Interview and Giveaway with Carly Phillips

Hi Carly and welcome to Under the Covers. We are very excited about your latest release DARE TO LOVE. This is your first official venture into the self published world. Can you tell us a bit about what prompted your decision? And how is the process different than your traditionally published books?

Hi! I love stopping by Under the Covers. You’re one of my favorite places on the web! My decision was based on many factors but all revolve around my readers. I wanted to be able to give them my stories at a less expensive price and more often. DARE TO LOVE is truly a labor of love. I had been reading hotter stories for the last year and I really wanted to push some boundaries, and Ian enabled me to do that. My process, however, is still the same, even if this book comes in a bit shorter in length.

For readers that are not yet familiar with the story, what can you tell us about DARE TO LOVE and what can readers expect?

DARE TO LOVE is the story of first, Ian Dare, the oldest son of a man who had one legitimate family and an illegitimate one on the side. As a result, we have a hero who stepped up to take care of his family at the age of eighteen. He’s a caretaker by nature and he needs to control things around him – because he just wasn’t able to do so when he was younger. For Ian, this control extends to the bedroom. He’s very alpha … and HOT! Then we have Riley my heroine, who comes from an abusive background and is wary of – yet attracted to Ian’s control. It’s a fine line. This story is NOT BDSM but it is hotter than my past books. Ian and Riley are combustible, but they also complete each other in very emotional ways. Added to their conflict is the fact that Riley is best friends with the half brother who Ian resents … I’m so excited about this book!

What’s your favorite thing about the hero of the story, Ian?

My favorite thing about Ian is his protective nature. I love how he steps up for his family, his sisters, mother and now Riley. Even if he is occasionally misguided, who doesn’t want a man to look out for them and treat them like they’re special?

Was there a particular scene in the book that was hardest to write?

One of the most difficult scenes to write was one where Riley sees shades of her mother in her own behavior – and that’s not a pleasant memory for her. It makes her want to run from Ian – but he’s not letting her get away. It was a scene I kept revising but it worked well in the end, I think.

Who did you use as inspiration for Ian and Riley?

Honestly, I had found the cover for them fairly early on, so that couple just seemed to be my Ian and Riley.

What would be one surprising fact about you that readers don’t commonly know?

I’m so outgoing online, people would be surprised to know I’m shy and not really a people person. It’s hard for me to be out in big groups and be “on”.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Pick up my iPhone and check email, text, FB, and Twitter. Yes, I’m one of those people. Then I turn on Good Morning America or the local news if it’s earlier than 7 AM.

Do you write to music? What’s currently on your playlist?

No I’m not a music person unless I’m flying on an airplane and then I’ll use my treadmill list. That has some embarrassingly old 70’s songs on it. Generally I have television on for background noise – during the week ABC – soap opera – General Hospital, and NBC Days of Our Lives. Weekends I’ll try to find a Law and Order SVU/Regular marathon.

What can we expect next from Carly Phillips?

Up next: January – PERFECT STRANGER – eBook only – Berkley – the reissue of the novella in this past summer’s HOT SUMMER NIGHTS Anthology. February – PERFECT TOGETHER – the wrap up of the Serendipity’s Finest/Serendipity series with Sam Marsden’s story. I’m very very sad to see this series end. April – DARE TO DESIRE – Alex and Madison’s story – stay tuned for more info on this as we have it! Thanks for having me back at Under the Covers!

We love having you here!

New York Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips turns up the heat in her newest sexy contemporary romance series, and introduces you to the Dare family… siblings shaped by a father’s secrets and betrayal.

Since finding out his father had another family on the side, Ian Dare swore to be the upstanding, responsible man his cheating parent had never been. When it comes to his relatives, he gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. But one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts and Ian is entranced. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him extending an olive branch to the half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget.

Independent and always in control, Riley Taylor makes no apologies for choosing men carefully. Relationships have never been a priority and she believes herself hardened to domineering men – until she meets charismatic Ian Dare. He manages to turn a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and when he takes control in the bedroom, she’s stunned to discover she likes it. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything.

[about-author author=”Carly Phillips”]

We are picking two winners to receive an ebook copy of DARE TO LOVE via Amazon or B&N.