Guest Post & Giveaway with Author Carly Phillips!

I'm very excited to welcome to the blog one of my favorite contemporary romance writers! Author Carly Phillips!

Contemporary Romance has seen a resurgence lately … and I think the reason is as obvious as why readers are drawn to the Fifty Shades Alpha Billionaire – woman love a fantasy, and fantasies express the hope all women have, that we can all find true love and happily ever after with the man of her dreams.  Or, it can take us away from our reality and put us smack in the middle of someone else’s, sometimes more angst-filled one, but know the happy ending will prevail.

Why the interest in small town romance? I think small towns offer us a slice of life that we can relate to.  Problem family members, nosey neighbors, the embarrassing aunt, grandmother or mother you love dearly but wish would keep quiet … etc.  Again, all within a setting we can certainly relate to – modern day America.

I keep this in mind when creating Serendipity, both the town and the characters.  Main Street in Serendipity reminds me of the town where I live – (don’t worry, that’s all that reminds me of Serendipity!) The coffee shop where you can run into anyone, any time.  Imagine the possibilities: hot guy you’ve been drooling over sees you there and buys you a latte, exactly how you like it because he’s been paying attention? See? Small town appeal. 

The local watering hole – in the case of Serendipity, Joe’s Bar, where much of the action goes down.  Karaoke, Ladies’ Night, hot, brooding cops hanging out and waiting … for someone exactly like you.  What’s not to like about small town contemporary romance, I ask you?

Let’s talk contemporaries. What do you like about the small town contemporaries out in general? Serendipity in particular (if you’ve read it yet)?

Bio and Internet Links:

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 Carly:
Carly’s Website
Carly on Twitter
Carly on Facebook
Carly on Goodreads 


Book 4 in the Serendipity series!

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.

Giveaway!

I have one copy of Carly's three previous books to giveaway! Open to US only.  Winner can choose a copy of Serendipity, Destiny, or Karma!   Please leave comment with email if you are entering giveaway. Giveaway ends 1/18/13 at 12PM EST. Good luck!