DARE TO ROCK (Dare to Love #7) by Carly Phillips-Review and Book Tour
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 4, 2015
Avery Dare lives a quiet life in Miami as an online fashion/makeup video blogger. She has good friends, a close, large family and if her love life is lacking, she likes it that way. But when she receives an invitation to one of her ex’s concerts along with an invitation to meet him back stage, she decides to take the risk… and comes face to face with the reality of his rock star lifestyle – the press, the crowds, and the half naked groupies.
At eighteen, Grey Kingston left everything he knew and loved behind to seek fame and fortune as a rock star, and he found it as the lead guitarist and singer for the band, Tangled Royal. Fans adore him, women throw themselves at him, and he can afford everything he couldn’t growing up. Yet at the height of his career, he’s ready to walk away and return home to a simpler life… and the woman he left behind, if he can convince her to give him another chance.
Except moving on isn’t as easy as Grey would like. When Avery is threatened by a stalker, it becomes evident Grey’s fans not only don’t want him to retire, they don’t want Avery in his life either. And Avery isn’t sure she wants the pressures that are part of Grey’s life… but she doesn’t want to lose him again, either. Can their recently renewed love survive the fallout?
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REVIEW: DARE TO ROCK is the seventh installment in Carly Phillips adult, contemporary DARE TO LOVE erotic romance series focusing on the Dare Siblings. This is rock star Grey Kingston, and professional vlogger (video blogger) Avery Dare’s storyline. Each installment can be read as a stand alone but for background and family history I recommend reading the series in order.
SOME BACKGROUND: Patriarch and hotel billionaire Robert Dare kept secret a second family from his first wife and children until a medical emergency forced Robert to reveal the existence of family number two. His daughter Sienna (second family) needed a bone marrow transplant and his desperate search found Avery was a match. Each storyline will focus on one of the Dare siblings; the relationship between the two families of adult children; and a father who may or may not be trying to amend for the sins of the past.
Told from third person point of view DARE TO ROCK is a second chance storyline for Avery Dare and Grey Kingston but also looks at how a father’s betrayal has affected our storyline heroine. Avery and Grey were high school sweethearts but Grey sought stardom with the rock band Tangled Royal, and left for the California dream of fame and fortune. Fast forward eight years Grey has never stopped loving Avery and with the band about to implode, Grey wants a second chance at love.
Avery Dare is a young woman who has suffered greatly because of her father’s betrayal. The revelation of a second family brought with it tabloid headlines and the paparazzi that all but destroyed, a then eight year old, Avery’s life. Her ability to trust is virtually non existent, and with it comes the shame of her father’s transgressions- a man who has yet to acknowledge his sins, or thank Avery for saving his other daughter’s life. Avery’s involvement with Grey will open old wounds when the tabloids republish the Dare family saga.
The relationship between Avery and Grey is one of mutual attraction; there is no denying their sexual chemistry but Avery has issues of trust especially where is concerns Grey Kingston-the only other man she has ever loved-and a man who walked away like her father. The $ex scenes are erotic, seductive and provocative. Grey is a rock star with a history of sexual conquests but his love for Avery finds our storyline hero looking towards a permanent future with Avery Dare.
A number of the previous storyline characters and Dare siblings play secondary and supporting roles. Avery’s brother Tyler Dare is a force unto himself as Avery’s over protective brother and a man who raises the hackles of Avery’s best friend and roommate Ella Shaw. Grey’s band manager Simon Colson is a man on a mission to destroy everything that Grey Kingston represents; and Grey’s friends and fellow band mate Lola, and her significant other Rep, drop by for some one on one time with our storyline hero.
DARE TO ROCK continues to focus on the Dare family and the resulting destruction of a father’s betrayal. There are moments of heartbreak and sorrow; love and understanding; family and friendships. The premise is impassioned yet heartbreaking; the characters are colorful, animated and intense; the happily ever after will make you smile. Carly Phillips wonderful DARE TO LOVE series captivated my imagination with one family’s continuing struggle to overcome a father’s deception and lies.
Copy supplied by Netgalley.
Reviewed by Sandy
Check out the ‘Dare to Rock’ Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rFfNH0W9AE
The sound of Tangled Royal fans stomping their feet and demanding an encore echoed through the walls, but the band had performed their final set. Even as his pulse still soared.
He glanced toward the door. “Did she pick up the ticket?” Grey asked Simon Colson, their manager, who was busy texting on his phone.
“What? Who?” Simon, ever the well-dressed Brit, shoved his phone into his trouser pocket. No jeans for him. “Good show,” he said to Grey and the rest of the band, ignoring Grey’s question.
Lola Corbin, their lead singer and Grey’s best friend, was still bouncing in her heels, not yet coming down from their shared high either. “We did rock it,” she said, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder.
Milo Davis, their bassist, grunted something and fell into a chair in the corner. Grey narrowed his gaze. Milo barely had the energy for a full concert these days, and that worried him.
But right now Grey had bigger concerns and turned to Simon. “I asked you if Avery Dare picked up the VIP tickets I told you to leave at the box office.”
Simon shrugged. “I couldn’t tell you.”
Grey scowled at his manager’s I don’t give a shit tone. More and more lately, Simon’s lack of consideration about what the band members wanted grated on Grey’s nerves. Lola might be considering using him for her solo career, but anything Grey did going forward wouldn’t be with the man.
At least he’d indicated he had left the tickets. He’d be out of a job if he screwed with Grey on this. “Fucking find out.”
“What’s so special about this piece of ass?” Simon barely got the words out because Grey grabbed him by his collared shirt and pinned him up against the wall.
“Talk about her like that again and you’re done.”
“Whoa.” Lola put her petite body between them, pushing Grey away from their manager. “Everyone breathe,” she muttered. “You. Go take a walk and calm down before your company shows up,” she ordered Grey.
He stormed off, missing whatever lecture she gave to Simon next.
Though the man had done his job well, helping maneuver Tangled Royal to the elusive top of the charts, he cared about the bottom line and not much else. Especially not the fact that Tangled Royal was more than a band, people with real feelings, issues, and lives. No wonder Simon didn’t believe how serious both Grey and Lola were about changing their futures.
Danny Bills, their drummer, already had a wife and two daughters who lived in L.A. He was ready for home time, and everyone knew it. Milo was another story. If he didn’t stop the drugs, he wouldn’t have a future.
As for Grey, he hoped for more than the travel and fame that had been so important to him way back when. He hoped for her.
His eyes flickered to the door. No sign of Avery. He tipped his head back, wondering if she’d come backstage or ignore the invitation … and him. His stomach gripped painfully at the thought of not seeing her again. She was the one person who not only understood the loner musician he’d been as a teen but who’d grounded him when he’d threatened to spiral. With her soft voice, that thick mane of dark hair, and those lavender-like eyes, she’d burrowed someplace deep inside him. Still, she hadn’t been enough to hold him, not when fame, fortune, and the need to be something more lived within him.
But it was Avery whose face he saw in the nameless women he’d fucked over the years. Avery whose belief in him kept him going when times were hard. Funny how that worked. He wondered if she’d thought of him over the years and if she was as hyped up about possibly seeing him again now.
DARE TO LOVE
(Dare to Love #1)
by Carly Phillips
Release Date: January 10, 2014
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
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.
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DARE TO DESIRE
Dare to Love #2
by Carly Phillips
Release Date: April 10, 2014
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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?
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DARE TO SURRENDER
(Dare to Love 3)
by Carly Phillips
Release Date: July 15, 2014
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
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?
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DARE TO SUBMIT
Dare to Love #4
by Carly Phillips
Release Date: September 8, 2014
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ABOUT THE BOOK: 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?
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DARE TO TOUCH
Dare to Love #5
by Carly Phillips
Release Date: January 11, 2015
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
Olivia Dare, executive director of the Miami Thunder, and team travel director Dylan Rhodes share more than just a passion for football. Their chemistry is explosive–their feelings for each other intense. Yet Olivia has ended things for reasons he still can’t fathom and she won’t explain.
Unwilling to let something special go so easily, Dylan has been pursuing Olivia ever since. When the Pro-Bowl takes them to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, Dylan is determined to make sure their time together isn’t all business. What happens in paradise is life altering but once Olivia admits her deepest secret and fear, will Dylan still want the forever he’s been pushing for?
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Dare To Hold
Dare to Love #6
by Carly Phillips
Release Date: April 14, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 14, 2015
Some women always get it right. Kindergarten teacher, Meg Thompson, on the other hand, consistently makes the wrong decisions — and she is currently single, pregnant and alone. Meg is determined to make changes in her life, to be a better mother than her own had been. No revolving door of men. No man, period. Just a single-minded focus on her baby. Her resolution would be easier to keep if not for hot cop, Scott Dare. He insinuates himself in her life, making Meg want to believe in happily ever after, even if history has taught her to know better.
When Scott Dare hears Meg’s friends are determined she have a night of hot sex, before her life changes forever, he decides that man must be him. Their one night is mind blowing and life altering. And Scott, a man already burned by his ex-wife, finds himself all in anyway. While protecting Meg from her violent ex and becoming part of her increasingly complicated life, he’s falling hard and he can’t seem to find distance. Not when their bodies respond to each other with such heated intensity and he’s drawn to her unique combination of strength and vulnerability.
But Meg’s future is one Scott has accepted he’ll never have, even if his growing feelings say otherwise …
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 …
Website/ / Goodreads / Twitter /Facebook
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Sounds like a very good series. Great review.
Great review, Sandy. Looks like the type of story that has a little bit of everything.
Terrific review, Sandy. New series for me. Looks very good.
Wonderful review Sandy and congrats to Carly.Sounds like an amazing series. I have book one on my Kindle !!
Very nice review, Sandy. Looks like a good series to try.
Sounds like a great series, thanks Sandy. Congrats to Carly on the new release.
Thanks for the great review Sandy. I have the first couple of books on my Kindle. I just need to find the time to read !