All posts by Kerri Carpenter

Kerri Carpenter, ,

Here in the Mermaid Lagoon, we’re talking about finishing our books. So, how do I finish writing my books? When I’m nearing the finish line, this is how it generally goes.

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After I procrastinate by doing such fun and exciting things like laundry, dusting, running to Target, etc., I eventually sit down at my desk.

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Without fail, I start to doubt myself. Sometimes I have to give myself a dose of tough love.

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Then I get back to it.

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Eventually, I remember that I’ve done this before. I’ve finished other books.

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So, I get back to it. And I do it. I finish another book!

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Yep, that’s pretty much the process.

My Personal Pick-Me-Up

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Here in the magical Mermaid lagoon, we’ve been sharing the things that we turn to when we need a little pick-me-up. While there are many things that lift my spirits – bubble baths, coloring, Zumba, cooking – there is one thing that NEVER, EVER, EVER fails to put a smile on my face and happiness in my heart. My own personal happiness savior… HARRY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Continue reading →

Comfort Food = Celery???

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When you think of comfort food I’m sure you don’t immediately go to celery. But for me, celery has a very special place in my heart because it’s a family tradition. Without further ado, please enjoy my video on the comforting powers of celery….

Here are some close ups of the celery-making process. First you mix the softened cream cheese with minced Spanish olives, a little bit of the olive juice, and chopped walnuts.

 

Then slather (yes, slather, isn’t that a great word!) onto the cleaned and trimmed celery.

 

Lastly, cut the celery into bite sized pieces. Enjoy!

My First Manuscript – Oh Boy!

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We are sharing our first manuscripts here in the Lagoon. Oh boy! My first manuscript was for a YA story that I wrote when I was 12 years old in 7th grade and it harked of The Baby-sitter’s Club and Sweet Valley Twins. And, of course, I still have it, cursive handwriting and all. I’ve made a little video to show you the wonder and talent that was my first attempt at a book.

For fun, leave me a comment and let me know what books you were reading back in seventh grade.

Do You Believe in Second Chances?

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Second Chances

A Romance Writers of America® Collection

Do you believe in second chances?

Romance Writers of America brings together seventeen of today’s hottest authors in an anthology of never-before-published tales that reveal true love always deserves a happy ending. One of those seventeen “hot” authors is none other than Mermaid Kerri Carpenter, aka: moi! I’m absolutely thrilled that my short story, HOMECOMING, is included in this anthology. With so many stories in one place, there is definitely something for everyone who reads romance: contemporary, historical, young adult, etc.

 

“I came to Cherrydale for a second chance. And I know just where to get it.”

Homecoming Blurb

With only two weeks until she starts law school, Lana Greene has one goal. She’s returning to her hometown of Cherrydale for a second chance at hooking up with her high school crush, Wesley Givens. After all, Lana almost hooked up with Wes after their senior prom. Too bad her lifelong best friend, Ford Campbell, has other ideas. He wants to show her that he’s the second chance she’s been waiting for all along.

Interested? Buy links are below. But first, my fur-baby, Harry, has something to say:

Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Kobo

RWA Page

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

I’m giving away one copy (Kindle or Nook version – winner’s choice) of Second Chances. Simply leave a comment and tell me who your BFF was in high school and if you’re still in touch today. I’ll randomly pick a winner on Friday, September 15. Good luck!

Kerri’s Summer TV

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Winter is finally here!!!

Winter is finally here!!!

All summer long, we're talking about our favorite TV. Just like TV, I thought I would get all visual. So please enjoy this video with my summer television pleasures....

 

Tell us in the comments what shows you’re watching this summer…. Happy viewing!

 

Girl on the Verge, Nora Roberts, Carpaccio, Camping & More

Kerri Carpenter, new release, Pintip Dunn, , , ,

The Mermaids are going nuts today. Why? Because it’s one of our most favorite days in the lagoon. One of our fishy sisters has a book release!!! [Insert Glitter Toss]

We are so excited for Mermaid-Pintip and her new book, GIRL ON THE VERGE. All the info is below. But first, allow me to share my favorite Pintip-memory. A couple years ago, we were at the fabulous Turn the Page Bookstore in Boonsboro, MD, home to romance novel queen, Nora Roberts. There’s an entire room devoted to all of Nora’s books and that’s where Pintip and I discovered our shared love of Nora books, specifically the old 1990s and early 2000s collection. We’re talking Calhoun sisters, MacGregors, Stanislovskis, etc. I think we talked about these wonderful books for about an hour. Continue reading →

Tempting Mr. Wrong

Kerri Carpenter, , , ,

Hi everyone!

I’m thrilled to announce that I have a new book out today called Tempting Mr. Wrong. This is book 2 in the Wrong Man series. *GLITTER TOSS* Okay, let’s get right to it, because I’m too excited to wait one more minute. All the info you need is below. Happy Reading!

TMW Cover

Blurb:

Lance Townsend craves freedom after years living a structured existence in the Army. But just as he’s about to start on his bucket list, Lance receives an unexpected request: check in on his goddaughter. The problem? The adorable little girl’s aunt is the one woman he’s never been able to forget.

Carly Quigley can’t believe her brother’s best friend, the man who jilted her years ago, is at her door. He claims her brother asked him to check in on her niece and their fixer-upper, but all either of them can focus on is their undeniable attraction. Carly knows Lance is counting down the hours to leave, which makes him the wrong man for her. Unfortunately, the wrong man has become oh-so-tempting.

Buy Links

Amazon

B&N

iTunes

Kobo

If you would like to learn more about Tempting Mr. Wrong, or see Kerri’s other books, please visit the Entangled Page.

Author Bio IMG_6441

Award-winning romance author Kerri Carpenter writes contemporary romances that are sweet, sexy, and sparkly. When she’s not writing, Kerri enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, taking Zumba classes, rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams, and anything sparkly. Kerri lives in Northern Virginia with her adorable (and mischievous) rescued poodle mix, Harry. Visit Kerri at her website, on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to her newsletter.

Excerpt

Carly started a pot of coffee. While it brewed, she meandered over to the window again. Thank God she wasn’t holding her coffee cup because it would have most definitely been dropped and splattered into a million pieces on the floor. Lance was working out in the backyard. But not just working out. Half-naked working out. And currently he was doing one-armed pushups as his rippling muscles quivered with the exertion.

Damn. She knew something else that was currently trembling, and she had to cross her legs to keep from losing it completely. Her mouth dropped open, and she knew that drool was soon to drip out of it. She knew Lance was built, but witnessing his naked top half working out really drove that point home.

Holy hell.

As if he felt her presence and knew she was standing there gawking at him, Lance looked up. No time to even pretend to be doing something else, she was totally busted. Taking it in stride, Carly winked and then strolled back to the kitchen and fixed her coffee. As Lance sauntered in the back door a few moments later, she took a long, deep gulp, the hot liquid scalding her throat. Not that she felt it because Lance still remained shirtless and her brain therefore remained inoperable.

 

Do You Hear What I Hear…

Kerri Carpenter, mermaids, , , , , ,

The question in the lagoon this month: What’s the one thing you cannot write without?

Today’s answer comes from the Waterworld Mermaids’ very own Kerri Carpenter.

Visit Kerri at her awesomesauce website here. Follow her on Twitter here.

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I have to keep this short and sweet today. Why? Because it’s NaNo month of course.

Wait, you don’t know what NaNo is? Allow me to explain. Writers from all over the galaxy are trying to write at least 50,000 words during the month of November. Intense, right?

Even more crazysauce is that the Waterworld Mermaids are in a tight competition with the writers over at Romance on the Rocks. Who can write the most words? Fingers crossed for the lagoon! Now, back to the question at hand.

The one thing I absolutely, under no circumstances, no way Jose, cannot write without is… Music!

Some writers need absolute quiet. Others love them some background noise. Me? I gotta have the tunes. For the most part, any music will do. However, I do have some favs. Without further ado, here’s my list:

Field of Dreams Soundtrack

I love the movie and I love the soundtrack. I listen to this constantly.

Random Playlists I Create

I love creating playlists and sometimes I’ll do one inspired by whatever I’m working on. For example, in my contemporary romance, The Best Kind of Love, Penelope and Ethan were created by listening to a lot of Lady Antebellum. I considered the song, “Dancing Away with My Heart,” to be Penelope and Ethan’s song.

Anything by John Williams

John Williams is the man! Like a song from a movie? He probably came up with it. I’ve been listening to his Greatest Movie hits for the last couple months. Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and soooo many more.

Random Artists

I really do listen to a ton of different music but I will admit I have some go-to’s. Colbie Caillat, John Mayer, Paul Simon, Lady Antebellum, Ben Folds Five, Ashley Monroe, and more.

Christmas Music

I love Christmas music so freaking much! I would listen to it all year long, but I do restrain myself. However, I’m currently working on a Christmas story so it’s been all Christmas, all the time. Bring on Bing, Mariah Carey, and the Chipmunks. I’m in Heaven! (And thank you to the Hallmark Channel for already playing Christmas movies!)

Alright, folks. That’s it for me. I’m off to fire up The Carpenters’ (no relation) Christmas album and get back to the writing.

 

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Cyber-stalk Kerri at her website.

Like Kerri on Facebook, so you can answer her Questions of the Day and view her plethora of adorable dog photos. Everyone loves Harry!

Retweet Kerri on Twitter, especially when she gets super into #TheWalkingDead on Sunday nights.

What’s that? You still need more Kerri? Wow, you guys are insatiable. Buy Kerri’s books on Amazon. (Most books are also available at Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and kobo too.)

Kerri-Harry Working