Pages
▼
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Dancing Naked In Dixie by Lauren Clark Review and INT GIVEAWAY!
LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN a $25 Amazon GIFTCARD-OPEN INTERNATIONALLY!
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?
Summary
When Julia leaves her town to travel to the South, she enters a new world. She has to pick up and understand certain mannerisms and adjust to how things are done in Eufaula. The reader will likely find Julia's experiences hysterical as she struggles to get her bearings in Eufaula.
Julia's character was nice enough, the reader will likely connect to her by the middle of the book. The other characters are a riot. Some have that old Southern charm while others remain Southern gentlemen. There are other characters that are true characters, making the reader laugh. Julia learns to love Eufaula and wants to fix what is threatening the small town. The town is experiencing difficulty with their historical rennovations and something seems a little underhanded. Can Julia help save Eufaula?
Readers will enjoy the mystery, intrigue, Southern charm, and slight romance that can be found in this book. Naked In Dixie is recommended to adult readers.
4 Stars
EXCERPT # 1
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.
This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
I thought that this was a fun read too. I agree that the southern charm improved the reading experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteBecky01x@gmail.com
Thank you for hosting Lauren today.
ReplyDeleteHow fun would it be to be a travel writer?!?! I can't wait to get my hands on this book!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! This looks really good. :D
ReplyDeleteI agree it would be fun to be a travel writer! Eufaula is a beautiful place - someday I will do more than just drive through the town. :-)
ReplyDeleteSouthern mystery can be such fun with quirky characters.
Thanks for the review and giveaway.
mesreadsATgmail.com
Thanks for the blurb and excerpt.I think it would be interesting to be a travel writer.This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to tread it to see how Julia copes with small town life.
ReplyDeletee.balinski(at)att(dot)net
To be a travel writer would be so much fun. I have always admired them. Unfortunately its just not possible with a family lol. Maybe someday :D
ReplyDeleteI just love this title! Sounds like such a great book!
ReplyDeleteMargaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com
Maegan, you could always try writing about local attractions...it's a growing market, apparently! Fun post.
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com
This town sounds like a fun place to visit. The story sounds like a lot of fun to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the excerpt :) Traveling is fun and getting to write about and get paid for it must be quite nice :)
ReplyDeletejuliecookies(at)gmail.com
I must be a little slow on the uptake here because I just got it that Eufaula is a real town. And they have one of my favorite things to do...a tour of homes! Love pilgrimages. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletekareninnc at gmail dot com
Thank You for the giveaway and the interesting post.
ReplyDeleteilona
felinewyvern at googlemail dot com
Krystal - Thank you so much for hosting Dancing Naked in Dixie on your blog! I am amazed that you've read 5000 books! Dixie is in good company, then!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reviewing DIXIE and sharing your thoughts about the story! Julia is klutzy and gets into sooo much trouble! She was a fun character to write ... Mary Katherine even more so!!
:) Lauren
I'm a sucker for books set in the South with characters and traditions and Southern charm...I think this sounds great.
ReplyDeletewowknk at gmail dot com
Sounds like my kind of book. I love small town, quirky stories.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Loved the excerpt. Dancing Naked in Dixie is going on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteThanks alot for the giveaway. It would be nice to be a ravel writer sometimes and other times i guess it would be lonely alot, I can't wait to read this book to see how it goes. Thanks Joannie jscddmj[at] aol [dot] com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post and giveaway! I really like the premise of this book! definitely adding it to my wishlist :)
ReplyDeleteWow Love The Excerpt I Cant Wait To Read The Book. butterfli262002@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteCute title, hehe.- Tara Berke Torres taraducktyl@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteTara - Thank you so much! I've had a few people panic at the title and then I have to remind them that it is PG!!! xx, Lauren
ReplyDeleteSteph - Thank you for the lovely comment. I do adore a Southern setting for just about any book :)
ReplyDeleteLauren
Emily - I know, right? I am dying to go to Greece ... sigh! Love the way that the water looks and the views from the cliffs!! Lauren
ReplyDeleteBecky and Ray Ray - Thank you for stopping by the Tour for Dixie! xx, Lauren
ReplyDeleteMartha E - Ooo, you must stop by Shorter Mansion and pop in for a few minutes! Lovely! xx, Lauren
ReplyDeleteJoanne - I would love to be a travel writer!!! I was fortunate in that my parents took us all over the US when I was growing up!! xx, Lauren
ReplyDeleteMaegan - Yes, I know ... my 7 and 14 year old boys would not be happy with me either!! :) Lauren
Margaret - Thank you! I am glad you like the title (the novel is PG, by the way!!) xx, Lauren
Mom Jane - Eufaula is a wonderful place to visit! I am hoping to get up there soon ... and REALLY want to go to the Christmas Tour! xx, Lauren
Julie S - Yes, getting paid to travel to exotic locations would be fabulous ( I have my list all ready if some magazine or travel site offers me a job -- LOL)
ReplyDeletexx, Lauren
Karen - YES! Eufaula is a real place !! I used to live near there (30 min away) and stopped for lunch or an afternoon just for fun. I love the library and just walking through the historic district!! ~ Lauren
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much a fan of book written in the first person narrative, but sometimes it suits the book, like now.
ReplyDeletespamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
Ilona - Thank you! So glad you stopped by! Lauren
ReplyDeleteKristin - I love books set in the Deep South ... I listened to Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil recently and decided that I MUST go to Savannah!!!!
~ Lauren
Janna - So glad you liked the excerpt. Julia was a really fun character to write about! :) Lauren
Joannie - I agree that being a travel writer would be lonely sometimes. There's nothing like home and family! xx, Lauren
Erin - I'm so happy you like the premise! It's a story near and dear to my heart :) Lauren
APRIL - I sooo appreciate you reading the excerpt!! I love Eufaula and the contrast between the small town Deep South and New York City!! ~ Lauren
Dovile - I've dabbled with writing some third person books, mostly in the thriller genre, though. For Dancing Naked in Dixie ... it was way too much fun to be in Julia's head :)
ReplyDeletexx, Lauren
ape2016 - Glad Dixie sounds like your kind of book! It's light and has a lot of humorous parts ... hope you enjoy it~ Lauren
ReplyDeleteThe cover of this book is perfect for the story!
ReplyDeletevolta2173 at sbcglobal dot net
Thank you for your review & for the excerpt. DANCING NAKED IN DIXIE does look like such a fun read. Makes me want to visit the South.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you for the review! sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeletesmp0804@Hotmail.com
thanks for the review and giveaway it sounds like a fun read. Gale
ReplyDeletepgan427@yahoo.com
I've seen this book a few places now. Looks cute!
ReplyDeleteMy email is:
ReplyDeleteWinteriscoming28(at)yahoo(dot)com
Brionna
Thanks for the great giveaway and fun post!!!
ReplyDeletebridget.howard@hotmail.com
Thanks for the excerpt and giveaway! The book sounds great. I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeletelaceyblossom1@gmail.com
There always seems to be something fun about a read that had colloquialisms that are different from our own and it is worth a giggle to laugh at ourselves, knowing if we were walking in those same shoes . . . Thank you for sharing your review today and for the fun giveaway. I think Dancing Naked in Dixie just might make me smile :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read, I think I'll add it to my TBR pile: thanks! Oh and loved the excerpt =)
ReplyDeleteGreat review and thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeletesabina(dot)dezman(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a fun read. Loved the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway, btw.
justanotherteenagebookworm@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletemagic5905 at embarqmail dot com
my dream job would be to be a travel writer!!!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read that book!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this giveaway! I'd love to enter.
ReplyDeleteMunnaza
infalliblyyours@gmail.com
thank you :D
ReplyDeleterbd1022@hotmail.com
Thanks a lot for this giveaway
ReplyDeleteemail laracilia@hotmail.com
It looks like a fun read!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review and giveaway!! and wooo for the 4 stars! I will be sure to check it out!
ReplyDeletered_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com
Sounds like a awesome read....gotta love dancing naked! Lol
ReplyDeleteandieleah78@gmail.com
This looks great, I love books set in the south no matter the time period!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteThis books sounds a little like Hart of Dixie, a tv show I love. So I'm sure I'd enjoy the book, too. :)
And she's a travel writer! That's a dream job of mine.
cayce006 at yahoo dot com
I love the title of this book!
ReplyDeleteThnks for the giveaway! This seems a fun book to read. The title seems fun! I might get this book soon. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway!! :)
ReplyDeletebookcrazy124 at gmail dot com
thank you for the giveaway !
ReplyDeletemy email is songo_ac@hotmail.com
i enjoyed the excerpt- looking forward to reading more!
ReplyDeletecatherine0807 at hotmail dot com
sounds good, thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletemagic5905 at embarqmail dot com
"Mystery, intrigue, southern charm and slight romance" You got me with "mystery" :) Thanks for the excerpt, I want to read more!
ReplyDeleteLissette_125 at hotmail dot com
Never heard of this one - but I love the sound of it and the title!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win :)
brainytex@gmail
Thank you! Sounds like an interesting book! Thanks for the excerpt and the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteTravel writer -- so much fun!!
ReplyDeletesena.sagani at gmail dot com
You had me at Southern charm!
ReplyDeleteI want this now!!!
Thanks for the review and the excerpt! :D
calbizzz_152(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for sponsoring a great giveaway. This book sounds intriguing. Keep on writing!
ReplyDeleteLove the title! :P
ReplyDeleteejhtan @ gmail . com
i need to get the book...just to see why the title was chosen! Thanks for the post and the chance to win.
ReplyDeletemarianne dot wanham at gmail dot com
This sounds like such a charming read - cute, sweet, full of Southern charm, I'd LOVE to read this book. Plus, the excerpt has piqued my interest in it. Thank you for hosting a giveaway for this amazing book :)
ReplyDeleteName: Hira Hasnain
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a fun, easy read. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThe title's kind of amusing me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another giveaway!
infalliblyyours@gmailcom
I love books about traveling and other places and that it is funny too is a bonus! Thanks for the great info!
ReplyDeletesusanw28 (at) mindspring (dot) com
i love traveling and i love the name of the book! LOL
ReplyDeletexeno_turtle(at)yahoo(dot)com
This looks like a fun summer read- thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletejill.watkins (at) gmail.com
Great, thorough and detailed review! I love books that offer a good mystery, romance and a solid plot, complete with relatable characters. Thank you so much for spotlighting this one, just in one day of browsing through your posts I learned so much and discovered so many interesting new reads - I really appreciate that! There are many bloggers out there who just blog about super popular, trendy books, but it's bloggeres like you that i appreciate the most. Thanks to you I can discover new books. You give them the spotlight that they wouldn't otherwise get. Great job, honey! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm adding it to my TBR!
evieseo at gmail com
This book sounds really good. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteamandarwest atgmaildotcom
This sounds like the perfect, fun read for a day at the beach! I hadn't heard of it before so I am excited to pick up a copy. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!
ReplyDeletejaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
Seems like an interesting book :D Great excerpt ;) Thank you for sharing :D And thank you for the amazing giveaway. <3
ReplyDeleteLove, Carina
Love the title!
ReplyDeleteAwww, I love southern gentlemen! It sounds like a fun read. :D
ReplyDeleteheartstick (at) hotmail (dot) com
So many books, so little time.
ReplyDeletelinda.towle@gmail.com
I like books that take place in the South!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com
This sounds good! Thank you!
ReplyDeletemittens0831 at aol dot com
I love travel! I wish I could do it more...
ReplyDeletelhoffpauir at gmail
thanks for making this international!
ReplyDeletethat part of the book was really funny, specially because she travels so much!i wish i can do it!
I love stories about the South and the characters seem very well developed, a great storyline too - I am putting this on my TBR list
ReplyDeletescarlettkitty at hotmail dot com
sounds good!
ReplyDeletemissymyt (at) hotmail (dot) com
I love reading books about the South. This looks like it has great characters.
ReplyDeletethe imagine tree at aol dot com
Great review! I love the title for this one. And it sounds like a fun read set in the South!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
yohinachan2000@gmail.com
sounds like a fun book, what a dream job, being a travel writer
ReplyDeleteroswello at hotmail dot com
Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteholliister at gmail dot com
I would love to win this! I've got nearly 50 books on my wishlist on Amazon!
ReplyDeletefrenchcanadienne(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am really interested in reading this book and I love the title!
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds interesting. Thanks!
ReplyDeletepixelberrypie@yahoo.com
Thank you for the awesome giveaway this one is being added to my tbr list! wendynjason04@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great excerpt and giveaway! Sounds like a great book thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLatisha D
tishajean@ charter.net
I enjoy books with Southern charm.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good read
I like the title.
ReplyDeleteaustma7@aol.com
What a wonderful and interesting job being a travel writer must be. This book sounds adventuresome and interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
I'd love to read this; thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletejcottey at aol dot com
thank you so much for this giveaway!
ReplyDeletesmp0804@Hotmail.com
sounds like a fun one, thanks for the giveaway! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway!!!! bridget.howard(at)hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI want to read more books set in the south!
ReplyDeletepandaluvsu82 at gmail dot com
I love reading books about the South! Sounds great
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
I love to read Southern books.
ReplyDeletegardnerad@juno.com
Definitely sounds like my kind of book! :D
ReplyDelete-Laura
laurahartley18@aol.com
Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
Great excerpt! Definitely intriguing going on my TBR list right now!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you on the new book!
ReplyDeleteniteofblu at gmail dot com
I'd love to be a travel writer, not gonna lie.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds like something I'd like!
ReplyDeleteI like books that take place in the South. They usually offer a beautiful scenery.
ReplyDeletekassandralopez32@yahoo.com
This sounds great and I already like the main character after reading the excerpt.
ReplyDeletedakotagirl16AThotmailDOTcom
I love the sound of this book. I'm a big fan of Southern Lit and may very well be a Southerner myself so I think I can relate.
ReplyDeleteThis is totally going on my TBR pile.
violettewaits at gmail dot com
Sounds like a good read!
ReplyDeletecmcoggan@gmail.com
Eufaula is a fun word to say, lol.
ReplyDeleteLove to travel to unique places. The book sounds creative and unique.
ReplyDeletebooksnobsblog at gmail dot com
I had no idea if I would even be interested in reading this book, but I gotta say, with a title like that it definitely stands out and makes you want to know what it is all about. While I can say that I probably won't read this, but I do love the title. Thanks for the excerpts!
ReplyDeleteWow! thanks for the awesome giveaway. So for the excerpt, I like it, I just hope I had the book so I could read and review it.:) <3
ReplyDeletemaryanngacayan@yahoo.com
Sounds like a fun book! I love a good laugh. Curious what is happening to the town and what difficulties are happening with the renovations.
ReplyDeletempg12345@aol.com
The books looks really good! I light, charm and sweet read!
ReplyDeleteilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com
This sounds like a fun read!!! Perfect for summer! ^_^
ReplyDeleteWould love to win!
ReplyDeleteingau2@gmail.com