Dancing Naked in Dixie

I'm having serious hair envy over my guest today. And of course, it doesn't hurt that she has the same first name as my youngest granddaughter. Combine that with an attention grabbing book title and I'm pleased as punch to introduce my guest. Lauren Clark writes novels set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets. 

A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.

Lauren will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during her book tour and to the host with the most comments.

Goodness! Who doesn't love a prize? Follow the tour and comment! The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. How cool is that? The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/04/virtual-book-tour-dancing-naked-in.html

Lauren, I've got one of your fav coffees for you to enjoy while we talk. Tell us, what is your life like away from the computer? Tell us something about your household.  I’m a busy mom of two boys (7 and 14) so there are Lego toys all over my house. Stepping on one is murder – number one, because it hurts, and number two, because you have to dig out the directions and figure out how to put it back together!  I live in a 110-year old house in a historic part of our city. My neighbors are wonderful and I am fortunate to have a circle of close girlfriends. I read a lot – my bedside table is full of books!  I’ve loved to read since I was a child. (My parents shut off the television all summer, every summer, so reading was a great way to spend lazy afternoons!)

What authors and genres do you like to read? My favorite author is Sophie Kinsella. I love the way she tells a story—and I appreciate that her characters aren’t perfect. I adore that her writing makes me laugh out loud! I’m such an eclectic reader and love many authors – Emily Giffin, Juliette Sobanet (Kissed in Paris, Sleeping with Paris) Sophie Kinsella, Alice Hoffman, and Audrey Niffenegger did a great job with The Time Traveler’s Wife. I also just finished El James’ Fifty Shades of Grey….steamy!!

Shhuu!! I'm reading it, too.

What is the story behind your book title? I really panicked about the title. I was unsure that readers would like it and didn’t want anyone to think it was erotica. The members of a book club I visited changed my mind—I was there talking about my first novel, Stay Tuned, and everyone asked about my next book. When I shared the title, everyone exclaimed and got really excited, so I knew then that I had to keep the “Naked” in Dixie.

Also, I began with the idea that PD’s pastry creation was going to be the “something special” that made people want to ‘Dance Naked,’ but the story was really Julia’s. After thinking about it, I added the “I’d rather dance naked” comment to her new boss—underscoring how upset she was about being sent to Eufaula. It also provided some nice romantic tension at the end between Julia and Shug!

What part of the writing process brings you the most pleasure? The most angst?  I adore the actual creative part – writing the chapters, developing the storyline and the characters. I detest proofreading. My eyes glaze over and I don’t even see the words after a few pages.

What are you currently working on?  I am researching my next novel, The Pie Lab. The setting will include the real restaurant (of the same name) in Greensboro, Alabama. This story will follow a girl who’s gone off to a big city (like Atlanta or New York) and vows NEVER to come home. She’s forced to return to Greensboro, though, when her romantic relationship falls apart. Since she’s burned a lot of bridges, it will be interesting to see how she makes amends. 

The Pie Lab, on its own, is a great concept, as the business offers on the job training and the owners are very active in the community. Added bonus…the pies are delicious! The Pie Lab has been featured in Southern Living and The New York Times.

Has your road to publication been a walk in the park or a steep mountain climb? Give us some details?  What a learning experience!  Mountain Climb, definitely!  I actually had a publishing house offer me a contract for Stay Tuned, my first novel. My attorney advised against it, because there was no marketing plan and the royalties were very low. When I decided to go it on my own, I established my own publishing company, Monterey Press, hired an editor to polish up the manuscript, then worked with a graphic artist for the cover design and formatting of Stay Tuned into an ebook and paperback. Once that was finished, I tackled marketing and publicity, reaching out to bloggers and entering the book in contests (It won accolades in both the Writers Type and Dragonfly Book Awards).

I have to say, for Dancing Naked in Dixie, the process has been MUCH easier!! I’ve had help from some excellent editors, graphic designers, and other industry talent. I’m working with Laura Pepper Wu of 30DayBooks.com on the publicity—reaching out to local media, indie bookstores, and regional magazines.

BLURB:

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? 

EXCERPT;

 

The Best Butts in Alabama, the huge billboard above my head brags. A robust pink pig, dressed in blue overalls and a cowboy hat, winks down at me. Next to the hog’s turned up nose, royal blue letters read ‘Phil’s Bar-B-Q.’ 

Phil certainly knows how to make a first impression. As does Mother Nature.

The sunshine beats down on my shoulder through the window. Is it always this muggy in December? I swipe at my forehead with the back of my hand and do quick surveillance.

Where is the historic, elegant city I was promised in the letter? There is a normal-looking church across the street, a run-of-the-mill real estate business to my right, and a tiny hole-in-the-wall place called The Donut King, which seems to be doing ten times more business than the Winn-Dixie grocery store I just passed.

So far, all I see of Eufaula, Alabama is more in-your-face commercial than traveler chic. Of course, I’m not in the best frame of mind to become one with my surroundings.

After a lousy Thursday morning of sulking and a rushed packing job, I sent an RSVP with regrets for the fundraiser, gave away my tickets to the Met, left a voice mail for Andrew, and changed my ticket to an earlier departure.

Hours later, after fighting through JFK security, surviving the cramped flight to Atlanta, I spent the night in Buckhead, Georgia, picked up my enormous rented SUV this morning (it was either that or a red minivan), and began driving the three-and-a-half hours to reach my pinhole-on-a-map destination.

All to save my job.

REMEMBER: TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN, YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING, VISIT ALL THE STOPS ON LAUREN'S BOOK TOUR.

Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5280308.Lauren_Clark

https://twitter.com/ - !/LaurenClark_Bks        

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauren-Clark/235315706518284

Tales of Passion With The Spice of Peril Mixed In

Alana Lorens

My guest today is romantic suspense author Alana Lorens. Like me, she grew up reading the classic mistresses of romantic suspense– Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Jane Aiken Hodge, Dorothy Eden. She has continued to read right up through modern authors like Brenda Novak, CJ Lyons, and many more. She’s proud to now bring you her own tales of passion with the spice of peril mixed in.

Vonnie, thanks for having me stop in on my whirlwind blog tour. I’m excited to share the first of my two upcoming releases with your readers.
 

DUAL BOOK/BLOG TOUR!!
CONVICTION OF THE HEART (release date June 8, 2012)
And SECOND CHANCES (release date July 2012)
The First and Second books of the Pittsburgh Lady Lawyer Series!

Come by the blogs or live booksignings listed on my website and leave a comment to be entered in a drawing—held at the end of the tour. I will give away one ebook copy of each book and one paperback copy of each book—Four lucky winners! Check out all the websites at http://alanalorens.com

I used to be a news reporter, back in the day, and one of the local attorneys befriended me. He always encouraged me to go to law school—he said my writing gifts could be much more useful there. At the time, I was newly divorced with a two year old and a four year old. Law school seemed like an attempt to climb Mt. McKinley barefoot!

But I eventually applied, and found I got scholarships and assistance, and we got through. It was a challenging experience, and one I’ve shared with the heroine of Conviction of the Heart.

Suzanne Taylor is a single mother of two preschoolers when she beings her practice in the busy city of Pittsburgh. It is a challenge to run a business as a single mother, and still be perceived as professional. My girls went to day care long before I would have liked them to, and I missed them.

Just like my girls bloomed and grew up as wonderful young women, Suzanne’s girls have done the same. Hope and Riviera are engaging and community-minded. They are so kind that the villain of this piece, well-connected city councilman Gregory Morgan, finds a way to take advantage of them and put them into danger.

One of the tenets of my own practice has always been to pay special attention to the needs of single moms, who often need a little extra help to get themselves on the right path, after which they can see a glorious future. They are no less determined or no less deserving than any one else, but the system often makes them feel it's so.

But being a determined single mother means, sometimes never wanting to have to depend on someone else, especially when you’ve found people to be unreliable. So when Suzanne meets Nick Sansone, as well meaning as he is, it’s hard for her to let him inside the self-protective walls she’s constructed.

But just as I eventually found the right one, Suzanne may very well have found her perfect match too!

BLURB:

Family law attorney Suzanne Taylor understands her clients’ problems—her own husband left her with two babies to raise alone. Now that they’re teenagers, her life is full. The last thing she wants is the romantic attentions of a police lieutenant, no matter how good-looking.

Lt. Nick Sansone is juggling the demands of a new promotion, and doesn’t need complications either. But when he sends a councilman’s battered wife to Suzanne for help, he realizes he wants to connect with the lovely, prickly lawyer on more than a professional level.

They are soon confronted with a different battle, when the abused woman's husband threatens retribution. The powerful, well-connected councilman can damage both their careers—not to mention hurt those they love. Can they bend enough to admit they need each other in a time of crisis? Or will a husband’s revenge take them down before they ever get a chance?

EXCERPT:

“Their father’s long gone. We haven’t seen him since before Riviera was born.” Her lips pressed together.

“No wonder you’re bitter.” He dug in the cardboard box for one of the remaining cannolis.

What should she say? Hell, yes, she was bitter. But would a confession frighten him off? Such revelations had scared others away. She studied Nick’s face, but saw nothing there of hostility or worry. She guessed he was made of stronger cloth.

She should protest that she wasn’t. More polite, wasn’t it?

Besides, it wasn’t any of his business.

But she really did like him. Maybe enough.

If she was really to have some sort of future with this impertinent, handsome man, he’d know better. She bet he knew better right now. “What would be the point?” she said at last. “I’ve got more positive directions to use that energy.”

A slow smile came to his lips, and she felt she’d been…approved. She looked away, trying not to blush, not needing his approbation in any way.

All the same, she was pleased to have it.

“What else is on the agenda, counselor?” Nick made a point of looking at his watch. A glance at the microwave showed her it was nearly three o’clock. A stubborn small voice in her head insisted she could have done all this work by herself. But she would still have been cutting limbs by dark, with blistered hands. Yes, this was a much better outcome.

“Can I buy you dinner?” she asked. “The least I could do after—”

The front door opened, then slammed. The sudden sound startled her into silence. Her fingers gripped the back of the chair nearest her. Who was in her house? Did Greg Morgan’s reach come this far? Nick got to his feet, watching her face, her reaction warning him something might be amiss.

Footsteps bounded down the hallway to the kitchen, and Riviera poked her head around the corner. “Mom, whose truck is—” She stopped as if she’d come across an angry rattlesnake, staring at the man in the kitchen. “Whoa.”

Her sister, more reserved, followed, peering over Riviera’s shoulder. “Well, now.” She eyed her mother with an arch grin. “So this is what you do while we’re not here. Invite men over to play.”

Embarrassed, Suzanne shoved her hands in her pockets. “I thought you were staying at Nana’s for dinner.”

“Too much homework,” Hope said. “They brought us home early. Gee, I hope we didn’t interrupt anything.” Her mischievous expression said she absolutely hoped she had.

BUY LINK: http://bit.ly/Lsgxmk

DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE DRAWING AS EXPLAINED ON MY WEBSITE:
 http://alanalorens.com/

AND since today is my birthday, all you commenters will also be eligible for my drawing for an ARC of my Those Violet Eyes, part of the Honky Tonk Hearts series at TWRP. My little give-away is seperate from Alana's. Her winner will not be mine...and my winner won't be hers. So, leave a comment with your email address so she can reach you for her drawing and I can reach you for mine. Good Luck!!!!

Fantasy Fanatic -- David Brown

CLICK ON THE ABOVE PICTURE FOR OTHER STOPS ON DAVID'S BLOG TOUR.

I'm super excited about my guest on Vintage Vonnie today -- Fantasy Author, David Brown. David has a love of creating worlds. In fact, he's spent the last 10 years developing a 47,000-year history for his fictional world of Elenchera.

David is on a whirlwind blog tour promoting his book, Fezariu's Epiphany.  To ONE lucky commenter on this tour, he's giving away a $25. Amazon gift card. So make sure you comment here AND the other stops on his blog tour that runs until June 1st.

      What is your life like away from the computer? Tell us something about your household.

It’s a busy household. I live with my wife, Donna, and our six rescue cats – Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo. When not writing I’ll be keeping the house in order, watching films, reading or sneaking out for a nice coffee with Donna.

     What authors and genres do you like to read?

I read fantasy as I’m continually learning from my peers with the like of Tolkien, Pratchett, Goodkind and Donaldson being among the best teachers. I also enjoy the work of Murakami, Orwell, Hemingway, Marquez and Irving. When not reading fiction I can’t resist a good history book or biography. Fiction is always a joy but it’s good to learn more about the world and those that inhabit it.

What is your writing schedule like?

I prefer to clear chores and things in the house before I sit down to write. If I have blog posts to do they usually get cleared first. Once I’ve freed up some time for my novels I’ll soon drift away into the world of Elenchera and be lost for many hours at a time. They’re the best moments as a writer, when you’re in so deep you can hardly hear anything that is going on around you.

What is the story behind your book title?

When building the world of Elenchera I was drawn to the Merelax Mercenaries – a renowned force of hired hands. My initial thoughts were having a character join them believing the life of a mercenary to be illustrious only to discover it is brutal and life changing. The revelation of this gave me the title Fezariu’s Epiphany. However, the novel storyline would change completely before I started writing it but the title remained and thankfully tied in with the new plot. The main character, Fezariu, experiences a life changing epiphany at the end of the book, a reflection on all that has come before in his life.

Do you ever dream of writing in a different genre?

It’s certainly crossed my mind and I would never rule it out. I just feel comfortable in the fantasy genre and with the world of Elenchera I’m trying to do something a little different. I want to write novels where the characters have more life than the world they inhabit and the stories could effectively occur in any world, including our own, they just happen to be in Elenchera.

How do you research your storylines or locations?

History is my primary area of research especially if it’s medieval history.

Oh, I love medieval history. It's probably one of my favorite eras to read about. There were some fabulous things happening. What about researching locations?

Location-wise my world is fictitious but I still consider aspects of our own world in shaping the lands and cities of Elenchera. World history has taught me a lot about how nations are founded, built up, how some fall and others endure. When building the world of Elenchera my best friend was Cassell’s World History which covered all the key events in human history. I learned so much from that and was inspired by so many events that building Elenchera wasn’t as difficult as I had feared, although it did take around a decade!

What part of the writing process brings you the most pleasure? The most angst?

It’s undoubtedly the first draft. Getting ideas down on paper and putting the basic outline is always fun and there’s no real pressure. When it comes to the editing the real challenge begins. I do like editing but I do find it difficult at times as well. I believe you can edit a manuscript too much so finding the right balance is always the hardest for me.

I so agree. When I first started writing full-time, I often edited the life right out of my chapters.

    What is one of your most embarrassing or laughable moments?

I’m not a heavy drinker, I know my limits and I stick to them. However, one night many years ago I was drinking with friends and late at night I walked them both home before proceeding to make my own way home. In my inebriated state, I began talking to myself and started a debate about how drunk I was. This discussion went on to the point where I had to prove to myself that I was sober. I pictured a straight line in front of me and was confident I could walk it. Although I kept the line in sight it veered left, then right, then left, then right and so on as my staggering took over. I made it home safely that night but it was embarrassing waking the following day and remembering it!

Good thing it was never made into a YouTube video... 

What are you currently working on?

I’m finishing final edits on my second novel, A World Apart, which is due for release in May 2012. It tells the story of three childhood friends – Demetrius, Eleyna and Halcyon – that find themselves in a love triangle in their teens. Demetrius leaves when Eleyna marries Halcyon but the three friends are reunited a decade later only to find they are no longer friends but enemies. The novel is on a much larger scale than Fezariu’s Epiphany and I believe it is a better novel which is what I will always aim for with every book I write, to grow and develop as a writer, and never be content with maintaining one standard.

Tell us about your current release…or soon to be release.

Fezariu’s Epiphany was published in May 2011 and was the first in a series of self-contained novels collectively known as The Elencheran Chronicles. Fezariu suffers many setbacks in his childhood including the abandonment of his mother and the murder of his stepfather. Believing these tragedies are because of him, Fezariu flees what little family he has left and joins the Merelax Mercenaries. He rises through the ranks to become one of the best mercenaries and with each success he believes his past will gradually be buried. However, Fezariu soon learns that the past will never let go and to be free of it he must go back to his childhood and learn some painful truths.

Did you bring us an excerpt?

I did, yes. But, first, I want to share some reviews the book has garnered.

** There are many plot twists and turns in this masterfully written book chronicling the life of a mercenary named Fezariu. Fezariu's Epiphany is a fantasy work on a grand scale in which you enter an imaginatively drawn world filled with many lands and spanning great periods of time.

   Jason Sullivan - Different Outcomes and author of The Dark Yergall 

** When a reader that normally does not like fantasy novels set in world with unknown names falls in love with a book from that genre, then you know the author did a spectacular job of bringing their story to life for all to enjoy. 

   Talina Perkins - Bookin' It Reviews/Night Owl Reviews

   Night Owl Reviews "Top pick"

** You can almost smell the filth and corruption that permeates Clarendon, a true cesspool of a city. This is a story of how a boy grows into being a man and accepting his faults and redeeming his failures. I recommend it.

   William Bentrim - Azure Dwarf and author of The Adventures of Hardy Belch

Jessamine’s arrival at the White Oak was the subject of conflicting rumours. Some said that Vincent had found her on the streets and offered to take her in, others professed that Jessamine was a prostitute from a rival brothel and that Vincent had persuaded her to join the White Oak. The worst of the sceptics claimed that Jessamine was payment from one of the local merchants who was heavily in debt from his frequent visits to Vincent’s inn and had been forced to sacrifice his own daughter. Whatever the truth, Vincent arrived at the White Oak one day with eighteen-year-old Jessamine by his side.

The atmosphere at the White Oak changed completely. Vincent quickly found himself overwhelmed by love for Jessamine and his hostile demeanour descended into a rare placidity that was welcomed by all that frequented the inn. It seemed that Vincent’s days of sexual promiscuity were at end and with Jessamine he had found the reassuring comfort of monogamy. However, Vincent’s new found and tender devotion did not last long. 

Within months, Vincent’s love submitted to the lure of opportunity. During the long nights sitting with Jessamine by the bar, Vincent hadn’t failed to notice the lustful gazes of the patrons. Their eyes, wide with desire, followed Jessamine’s every move. Rather than feeling the insecurity of a jealous lover, Vincent was struck by a glorious epiphany, one that could increase his already vast wealth. 

Vincent took his time in laying the foundations of his treacherous scheme. He enticed Jessamine with sweet words, flowers, rich trinkets and promises of impending marriage and children. Once Jessamine was at his mercy, Vincent introduced her to the wealthiest and most impatient of his patrons. His assurances to Jessamine spoke of monogamy and sacrifice that would bind them together for all time. If this had been the beginning of their relationship then Jessamine would have refused Vincent’s proposal and walked away; however, by this point her heart beat to the same rhythm as Vincent’s and to leave now was simply unthinkable. So Jessamine submitted body but not soul to the eager patrons, all the time thinking of Vincent’s reassurances that they would one day be married.  

Jessamine’s new life as a prostitute of the White Oak brought fame and wealth. The mysterious and shy girl Vincent had first brought to the inn became spellbound by the power of her own intoxicating femininity. As her confidence grew Jessamine learned to dominate the room, giving equal attention to each patron before choosing to share her bed with the highest bidder. Vincent remained in the background and watched the patrons – old and young – offer money and fabulous gifts for just one night with Jessamine. The partnership was perfect. Jessamine would earn a fortune by day but at the end of the night would sleep in Vincent’s richly adorned arms. 

When Jessamine passed her first year at the White Oak she saw a sudden change in Vincent. His greed, seldom constrained, was now unleashed in all its ferocity. Jessamine began entertaining patrons day and night to line Vincent’s already bulging pockets. Their nights of tender lovemaking and untarnished promises of marriage were forgotten. Jessamine, believing it to just be a phase Vincent was going through, worked even harder to please the patrons and win back the adoration of the one man she loved. 

LINKS: 

The Elencheran Chronicles: http://elenchera.com

The World According to Dave: http://blog.elenchera.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/elenchera

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fezariu

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11451305-fezariu-s-epiphany (book page)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/revenge-saga

LOVE DARTS FOR WRITERS

Inspiration for a story comes from many sources. Each one is different, yet the spark is the same. A dream, a newspaper filler, an overheard conversation or ... a blog about love darts from snails. I read such a blog yesterday and a scene flashed into my mind. And my creative soul was off and running.

I could see a dart lodging in a man's neck. Oh, not a poisonous dart, but a wildly thrown dart by a blonde dynamo. One a writer could classify as a love dart. My hero was so angry--pissed, actually--that he was intent on giving her a verbal thrashing she'd never forget. Then she opened her mouth and took command of the one-sided conversation. Poor guy...he'll never be the same again.

In three hours I wrote two chapters, plus the lyrics to a song to use within the story somewhere. Don't ask me "why a song." It was just there, beating in my mind. I can hear the music, but since I haven't written any scores since I was thirteen, I'm not up to the challenge. Even so, I have three verses and a chorus of a country-western song.

INSPIRATION--a beautiful word, don't you think? Where does your inspiration come from?

Sometimes Experts are Idiots

I've never been one to blindly accept experts' opinions. My initial response is always who are you and why should I listen to anything you have to say? Yes, I am a product of the sixties when governmental experts lied repeatedly about our involvement in Vietnam. A shattered trust that filtered down through many layers of society.

Take doctors, for example. A few years ago, whatever they said was gospel. Patients took their opinions and instructions at face value. Now, with the availabilty of information on the Internet, patients can check behind their doctors. We can check to make sure they haven't been sued for malpractice. When they prescribe medicines, we can check side-effects and interactions. Yep, the Internet is a valuable tool.

Another example are teachers and principals. My granddaughter was born prematurely. Her development in some areas was slow. Several times, teachers wanted to label her as "challenged." Her middle school principal told her parents she'd never be a scholar, never qualify for college, never...yeah, you get the picture.

Fast forward 4 years. Eleni graduated from high school today with academic honors. She'll start college in the fall, majoring in psychology. What did that principal know about a little girl's determination? Nothing. What did he know about a girl who loved books so much she emailed her grandma a book list every month? Zip. What did he know about the strength of a teenager's dreams? Nada. Like the poem by William Ernest Henley, Eleni adopted its philosophy: "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul." 

 I've called her Sugar Dumplin' since she was a tiny infant. I may need to change her nickname to reflect her grown up status. Then again, maybe not. As determined as she can be, she probably wouldn't answer to anything else.

Sometimes it warms the heart when experts are wrong.