Laura McNeill's Blog, page 26
July 13, 2012
Wow! Glowing Bride in 30 Days
Beauty, Health & Staying Stress-Free in the month before your big day.
Guest Post from Laura Pepper Wu
A year before my wedding I was telling myself that I needed to get into shape. Needed to whiten my teeth, work out, tone up, get my skin nice and clear… & so much more.
I also told myself this at the 6 month, 5 month, 4 month, 3 month mark… Ha!
I had noooooo idea that wedding planning was going to mean less sleep, more stress and almost no free time. So draining and time consuming. Sound familiar? Friends tying the knot have told me over and over again that they feel this way too.
And SO…. This book was written for you, the busy bride-to-be who wants to look and feel her best on her wedding day, (but has a real life – and a busy one at that – too!)
After preparing for my own wedding (actually three of them – all to the same man! We have friends and family EVERYWHERE), I had the idea to write this guide – to put together all of the information brides would ever want to know in order to look and feel wonderful.
After interviewing several brides for the book’s research, I also learned that there are a whole host of emotional issues connected with getting married that are overlooked in all the romantic movies and the media. So I included the Staying Stress Free section which covers all of the emotional issues that brides to be face (out of character Mom’s, changing relationships with friends, bridesmaids, fiance’s… the whole shebang), as well as stress, sleep and anxiety problems.
This is a no-nonsense, easy to follow collection of advice for brides like you and I – those who want to look and feel fantastic for the wedding, but not let it take over their life because, well, life still goes on. The guide also has a holistic approach – I believe that real health and beauty is achieved through being healthy from within. And I tried my best to keep the writing fun and light-hearted, so think of it as some light relief reading as well!
- Laura Pepper, author of Wow! Glowing Bride in 30 Days”
Buy links:
Paperback: Amazon.com
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July 11, 2012
Chick Lit Review: Kat Fight!
Please welcome the very talented Dina Silver to Lauren Clark Books. Dina made her author debut in 2011 with her charming and heart-warming first novel, One Pink Line.
I’m so fortunate to have Dina as a friend, and devoured her latest release, Kat Fight. I can assure you that a few parts are laugh-out-loud funny!
Today, Dina is bringing us an exclusive, behind-the-scenes interview with Kat Porter, heroine of Kat Fight. Take it away, Dina ….
Dina Silver: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Kat Porter: When I was little, I had pretty typical aspirations of being a zookeeper, veterinarian or princess.
DS: Jock or princess in high school? If you liked sports, which did you play?
KP: If I have to choose between the two, I’d have to say princess. Because lord knows I couldn’t properly wield a tennis racket, softball bat, or field hockey stick to save my life!
DS: Which is worse? A hangover or a really bad sunburn?
KP: Sunburn! My mother was part Irish and passed her pale skin on to me. And let me tell you, a hangover with a sunburn is even worse. One time Julie and I were laying out at the beach, drinking self-contained margaritas (just pour over ice and enjoy!) when I passed out with my right arm over my forehead…you have no idea how long it takes for a bad sunburn to fade!
DS: Favorite food?
KP: Homemade pizza
DS: Dream vacation?
KP: Bahamas
DS: For your wedding, share the something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?
KP:
Something old: a swatch from my baby blanket
Something new: spendy shoes with a jeweled strap
Something borrowed: Megan’s veil
Something blue: A box of wintergreen Altoids from Adam
Here’s the synopsis:
The seriously funny, fabulously flawed Kat Porter has arrived, and she may just steal your heart—not to mention your boyfriend. Readers everywhere will revel in this sharp-witted, well-meaning whirlwind in author Dina Silver’s hilarious new novel, Kat Fight. In her quest for love, Kat makes every wrong turn, juggling two men, one best friend, and her own deeply confused heart’s desires.
Can Kat connect with the man of her dreams without hurting two of the people she cares most about? At the same time, she must also contend with the quips of her beloved catty coworker Adam, her bi-polar boss Brooke, and a string of comic, unpredictable plot twists.
Kat Fight was inspired by the story of how Dina met her husband. And although the novel is pure fiction, some of the funniest parts of the book are based on actual events.
Grab your copy of Kat Fight on Kindle or Paperback:
xx, Lauren
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July 9, 2012
ChickLitPlus Tour Winners
ChickLitPlus
Happy Monday ….!
Today, I’m giving a big shout-out to the winners of my ChickLitPlus Blog Tour, set up by the wonderful Samantha March.
In honor of the city where I live (Mobile, Alabama), I’ve put together some fun and tasty prize packs with a Mardi Gras theme. Why Mardi Gras????
Mobile, Alabama’s Mardi Gras is the oldest annual Carnival celebration in America, having begun in 1703, over 15 years before New Orleans was founded (1718).
Mobile’s festival began as a French Catholic tradition, celebrating until the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, until midnight on Mardi Gras day.
Here’s a look at one of the prize packs:
Congratulations to my ChickLitPlus winners and THANK YOU to all of the bloggers and readers who made the Dancing Naked in Dixie Tour so fantastic!!!!!!
Susan – The Book Bag, Brookings, SD
and
Emily – Mrs. Mommy Booknerd Book Reviews, Appleton, WI
xx, Lauren
July 3, 2012
Goddess Fish Tour Winners
Happy Tuesday!
I wanted to send out a big hello to all of the wonderful readers who read the many blog posts, reviews, and excerpts of Dixie over the past weeks! I am indebted to the many bloggers who tirelessly supported Dixie — the book wouldn’t be a success without you!
It was such fun to visit all of the Goddess Fish stops (thank you Marianne & Judy), share discussion, and some laughs about all of Julia’s mishaps. I am humbled by all of the lovely comments and encouragement everyone offered.
Without further adieu, here are the winners from the tour:
Review Tour: Karen H
Promo Tour: Elizabeth 1
Both Karen and Elizabeth receive a $25 dollar Amazon gift card–Congratulations, ladies!!!!
As always, please email me with any thoughts about Dixie (or books/writing/flavored coffee) at laurenclarkbooks@gmail.com. Later this week, I’ll let you know who took home the prizes from the ChickLitPlus tour.
xx, Lauren
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July 2, 2012
AToMR & Dixie Tour Winners
Happy Monday, everyone!
I am thrilled to announce the *winners* from among the fabulous bloggers and readers I met during the Dancing Naked in Dixie Blog Tour with Julie Brazeal and AToMR.
The two winners were selected by a Rafflecopter drawing.
(Trumpets, please!!!)
Grand Prize winners:
Alison Fees ~ Gift basket with Southern Treats (Yum) !!
Taneesha Freidus – Gift basket of Mardi Gras FUN
Thank you to Julie and Autumn for organizing this fantastic tour!!! I had so much fun meeting new readers, visiting different blogs, talking with my wonderful blog hosts. I really appreciate the love and support everyone has shown for DIXIE!
xx, Lauren
AND …. MORE FUN COMING UP: Tuesday, July 3rd, I’ll be announcing the winners from my GODDESS FISH TOUR.
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June 29, 2012
Announcing the VBT Cafe Prize Winners!!!!
Happy Friday, everyone! I am so excited to announce the *winners* from among ALL of the fabulous bloggers and readers I met during the Dancing Naked in Dixie Blog Tour with BK Walker’s Virtual Book Tour Cafe. The winners were selected by random drawing by BK and her staff.
(Drum roll, please!!!)
Donna Galanti – from Jersey Girl Book Reviews (Signed copy of Stay Tuned and swag)
donnasgalanti@comcast.net
$15 GC – MK from VBT Cafe’ - mk@mcclintockmt.com
$15 GC – Marybelle from Creating Comfort - marypres@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who entered and was kind enough to stop by and comment on Dixie!! I am overwhelmed by all of the comments, conversation, fun posts, and lovely reviews. HUGS!!!!!!!!
xx, Lauren
AND …. MORE FUN COMING UP: Monday, July 2nd, I’ll be announcing the winners from my AToMR tour. I’m giving away a Basket of Mardi Gras Fun and a Southern Treat Prize Pack!!!
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June 18, 2012
Dancing Naked Book Tour & Giveaway
This week, Dancing Naked in Dixie will be visiting 9 great blog sites with ‘A Tale of Many Reviews’ Book Tours!
(http://atomrbookblogtours.com/2012/03...)
Check out all of the great blogs from Monday, June 18 – Friday, June 22nd for a chance to win signed paperback copies of Dancing Naked in Dixie and Stay Tuned, ebooks, bookmarks, and other special prizes.
Here’s where to enter:
A big thank you to all of the bloggers who are hosting Dixie this week!
The tour kicks off with Tara Turner’s blog *and I am thrilled because Tara is one of my BETA READERS* :)
Here’s Tara’s LINK:
http://www.taterstalltails.com/2012/06/dancing-naked-in-dixie-blog-tour.html
Click here to see all participating blogs and posts…
xx, Lauren
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June 16, 2012
Top 20 Father’s Day Gift Books
A big thank you to Anthony Wessel over at Digital Book Today, as he graciously allowed me to “borrow” his Top 20 list for Father’s Day! My friend and fellow author, DE McCourt is #1 on the list and I urge you to check out his book (and give it to your Dad!) You can find my review here: HERE.
All of Anthony’s book choices have a minimum of 4.4 stars and 20+ reviews. Below are the first ten and a link to the site where you can buy these books and find the rest of the list!
Notes from the Firehouse, D.E. McCourt, 5.0 stars, 26 reviews, Memoir
Wendy and the Lost Boys, Barbara Silkstone, 4.7 stars, 25 reviews, Comedy Mystery
Sandman, Morgan Hannah MacDonald, 4.7 stars, 169 reviews, Thriller
“That Bear Ate My Pants!”, Tony James Slater, 4.7 stars, 55 reviews, Humor, Travel.
My Emily, Matt Patterson, 4.9 stars, 50 reviews, Inspirational
Click on the “Read More” button to see the entire Top 20 Father’s Day Gift Books List
Night Corridor, Joan Hall Hovey, 4.4 stars, 50 reviews, Suspense
Bull Street, David Lender, 4.4 stars, 49 reviews, Thriller
Drop By Drop, Keith Raffel, 4.5 stars, 36 reviews, Thriller
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrest, Delphine Pontvieux, 4.8 stars, 40 reviews, Thriller
The Zul Enigma, J.M. Leitch, 4.5 stars, 24 reviews, Futuristic Thriller
http://digitalbooktoday.com/2012/06/16/top-20-fathers-day-gift-books-part-4
Cheers for Dad!!
xx, Lauren
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June 12, 2012
2012 Hot Summer Reads: One Pink Line & Dixie
BEACH BOOK FESTIVAL NAMES WINNERS & FINALISTS
NEW YORK - Judges of the annual Beach Book Festival, which honors the summer’s hottest reads, have named Dina Silver and Lauren Clark among the place winners for 2012.
Dina Silver’s One Pink Line was named an honorable mention for the General Fiction category. Lauren Clark’s Dancing Naked in Dixie was given an honorable mention nod for the Romance category.
Here’s Dina and the cover of One Pink Line. Dina’s next novel, Kat Fight, will be released in June 2o12. Here’s Dina’s website: www.dinasilver.com. For the complete list of Beach Book winners, click here: www.beachbookfestival.com.
To purchase a copy of One Pink Line: AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK & KINDLE ON AMAZON
Happy Summer Reading, y’all!!
xx, Lauren
Smart, Sassy Fiction with a Southern Twist
Dancing Naked in Dixie for Kindle
Dancing Naked in Paperback
Dancing Naked for Nook
Dancing Naked for iTunes, iPad, iPhone
Stay Tuned
Lauren Clark Books Website
**
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May 28, 2012
Winner of the Dixie Release Day Giveaway!
I’m so pleased to announce that
**Laura McLendon**
is the winner of the ‘Dancing Naked in Dixie’ Release Day Contest! Laura wins her choice of a $10.00 BN.com or Amazon gift card!!
Thank you to everyone who entered
…. if you’d like a chance to win a paperback copy of Dixie … enter here:Goodreads Book Giveaway
Dancing Naked in Dixie
by Lauren Clark
Giveaway ends May 31, 2012.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
xx, Lauren
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