Published By: Monterey Press
Release Date: May 9, 2012
Format: Paperback - 322 pages / Kindle - 663 KB / 1MB
ISBN: 0984725040
ASIN: B0082205JY
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Chick Lit / Women's Fiction / Southern Fiction
About The Author:
Lauren Clark writes contemporary women's fiction set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with love, family and friendship, and the challenges that life unexpectedly throws at all of us!
Her characters are real women; smart and sassy, who tackle complicated issues with tenacity and intelligence. Readers will empathize and relate to her flawed yet likable heroines. A former TV anchor and journalist at WWNY and WTVY, Lauren's stories allow us an insight into the excitement, drama and fast-paced world of media.
Laura is a reformed news junkie, a non-reformed coffee drinker, and an official library geek. Her big loves are family, paying it forward, eight hours of sleep a night, and homemade macaroni and cheese. She lives near the Florida Gulf Coast where she is surrounded by family and true-blue friends that inspire her writing and keep her sane.
Stayed Tune is Lauren's debut novel. her second book, Dancing Naked In Dixie was released in May 2012.
AUTHOR WEBSITE
GOODREADS
Lauren Clark's Dancing Naked In Dixie Virtual Book Tour Page on Virtual Book Tour Cafe
BUY THE BOOK: Dancing Naked In Dixie
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event.
Virtual Book Tour Event: On Thursday, May 31, 2012, in association with Virtual Book Tour Cafe, author Lauren Clark participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/05/author-guest-post-lauren-clark-author.html
Virtual Book Tour Giveaway: Enter to win a grand prize of a signed copy of Stayed Tuned, Lauren's first novel, and two (2) $15 gift cards. Post a comment below with your name and address, and follow the other virtual tour dates to have a chance to win!
Book Description:
Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired.
With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she's offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the 'Heart of Dixie' - Eufaula, Alabama - home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage.
Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia's story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage?
Book Excerpt:
I'm a travel writer at Getaways magazine. Paid for the glorious task of gathering up fascinating snippets of culture and piecing them into quirky little stories. Jet-setting to the Riviera, exploring the Great Barrier Reef, basking on Bermuda beaches. It's as glamorous and exhilarating as I imagined.
Okay, it is a tad lonely, from time to time.
And quite exhausting.
Which is precisely why I have to get organized.
Today.
I sink into my chair and try to concentrate. What to tackle first? Think, think.
"Julia Sullivan!"
Third reminder. Uh-oh.
Marietta rolls her eyes and jerks a thumb toward the inevitable. "Guess you better walk the plank," she teases. "New guy's waiting. Haven't met him yet, but I've heard he's the 'take no prisoners' sort. Hope you come back alive."
I grope for something witty and casual to say, but all of a sudden, my head feels light and hollow.
I've been dying to find out about the new editor.
Every last gory detail.
Until now.
"I'm still in another time zone," I offer up to Marietta with a weak smile. My insides toss from side to side as I slide out of my chair.
Marietta tosses me a wry look. "Nice try. Get going already, sport."
I tilt my head toward the hallway and pretend to pout. When I look back, Marietta's already disappeared. Smart girl.
"Fine, fine." I tug a piece of rebellious auburn hair into place, smooth my wool suit, and begin to march toward the inevitable.
Our new editor.
My neck prickles.
I'm not going to worry. Not much anyway.
My pulse thuds.
Not going to worry about change. Or re-organization. Or pink slips.
Focus Julia.
Okay, it is a tad lonely, from time to time.
And quite exhausting.
Which is precisely why I have to get organized.
Today.
I sink into my chair and try to concentrate. What to tackle first? Think, think.
"Julia Sullivan!"
Third reminder. Uh-oh.
Marietta rolls her eyes and jerks a thumb toward the inevitable. "Guess you better walk the plank," she teases. "New guy's waiting. Haven't met him yet, but I've heard he's the 'take no prisoners' sort. Hope you come back alive."
I grope for something witty and casual to say, but all of a sudden, my head feels light and hollow.
I've been dying to find out about the new editor.
Every last gory detail.
Until now.
"I'm still in another time zone," I offer up to Marietta with a weak smile. My insides toss from side to side as I slide out of my chair.
Marietta tosses me a wry look. "Nice try. Get going already, sport."
I tilt my head toward the hallway and pretend to pout. When I look back, Marietta's already disappeared. Smart girl.
"Fine, fine." I tug a piece of rebellious auburn hair into place, smooth my wool suit, and begin to march toward the inevitable.
Our new editor.
My neck prickles.
I'm not going to worry. Not much anyway.
My pulse thuds.
Not going to worry about change. Or re-organization. Or pink slips.
Focus Julia.
My Book Review:
Julia Sullivan is a globe trotting travel writer for Getaways magazine. Upon returning to NY from her latest assignment in Italy, Julia is shocked to find that her estranged father David is the new editor at the magazine. David tells Julia that the magazine is going in a new direction: instead of jet setting around the world, their American readers want to read about "out-of-the-way" local places to visit. He promptly tells her that she is going to Eufaula, Alabama to cover the local Pilgrimage festival, and that it is a 'take it or leave' proposition that could cost her job if she refuses. Well shut my mouth! Alabama? Julia tells Michael that she'd rather 'dance naked' than take the trip down south to Dixie. Grudgingly, Julia sets off on a journey where the pace is slow, the townsfolk are friendly and engaging with their Southern hospitality, and moon pies and RC cola are king! From the start of her stay in Eufaula, Julia quickly finds herself getting in the middle of mishaps and drama: choking on "too sweet" sweet tea, fire ants, town politics, secrets, betrayals and family drama. What she takes back to NY from her stay in Eufaula is more precious than any of her worldly travels: self-discovery, love, friendship, family, and a new way of life. So come set a spell and pass the glass of sweet tea as Julia goes on a journey of self-discovery in little ol' Eufaula, Alabama!
Dancing Naked In Dixie is a lighthearted fun Southern fiction that will keep you laughing and entertained as you turn the pages. The storyline is fun and flirty, the reader is immediately drawn into Julia's journey to Dixie, filled with a lot of humorous adventures and enough drama to keep you guessing what will happen next. With a cast of fun loving characters that will keep you in stitches, you can't help but embrace them to your heart and enjoy their company. The author does a fabulous job of providing the reader with a real flavor of small town Southern life with it's regional mannerisms, language and beautifully descriptive settings. The author's witty humor shines through with all the "hey y'alls," "bless your little hearts!," "hells bells" and other classic Southern phrases. With enough drama, mishaps, secrets, family fun and good ol' Southern hospitality, this neat little novel provides a nice balance of romance, mystery and suspense. As a fan of everything Southern, even though I am a Yankee (I must have been a Southern Belle in another lifetime), I couldn't help but be drawn into this fun story.
Dancing Naked In Dixie is an enchanting story that has a powerful message to share: that everyone needs to take the time to slow down, smell the flowers, and appreciate the little things in life. I would definitely recommend this novel, it's a fun read that will keep you laughing and satisfied long after the last page has been read.
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Kathleen ~ Hello fellow night owl! I am so glad that you enjoyed Dancing Naked in Dixie and was thrilled to see that you were signed up to be a part of the Tour!
ReplyDeleteI loved this comment on your review: "What she takes back to NY from her stay in Eufaula is more precious than any of her worldly travels: self-discovery, love, friendship, family, and a new way of life."
That's exactly the sentiment I was trying to get across (in a very soft, Southern sort of way!)
I really appreciate your time and the effort it takes to create such a detailed review! xx, Lauren
Hi Lauren! I really loved reading this novel, I'm a big fan of Southern romance fiction and this was exactly the type of novel that I enjoy! I look forward to reading many more of your books. :)
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