Interview & Giveaway With Author Carly Phillips

Today Brianna is interviewing author Carly Phillips. Welcome to The Book Vixen Carly!

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Brianna: What would you tell new readers (like myself) about your books? What can readers expect from a Carly Phillips novel?

Carly Phillips: I’d tell new readers that I write sexy, fun, occasionally emotional contemporary romance. My characters are the main part of the story, their lives and the people they connect with in their hometown. My heroes are (I hope) seriously sexy, often flawed (aren’t we all?). My heroines are independent women with lives of their own and secret hopes and dreams just like the rest of us!

Brianna: With both Mike and Cara being in law enforcement in Perfect Fit, what kind of research went into creating these characters? Did you do any research specifically on women in law enforcement?

Carly: During the past year, my dad was sick and unable to drive, and he had local police driving him to and from work on their days off, so I had instant access to law enforcement professionals in a small town.

Brianna: I know this is like asking a parent to pick a favorite child but do you have a favorite Marsden?

Carly: Well, keeping in mind I haven’t written Sam’s story yet, right now I have to say Mike. I’ve said it ever since I finished his story – I thought he was special. Seriously hot, a lot in control, and an inability to see how great he is until Cara. I adore him (Perfect Fit).

Brianna: Do you tap into your family relationships for inspiration when writing the Marsden family?

Carly: I do. My father had lymphoma and that’s how I wrote Mike’s father, Simon’s illness. Personal experience. In Perfect Fling, Cole’s dad has some problems (I don’t want to ruin it) but I also drew on personal family experience. It’s not easy but it makes for more realistic reactions of the characters to the situation.

Brianna: Do you always know how a book is going to end or do you develop it as you write?

Carly: I develop it as I write. Sometimes I have a vision of what will happen, but too often I discover the characters go an entirely different way, and that ending just won’t work. I’m a very organic writer. It makes for a challenging writing process, that I can tell you!

Brianna: What made you decide to set the town of Serendipity in upstate New York?

Carly: It’s a write what you know reason. I live in New York. It’s not a tiny small town, but I understand small town living, and for that reason, I have more to draw from. I’ve also done New England in the past. As long as I feel a familiarity with a setting I can write it.

Brianna: How many more books do you have planned in the Serendipity series? Can you tell us who the hero and heroine are for book 5, Perfect Fling?

Carly: I could tell you but I’d have to kill you. Kidding. The heroine is Erin Marsden, Mike’s sister, and the hero is Cole Sanders, who returns to Serendipity very much an enigma to everyone, even people who knew him. The first chapter was in the end of Perfect Fit, so I wouldn’t be ruining anything by saying, it picks up the morning after Erin and Cole’s one night stand … and of course, the consequences of that a few months later!

Brianna: What genres do you read? Who are some of your favorite authors?

Carly: I love contemporary romance. I also enjoy erotic romance. Paranormal on occasion – shifters especially. My favorite authors? My go to girls – Lauren Dane, Bella Andre, Roni Loren, Eve Berlin/Eden Bradley, Kristen Ashley, Cherie Lynn, Janelle Denison.

Brianna: What are 5 random facts about yourself that readers don't know?

Carly:

1. I’m shy.
2. I hate exercise.
3. I live on peanut butter sandwiches on whole wheat when I’m home.
4. If left unchecked I’d have too many dogs and would be fined by the city.
5. I have no self control around milk chocolate.

Brianna: We have a lot in common! What can readers expect next from you?

Carly: Right now I’m still working on the last of Serendipity’s Finest, Perfect Together, Sam’s story. My upcoming release list looks like this:

Carly’s 2013 – 2014 Book Releases

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS Anthology – 7/13
(Perfect Stranger, a Serendipity Novella – Alexa’s story)

PERFECT FLING – 8/13
(A Serendipity’s Finest Novel – Erin & Cole’s story)

PERFECT TOGETHER – 2/14
(A Serendipity’s Finest Novel – Sam’s story)

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Carly Phillips has written over 35 romance novels with contemporary characters and small town settings that today's readers identify with and enjoy.  She's currently focused on the New York Times bestselling Serendipity series set in the small fictional town in upstate, New York.  Carly is a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom to two daughters (16 and 20!) and two crazy dogs (a 1 year old Havanese named Brady and a 5 year old wheaten terrier named Bailey).  In addition, she’s a Twitter, Facebook and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.   Carly lives in Purchase, New York and would love for you to like and follow her on the web.

Find the author online: website | blog | twitter | facebook

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Title: Perfect Fit
Series: Serendipity, Book 4
Author: Carly Phillips
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: December 2012 by Berkley

MIKE
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
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.

Together their chemistry explodes but ...
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.

    

Read my review of Perfect Fit.

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Thanks to Berkley Books, one lucky winner will receive a mass market copy of one of Carly’s previous three books: Serendipity, Destiny, or Karma (winner’s choice). Good luck to all who enter!

• No purchase necessary.
• Must be 18 years old or older to enter.
• Giveaway open to US residents. Void where prohibited.
• Comments are appreciated, however, you must fill out the Rafflecopter form in order to enter this giveaway.
• Please read TBV's Giveaway Policy before entering.
• Giveaway ends 9:01 pm (Pacific Time) on 2/18/2013.

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