Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Carly Phillips Chose Me

Official Blog Stop. Official Blog Stop.  



About a month ago, I filled out a questionnaire enticing Carly Phillips to choose my blog as one of her official tour stops for her new Dare Family Series. I often do impromptu things such as this - all the while thinking there's no way I will get chosen. The last time I did one of these, you'll-never-get-chosen-deeds, was when I sent Brad Pitt's brother an email with a business proposition that included him asking Angelina Jolie to review my book. He did reply to my business proposition with a polite no.

So imagine my thrill, when I filled out the questionnaire for the honor of hosting a blog stop for CARLY PHILLIPS, and she said YES. Virtual cartwheels were done.

Dare to Love - Blurb

In her newest sexy and emotional contemporary romance series, New York Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips introduces you to the Dare family…siblings shaped by a father’s secrets and betrayal.

Since finding out his father had another family on the side, Ian Dare swore to be the upstanding, responsible man his cheating parent had never been. But after one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor, with her feminine curves and beguiling eyes and Ian is entranced. He will do anything to possess her ... but does that include extending an olive branch to the half-brother who is a constant reminder of pain he’d rather forget?


Independent and always in control, Riley Taylor makes no apologies for choosing men carefully. Relationships have never been a priority, and she believes herself hardened to domineering men - until she meets charismatic Ian Dare. He manages to turn a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses. Their affair heats up and they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither ever imagined. But Riley’s family includes a man Ian would rather live without ...

As part of being on the blog tour, I received an arc of Dare to Love so I could read it ahead of time. Let's just say Phillips knows how to write steamy love scenes. We're talking shed-ten-pounds-in-a-sauna steamy. Steam aside, the characters are entertaining, and the story line kept me guessing as to how she was going to manage a happy ever after for them.  

I give Dare to Love 5 stars, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. 


I was able to ask Carly any question I wanted. The question I chose was a no brainer. I teach a series writing class, and so I'm always asking successful authors how they keep track of their series information. Here is her response:

I have the worst memory (Even eye color is hard for me to remember), so with the Serendipity series, I hired someone to help me keep track. I call it a series “Bible”.  It’s in word format.  For this new series, I had someone new do the work and it’s in Excel.  But I have also taken the information they’ve given me and made a whole series bible in Scrivener – complete with character photos (actors/actresses who look like my characters_. I love using it.  I haven’t put that together yet for Dare to Love but I plan to!

When I teach the series class, Scrivener is always a popular choice for the student's to use for their series bibles. 



Now to the huge give away that is held during the blog tour. 

Please leave a comment below on my blog letting Carly know you were here and then enter the contest here

First Place:

iPad Mini 16g - $299
Customized CP iPad Mini Case

Signed copies of:
Dare to Love
Serendipity
Destiny
Karma
Perfect Fit
Perfect Fling
Perfect Together - no I don't have it yet
Cross My Heart
Sealed with a Kiss
Seduce Me

Carly Phillips Canvas Tote Bag
Dare to Love Mug
Carly Phillips T-shirt


2nd place:
Carly Phillips Canvas Tote Bag
Dare to Love Mug

Signed Copies:
Dare to Love
Perfect Partners
Solitary Man
The Right Choice
Midnight Angel


3rd place:
Carly Phillips Canvas Tote Bag

Signed copies:
Dare to Love
Lucky Charm
Lucky Streak
Lucky Break
Brazen

4th place:

Signed copies:
Dare to Love
The  Bachelor
The Playboy
The Heartbreaker


5th place:

Signed copies:
Dare to Love
Kiss Me If You Can
Love Me If You Dare


56 comments:

  1. Sounds like another great Carly book.
    theresa n
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  2. Always a pleasure to read one of Carly's book. Love her.

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  4. <3 I can't wait to read it.
    rmwyer at shaw dot ca

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  5. I like what I have read and will definitely read the rest.

    ezmerelda at mail dot com

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  6. I was here. Can't wait to read Carly's latest book. sjboen at gee mail dot com

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  7. Love Carly's books, can't wait to read this one. Nice question, I've wondered how authors keep track of all those characters, my brain would be fried!

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  8. I always look forward to Carly Phillips's books.

    kidsue99@yahoo.com

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  9. I can't wait to read this one and add it to my ever growing collection

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  10. I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing it and and the giveaway. Wishing everyone a wonderful and magical holiday season! evamillien at gmail dot com

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  11. I must be doing something wrong because when I click on the link to enter, I just get the blogger screen.

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    1. Ezmerelda try this blog stop - they seem to have the code working.
      http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com/

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  12. looking forward to the book!

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  13. Visiting all these blogs is a treat!! Looking forward to reading the new Dare series...and a few others on the blogs.

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  14. I can't wait to read Carly Phillips new book! I am so excited for the new series! Thank you Carly and Lisa :)

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  15. Always breathlessly waiting for a new release! Thanks!!!

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  16. Thanks for giving us a behind the author peek at how Carly keeps her characters straight using her "bibles". I love learning stuff like that! Can't wait to read Dare To Love!

    Sara A.
    millimeow AT gM aiL DOT com

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  17. This sounds like a great read from a great author.

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  18. Wow, love sauna steam love scenes. And the family relationship sounds very intriguing!

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  19. This new series sounds so good I am so excited to read her 1st book in the series as all of her other books have been just great to read.

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  20. I have always loved reading Carly's stories and look forward to reading this series. Thanks for being part of her blog tour, Lisa.

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  21. Glad to see I am not the only one who need notes to keep track of my life. Since the characters are created, it is easy to see how a bible of the book/series would be helpful, if not necessary, to keep things straight. A good idea.

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  22. I love reading books one and two from the Serependity series and I can't wait to read more of your books. Carly I loved how you wrote a story that was engaging and very lovely.

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  23. That was a great question. I wonder if she will put it on her web site or facebook page for the rest of us that also have bad memories.

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  24. I'm excited to read the book. I have often wondered how some authors keep track of the characters in their series. I know I have read some who make mistakes and it always bothers me.

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  25. Hi Lisa,

    I'm so happy you were so excited to be picked for the tour! That made my day.

    I'm also happy that you loved Dare to Love!

    In case the contest link isn't working for everyone, you can enter the Rafflecopter contest at this link:

    http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/YmM0ZDdhOTAzYzZkMGRhZjVmZmJkZmY1NGEzMzViOjE0/

    Carly

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    1. Hi Carly. Thanks for leaving a comment. Your first major twist in Dare to Love - completely caught me off guard. Great job.

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  26. I was here and dare to love looks awesome!!

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  27. I was here and can't wait to read dare to love absolutely love Carly Phillips books.

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  28. Looking forward to reading it. Next on my list!

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  29. How fun is that "Carly Phillips" up close, live and in person. Congratulations, Lisa enjoy the blog stop and tell Carly hi from the Fiery Grandma.

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    1. I think I'd like to hear the story behind the Fiery Grandma.

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  30. I love Carly's books. Can't wait to read Dare to Love

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  31. Can't wait for this series. I'm almost as excited as I am when it's Christmas LOL :) I love reading whatever Carly writes.

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  32. I can't wait to read this new book. Carly is one of my favorite authors.

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  33. Not sure what I'm doing wrong but the link to the contest just takes me here: http://www.blogger.com/home. How can I enter the contest?

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    1. Try visiting this blog stop - their code is working. Sorry. http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com/

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  34. Lisa, how absolutely exciting for you to be chosen. I think it's cool to that Brad Pitt's brother actually responded to your letter...he could have just ignored it altogether!

    Barrie

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  35. Great post! Lisa, so wonderful for you to be a host for Carly Phillips! Dare to Love sounds terrific! I'm looking forward to reading it. Barb Bettis

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  36. Hi everyone - there appears to be something wrong with my link for the give away - if you'll hop over to this blog - they have the link working correctly and you can sign up from there. PLUS - you can learn more about Carly. :) http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com/

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  37. Haven't read it yet but its on my Nook.

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  38. OH I SO DO HOPE YOU GET WAY DOWN HERE AS I'D TRADE MY DH TO WIN! LOL

    lindarb49@hotmail.com

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  39. Linda - part of the process of signing up for the raffle is to go to a raffle copter link - mine isn't working, so go to this blog and sign up on their link - http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com/
    Sorry for the extra work.

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  40. Can't wait to read!!! Love Carly's books! :)

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  41. Dare to Love looks great! I do love finding out about the process behind each author's writing. Thanks for sharing. :-)

    This really counts as one of those "you'll never win" things, but what the heck....

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  42. I'm a huge fan of Carly Phillips. I'm looking forward to reading "Dare to Love."

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  43. Thanks for participating in the Tour and the opportunity to win. I love Carly's books and can't wait to read Dare To Love.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  44. To the party a bit late but had to stop in and check out the coup my friend. Lisa, copped. Go girl! I can't wait to read this story. Carly has been one of my favorite authors for years. Always gives us an enjoyable read. Blessings! AngelaDrake (at) webmail (dot) com

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