Carly Phillips's Blog: Carly's Web Blogs, page 96

Serendipity Blog Tour is Here!

2011 SERENDIPITY BLOG TOUR

8/31 at Lauren Dane's Blog - http://www.laurendane.com/blog/
9/1 at Fresh Friction – http://freshfiction.com/pages.php?id=...
9/2 at Liza’s Blog – http://lizasblog-liza.blogspot.com/20...
9/5 at The Book Pushers - http://thebookpushers.com/
9/6 at Romance at Random – http://www.romanceatrandom.com/
9/6 at NINC! – http://www.ninc.com/blog/
9/6 at Smexy Books – http://www.smexybooks.com/
9/7 at Love to Read For Fun – http://www.lovetoreadforfun.com/
9/8 at The Book Binge – http://thebookbinge.com/
9/8 at Jessica Scott - http://www.jessicascott.net/blog/
9/8 at Pearl’s World of Romance - http://www.pearl72.blogspot.com/
9/9 at Over the Edge – http://www.overtheedgebkreviews.com/
9/10 at Limecello Blog - http://limecello.wordpress.com/
9/12 at Romance Dish - http://www.theromancedish.com/
9/12 at Fic-Talk – http://fic-talk.com/
9/13 at Insane Hussein – http://insanehussein.com/blog/
9/15 at Vivian Arend’s – http://vivianarend.com/blog/
9/23 at Lady Scribes – http://ladyscribes.blogspot.com/

Welcome Lauren Dane!

Today I have a very special treat! Someone I really like as a person and whose books I frankly adore. The series she's talking about today are the Brown siblings. These books aren't for the faint of heart – they're not just hot, they are sizzling – but at the heart of this series is family – and I have never read a family like the Browns. I want to be one of them. I want Erin to be my best friend and well … she's got not one but TWO men – so how lucky is she? But Lauren's newest release – out now – is NEVER ENOUGH - and that's Adrian's story. I think I'll let Lauren tell you a bit more about Adrian … he's one spectacular yummy hero!



Series Coming to an End and some New Beginnings

Writing a series is a challenge. A fun challenge of course, but it's a challenge nonetheless. My series tend to involve family and friend groups so at the beginning it's all about introducing the world and the people and getting to know them as I go.

Each book widens the world and I get more connected with the people in it. Until the last book. Oh my god the last book of a series has so much power to an author. Or at least to this one.

Every time I write a book I want to challenge myself and my characters. I like to see if I can take a well loved idea/trope and put my own spin on it. And Never Enough was no different – in fact it was a little harder because it was Adrian Brown's book. I love this character, I love this family and I really wanted the book to do justice to the series (and to make MYSELF do justice for these characters and my readers)

So I thought, hey, ROCKSTAR SECRET BABY! Yes, I really did. In fact I made up a little song I used to sing when I wrote because it amused me so much. (and yes, I am easily amused.)

I loved putting a twist on the secret baby trope – so much fun to write! And in introducing Adrian to parenting by essentially shoving him in to a freezing lake of 13 year old, I wanted him to be off balance and challenged. He's such a laid back guy in so many ways. He's confident in his abilities. But parenting, as many of you know, isn't easy in the best of times so how will this guy handle not only finding out he's got a thirteen year old son, but actually dealing with the amazing wonder of the thirteen year old human being.

I had to write a heroine who would be worthy of Adrian. I talk about that process here so I won't repeat it and bore you all, LOL. But I can hear Gillian quite clearly in my head. She's a combo between two of my English friends with some Eastenders tossed in for spice. She's strong. And smart and a great mother. She's a fierce protector and she falls butt over teakettle in love with Adrian. Just as he does with his son and then with her.

To end a series an author has to not only bring a happy end for that last brother or sister or friend, but has to leave her readers with a sense that the entire cast of characters has also had its happy end.

The story doesn't end after the last period of the last page of any book, much less a series ender. There will be echoes of Erin's loss that she'll feel forever. Elise will have her own ghosts to deal with. Ella as well. But there is tomorrow for them all. Adrian and Gillian will wake up and have Miles. They'll have a group of family and friends they love and I'll know I did the very best I could for these characters. It was hard to say goodbye, so I'm not really. I've got a new series coming up next year that is a spin off from this one so I can still poke my head in and see how the Browns are faring. There'll be a wedding to plan! I can't wait. I hope readers love these people as much as I love them too.

Do you like series? If so, got any favorites? Do you stick to certain genres?



I've got a signed copy of NEVER ENOUGH for one lucky winner chosen from the responses to this post.

Thanks for having me,

Lauren

*****

THE SERENDIPITY BLOG TOUR CONTINUES!

After you hang with Lauren, visit me at FRESH FICTION where I talk about heroes! Click HERE!

Winners!

Okay all out of funnies, sorry! But the good news is there are plenty of WINNERS!

The winner of Carly's $25 Amazon Gift card is:

# 51 CrystalGB

Email me at: carly phillips @ mac . com (no spaces) to claim your prize.

And the 5 winners of Vivian Arend's books are:

1. # 1 Stacie MC

2. # 10 Na

3. # 19 Colleen

4. # 28 Elaineg8

5. # 34 Pamiam

Please email Vivian at: viv arend @ gmail . com (no spaces) and give her your book choice and format to claim your prize!

Congratulations to all winners!

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Carly's Jungle Madness

I'm at the end of writing Karma aka Serendipity 3 and if you know me, you know that means I'm in frenzied writing mode. Hand hurts, head hurts, arm hurts and I'm so jazzed to finish! Quickly so I can get back to it …

Today's CONTEST!



$25 AMAZON GIFT CARD up for grabs so you can order yourselves books, ebooks or other things on Amazon!

Comment for a chance to win!

Today's winner and the winner of Vivian Arend's Contest will be announced Sunday!

Sizzler Alert: Guest Author Vivian Arend!

Hot books aren't for everyone. And I'm not talking hot. I'm talking Erotica HOT. So with that disclaimer, let me tell you about a new author I met who I now consider a friend: Vivian Arend. How did we meet? Walking to Karaoke at RWA National. Victoria Dahl invited me and met up with the group there and I met Lauren Dane in the lobby and Vivian was with her. I was anxious since this was the first time I was hanging with this group of authors, no Plotmonkey pals there or people I knew well, but I knew I wanted to go. And now I'm glad I did. On top of having a blast, I met new people! So back to Vivian Arend. Her books sizzle. But more importantly than that, she does character extremely well. She writes real people with real feelings and dimension and if you like heat I really highly recommend her. More about what kind of heat after the jump:

WELCOME VIVIAN AREND TO PLOTMONKEYS!

I have writer's confusion.

Life would be simple if I hadn't read so much as a child. Anything and everything I could get my hands on, I read, plus a few things I shouldn't have touched, but I digress. Mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy and classics. I devoured them all with great enthusiasm.

So when I started writing, someone forgot to tell me that most writers stick to one genre. They write sci-fi. They write historical romance. High fantasy. Contemporary romance. Not me. I started with a pair of light-hearted, sarcastic werewolves, switched into contemporary cowboys. Dipped under the sea and discovered the creatures of legend in merfolk. Twisted a few fairytales, jumped back into contemporary romance…

I can honestly say it's never been boring. There are times, however, that I have to stop and really concentrate while writing. Since everything works in advance in this business, I'm usually promoting a book I wrote a while back at the same time I'm writing something new and editing another project. It's tough to make sure I don't have the cowboys shifting into wolves and flying off into space.

And this week? I'm finding it even more challenging. I have my book in a contemporary erotic romance anthology releasing in ebook. PARADISE FOUND is a sizzling hot ménage a trois story set in an exclusive resort in Australia. I'm also preparing for the release of BLACK GOLD September 13, the first book in a new shifter series set in my best-selling Granite Lake Wolves world. The second print book in that world, UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN, is releasing October 4th.

I'm doing edits on book 2 of my contemporary cowboy books- the first book, ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEAT, is out November 15. And I'm writing a contemporary erotic romance set in Banff Alberta.

The good thing about this variety of tasks and genres is I don't have time to get into much mischief. The bad part is, all my mischievous urges get directed into my books. Oops? I can't really complain. I'm having way too much fun!

If you're interested in trying one of my books in ebook format, leave a comment and let me know which one. You can check my books out at my website. I'll give away at least three books to randomly chosen commenters.

Serendipity Countdown

3 weeks and counting! I'm so excited … can't wait to get this book into your hands! Instead of a long teaser, how about a few choice quotes from the book?

"As she spoke, Faith's stomach did that silly, excited flip that only Ethan had ever caused. Back in high school, the flip had been little and she hadn't understood the impact of what it meant. Thinking about seeing him again now, she experienced a full body slam of desire that she comprehended completely. "

****

"I don't usually get into Karaoke," she said. "Or shots of Vodka."

"I wouldn't think so, Princess or you wouldn't be feeling the effects so strongly."

She loved how he used that word, the way it rolled off his tongue like an endearment. Not that she'd ever admit as much to him.

"You're right about that. I'm definitely feeling something." Because his hand not only still held her arm, but he ran his thumb back and forth over her skin. But she wasn't complaining. She liked his touch way too much.

"Ready to call it a night?" Ethan asked.

"That's probably a good idea. I just need to say good night to Kate and then I'll go up to my place. Kinda convenient that I live right upstairs." She took a few steps and realized she wasn't steady on her feet. She made a mental note to buy herself a pair of flat shoes. Damn Carter and his insistence she wear high heels, anyway.

But Ethan's hand was still there, keeping her upright and she was grateful. "Thanks," she said to him. "But I'm sure I can manage this."

"I doubt that." His low laugh rumbled in her ear. "Come on. I'll take you on up myself."

Before she could argue, he wrapped his arm around her waist, and she no longer wanted to fight him. He pulled her close, his hard body aligning with hers.

She closed her eyes for a second and inhaled deeply, taking in the scent she knew would arouse her for a long time to come. "You smell good," she murmured.

"You smell better." His gruff voice brought her out of her daydream and she realized she'd spoken out loud.

He pulled her tighter against him.

Oh man.

****

Ethan muttered a low growl, followed by a curse. No one in this damned town even liked him. "Who the hell would come ringing my doorbell now?"

He stood and Faith rose with him.

"Might as well see." She sounded as disappointed as he was with the interruption.

"Whoever that is, I'll get rid of them." He grabbed her hand and headed for the door.

Now that he had her in his home, ready and willing, no way would he allow some visitor he couldn't give a damn about to stop them from finishing what they'd started.

He reached the large wood door and opened it wide. In front of him stood a stranger, a woman about his own age, maybe a few years younger. "Can I help you?" he asked, not bothering to hide his irritation.

The woman, a brunette, glanced back over her shoulder. "Tess. Get over here now."

Tess?

Ethan didn't know anyone by the name of Tess.

Suddenly a teenage girl – a sullen teenager girl – stepped up beside the other woman. Folding her arms across her chest, Tess glared at Ethan, looking no happier to see him than he was to find either of the women on his doorstep.

He braced one hand on the doorframe. "I don't know who you are or what you want, but it's not a good time." Ethan started to swing the door closed.

"Just see what they want," Faith suggested from behind him.

He had no choice. The older of the two had shoved her sneakered foot in front of the door, preventing him from shutting her out anyway.

"Not so fast. I'm Kelly Moss and this is my sister … well my half-sister, Tess. Tess is your sister too."

****

OK I HOPE you've preordered your copy? If not, please do! All links are HERE!

Reminder – I'm trying to build my Twitter and Facebook lists so readers can get information about me and my books even faster! Enter this month's contest for a chance to win a Kindle! Rules and entry form HERE!

You Guessed It! Never Travel With Carly …

I went to Denver RomCon … and if you want details on the fantastic conference, go back and read Janelle's Monday post. If you want the down and dirty Carly stories, you came to the right place on the right day. A reminder for those not familiar with my travel woes:

4 Never Travel with Carly horror stories dating back to 2005 HERE

An iPhone horror story which led me around my local neighborhood for hours HERE

And then I arrive in Denver last Thursday. Ready for this? I walk up to shuttle at airport and ask "crown plaza"? The driver says, come with me. He charges me flat fee along with other people on the bus, and since I've been to Denver before things seemed familar. At some point I realize I'm driving way too long on the short bus and I say isn't the Crown Plaza closer? The driver says we are going to the Crown Plaza. I say near airport? He says no in downtown Denver. Hello shouldn't he have asked me which hotel if there were 2 in the area?

He says I'm stuck, he's on his route. He'll try to get me on a bus going back once we get to Denver. An hour later he's dropped off all his people at various hotels I say, are we going back to my hotel now? No, he says, I have my pickups first. If he'd told me that from the beginning I would have gotten off at the first hotel he stopped at and taken a cab! Now I tell him to drop me at the first available hotel with taxi cabs. I ask for my money back, he gets it, and then I had to pay $30 for a cab ride back to the hotel – only to discover the shuttle from the airport to the correct hotel is FREE. And the cab ride from downtown to my hotel took all of 15 minutes.

I've traveled an hour and a half after a perfectly lovely flight, my heart is racing, my head is pounding, and I arrive at the hotel around the corner from the airport. Woo Hoo.

At least I had a good time and an easy trip home!

So can you believe I have yet another travel horror story?

Celebrating Serendipity 9/6

Since I'm on my way to RomCon 2011 to meet up with Janelle and many readers, I'm going to leave you with my fabulous August contest! As you all know, (I hope), SERENDIPITY is being released on 9/6 and I want to really get people as excited as I am! What better way than to share my KINDLE love?



To celebrate the upcoming release of SERENDIPITY (in stores 9/6), the first book in the new Serendipity series, Carly Phillips is giving away a WiFi Kindle* and an eBook of SERENDIPITY, exclusively at www.carlyphillips.com!

Rules – to be eligible to win, entrants must either:

1. Be or become a FAN of Carly's Facebook Fan Page and/or

2. Follow Carly on Twitter (one or the other is fine! Both is better but doesn't increase your chances!)

THEN:

3. Enter Carly's Contest by filling out the entry form. CLICK HERE!

That's it! Good luck and happy reading!

***

Since I'm not around, what's up with you guys? Reading? Relaxing? Working? Enjoying your summer?

CELEBRATING SERENDIPITY 9/6

To celebrate the upcoming release of SERENDIPITY (in stores 9/6), the first book in the new Serendipity series, Carly Phillips is giving away a WiFi Kindle* and an eBook of SERENDIPITY, exclusively at http://www.writerspace.com/contests/c...
**
Rules - to be eligible to win, entrants must either:
1. Be or become a FAN of Carly's Facebook Fan Page - www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage

and/or

2. Follow Carly on Twitter - www.twitter.com/carlyphillips

(one or the other is fine! Both is better but doesn’t increase your chances!)

THEN:

3. Enter Carly's Contest by filling out the entry form at - http://www.writerspace.com/contests/c...

That's it! Good luck and happy reading!

Carly

It's Saturday … and that means …

We want to know what you're reading! Carly here and I'm currently reading Larissa Ione's SNOW BOUND … and I'm impatiently waiting for August 2nd when my Kindle will shake, rattle and roll with the following downloads:

Maya Banks, Long Road Home – KGI book

Thea Harrison, Storm's Heart – Book 2 in her series

Jaci Burton, Changing the Game – baseball book

What August books am I forgetting to mention? And what books are you reading now?