DARE TO LOVE
When it comes to family, Ian Dare gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. Until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him dealing his half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget.
Riley Taylor believes herself immune to domineering men – until charismatic Ian Dare turns a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and she discovers she likes his brand of control in the bedroom. 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. (love story, contemporary romance, alpha heroes, beach reads, sports heroes, bad boys, billionaire)
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REVIEW
My rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is the first in the Dare series and I found it to be an incredibly sexy read.The book has humour, sexiness and love all good things for a book.It is well written and the characters are loveable.I'm looking forward to reading the next book. View all my reviews
Excerpt
“Are you okay?” he asked from his place across the room.
Riley drew a deep breath and nodded, still attempting to calm down, to assure herself that what she’d seen in the mirror hadn’t been reality. She’d sworn she’d never be that woman, the one who needed a man so desperately she’d accept anything and everything he dished out.
She replayed the events of the last few minutes in her mind. He’d been cold and unforgiving, but she was the one who’d flipped out. He’d grabbed her, yes, but the minute she’d told him to take his hands off her, he had.
And he’d apologized.
Two things she’d never seen her father do.
Rationally she knew that people could argue and get past it, and that’s all they’d done. Had an argument.
She swallowed hard and slowly crossed the room to where Ian stood. “I don’t understand everything that just happened between us,” she said truthfully.
He met her gaze, equal confusion in the gray depths. “I’m not so sure I get all of it myself.” He gestured to the sofa, and she joined him, settling in with just a few inches of space between them.
They sat in silence for long minutes until Ian finally spoke. “I’ve been telling myself for years I want nothing to do with them.”
She knew he was referring to his father’s other children, and she nodded, wanting him to continue without interruption.
His chiseled features were hard as he spoke. “When my father offered your address and phone number in exchange for me reaching out to my half siblings, I grabbed the opportunity. I let him bribe me, and the why has been eating at me ever since.”
“Maybe you really wanted an excuse to get to know them?” she suggested, thinking that deep down, Alex and Ian wanted the same thing.
He exhaled a harsh breath. “Yeah. And that’s what’s been bothering me. I don’t want to want anything from them,” he said, running a hand through his short hair.
“Why do you hate them so much?” she asked hesitantly. “The resentment for your father I understand. But Alex and his siblings are as much victims of circumstance as you and your sisters were.”
“Because he chose them.” Each word came out sharp and punctuated with pain. “And before you say it, I’m fully aware these aren’t the thoughts of a rational adult.”
Unable not to respond, she inched closer, clasping his hand in hers. “No, but they are the feelings of a wounded child.”
He frowned at that. “I was an adult when we found out about them.”
“About eighteen, right?”
He nodded.
“If you ask me, eighteen is very much an in-between age. You were entitled to the resentment.”
He looked away, and she sensed him sorting through his thoughts.
“Graduations, birthdays, a broken arm, a burst appendix. We didn’t have a father for any of those events. We thought he was too busy working, and not that it made it okay to miss out on so much, but it made sense. And I looked up to him because he had this strong work ethic, so he could provide for his family. For us.”
She saw the child he’d been, idolizing his father, and her heart softened even more.
“It turns out,” he went on, “even if he’d been working, he was living with them while he did. Because he loved Savannah, while my mother was just the marriage his parents had forced on him to keep the business running.” He leaned his head back against the sofa, his emotions running high.
She sighed, wishing there were words that would help, knowing there were none. She understood so much more about his side of things now.
“It makes sense you’d resent them. But it also makes sense that a part of you wants to be included in their family, especially since your sisters are close with Sienna.”
He glanced at her, looking more the hurt young boy than the composed man she was used to seeing.
“Well, it doesn’t matter, does it? Because Alex wants nothing to do with me.”
“He’ll come around.” She hoped. Because the guilt was killing her.
But guilt and her best friend’s disapproval didn’t change her feelings for Ian, which were developing and growing stronger in a very short period of time. She was still shaken up by seeing shades of her parents in her interactions with Ian, but the facts weren’t the same as her memories. And this revealing conversation showed her that even if she had flashbacks, she needed to remember to view Ian differently than she did her own father.
“And if he doesn’t come around?” Ian asked, still on their conversation about Alex.
Riley knew what he was asking, and she didn’t want to choose. She couldn’t. “All I know is, right now, I want everything to do with you.”
She rose and straddled him, her knees on either side of his waist, her sex directly over his now-thickening erection.
His hips surged upward, and he let out a low groan. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Really? Enlighten me.”
He met her gaze, heat and desire simmering in the depths. “I spilled my guts, and now you’re distracting me so you don’t have to spill yours about what happened with you.”
He was right, not that she’d admit it. “Today wasn’t about me.” And she wasn’t in the mood to revisit her childhood out loud, when she’d just gotten him beyond his, at least for now.
“That’s a non-answer.” He braced his hands on her waist, seemingly more himself.
“I don’t want to dig into my past right now. Okay?”
His gaze sharpened. “What happened earlier had to do with your past?”
She hadn’t meant to reveal even that much. Seeking a distraction, she ground down on his hard length, moaning when the sensations rushed through her, delicious waves of yearning that precipitated the building of a fast orgasm.
His fingers pressed deeper into her flesh, and her flimsy, lace panties grew wetter. Heat spread from her core throughout every part of her being.
“I will get to know you,” he said, his words a definite warning.
Maybe so, but not right now. She slid her body away from his so there was enough space to give her room to ease her hand into the elastic waist of his pants and brush the head of his cock.
His erection jerked against her hand.
“Commando?” she asked, the very thought sending heat spiraling through her.
He shrugged, as if his lack of underwear were an everyday occurrence. “I sleep nude, might as well make life as easy as possible.”
“I can’t say I mind.” She eased her fingers deeper so she could wrap them around his velvety, thick penis.
His hips bucked, his gaze darkened, and his erection grew even more solid beneath the firm grip of her hand. Knowing she could wreak havoc with his control caused a rush of pleasure to storm her senses. Her breasts throbbed with the need to be touched, but this wasn’t about her.
She wanted to take his mind off his family’s rejection. Make him feel better. Just make him feel.
DARE TO DESIRE
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?
REVIEW
My rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is the second book in the series starring the sexy Alex.The story told here is really about second chances and how we grab a hold of them if we do get the chance.The sex scenes are hot and there is also a lot of love there.Let's see what the third book entails.
EXCERPT
“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.”
He winced, knowing she was really referring to him and relationships. And she was right. At least, that’s how he had been. Six months with nothing to do but live in his own head, had brought changes she knew nothing about.
Eyebrows raised, stern expression on her face, she glared at him as if he were something she’d scraped off her shoe.
In the span of five minutes, she’d insulted him more than anyone had in probably his entire life. So why was he turned on? He shifted his stance in a futile effort to adjust his cock and gain some sort of ease or comfort. Not happening around her, and he knew it.
“I’ll give you that one insult because I deserved it.”
She wrinkled her nose in confusion.
Good. He liked her off balance. Much better than spitting mad. “Any more and I’ll have to take action.”
She opened her mouth then closed it again, because as they were both intimately aware, he’d have no trouble following through on his threat.
“Care to tell me what you have planned for this program?” he asked, deliberately all business. He strode over to the chair at the head of the table and settled in.
She obviously realized he was serious because she headed for the stack of folders on the table and sifted through them.
Coming up with the one she wanted, she opened it and glanced down only briefly before speaking. “Football players — anyone in training for prolonged periods of time — live a very regimented life. From what and when they eat to their exercise routine to when to practice and attend team meetings, everything is laid out for them. One injury and everything changes.” She eyed him warily from beneath her lashes.
He was surprised she’d still worry about his feelings after how he’d treated her. “Go on. I can take it.”
She nodded. “Suddenly they can eat what they want, when they want, and they gain unhealthy amounts of weight that isn’t balanced out by the exercise they used to do. Lack of education and preparation result in poor financial choices. Most athletes run through any good money they might have made in a short amount of time. Marriages crumble from the strain. Not to mention, they get bored, and depression sets in. I have statistics, but for now, you can just take my word for it.”
He didn’t have to. He’d begun experiencing some of it himself.
“What’s your solution?” he asked, impressed with the knowledge she already had regarding the problem they faced.
“Education.” She tapped the folder on the table. “All football colleges and universities need to have programs geared to post-career options. It’s not enough to offer a finance or business major. They need to target post-professional life. From our perspective, that means we start from the ground up. We contact schools and propose just such an approach. We hire ex-players willing to speak to the kids about the importance of thinking beyond football. And at a team level, we begin to provide all sorts of counseling and training. Nutrition, business classes, psychological counseling. Another goal is to eliminate the stigma of retirement, and to do that, we need to prepare our players for the future.” She finished her speech, her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes wide, her passion for the subject evident.
Fuck, she was gorgeous.
He’d seen a similar look on her face before, right before he’d slid his fingers inside her and teased her to climax. He closed his eyes, dragging in a controlled breath.
Wrong time, wrong place. Wrong everything.
He might want to return to where they’d been before he’d opened his big mouth and thrown her out of his hospital room, but she wanted nothing to do with him. She didn’t trust him, and he didn’t blame her. He needed to win her over before he could let himself even think about sinking back into her body. She needed to see he’d changed, grown up.
And maybe he needed to prove the same thing to himself.
“I’m in,” he told her.
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll take the job.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Didn’t Ian tell you it’s up to me who to hire?”
Alex shook his head, silently cursing his manipulative brother. “No, I think the plan was to throw us in here like gladiators and see who survived.”
To his surprise, she let out an amused laugh.
The desire to kiss the dimples on either side of her mouth was strong. Beneath the table, he curled his fingers into fists, curbing his desire. His frustration wasn’t as easily controlled.
“I really don’t think we can work together,” she said, sobering.
“Then I’ll just have to convince you otherwise.”
Dare To Surrender:
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 exertcontrol. Can she surrender to his erotic demands without losing her sense of self once more?
REVIEW
My rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is the third book in the Dare series, but we have a crossover into the Invitation to Eden book.Two people that are so right for each other but are kept apart. By circumstances. One has to be in control and the other needs to get stronger, build their self esteem.Again the sex scenes are hot and steamy, but they don't overrule this book, we have a lot of love and storyline in here as well.A good sexy read. View all my reviews
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.
Links:
Dare to Submit Synopsis: Release: Sept 8
Decklan Dare knows about the unexpected loss of loved ones and for this reason, he values control in all areas of his life. Amanda Collins enjoys the freedom she finds in casual encounters without the emotional connection a relationship brings. They meet and their physical attraction is mutual but both experience feelings that could run deeper – if they drop their guard and let each other in. Decklan is first to trust, but when he discovers the secret Amanda’s been hiding, will he forgive? Or will he rebuild every wall before she has a chance to explain?
Giveaway:
