Carly Phillips's Blog: Carly's Web Blogs, page 82

Carly’s PERFECT Contest Friday! Three (3) chances to win!

Leslie’s in a deep deadline and working on a play! So today I’m bringing you the contest … maybe you could use it to buy Perfect Fit?

Tell you what. Enter today’s contest for a $25 Amazon GC by commenting below … and if you read and liked PERFECT FIT and want to put a review on Amazon, I’ll pick one winner for another $25 Amazon GC! If you already posted a review consider yourself entered twice b/c I didn’t ask you to do it AND if you click LIKE on the book? You’re entered for a $10 Amazon GC. Yes, that’s 3 chances to win!

Winners announced Sunday. If you don’t email me here after I announce the winners, I can’t go looking for you … so remember to check back!

HERE WE GO!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How Much is Too Much?

Posting on Facebook? I’m truly curious. When you follow an author, what are you looking for? Me personally, as long as posts aren’t offensive, scrolling by things doesn’t bother me. I’m on Facebook often enough that I like seeing new things when I’m there. And during an author’s release week or blog tour, I expect more than the usual amount of posts – and if that author normally gives me daily chatty, fun, HOT men type things, I forgive them the promo spree because … that’s the business end of having an Author Page as opposed to just their personal page.

The reason I ask … I guess I’m feeling like lately I’ve been using Facebook as my personal writer’s playground, so to speak. I share a blog (thank goodness because I wouldn’t want the responsibility of entertaining you on a daily basis. I’m a spur of the moment kind of girl, which means I can post often on Facebook … or force myself to remember once or twice a day. But when I’m “ON”, I’m ON. And lately, because I’m in constant writing mode and deadline, I guess I’m more ON more often than not. I received a note asking me to stop posting on this woman’s feed because she gets too much. I politely told her then to please unsubscribe from my page, because she controls what she sees of mine, I don’t. Of course I never heard back.

I used to not “get” the whole Facebook thing – and I think that’s because I was limiting my use. Now, I go when the urge strikes and I discovered that I I love interacting with readers online. I love sharing the cute furry animals, the jokes, and the occasional hot man. I like asking questions and hearing what you have to say. And I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t enjoy the rush of a book release week – and yes, the constant flurry of promo posts that entails.

So … I’m sure many of you LIKE my page. How much is too much? Am I too much? I’m guessing if I were, you’d just UNLIKE. I mean, that’s your prerogative, right? Just like it’s mine to post at will?

So knowing you’ve been forewarned, after you answer me here, go on, LIKE me if you haven’t already. You know you want to. LOL!

Carly’s Facebook Fan Page

PERFECT FIT is Finally Here!

For “print” authors like me, it’s a long time between books. Believe it or not, I feel the frustration as much as my readers. In the case of this book, even more so. I couldn’t wait for you to get your hands on MIKE. From the minute I started writing him, he called to me. Yes, he tortured me a lot during the writing too – all my heroes do – but oh was he worth it! Of course I had to give him a worthy heroine, and Cara is every inch the PERFECT woman for him. I’ve posted about this book so many times, I’m not going to torture you with back cover copy or reviews. I’m thrilled that so far, this book has been very well received. Instead, I’ll tell you where you can read my PERFECT FIT BLOG TOUR interviews, what contests are being run & where you can enter to win prizes.

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PERFECT FIT BLOG TOUR

* on the day of each blog, I’ll post the contest at the end of the daily post!

January 2 – Romancing The Book – Chance to win one of the first three Serendipity books (Serendipity, Destiny, Karma)

January 3 – Romancing Books Forum

January 4 – Romantic Crush Junkies

January 7 – Romance Books 4 Us

January 8 - Books & Kisses

January 9 – The Book Reading Gals

January 10 – The Book Pushers

January 11 – Hanging with Bells

January 15 – The Book Binge

January 18 – Under the Covers

February 4 – The Book Vixen

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SPECIAL – AWESOME – CARLY & KRISTAN HIGGINS CONTEST!

Talented author Kristan Higgins and I are running a very special giveaway!

PRIZE – one lucky winner wil receive a $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble or Amazon and 2 books each from Carly & Kristan!

TO ENTER – LIKE our Facebook Pages:

Carly’s FB Page

Kristan’s FB Page

AND

– SIGN UP for our newsletters!

Carly’s Newsletter

Kristan’s Newsletter

WINNER CHOSEN ON FEBRUARY 1!

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COOL NEWS – AUTHOR OF THE MONTH AT UNDER THE COVERS!

Stay tuned for inside information on the SERENDIPITY and other older Carly Phillips’ series, including photos of who I envision as the characters in my books!

And that, as they say, is that!! Happy Thursday all!

Carly Phillips' Perfect Fit, a Serendipity Novel Out Tomorrow!

PERFECT FIT, the next Serendipity story, available tomorrow!*

"With her newest series set in small town New York, Carly Phillips has catapulted herself into one of my all-time favorite contemporary romance authors." The Book Pushers


*Can stand alone if you haven't started the series yet!

Please share with your friends who love to read Romance!

Buy links here:

http://www.carlyphillips.com/bookshelf/serendipity-series/perfect-fit/


Perfect Fit

Carly Phlllips / Kristan Higgins Giveaway!

I'm running a cool contest w/ Kristan Higgins - $100 BN or Amazon GC & we're each giving away books!

To be eligible: LIKE our FB pages and sign up for our newsletters! (If you already do both, you're all set). Winner chosen at random & announced 2/1/13.

Newsletter sign ups:
(if you have a problem visit Carly or Kristan's websites for direct links)

CP - http://www.carlyphillips.com/newslett...
KH - http://www.kristanhiggins.com/KH-Mail...

It’s That Time of Year …

I’m never sure how I feel between Christmas and New Year’s. After Christmas is over, it’s like … OK BIG holiday season is over. But the stores have the huge sales. The crowds are insane. Books still aren’t out fresh and new … so …still limbo. And just when I think I can look ahead, suddenly New Years is looming. TV isn’t back to normal. News is all about summing up what happened in the past year. Somehow it feels like a let down sad time. Weird.



Am I the only one who feels weird during this time between Christmas and New Years?

PS – if you need something to look forward to, 5 days until PERFECT FIT!

CLICK HERE to PREORDER NOW and read in time for New Years!

In the picturesque town of Serendipity, New York, three siblings have grown up in the shadow of their proud and respected police chief father. But what do love, fate, and fortune have in store for the next generation of Serendipity’s finest?



Always feeling like the odd man out in his family, Michael Marsden wanted to make it on his own. So he escaped Serendipity to become an undercover cop in Manhattan, where the Marsden name wasn’t known. But Michael’s independence is compromised when he returns home to replace his sick father as chief of police. Back in the shadow of his family, he’s as lost and restless as ever, until he’s challenged by someone he never anticipated.

Cara Hartley is the Serendipity cop with whom Mike had a one night stand three months earlier. Neither expected anything more but fate has other things in store. When Mike returns as Cara’s boss, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore – and the unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. But Cara’s a small town girl while Mike has a wanderer’s blood in his veins.

Both are convinced a future together is impossible. Until Mike’s real father’s secrets come back to haunt him and he realizes there are some things worth staying and fighting for. Including Cara.

*****

“Mike Mardsen is one of the best heroes I’ve read this year. I can honestly say that this book is one of the top books I’ve read, and one that I will re-read. It’s Carly Phillips at her finest.” Grade A+ – Heather, The Book Reading Gals

“Hey fans, we are back in Serendipity! Phillips has hit a gold vein with the characters she mines in this captivating town, and here she introduces readers to a new family, distinct, but with plenty of the same real-life dramas that were so intriguing in Phillips’ last family. Her heroes and heroines are grownups with full lives, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to learn a few lessons to get a chance at love. An excellent read!” 4 1/2-star TOP PICK! HOT – Bunny Callahan, RT Book Reviews

“Phillips delivers another satisfying romance with emotional depth and intriguing plot elements in her popular small-town series, extending the brand with the new “Serendipity’s Finest” police theme.” Kirkus Reviews

“Phillips has created a strong contemporary series!” Book Binge

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop & Sun Winner

The winner of Friday’s Contest is: # 31 – AlisonP! Yay! Email me: carly phillips author @ gmail . com – to claim your prize!

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP!

The awesome Katie Porter tagged me in this new blog hop … so I get to answer ten questions about my “Next Big Thing”and tag another 5 victims … and they continue the madness! The good news for you is that you get to find out a little something about what your favorite authors are up to while being introduced to authors who might be new to you. And ou don’t have to do anything in return. All good!

Ready?

1. What is the working title of your book?

Perfect Fit

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

Luckily for me, readers really seemed to like the town of Serendipity, where I set the first three books about the Barron Brothers in Serendipity, Destiny and Karma. When I left off in Karma, we’d met the cops of Serendipity, with Dare’s friends Sam and Cara. Next thing I knew, Cara was hooking up with Sam’s brother Mike in a one night stand and PERFECT FIT was born. From there, we’ll get Mike and Sam’s sister Erin in PERFECT FLING and then Sam himself in PERFECT TOGETHER.

3. What is the genre of the book?

Broadly – contemporary. More specifically small-town contemporary with a Carly Phillips hot flare.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Lucky for me, I do this to keep myself happy while I’m working so I can picture my characters. Here’s a photo of Dylan McDermott (how I picture Mike – very unlike man on the book cover) and Lindsay Hartley, an actress I first saw on the soaps (and yep, that’s where I got Cara’s last name!)

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Guy who doesn’t think he’s got the ability to stick around meets the one woman who can make him change his mind, but will his (and his family’s) past come between them?

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency/publisher?

This is a Berkley book again.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?



About 5 months.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I hope it stands alone! But another author doing small town contemporary is Jill Shalvis and an author doing family is Bella Andre and her Sullivans.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The characters came alive when I wrote them in Karma!

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Mike is HOT in bed and out … and he likes to be in control

Enjoy!

My tagged authors/victims up next are: Shiloh Walker and Marquita Valentine

What’cha Reading?

I’m leaving for vacation today, which means I REALLY need to know! What’cha reading? What can I not miss? What’s hot and amazing? Talk to me!

Carly’s Jungle Madness

$25 Amazon Gift Card to a lucky random commenter -What was your fav book of 2012 – comment for a chance to win!

Water Changes Everything – How you can help!

Carly here – sorry we’re late! Julie will post tomorrow. :)

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A blogger friend of the Plotmonkeys, Limecello (she often posts here) is in year three of her SMSG – SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SOCIAL GOOD – fundraising drive and this year’s recipient is the very worthy charity, “charity: water”. It’s an effort where the Romance Community comes together to make a difference and help out a charity.

To quote from Lime’s blog on Make a Difference Day:

Some of you might have heard of charity:water when Rachel Beckwith’s tragic story made the news. She was an amazing little nine year old and her story made me cry. I spent a lot of time researching reputable international charities, and I love that charity:water is so transparent. I think it’ll be fun to check what our little ALBTALBS drive does too.

EACH BLOG POST HERE RAISES MONEY! COMMENT TO DONATE! CLICK HERE!

TO DONATE TO THE ROMANCE COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN, CLICK HERE!

INFORMATION:

Did you know that:

~ 100% of all public donations directly fund water projects, and they prove every dollar using photos and GPS coordinates on a map

~ 800 million people around the world don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water

~ That is one out of every nine people

~ More people die from lack of clean water and sanitation each year than are killed by all forms of violence, including war

~ 90% of the deaths that result from diarrheal disease occur in children under five

~ About every nineteen seconds a mother loses her child to a water related illness

~ In sub-Saharan Africa 16 million hours each day are spent by women collecting water. This takes time away from work, school, and family.

~ 10% of disease could be reduced with improved access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene education, and water resource management.

~ $1 invested in water becomes $4-12 dollars for the local economy

~ Communities choose a small group of people to oversee each completed charity: water project. Equal numbers of men and women are encouraged to be included. These Water Committees are often the first chance women have to take on elected leadership roles.

~ The WHO reports that over 3.6% of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.

~ Feeding our world takes up to 90% of our freshwater withdrawals but many people in developing nations still don’t have access to enough water for irrigation.

~ $65 brings water to one person.

~ charity:water matters, and it helps. Read “Will the Beautiful Women of the World Please Stand Up” (this made me cry).