I’m thrilled to welcome bestselling author, Carly Phillips, to the blog! *passes chocolate* Carly’s new romance, Dare to Desire, the second book in her Dare to Love series, is out today! Make sure you leave a comment because one lucky reader will win a copy of the FIRST book in the series, Dare to Love.
Hey Carly! Thanks for taking a break to chat with us!
Thank you! And chocolate. You know me so well. YUM. 🙂
Tell us about Dare to Desire?
I love Alex and Madison. Madison has had such a hard childhood and as a result she has a difficult time trusting. Alex has already betrayed the trust she bestowed on him in their first relationship go-round. So now that he’s gotten his life together and knows what he wants, she’s beyond wary. Which means … our hero has to work for it. And that means as readers, we get to watch him try to win her over.
Here’s the back copy –
Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all — an all-star football career and his choice of willing women — until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows what it means to have-not. She isn’t impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests.
This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily. But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. Can he convince Madison to take a risk and dare to love?
I’m a sucker for swoon-worthy heroes and you are a pro at writing them. Why are readers going to fall for Alex?
Aww thank you! That’s such a nice thing to hear. 🙂 Alex, once he gets over himself and his ego, is a much more humbler version of himself. He is there for Madison during very difficult times, he understands her, and to be very Jerry Maguire here, they complete each other. It’s not hearts and flowers and chocolates here (much as I LOVE chocolate!). It’s proving that he will be by her side no matter what – when he’s already bolted once before. He’s yummy, no doubt about it. I hope readers think so too!
You’ve written pro athletes before, but there’s been a surge in athlete heroes in romances. What do you think prompted the interest?
I think there’s a masculinity to athletes that every day men don’t always possess 
::ducking:: And those men are the physical ideal of men – so take that body, with oh, Tom Brady’s face, and let him set his sights on one woman and … SWOON. 😉
The Dare to Love series is indie published, and you’re now wearing a lot of hats. How is it going?
After 20 years of traditional publishing, where I was given covers, back copy, promotion, the freedom of indie is invigorating. I LOVE indie. I do miss the bookstore part … that’s the hardest mentally … but the rest? It’s been awesome. Doing so so much more/different work of course on production. On the other end, like covers and things, the control is amazing. And if it isn’t working, I can change it. Readers can have indirect input based on what they tell me directly. It’s innovating and exciting. But I am busier. No doubt about it. Writing has to get the premium for my time. Everything else once the work is done. I SAY that, but it’s just not that simple.
In your opinion, what’s the hardest part about writing romance? The easiest?
The hardest part about writing romance for me is the beginning of the story, the first 100 pages, nailing the characters, the story, everything gelling. The beginning takes longer for me than the entire rest of the story. Love scenes are difficult because each one has to be fresh and unique. The easiest? Everything else, LOL. Especially the last ½ to ¼ downhill slide. I love that!
Do you have any quirky routines you go through before – during or after – you start writing?
My whole process is a quirky routine. Just ask my critique partner, Erika Wilde. I write, send for a read, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. It’s insane.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Pearls of wisdom? Warnings?
Make sure you are in it for the love of writing. If you don’t LOVE writing, if you don’t HAVE TO WRITE or you will go crazy, you will not survive it. But if you love writing? If you live and breathe for it and everything that goes into it? You’ll survive the lows, the bad reviews, the rejections and everything else that comes along with the business … always hoping the next book will be THE ONE. 🙂
What’s the best part of this job?
EVERYTHING. But probably the people in the business, the friends I’ve met (am still making – new ones now that I’m Indie believe it or not!) … I think daily how lucky I am. How many people can say that about their jobs?
Now we’re going to take a page from James Lipton who hosted Inside the Actor’s Studio. I need quick responses to the following hot seat questions:
Where do you write?
Office recliner chair, one dog by my side, one dog behind the chair.
Anything you have to have with you when you sit down to work?
TV on … dogs around me.
Laptop or desktop?
Laptop. Macbook Air.
Favorite romance plot device?
Ack! I don’t know that I have one.
Least favorite romance plot device?
Lies between characters keeping them apart.
What’s the hardest part of the writing process?
I think I covered that earlier … the whole beginning! And plot. And length. I’m a short writer by nature.
Favorite writing music?
None. I write to TV. Soap Operas during the day (General Hospital and Days of Our Lives, Law and Orders on the weekends.
What trait in a man do you find most sexy?
A man who sets his intense focus on a woman and treats her like she’s the most important thing not just in the world but in the room and in his life is sexy to me.
The least sexy?
Selfishness.
You’re book is going to be made into a movie. Who play the lead roles?
Hmm Alex in Dare to Desire – A slightly younger Alex O’Laughlin … and for Madison … someone with vulnerability and core strength. Not sure I’ve pictured anyone in my mind.
Thanks, Carly! Where can your readers find you?
Thank you for your continued support! I love connecting with my readers online, so here’s where you can find me…
Sign up for Blog and Website updates at:
http://www.carlyphillips.com/blog
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To get your own copy of Dare to Desire, follow one of the links below:
Kindle – http://tinyurl.com/nxlkogk
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1oNLH0i
Print – http://tinyurl.com/muqq6th
iBooks – http://tinyurl.com/k5nm28c
After a successful fifteen year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at www.carlyphillips.com.
