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Dancing Naked In Dixie by Lauren Clark Review and INT GIVEAWAY!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

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.

128 comments:

  1. Anonymous said...:

    I thought that this was a fun read too. I agree that the southern charm improved the reading experience.

  1. Rebecca Hipworth said...:

    Thank you for the giveaway. :)

    Becky01x@gmail.com

  1. Thank you for hosting Lauren today.

  1. Emily said...:

    How fun would it be to be a travel writer?!?! I can't wait to get my hands on this book!

  1. Rachel said...:

    Awesome! This looks really good. :D

  1. I 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. :-)
    Southern mystery can be such fun with quirky characters.
    Thanks for the review and giveaway.
    mesreadsATgmail.com

  1. Joanne said...:

    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.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

  1. 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

  1. I just love this title! Sounds like such a great book!

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Maegan, you could always try writing about local attractions...it's a growing market, apparently! Fun post.

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

  1. MomJane said...:

    This town sounds like a fun place to visit. The story sounds like a lot of fun to read.

  1. Julie S said...:

    Thanks for the excerpt :) Traveling is fun and getting to write about and get paid for it must be quite nice :)

    juliecookies(at)gmail.com

  1. Karen H said...:

    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.

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

  1. Thank You for the giveaway and the interesting post.

    ilona
    felinewyvern at googlemail dot com

  1. 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!!!

    Thank 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

  1. Kristin said...:

    I'm a sucker for books set in the South with characters and traditions and Southern charm...I think this sounds great.

    wowknk at gmail dot com

  1. Sounds like my kind of book. I love small town, quirky stories.

  1. Unknown said...:

    Great post. Loved the excerpt. Dancing Naked in Dixie is going on my TBR list.

  1. joannie said...:

    Thanks 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

  1. erin said...:

    Thanks for the great post and giveaway! I really like the premise of this book! definitely adding it to my wishlist :)

  1. Wow Love The Excerpt I Cant Wait To Read The Book. butterfli262002@yahoo.com

  1. Cute title, hehe.- Tara Berke Torres taraducktyl@comcast.net

  1. Tara - 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

  1. Steph - Thank you for the lovely comment. I do adore a Southern setting for just about any book :)

    Lauren

  1. 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

  1. Becky and Ray Ray - Thank you for stopping by the Tour for Dixie! xx, Lauren

  1. Martha E - Ooo, you must stop by Shorter Mansion and pop in for a few minutes! Lovely! xx, Lauren

  1. Joanne - 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

    Maegan - 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

  1. 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)

    xx, Lauren

  1. Anonymous said...:

    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

  1. Dovile said...:
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  1. Dovile said...:

    I'm not much a fan of book written in the first person narrative, but sometimes it suits the book, like now.

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

  1. Ilona - Thank you! So glad you stopped by! Lauren

    Kristin - 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

  1. 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 :)

    xx, Lauren

  1. ape2016 - Glad Dixie sounds like your kind of book! It's light and has a lot of humorous parts ... hope you enjoy it~ Lauren

  1. The cover of this book is perfect for the story!

    volta2173 at sbcglobal dot net

  1. 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.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  1. Thank you for the review! sounds like a great read!

    smp0804@Hotmail.com

  1. thanks for the review and giveaway it sounds like a fun read. Gale
    pgan427@yahoo.com

  1. Brionna said...:

    I've seen this book a few places now. Looks cute!

  1. Brionna said...:

    My email is:
    Winteriscoming28(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Brionna

  1. Thanks for the great giveaway and fun post!!!
    bridget.howard@hotmail.com

  1. Thanks for the excerpt and giveaway! The book sounds great. I can't wait to read it!
    laceyblossom1@gmail.com

  1. Denise Z said...:

    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 :)

  1. Sounds like a good read, I think I'll add it to my TBR pile: thanks! Oh and loved the excerpt =)

  1. FreakChiq said...:

    Great review and thanks for the giveaway! :)

    sabina(dot)dezman(at)gmail(dot)com

  1. This sounds like a fun read. Loved the excerpt.

    Thanks for the giveaway, btw.
    justanotherteenagebookworm@gmail.com

  1. magic5905 said...:

    Thanks for the giveaway
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

  1. katayoun said...:

    my dream job would be to be a travel writer!!!

  1. Morgan said...:

    I really want to read that book!

  1. Munnaza said...:

    Thank you so much for this giveaway! I'd love to enter.

    Munnaza
    infalliblyyours@gmail.com

  1. thank you :D
    rbd1022@hotmail.com

  1. Unknown said...:

    Thanks a lot for this giveaway
    email laracilia@hotmail.com

  1. Evie said...:

    It looks like a fun read!

  1. Unknown said...:

    Thanks for the great review and giveaway!! and wooo for the 4 stars! I will be sure to check it out!

    red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

  1. andieleah said...:

    Sounds like a awesome read....gotta love dancing naked! Lol

    andieleah78@gmail.com

  1. deasuluna said...:

    This looks great, I love books set in the south no matter the time period!

  1. Cayce said...:

    Great post!
    This 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

  1. I love the title of this book!

  1. Unknown said...:

    Thnks for the giveaway! This seems a fun book to read. The title seems fun! I might get this book soon. :)

  1. Melissa said...:

    Thanks for the great giveaway!! :)

    bookcrazy124 at gmail dot com

  1. Angy said...:

    thank you for the giveaway !

    my email is songo_ac@hotmail.com

  1. Cathy C said...:

    i enjoyed the excerpt- looking forward to reading more!


    catherine0807 at hotmail dot com

  1. magic5905 said...:

    sounds good, thanks for the giveaway.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

  1. "Mystery, intrigue, southern charm and slight romance" You got me with "mystery" :) Thanks for the excerpt, I want to read more!
    Lissette_125 at hotmail dot com

  1. Unknown said...:

    Never heard of this one - but I love the sound of it and the title!
    Thanks for the chance to win :)

    brainytex@gmail

  1. christaj3 said...:

    Thank you! Sounds like an interesting book! Thanks for the excerpt and the giveaway!

  1. Sena said...:

    Travel writer -- so much fun!!
    sena.sagani at gmail dot com

  1. Alba said...:

    You had me at Southern charm!

    I want this now!!!
    Thanks for the review and the excerpt! :D

    calbizzz_152(at)hotmail(dot)com

  1. Thanks for sponsoring a great giveaway. This book sounds intriguing. Keep on writing!

  1. Love the title! :P

    ejhtan @ gmail . com

  1. Unknown said...:

    i need to get the book...just to see why the title was chosen! Thanks for the post and the chance to win.

    marianne dot wanham at gmail dot com

  1. 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 :)

    Name: Hira Hasnain
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

  1. Nancy said...:

    Sounds like a fun, easy read. Thanks for the giveaway.

  1. Munnaza said...:

    The title's kind of amusing me.

    Thanks for another giveaway!

    infalliblyyours@gmailcom

  1. Suz Reads said...:

    I love books about traveling and other places and that it is funny too is a bonus! Thanks for the great info!

    susanw28 (at) mindspring (dot) com

  1. Sayomay said...:

    i love traveling and i love the name of the book! LOL
    xeno_turtle(at)yahoo(dot)com

  1. This looks like a fun summer read- thanks for the giveaway!

    jill.watkins (at) gmail.com

  1. Evie said...:

    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! :)

    I'm adding it to my TBR!

    evieseo at gmail com

  1. Unknown said...:

    This book sounds really good. Thanks for the chance!
    amandarwest atgmaildotcom

  1. 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!

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  1. Seems like an interesting book :D Great excerpt ;) Thank you for sharing :D And thank you for the amazing giveaway. <3
    Love, Carina

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Love the title!

  1. Andra said...:

    Awww, I love southern gentlemen! It sounds like a fun read. :D

    heartstick (at) hotmail (dot) com

  1. Linda said...:

    So many books, so little time.

    linda.towle@gmail.com

  1. Darlene said...:

    I like books that take place in the South!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

  1. Carol M said...:

    This sounds good! Thank you!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  1. Lisa said...:

    I love travel! I wish I could do it more...

    lhoffpauir at gmail

  1. oriana said...:

    thanks for making this international!
    that part of the book was really funny, specially because she travels so much!i wish i can do it!

  1. 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

    scarlettkitty at hotmail dot com

  1. missymyt said...:

    sounds good!

    missymyt (at) hotmail (dot) com

  1. Stacy said...:

    I love reading books about the South. This looks like it has great characters.

    the imagine tree at aol dot com

  1. Ning said...:

    Great review! I love the title for this one. And it sounds like a fun read set in the South!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    yohinachan2000@gmail.com

  1. sounds like a fun book, what a dream job, being a travel writer

    roswello at hotmail dot com

  1. Thank you! :)
    holliister at gmail dot com

  1. Emmanuelle said...:

    I would love to win this! I've got nearly 50 books on my wishlist on Amazon!
    frenchcanadienne(at)hotmail(dot)com

  1. I am really interested in reading this book and I love the title!

  1. This one sounds interesting. Thanks!
    pixelberrypie@yahoo.com

  1. Unknown said...:

    Thank you for the awesome giveaway this one is being added to my tbr list! wendynjason04@gmail.com

  1. Thank you for the great excerpt and giveaway! Sounds like a great book thanks for sharing!
    Latisha D
    tishajean@ charter.net

  1. Unknown said...:

    I enjoy books with Southern charm.
    This sounds like a good read

  1. Kia89 said...:

    I like the title.
    austma7@aol.com

  1. peg42 said...:

    What a wonderful and interesting job being a travel writer must be. This book sounds adventuresome and interesting.
    Thanks
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

  1. Jane said...:

    I'd love to read this; thanks for the giveaway!
    jcottey at aol dot com

  1. thank you so much for this giveaway!

    smp0804@Hotmail.com

  1. Daniel M said...:

    sounds like a fun one, thanks for the giveaway! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

  1. Thanks for the great giveaway!!!! bridget.howard(at)hotmail.com

  1. I want to read more books set in the south!

    pandaluvsu82 at gmail dot com

  1. susan1215 said...:

    I love reading books about the South! Sounds great

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

  1. Anonymous said...:

    I love to read Southern books.
    gardnerad@juno.com

  1. Unknown said...:

    Definitely sounds like my kind of book! :D

    -Laura
    laurahartley18@aol.com

  1. slehan said...:

    Sounds interesting.
    Thanks for the contest.

    slehan at juno dot com

  1. Great excerpt! Definitely intriguing going on my TBR list right now!

  1. Best of luck to you on the new book!

    niteofblu at gmail dot com

  1. usagi, said...:

    I'd love to be a travel writer, not gonna lie.

  1. Vanessa said...:

    This one sounds like something I'd like!

  1. Unknown said...:

    I like books that take place in the South. They usually offer a beautiful scenery.

    kassandralopez32@yahoo.com

  1. This sounds great and I already like the main character after reading the excerpt.

    dakotagirl16AThotmailDOTcom

  1. Violette said...:

    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.

    This is totally going on my TBR pile.

    violettewaits at gmail dot com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Sounds like a good read!

    cmcoggan@gmail.com

  1. Rachel said...:

    Eufaula is a fun word to say, lol.

  1. Love to travel to unique places. The book sounds creative and unique.
    booksnobsblog at gmail dot com

  1. 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!

  1. Mary ann said...:

    Wow! 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

    maryanngacayan@yahoo.com

  1. Unknown said...:

    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.

    mpg12345@aol.com

  1. Gigi said...:

    The books looks really good! I light, charm and sweet read!

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

  1. Unknown said...:

    This sounds like a fun read!!! Perfect for summer! ^_^

  1. Inguze said...:

    Would love to win!
    ingau2@gmail.com