Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Girly Book Blog Hop: Sensational Secondary Characters






The Ever So Darling Sophie Harrington

“True, she was away with the fairies more often than anyone Caitlyn had ever known, but her heart was as big as her bank balance, and on the rare occasion that Caitlyn couldn’t fulfill one of her requests, Sophie was gracious and forgiving.”

– From Fashioning a Romance


Like many other romance authors – I suspect – I fell in love with the hero and heroine of my own book. Although Caitlyn is most definitely not me, we do share a lot of the same qualities. A strong work ethic, an adventurous spirit, tall girl issues. How could this character not be dear to my heart? And John, with his bizarre eccentricities, high intellect and total hotness, is pretty much my dream guy. So naturally I feel an affinity for my hero and heroine. But John’s sister, Sophie, is right up there with these two when it comes to my favorite Fashioning a Romance characters.

Fabulously whimsical and exuding easy charm, Sophie Harrington leads the kind of life that most of us can only ever dream of. She doesn’t have a job (well… not at the beginning of the book, anyway) and lives rent-free in a sprawling house owned by her parents in one of London’s poshest neighborhoods. Her social calendar is jam-packed, her passport is filled with stamps, she spends excessive amounts of time (and money) in the boutiques and the spas, and she calls everyone “darling”.

I knew I was taking somewhat of a risk by creating such a character. Figured there would be some readers who’d write her off as a materialistic airhead or perhaps even a stereotypical stock character – the ditz. She may come off this way in the beginning – although it is clear from the beginning that she’s a kind soul with a fragile side – but by the end of Fashioning a Romance, Sophie is a changed woman. She’s found her direction and she’s taken the first steps towards realizing her dream. She’s conscientious, she’s driven and she’s smarter than you might have thought. But she still calls everybody “darling”. 




Here's the blurb for Fashioning a Romance:

Dedicated American fashion girl, Caitlyn Taylor, can't stand players, and has successfully dodged them like enemy fire all her life. And then she meets fun-loving British CEO, John Harrington. Not only is he her boss's brother, he's the charismatic kind of womanizer that nightmares are made of. Worse still: he's exactly Caitlyn's type. As if his being the Superman of sex appeal isn't enough, he's also got that quirky something-something that she adores. Not that she's even considering falling prey to his methods. No way.

John can't fathom how Caitlyn can be impervious to his charms, given the extraordinary chemistry between them. The more she resists, the more determined he is to break down the walls she's built up to keep him out. Forced to get creative, he orchestrates a "surprise" weekend in Paris for the two of them. Game on!

And now for the details on my giveaway:

For your chance to win a $5 gift certificate to Amazon, I need you to do these two things 1) follow my blog and 2) leave a comment below with your opinion on the sort of guy you think I should pair Sophie up with. I’m toying with the idea of writing a romance for Sophie. If I do (and I’m not promising anything here) what kind of guy would you like to see her with? Please share your thoughts in the comment section and don’t forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Thanks for stopping by, best of luck and happy hopping!!!

Love,
Libby





41 comments:

  1. I am following the blog. Once I read the book I'll be able to comment on who I think she should end up with.

    Brn2shop9 at gmail dot com

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  2. Without having read the book, I would say since she is on the surface (at the beginning) pretty shallow and doesn't work and spends lots of money and is basically spoilt, I would pair her with someone who doesn't have a great deal of cash. He should have a job, but not a high-flying one. Relatively hot, kind and caring, he should make your heroine decide between $$$ and substance. Sooz soozbuch@gmail.com Off to follow the blog!

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  3. Libby,
    Just stopping by to say thank you for setting up the Girly Book Blog Hop. I'm looking forward to checking out everyone's posts.
    I think Sophie and Vanessa Vanderhoff/Vanderbarbie would be good friends! Ha! Happy writing.
    Elizabeth Marx
    Words Written, Memories Made

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  4. Thanks so much for organizing this fab blog hop, Libby! I adore characters like Sophie! They make great foils for a heroine, and they're lovable. Who would make a good match for Sophie? I always enjoy a good opposites-attract story, so I'd put her with a guy who's more serious and uptight (I'm thinking of the Becky/Luke dynamic in the Shopaholic books.)

    No need to enter me in the contest since I'm a participant in the hop! I wish all of the other entrants luck! :)

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  5. I'm ready to do some major hopping! I haven't read your book, so I don't know if I'm the best one to comment! Thanks for hosting!

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  6. Seems like Sophie may need a bad boy to really get her out of her comfort zone!

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  7. Rachel read my mind! I was thinking bad boy as well. Maybe a tough-talking alpha on a motorcycle...with a leather jacket. I think every woman should have a bad boy at least once! Thanks for the hop and for the awesome giveaway.
    ehaney578 at aol dot com

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  8. I would like to third the suggestion of a "bad boy". I think it would be a great dynamic!

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  9. I think she needs a working-class type of guy. Someone who works hard for a living and can't stand "snobby" upperclass. LOL! The bad boy is not a bad idea, either.

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  10. Pair Sophie with a bad boy...moody, mean, HOT, tattos, rides a motor cycle, has a scar on his face...yeah, a bad boy!

    GFC: books4me

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

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  11. I think Sophie needs someone with a very demanding, secretive job. One he can't completely explain to her. One he can't drop at a moments notice to jet off to wherever. He can't even break for lunch on the spur of the moment, it needs to be scheduled in advance. And where she's rather an open book, he's a closed one.

    Looking forward to participating in the hop :D

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  12. I haven't read the book yet so my comment will have to be based on your description so I would go with a man the exact opposite of her. Maybe a police man, someone who works at a hard and demanding job, who sees the darkside of people more than the good, who is cynical and very straightforward.

    susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

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  13. She probably needs a guy who can make her want to grow up. Maybe a guy who already has a child?? Single dad :)

    haefner919 ay yahoo dot com

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  14. I'm following-GFC-BLHmistress

    Without reading the book and based only on your description, I would say a guy that is totally opposite of her, maybe that a blue collar worker, that takes responsiblities seriously or like the others a bad boy might be a good choice for her as well.

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Thanks so much for putting this together and letting me be a part! I hope you'll join my blog too! You really rock, Miss Libby!
    writeoncindy@yahoo.com

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  16. Thanks everybody, for these sensational suggestions! I don't know how I'll ever choose one. But honestly I don't know if I WILL choose one. Sophie's a Brit, I'm American and I'm worried about not sounding authentic. I wrote Fashioning a Romance in London after I'd been living there for 3 or 4 years, so being immersed in the culture, I was able to make it authentic in John's head (or so I hope, hehe) but now that I'm back on US soil, it would be more of a challenge. Something to keep in mind though. Thanks again for the suggestions, my darlings. (channeling Sophie here)

    And aww... Cindy, thanks! You're so welcome and you totally rock too! You all do!

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  17. I say she needs to be with a bad boy....I mean every girl needs a bad boy in there life right??? He also needs to be a hard worker and responsible but hot as sin oh and tattoos are always a plus :)

    bmurphy_lucky@yahoo.com

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  18. An unknown billionaire thats down2earth alpha guy that loves fast rides &wild crazy adventures .. but is forced by a relative 2slow his pace ,settle down with a wifey & kids.;D thanQ

    redz041@yahoo.com

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  19. I agree with Brandi... a bad boy would definitely be good for Sophie! :)
    Can't wait to read Fashioning a Romance so I can get to know Sophie better!
    Thanks for stopping by the Catenabi Chronicles and thanks for organizing this blog hop!!

    catenabi@gmail.com

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  20. Although I have to read the book to really give an educated opinion, I am going to say that I don't necessarily see Sophie with a bad boy, but I see her with a strong man who doesn't take her bullshit and calls her out on some of her materialistic ways - someone who sees through her exterior and into her heart.

    Thanks so much for organizing this blog hop. So glad I participated :)

    Meredithgschorr at gmail dot com.

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  21. I always like to see a romance between characters that are completely opposite. I've really not read the book so I can't say how Sophie's character is, but the kind of guy that I think would be awesome to see with her is one who is very different from her. Someone who complements her perfectly. :)

    Crystal Craig
    craigcrystal at ymail dot com

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  22. Thanks so much for all these fabulous opinions, ladies! I really appreciate it!

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  23. I totally agree with the "bad boy" comments here. Sophie needs someone with an edge and a spark. I just want to say thank you, Libby, for organizing such a fantastic blog hop. Like the lovely Cindy Roesel said, you really rock!

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  24. I'm thinking Sophie needs her polar opposite. What about a shy sort of guy who is very frugal and doesn't like to socialize? Could be interesting to see how they work out their differences! ;-) I also liked Karyn Good's idea.

    Sophie sounds fabulous, BTW! Thanks for organizing the blog hop. It's a lot of fun!

    chantelrhondeau@gmail.com

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  25. I would like to see sophie paired up with a cynical, hard headed but soft hearted detective.He would benefit from a dose of softness, and she would benefit from facing the harsh realities of other peoples lives.

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  26. Definitely someone from the wrong side of the tracks... but a good guy at heart.

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  27. I haven't read the book but now on my tbr list, I would have to say by your excerpt is someone strong where if she dishes it out he can handle it!
    allysonbrann06@yahoo.com

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  28. I haven't read the book but now on my tbr list, I would have to say by your excerpt is someone strong where if she dishes it out he can handle it!
    allysonbrann06@yahoo.com

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  29. I think she needs a guy who is her total opposite to shake her up a bit.

    GFC follower - Dovile

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

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  30. I agree... I'm a sucker for a good opposites-attract story! :)

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  31. Hmm. I think it would be funny to see her paired up with a James Bond-esque character.

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  32. Thanks for being on the hop! I would think she needs a strong, snarky kinda guy.
    gfc: Mel Bourn / Melissa

    mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

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  33. Many, many thanks to all you lovely gals for replying. So many wonderful suggestions!

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  34. Opposites attract sounds good or someone more adventurous than she is... Glad to meet you!
    loreleislitlair at gmail dot com

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  35. Fashioning a Romance sounds great - I can't wait to read it. I agree, you do fall in love with your hero (and heroine), don't you? It sounds crazy but I would miss mine on days I couldn't write. Glad to hear I'm not the only onel. Thanks for hosting a great Hop!

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  36. Oooo, I love Susan Buchanan's response. I think that's a great idea. Make her choose, or at least get put into a situation that isn't necessarily ideal. Oh what fun! Thank you for this great Blog Hop, Libby! So much fun to be a part of.
    XO Savannah

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  37. I think Sophie should be with her polar opposite, someone who seems reserved and has everything together, but who is really a marshmallow when it comes to her. That way both will balance each other out and bring out different aspects of their personalities.

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  38. THANK YOU for hosting a wonderful BLOG HOP! This was my first so I'm no longer a blog-virgin! YEAH!!!!! xoxooxox cindy

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  39. I tried to follow but GFC won't let me for some reason. I would love to get email updates though. I think she should be with someone who will ground her and bring reality to her.
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

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  40. Oh my goodness, I can't believe the fabulous barrage of suggestions here! It's so great. :-)

    Cindy, you are so welcome! It was my pleasure and I can't wait for the next one in January! I think it's so cool that you had some mugs made up for the giveaway. Very awesome.

    Cassandra, thanks for letting me know you were having trouble with GFC. I'll definitely make a note of your email and send you updates, but just to let you know: they'll be coming from Anna Garner (my real name) for now anyway. :-)

    Thanks again everyone!!! Feeling the love. xoxox

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  41. Congratulations to Brandi Franklin, winner of the Amazon gift card drawing! Thanks to everyone for participating. I had so much fun!!!

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