Win a print copy of one of Carly’s three previous Serendipity books (Serendipity, Destiny or Karma). The book is the winner’s choice.
CARLY PHILLIPS
Shey: Welcome Carly to Guilty Pleasure’s. We are so honored to have you with us. I have to admit I am a big fan, ok that’s a lie a HUGE fan of your Serendipity series and totally excited for the new series Serendipity’s Finest and Perfect Fit that has just released!
Carly: Can I say THANK YOU!? It’s such a treat to hear things like that 
Shey: So to start would you give us a little something about yourself that no one else knows? (I’m sneaky that way, LOL!!)
Carly: LOL! OK what haven’t I revealed to the world yet? Hmm. Maybe just this – as a reader, I have a weakness for hard-ass Alpha men. Harder than the kind I usually write.
Shey: Perfect Fit is the first of the new trilogy of Serendipity’s Finest can you tell us how you decided to go that direction instead of just keeping it all within the Serendipity series?
Carly: I loved what I did in the original Serendipity trilogy, the brothers and their mixed/ongoing story. I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if I stayed in Serendipity, but moved on at the same time? Families within the town, connected people and stories, but letting readers have stand alone type books too. After awhile, they’d feel like they had too many to go back to and read “first’ and it’s not like that. I want them to be able to pick up a book and read if they’d like – or feel like they’re following a family in order if they prefer … while remaining in a familiar place.
Shey: Carly, your books touch on a lot of emotion and real life issues from cancer to underage drinking are they difficult for you to write about?
Carly: Ironically, not really. I draw from real life experiences. Mine or people I’ve read about. I feel like writing those things are relatable to most people – you know someone who’s experienced an illness, you’ve raised or know teenagers … those things seem natural and work for me as an author.
Shey: I know you are from New York did you base Serendipity on your home town? Are any people in Serendipity based on people you know?
Carly: I’ll never tell. No seriously, the truth is I can only envision the town I live near – the long street (I call it Main Street), and the off-shoot streets, etc. But everything else is fictional, including the people.
Shey: If you had to choose which of the men in your series including your new release Serendipity’s Finest would be 1) you’re most challenging to write. 2) Your Favorite, so far (Mine being Ethan then Dare but I think Mike will be taking over both those spots!!!)
Carly: My most challenging to write – currently, Cole is kicking my @$$ <g> in Perfect Fling, which is Erin’s story – Mike’s sister. I’ve revised and tweaked and fixed him up more times than I can ever remember doing with a hero. Then again maybe I always say that mid-story!
My favorite so far – well normally I don’t like to admit to favorites. But. It used to be Dare – in Karma – I LOVED how he took care of Liza. But … then came Mike. Oh, Mike. He has somehow wrapped himself around my heart. He’s such an Alpha and yet a softie inside. I love him. But don’t tell all my other heroes. They’ll be so hurt and really, I do love them all!
Shey: Can you give us a hint as to what you have planned for this New Year and the new series? Also, will we get a glimpse of those we love from the Serendipity series as well? Any new books related to that series?
Carly: For the new year, as of now, after Mike and Perfect Fit, I have a short story in an anthology called Hot Summer Nights with Jaci Burton, Erin McCarthy and Jessica Clare. It’s called Perfect Stranger, and it’s Dr. Alexa Collins’ story out July 2013. In August 2013 Erin’s story is up – Perfect Fling – and then nothing until February 2014 with Perfect Stranger, the long awaited story for Sam Marsden who readers first met in Karma.
Shey: Ok last question we all have a Guilty Pleasure, mine is running away to Starbucks to read. What is your Guilty Pleasure?
Carly: My guilty pleasure, hmm? There’s so many 
Dogs. I’d be a crazy dog lady … happily. Apple products – can’t have enough “new” things as they come out. Books on my iPad mini – the more the merrier. A day in my house alone to read them Shopping w/mom. Milk chocolate while I write/read. Needless to say, I have to restrain myself. Often! Hey maybe all this should be the answer to what don’t people know about me? LOL!
Shey: Thank you so much Carly for taking the time out of your busy schedule it was such a pleasure spending time with you!
Carly: Thank you! I really enjoyed answering your questions!
Have a question or comment for Carly?
One lucky commenter will win a print copy of one of Carly’s three previous Serendipity books (Serendipity, Destiny or Karma) to a winner in the U.S. The book is the winner’s choice. Winner will be selected 1/13.
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 Shey’s PERFECT FIT review
28 comments
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Linda Scarchuk
January 8, 2013 at 6:53 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I would love to win the books, I haven’t read them yet, thanks for the chance…
Lydia Moreno
January 8, 2013 at 8:14 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Carly Phillips is amazing!!! Love all her books and I can’t wait to read Perfect Fit!!!!!
Joanne B
January 8, 2013 at 9:50 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Congrats on the new release. Perfect Fit sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it to see more of Mike and Cara. Is there any genre that you’d like to write but haven’t?
Texas Book Lover
January 8, 2013 at 10:05 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I haven’t read anything by Carly yet and this series sounds fantastic so this looks like a great place to start!
Thanks so much!
Karin Anderson
January 8, 2013 at 10:21 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I love the interview! You gave your “favorite” hero, but who would be your favorite heroine? So far, anyway.
AquarianDancer at gmail dot com
Sue Peace
January 8, 2013 at 11:15 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Love Carly’s books!!! I think Perfect Fit is finally at the bookstore here and I will be heading out to pick it up today!!!
erinf1
January 8, 2013 at 11:17 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks for the awesome interview! I’m dying to read this series
Lori Meehan
January 8, 2013 at 12:09 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’ve not read Carly’s books. They sound great. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.
Sharlene Wegner
January 8, 2013 at 1:09 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I don’t already have all of the Serendipity books & just finished Perfect Fit! So, I don’t need to win, but just wanted to say I love this series! And PS all of the heroes are great!
Sharlene Wegner
January 8, 2013 at 1:10 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I mean I DO already have all of the books. LOL!
Lisa Hutson
January 8, 2013 at 1:11 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I have read Carly before. But its been a while. And not this series. Who knows why its been so long. It happens. But it feels like a good time to try out a new series. Thanks for the fun interview. lisakhutson at cox. net
Jane
January 8, 2013 at 2:14 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Congrats to Carly on the new release. I’ve been a fan since I read the Chandler Brothers series.
Kim
January 8, 2013 at 2:33 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I can’t wait to read Perfect Fit! The Hot Zone series was my introduction to Carly’s books and I haven’t stopped reading since! I’m looking forward to the upcoming Serendipity books.
Kathleen O
January 8, 2013 at 2:41 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Carly Big Congrats to you on the next big Serendipty book.. I love this series and I can’t wait to read the next book Perfect Fit.
Slick~Guilty Pleasures Reviewer
January 8, 2013 at 4:33 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks so much for being with us here today Carly…great interview!!!
Martha Lawson
January 8, 2013 at 4:44 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I love Carly’s books and this series sounds great! Thanks for the chance.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Michelle
January 8, 2013 at 5:13 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
YAY! So glad to see this new trip back to Serendipity!
Monica V.
January 8, 2013 at 6:07 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’ve been wanting to start this series for a while now. I would love to win.
Crystal
January 8, 2013 at 7:50 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I love Carly’s Book! Everyone I have read has been awesome! I would love to win these
Timitra
January 8, 2013 at 8:21 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Great imterview…too bad I can’t enter the contest.
Shannon G.
January 8, 2013 at 9:04 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Ah yeah! Can’t wait to see what Carly has for us in this one!
Paula R.
January 8, 2013 at 9:27 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hi Carly, loved your responses. I think Mike is worming his way into my heart too. As I get older, I am finding that I love a Alpha that is a softie on the inside…maybe that’s why I love tragic heroes so much.
just stopping by to say hi.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
bn100
January 8, 2013 at 9:39 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I enjoyed the interview.
Barbara Elness
January 8, 2013 at 9:58 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I enjoyed the interview and I love Carly’s books.
Amber H.
January 8, 2013 at 10:23 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Love Carly’s books!
chris bails
January 8, 2013 at 11:19 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I love carly’s books. I have not ead any of the serendipity series yet. Need to catch up. Would love to win these. Thanks for the giveaway.
Shayna Snyder
January 9, 2013 at 8:53 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Love Carly’s books! Thanks for the giveaway!
Alyssa
January 9, 2013 at 10:40 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Loved the interview and the review! I haven’t read any of this series but I am looking forward to it now