Hotshot San Diego sports agent Shaw Matthews and his sexy professional adversary Cassidy Whalen have gone head-to-head in the boardroom—and the bedroom. Now Shaw has scored a big promotion—but only because Cassidy turned it down and ran off. There are many things he wants when it comes to Cassidy—just not her pity. So Shaw rushes to a small town in Maine to retrieve his dignity—and maybe the woman he’s hungry to claim once more. Cassidy has pushed herself to the max to realize her career dreams—until a family crisis brings her home. But Shaw isn’t letting Cassidy go that easily. Neither is gorgeous heartthrob Casey Michaels, the childhood sweetheart she left behind—and who now wants to win her back. As the rivalry between the two alpha males intensifies, and Shaw’s seductive moves reach a whole new level of heat, Cassidy has to make a choice. And this time, it’s for the highest stakes of all.

A Bantam Trade Paperback Original • January 26, 2016 • $15.00 • 978-1-101-88296-2 

What made you start writing books? 

I suppose my imagination was
too big to keep inside. I’d never had an urge to write; I was simply
creative, I suppose. While riding along in a car with my sister, we’d
see a couple in the car next to us and I’d make up an entire story about
where they’d been and where they were going, what was happening in
their lives. My stories were always humorous, and my sister told me I
should be writing screenplays. I’d shrugged that off. But then I read
this book that she’d insisted I give a shot. Twilight. I’m sure there
were just a million groans at that mention since everyone thought they
could be a writer after reading the series. However, what happened with
me was that it made me thirsty for more—more adventure, more romance,
more happily-ever-after. Soon after the books ended, I found a Twilight
fan fiction sight, and my thirst was renewed once more. While reading my
first fan fiction story, I had an idea for one of my own. So I wrote
it. And then I wrote another one, and another, and another, and one
more. The feedback I was getting on those stories was very encouraging.
The next thing I knew, I was being published. 

How much of you
and/or your surroundings is a part of your stories? 

Lots! I don’t see
how it’s possible that our surroundings aren’t absorbed into the story.
After all, writers write what they know. 

Is the influence based on a
conscious decision, or do you periodically recognize yourself in one of
your characters and it wasn’t planned? 

I think both. Again, I write what
I know. However, I’ve learned that writing is therapeutic for me. Often
times I write a character’s dilemma and then the resolution is
eventually revealed. It’s then that I sit back and think, “Huh, I’ve
just solved my own issue.” They say it’s easier to see resolutions when
you’re on the outside of a situation looking in. My characters might not
have exactly the same issue, but it’s apparent to me that it’s very
similar in so many ways. I suppose I’ve subconsciously worked it out
under the guise of it being someone else’s problem, thus removing the
emotional attachment, of something of the sort. 

What author/actor
or musician do you ‘fangirl/fanboy’ over? 

Most recently and because of
her Arcana Chronicles series, Kresley Cole. I’m in love with that story
and completely invested. Karen Marie Moning is the cream of the crop for
me, though. She’s the only person I’ve actually gotten sweaty palms
over. Ha! 

What does your perfect writing day look like?

No
interruption, of course. 

Do you plan when and how long you write, or
does it happen without planning? 

I’m a tad OCD, and therefore bound to a
schedule. If anything throws a monkey wrench in my day, the writing
isn’t going to happen. I “plan” to write Monday through Friday, from 8
AM through 4 PM, but that doesn’t always happen. I’m getting to the
point that I’m going to have to turn off all phones and social media
alerts, and issue apologies afterward. That, or maybe I should start
working third shift hours while everyone else is fast asleep 😉 

What genre is the most intimidating when you think about writing in it? 

Explain why! 

Historicals! History was a hard subject for me in school.
Man, you’ve got to get the facts right or your whole story is blown, and
readers will call you out for errors. I live in the present, so do my
characters, but historical romances are beautiful.

What do
you like to do when you are not writing? 

Read. My life is the bee’s
knees, but I love living in a fantasy world. I will devour a good book,
usually PNR. I’m always looking for suggestions on my next read. 

What do
you think your profession would be if you were not an author? 

I’ve done
the whole cubicle in an office thing. Though it wasn’t so bad, I really
think my fascination for what makes people tick would lead me into some
sort of therapist career. 

 What is the most touching reaction you
have ever received from a fan? 

One reader sent me a picture of a tattoo
she’d had put on the top of her foot with an emotional, meaningful line
from one of my books. That’s permanent, you know? So yeah, I was
touched. And so was she, apparently, though her ordeal was much more
painful. 

 In your opinion, what is the most important feature a book
needs to have? 

Individual character arcs. I feel like each character
needs to have a beginning, middle, and resolution—a reason for their
behavior and a “come to Jesus” moment, if you will. It’s fine for a
couple to meet, overcome obstacles in their way, and then fall in love …
but for the characters to grow individually while also bonding with
their love interest is simply magical and fulfilling. 

What is the
most difficult part of writing a book, (including the preparations and
after-publication-process)? 

Marketing. The literary community is
drowning in published books, especially with the ease of self-publishing
now. It’s extremely difficult to find a way to make your book stand out
from the rest. You know the readers will love it if they give it a
chance, but getting them to pick it up over another is not an easy thing
to accomplish. 

What do you want tell your readers at the end of
this interview? 

Of course I want to thank my readers. But what I really
want convey to readers is how important it is that you review books and
talk about your favorite stories to your other reader friends. This is
part of the whole marketing difficulty I mentioned before. There is no
greater marketing tool than word of mouth. Readers pay attention to
reviews. They listen to your opinion and pick up suggested reads from
those they trust. So, please . . . spread the word to anyone who will
listen. You have no idea the impact it will make.

Praise for C.L. Parker’s Playing Dirty

“Parker delivers a fun, action-packed, highly erotic romp …readers will be eager to read the sequel, hoping for more rough and dirty sexual acrobatics, friendship, back-stabbing, and empathy” ―Publisher’s Weekly

“Loaded with wit and snark, great characters, and lots of hot, steamy, naughty sex, Playing Dirty is sure to satisfy.” —J. Kenner, NYT bestselling author

“Parker writes intense storylines that anyone can relate to. Her characters are complex, with long and sometimes turbulent pasts that they have overcome, that still continues to affect their present. . . . I cannot wait to see where she takes this new series.” —Fresh Fiction

“This snappy, sexy novel moves at breakneck speed, with abundant snark and sports euphemisms. . . . Parker’s penchant for dry humor and vivid, voracious sex scenes breathes life into a well-trodden premise.” —Library Journal

Getting Rough (Bantam Trade Paperback Original; On Sale 1/26/16) by C.L. Parker picks up right where the pulse-pounding conclusion of Playing Dirty leaves off. Sports agent, Cassidy Whalen, has been vying for a partnership position with Striker Sports Entertainment against the gorgeous but self-entitled Shaw Matthews. The competition gets so heated that it leads them behind closed doors and everywhere in-between, every chance they get. But with the promotion still on the table, Cassidy is forced to drop everything when a tragedy strikes and calls her back home.

Shaw’s not going to let her off the hook that easy. Neither is gorgeous heartthrob Casey Michaels, the childhood sweetheart she left behind—and who now wants to win her back. As the rivalry between the two alpha males intensifies, and Shaw’s seductive moves reach a whole new level of heat, Cassidy has to make a choice. And this time, it’s for the highest stakes of all.

Parker is that rare, gifted author who can balance erotica with a touch of humor, so that readers find themselves laughing and hot-and-bothered from one page to the next. And early readers are already excited for the final book in the Monkey Business Trio, Coming Clean (On Sale: 9/20/16).

C. L. Parker is a romance author who writes stories that sizzle. She’s a small-town girl with big-city dreams and enough tenacity to see them come to fruition. Having been the outgoing sort all her life—which translates to “she just wouldn’t shut the hell up”—it’s no wonder Parker eventually turned to writing as a way to let her voice, and those of the people living inside her head, be heard. She loves hard, laughs until it hurts, and lives like there’s no tomorrow. In her world, everything truly does happen for a reason. 

The holy reading god finally listened …How do I know? Because I finally have been able to read the second book of the Monkey Business Trio series! And what a good read it was!

For me the best part about the book are the characters. With two protagonists that are sassy, fiery, determined, but mostly stubborn! Sometimes you are sitting in front of the book thinking ” Why don´t they just stop because being stubborn?”, but then the next moment you are just leaning back while watching them with a big grin all over the face.

Yep, this is what Shaw and Cassidy do to you-even while they are stuck in Main which definetly wasn´t planned. A journey which influences both lives more than they would have thought .

Some might think the story-line is totally over the top which maybe even is true- but that´s what I expected, what I wanted, what I was hoping for. It is also what I got for which I am really thankful (just with a little bit less minor characters which is one of the things I loved so much about book one).

C.L. Parker is such a talented author! One with a writing-style that definetly sticks to your mind!

So yes, I am already standing in line for book three! After you read the books, I am sure we will see each other waiting!

reviewed by

MLXL​​