Dare to Love Tour, With Carly Phillips: Review and Giveaway

Welcome to the Blogging by Liza stop on the Dare to Love tour! My stop includes my review, questions for Carly, and a monster giveaway for the blog tour.

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.

My Thoughts on Dare to Love:

I've been a huge fan of Carly Phillips for years. Pretty sure I read her way before Kelly Ripa featured her on "Reading with Ripa", but I know I haven't missed a single book since that time. When I found out Carly was taking the Indie Author route, I got really excited. Most Indie Authors get to publish more books each year than traditional published authors, so I figured more books each year is a total win for readers. I was lucky enough to get a review copy of Dare to Love early. My first thought as I finished reading: Carly's best book ever!!! My second thought...I need to read this book again right now!

Dare to Love is much sexier than other books from Carly Phillips, which is 100% okay with me! I loved Ian Dare and all his alpha maleness from the moment he appeared on the page. I especially loved that he made no bones about the fact he wanted Riley Taylor from the moment he saw her. The fact that Riley and Ian's half-brother Alex are best friends is a thorn in his side, but Ian wants Riley too much to care what his half-brother really thinks.

Dare to Love is filled with romance, and also off the charts passion. This is by far the hottest book I've read by Carly to date and can only say she more than met my expectations. Carly has always written the Alpha Man character well, but with Ian Dare, she went one step further and he is my new favorite hero of Carly's. The chemistry between Ian and Riley is there from the moment they meet and only grows stronger the longer they are together. I swear their love scenes steamed up the screen on my kindle each time. 

While Ian and Riley are the perfect couple together, both have issues from their past to resolve before everything can really work for them long-term. Riley has had only her step-mom and Alex to rely on for years. Suddenly Ian expects her to depend on him for everything that she needs, be it protection from her past or satisfaction in the bedroom (which Riley has no issue with at all). I love that Riley is just as protective of Ian as he is of her. Of course, this does cause a bit of a riff in their relationship for a while. I have to say I loved that Ian's dad, who he pretty much had cut out of his life after discovering he had a second family, is the one person who could actually get through to Ian. I really didn't want to like his dad, but he won my heart over a bit by helping Ian see what he might miss out on if he didn't get his head out of his butt.

Dare to Love is the first book in the Dare to Love series about the Dare siblings. While we only saw glimpses of some of the siblings, I'm already counting down the days until the next book is released, since it is Alex's book. As much as Alex and Ian dislike each other, they are so much alike; I'm excited to see Alex find his happily ever after.

Questions for Carly Phillips:

What’s the most interesting comment you’ve received about your books?

Answer:

OK this is awful – I was at dinner one night at a table full of people (early in my career) and someone asked if I got aroused while writing.  I kid you not.

Do you still buy print books or do you only buy digital most of the time?

Answer:

I mostly read digital these days.  I’m in love with my iPad mini and I use the Kindle app.  It makes me sad.  I can justify it with the fact that I’m getting older and it’s hard for me to read the small print even in my own books!

I have often been asked, what’s the best part about being a writer? Answer: Writers are blessed with the ability to work from home. The follow up, what’s the worst part about being a writer? Answer: Writers are blessed with the ability to work from home.

Favorite season … Fall. Why else do I live in New York? Although I have a second home in Florida … with age comes the need for warmth!

Favorite ice cream flavor … Vanilla or Coffee ice cream (with hot fudge syrup) – but I LOVE Tasti D’Lite frozen yogurt! Vanilla please!

Family pets … Bailey, a soft-coated Wheaten Terrier girl and Brady a Havanese boy.

Buy links:

Amazon, B&N, iTunes

Giveaway:

First Place:

iPad Mini 16g - $299

Customized CP iPad Mini Case

Signed copies of: Dare to Love, Serendipity, Destiny, Karma, Perfect Fit, Perfect Fling,

Perfect Together (no I don't have it yet), Cross My Heart, Sealed with a Kiss, Seduce Me

Carly Phillips Canvas Tote Bag

Dare to Love Mug

Carly Phillips T-shirt

2nd place:

Carly Phillips Canvas Tote Bag

Dare to Love Mug

Signed Copies: Dare to Love, Perfect Partners, Solitary Man, The Right Choice, Midnight Angel

3rd place:

Carly Phillips Canvas Tote Bag

Signed copies: Dare to Love, Lucky Charm, Lucky Streak, Lucky Break, Brazen

4th place:

Signed copies: Dare to Love, The  Bachelor, The Playboy, The Heartbreaker

5th place:

Signed copies: Dare to Love, Kiss Me If You Can, Love Me If You Dare

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Carly Phillips Bio:

New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips tossed away her legal briefs and a career as an attorney to become a stay at home mom. Within the year, she turned her love of reading into an obsession with writing. Over 30 published novels later, Carly writes sexy contemporary small town romances, striking a balance between entertainment, humor and the emotion her readers have come to expect and enjoy.

Carly is a New York Times bestseller, USA Today Bestseller, Publisher’s Weekly bestseller and as of 2012, a Romance Writer’s of America RITA Nominee. In 2002, Carly’s novel, The Bachelor, became Kelly Ripa’s “Reading with Ripa” pick on Live with Regis and Kelly, making it the first romance ever chosen on a nationally televised book club.

Carly received her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and is a graduate of Boston University School of Law (J.D.). To date, Carly has over thirty novels to her credit, all available wherever books are sold.

When not writing or playing online, Carly loves to read, occasionally to knit, and to spend time with her family. She lives in Purchase, New York with her husband, two daughters and her dogs, a soft coated wheaten terrier and a Havanese. Her dogs are prominently featured on her website and Facebook page.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest

Phantom Series Spotlight

I’ve been a fan of Julie Leto’s for years. I’m pretty sure I own every book she has written in print and have ben slowly building my digital library as well. While I love my print books on my keeper shelf, I really do tend to read almost exclusively on my kindle now. I really can’t pick just one favorite series by Julie Leto to spotlight, so I’m picking one of my favorites to feature this week. I love her Phantom series so much! I have all the original books in print and also have each of the books on my kindle.  There are currently 3 books out in the Phantom series.

Phantom Pleasures ~ Book 1

When hotshot hotel developer Alexa Chandler finally finds the perfect property for her next luxury resort, she has no idea of the black magic she’s about to unleash. Thanks to vivid tales from the locals, no one has breached the shores of the mysterious island or entered the abandoned castle that is its centerpiece in recent memory. But once inside, Alexa discovers another mystery—the portrait of a dark and brooding nobleman.

With a single touch, Alexa unleashes a phantom who has been trapped within the canvas for over two hundred years.

Contained by a gypsy curse, Damon Forsyth has had centuries to think of nothing but revenge and retribution until intense desire draws the beautiful Alexa to his lair. Though free of the painting, he is still bound to the castle. Only by using the dark magic that enslaves him can he initiate a game of seduction that will end with his freedom—and her undoing.

Unable to resist, Alexa surrenders to Damon’s ghostly touch. But will she thwart the magic that holds Damon in thrall…or sacrifice her own mortality in the name of love?

Phantom’s Touch ~ Book 2

Silver-screen action heroine, Lauren Cole, has one more film to make before she’s free from her producer ex-husband, a smothering role, and a life she wants to leave behind. There’s only one thing she wants from that life: the antique sword her husband promised her in the divorce. So she steals it. Holding the weapon for the first time, she unleashes a magic that rivals Tinsel Town special effects—and makes her wonder if she has truly lost her mind.

In 1747, Aiden Forsyth stormed a gypsy camp and fell captive to a powerful curse that has held him within the sword for more than two centuries. Lauren’s touch releases him, but his liberation has limits. Corporeal only during the night, he remains bound by a dark and dangerous magic in the light of day—complicating his vow to protect the woman who holds the key to his ultimate freedom.

So the sexy warrior who haunts her days and inflames her nights must stay intimately close, especially after they learn that the madman trying to kill Lauren has ties to the very curse that has entrapped Aiden’s soul…

Kiss of the Phantom ~ Book 3

After rogue archeologist Mariah Hunter dumps a cache of ancient Mayan coins in the Mexican jungle, she ends up with a bounty on her head and needs a quick cash infusion to cover the debt. So when she hears that a priceless stone is up for grabs in a remote region of Germany, she scrambles to reach it before her rivals.

Nearly three hundred years ago, in a futile attempt to rescue his family from a mercenary horde, Rafe Forsyth springs an evil trap that keeps him captive within a hidden stone. Alone with his grief and rage for centuries, he is unprepared for the rush of attraction he feels for the beautiful adventurer who liberates his body…but can she save his soul?

Together, Rafe and Mariah race against time to recover the stolen coins and discover the means to free Rafe from the curse’s evil magic. Because until the curse is broken, the Gypsy’s kiss is the truest danger of all…

Buy Link for the Boxed Set from Amazon:

All For You Cover Reveal

I love Jessica Scott's Coming Home Novels and have to say she has been given another fabulous cover with Reza's book, All for You!!! I can't wait to read this book and am so excited to be in on the cover reveal for this book! The release date for All for You is currently set for February 4, 2014, and I've already pre-ordered my copy from Amazon.

Dragos Takes a Holiday

Dragos Takes a Holiday (a Novella of the Elder Races) was released by Thea Harrison on November 16, 2013. From Amazon’s website.~

The Bermuda Triangle. Pirates. The Peanut. What could possibly go wrong?

Dragos Cuelebre needs a vacation. So does Pia, his mate. When the First Family of the Wyr head to Bermuda for some much needed R&R, it's no ordinary undertaking - and no ordinary weekend in the sun. Between hunting for ancient treasure buried beneath the waves and keeping track of their son, Liam—a.k.a. Peanut, whose Wyr abilities are manifesting far ahead of schedule—it’s a miracle that Pia and Dragos can get any time together.

They're determined to make the most of each moment, no matter who tries to get in their way.

And did we mention pirates?

I was lucky enough to be approved for a review copy from NetGalley. I'm a huge fan of the Elder Races series and was so excited to see we would get to spend some time with Dragos, Pia, and Liam. Dragos and Pia are still my favorite couple and I've always wanted more of their story. 

My love for Dragos and Pia as both a couple and parents increased even more after reading this novella. I will say that Liam, a.k.a. Peanut might be my favorite character in the series now though. He is wickedly funny and smart and absolutely the cutest baby dragon I've ever read about.

Dragos Takes a Holiday is a novella length story and is very fast-paced. Readers get lots of action with a treasure hunt and even a bad guy with a Light Fey. Add in the super romantic times between Pia and Dragos, the super sweet times with the family, and this story has it all.