It's DESTINY: New York Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is In The House!!

Title: DESTINY

Series: 2nd in the Serendipity series

By Carly Phillips

Genre:  Contemporary, Fiction,Romance, Adult

Publisher: Penguin Group

Imprint: Berkley

Format: eBook & Print

On Shelves:  January 2012

Pages: 298

Read an Excerpt

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Overview

Welcome back to the town of Serendipity.

DESTINY is the second in my contemporary romance series that I began in SERENDIPITY.  In Destiny, you will learn more about the town of Serendipity, the Barron brothers, and the past they've tried so hard to run from ... and in some cases, to hide.. Like any other town, Serendipity has its secrets, scandals, pain, heartache and love, but there is also an implied promise of fortune and good luck, along with people at changes and crossroads in their lives.

You already met Ethan Barron, the bad boy who has come home to make good and Faith Harrington, the girl who got away.  DESTINY is Nash  Barron and Kelly Moss's story and coming in May 2012 is Dare Barron in KARMA.

Interview with

New York Times

Bestselling

Author

Carly Phillips

At this very moment I am so happy that you can not see me. Pssst, New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips is here…at Romantic Crush Junkies. YAY! Readers, my hands are shaking so badly from pure excitement as I right this post, that I have over typed sentences, deleted and re-typed more times than I can count. Okay, Ms. Phillips has been here before when SERENDIPTY came out in September 2011, but I’m a huge fan and after three years of reviewing, interviewing and blogging I still become star struck. I have taken a few deep breaths, cracked my knuckles and now I am ready to get down to the nitty-gritty about the second novel in her sizzling Serendipity series, DESTINY. Get on your mark. Get set…Lets Go!

Carly, it is a pleasure to have you back on RCJR. It must be fate or even better…it must be DESTINY.

Wow. I’m so humbled by your introduction. Thank you!!!! I’m thrilled to be here!

For the few readers who are not familiar with your Serendipity series would you mind giving us the 411 on what this series is all about?

At heart, Serendipity is a series about family. In broad strokes, it’s a small town series with people you’ll meet and hopefully grow to love. The first three Serendipity books, Serendipity, Destiny and Karma (5/12) introduce you to the Barron brothers, three siblings who were traumatized when their parents were killed in a car accident and their oldest brother, Ethan, feeling responsible, fled town. Serendipity picks up ten years later with Ethan’s return and the estranged relationship between the brothers. Ethan’s story is first, when the dark brooding hero reunites with the rich girl who “got away.” Destiny is Nash’s story, and then Dare’s in Karma. In between is a short story in eBook form called Kismet that tells the story of two characters, one of whom you meet in Serendipity named Lissa Gardelli. So small town, family, friends, lies, betrayals, reunions … that’s what the Serendipity series is all about.

I noticed that quite a few of your books are set in a small upstate town in New York? I adore this, since, I too am a girl who has grown up in a small Upstate Town…actually its called a village…Lake George, that is, but let’s not cut hairs. =) For you, as a writer, what is the draw for small town living and creating its residents?

I’m not sure I live in what would be considered a typical small town, but creating them seems to come naturally to me. I can feel the small town as I write it, I picture the small town within where I live, the main street in many small towns are similar. The characters can be people we all know or have met. I love writing and creating it.

What was the precipice for your Serendipity series?

It’s always challenging coming up with something you haven’t done before. The Lucky series was three cousins, the Hot Zone was three sisters, Cross My Heart and Under the Boardwalk were three best friends in foster care. For the first time with Serendipity, I focused on the town first and not the characters. First came the Harrington mansion, the house on the hill, the place that was the symbol in town – the mansion meant different things to different people – a representation of wealth and status some revered, others hated, the downfall of Faith’s father (Serendipity) and the thing to aspire to for Ethan (also Serendipity.) Then I created the characters – the brothers came to life from there.

How did you come up with the family dynamics?

I knew I wanted a bad boy in Ethan for the first book. Nash defined himself in Serendipity, the angriest brother, the least forgiving, who saw things in black and white. Then came Dare, with the charming, easy going smile that hid a world of pain. I can’t tell you how I came up with the dynamics, only that they came to me!

How you do come up with characters names is a question, as a writer; my family continually asks me. So, Carly, I am passing the buck to you. How do you come up with your characters names? Do you have a magic naming hat that you use? Or does a name pop in your head? I seriously am in need of knowing. =)

Magic naming hat, LOL. I like that! The truth is I love the soap opera magazines – between character names and actors’ real names, there is a wealth of mixing and matching I can do from there! Truth!

DESTINY is all about Nash Barron, cynical about love, but is a guy that stepped up to the plate when his older brother, Ethan, (SERENDIPITY) high tailed it out of town. From reading Serendipity, I had a feeling that Nash would be a hard nut to crack and was pleasantly surprised that I found myself coming to care for him. Was there one thing as you created Nash Barron that stood out to you? Did this light the preverbal match beneath creating his character?

I was so shocked at reader reaction to Nash (negative) because as I wrote Serendipity, I felt his hurt, anger and pain. I hope Destiny gives them insight into the man he’s become and why, and then see how hard he gets knocked down – he has to take a long hard look at himself and decide if he likes what he sees. Nash seemed to me to be born to take care of everyone (in his mind) and when those same family members he cares so deeply for end up with secrets they never shared with him, he can’t understand why. It’s that tough nut, that intractability that he has to face in himself before he can have a future.

I loved Kelly Moss. She is so perfect for Nash. Tell us a bit about her and how you created her.

THANK YOU. That was another shock to me – readers who hated Kelly for leaving Tess with Ethan the way she did. Again, I hope they come to see the reasons behind what she did and why. Kelly was doing everything in Tess’ best interest, not her own. Kelly was a flash on the page in Serendipity, which I guess is why readers couldn’t relate to her. I’m not sure why she became Nash’s heroine in my mind but it just … fit!

Was there one particular scene that you found easier or most difficult to write?


The scene that stands out most in my mind is the one where Kelly’s mom shows up. Her anger and how the brothers protect her (and Tess) and calm her down, even as Nash is slowly realizing his life is falling apart … that stuck with me. Not sure if that is because it was difficult or easy but it was memorable for me!

After reading DESTINY I ended up scouring B&N’s your bookshelf and found your eBook KISMET: A NOVELLA. LOVED IT! How many books are there going to be in the SERENDIPITY series?

As of now, Berkley and I just agreed to another three books, consisting of characters you will meet in Karma. So definitely another three … and who knows in between or beyond that. If reader reaction allows me to write more, that would be fine with me!


The way I envision the series is in 3 book story arcs like Serendipity/Destiny/Karma and the Barron brothers, then moving on to another family or series of characters in the town with a story arc weaving through all three.

Curious, when will KARMA being released? Oh, and can we have a sneak peak, please?

Karma will be out in May 2012, 4 months after Destiny. We can talk to Berkley and see what we can arrange =)

Do you have Ethan, Nash and Dare’s baby sister, Tess having her own story some day?

Maybe! Tess definitely needs to grow up a bit first … we’ll see how that goes. I think it would be great though. I’ve never followed through with a teenage character that way and it would be challenging!

While writing this series were there any characters that jumped out that you are thinking of writing about?

I think Kate Andrews and Nick Mancini deserve a story … I’d love to know who readers want to see!

Thank you for stopping by and chatting with myself and readers about your exciting release DESTINY, Carly. This book will keep readers up all night immersed in another powerful emotional read that grips from beginning to end. Congratulations!!

Thank YOU for having me back. I loved your questions and this was truly a joy. =)

~CONTEST~

I am a giver.=)  It is my cross to bear, but hey, I will deal with my election into sainthood later.  Instead, I am celebrating the new release of DESTINY by New York Times Bestselling author Carly Phillips.  If you are not familiar with this captivating new series by one of romances reigning queens of contemporary romance, do not worry.  I am hear to share the wealth.  RCJR will be giving away the first two books in the SERENDIPITY series: SERENDIPITY and DESTINY to one lucky readers.  I just have a few hoops that you will have to jump through to get these delectably delicious Barron Boys in your hands. =0  I'm wicked that way. ;)

All answer can be found above in the interview.

Out of the three Barron Brothers:

Who is the Bad Boy?

Who sees life as gray and white?

Who is the easy going brother out of this motley crew?

*Connect with RCJR eZine at:

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Contest is open to ALL

Contest Runs Until January 15, 2012

I will contact winner directly on January 16, 2012

Happy Reading!