Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly & Kimberly review On The Naughty List by Lori Foster, Carly Phillips, Beth Ciotta & Sugar Jamison

TITLE: On the Naughty List
CHARACTERS: Multiple
AUTHOR: Lori Foster, Carly Phillips, Beth Ciotta & Sugar Jamison
PUBLICATION DATE: October 14, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The most wonderful time of the year is back with On The Naughty List, bringing perennial favorite holiday stories from Lori Foster and Carly Phillips, along with two Christmas stories that delighted readers a year ago. This sexy anthology will make you want to give your heart to Christmas again and again…

Lori Foster has two co-workers plan a Christmas party side-by-side-and discover a love worth celebrating in Christmas Bonus.

Carly Phillips explores a “mistletoe moment” when a no-nonsense lawyer intent on seducing her boss meets his twin instead–and gives him a scintillating kiss that leaves him begging for more in Naughty Under the Mistletoe.

Beth Ciotta brings two friends who, after years apart, together at home for the holidays. They don’t seem to have much in common anymore, but when the two get stranded together during a blizzard, they are forced to reexamine if they are better off as “just friends”? Or could it be that true love was there all along? in Some Kind of Wonderful.

In Sugar Jamison’s Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas, former wild child Dina Gregory returns home to New York to find the father of her young son. Instead, she finds his stuffy older brother, Ben. Ben can’t help but admire her tenacity—and her bold beauty. Could it be that Dina has reignited his Christmas spirit?

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts It is always hard to review novella’s without giving too much of the story away so below is a quick and dirty review for each.
Christmas Bonus: Characters: Eric Bragg & Maggie Carmichael
Eric has been interest in Maggie for years, except now she is his boss. Any hope of a relationship with her has gone out the window. Or has it?
Maggie needs Eric. She needs him to help her by being her date for the company Christmas party. It is the perfect plan to seduce the man she is in love with. But will Eric take the bait?
Eric & Maggie were great!!
Naughty Under the Mistletoe: Characters: Maxwell Cobin & Antonia Larson
A hot kiss under the mistletoe with the man of your dreams is the perfect way to start the holiday season. Only problem Toni just kissed the wrong man.

And Max thought going to his father’s company Christmas party was going to be boring.

Max & Toni were really fun to read.

Some Kind of Wonderful: Characters: Zachery Cole & Maya Templeton
This was a fun quick Cupcake Lover’s read. Maya & Zach have been friends for years. The best of friends, but never anything more. But when the holiday’s bring them back together fire works spark.
Since this is a novella I am not giving you more than that. But if you love Beth’s other Cupcake Lover’s stories you will enjoy Some Kind of Wonderful.

Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas: Characters: Ben Rowe & Dina Gregory
I think this was my favorite story of the four. I love Ben & Dina!
I just loved Ben. He is dark, stuffy and stubborn and in need of a lot of light and laughter in this life.
Dina is one tough cookie who has not lived the best life. But now that she has her son she wants to be better and that means facing the father of her son.
I for sure am going to pick up more of Sugar Jamison’s stories.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Christmas Bonus: 3 Hearts – This story was just ok. While short it seemed to take forever to read. The characters just don’t seem to mesh either. Erik acts like a old man not just in his early thirties. And Maggie is 22 but asks like the 17 year old she was when they met. Not my cup of tea.

Naughty Under The Mistletoe: 3.5 Hearts – This story is cute. Different with the whole twin brother thing. Enjoyable short read.

Some Kind Of Wonderful: 3.5 Hearts – This is part of a series that I haven’t read. It is cute. I wanted to read more but it was still good. I may have to go back to read the series.

Have Yourself A Curvy Little Christmas: I read this story last winter. I gave it 4 stars. See review at Books-n-Kisses.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & St. Martins in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

August 8, 2014August 2, 2014

Kimberly reviews Dare To Surrender by Carly Phillips

TITLE: Dare To Surrender
SERIES #: Dare To Love #3
CHARACTERS: Isabelle & Gabe
AUTHOR: Carly Phillips
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/15/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Part of Invitation to Eden
After ending a relationship to a cheating, domineering man, Isabelle Masters takes off in her leased Mercedes, only to be arrested for grand theft and hauled to a local police station. To her surprise, she is rescued by the most unlikely person possible, Gabriel Dare, a man she’s been attracted to for far too long. Gabe offers Isabelle freedom along with an invitation to Eden, an exclusive island resort where everything and anything is possible.
Although Gabe yearns to possess Isabelle, he knows all too well he must fight his primitive need to bind her to him, and instead help bring out the independent woman she yearns to become – or risk losing her for good.
A woman who needs to run her own life. A man who needs to exert control. Can she surrender to his erotic demands without losing her sense of self once more?

REVIEW:
This is #3 in the Dare To Love series but also part of the Invitation To Eden book series by different authors. However I read it as a stand alone and there was no problem with that.

I enjoyed this story. It has a feel of fan fiction of 5 Shades of Grey. It does fall under the whole he is a billionaire, she is a working commoner and they some how fall for each other. That being said it is a quick enjoyable read. The characters are well defined and I enjoyed how Gabe allowed Isabelle to be her own person. Good quick read for fans of Grey.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

April 10, 2014April 9, 2014

Release Blitz for Carly Phillips

Title: Dare to Desire (Dare to Love #2)

Author: Carly Phillips

Release Date: April 10, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=275YTkBUOSg

Synopsis

Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all — an all-star football career with the Tampa Breakers and his choice of willing women — until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. When he is offered a ground-breaking position with a rival team, he’s intrigued, but there’s a catch. He’ll be working alongside the same woman he hasn’t been able to get out of his head for too long.

Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows first hand 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. The playboy athlete must prove he’s got game in more places than on the field. He means to prove that he’s a changed man but no sooner does he begin to break through Madison’s defenses when a new opportunity comes knocking and threatens her new-found trust. Can he make Madison take a risk and dare to love?

Excerpt

Without replying, Ian opened the door. They stepped into the room, and Alex laid eyes on the one woman he hadn’t been expecting to see. The same woman who’d haunted his dreams and sidetracked him from many of his nightmares.

Madison faced him head on. Her shoulders drawn back, golden-blonde hair pulled away from her face, she didn’t back down from his stare. She wore a pair of black slacks that hugged her curves and a white silky-looking top that clung to her generous breasts. And those unusually blue eyes frosted over at the sight of him.

“Alex, I believe you know Madison Evans.”

Blindsided — and his half brother knew it — Alex strode up to her. He inhaled her familiar fruity scent, which only served as a reminder of the hot times he’d spent breathing her in as his cock moved inside her body. Her effect on him was potent, and even the most common expressions failed him.

“Alex,” she said, her cool tone bringing his head out of the desire-filled fog he’d found himself in.

“Hey, Angel,” he said, using the endearment he’d started calling her during their brief time together. Another sign he’d had it bad, whether he’d wanted to admit it or not.

Her head whipped up, her eyes narrowing and settling on Ian. “This won’t work.” She turned to go.

Alex still had excellent reflexes, and he grabbed her arm before she could stride past him.

She glared.

He didn’t look away, determined to win this battle of wills. This potential job, which had interested him on an intellectual and emotional level initially, suddenly felt even more important, and she was the reason.

“We need to talk,” he insisted.

“I have nothing to say.”

“Ian’s proposition said otherwise.”

Madison looked over his shoulder in search of Ian and frowned. “Well, the traitor is gone. No big surprise there.”

Smart man, Alex thought. “If I let you go, will you stay long enough to discuss this position Ian and Riley want me to take?”

She let out a frustrated puff of air.

He took that as a yes and released her.

“Us working together is not a good idea, and somewhere in that thick head of yours, you know that.”

“Because we slept together? More than a couple of times?”

She set her jaw. “That was a mistake.”

Ouch. That hurt, he thought, and filed away the why to deal with later. “I want to know more about this training program and what my role in it would be.”

“Why? You can’t possibly be interested.”

“It sounds more like you don’t want me to be interested.”

She rolled her shoulders back even farther, stiffening her posture. “You’re right. I don’t. This is a serious project that could help a lot of people and have far-reaching positive repercussions for years to come. I need a partner willing to go all in. And let’s face it, I’ve seen your staying power. It’s nonexistent.”

Buy the Book

Dare to Desire (Dare to Love #2)

Amazon | iTunes

Dare to Love (Dare to Love #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. 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 all information about Carly at her website and other social media sites …

Follow Carly on the web:

August 12, 2013August 7, 2013

Interview with Carly Phillips

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Carly Phillips to the blog today to talk about her newest release “Perfect Fling”.

Carly, can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I’m a homebody, a bookworm, a dog lover, a family girl. I have a tight circle of friends that mean the world to me. I love to write and I write to live – it fulfills me. I knit on occasion. Currently I’m not finding the time. I’m an Internet junkie and I love hanging with my daughters.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Nope! I’ve always been an avid reader from a young age. I remember spending Sundays in bed reading. So I think the author thing stemmed from that – and from making up stories in my head growing up.

Are you a plotter or a punster or combo of both? And you explain the difference?

Mostly a pantser with the immediate next scene or two plotted out. If you’re a plotter, you know where you are going with your story and characters before you ever sit down to write. If you are a pantser then you “fly by the seat of your pants” … so to speak.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t know if it’s a quirk. I just know I struggle the most the first 1/3 of a story until things click – and then I can write much faster. Usually. Every book is different, though. Sometimes they come easily and sometimes they … umm … don’t.

Can you please tell us about PERFECT FLING?

On one hand, Perfect Fling is the good girl who meets bad boy story but it’Perfect Fling tackles the subject of what happens to someone who is raised to believe he’s no good? How can he be convinced otherwise when that voice in his head overrules what his heroine sees? Cole Sanders has spent years under cover and barely knows who HE is. He likes it that way, distant from everyone and not letting anyone close. Until a one night stand with good girl Erin Marsden leaves them with the closest connection of all – a baby! Then Erin is threatened and Cole steps up to protect her forcing them to come to terms with each other. And love.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

The Serendipity’s Finest series flowed naturally from Serendipity. Sam, the cop, stood out to me and to readers, so it felt right to give him a story … but when I set up his family I realized he wasn’t about to come next. He needed his siblings’ stories told first!

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Nope J Because I’m on a break and trying to decide exactly what that is … otherwise I’d be happy to, LOL!

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

I really wanted to meet Kristen Ashley and see how her brain worked because I adore her stories. We had breakfast at RWA last month and I was shocked to find she’s perfectly normal, LOL. I thought maybe I’d see her and some of that plotting brilliance would come my way. LOL. I had a blast meeting her. A real fan girl moment.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Do it. Sit down and finish a book. Show yourself you can. Then prepare yourself for rejection and develop a thick skin. But never stop writing. Remember you do it for the love of it!

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Hmm. I don’t really have a bucket list. I would like to visit Israel one day though.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

The next Kit Rocha Dystopian Romance, Beyond Pain.

What is one book everyone should read before they die?

Ack! I’m sorry. I’m not that deep! I don’t know!

Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet them?

Oh wow. I used to say George Clooney is my “freebie.” If I met him I’d probably run the other way. I’m a coward!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having me! I love visiting with you. You can join my newsletter via my website at www.carlyphillips.com so you’ll be first to know. I also post at Facebook: www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage and on Twitter: www.twitter.com/carlyphillips . That way you won’t miss a thing!

July 24, 2013July 7, 2013

Kimberly reviews Perfect Fling by Carly Phillips

TITLE: Perfect Fling
SERIES #: Serendipity #5/Finest #2
CHARACTERS: Erin & Cole
AUTHOR: Carly Phillips
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/30/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Erin … The Good Girl
Assistant District Attorney, Erin Marsden, is Serendipity’s quintessential good girl. The only daughter of the ex-police chief, she has never made a misstep, content with her quiet, predictable life … or so she thinks. Until Cole Sanders returns to town with heated interest in his eyes and shadows in his past.

Cole … The Bad Boy
After seven years of deep undercover work in New York City, Cole returns to Serendipity to help his aging father and to find his moral compass once more. Not to get involved with wholesome Erin Marsden. Even as a rebellious teen, he knew a girl like Erin was off limits and that hasn’t changed. But neither one of them can resist their off-the-charts chemistry and a one night stand brings complications neither Erin nor Cole expected.

The Attraction … Off the Charts!
Then Erin’s current case plunges her into a killer’s crosshairs. With more at stake than anyone knows, Erin succumbs to Cole’s take-charge attitude. As a bodyguard, he’s the best. As a lover, he’s even better. But there’s more than the matter of Erin’s safety at stake. And Cole must forgive the sins of his past and prove to himself – and to Erin – that he’s capable of the love and the forever she – and their baby – desperately need.

REVIEW:
What a great way to spend my 4th of July. Just reading this book from cover to cover (can you say that still with a ebook?). I received this early through NetGalley and couldn’t wait to read it.

I love the connection of Erin and Cole. Cole is the bad boy with a good heart. Erin is the good girl who went bad (for one night) and while so totally different they seem to fit perfectly together. I was looking forward to reading Erin’s story after spending time with her big brother Mike in the last book (and I can not wait for Sam’s story) and I was not disappointed.

There is a lot I can say about this book but in all honesty it gives some of the plot away that the synopsis doesn’t so I will keep it to myself but I really enjoyed the twist and turns of this story. This is the perfect fast read romance. Now bring on Sam!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

January 14, 2013January 12, 2013

Kimberly’s review of Perfect Fit by Carly Phillips

TITLE: Perfect Fit
AUTHOR: Carly Phillips
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/31/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
MIKE
Always feeling like the odd man out in his family, Michael Marsden wanted to make it on his own. So he escaped Serendipity to become an undercover cop in Manhattan, where the Marsden name wasn’t known. But Michael’s independence is compromised when he returns home to replace his sick father as chief of police. Back in the shadow of his family, he’s as lost and restless as ever, until he’s challenged by someone he never anticipated.

CARA
Cara Hartley is the Serendipity cop with whom Mike had a one night stand three months earlier. Neither expected anything more but fate has other things in store. When Mike returns as Cara’s boss, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore – and the unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. But Cara’s a small town girl while Mike has a wanderer’s blood in his veins.

Together their chemistry explodes but …
Both are convinced a future together is impossible. Until Mike’s real father’s secrets come back to haunt him and he realizes there are some things worth staying and fighting for. Including Cara.

REVIEW:
This is the 4th in the Serendipity series and the 1st in the “Serendipity’s Finest” part of the series. Having not read books 1-3 yet (even though I will) I was slightly lost with some of the background characters but not too bad. You can tell their stories have been told but it just makes you want to read the other books as well.

Mike is a diamond in the rough. He is a really good guy and I enjoyed the way he was written. He has these inside feelings that he is not the man that everyone else knows he is. His father left before he was born and he believes because blood runs deep that he is just like him but no one else believes that. I enjoyed reading about Mike. I loved that when he was an all around good guy especially to Cara. Now Cara is an interesting character too. She has been through so much and while on the outside she has become tough she really is just soft-hearted. I really enjoyed her as well. I think Phillips matched these characters perfectly.

I can’t wait to read Sam’s story but it looks like Erin’s story is up next and I look forward to reading that too. Carly Phillips books are always a “perfect fit”.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

January 12, 2013January 2, 2013

Serendipity Series by Carly Phillips

Serendipity

Serendipity #1

Faith Harrington was the classic girl of privilege–until her father was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and then her marriage crashed and burned.

Now Faith is back in her hometown, hoping for a fresh start. But her father’s betrayal has rocked Serendipity – and not everyone is ready to welcome her with open arms. Then she runs into her teenage crush — the dark, brooding Ethan Barron. Ethan, no stranger to scandal himself, never imagined he’d own the mansion on the hill, much less ever again come face to face with Faith–the princess he once kissed senseless. The chance meeting reignites the electric charge between them.

Still, when Ethan hires her to redecorate what was once her childhood home, Faith is sure that getting involved with the town’s notorious bad boy will only lead to trouble. But her heart has other ideas. And so do the townspeople of Serendipity …

*********

Kismet

Serendipity #1.50

Long Lost Love and Second Chances

Elisabetta Gardelli thought she’d spend her days serving coffee and writing obits for the town paper until an unexpected opportunity results in her dream job as a journalist. Now, divorced and determined to make it on her own, Lissa is hired to do a series of interviews about entrepreneurs who’ve made their mark at an impressively young age. First up? Wall Street mogul Trevor Dane — Lissa’s first love. Lissa hasn’t seen Trevor since he left the small town of Serendipity to earn his spot on the right side of the tracks. Ten years have passed but neither has really moved from their super-passionate teenage affair – or the heartbreak that followed. This reunion can be their second chance or it can provide much needed closure. It all depends on Trevor. Can he forgive Lissa or will the past continue to stand in their way?

*********

Fated

Serendipity #1.75

Kate Andews is the original rebound girl. But she has had enough and has vowed to never be someone’s second choice again. Unfortunately, her undeniably intense desire for Nick Mancini is testing her best laid plans because Kate has carried a torch for Nick since high school– but she’s always been permanently in the friend zone.

Lately, Nick has definitely noticed Kate. Unfortunately he can’t get her to take him seriously. He knows he’s made some stupid moves in the past but he’s determined to get Kate to act on their obvious and mutual attraction. However Kate’s stubborn and she’s been hurt before, which means Nick will have to pull out all the stops in order to convince her he’s not the same boy she used to know, and she’s not second best… she’s everything.

*********

Destiny

Serendipity #2

Nash Barron may be cynical about love, yet even he likes a good wedding. But the only good thing about his brother’s wedding is Kelly Moss. Nash can’t help but admire her confidence and beauty, but he’s forced to keep his distance because getting involved with Kelly could destroy his relationship with his newly discovered half sister, Tess…

Kelly came to Serendipity to give Tess–her half sibling as well, thanks to an illicit affair–a second chance at life. She learned long ago not to rely on anyone but herself. Besides, she doesn’t want to upset Tess’s life by pushing for a fling with Nash. Except the more she gets to know him, the more vulnerable she becomes to the kindness beneath his gruff exterior, and the less she’s able to stay away. But she has other reasons for keeping her distance. Like the secret from her past she knows Nash will never forgive…

*********

Karma

Serendipity #3

Police Officer Dare Barron has had a crush on Liza McKnight ever since he was a teenager. But despite his lifelong attraction, the closest he’s ever come to interacting with her is watching Liza regularly bail out her brother at the station.   Dare’s dark past with Liza’s brother, Brian, has always kept him from pursuing her. But suddenly Liza finds herself in need of protection and Dare appoints himself as the man for the job. And while the sizzling attraction between Dare and Liza draws them together, the past that Dare and Brian share threatens to keep the two apart forever.

*********

Perfect Fit

Serendipity #4

In the picturesque town of Serendipity, New York, three siblings have grown up in the shadow of their proud and respected police chief father. But what do love, fate, and fortune have in store for the next generation of Serendipity’s finest?

Always feeling like the odd man out in his family, Michael Marsden wanted to make it on his own. So he escaped Serendipity to become an undercover cop in Manhattan, where the Marsden name wasn’t known. But Michael’s independence is compromised when he returns home to replace his sick father as chief of police. Back in the shadow of his family, he’s as lost and restless as ever, until he’s challenged by someone he never anticipated.

Cara Hartley is the Serendipity cop with whom Mike had a one night stand three months earlier. Neither expected anything more but fate has other things in store. When Mike returns as Cara’s boss, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore – and the unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. But Cara’s a small town girl while Mike has a wanderer’s blood in his veins.

Both are convinced a future together is impossible. Until Mike’s real father’s secrets come back to haunt him and he realizes there are some things worth staying and fighting for. Including Cara.

*********

Perfect Fling

Serendipity #5

Expected publication: July 30th 2013

January 8, 2013January 2, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Carly Phillips

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have first time guest Carly Phillips on the blog today… We are chatting about life, her new book PERFECT FIT and page 89!!!!

Carly, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m a stay at home mom who used to be a lawyer, who turned into a romance writer and never looked back! I have 2 daughters, age (almost) 21 and 16, a husband, and two dogs (Wheaten Terrier and Havanese). I love love love to read, I’m always online, I occasionally knit, and enjoy shopping and being with close friends!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Not always. I was a lawyer for a (short) time, and always a huge reader. Once I found the Romance genre as a reader, I knew what was missing from my life, somehow I decided to try my hand at writing, and from that day forward, I KNEW that was what I was meant to do! Looking back, I did make up stories in my head when I was younger, so the tendencies were there all along. I just didn’t know it!

Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?

I wake up at 6 and my youngest leaves for high school at 7. I try to get on the treadmill for 30 minutes, then shower and sit down to write … errands after 11/11:30, a boring lunch at home, usually peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat, unless I go out with a friend for lunch, then home to try and write some more. My schedule has been really messed up lately because my dad passed away and I’m having trouble getting my mind back on work. But my daughter drives now, so I don’t have to run around for school pickup, so dinner, and hanging out w/my husband …we watch TV, DVR’s of shows we missed, then when he falls asleep I like to hang out with my daughter for a little before she goes to bed. I need to be asleep between 10 and 11 or I’m nasty the next day. All that’s an ideal schedule for me but like I said, life can get in the way and all bets are off. I’m looking to find my routine and mojo again.

I’m usually on the computer all the time, so always working in one way or another! I love my Macbook Air and I really can only write on that but luckily that means I can work anywhere!

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

When a story clicks and I finally nail something I’ve been struggling with, then all the angst is worth it! That’s really rewarding. The most challenging for me is usually the first half of the book. I find getting all the elements together the hardest.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

Perfect Fit is a part of the town of Serendipity. It’s the first book where you meet Mike, but you’ve met his brother Sam in Karma, along with Mike’s heroine, Cara Hartley. Cara spoke to me and needed a hero. In Perfect Fit, you’re introduced to the entire Marsden Clan, the “cops of Serendipity” hence the subtitle Serendipity’s Finest. Mike feels like the odd man in his family, the only one who doesn’t fit in because he’s been adopted by the man who raised him and never felt good enough because his own dad abandoned him. Despite his feelings, he’s close with his parents and siblings and though he left home to make his own way as a cop, he returns when his adoptive father needs him, never expecting to stay long. But Mike didn’t count on Cara. She’s a Serendipity cop with whom he had a one night stand, and she’s his brother’s best friend. She’s also a small town girl and Mike’s a wanderer, or so he thinks. But when they can’t ignore the sexual tension between them, they figure an affair is the answer – until an unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. Then Mike’s real father’s secrets come back to haunt him and he has to confront who he really is – and wants to be – or lose Cara for good.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Luckily for me, readers really seemed to like the town of Serendipity, where I set the first three books about the Barron Brothers in Serendipity, Destiny and Karma, so I got to write Mike and Cara’s story! Next we’ll get Mike and Sam’s sister Erin in Perfect Fling (8/2013) and then Sam himself in Perfect Together (2/2014).

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I’m currently writing Perfect Fling, which is the story of Erin Marsden and her hero, Cole Sanders. There’s an excerpt in the back of Perfect Fit for this story which is out in August 2013 and I can say it’s another one night stand, this one with far reaching consequences! Then I write Perfect Together, Sam’s story. After that, we’ll see! I’m as curious as you 🙂

Who are some of your favorite authors?

My current fav author is Kristen Ashley – I’ve read everything she’s written and would devour anything she writes in the future! I also have my staple authors, my plotmonkey partners – Janelle Denison, Leslie Kelly, Julie Leto. And I’ve been on an erotic romance kick – so Raine Miller and Cheri Lynn.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?

Wow. Good question! “Growing up” I really aspired to write along the lines of authors I admired in the contemporary romance genre. These days, I think I’ve found my voice and do what I do – however I do find my heroes like to be a little more dominating lately … could be my reading influencing things? J

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

I opened to page 89 –

Cara was coming out of her skin, every exposed body part needing something more. But the further she writhed beneath him, the harder he held her down in one place, pressing into her with his taut, hard body. The man did like his control, she thought, twisting her hips against him in search of relief.

Ummm … I think the passage speaks for itself 🙂

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Hmmmm …. I have to say you stumped me. I’m currently not finding much to read, waiting (im)patiently for something I’ve preordered and probably forgotten to pop onto my iPad Kindle app! LOL. I have a bad memory J But on Saturdays on my Facebook Fan Page, I ask people what they’re reading and we share books – I can get upwards of 200 ideas that way! So I urge people who love to read romance to join us there! www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having me! I really enjoyed your questions!

A little about Carly:

Carly Phillips has written over 35 romance novels with contemporary characters and small town settings that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. She’s currently focused on the New York Times bestselling Serendipity series set in the small fictional town in upstate, New York. Carly is a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom to two daughters (16 and 20!) and two crazy dogs (a 1 year old Havanese named Brady and a 5 year old wheaten terrier named Bailey). In addition, she’s a Twitter, Facebook and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. Carly lives in Purchase, New York and would love for you to like and follow her on the web.

Where to find Carly:

Carly’s Website | Carly on Twitter | Carly on Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway