Carly Phillips's Blog: Carly's Web Blogs, page 80
March 21, 2013
Carly’s Web History in Pics
There is an Internet Wayback Machine … it has stored snapshots of old websites – put in your URL and GO.
http://archive.org/web/web.php
With a new website coming soon – and I mean VERY soon, I thought it would be fun to look back in time. I published my first book in 1999 … and here we go:
2000 – the era of RED SATIN!
2001 – Remodeled Satin
2002 – THE YEAR OF THE BACHELOR!
2003 – I GREW UP – Blue –
2004 – THE REAL ME RETURNED
2006 – I GOT FUNKY!
2010 CURRENT SITE
2013 ——- TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!
March 14, 2013
GUEST AUTHOR JENNIFER PROBST!
Here’s something you didn’t know – I knew Jennifer before she became a big deal New York Times Bestselling Author. Yep, we’re in the same local chapter, HUDSON VALLEY RWA, which means: I know she’s not just a talented author but a super nice person! So please give Jennifer a warm jungle welcome!!
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The Lure of the Contemporary Novel…by Jennifer Probst
First off, a big thank you to the amazingly talented Carly Phillips for allowing me to hijack her blog today. I’m a big fan and have been reading her books for many years and they never disappoint!
I always knew I was going to be a romance writer. I also knew I’d always write contemporary romance.
Sure, I adore reading in different settings and genres – it keeps me fresh as both a reader and writer. But nothing can come close to a good romance amidst current times – whether it’s the busyness of a major city, the idyllic setting of a hillside in Italy, or the backdrop of a quaint, small town. I’m a sucker for the here and now and I never get bored of what an author can accomplish in the contemporary romance.
Why? There are certain elements that pull me back again and again, beyond the vampires and steampunk and fantasy. There’s enough angst and emotion and drama in today’s world, and I don’t need to go any further to get it all.
I’ve taken a few key fundaments to break down and analyze why this genre works and is so popular.
1. Setting – I love getting to know new places in the world, especially when I know it’s in current time. The small towns are a perfect backdrop to creating a family within a real world, and getting to know characters well enough to move them into their own stories. I can close my eyes and see the quaintness of Lucky Harbor in Jill Shalvis’ series, or feel I just visited Serendipity in Carly’s books. The charm of meeting the local baker or retailer, the pull of main street, and the interconnection of people who have grown up and lived together their whole lives is rich and full of drama.
In my newest release, All the Way, my setting is an Italian restaurant in the heart of Manhattan, NYC. I’m able to bring in the classic chaos of a major city, have my characters attend an opera at the Metropolitan, and sketch out an ice skating scene in the park.
Using every day settings gives readers a sense of the familiar, and adds rich layers to a novel.
2. Realism – Certain authors have incredible talent in building worlds that feel vivid, but I love the concrete realism contemporary romances offer. In All the Way, I pit a restaurant owner with a food critic in real time rivalry, combining a revenge plot. When my heroine trashes my hero’s restaurant, he sets his goal on gaining a new review and getting her back into bed. Incorporating interesting careers educates and entertains, giving readers a glimpse into a new occupation. Whether it be a bed and breakfast, a yoga studio, or a matchmaking agency, readers love to imagine themselves as part of the character’s journey. Popular tropes can be twisted into realism with contemporary books, from the best friend’s older brother crush, marriages of convenience, bad boy coming back to town for redemption, and second chances at love.
3. References – I love to pepper my books with references to pop culture to ground the story in the here and now. I also have tons of fun doing it. In The Marriage Mistake, I mentioned Fifty Shades of Grey in a particular scene for a bit of humor and to give the reader a sense of reality. For All the Way, my hero’s father sits with his cronies in the back of the restaurant, playing poker, drinking grappa, and talking about the Rat Pack. They revere Frank Sinatra like a God. Popular music, songs, or trends are fun for the reader to come across and bring something fresh to the book.
4. Conflict – There’s enough conflict in today’s times to fill a million books. The heroine or hero who has to decide if she’ll choose her career over the love. The wounded military veteran who has to re-connect with society. The struggle for ambition or money or power. The broken relationships of the past which carve out the characters. In current times, day to day life is full of struggles that are perfect for the backdrop of conflict in contemporary romance.
Contemporary romance is my passion for all of these reasons, but most of all, because I can imagine the love story taking place today. And it always comes down to one critical element: the romance. Add all these elements to a contemporary romance and readers will clamor for more.
What do you love about contemporary romance? What are some of your favorites? Come by and share – I’m giving away a copy of All the Way to one reader! Check back Sunday to see if you won!
Biography:
Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.
She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons, one 5 and one 7, keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.
She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of both sexy and erotic contemporary romance including The Marriage Bargain, The Marriage Trap, and The Marriage Mistake. She has been published with Gallery, Entangled, Decadent, The Wild Rose Press, and Red Sage Publishing. She has also written a children’s book, Buffy and the Carrot, co-written with her niece, along with a short story about a shelter dog, “A Life Worth Living.” Look for her upcoming release, The Marriage Merger in July 2013. All of her books are available at her website: www.jenniferprobst.com
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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Probst
A Little Bit Naughty…A Little Bit Nice
Website: http://www.jenniferprobst.com
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The Marriage to a Billionaire Series:
The Marriage Bargain – #1 Bestseller
The Marriage Trap – October 2012
The Marriage Mistake – November 2012
March 9, 2013
Talk Books w/ me Every Saturday!
Obviously you love to read. *I* LOVE TO READ! So I wanted to find a way to discover new authors -- Every Saturday on my Facebook Fan Page, I post what I've read during the week - and I ask what you are reading! Readers have told me they've discovered new authors from my page. Yay!
Hope you'll join me at:
www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage
All the best,
Carly
March 7, 2013
Website Changes Coming!
So. This week I discovered I won’t be able to stay with my current web designer and I will have to move my site. In doing the research, I realized it makes sense to do an overhaul at the same time. There are many elements of my current website that I love and want to keep, such as the blog boxes that run down the left side of the page and let me update you on news. But when all is said and done, you all have to love the site too – and want to keep coming back to visit. So I guess that’s what I’m asking. I’ll make it as simple as I can:
1. What parts of the current www.carlyphillips.com do you like and want me to keep? Be as specific as possible – anything from color to page to parts of the home page. Whatever draws you!
2. What author websites do you regularly visit – and WHY?
3. What isn’t on www.carlyphillips.com that you’d like to see, if anything?
4. What would draw you to an author’s site in general?
As I’ve mentioned, I tend to use my Facebook Fan Page as a catch-all to talk to my readers every day – but this doesn’t mean you all are on Facebook, or you follow me, or even that Facebook LETS YOU SEE ME in your feed. I’m not a typically humorous person where I could handle coming up with daily blog content (a la Jill Shalvis) without losing my mind – so that’s not an option. That’s why I like the blog boxes on my site. And I have Plotmonkeys to guarantee me a forum once a week at least to speak about … well anything!
So I’d appreciate you helping me out by answering my questions – and giving any other input you may have! Thanks!
February 28, 2013
Why Authors (should) Read
There were times in the past, when I couldn’t read other authors books because I’d be intimidated. Usually this was when I was feeling insecure about myself, my writing, or where I was in my career. People used to say to me, you have to read. Reading helps your writing. These days, when all I do in my free time is read, I can honestly say YES! This is so true. Of course, I read because I love to – I’ve always been a reader – and I love reading romance. The genre type may vary but I always read for my happy ending. But today, I was on the treadmill reading, when something came to me – about my own work in progress. It’s interesting – and it’s not an idea that I want to copy nor would I – but an author was delving into a character and their motivation, their past, and I thought to myself, THIS IS WHAT’S MISSING with my story. It gives me such a rush to get those realizations and to dig deeper into my characters. And I’m definitely not ashamed to say another author gave me the idea to do it!
I don’t know – I thought I’d share that little tidbit with you – it’s important for authors to read not just for pleasure, but to keep their creative brain flowing. And sadly, I have no brilliant question to ask you as a follow up … so I hope you’ll comment and talk to me anyway!
February 21, 2013
PERFECT FLING
It feels like only yesterday that I started the Serendipity Series. I can’t believe there are now 6 books available and 2 more coming this summer, and I’m writing Perfect Together, Sam’s book as we speak. I’m completely in awe. I’d like to share some recent things about the series, including the cover of PERFECT FLING if you missed the reveal at Kindles and Wine Book Blog last week.
Release Date: July 30, 2013
Length: 366 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Serendipity’s Finest, Book 2 (Serendipity, Book 5)
Publisher: Berkley Jove (Penguin)
PERFECT FLING
Erin … The Good Girl
Assistant District Attorney, Erin Marsden, is Serendipity’s quintessential good girl. The only daughter of the ex-police chief, she has never made a misstep, content with her quiet, predictable life … or so she thinks. Until Cole Sanders returns to town with heated interest in his eyes and shadows in his past.
Cole … The Bad Boy
After seven years of deep undercover work in New York City, Cole returns to Serendipity to help his aging father and to find his moral compass once more. Not to get involved with wholesome Erin Marsden. Even as a rebellious teen, he knew a girl like Erin was off limits and that hasn’t changed. But neither one of them can resist their off-the-charts chemistry and a one night stand brings complications neither Erin nor Cole expected.
The Attraction … Off the Charts!
Then Erin’s current case plunges her into a killer’s crosshairs. With more at stake than anyone knows, Erin succumbs to Cole’s take-charge attitude. As a bodyguard, he’s the best. As a lover, he’s even better. But there’s more than the matter of Erin’s safety at stake. And Cole must forgive the sins of his past and prove to himself – and to Erin – that he’s capable of the love and the forever she – and their baby – desperately need.
Preorder Digital: Kindle| Nook
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A week or so ago, SERENDIPITY was a BN/Nook Daily Deal – which sent the book to # 1 at BN.com/Nook. Just wow. I really hope people who bought the book at $1.99 will get hooked on the series and explore the rest. There’s nothing a writer likes more than finding NEW readers!
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PERFECT FIT was a FRESH FICTION – FRESH PICK this past Sunday … can I just say … SQUEE!
“There is a reason why Carly Phillips consistently finds her name on the top of the bestsellers’ lists. She delivers exactly what every romance reader wants. From intense love scenes to likeable, authentic characters, it comes as no surprise her latest release PERFECT FIT lives up to its name.” Jen Vido, Fresh Fiction
If you missed any of the SERENDIPITY books, I hope you’ll check one out soon or share them with a friend! In the meantime, until the next book is out, THANK YOU for our support!!!!
February 17, 2013
PERFECT FIT is a Fresh Fiction FRESH PICK!
"There is a reason why Carly Phillips consistently finds her name on the top of the bestsellers' lists. She delivers exactly what every romance reader wants. From intense love scenes to likeable, authentic characters, it comes as no surprise her latest release PERFECT FIT lives up to its name."
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...
http://freshfiction.com/pick.php
Carly’s Winner & Sunday Funny
The winner of my $25 Amazon G.C. is ….. # 99 – BJ — CONGRATULATIONS!
Please email me at: carly phillips author @ g mail . com – to claim your prize!
COOL!
PERFECT FIT is today’s FRESH PICK at FRESH FICTION and I’m SO honored!
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SUNDAY FUNNY
Subject: Saying goodbye to mother (Not Sad)
* Note – don’t have liquid in your mouth when reading this it’s spew-worthy! LOL.
We were dressed, and ready to go out for the New Years Eve Party. We turned on a night light, turned the answering machine on, covered our pet parakeet, and put the cat in the backyard.
We phoned the local cab company and requested a taxi. The taxi arrived and we opened the front door to leave the house.
As we walked out the door, the cat we had put out in the yard, scoots back into the house. We didn’t want the cat shut in the house. Because she always tries to eat the bird.
My wife goes on out to the taxi, while I went back inside to get the cat. The cat runs upstairs, with me in hot pursuit. Waiting in the cab, my wife doesn’t want the driver to know that the house will be empty for the night. So, she explains to the taxi driver that I will be out soon, ‘He’s just going upstairs to say Goodbye to my mother.’
A few minutes later, I get into the cab. ‘Sorry I took so long,’ I said, as we drove away. ‘That stupid bitch was hiding under the bed. I had to poke her ass with a coat hanger to get her to come out! She tried to take off, so I grabbed her by the neck. Then, I had to wrap her in a blanket to keep her from scratching me. But it worked! I hauled her fat ass downstairs and threw her out into the back yard!’
The cab driver hit a parked car.
LOL!
HAPPY SUNDAY!
February 15, 2013
Carly’s Contest Day!
Sorry for the delay! Tell us what you did for Valentine’s Day for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
I ordered in pizza w/hubby, read a book, and generally did nothing! Perfect Valentine’s Day for me!
HAPPY FRIDAY!
February 14, 2013
Carly’s Happy Valentine’s Day!
If you hang out at my Facebook Page or if you get my newsletter you know I have a lot going on! From my PERFECT FIT cover Reveal and HOT EXCERPT, to my Carly and Julie James Contest which ends at midnight tonight, to finishing and turning in PERFECT FLING (8/13), to my snazzy new Facebook Banner, I’ve been BUSY.
Still, today is VALENTINE’S DAY and that means good things are still in store. Please visit me at FRESH FICTION, where I am their honorary Valentine’s Day blogger since 2008! Join me for a recap of old blogs, my take on how to enjoy Valentine’s Day no matter if you have a significant other or not, and enter there for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
Most importantly today, from me to you, HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
What are you doing today?
