Constance Phillips's Blog, page 8
April 18, 2016
The Tenderloins of Impractical Jokers: Full Circle Fandom
This story of how I became a fan of The Tenderloins–stars of Impractical Jokers) is a little long…Get yourself a drink or a snack and get comfy.
It started around 13 months ago. (Yes, that’s me. Late to the part. Fashionably late, right?)
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The Tenderloins of Impractical Jokers, 4/15/16, Toledo OH
The spouse and I were in Florida, enjoying Daytona Bike week and visiting family. I get a text from my daughter who is caring for the house and our animals.
Daughter: Do you mind if I buy a series from Amazon? I’ll pay you back when you get home.(It’s linked to my bank account)
Me: Go ahead. Don’t worry about it. You’re taking care of things.
Daughter: Cool. Thanks.
Forward two days. Another Text.
Daughter: Can I buy another season of that show on Amazon? I’ll pay you back.
Me: Of course. Don’t worry about it.
Daughter: Thanks.
Me: Just curious. What show?
Daughter: Impractical Jokers.
Over the next few days, the conversation repeated itself two more times. My interest so piqued, that by the time I got home, I couldn’t wait to check out this treasure she’d found. Yes, I knew it had to be something awesome–because we have very similar tastes when it comes to TV, books, and film.
So where to start, she says when we have some time to binge watch TV together. I know exactly where!
Lawerence Isle.
After watching that episode…I was as hooked as the daughter had become.
The Evolution of Fandom
To say IJ [Impractical Jokers] was a show we watched, doesn’t quite describe it. No, the catch phrases, colloquial one-liners became a running family joke.
Anytime we could turn a conversation to include an IJ reference, we did. And then, we’d giggle. In our ongoing games of Words With Friends, if one of could play a word that had a joker connection, the other would message back something to the effect of “Hehehe….good one.” or “Bonus points!”
Are we easily amused? Maybe. But laughter is oh-so important.
Like when daughter was oh-so-nervous the day of her Graduate Record Exam (GRE). How do I help her shake it off and relax–and kill about 90 minutes? Go into the DVR and play the live IJ Special.
How does she help me to smile when I’m clearly having a bad day? Turn on a favorite episode.
So, it was a no-brainer we would travel the ninety minutes to Cleveland to see their live show last November.
And when another, even closer (Like ten minutes from the house close) date was announced, we were there at the second the on sale started to not only get seats, but the Meet and Greet too.
The Live Show – Don’t Think Just Do
Screen at back of stage, April 15, 2016 — Toledo, OH
I’m not a spoiler kind-of-person. I’m not going to highlight the show. The only thing I will say is if you are a fan, their live show is a MUST SEE. Don’t think about it. Just do it. (Please don’t sue me Nike.)
Needless to say, we were excited about the meet & greet. The weeks leading up to the event, when we’d talk about the show, we’d say we need to do something fun. We have lots of time, let’s do something.
Preparation for a Meet and Greet
A romance author and an English Literature Grad student, we’re both creative people. We can also procrastinate a tiny bit.
As the weeks turned to days, some decisions were made.
T-shirts? Yes! T-shirts!
Lawrence Isle? Maybe…
Plaster them with our favorite one lines? Nah!
Lawrence Isle? Hmm…but how?
A take on the “team” shirts, a twist? No!
…The Aligator that ate the DeLuca boy? (Rolling laughter!)
Three days prior to the show.
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t-shirt mock up
We sent a few texts to friends/fellow fans. Is this funny? Is it too obscure? It’s an old clip. Will they remember it?
Friends assured us we were good.
We made some tweaks…What if there had been another death. What if the t-shirts for the resort had to be updated on short notice.
The day of the show, we finished the t-shirts.
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A few hours later, we were in the front row…waiting for the show to start…waiting to see if our friends who were also coming.
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The Backstage Experience (AKA, Thanks for Being Awesome!)
Sometimes you can get so excited about an upcoming event that there is no way the experience can live up to the imagined fantasy. Let me tell you; this was not the case here.
We were taken back in small groups and given time just to hang out and talk with the guys in a very laid back and warm experience.
As any fan of the show knows, there’s something very personal about the whole thing, and in these moments, you realize there is a reality to the perceived connection.
Handshakes? No, hugs.
Real conversations.
Pictures shared.
And those t-shirts?
Murr: Lawrence isle? Awesome
Joe: Lawerence Isle! The Deluca Boy! Has Q seen these yet? That’s his favorite Joke ever.
Sal: Can I get a picture of these? Has Q seen this?
Q: Lawerence Isle! That is so cool!
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Things I wish I would have asked/said:
I know I’m not the only one who’s left a situation and then been hit with pangs of instant (not really) regret. These thoughts began to bombard me/us in the car on the way home.
Why didn’t I ask or say….
James Murray
So much….
Was still overwhelmed by the surreal moment and all of his energy.
More details about the upcoming punishment that he shared…but man, processing it all was making me dizzy. This detail has been widely posted: The man had his eyebrows shaved off! Beyond that, I can’t say much else. Yes. I’m going to be one of those people because I not a big fan of spoilers. Instead of looking on with a dumbfounded look on my face as he shared some more details, I wish I would have said something.
Interest piqued, I will tune in three weeks (We were told) to see how the punishment played out.
Joe Gatto
Have you heard if you got approval on the third dog you’re trying to adopt? (He’d mentioned it in a periscope the day before.)
I should have mentioned how adorable his kid is….yeah…you’re right. He knows that!
Sal Vulcano
While talking about the What Say You Podcast, he told us some of our favorite podcast stories were being included in his stand-up act.
Why-Oh-Why didn’t I ask:
Are you doing these shows on in NY?
Will you be traveling with your standup?
When is your next show and where can I buy a ticket?
Brian “Q” Quinn
There are times when ten minutes seem to last forever…this was not one of them. So glad we approached Q when we did.
I thoroughly enjoyed every wonderful second of the moments shared, but as with the other three, only moments later I was saying…
Why didn’t we tell Q how much we love the podcast? (as we did with Sal.)
What Next?
Counting down the days to the next new episode. Watching the reruns and enjoying our favorite jokes. Scanning the site for the next, close live date. Treasuring the memories!
The post The Tenderloins of Impractical Jokers: Full Circle Fandom appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
February 2, 2016
Romance Month! Your Chances to Win Kindle Fire and Much More
Romance is the usual word of the day when it comes to Valentine’s, but around here, this year February is all about the winning!
Sure, February 14 is about love, and chocolate, and romance, and books, but all this month there will be multiple chances for you to win. Beginning with a Kindle Fire!
In conjunction with the big Valentine’s Romance-a-thon there are two ways you can be entered to win a Kindle Fire from me. One way is to buy a copy of my newest release All That’s Unforeseen. The other is to review the book.
Directions on how to register can be found on the entry page.
Also – In conjunction with the same event. New subscribers to my email list will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card!
And….
Last but not least, tomorrow you will have a chance to win a copy of one of the Sunnydale Days books. All you have to do is head over the The Romance Reviews Valentine’s Mega party and answer the trivia question to be entered. But, don’t wait until tomorrow to check out the party! There are tons of prizes to be won today!
The post Romance Month! Your Chances to Win Kindle Fire and Much More appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
February 1, 2016
Mega Anniversary and Valentine’s Party Begins today at TRR
The Romance Reviews Mega Anniversary and Valentine’s Party has more than 300 participating authors and publishers! There are more than 300 prizes up for grabs during the whole month of February. Grand prize is $200 Amazon Gift Certificate! Plus over $300 Gift Certificates and more than 300 book giveaways!
Personally, I will be giving away copies of book from the Sunnydale Days series. Keep an eye here and on my facebook and twitter pages on the following dates, to find links to trivia questions that will enter you to win ebooks.
February 3
February 11
February 19
February 23
You can check out a list of the participating authors and specific prizes on the Prize List page of The Romance Reviews.
The post Mega Anniversary and Valentine’s Party Begins today at TRR appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
January 29, 2016
Author Event Celebrates Valentine’s Day
Chances to Win Kindles, gift cards, romance themed prize packs and more
This author event features twenty romance authors (and counting)!
We’re banning together to bring you a two-day romance-a-thon. What better way to celebrate the month of love or romance than to party with romance authors.
I will be taking over on February 10, at 7pm, and plan to pack that half-hour with giveaways and fun!
But don’t just spend time with me. The list of authors already committed are as follows.
N Kuhn
Zara Keane
JA Coffey
Casey Hagen
Carrie Ann Ryan
Carly Phillips
Allyson Lindt
Debra Parmley
Roz Lee
Lindsay Cross
Cynthia Garner
Kristina Knight
Constance Phillips
Stephanie Haefner
Jennifer Conner
Sophia Henry
Mindy Carter
Cerise DeLand
Rue Allyn
Sheena Binkley
List of Prizes (So far! More being added all the time)
1 Kindle Fire
1 Kindle Fire with Carly Phillips book flower and goodies
4 Valentine’s Day packages
$50 Amazon Gift Card
More to come, as well as giveaways during each authors takeover!!!
Get your one-click finger going! There will be entries for picking up books, reviewing books, there’s going to be book trivia, and so much more!!! You won’t want to miss out! Join this event and make sure you invite your friends!!
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January 28, 2016
Constance Phillips Appearing at Glass City Author Event
Glass City Author Event
October 8, 2016
Toledo Seagate Convention Center
I’m so excited to announce that I will be joining a long list of great authors at the Glass City Author Event. I know October is several months away, but if you are in the Toledo area — or if it’s a doable trip for you — mark your calendar now and make arrangements to attend. This is going to be awesome.
Come Join me and your favorite Indie Authors at the Glass City Author Event. It is being held October 8, 2016 at the Toledo Seagate Convention Center.
More information will follow soon — including a form to preorder your signed books and a great giveaway. So stay tuned!
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January 26, 2016
Book Signing at Signature Harley-Davidson
I’m so excited to be holding this book signing for my newest release — All That’s Unforeseen — at Signature Harley-Davidson, 1176 Professional Drive, Perrysburg Ohio, on January 30, 2016 from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
All That’s Unforeseen – my ninth release and the fifth in the Sunnydale Days series – focuses on a Harley enthusiast who steps back into his best friend’s, ex-wife’s life to bring emotional healing in a time of tragedy.
All That’s Unforeseen
When her son was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy Marilynn Morgan knew how the story was going to end. What she didn’t foresee was that her husband would leave her and get remarried a few years later. She couldn’t imagine how lonely life would become, or that her ex-husband’s best friend, Eli Briggs would show up late one night – his Harley’s motor roaring loud enough to be heard three blocks away – to fix Joss’s lift.
Back in high school, Eli fell head over heels for Marilynn, but when she started chasing his best friend he buried his feelings. Now, three years have passed since Dan walked out, and Marilynn’s late night call has him back in Marilynn and Joss’s life—and is giving him a chance to rewrite a future he thought he knew.
Copies of all my books will be available for purchase (back list books in limited quantity), but no purchase is necessary. You may bring any of my books that you already own, if you’d like them signed, or just come out and say hi. I would love to see you!
You can find more information on All That’s Unforeseen, including buy links at the book’s page on my website.
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January 25, 2016
Water Skippers Released, Let’s Celebrate
Tonight at 7pm (Eastern) I will be at the Facebook event for the release of Water Skippers by Jennifer Julie Miller. Follow the link, hit the “Going” button and join the fun with several other authors celebrating this release with games and giveaways.
Four Giveaways from me at Water Skippers’ Event!
I will be giving away four $5 amazon gift cards.
Eden was happy and content, as the seasons passed in her world with her little dancers.Then a strange man came into her world making her question what she wanted more. Eternity or a chance at love.
Kyle is searching for answers after a terrible secret is revealed following the death of his grandfather.These secrets lead Kyle to an unexpected paradise where he finds his own angel, and now he wants something he doesn’t know if he can have.
Will Kyle’s love for Eden be enough to convince the dancers to let her go,or will the sacrifices and the painful injuries of the past destroy both of them before their love has a chance?
This book is a Folk Lore, and is written in an oral form.
Grand Prize $15 Amazon Gift Card and paperback
I hope to see you there!
The post Water Skippers Released, Let’s Celebrate appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
January 4, 2016
All That’s Unforeseen by Constance Phillips Releases Tomorrow
Book five in the Sunnydale Days Series
Releases Tomorrow
All That’s Unforeseen, the sweet contemporary romance by Constance Phillips, releases January 5, 2016. Find out why readers call the Sunnydale Days series “Heartwarming.”
Knowing how the story ends doesn’t mean there aren’t wonderful surprises along the way.
***
When her son was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy Marilynn Morgan knew how the story was going to end. What she didn’t know was what life would bring her along the way. She didn’t anticipate her husband leaving her or getting remarried a few years later. She didn’t realize how lonely her life would become, and she certainly didn’t expect to feel the way she did when her ex-husband’s best friend, Eli Briggs, showed up to fix Joss’s lift.
Back in high school, Eli fell head over heels for Marilynn, but when she started chasing his best friend he buried his feelings. Over the years, he silently stood by his friends through the good times and the bad. Now, three years have passed since Dan walked out, and Marilynn’s late night call has him back in Marilynn and Joss’s life—and is giving him a chance to rewrite a future he thought he knew.
Order Now: Kindle |Createspace – Print | Amazon Print | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iBooks | All Romance Ebooks
Read an excerpt
Eli Briggs.
Marilynn couldn’t have heard right. Of all the guys in town, Trevor had to suggest him. “Is that all you got?”
“There’s always Dan.”
She didn’t miss the well-deserved sarcasm in the voice of her son’s physical therapist. She and Joss were part of her ex-husband’s long forgotten past. He’d proven it more than once.
“I told him the lift was acting up two months ago. First, he promised to buy a new one after he got back from his honeymoon. Then, he said he’d take care of it as soon as he got caught up at work. Now, the damn thing won’t even engage. I can’t get Joss from the wheelchair to his bed on my own.”
“I’m sorry. I’m in Chicago. You know if I was home, I’d be right over.”
Marilynn recognized the tone in Trevor’s voice. She’d heard the sound of helplessness more than once and instantly regretted unloading her anger at Dan. Trevor had no reason to feel guilty about her situation. He and his wife had gone out of their way to help her since he became part of Joss’s medical
team. “I didn’t mean to lash out.”
“You can call Eli. He’s been selling and repairing therapy and medical equipment through Mid-Michigan Healthcare for six months. He’ll have that lift working in no time. I promise. Let me get off the phone, and I’ll text you his number.”
After his family lost the farm, Eli started working at MacNeil Auto—and living in the small apartment over the large brick building sitting on the curve of the main road heading south of town. She’d wondered what he’d been up to since the repair shop closed earlier this year. Somehow, this new job seemed both logical and unlikely all at the same time.
Eli was an expert mechanic, but what had he done in his past to qualify him for any kind of a sales job?
The air deflated from her lungs. “I know his number.”
“You do?”
She paused and rapped her knuckles against the kitchen wall behind her. The situation with Eli might seem easy to explain on the surface, but like a rich, sweet dessert, there were nuances and layers to the relationship.
“I’ve known him since grade school.” And—for as long as she could remember—he’d been someone she could count on.
After the divorce, Dan got custody of their best friend. At least, that’s how it felt. Whenever she ran into him around town—frequently, given the size of Caseville—Eli kept their conversations quick and stilted. She wasn’t sure how receptive he would be to a call for help.
“Then I don’t have to tell you he’s a good guy. Problem solved.”
No. Problem just beginning. Dan would accuse her of playing the damsel in distress or pitting his best friend against him if he ever found out she asked Eli for help.
But, why should she care what Dan thought?
(Continue reading chapter one)
The post All That’s Unforeseen by Constance Phillips Releases Tomorrow appeared first on Constance Phillips, Romance Author.
December 8, 2015
Cover Reveal: All That’s Unforeseen, Coming Jan. 5
So….Here it is!
Coming January 5.
All That’s Unforeseen – Sunnydale Days – Book 5 Hearts, horses, and healing
Knowing how the story ends doesn’t mean there aren’t wonderful surprises along the way.
***
When her son was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy Marilynn Morgan knew how the story was going to end. What she didn’t know was what life would bring her along the way. She didn’t anticipate her husband leaving her or getting remarried a few years later. She didn’t realize how lonely her life would become, and she certainly didn’t expect to feel the way she did when her ex-husband’s best friend, Eli Briggs, showed up to fix Joss’s lift.
Back in high school, Eli fell head over heels for Marilynn, but when she started chasing his best friend he buried his feelings. Over the years, he silently stood by his friends through the good times and the bad. Now, three years have passed since Dan walked out, and Marilynn’s late night call has him back in her and Joss’s life–and is giving him a chance to rewrite a future he thought he knew.
(preorder links coming soon)
December 7, 2015
All That’s Unspoken, 99¢ for the Holidays
The holiday book that launched the Sunnydale Days series
is only 99¢ for the holiday season
After eight years, Hailey is back in Caseville Michigan. Just months after her mother’s death, her siblings want to put their father in a nursing home and rent out the family farm. If that wasn’t enough, the prospective tenant is Nate, the high school crush she left behind the day after they acted on their mutual attraction.
After high school, Nate Jenkins planned to leave small town behind, but life dealt him a different hand of cards to play. He’s now back in Caseville, raising his daughter, and running his family’s diner. His daughter’s speech disorder has been improved by therapeutic horse riding and if he can lease the old Lambert farm, he can get her a horse of her own. The only standing in the way is Hailey, the same woman who left him eight years ago without even saying goodbye.
Can they get over all that’s unspoken between them?
Buy links: Kindle | Amazon Print |iBooks |Barnes and Noble |All Romance Ebooks | Kobo | Oyster |Inktera | Scribd
All That’s Unforgiven in the Fourth book in the series. Book Five–All That’s Unforeseen will be coming out on Jan. 5
Please refer to my website for reading order and blurbs on the series.
