Carly thank you for taking the time out of your busy and hectic schedule to answer my questions. Since the last interview we had back in July, how have things changed since The Bachelor was picked for "Reading with Ripa"? Oh yes! In so many different ways. First, I'm busy! I've switched agents and was negotiating a new contract, and trying to catch up with writing since basically I had to write off July and August! But things are settling down now. It's just a new perspective, I think, of making the New York Times and people viewing me differently when I'm still the same. The interview in July dealt mainly with The Bachelor. This time I want to know more about Karen/Carly. What she does on an average day? How do you manage to juggle two children; that have a schedule of their own, and a husband? Oh I deal like every other writer deals, I suppose! I wake up and check email before the kids ever get up. My husband has a very early schedule and he's out of the house by six, which gives me an hour before the kids have to get up for school. So I write after they get on the bus, assuming life doesn't get in the way, i.e. sick child, appointment, etc. Then they get home from school or I start carpooling, which is why I bought the Alphasmart, so I can work in the car while I wait! Home, dinner, homework, their showers, online time, family time …. Normal living! Your next book in the Chandler Men Trilogy is about Rick, the middle child and the cop, can you tell us a little more about The Playboy? Rick has a heart of gold and he's not as adverse to marriage as Roman was, he's just more wary, as he's been badly burned in the past. Enter Kendall, my heroine, who is VERY against marriage and commitment and staying in one place. But Kendall's a perfect to foil his mother's attempts to set him up with a local girl. Poor Rick. Their charade becomes the real thing, but she's planning to leave town soon. Then her teenage sister arrives, wreaking teenage havoc in town and in their lives and Kendall's looking at this ready made family, and running scared. It's a very light, fun book with some serious moments thrown in, and one very, sexy Chandler man! Next month; December, you have Simply Sexy being released. Can you tell us a little about it? Aah. Okay let's see if I can explain the connections here first. My heroine is Rina Lowell. She's the hero's sister from my Blaze, Body Heat (9/01). And also in this story is the loveable, Emma Montgomery, the old lady who loves to matchmaker and cause trouble from my other Simply books. Rina has moved from New York City to the small town of Ashford, Massachusetts where she meets up with Emma. Of course, Emma sees matchmaking potential in Rina, but Rina doesn't need Emma's skills. She's out to start a new life, beginning with a job writing a newspaper column called Hot Stuff. Her first topic? What do Men Want. How is she going to find out? By beginning an affair with super-sexy Colin Lyons, a man who never stays in one place for too long. Colin is the wrong man for forever, but the perfect guy for holiday fling. Too bad he's got an agenda of his own ... I should have an excerpt posted at my website soon. Other fun news, Harlequin is re-releasing the original Simply titles. Dates are always subject to change, but as of now, Simply Sinful 11/03, Simply Scandalous 12/03 and Simply Sensual early 04. Since the Chandler trilogy, has it been difficult to write a series/category romance? When did you have time to write Simply Sexy? I'd love to lie and say, of course not! The real answer is yes. Writing the last Temptation was more of a challenge. Once I got into it, things were fine. But I'd gotten used to more expansive type of writing and the change threw me. But I have an editor who's first rate and we really nailed this story. It's just SO much fun. I love Rina and Colin! Are there any more single titles in the future, besides the Chandler trilogy? If some are in the works, can you give us something about them? I'm so excited to tell you this! The last Chandler story - now titled The Heartbreaker (formerly The Loner) will be released in hardcover in August 2003. I've just agreed to a new two book hardcover contract with Warner, so there will be more single titles to come! No details or storylines yet but I'll share the news when I have some. Plus more Temptations and Harlequins are on the way. Anthologies - You are one of three authors for an upcoming Blaze Anthology, Invitation to Seduction July 2003. Are they harder to write because the story line is shorter and the page count is shorter than a series/category? No, this time I can say no challenges. Anthologies are fun to write because they are short and sweet. Okay in our case, short and sizzling. (g) But it's fun to put characters into a situation and be able to resolve it quickly. It's a short, satisfying format. Invitation to Seduction also has your critique partner Janelle Denison, how is it to have a story in the same book with her? Have the two of you collaborated on what the stories will be about? Maybe an outline of what you are going to write? Janelle and I collaborated last year on the Fantasies, Inc. Series for Harlequin, along with Julie Kenner. That was fun and so is this! We came up with the concept for Invitations to Seduction together, so yes we collaborated. We've each read each other's base outline and we know a general idea of storyline. Of course we read each other's work, so I'll know her story and she'll know mine. I love writing stories with Janelle and this time with Vicki Lewis Thompson too! It's a treat to be with such talented authors in one book. When I saw the title Invitation to Seduction I thought of Erotic Invitation and the invitations that were used there. Since "Erotic Invitation" was released, have you received a lot of reader response saying they have tried the invitations? And they worked or didn't work? Did you think readers would try it? Fun stuff! Ironically, Invitation to Seduction was the original working title for Erotic Invitation. It was changed for publication. The stories are very very different though as are the concepts. Actually, I haven't heard from any readers who've attempted the invitations. I suppose they either think it's fiction or too private to tell me about , LOL! The famous page 166 from The Bachelor has received a lot of talk by Kelly Ripa and has been mentioned several times. Now page 166 seems tame to me compared to the scenes in "Erotic Invitation" and "Secret Fantasy". Do you think that people reading The Bachelor will search for your books in the Blaze and Temptation line? If they do, do you think they will be shocked? I myself have not been, but then I do like them steamy and hot. (g) I know and I agree! I know they are searching for my backlist books, which is why I'm so glad Harlequin will reprint them. I don't think they'll be shocked since those books say Blaze on them and hey, they're known to be HOT! It'll be a change for those readers going from The Bachelor backwards, than for those readers going from the Blaze books forward. I'm actually more curious about those readers' reactions and I hope they are as satisfied despite the difference in heat. I received your newsletter yesterday about more good news. Can you tell us about it? I mentioned it above! A brand new contract for two hardcover releases! Also, The Loner will be in hardcover first, August 03. I'm hoping readers will be willing to spend the hardcover money. I can also promise that I'm going to do giveaways and thank you freebies next summer to show my gratitude to readers for getting me to this place and for supporting me by buying my books! Is there anything you would like to say that I haven't asked about? Any new upcoming projects? More good news? Hmm… I'd like to invite people to visit my website: www.carlyphillips.com (we're going to be doing a complete overhaul soon with new things to offer!), or write me at PO Box 483, Purchase, NY 10577. Tell me you came from A Romance Review, by the way. (g) You can also email me at: carly@carlyphillips.com. I love hearing from readers. Thanks for this interview. I'm so grateful and love to visit!