Nancy Naigle's Blog, page 40

Goodreads Giveaway ~ Out of Focus

Hi Friends,

I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who entered to win a signed copy of Out of Focus on Goodreads.com. We had awesome interest with a total of 279 folks entering.

The winner of the Dec 1-6 giveaway was::

SARA LOZEFSKI from Maine 

If you're not familiar with Goodreads.com, it's a wonderful site that allows you to log books you've read or plan to read and rate them (if you like). With that information Goodreads will suggest other books you might enjoy based on the likes/dislikes of other readers with similar interests as you. It's a lot of fun and there are some wonderful groups on that site as well. The giveaways are awesome and spread across all the genres…even poetry.     

Because of the number of entries and feeling especially joyful this time of year…I'm going to share another giveaway of a signed copy of OUT OF FOCUS on Goodreads.com. Entries will be open from 12/8 until 12/15. So, tell your friends and GOOD LUCK!

Oh…and a little insider information. My debut novel, Sweet Tea and Secrets will be specially priced for your e-readers from December 12th – 24th for just 99cents. I hope you'll take advantage of the offer.

Hugs and happy reading,

Nancy

Out of Focus :: Kings River Life Magazine Review

Hey friends

The online magazine Kings River Life published their December issue. Inside you'll find their special Christmas Gift Suggestions Book List and I'm excited to share that Out of Focus and inkBLOT (the novel I co-wrote with Phyllis Johnson) are both on the list!!

OUT OF FOCUS – reviewed by Diana Hockley said "Nancy's style is laid back and easy – I read it in one night….I reviewed Nancy's first Adams Grove novel, Sweet Tea and Secrets, some time ago, and although I was impressed, I am of the opinion that this story is even better in terms of technical expertise and emotive imagery. Highly recommended!"

inkBLOT – reviewed by Terrance V McArthur said "In a world where Internet wonderboys can turn their concepts into megabucks, it is fun to watch Ronnie trying to parlay his brand into wider usage, while someone else tries to spin him into police custody. There are lessons in marketing savvy that add to the fun of this quirky novel."

Here's the link to the magazine. You can read the full reviews and  enter to win free books!

http://kingsriverlife.com/12/03/christmas-mystery-book-gift-suggestions/

Hugs and Happy Reading…

Nancy

Here's a made in America gift idea…

Here's a made in the USA gift that's unusual and neat – freehollowbooks.com #giftidea

 

 

Of course, all my books are made right here in the good old US of A, too, and they've got words in the middle! Available in trade paperback and in digital formats for kindle and nook, too.

 

        Plus, all books are easy to wrap! Support a local author this holiday season.

Happy shopping~

Nancy

OUT OF FOCUS

Click here to go to GoodReads.com and enter to win a signed copy of OUT OF FOCUS

GoodReads.com is a great place to share and find books you love to read. Visit today to enter a signed copy of Out of Focus – the second novel with ties to Adams Grove.

 

Hugs and happy reading~

Nancy

Out of Focus – #Sample Chapter

My second novel with ties to the small southern town of Adams Grove is Out of Focus. If you haven't read Sweet Tea and Secrets – you can check out the whole first chapter of that story here.

Here's your #Sample of Out of Focus.



JUST RELEASED

OUT OF FOCUS – An Adams Grove Novel

A woman is caught in a web of friendship and betrayal as she desperately searches for her son.

CHAPTER ONE

Kasey Phillips snapped off three more pictures of the country singer straddling seven hundred pounds of sleek American-made motorcycle. Cody Tuggle looked more rugged than the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains that swelled in the background.

At her command, Tuggle leaned forward across the wide chrome handlebars. Even with the bandanna tied around his head like a do-rag, a look she'd never found appealing, there was no denying this guy was sizzling hot and all man.

Kasey's eyes narrowed as she leaned to get a unique angle. The estate was the perfect setting for this magazine shoot. It belonged to Cody's agent, Arty Max. From the looks of the place, Tuggle's fame had paid off big for everyone.

Band members and roadies lined the perimeter, but she stayed focused on her subject. Curious onlookers were one of the biggest obstacles at an outdoor shoot, but it was easy to tune them out when the subject was someone with such star quality.

Working with the light and shadows, she repositioned to find the right interplay to intensify the image. The camera clicked at a fast clip, and then not at all, as she considered the next best opportunity.

Click. Click. Click-click-click.

"I thought this was supposed to be hard work," Cody said, pulling her out of her zone. "Those bikini models are always complaining about it on TV." Laughter laced his voice. "Y'know, that fanny duster job, dusting the sand off those cuties' hind ends. Now that looks like a right sweet gig. Got any connections?"

Kasey lowered her camera. "You mean, in case the singing thing doesn't work out for you?" She gave him a scolding look. As the mom of a three-year old, she'd pretty much perfected it. "If you keep  talking I'll catch you with your mouth wide open, and you'll look dopey. Shhhsh."

"That must be why I always look drunk in those tabloids." Cody flashed a devilish smile. "Anybody ever tell you, you're kinda bossy?"

"I got both of those shots," she warned. "Those weekly gossip rags pay big bucks for celeb uglies.  The uglier they are, the more they pay. They'd pay top dollar for those last two pictures."

"You wouldn't."

"You're right." She raised her hand in front of her like a traffic cop. "Stay still. Yeah. Right there." A perfect shot. The candy-apple red Harley was only feet away from  the black fence that surrounded the estate. Light swept through a stand of birch trees in the distance, their thin white-barked trunks made the colors appear more vibrant and crisp. The forest displayed a myriad of green shades  now. Those leaves would boast orange, yellow, reds and purples in the fall as the chlorophyll faded and autumn arrived—an awesome display to capture on film.

Cody spoke to someone just behind her.

She shot him the look.

"What? It's hard to sit still this long and not say a word." Cody rewarded her with a natural smile. She took advantage of it, snapping the image.

Kasey enjoyed the gentle sparring. "What's the problem? You got ants in your pants? You said this modeling stuff was so easy, but all I've heard for the past thirty minutes is a bunch of girly  complaining."

"Hey now, be nice. Girly?  Me? You're gonna hurt my feelin's."

The roadies and band members nudged one another.

"Somehow I doubt that." Kasey watched the star's smile fade into an exaggerated pout. He might be used to women falling at his feet, but she wasn't one of his groupies. "Did I bruise your frail ego?"  What a ham. "Maybe it's that silly rag on your head makin' you all girly."

She couldn't help herself. The man in front of her was huge, at least six foot four, with shoulders so broad the wide-set handlebars on the motorcycle didn't look nearly as impressive. This  guy could wear a pink tutu and look masculine.

The band members and roadies seemed to enjoy the banter, but she wasn't sure whom they were rooting for—Cody or her.

Cody sat up straight on the bike, his smile gone. He pulled the bandanna off and ran his fingers through his flattened mass of blonde hair.

She took in a quick breath. Maybe that last comment had crossed a line. She knew the do-rag was symbolic to the band, but then if her jab got him to quit mugging around, it would be worth it. She'd get the best shots of the day.

His hair bounced back into its usual tangle of waves, softening his chiseled look. He stuffed the slip of fabric into his back pocket with a half grin, maybe just short of a smirk.

Kasey clicked like mad. "Now we're talking."

Cody tugged open the snaps of his western shirt.

She switched cameras and gave him a nod of encouragement. Tuggle's PR guys had left last night. She called the shots now. Just the way she liked it. This was all Cody.

His tan accentuated his chest. Flawless. He didn't have a soft, white-collar body. This was the body of a guy who enjoyed getting physical.

"Looking right manly now, Mr. Tuggle." Her heart and soul belonged to Nick, but staring at Cody Tuggle for hours at a time was no punishment.

"Mr. Tuggle? Why is it the less I'm wearin' the more business you get?" He stepped off the motorcycle in one easy movement and took a step in her direction.

"Quit it, you big flirt." She took another picture. "I'm married." She wiggled her ring finger in his direction.

Kasey glanced at her watch. It was almost nine. "Let's take five." She walked to a table nearby, pulled her phone from her hip and dialed home. Every day on the road, at nine o'clock sharp each morning, there was nothing more important than checking in with Nick and Jake. She loved her work, but they were the light of each day, and three days in a row of not being with them was torture.

With her back to Cody and the others, she talked to Nick. He caught her up on their plan for the day. She checked her watch again, then forced herself to wrap up the call.  "Love, love, love you boys."

"I love you ten and five, Mom." Jake's tiny voice made her heart bubble. Ten and five was the biggest number in the world to him.

"Love you, babe. See you at the other end of the day," Nick said and hung up.

A familiar surge of happiness consumed her. She couldn't wait to be home with them. She and Nick had wed just a few months after they'd met. It was a marriage made in heaven, and Jake was the icing on the wedding cake. That little angel was the best thing she'd ever done

in her life.

She snapped her phone shut and headed back to the shoot. "Let's go, guys."

Tuggle turned his attention back to her. "Call home to check in with Mr. Phillips?"

"Not exactly. Phillips is my maiden name." She switched to her digital camera for the final run. "But yes. I was checking in at home."

"That dude's one lucky guy."

"Two, actually."

Cody leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Two? I bet number one doesn't think much of that."

         "Funny." She wrinkled her nose. "Husband and son."

Read the rest of OUT OF FOCUS – available in trade paperback, and digital formats at all your favorite etailers. You can get your copy today::

Available in trade paperback on Amazon.com, for kindle, and for nook.



Are you on twitter?? Tweet this sample to your friends by using this link = Have you read the sample of OUT OF FOCUS by @NancyNaigle :: NancyNaigle.wordpress.com #lovestory

Thanks for your support and help spreading the word!

Hugs and happy reading~

Nancy

Sandy's No-Fail Pumpkin Spice Bread

Sandy from the Book Club Babes made this delicious pumpkin bread for book club in September. Coating the pans with sugar makes for a sweetness around the edges that is so good against the spicy mix. You've got to try this. The recipe yields two nice size loaves. Enough for you and one to share!

Thanks, Sandy~

PUMPKIN SPICE BREAD

 3.5 cups all purpose flour,
.25 tsp. Baking powder,
2 tsp. Baking soda,
1.5 tsp salt,
1 tsp  nutmeg,
1 tsp crushed cloves,
1 tsp cinnamon,
1.5 cups granulated sugar,
1.5 cups brown sugars,
1 cup oil,
2 cups canned or fresh pumpkin,
4 eggs.

Spray 2 loaf pans with cooking spray and then sugar (instead of flour).

Mix dry ingredients, add oil, add pumpkin, add eggs one at a time.

Bake 350 degrees for 50-60 mins. Enjoy!!!

 

I loved this recipe so much that I'm going to try it in little cupcake muffin pans and drizzle with cream cheese icing for a bite-size treat that ought to be awesome with my favorite Harney & Sons Paris Tea.

Hugs and happy baking,

Nancy

 

 

October means pumpkins, right?

It's October and what says October more than pumpkins? Well, maybe trick or treat candy, but that's a whole other story!

I thought I'd share pumpkin recipes the next few posts.

Here's one from one of the readers of Sweet Tea and Secrets – Kim Hudson for Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.

You'll need:

Take 2 cups of fresh seeds,
3 Tbsp melted butter,
1 tsp. salt
 1 tsp. of worstershire sauce.

Mix and coat thoroughly, spread on a foil lined 15″ x 10″ baking sheet and bake (250 degrees) for 45-50 min., stirring occasionally.

Increase heat to 325 degrees and bake 5 min. longer or until seeds are dry and lightly browned. Then serve.

THANKS KIM!

BOOK CLUB BABES – Suffolk, VA

On Friday, September 30th, I drove down to Suffolk, VA and spent the evening with the BOOK CLUB BABES. Special thanks to Sonja who was the host of the meeting and invited me.

What a wonderful surprise to see this sign right on the front door. The hosts daughter made it for me. I've got it in my office on my wall now. It makes me smile every time I glance at it! Thanks!

This group of educators gets together once a month. These gals do it right, too. They move the meeting to different members houses each month and whoever is the host is responsible for the meal. Yes! A meal … and wine … and dessert, too. Members bring side dishes to round out a wonderful evening of food and fun.

Since Sweet Tea and Secrets was the book for the month, they even made sweet tea, Jill's Quickie Chopped Slaw Salad and Pearl's Famous Chocolate Pecan Pie — all recipes found in the book.

I had the most wondeful time with these ladies. One of the highlights was flipping through their scrapbook. They have a scrapbook page for every single book the club has read. It's creative and fun and walking down memory lane was so much fun. They even lent me one of their recent reads, The Venetian Mask. An awesome book. I really enjoyed it.

This was my first official book club visit. They sure did set a high bar, but I can't wait to attend more.

Thank you so much to the Suffolk Book Club Babes for making such a special night for Sweet Tea and Secrets and sharing their thoughts about the town and folks of Adams Grove.

Hugs and happy reading,

Nancy

SIBA – Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Trade Show

The 2011 SIBA Trade Show was held in beautiful Charleston, SC this year.

This event was the best of all worlds. I had the chance to network with pubishers, booksellers and other authors. I enjoyed several "fan girl" moments as I got free books signed by some of my very favorite southern authors. Seriously, it doesn't get much better than this!

I aspire to someday have one of my books become an Okra Pick …. yes you read that right. An Okra Pick. Now Oprah would be awesome, too, but Okra Picks are southern books and that is where my heart is! It was exciting to meet authors that achieved that dream already.

I had the pleasure of introducing William Mangum (great guy, talented artist and awesome speaker) for his session about the ART of Marketing. It was a wonderful segment full of tips and practical to-do's. I took away several ideas and an awesome calendar, too! His coffee table book, NORTH CAROLINA BEAUTIFUL is one that any proud southerner would treasure. The perfect gift. I can't wait to make a trip to his studio in Greensboro, NC and see him paint. Amazing.

Exhausted but blissful on Monday I was ready to head home.

Good thing my car has a big trunk because I came home with lots and lots of books to read. Now the problem is deciding in which order they'll get read! I do know the first is THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER by Mary Alice Monroe. After that…I may have to do some eenie-meenie-miney's to decide.

Hugs and happy reading~

Nancy

 

Who is reading Sweet Tea and Secrets

Who is reading Sweet Tea and Secrets? Well, the beautiful people….as you can well soo. Here's Gillian doing a little summer reading.