Thursday, May 10, 2012

Undone by Lila DiPasqua (Interview/Giveaway)

Welcome to Reading Between the Wines Lila! And congrats on your newest release, Undone! So this one is based on the tale of Rapunzel, what made you decide on writing romances based on fairy tales? 
Thank you for the warm welcome!  I’m delighted to be here. :) To answer your question, I fell in love with Cinderella and other fairy tales as a child. Later on I discovered romance novels and became hopelessly addicted to them after reading my first one—a historical romance. It seemed natural to marry the two together.  
Every little girl grows up with fairy tales, but your books are no where near the simple little tales we heard on our grandmother’s knee. Your versions are oh so much sweeter, and naughtier. Do you ever get stuck writing these hot and steamy moments?
Yes, my books have been described as hot and steamy, and yes, the love scenes do take a bit of extra effort. It’s physical action, plus emotion, plus sensations. I never add a love scene just to have the hero and heroine have sex.  There is usually much more going on. Love scenes in my books may be scorching hot, but they are always used to heighten the conflict and/or deepen the connection between the couple in the book.  
It’s like a fight scene---you need to choreograph it, or the hero might end up having three hands placed in three different spots.  LOL 

Your husband takes over your blog every now and then (hint hint for anyone out there who hasn’t checked out Lila’s blog, you are missing out!). Always fun to read what he comes up with or who he is grilling with questions. One thing he always comments though is that he reads your books, so does he really read them the whole way through? And does it usually end up in an eventful night for you two? Oh wait, maybe we need a little more wine before you answer that second part. 
LOL!  First let me say, thank you for the lovely comment about Mr. D’s Romance Husband interviews.  He absolutely loves doing them.  Not to mention, it makes him feel like a celebrity.  ;)
Yes, he honestly reads the book all the way through. Every word.  In fact, when I’m writing a book, I’ll often give him three chapters at a time, for his feedback—which is spot on.  One of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received about my writing is from him. He says I think like a man. ;)
As for what it leads to . . . that’s the big question he’s always asked at work! Does fiction inspire real life?  Or does real life inspire fiction?  My response is: I don’t kiss and tell.  His usual response is (with a big male grin): Any resemblance between me and the heroes in my wife’s books is purely . . . intentional.  
You sure have some beautiful covers for you books. Was it a challenge to find the perfect cover for Undone now that this one (and your next one Three Reckless Wishes) are self published?
I have a good friend who is awesomely talented—not just as an author, but as a graphic artist. Kimberly Killion of HOT DAMN DESIGNS. http://www.hotdamndesigns.com/  I wanted a polished look that would equal if not exceed anything you’d get from a large New York, and I think she did a fantastic job at accomplishing just that. 
So far are you glad you tried the self publishing route? Do you think you will continue on with your next books beyond Three Reckless Wishes this way, and yes I say next books because I am hoping for tons more books from you. 
I haven’t turned my back on the possibility of writing for a New York publisher again. I’m so very grateful to Penguin who gave a new author like me a chance!  And I adore my editor. But the world of publishing is changing so much, and I’m evolving with it. It’s an exciting time and who knows where I’ll publish my next books.  
But, regardless, I will continue to bring readers more sexy historical bad boys and strong smart heroines who will make them lose their hearts.
Just a quick word about my self-publishing efforts: I’m part of a collective of New York published authors who have banded together to create a brand—Rock*it Reads for our self-published books. http://www.rockitreads.com/  When readers see the Rock*it Reads logo on one of our self-published novels, they’re assured they’re getting same professional quality as they would from our traditionally published books.
Furthermore, because we Rock*it Read girls love self-publishing, and want to draw more love to this area of publishing, we’ve partnered with Barnes & Nobles to write a regular column for them for the purposes of highlighting great self-pubbed reads! We hope to bring to the attention of readers new books and new authors they can enjoy. Hope you’ll check out LOVE ROCKS column on http://bnreview.barnesandnoble.com/
Thank you for stopping by Lila, I can’t wait to see what fairy tales you will tackle next! And thanks for being generous enough to offer one of our readers their very own copy of Undone (jealous? yes, yes I am). Any question you would like to ask them, come on and make them work for it! 
Before I give anything away, let me tell you three reasons why you might want to try UNDONE, (only $3.99! on Amazon, Smashwords and All Romance e-books).
  1. There’s a carnally-gifted, sinfully seductive hero, Simon;
  2. There’s a smart heroine who will pull at your heart;
  3. There’s a touching love story with real issues, sigh-worthy ending and love scenes that will burn up the pages in this emotionally charged Rapunzel retelling. 
UNDONE is fresh and different than your usual historical romance.  I hope you’ll give it a try and let me swept you up into my Fiery Tales world.  ;)


UNDONE
Lila DiPasqua
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
On sale now!
Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a new steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series . . . Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning . . .
Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Angelica safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore . . .
As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in a deadly scheme, and must get out. But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk . . . as well as their lives.
Purchase UNDONE at: AmazonSmashwordsAll Romance ebooks
(Coming soon on B&N and in PRINT!)

Visit Lila DiPasqua’s website for more info on other books in this series: www.LilaDiPasqua.com  
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter
Question:  Why do you think we love to read about alpha heroes falling head-over-heels in love?  Got a favorite romance hero?
~*GIVEAWAY*~
Lila is graciously giving away one copy of Undone to one lucky reader! To enter, just leave a comment on this post and then fill out the RaffleCopter below. Additional entries are available but not required. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

40 comments:

  1. Appropriate you listed Simon as the number one reason to read Undone, he certainly sounds sinful =) The bigger and tougher these hero's are the more fun it is to watch them fall for their woman. Barnes & Noble better get it together and get your book on the shelves soon, I can't wait!

    Thanks for the great interview Lila!

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  2. Pick me. Pick me. ;-)
    I'm looking forwards to reading 'Undone.' I'm sure I'll love it. Lila hasn't disappointed me yet.

    Carole

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  3. The book sounds like a wonderful read!! I am looking forward to it.

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  4. I think we like reading about alpha heroes falling head over heels in love because it's the only time they show any weakness. We love that fact that their female means SO much to them.
    My favorite is a paranormal - Larissa Ione's Wraith. I'm sure every one is sick of hearing it but I love him :).

    Thank you.

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  5. What a fantastic interview!!

    I'm always been a fan of Lila's, and I'm looking forward to reading Undone!

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  7. It's hard to just narrow it down to one hero!! There are some pretty amazing alpha heroes in the romance world! I've always loved the Bridgerton men from the Julia Quinn series.

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  8. I think we love to read about alpha heroes because when we look around we will never find men like those.

    I can't say who my favorite hero is. I love them all.

    Awesome giveaway. Good luck to all.

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  9. I love to read about alpha heroes falling in love because it shows that they're human, have feelings and not as hard as they try to make out they are.

    I'd love to read "Undone". I've loved all of your other books Lila.

    dpd333 (at) aol dot com

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  10. This is the kind of HR I love, hot and heart-wrenching, with a lot of steam and soul!

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  11. Also, I love all of the heros' that I read about, and they all become my favorite. lol

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  12. There's just so many romance heroes, it's difficult to just narrow it down. I'll just go with Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston from Sarah MacLean's 9 Rules.

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  13. Because they have ideal boyfriends in my mind, and i will never find men like them. For those men have six packs, tall, handsome, sexy etc, make my breath caught and my mouth-watering. For my sanity, i always love to imagine they are my boyfriends. LOL!!!

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  14. I've been hearing such wonderful things about your books and what gorgeous covers - they definitely would have me picking up this book.
    Thanks for the chance.

    catslady5(at)aol.com

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  15. I love it because it shows their vulnerability :)

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  16. As you know alpha male has a strong and dominant character. They are always demanding the others to submit to him. Of course, it is needed a strong heroine with a strong will to conquer his heart.
    I love curran Lennart from Kate Daniels' series. This alpha male become mushy when it's about Kate's safety. I love to see how he becomes so fussy whenever kate in action. Though kate is a good fighter, Curran will do his best to protect her. Isn't that man so sweet?

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  17. I think we love alphas falling in love because it usually comes with them loosing a bit of control or wrangling with their ideas of control in order to win or keep the woman they love.

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  18. Thanks for such a fun interview and giveaway! I'd have to say that I've wanted to read Lila's books *forever* and they are definitely top of my wishlist.

    I think that the appeal of an "alpha" hero falling in love is that it would take a special and equally strong woman to accomplish that. Which would lead to a very interesting romance! and like someone else mentioned, real alpha men don't exist in real life (well w/out restraining orders and big, big trouble :) )

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  19. You know, I don't know why we like the alphas so much. Maybe it speaks to our primitive nature (you know, who could support you the most in the wild type thing). Then with the romance that appeals to our modern day... ness..

    Clearly I don't know! I do like reading a good alpha story though :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  20. At least for me, I love watching the Alpha heroes who are so big and strong falling for someone and not being able to live without them. These are often the guys who have never had any serious relationships at all.

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  21. I love alpha males because their large and in charge. In the back if every women's mind the want to be surrounded by a man who is possessive, hard headed, controling and sexy as hell. That was a great question and answer session. Thanks
    lorimeehan1@aol.com

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  22. I love it when the alpha hero falls head over heels! They get so protective & possessive. I loved the hero from Thea Harrison's Dragon Bound.

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  23. cause we like to see them get their HEA!
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  24. Because we secretly love those take charge guys! My fave Alpha is Vishous from BDB!

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  25. Cant say that I have a fav, but I think we love them because of the romance and the sweetside that gets brought out of these tough guys. Makes a girl feel special:)

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  26. *waves* Hi everyone! A great big thank you to Lexi for inviting me here. :)

    Thanks so much for all the wonderful compliments about my books and the lovely comments about UNDONE!! I so loved reading your comments about alpha heroes. There's something definitely delicious about seeing those bad boys fall in love. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  27. When Alpha heroes fall in love, they often show their softer, more vulnerable side. I love that.

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  28. They may have their flaws,
    but they're loyal to a fault,especially when they fall in love and are willing to move
    heaven and earth to get
    what they want.

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  29. Undone sounds like a wonderfully delicious book! Can't wait to read it. My favorite alpha male - Barrons - from the Fever Series...
    Yum!
    Erin
    loveeria@gmail.com

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  30. Undone sounds like a delicious read - will definitely be checking it out. Also - my favorite alpha male - Barrons - from the Fever series!
    Erin
    loveeria@gmail.com

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  31. Alpha heroes are fun because they're not usually looking for love and often resist it. And they're so strong and confident, usually swoon-worthily good looking, and really protective of those (often few!) that they care about. Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  32. I'm trying too hard to get My Alpha Male.. but, that's the challange to My Life.. I love challange.. *grin*

    and I love Jack Pallas in Something About You.. xD

    Thank You so Much

    Regards

    videl_in_here(at)yahoo.com

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  33. Yaayy... the new story tale.. xD Love it...

    we love because they're a challange to our life.. hahaha..

    I love the alpha male like Jack pallas at Something About You by Julie James.. xD

    Thank You so much..

    Regards

    Videl_in_here(at)yahoo.com

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  34. I like to read about alpha heroes falling in love because it throws them for such a loop.

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  35. The right woman can make a strong hero weak in the knees. We read how each hero is: strong willed, muscular, commanding, etc....and then BAM, they're hit right between the eyes by her! It's make us woman feel... good, yes?
    Thank you

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  36. Alphas are not usually looking for love. I just seems to hit them out of nowhere and brings them to their knees.
    I don't have a favorite romance hero.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  37. Well, I guess it is a kind of romantic notion that we (maybe only me?) have. Alphas are supposed to be tough and it takes a lot for them to cave in to love. How romantic is that?

    I see somebody mentioning Jack Pallas in Something About You. That basically is kind of romantic hero. <3

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  38. We love alpha heroes because they're so tough and hard but crumble for one woman alone--but still remain strong in every other way!!

    Please enter me in the giveaway. Thank you!

    annfesATyahooDOT

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  39. Alpha heroes seem so powerful and untouchable so when they fall in love it's thrilling. Some of my favorites are Barrons and Sebastien from Devil in Winter.

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  40. i love tough alpha men fallin head over heels!!
    roarke from jd robbs in death series has to be a fav for me!

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