heart finalist and I’m thrilled to be able to share it with readers!
Blaze, book two in the Phoenix Rising series, releases from Kensington September 25th. This book is a high-octane, reunion story with a tortured set of hero and heroine who have stolen my heart. I LOVE this book!
Rachel: Ooohh, is this Luke’s story? I can’t wait to read it. I’ll have to make sure I have nothing planned for September 25th and 26th, because I know I’m not going to be able to sleep until it’s done.
Joan, thank you so much for joining us today! Now can I get back to reading FEVER?
Kiss & Thrill: No Rachel, you have one more thing to do.
Rachel: Oh yeah. Now that Joan has answered her questions, it’s our readers’ turn. Which do you think is the stranger weapon, a curse or being burned alive? Leave your answer in the comments section for a chance to win a copy of FEVER, and be sure to check back on Thursday to find out who the winner is. Trust me, you want to read this book!
~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~
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, released 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.