One of our favorite people in the world is Carly Phillips. When she told us that she was working on a new series we were super excited to get our hands on it, and I have to say that her new book is one of my favorite books of the year.
We are excited to have Carly on today…
Before we get started can you tell us about the new book?
CP: Thanks for having me here! It’s been so great to get to hang out with you guys at RomCon the last two years!
Serendipity is the name of both the series for Berkley and the first book set in a fictional small town in upstate New York. At the center of the town is the landmark Harrington Mansion, the epitome of wealth and privilege. The series opens with SERENDIPITY, which introduces readers to the estranged Barron brothers, brought together by a teenage sister they didn’t know they had and family drama they haven’t yet put to rest. These books tap deeper into emotions than my more recent books while keeping the trademark sensuality and light moments my readers expect. Book one, Serendipity 9/11 is the story of Ethan Barron, the “bad boy” oldest brother. Ethan returns home after ten years and finds himself tempted by the girl who was too good for him in high school, but now their social status are reversed, as he now owns the Harrington mansion – in which she grew up. At heart, Serendipity is the story of a man who is looking for redemption and a woman in search of a place to belong.
I’m so excited about this series and I hope readers really respond to the town and the characters, all of whom I already love. The Serendipity series will continue with the other two brothers, Nash Barron in Destiny 1/12 and Dare Barron in Karma 6/12. I hope to then continue to write about the town and people in Serendipity in three book arcs, and continue to spin on to other characters in the town readers have already met within the pages.
In case you missed here is the link to our review of this most amazing book
TBRG: Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?
CP: Oh I should have known you wouldn’t go easy on me! Let’s see … I would say that answer goes by times in my life – before I started writing, LaVyrle Spencer was the author who captivated me and had me learning about Romance. I’ve never met her and was devastated when she retired! In a real life way, my first critique partner had a huge influence on my life. Kathryn Attalla and I met at a local RWA meeting. We critiqued in the years we had to send things to each other by snail mail! She taught me so much about writing, the male pov, plot … love her. And then life being cyclical and things changing, after I sold to Harlequin Temptation, Brenda Chin taught me so much about myself as a writer … mostly by just believing in me. Oh and then there were the 4 page revision letters. It doesn’t matter how far along in writing you are, Brenda will give it to you straight and teach you more. And then, the Plotmonkeys who I met thanks to Brenda (Janelle Denison, Julie Leto, Leslie Kelly) who are my plotting pals, who teach me daily about the business, writing and friendship! Probably more than you wanted to know!
TBRG: What is the one thing your readers would be the most surprised to know about you?
CP: I have to laugh because I always find out it’s the friends closest to me who become most surprised at what they learn when they read my books! My readers … they must already know the important things – I love writing and reading romance just like they do! But something surprising? I’m shy and I don’t do confrontation well. At all. 🙂
TBRG: Where is the one place you have always wanted to, a place on your bucket list?
CP: Israel.
TBRG: Who are some of your go to authors, and who are you reading right now?
CP: I’m guaranteed to be forgetting someone – I can’t get enough of reading or books! I’ve also expanded beyond contemporary (finally!) It’s so hard to answer this question but here goes:
Contemporary – Jill Shalvis, Toni Blake, my Plotmonkey pals Janelle Denison, Leslie Kelly, Julie Leto, Lauren Dane
Paranormal – Nalini Singh (Psy series), Larissa Ione, Sydney Croft
HOT – Lauren Dane, Lainey Reese wrote an all time fav of mine, A Table for Three … So many more …
TBRG: If you weren’t writing and keeping us in books (thanks for that by the way), what would you be doing?
CP: I’d probably be pretty miserable! There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. Honestly.
TBRG: Who is on your playlist when you are writing?
CP: Well I’m not a music person, I’m a TV person – I love to write with the ABC Soaps on in the background – don’t ask me what I am going to do without them. I’m so devastated!
TBRG: This one is for me…who is your all time fave GH couple?
CP:Jason and Sam – because it’s amazing to me how much like a real romance couple they are – they just GET each other – support each other – LOVE them. It’s not just about sex and attraction for them, there’s depth! okay I have to insert that they are my favorite couple as well.
TBRG: Where do your ideas/characters come from?
CP: Everywhere! What usually happens is I take a kernel of an idea or a personality trait, something I’ve seen on TV or read in the newspaper or a magazine, and spin off that.
TBRG: Are you a planner or a fly by the seat author?
CP: Both but mostly fly by the seat of my pants. I’ll figure out where I’m going as I go along. I do know how I’m starting, I know all about the characters, and where they will end up. It’s the specifics of how they get there that can make me crazy but I can’t preplan ahead. I’ll turn to my plotting pals when I’m stuck, or in he beginning to nail the overall plot – then I write and see what happens. This means a lot of rewriting as I go along. The first half is harder than the rest. Always!
TBRG: If you had to choose one of your series to be made into a movie which would it be and who would you cast?
CP: Ack! Probably the Hot Zone series because the three sisters are so different and I think there is so much to mine from there. Casting? I don’t know. I’d love to hear what readers think, LOL. I see them in my head, I feel them in my heart. Not sure I can define them by actor/actress!
TBRG: What do you love most about this new series?
CP: Definitely the depth and the way so many threads wind together throughout all three books. I love these brothers and how hurt they are, how much they need the right person to understand them. To me that’s what makes them special.
TBRG: If you had to describe Ethan, Nash and Dare with one adjective each what would it be?
CP: Can’t do just one. Nope. Sorry! LOL.
Ethan – dark and brooding. Determined.
Nash – unyielding and stubborn. Responsible.
Dare – more complex than he seems. Protector.
TBRG: What is the one thing that you want readers to know about Serendipity?
CP: I’d love my existing readers to know that these books dig deeper than past stories, there are no slapsticky “Carly” moments that were in Kiss Me if You Can, but there is so much to explore. And I want new readers who may not have picked up one of my books before to know these are romances but also deal with issues that both tear apart and bring these brothers together. I’m really excited for the book to finally get into readers hands.
***Now for the really fun part, we’ve managed to get our hands on a copy of this book. All you have to do is leave a comment here telling us why you like Carly’s book, like our FB page (it’s easy the link is on the sidebar) and follow us on twitter. If you aren’t on FB or twitter that’s okay you can still be entered to win by leaving a comment. Open to US and Canada only***
Carly Phillips is the New York Times Bestselling author of over 30 romance novels with contemporary characters and plotlines that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. Carly is a stay at home mom of 2 daughters (now almost old enough to read her books!), one soft coated wheaten terrier and a brand new Havanese puppy. She’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. More information on Carly can be found at www.carlyphillips.com. Around the web you can also find Carly at:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carlyphillips
Facebook: www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage
Blog: www.plotmonkeys.com
I loved the interview! Thanks for that ladies. Not entering the contest as I live in Holland.
I like her books and I LOVED the batchelor series. The new book sounds interesting and I would love to win. Thanks for the contest.
I love Ms. Phillips’s books because they all have humor in them. The humor in her books are well-written and not forced.
Thanks for running the contest.
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I LOVE Carly’s books!!! She has all of the elements that are needed for a GREAT story!! I also love that she has humor in them too. Great interview by the way.
LOOKS LIKE A FUN BOOK!
I have just recently found Carly’s books and have read too of them! They were great! Fun, exciting, sexy, a bit of danger, everything you could want in a great contemp! I can’t wait to read more! Thanks for sharing today!
Who wouldn’t like Carly’s book. I have read them all and cannot wait to get my hands on this one!
It’s been about 4years when I started reading after moving to Florida and was not working. I ended up board and at the library I picked up the hot zone series and was hooked I then got my hands on all Carlys books and have read them all
I love Carly’s books … there’s always something fun and sometimes heartwrenching in her stories. I started reading her years ago & always look for something new when I’m at the bookstore & have fun trying to find one I may have missed in a used bookstore.
Thank You Carly for giving me years of entertainment!
LOVE her books! They are funny, realistic, romantic, a great read. Can’t wait to read the new one. Great interview!
Congrats to Carly on the new release and series. I like Carly’s books because they’re funny and sexy.
Great interview. Carly’s books are all wonderful.Congratulations on your new book series .
I Love her books, I dont have a twitter account or I’d add you 🙂
Thanks.
Witty banter and great dialogue make Carly’s book great reads. Congrats on the new series!
I like her books because they are so much fun to read!!
FB Shannon Johnson
twitter IandSsmom
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I love fun and refreshing books. Her books take you on a realistic voyage. Thanks for the chance to win this one, I love the idea of bad boys, making good for themselves and still being bad 😉
Carly is one of my all time faves!! Can’t wait to get my hands on the new book. Also great interview 🙂 Thanks!!
Reading one of Carly’s books is like having a nice “coze” with a good friend. Her books are always so good and they leave a smile on your face long after you’ve finished reading them!
I like Carly’s books because they make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I have loved her books since the first time I read one! When she writes, it’s like I’m reading something from a close friend. Her books are so much fun!
Great interview. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’m reading Serendipity this month!
I’ve also got to chat with Carly 2 years in a row now at RomCom and she is a blast. She totally loves her fans!
Carly Phillips’ books are fun! I read to be happy! Keep writing Carly!
I love Carly’s books…they are always so “real” and I love getting to know the characters in a series. Great Carly…cannot wait to read this one this weekend! 🙂
I love that Carly makes me laugh. She has a wonderful voice and I get carried away when I read her stories.
Hi Carly! Serendipity sounds like such an entertaining novel. A man who is looking for redemption is always interesting 😉
I’ve been reading about this book for months. All good stuff i’ve read excerpts etc and it sounds great.
Lisa B
modokker at yahoo dot com
follower
Carly’s books are fun and sexy. Her characters are “real” with humor and emotions.
Am a Carly Phillips fan onfacebook.The Serendipity series sounds marvelous…can’t wait to begin with the very first one on 9-11.
It sounds to me like everyone likes Carly for about the same reason. She has great characters and the story is just plain awesome.
I am counting down the days till this book comes out. Love Carly’s books!
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Great interview. I can’t wait for the new series. Carly has a great “voice” and really pulls me into her stories right away. Not to mention her heroes are yummy 🙂
I don’t know of any one who has read Carly – doesn’t keep on finding all of her books to read!! love them!
Love her books…. I get so involved with the characters!!!!
I love Carly’s books because they are so fun! I love her characters, too!
I cannot wait for the new series to start. Carly’s books are alwasy so much fun.
Forgot to answer the question. Carly’s books always make me feel good and I usually get a good chuckle or 2.
I haven’t read any of Carly Phillips’ books yet, but this sounds like a good place to start.
This series sounds great and I always enjoy a book by Carly.
I would love to read this book because I always enjoy Carly’s books and especially love series books.