Carly Phillips's Blog: Carly's Web Blogs, page 88
May 17, 2012
Fifty Shades of Lunch – E.L. James

Warning – this blog is nearly as long as the first Fifty Blog!
Two months ago, I wrote a blog called Fifty Shades, My Fifty Cents – which I’ve linked to for those who missed it. This was the most popular blog I’ve ever written, generating more insightful, thought provoking comments than ever before. I was floored. I was impressed. And I really enjoyed the conversation here. In the time since, Fifty Shades of Grey has exploded even more, if such a thing was possible. And so, when I found out that E.L. James was going to be the guest at a luncheon not just in my local area, but at the country club where my husband and I belong, it seemed … well like KISMET. Or KARMA. Pardon the pun.
At first, I thought it was a regular club luncheon, but came to find out it was a paid event hosted by a company known as Divalysscious Moms for $85 a ticket. This was the first I’d heard of Divamoms and I was surprised that it was a paid luncheon, but ever game – you know me – I purchased two tickets (not that I knew who I’d bring) and planned to go. As I’ve told you many times, the people who I’m friends with on an every day basis aren’t regular Romance readers. I don’t sit around with them discussing the books I’ve read, the characters I’m creating, or my plots. Heck, I often don’t even tell people I have a book out. If they’re on my Facebook page or Fan Page, they’ll find out. If they receive my newsletter, they’ll hear about it. If their husband plays golf with my husband, he might mention it. Whether it gets passed along or not, nobody knows. Anyway. I thought, hopefully I’ll find someone. And I did. I invited a friend who was reading Fifty Shades and said she was enjoying it. Good enough for me. We put the date on our calendar.
The closer the time came for the luncheon, the more the hoopla surrounding Fifty Shades grew. I got anxious. Why? Very hard to explain. Here I was, going to a writing event as “Karen” with “Karen’s” friends (not Carly’s). Sure, some people know I write, but it still felt awkward. Add to that, I’d been hearing things from other E.L. James book tour events – cookies with sexy toys on them, raunchy conversation … I have a hard enough time with people saying to my kids, “your mom writes THOSE books”, did I really want to go to an event where the perception would make it even harder to deal with? Well, in for a penny … I mentioned the event on Facebook and about half a dozen other friends decided to buy tickets and go. We had almost a full table. Yay! Still nervous. Still can’t explain why.
Soo … I head out to the luncheon, all in Karen mode. In other words, not a bookmark, a business card, a Carly thing to be found anywhere on my person or in my bag. Karen’s shyer than Carly. Karen likes sitting behind the computer. Carly goes to conferences and talks about writing and does TV interviews, etc. (No, this isn’t a soap opera D.I.D. thing – like Vicki/Nikki or Kate/Connie or Jess/Tess, LOL!). It’s my life. Seriously. I get there and I see someone who I know through my daughter, a young woman who works with (I think) the Diva Moms, and who I’d heard helped bring E.L. James and the Diva Moms to the club. I went over and said hi, and she asked if I’d be willing to talk to CBS (who was there to cover the event and who wanted a reader/attendee impression of the book). I don’t think she realized I was a writer, and Karen went all shy but did remember to say if I spoke, I’d like to use my pen name. Que a friend of mine who ISN’T shy, and who acted as my PR person that day – next thing I knew, everyone there knew I had a book out that week, that KARMA hit the NYT, USA Today Bestseller lists, and I was searching for nonexistent business cards to hand out to the people I spoke to (including Katie Couric’s people, who also interviewed me). As it turns out, the CBS footage must’ve ended up on the cutting room floor – and I think that might be a good thing, as I was explaining why Fifty was NOT PORN – no Romance is Porn – and why Safe Sane and Consensual in the bedroom is OK. I can only imagine what some creative editing might have made me sound like, LOL.
Yes, Yes, I’ll get to the luncheon. Very tastefully done, very classy, and yes my club and manager did a phenomenal job. Billed as a Diva Mom’s Mother’s Day Luncheon featuring E.L. James, whose The View clip had shown that same morning, they also had a stylist speak about women, mother’s and dressing and style. There was a cake (see photo) – a beautiful, white cake in the shape of stacked books with a gray tie on top, a champagne glass, and silver balls … read the book if you don’t know what the balls are for. The rest of this blog will be mortifying enough without me explaining THOSE here. LOL! Below the books were adorable mini cupcakes and below those … drumroll please … cookies with handcuffs on some and gray ties on the others.
There were goody bags courtesy of Diva Moms, filled with very mommy-lissious things, like coupons, toddler tapes, and things that were good for younger moms. I’m worrying about my daughter driving, so that wasn’t for me. But I did love the bag, which said – and again read the book if you are clueless – LATERS Divalysscious Baby, a rubber bracelet with the same (or similar saying). I wish I could have gotten my bookmarks into those goodie bags at every luncheon E.L. James did! Whew. HUGE amounts of people at each. Talk about reaching new audience! Crazy!
E.L. James came in later and spoke a bit to the audience – understand – she’s a regular person – like Karen if you will – not Carly – not yet used to media attention, to speaking in public, to answering questions off the cuff – and as a result, when the audience was offered the chance to answer questions, we were given the question to be asked – my understanding is that this was at the author’s request. I did get my question answered because the lovely Diva Moms were willing to vet the question with the author – “Is Laters Baby a British expression or did she make it up?” Answer- Laters is British – Laters BAby is hers – and I still am in love with it!
Barnes and Noble sold all three Fifty books – E.L. James signed – with some rules:
Only one book could have a “Dear X”; the others she’d sign her name only;
Pictures were allowed of her signing, but she wouldn’t pose with people having their books signed (which explains some of the pics here); I had two friends who didn’t get books, so they held mine and I have the first two books in the series signed to Carly; and the third for Janelle who is also a fan!
Now onto the good stuff – there was a small area selling related items –
~ jewelry – Laters Baby Ties – yes, necklaces with diamonds/silver in the shape of the tie from the cover of the book. Link here if you want to see. I was surprised that the website and the promo advertising for the jewelry didn’t have the book or author name on it. But very cute idea!
~ sex toys – yes, I said it. Sex toys. A very lovely company named Joy of Moi
At the end of the day, the friend that I invited to the luncheon came to me with a pretty bag and said, “This is a thank you for taking me today.” Yes, friends, she bought me a toy. (Yes, that’s what’s in the bag in the photo – I warned her she’d be on the blog). A travel size, though as she nicely reminded me, “you don’t only have to use it when you travel.”
The other day, I laughingly texted her and said, “Can I skip the handwritten thank you and call it even?” She wrote back, “Of course – you don’t have to send a thank you note for a thank you gift. AND USE IT IN THE BEST OF HEALTH. LOLOL!
AND THAT WAS MY FIFTY SHADES OF LUNCH! I had you all in mind when I took pictures, so I hope you felt like you were there!
May 12, 2012
What’cha Reading This Weekend?

Jumping in for Les … what is everyone reading this weekend? I admit to needing a good solid read, so let’s hear it!
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Hi–this is Leslie–thanks for jumping in and starting this thread today Carly! I totally forgot last night!
I’m actually reading Midnight in the Garden of Good And Evil by John Berendt. I have seen the movie with Kevin Spacey and John Cusack several times (and LOVE it) and figured I’d finally try the book. So far it’s a bit dry, but still very interesting!
May 10, 2012
Time to Choose – Your Favorite Barron Brother

So you’ve had some time to read. And to think. Now I get to ask … but first – from the blog I did for Lauren Dane last week … there are different kind of heroes in Romance –
In my Serendipity series, I’ve done three very different heroes.
Ethan, the bad boy;
Nash, the “too perfect” hero; and
Dare, the protector.
I love them each in their own way – kinda sounds like my kids, right?
As much as I love bad boys as a reader, I have to say I have a new favorite hero as a reader and a writer and that’s the protector – and when Liza came into the picture, that’s who Dare Barron morphed into for me. The protector.
I’m not saying Dare is my favorite Barron brother. I don’t think I can – or should – pick. BUT YOU CAN!
Who’s your favorite Barron brother? And why?
May 3, 2012
Guest Blogger Lauren Dane

I’ve made it pretty clear (unless you live under a rock) that I’m a huge Lauren Dane fan. She pretty much introduced me to Erotic Romance as a reader and since we’re now friends, I consider myself pretty darn lucky. So she’s back with her newest release, a futuristic menage story called CAPTIVATED. First off, check out this cover! STEAMY doesn’t really cover it. I’ve read it … and I can highly recommend this story. OK enough gushing … Here’s Lauren on Futuristic Romance:
WHY FUTURISTICS?
The first thing that came to me was the opening scene in Undercover (which at the time was called Battlefront). A very angry woman making her way through a military style building to confront her superior about a decision that had been made.
For me, that scene had always been in a futuristic setting. I wanted to write this headstrong woman, a warrior who’d overcome many things to achieve what she had. And I wanted to write her in a context where she’d come back into the hero’s life—a man whom she’d loved and left when he couldn’t be what she needed. But there’s another hero so how would that work?
The backdrop of any book will give a certain feeling. All books need worlds built, even contemporary ones. So for me the question is how can I relate the feel, how can I tell the story I want to all while being true not only to the characters but the setting?
This war couldn’t have worked in a contemporary context, nor could the larger issues of rank v unranked (though I do take things about class and caste from our own history and put my own spin on it for these rank systems in the book). I also wanted a big, sweeping backdrop that would read as anachronistic. It’s got a big social and economic system that is somewhat historical in nature. I wanted to use that language when the characters spoke about it and sometimes to each other. I wanted a sense of old school chivalry and loyalty and obeisance to their house.
Writing futuristics enables me to create a world, much like I can with a paranormal. But most of my paranormals are set in a contemporary setting. A futuristic allows me to sweep all preconceived notions off the table and make my own. To take bits and pieces of history and world and rebuild them in an entirely new time and place that is purely my own. To a control freak like me, it’s awesome to have that control (though of course the blame is solely mine if I mess up as well).
I’ve loved this world of my Federation Chronicles. There are so many ‘Verses with so many settings and stories to be told. Captivated is the last in the Phantom Corps mini series but hopefully not the last set in my Federation Chronicles series!
I hope you all enjoy it!
****
LAUREN IS GIVING AWAY a winner’s choice of one of her backlist books! Comment for a chance to win!
Check back Sunday for the winner (along w/Carly’s winners from Tuesday!)
You can find Lauren on the web:
www.laurendane.com
Twitter
Blog
Facebook
*****
And I’m over at LAUREN DANE’S Blog Today talking about What Makes a Hero! Serendipity Backlist giveaway too!
I have a fabulously fun interview (if I do say so myself – at least I loved doing it!) over at Romantic Crush Junkies today! With giveaway!
May 2, 2012
May 1, 2012
Carly’s Karma Release & Giveaway Celebration!

For those who have read SERENDIPITY and DESTINY, thank you for your patience waiting for KARMA. It’s finally arrived!
MEET DARE! – A man trying to atone for his past comes face to face with his sins – can he forgive himself before he loses the woman he loves?
Dare on Liza – Liza had once been a teenage crush. But now? She got to him on a level no other woman ever had.
Liza on Dare – For Liza, it was Dare who made her hot and bothered. A sexy man who looked at her like she was the hottest thing this side of a hot fudge sundae, and just as sweet.
As you can tell, Dare is the brother with secrets. Now I’ll share one of mine.
What do I love most about Dare and Liza? – They fit each other perfectly. Dare is a protector. Liza needs one. To me, it’s a beautiful thing watching him take care of a woman who’s never had anyone look out for her before. And visa versa. I hope readers enjoy Dare and Liza and love them as much as I do!
I can’t wait – to hear what you think about DARE’s Story. I’m excited to know which Barron brother is your favorite and find out why!
SERENDIPITY continues – Now that you’ll be reading Karma, that the next SERENDIPITY TRILOGY involves: THE COPS OF SERENDIPITY - in KARMA you meet Cara Hartley and Sam Marsden, Dare’s best friends. In the next Serendipity stories, which I’ll call the SERENDIPITY PERFECT series to differentiate it from the Serendipity/Barron Brothers series – you find out that the MARSDEN FAMILY is the cop legacy in Serendipity – Sam’s father, Simon, is the police chief, Sam is a cop, his sister Erin is an Assistant D.A. and his older brother Mike is an undercover cop in Manhattan – until his father’s illness forces him home and into his father’s chief position – it’s temporary and Mike, the man who never fit into his family – for what he thinks is good reason – Mike lives for temporary. And then he meets Cara Hartley. A one night stand with her during a trip home blows his mind. When he returns, Cara continues to disrupt his thoughts, his beliefs, and his life. I am LOVING writing about Cara and Mike – who is one of the more Alpha heroes I’ve written. Yum!
So first enjoy KARMA – and then we’ll talk further.
****** COMING UP NEXT ******
CARLY’S 2013 – 2014 RELEASE LIST!
Serendipity – Pink! – October 2013
A reprint of Serendipity in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2012
Perfect Fit – - February 2013 – Cara Hartley and Mike Marsden’s Story
Untitled Anthology – Summer 2013 – Dr. Alexa Collins’ Story
Perfect Chance – September 2013 – Erin Marsden’s Story
Perfect Together – February 2014 – Sam Marsden’s Story
And KARMA’s Blog Tour begins at – HANGING WITH BELLS – please visit for a day of fun!
GIVEAWAY!Today is open to anyone who has something to say about KARMA – and all commenters have a chance to win one of three celebratory $10 Amazon G.C. so YOU can order KARMA if you haven’t already!
*or order whatever you want! I’ll never know!
April 28, 2012
LUCKY BREAK on sale for $1.25 Kindle!

April 26, 2012
I’m Late – I’m Sorry!

[image error]I went to sleep with a sore throat and woke up feeling the same way, so I forgot it was my day to blog! And since I’m not feeling great, I’ll just give you some updates instead of something witty and brilliant.
KARMA SNEAK PEEK!
In Stores TUES MAY 1 – next week! But before, get a sneak peek of LIZA and DARE!
Click HERE to read!
CARLY GOODIES!
[image error]
Serendipity Series Romance Trading Cards GOODIES! Carly Phillips Luggage Tags, bookmarks, and SERENDIPITY Series Trading Cards
To get yours – Send an SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) – regular envelope (not a short one!) – two stamps to be safe – to me at:
Carly Phillips
PO Box 483
Purchase, NY 10577
*Note – if you already have first two Serendipity bookmarks, include a note so I know to only send you KARMA!
**Note – if you are going to Lori Foster’s Event in June, no need to send SASE you will receive them all there!
KARMA BLOG TOUR
Next week I’ll be hopping all over the Internet, blogging (unique content, Q and A’s and Interviews) and I’ll post links here on Plotmonkeys each day. These are extra fun because Liza and Dare are interviewed a few times too along with the other sexy Barron brothers, Ethan and Nash. All involve GIVEAWAYS of Serendipity Backlist titles and goodies!
To get you started:
LADY SCRIBES – Q and A w/Carly – Karma and backlist giveaway! CLICK HERE to visit!
KARMA PREORDER LINKS
If I’ve at all enticed you, here is a link to my website, Karma page, where you can find a list of all preorder links in all formats, book, ebook, etc.! KARMA book buy links CLICK HERE!
SOCIAL MEDIA FUN!
LASTLY – MY website is now equipped with social media buttons – if you want to share my news, my covers, my graphics, there are FB links, Twitter links, Pin It buttons for Pinterest, etc. So please share the love!
Have a great week and see you back here on release day Tuesday – Leslie has generously given up her day for me!
April 19, 2012
An Easy Question Day

So I asked this on my FB page yesterday. I’m genuinely curious – my favorite day of the week is Monday and always has been – b/c I’m a stay at home mom, I work at home, and on the weekend everyone is around. On Monday, husband goes back to work, kids go to school and I take the day to catch up, do errands, and write – to just BE. What about you? What’s your favorite day of the week? And why?
April 15, 2012
Carly’s Winner and Sunday Funny

The winner of the $25 Amazon Gift Card is – # 13 (in honor of LUCKY Friday the 13th) – Tanya!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
Email me at: carly phillips @ mac . com (no spaces) to confirm your email and claim your prize!
And now for the Sunday Funny –
WORD OF THE DAY which came to me from a friend who thought I’d enjoy because I’m a writer. I did!
HAPPY SUNDAY!
Or should I say HAPPY TAX DAY! (?)