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: Amazon - Smashwords - All 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  

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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