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Carly Phillips guests on R@R today with Giveaway!
Reader Reaction to Characters & Giveaway
When I wrote Serendipity, book 1 in the series, I thought Nash, the middle brother, was justified with his anger at his oldest sibling who returns to town after ten years to make amends. I also thought that Nash, whose story is DESTINY, in stores tomorrow, would be a straight-forward character – A man who has to learn life isn’t black and white. In the writing, I discovered that Nash had so much to learn and so much growth to experience. And it’s a good thing I put him through his paces!
Why? Because as it turns out, after reading Serendipity, readers reacted very strongly to Nash. And by strongly I mean almost negatively. Readers bonded with Ethan, the hero in Serendipity, and were angry with Nash for not forgiving his brother for abandoning him for ten years. I’m so glad I didn’t know about this reaction while I was writing the story!
As it turns out, although I, the author, felt Nash’s anger at his brother was justified, I also recognized the fact that he saw things in black and white, no shades of gray. So I put him through the wringer in DESTINY and made him earn his happily ever after. But I think if I’d known how strongly readers felt about his character, I’d have suffered from real writer’s block writing him!
Anyway, I hope you all will give Destiny a try. You can read the book alone, but reading Serendipity first will make DESTINY that much richer!
To help, I’ll give away 3 copies of SERENDIPITY to get 3 lucky readers started! Comment for a chance to win! Have you ever had such a strong reaction to a character in one book, you weren’t sure you’d like them in their own story? (Which?)
Carly will announce the winners in this post — check back to see if you won! GOOD LUCK!
Carly’s Serendipity Series
Serendipity – out now
Karma – .99 eBook novella – out now!
Destiny – 1/3/2012
Karma – 5/1/2012
BIO
N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 30 romance novels with contemporary characters that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom to two daughters (15 and almost 20!) and two crazy dogs (a 1 year old Havanese named Brady and a 4 year old wheaten terrier named Bailey). In addition, she’s a Twitter 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 ‘Net!
Find Carly on the web:
Carly’s Website – www.carlyphillips.com
Carly on Twitter – www.twitter.com/carlyphillips
Carly on Facebook – www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage
Carly’s WINNERS:
ANN M –
Cate Sparks
Cheryl English –
Congrats!
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YES: Fia Merrick from Connie Brockway’s ‘McClairen Isle’ series.
The first two brothers’ stories were great but in each book Fia did some things that I didn’t like and didn’t understand.
I decided to finish the series and read her book, and I wanted to see where it was going with her and if the author could make me like her. SHE DID. So much was tied together and after reading it, more things made sense.
Can’t wait to try out your new series.
Happy New Year!
I love all your books..Currently Im reading Body Heat!So far I love it!!
Thanks, R obin. Sorry so long to reply. Crazy day for some reason. Kids go back to school tomorrow. I’m glad you’ll give my books a try
It’s challenging to create characters that have that edge and see what happens!
Hi Carly. Love you sassy characters! They crack me up.
Thanks Miss Molly
I love writing them.
I don’t think I have ever not liked a character that strongly. I love when authors write books about supporting characters in their other books
I’m with you, Heather. That’s probably why reader reaction to Nash surprised me! Can’t wait for people to read his story in Destiny.
My first novel ‘Truth and Consequence’ had Alice the mother-in-law from h… Several readers disliked the fact she sort of got what she wanted in the end. Your new series sounds great.
Thanks, Angela!
I’ve never had that strong a reaction that I did not want a character to find their HEA. I guess that is the romantic in me.WINNER
Ditto, Ann! Everyone deserves their HEA!
I have had characters who annoyed me… maybe too angry or not forgiving enough… but I think even as in real life there are more than one side to everyone’s story.
The secondary characters who may have annoyed me in one book… I usually end up loving once I get to her there story.
Me too. I love when authors redeem characters. And often it’s only because in one book you aren’t in that characters POV!
HI Carly! Your characters are wonderful, but I can’t wait to see how you put him through the wringer!! Congrats on this new series..wonderful!
Hey Jenn! Thank you
Dear Carly,
I have NEVER found a character I didn’t like that you have written. You have a gift that makes them seem real and I can picture them with the details you provide. Don’t let anyone who tells you otherwise get you down. I mean how much have you published?
Thanks, Rhianna. Big hugs to you!
Getting ready to finally read Serendipity! I enjoy your books and can tell that the stories are written by a happy author! Thanks for providing your readers with such satisfaction! Happy New Year!
What a nice thing to say, Connie! Thanks
I hope you love Serendipity!
I don’t think there is a character that I dislike strongly. I like that they are torture but will eventually find their HEA. Huge fan of your work.
Happy New Year.
Thanks, Susan!!
Thanks Carly for being here — I think what I don’t like is when a secondary character is stronger than the H/H and gets more face time than the H/H do — that’s when I start resenting the characters and lose interest in the story — otherwise, I can’t think off-hand a character that I specifically did not like or had a strong reaction to. Great post as always! Congrats on your new release.
Thanks for having me back! I love what you do here at Romance at Random! And you’re right of course. Secondary characters are called that for a reason!
I have mot tried your books but I would love to.
I hope you give the series a try, Gail. Thanks!
don’t recall an exact name but a book i did read recently was very strong, and bad. it almost ruined the good of the book for me, almost put it down.
the other books this author wrote are happily ever after so this was quite the opposite. getting used to those types now, esp after reading some of nicholas sparks books which i love also.
thanks for the contest.
Julie
YES, Eve Dallas and Roarke, from In Death series.
When I read first book, i really can take my eyes from story, and then i want to know what happen next. At the end, i buy all series.
Can’t wait to try out your new series.
Thank you for giveaway.
I don’t remember disliking a character that much . . . they usually have something appealing about them. I, too, don’t care for secondary characters controlling the story. Love your books Carly!
Hi all! I ever wish for a character to get his own books. This hero character that I love is Charles Hartley from suddenly you from Lisa kleypas. However after I finished reading that book I was no longer wish the character got his own book. I thought Charles Hartley character is quite lame n weak. Thank you for thus wonderful opportunity n giveaway to know yet another great author Carly Phillips .
I’m a big fan of Carly and all her books… I like those secondary characters that get their own books and then learn a little more about the original characters too.WINNER
I don’t think I have ever read a book where I absolutely hate a character. There are some I don’t like very much and root for bad things to happen to them.:) I love your “Simply” series. Need more books for my NOOK to keep me busy! Have a great New Year!!
When I was reading Eloisa James’ Desperate Duchesses, the Duke of Villiers was a really annoying and unsympathetic character, but by the time he got his own book, I was rooting for him to get his HEA.
I can’t remember not likeing a character so much that I didn’t want to see their own book. Unless it was in a book I just didn’t like at all and I don’t run into that to often because there is usually something in most book I like.
When I read Lisa Klepas’ Sugar Daddy I didn’t think I would like Hardy (I think that was his name) when he was the hero of Blue-Eyed Devil but I really liked that story.
Carly, have looked forward to all your books and characters. Am really looking forward to Destiny! Agatha P. Townsend
Wow I really want to read these books now. Just so I can see what everyone is talking about. It has me very curious and I am glad for a chance a possibly getting a chance to. Thanks for being here and for introducing me to a new author and series I didn’t know about till now!
I love Bride and Vane! So sweet, especially since they were introduced in an earlier book by Sherrilyn Kenyon ~
I’m looking forward to reading your book! Thanks!
Yes, I’ve strong likes to some characters too – but, not so much dislikes –
Kim – Acheron is still my fav in the DH series – his book was brilliant.
I have never really had a strong reaction to a character as you described. I cannot wait to read Nash and Dare’s stories and see how they grow and learn to get beyond their anger towards Ethan. I love this series! I got a Kindle for Christmas so I will be buying Kissmet soon!
Hi, all! I started out replying to everyone but then it stopped showing up on the board/site for me (at Sue G’s post –
So I’m putting one mass – I love you all for posting, I hope you’ll try the series and thanks if you already have!
Sue – Thanks for having me back! I love what you do here at Romance at Random! And you’re right of course. Secondary characters are called that for a reason!
Carly – Serendipity is on my wish list and I would love to read it! I always have strong reactions to characters, I love being ‘in the moment’ with my books
Congrats on the release of “Destiny,” Carly. I can’t think of any specifics, but I’m sure I have encountered a few characters who brought out mixed feelings them.
Hi Carly. I haven’t read any of your books. My New Year’s resolution is to expand my literary tastes…moving beyond nonfiction. Obviously, there generally aren’t many characters not to like in nonfiction. That said, there are some authors who are real characters for whom I’ve developed mixed feelings. Augusten Burroughs is one such author/character. Do I really want to read more by/about him? Don’t know.
I’ve never disliked a character enough to not want a HEA for him/her. Love Carly’s books!
I dont know that I have. I have gotten so mad about something that I will wait to read the next book though. I always read it, I cant abandon a series or author that easily and I want the characters to get their HEA. But ever disliked someone enough to not want to read their story, hasnt happened yet.
I would have to say that I had a bad reaction to two of the BDB characters at first. Zsadist and Rehvenge. After reading thier stories though now I love them. Phury’s story was a disappointment…but I digress.
Thanks for the post and giveaway. I would love to win.
musicalfrog at comcast.net
Yes, in the House of Rohan series, I wasn’t fond of the character of Benedick in Book 3 of that series (Breathless). I wasn’t too excited when I saw that he’d be featured in Book 4 of that series (Shameless). However, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed both his character and the book.
In her books, “Something Borrowed” and “Something Blue” Emily Giffin writes about love, friendship and betrayal from two different perspectives. I read Borrowed first, and naturally, “sided” with the lead (Rachel) and disliked the friend (Darcy). I was amazed, however, when I read Blue and liked Darcy after all.
I’m looking forward to reading your new series, Carly, and I think I’ll go look for Serendipity for my Kindle Fire right now!
For me the character was put there by the author for a good reason. I believe in the authors of the books, I read. Thank You.WINNER
Congratulations on the new book. I remember when I read Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas, fans were split on whether Hardy or Gage should get Liberty. After reading the series, both Gage and Hardy were matched up with the right heroine.
I’ve enjoyed all your boooks and look forward to reading this series!
Thanks for a great post! I haven’t tried Ms. Phillips books although I’ve heard such wonderful things!!! I’d have to say that I know I’ve read some secondary characters that had good books of their own, but having a brain fart and can’t think of any
I would love to win a copy of Serendipity.
Carly’s WINNERS:
ANN M –
Cate Sparks
Cheryl English –
Congrats!
Oh.. Thank you so much.