Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Interveiw with Carly Phillips

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Carly Phillips. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Hot Property. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Hot Property is the last in my Hot Zone series of books about a sports publicity firm of three sisters and the athlete heroes they represent and/or end up involved with. The entire series is extra special to me because I love sports and I’ve always wanted to write sports heroes, so this is like a dream come true, really. In Hot Property, John Roper who we’ve met in prior books gets his happy ending with Amy Stone. It’s light and fun and I had a blast with these characters.

Hot Property is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

The HOT in all the books came from The Hot Zone PR agency in the books. Hot Property refers to John Roper’s status as an outfielder for the New York Renegades and as anyone who lives in NY knows, athletes in NYC are like celebrities and treated/stalked as such. John Roper IS a Hot Property. The book video on my website is fun with baseball quotes and everything – http://www.carlyphillips.com/.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book?

Not particularly because I am a huge baseball fan and I listen to sports radio in New York. There might have been stats and things I looked up so my hero would be more real, but a lot of my information comes from living here and reading the daily papers!

What character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Easy. Uncle Yank, the girls’ uncle who raised them and opened the sports agency. He’s eccentric and loveable and gruff all at the same time. He suffers from Macular Degeneration and refuses to give up without a fight. I love his humor and he’s loosely based on my grandfather who passed away when I was 16. My grandmother has Macular Degeneration so the disease is something I understand. Uncle Yank was my light and laughter in this whole series.

If your book was made into a movie, what actor would you like to fill your hero’s shoes?

Oooh always a fun question! Roper is my metrosexual hero so I always think – David Beckham type in looks – but I’m not sure actor-wise.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Oh yes. Don’t we all? Susan Elizabeth Phillips set the bar high in terms of sports romance and she inspired me, definitely. LaVyrle Spencer really hit home with me back when I started writing and I miss that she’s retired.

What do we have to look forward next?

A brand new hero driven series – my LUCKY series beginning with Lucky Charm in October 2008, Lucky Streak in June 2009 and Lucky Break in October 2009. Three cousins suffering from an age old family curse dating back to the Salem Witch Trial era – any male Corwin who falls in love will lose his money and his fortune. History has proven the curse to be real. Every male Corwin in the family line has suffered tragedy. Can these three men be different especially with the heroines in their corner? I’m loving writing these stories!

Thanks, Carly!

Thanks for having me! If your readers are interested in bookmarks for HOT PROPERTY, they can send an SASE to: Carly Phillips, Hot Property Bookmarks/Cheaper than Therapy, PO Box 483, Purchase, NY 10577. And don’t forget to visit my website and enter my contest!

To celebrate her book release, Carly is offering a free autographed copy of HOT PROPERTY to one lucky commenter on today's blog. She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.

New York Times bestselling novelist Carly Phillips gave up legal briefs in favor of writing romance and ever since she’s worked hard to deliver a sexy fun read in her twenty-five plus published books. Carly Phillips started her writing career with Harlequin Temptation in 1999 with Brazen, and she's never strayed far from home! In 2002 Carly's book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa on Live! With Regis and Kelly for her Reading with Ripa Bookclub, making it the first romance to be selected by a nationally televised bookclub. She continues to hit the New York Times Bestseller list, most recently with Sealed with a Kiss. Carly lives in Purchase, New York, with her husband, two daughters and two frisky soft-coated wheaten terriers who act like their third and fourth child. More information on Carly can be found at her website: http://www.carlyphillips.com/ or her writers’ blog http://www.plotmonkeys.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Property-Carly-Phillips/dp/0373773331/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209421759&sr=8-1

24 comments:

Cher Gorman said...

Hi Carly! (waving madly)

Just wanted to stop over and say hi! I already have a copy of Hot Property and it is next in line!

Have a terrific day,

Cher
www.chergorman.com

Anonymous said...

Hi, Cher! Great to see you here! Hope you love HP!

Susan said...

Hi Carly,
I was wondering if you tried to get Mike Piazza to pose for the cover? You have to admit he would look hot! :-)

I'm looking forward to reading Hot Property!

Susan

J said...

Hi Carly

How do you balance writing and family life?

If you could be a character in any of your books, who would it be and why?

Anonymous said...

Susan, if I had that kind of access to Mike Piazza, cover posing would be the last thing on my mind! OK just kidding but still. Wow, what a concept, Mike on my cover!

Anonymous said...

Jenny, how do I balance family life and writing? Very carefully, LOL. I'm lucky in that if a story is flowing, I can concentrate with a lot going on. But that said, it just isn't easy. I thought the older the kids, the more free time I'd have. My kids are 12 and 16 and it feels like I Have less time. I'm driving / carpooling everywhere. I think it's finding our own balance that we all need to figure out ... I don't have a particular plan. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

If I could be a character in any of my books who would I be? Wow you ask the tough questions, LOL. I think all my heroines have characteristics and traits I envy or wish I could have ... I'm going to have to think about this one? How about you??

Anonymous said...

What authors are autobuys for you?
Am sad to see the Hot books end.
Karen T.

Storm Safety Blog said...

I've loved your past books, so I know this one'll be great, too. Uncle Yank sounds like a very special character, inspired by your love for your grandfather.

Colleen Thompson said...

The book sounds like great fun, Carly! I wanted to stop over and say hi!

H.D. Thomson said...

Hi, Carly. What a great series. I'm glad to hear John has his own story now. I can't wait for your Lucky series to come out.

Oh, by the way, your dogs are adorable!

Pat Cochran said...

I've placed my copy of Hot Property
on my TBR stack. But I'm not going
to read it until I find copies of the
books that come before Property! I
prefer reading a series in order!

Pat Cochran

Pat Cochran said...

So sorry, I forgot to say Hello to Buddy and Bailey!

Pat Cochran

Anonymous said...

Pat, Buddy and Bailey say hi back!

Thanks, Auriette!

Hi, Colleen and Carol!

The other HOT books are still in stores too ;) Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Just found out HOT PROPERTY is # 57 on USA Today Bestseller List and # 18 on the NY Times!!!!!!!!!

Ellory said...

Following Carly around on the internet. Thanks for the link. Fun interview.

Anonymous said...

Hi Carly,
Congratulations on making the lists. Woohoo. And you got to announce it here:) I'm not surprised though because your books are awesome. Thanks for blogging with us today. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

J said...

Congrats on hitting the bestselling lists!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for having me, Kim!! This is a fun blog from the name on to the content!

Sarita Leone said...

What a great interview! I was in the bookstore yesterday and while I was there I saw two women pick up (and leave with!) your books. I smiled, not realizing your interview was here. Life is funny!

Congrats on the new release!

acdaisy95 said...

Hi Carly - Just stopped over from Plotmonkeys. Congrats on the great news!

robynl said...

HI Carly and welcome.
I love your stories and this one will be great I'm sure. I would love to read it.
Do Buddy and Bailey help you relax when you take time? My puppy sure helps me relax-I love him to pieces and he is our fur baby. Animals are a great source of comfort.

Fedora said...

Popping over from Plotmonkeys to say hi! Congrats on the bestseller lists! Now that's extremely exciting, and way cheaper than therapy, right? ;) Yippee!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to Auriette, the winner of Carly's book Hot Property.