What a month July has been for UTC and for this talented author. Some of you might’ve just started hearing…
What a month July has been for UTC and for this talented author. Some of you might’ve just started hearing her name with the success of BARED TO YOU, but she’s been around for quite some time and with much success! Today, she’s taking time from her busy schedule after coming back from Comic Con to answer some of our nosy questions.
Hi Sylvia, welcome back to UTC and thanks for participating in our Burning Up July event!
Thank you for inviting me! I’m thrilled to be here.
I think this has been a great year for releases from you, lets start with BARED TO YOU. This was rumored to have been loosely based on your historical SEVEN YEARS TO SIN. How did the Crossfire series come to be?
Seven Years to Sin follows a couple with abusive pasts. In Seven, the characters’ histories brought them together, but I wondered later what it would be like to explore a relationship in which the characters’ pasts pushed them apart instead. What if the defining trauma of your life impeded your ability to connect with the person you love? Can two abuse survivors have a functional and healthy romantic relationship? That’s the core question of the Crossfire series. I’m under contract for historicals, paranormals, and futuristics, which left me with contemporary as the setting. I transplanted Alistair and Jessica from Seven to modern-day New York City and began writing, and from that genesis, Gideon and Eva came to be (which is why the two couples look alike and have similar backgrounds).
It can be a good and bad thing when books are compared to others. With this book coming out after the Fifty Shades trilogy had such massive success, there’s been a lot of comparison between BARED TO YOU and FIFTY. How do you feel about this?
On one hand, the comparison gives readers a point of reference. On the other, the books are very different. Plus, one is a completed series while the other is just one book, which is rather like comparing a one-hour TV episode to an entire season’s worth of episodes. But the majority of readers enjoy both series for their own merits and go on to find even more stories to love, and that’s wonderful for everyone.
Gideon Cross is such an interesting hero. We’re dying to know more about him! Why do you think Gideon is so well-received by readers?
I’d like to think it’s because he’s willing to work hard for Eva. He’s flying blind, but he won’t give up.
The second book in the Crossfire series was initially titled DEEPER IN YOU. But now, it’s been changed to REFLECTED IN YOU. What was the reasoning behind the decision and which one of the titles did you prefer?
Some of the merchants felt the title was too provocative and they hesitated to put the book out for their customers. Because we want all of the Crossfire books to be available in as many venues as possible, it was necessary to change the title. I think the first title more closely fit the storyline, but the second does as well.
Can you tell us a bit about what is going to happen in REFLECTED IN YOU?
In Reflected in You, we see Gideon and Eva struggling to mesh who they are as individuals with their joint identity as a couple. Trying to blend “his” life with “her” life into “our” life brings all sorts of new problems. Eva is close to her family; Gideon is estranged from his. Eva is a social creature whose network of friends expands as she settles into New York; Gideon is fiercely private and contained. As much as they have in common, they have a lot of differences, too, and they continue to trigger each other’s defense mechanisms in unexpected-and sometimes painful-ways.
You recently released A HUNGER SO WILD congrats! This is the second book in the Renegade Angels series. Do you have a favorite scene or thing about this book?
Thank you! I’m very happy to be able to share Elijah’s story with everyone–I love him madly. Favorite scene: when Elijah hunts Vashti down in his lupine form. Favorite thing: that Vashti takes tremendous risks for Elijah.
The Renegade Angels series is meant to be a trilogy. Have you considered continuing?
I’m trying not to think like that. I have three other unfinished speculative fiction series (Dream Guardians, Marked, and Sapphire’s World). I want to wrap something up!
You also had another great release just a few days back, the HOT IN HANDCUFFS anthology, with Shayla Black and Shiloh Walker. Your story ON FIRE was actually my favorite in that book! This is part of the Shadow Stalkers mini-series. Can you tell our readers a bit about this story and what this series is about?
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed “On Fire”! Thank you. The anthology is a fun treat for me, because Shayla and Shiloh are both dear friends of mine.
Darcy Michaels is a fire inspector who calls in the U.S. Marshals Service to help investigate a series of arsons in her town. When Jared Cameron arrives, the attraction between them is as hot as the blazes.
The Shadow Stalkers miniseries is a series of contemporary novellas following a group of special operations Deputy U.S. Marshals.
If you could spend a day with one of your fictional men, who would you choose, why and what would you want to do?
It’s impossible for me to pick just one. I can honestly say that I’d love to hang out with any of my heroes. It’d be fun to watch them play beach volleyball together…
We are asking authors participating in the event to share a favorite drink recipe with readers. Do you have one you’d like to share?
Grey Goose and Cranberry. Simple and delicious.
EXCERPT
Deputy U.S. Marshal Jared Cameron waited until the Lion’s Bay sheriff sucked in a deep breath mid-rant, then he glanced at his partner.
“This winner is all yours,” he drawled, turning on his heel and leaving Deputy Trish Morales to it. She’d been assigned to him for just that reason: she had the patience of a saint and he had no patience at all. Especially not for defensive, posturing small-town authorities who whipped their dicks out and started marking their territories the moment he rolled into town. “I’m not done. Where the fuck is he going?” Sheriff Miller snapped, followed by a far more modulated reply from Trish.
Idiot. Nothing trumped the U.S. Marshals Service’s silver star.
Jared closed the sheriff’s glass inset door behind him just to shut out the man’s voice. Pushing the irritation from his thoughts, he started through the bull pen toward the exit when an unexpected and unwanted complication walked into the station. He took scant note of her initially, but something drew his attention back.
Grudgingly he slowed, then came to a stop. Whoever she was, she was a bombshell. Not in the physical sense. In that regard, she was of average height, slim, and moderately proportioned. Her face was free of cosmetics and her brown hair was pulled back in a casual ponytail. If he’d been looking at a photo of her, he wouldn’t have looked twice. But in the flesh, watching her move was what snared him.
She was hot monkey sex in a brown paper wrapper.
The secret of her was revealed in the sensual fluidity of her body and her heavy-lidded, bottle green eyes. The primitive male in him recognized the attraction instantly, completely disregarding his brain, which didn’t have time for this sort of distraction. Unfortunately for him, the blue uniform slacks and embroidered white button-up shirt she wore told Jared he had no chance of avoiding her unless he wanted to switch with Trish and take point with Miller instead. He was stuck with deciding which part of his anatomy was going to be the least controllable: his fists or his dick.
Maybe he’d be lucky and she would be happily married with kids, therefore not the least bit interested in getting sweaty and dirty with him.
She was lost in conversation with the female deputy manning the counter when he approached. The glance she shot him was cursory, just as his had first been with her. Then it snagged. Her focus zeroed in, sliding over his body from the top of his head down to his scuffed work boots and back up again. When her gaze collided with his, she sucked in a breath and licked her lower lip.
Fuck. He was screwed. His brain was screaming at him to turn his ass around and take his chances with the sheriff instead. Assaulting the local authorities for getting on his last nerve would garner him less trouble than playing with the sizzling awareness arcing between him and the sexpot fire inspector.
“Here he is,” the deputy said unnecessarily, pointing at him. Jared thrust out his hand and introduced himself. The moment his palm touched the bombshell’s, his blood rushed south and gave him a semi. He looked at her left hand almost desperately, cursing the lack of a wedding ring. A simple gold band would’ve killed his interest right then and there.
“Darcy Michaels,” she replied, in a voice pitched high enough to be this close to girlish. “I’m a fire inspector with the Lion’s Bay fire department.”
The pretty blond deputy at the counter smiled at him with the same invitation she’d given him when he first walked in. “Darcy’s the one who asked me to put out the information about the arsonist.”
The blonde was the type of woman he preferred to fuck—attractive enough to stir the most superficial interest and easy enough to want nothing more than a good time. Darcy Michaels was rousing something far deeper, igniting a hunger that was full-bodied and complex. The kind that overrode a man’s better sense.
Giving himself a mental kick in the ass, Jared caught the inspector’s elbow and steered her toward the exit. “Let’s go, Inspector.”
They’d barely stepped outside when she said, “You got here quick.”
He considered her voice. It was a cross between Marilyn Monroe and Jennifer Tilly. If anyone had asked him that morning what he thought of girly voiced women, he’d have said they annoyed the shit out of him. It was just his damn luck that Darcy Michaels was the exception. Every time she opened her mouth, his mind went straight into the gutter.
Books have the power to unite people and that is exactly what happened with us! Our love for books have brought us together and we’ve become good friends in a short amount of time. We “met” online through Goodreads and decided to share our passion of books with fellow book lovers. And that is how Under the Covers came to be.
I love your work Sylvia. For some reason I haven’t read the books you mentioned but they are definitely on my TRL . Thanks so much for this opportunity. Carol L. Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I had the pleasue of meeting Sylvia last month at the BEA and she signed my copy of Bared to You (original cover)and I have been reading her backlist, she writes some wonderful stories and I am glad I discovered her. She is now an author that is an automatic buy. Thanks for the giveaway!
I haven’t read a Sylvia Day story yet, but I am really excited to since there has been so much buzz surrounding her books that I’ve found mostly positive. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am a big fan of Sylvia and follow her on Murder She Writes. I haven’t read Bared To You yet, but have vacation coming up soon and plan to take it with me on my nook. I have not read Fifty Shades, and not sure I will. I enjoy Sylvia’s writing style and will stick with her books first. I am a creature of habit and seldom read authors I am not familiar with. There are just too many books out there, so I stick with what I know.
OMG what more could a Reader ask for??? Three of the Hottest Authors together in this new Anthology “HOT IN HANDCUFFS”, Sylvia Day, Shayla Black & Shiloh Walker. This is going to be one Sizzlin’ Read & the Cover Art LQQs sooooo Droolicious!!!!
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous giveaway.
Take Care & Stay Naughty, PaParanormalFan (Renee’ S.) paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com
Great interview 🙂 I loved Bared to You and am really looking forward to the next book. I’m currently reading A Hunger So Wild 🙂 I will certainly be check out more of Sylvia Day’s books… very hot!
Sylvia, Shiloh, Shayla! Three of my favorite authors rolled in one book! Deeper Into You was a great title…how difficult was it for you to change it when you (and your readers) had already set their hearts on it? It may seems easy, but to me it feels like having to change your new born baby’s name! minadecaro(at)hotmail(dot)com
I only have read a few of Sylvia’s books and of those few I have loves them all! She has another loyal fan in me. I can’t wait to read her newest release as well as the ones coming out soon! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m shocked and embarrassed to admit that I’ve never read anything by Sylvia Day. I just double checked my GoodReads and couldn’t believe it! This however doesn’t mean I am not eager to read EVERYTHING by Sylvia Day. In fact for weeks I’ve been on the waiting list for every book of her’s that my 4 closest county libraries carry…I’m willing to travel to get what I want. I just saw the Hot in Handcuffs a week ago and request my local library pick it up. I’m so excited to read it.
I can’t wait to read Reflected in You. I loved the previous title, Deeper in You, but I understand about the vendor’s fear of not selling to their customers. And I agree with Sylvia that though Bared to You & Fifty have gotten lots of comparisons, they are way different stories. Love the interview ladies and thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I had the pleasure of meeting Sylvia at the BEA this year and got her to signed my copy of Bared to you (original cover) She is lovely and that was the first book of hers I had read. I went home and purchased a few of her books for my nook and I am loving her books! Great interview & thanks for the giveaway!
Wow what a great post:)) Love Sylvia and want to read her other series bad. I have only had the pleasure of reading Bared to You but want to get to her others soon! thanks for the giveaway!!;))
love this interview, I read Seven Years to Sin and while I was reading bared to you, I definitely saw how the characters were similar, and their obvious differences. I loved Bared to You and I can not wait for Reflected!!! Book Savvy Babe
OOOOHHHH man that preview means i am gettin Hot in Handcuffs for my Kindle right now!
and Oh Yeah! beach volleyball…
I just started reading your books, Sylvia and am devouring at a fairly fast pace. Thank goodness you have a great big backlist! I am so looking forward to the next book about Gideon and Eva. Seven Years was already ordered before I knew about this too…
Great interview! I’ve been curious about your opinion regarding the 50 Shades books and Bared to You. I’ve often seen your book stacked with the 50 Shades books in stores.
Hello Sylvia! Thank you for the interview and I love Bared to You. I am looking forward to reading Hot in Handcuffs as I love all you ladies. Happy writing!!
I really liked Bared to you and I have Crimson Angel but I have not read it yet. 🙂
Great Interview! Love Sylvia Day and I can’t wait to read this one!!!
Another great read!
modularmates(at)comcast(dot)net
I can’t wait to read Hot in Handcuffs! I like the idea of the Fire Marshall heroine – way cool!
Count me in for this sexy giveaway. Thank you.
Jenna
Just finished up Bared to You last week, LOVED it!! Can’t wait to find out what happens next.
[email protected]
I discovered Sylvia because of Bared To You. I loved the book. I can’t wait for the next book to come out.
Hot in Handcuffs…. sounds like a must read for me! Great cover.
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Sylvia, I just LOVE your books! So glad to see you have so much on your plate…keep writing so I can keep reading! LOL!
I’ve had my eye on this book – I find anthologies an excellent way to read authors I haven’t read before.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
Sylvia is a new author for me. This book sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it. I put it on my wishlist.
Love the cover. Definitely need to know what happens next.
[email protected]
I haven’t had a chance to read Bared to you yet. But I love her Regenade angels series.
I loved Bared to You and I can’t wait to read Hot in Handcuffs! *handcuffs…yum*
love Sylvia day…. thanks for the interview!!!
I love your work Sylvia. For some reason I haven’t read the books you mentioned but they are definitely on my TRL . Thanks so much for this opportunity.
Carol L.
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I remember reading a review of this book and wanting to read it. Can’t wait!
I had also wondered about the similarities between Bared to You and Fifty Shades of Grey and I’m glad to hear their different.
I had the pleasue of meeting Sylvia last month at the BEA and she signed my copy of Bared to You (original cover)and I have been reading her backlist, she writes some wonderful stories and I am glad I discovered her. She is now an author that is an automatic buy. Thanks for the giveaway!
Looking forward to reading your new releases!
I haven’t read a Sylvia Day story yet, but I am really excited to since there has been so much buzz surrounding her books that I’ve found mostly positive. Thanks for the giveaway!
Love bared to you!
Absolutely fell in love with Gideon…he’s do damn yummilicious!!!!!! Great excerpt…really wanna read about Jared!
[email protected]
I am a big fan of Sylvia and follow her on Murder She Writes. I haven’t read Bared To You yet, but have vacation coming up soon and plan to take it with me on my nook. I have not read Fifty Shades, and not sure I will. I enjoy Sylvia’s writing style and will stick with her books first. I am a creature of habit and seldom read authors I am not familiar with. There are just too many books out there, so I stick with what I know.
Heather E.
[email protected]
I am a huge fan of sylvia, shayla and shiloh! Love Bared to you and am eager to read Hot in Handcuffs!!
kerryjcj AT verizon DOT net
Sylvia Day is an exceptional writer and I cannot wait to have Reflected In You in my hands. Patiently, waiting for 10/2/2012.
Just finished Bared to You. Love, love, LOVED IT!!
Just downloaded Bared to You and can’t wait to read it, along with all of her other books!!
Love Sylvia Day.
Lovely interview. I love Bared to You it is one of my favorites!
Totally LOVED “A Touch of Crimson” and I just started reading “A Hunger So Wild” can’t wait to start “Bared to You” <3 I am such a huge fan!!
*Hugs*
Isabel
[email protected]
So excited to read you’ll be writing more Dream Guardian books! Thanks for the great interview. Congrats on your success!
Thanks for a chance to with this giveaway. I collect all three authors’ books-really! 😉
I love Sylvia Day’s stories and because of her I’ve discovered. Keep the stories coming.
Congrats to Sylvia on the new release and the success of “Bared to You.”
I’ve read a few of Sylvia’s novellas but after reading BARED TO YOU I loved her even more. Can’t wait to get into A Hunger So Wild
Bared to You was awesome…I can’t wait to read the next one =)
I haven’t gotten Hot in Handcuffs yet…but looking forward to it.
[email protected]
OMG what more could a Reader ask for??? Three of the Hottest Authors together in this new Anthology “HOT IN HANDCUFFS”, Sylvia Day, Shayla Black & Shiloh Walker. This is going to be one Sizzlin’ Read & the Cover Art LQQs sooooo Droolicious!!!!
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous giveaway.
Take Care & Stay Naughty,
PaParanormalFan (Renee’ S.)
paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com
I can’t wait to read Hot in Handcuffs!
Would love to win a copy!
Thanks for a great interview! I would love to try Sylvia’s new book 🙂
Love Sylvia Day. Can’t wait to read Reflected In You and Hot in Handcuffs.
Hi Sylvia, I love your books. the excerpt was great and I can’t wait to read it.
[email protected]
Great interview 🙂 I loved Bared to You and am really looking forward to the next book. I’m currently reading A Hunger So Wild 🙂 I will certainly be check out more of Sylvia Day’s books… very hot!
I have a copy of this book and I agree, it’s the best story in the anthology. Sylvia Day is a new author for me and she is AWESOME!
I have been a long time fan of Sylvia’s and have enjoyed many of her books.. Just can’t get enough of them.
I can’t wait to read this. My friends have all been talking about Sylvia Day’s books lately.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Excellent – sounds amazing! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity… Sylvia Day is a wonderful author.
@lostingreatbook
Sylvia, Shiloh, Shayla! Three of my favorite authors rolled in one book! Deeper Into You was a great title…how difficult was it for you to change it when you (and your readers) had already set their hearts on it? It may seems easy, but to me it feels like having to change your new born baby’s name!
minadecaro(at)hotmail(dot)com
I only have read a few of Sylvia’s books and of those few I have loves them all! She has another loyal fan in me. I can’t wait to read her newest release as well as the ones coming out soon! Thanks for the giveaway!
melissalamb(at)musfiber(dot)com
I love Sylvia Day. This book went right on my wish list when I saw it the first time! Thanks for the giveaway! jepebATverizonDOTnet
Love Sylvia Days books. Will be getting this one for sure!
Mel
I’m shocked and embarrassed to admit that I’ve never read anything by Sylvia Day. I just double checked my GoodReads and couldn’t believe it! This however doesn’t mean I am not eager to read EVERYTHING by Sylvia Day. In fact for weeks I’ve been on the waiting list for every book of her’s that my 4 closest county libraries carry…I’m willing to travel to get what I want. I just saw the Hot in Handcuffs a week ago and request my local library pick it up. I’m so excited to read it.
Thank you for Gideon, he def is working hard!
Great interview! I cannot wait to read the new story in the anthology!
Gabrielle
[email protected]
I have heard many good things about Sylvia Day, but have yet to read one of her books Gotta fix that!
mcv111 at hotmail dot com
Great interview I really enjoyed it.
The book cover is vera vera nice.
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
I’ve decided I need to read everything by Sylvia Day since I read Bared to You.
This looks like a great anthology, one where you can enjoy all the stories. Thanks so much for the great interview & excerpt, and the giveaway 🙂
Count me in! Love the interview.
Thank you for the giveaway! Enjoyed the interview, I love her writing!! 😉
I can’t wait to read Reflected in You. I loved the previous title, Deeper in You, but I understand about the vendor’s fear of not selling to their customers. And I agree with Sylvia that though Bared to You & Fifty have gotten lots of comparisons, they are way different stories. Love the interview ladies and thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Neyra @DarkestAddictions
I had the pleasure of meeting Sylvia at the BEA this year and got her to signed my copy of Bared to you (original cover) She is lovely and that was the first book of hers I had read. I went home and purchased a few of her books for my nook and I am loving her books! Great interview & thanks for the giveaway!
Wow what a great post:)) Love Sylvia and want to read her other series bad. I have only had the pleasure of reading Bared to You but want to get to her others soon! thanks for the giveaway!!;))
bella
Just read Bared to You last week and LOVED it!!! So excited I found Gideon!! 😉
I love this author and her different series. I am interested in this book and hope I get a chance to win a peak! sdylion(at)gmail (dot)com
Wonderful contest, thank you so much! I loved reading the interview!!!!
[email protected]
Great interview and I can’t wait to read this one!
Best,
Erzabet
erzabetwrites (at) gmail dot com
Thanks for the chance to win, looks good.
[email protected]
love this interview, I read Seven Years to Sin and while I was reading bared to you, I definitely saw how the characters were similar, and their obvious differences. I loved Bared to You and I can not wait for Reflected!!! Book Savvy Babe
Great interview, cant wait to read Hot In Handcuffs, Love all the authors. thx
I have to agree…wathcing all your heros play beach volleyball would be good, I bring the drinks. great interview, can’t wait to read this book.
Happy reading.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I have to agree with that Bared to You is one of my fave’s 😀 Great interview 🙂 can’t enter but good luck to everyone 🙂
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Great Interview! I love Sylvia Day and I’m dying to get my hands on this book!
Great Interview! I love Sylvia Day and I’m dying to get my hands on this book!
EEP!!! So exciting!!!
EEP! So effing exciting! I can not wait!!!
OOOOHHHH man that preview means i am gettin Hot in Handcuffs for my Kindle right now!
and Oh Yeah! beach volleyball…
I just started reading your books, Sylvia and am devouring at a fairly fast pace. Thank goodness you have a great big backlist! I am so looking forward to the next book about Gideon and Eva. Seven Years was already ordered before I knew about this too…
Oh this one is on my wishlist and this is making me want to read it now.
I love Sylvia Day! Bared to You was amazing and I can’t wait to read Hot in Handcuffs!!
Great interview! I’ve been curious about your opinion regarding the 50 Shades books and Bared to You. I’ve often seen your book stacked with the 50 Shades books in stores.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Pam
*sniff*….I am Canadian..
But loved the interview
[email protected]
Love the interview, and such a great giveaway. Oh and I’m a new member and I love your blog 🙂
Hello Sylvia! Thank you for the interview and I love Bared to You. I am looking forward to reading Hot in Handcuffs as I love all you ladies. Happy writing!!
Fingers crossed! Love Ms. Day’s work!
f dot chen at comcast dot net