Karma (Serendipity) [Mass Market Paperback]

Carly Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Serendipity (Book 3)

Dear Readers:

Welcome back to the town of Serendipity and the third Barron brothers novel.  I'm thrilled at the response I've received so far to the small town and its beloved characters!

KARMA
 
Police Officer Dare Barron has had a crush on Liza McKnight ever since he was a teenager. But despite his lifelong attraction, the closest he's ever come to interacting with her is watching Liza regularly bail out her brother at the station.
 
Dare's dark past with Liza's brother, Brian, has always kept him from pursuing her. But suddenly Liza finds herself in need of protection and Dare appoints himself as the man for the job.  And while the sizzling attraction between Dare and Liza draws them together, the past that  Dare and Brian share threatens to keep the two apart forever.

ENJOY!
Best,
Carly Phillips

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dare knocked me off my feet. Throughout the book, the man was smooth! *swoon*.  The way Phillips had him grow was more than amazing, it was off the charts. I need more of Serendipity !! LUSH BOOK REVIEWS

Phillips once again gives readers terrific, realistic characters as she shows us that we (and her characters) can overcome childhood traumas and emotional scars to form close, loving families. It's never too late. 4 STARS RT Bookclub

Strong and yet tender men are the hallmark of Phillips books and with this series she has once again hit home.  Night Owl Reviews

Carly Phillips has once again delivered a gripping story full of everything you could want in a great romance story. I LOVE this book. This is definitely a series that every romance fan should have on their shelf. Both the e-shelf and print shelf. I know I will. Grade A+ - The Book Reading Gals

“Carly Phillips’s characters are always believable and I think that’s what makes her books keepers."

(Fresh Fiction)

From the Author

See Dear Reader

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780425247907
• ISBN-13: 978-0425247907
• ASIN: 0425247902
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

First a lawyer, then a stay-at-home-mom - Carly Phillips - is the New York Times bestselling author of over 35 contemporary romance novels. Carly hit the big time when her 2002 novel, The Bachelor, became Kelly Ripa's "Reading with Ripa" pick on Live with Regis and Kelly, making it the first romance ever chosen on a nationally televised bookclub. These days her focus is the SERENDIPITY series with engaging and lovable small town characters, striking a balance between entertainment, humor and the emotion her readers have come to expect and enjoy. You can find out more about Carly and her books at: www.carlyphillips.com and www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage ... Carly hopes to see you there!

Meanwhile, Carly knows readers like to know about the authors they love to read, so here is all about Carly ... in a nutshell:

Carly was born ... a 3 pound 7 ounce preemie and as she grew up, her hair didn't grow with her. Today she is hair obsessed and has been many colors, styles, and even textures over the years. People often ask her what my natural color is. She's not telling. It's more fun for you to guess. Obviously the hair grew. Some say it overgrew. And then the color fetish started and it continues.

Carly was raised ... in Spring Valley, New York and attended Ramapo Senior High School. When she stepped onto the campus of Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) as a high school junior, she swore she wouldn't go anywhere else. Good thing she got in because she met her future husband there and her oldest daughter attends now.

Carly has two girls ... Two daughters, four years apart. Well planned for someone who knows their own limitations. She adore her girls, loves their "Mommy Movie Days", and shopping, and hanging out with them.
Then added two furkids ... For those of you who don't know, Carly has two dogs, Bailey a soft coated Wheaten terrier and Brady a Havanese. Carly is obsessed with her dogs and will show you pictures if you ask, and even if you don't!

A King size bed isn't big enough ... because Carly and her husband, girls and dogs are a family of couch potatoes. OK not exactly but close. They can be found watching shows, Tivo-ing what they miss, and doing so from the comfort of the bedroom. Carly loves to read, browse fashion magazines, knit and watch what's left of ABC soaps.

To Sum Up ... Carly is grateful for her blessings of which you, the reader are a part of!

For more information, visit Carly's always updated web site at www.carlyphillips.com where she has monthly contests, excerpts and much more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Carly's latest books haven't lived up to her earlier success May 21, 2012

By Annette Mardis

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Anyone who became a Carly Phillips fan back when she soared on the success of the Chandler brothers, Hot Zone and Costas sisters series might understandably wonder whether "Karma" was written by the same author.
Phillips' books haven't had the same flow and zing since Ari Costas ventured "Under the Boardwalk" and Kelly Ripa's celebrity endorsement sent readers swooning over "The Bachelor" (Roman Chandler, not those reality show kiss-and-tell hunks and chumps).
The author's tilt to the so-so side appeared to start when she sought to join the mavens of romantic suspense, moving away from what she always has done best: sassy repartee, sizzling love scenes and engaging characters whose angst isn't the primary plot line.
Phillips seems to be in her element when the story is not too stuffy, nor too fluffy, but satisfyingly in between. But her writing has been up, down and all around in recent years -- and that's as good a way as any to describe her latest series set in Serendipity, N.Y.
And "Karma," the third and final Barron brothers book, is one of Phillips' most uneven offerings.
More was expected of Dare, the youngest Barron, who was portrayed in the first two novels as less volatile and brooding than Ethan, the ubiquitous bad boy, and Nash, who displays all the charm of a wounded wolverine before he makes his peace with the past.
Yet in "Karma," Dare's tortured conscience nearly derails the charismatic cop's mutual attraction to alluring architect Liza McKnight, who is struggling to avoid being sucked under by her own emotional whirlpool. Brian, her arrogant, alcoholic brother, is the catalyst to the trouble that flares early and often between Liza and Dare....
One of the most bothersome aspects about "Karma" is the plunge ahead, pull back pace of their courtship, and that's less a description of the sex than of their emotional investment. The numerous and abrupt about-faces may leave some readers feeling like a spectator at a yo-yo exhibition, and in those instances neither character comes out a winner.
Also annoying is what could be dubbed the "Danielle Steel syndrome," or the habit of reiterating too often the pivotal pieces of backstory that readers would have to be comatose to miss in the first place. In "Karma," such repetitions involve Liza's lack of family and friends she can count on and Dare's dubious prospects for forgiving himself and Brian for their youthful lapses in judgment -- with tragic consequences -- at a drunken party Brian hosted.
The bottom line: Curling up with Phillips' Serendipity series, as with many of her other contemporary romance novels, isn't a bad way to pass the time. But it's not as fulfilling as it could and should be. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars engaging story May 5, 2012

By Under The Covers Book Blog

Format:Kindle Edition

Karma
Reviewed by Francesca & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

So it's official, Dare is my favorite Barron brother. He always seemed like the most carefree of the three and then in the last book we find out something a bit dark in his past that has haunted him and has influenced the man he's become and the things he's had to experience and endure. Guilt for things he really had no control over has been eating at him. And in a roundabout way, the girl that he's always had a crush on is at the center of that. That would be Liza McKnight.

Liza has been enabling her alcoholic brother her whole life and he continues to be an irresponsible mess. Dare has to struggle with his hatred for her brother and his disapproval of how she handles him. But there are secrets in Liza's past as well and reasons why she does what she does.

Dare is such a straight up guy, so strong and just one of those guys that when he is in the room he undoubtedly draws your attention. A few years younger than her, this sexy cop might be just what she needs to finally let herself go. Their relationship had to overcome some pretty hard obstacles and it didn't happen overnight, but I liked that they didn't fight their attraction because of those things. They gave in to it and explored it.

Liza on the other hand is a very strong heroine and I have to respect her for that. She's had to make some tough decisions in her life, dealth with parents that were not the most stellar. It's hard for her to BE loved. But once Dare is in, he doesn't hold back in showing her what it's like to not be alone. Of course, minus one minor mishap in which I might've wanted to bash his head.

Another thing I love about Ms.... Phillips books is the fact that we always see more of the rest of the family. The two couples in the previous books are still very much a part of this story, as well as Tess.
I am definitely looking forward to seeing more about the characters from this town in the upcoming spin-off series.
*ARC provided by publisher Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars engaging romance May 1, 2012

By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME

Format:Mass Market Paperback

In Serendipity, New York police officer Dare Barron has wanted Liza McKnight in his life ever since high school, but does not act on his feelings. He skipped school to attend a party hosted by her brother Brian to see her; an ugly incident at that party straightened out his life but kept him away from his dream although she is in his life. He sort of as sees her frequently at the station when she bails out her brother Brian who believes wealth makes him above the law.

Liza has been attracted to Dare since she was a teenager, but was too old to be seen with him. However, she expects nothing to come of it as he never shows any inclination her way except sympathy. Their relationship changes when Liza is in trouble and in need of a body guard. Dare insures he is the only one guarding her body. However, Brian remains a show stopper.

The third Serendipity romance (see Destiny) is an engaging tale that overcomes the somewhat by the book storyline due to Brian whose destructive behavior impacts others as his sister tries to help him while the cop who lives her believes she is an enable. Readers will enjoy the latest Barron brother entry as the love of family can help someone cope better with tragedies.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best one in the series! May 3, 2012

By Schaefl

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was really looking forward to this book after reading Serendipity and Destiny, and I have to say this was my favorite in the series. I recommend reading the books in order though. I love how the characters from the earlier books in the series play an active role in Karma so you get a chance to find out how things progress with each couple. This is a fun and sexy read, and the back story for Dare and Liza are good too. I hope all of these characters appear in the next book.