Laura McNeill's Blog, page 27
May 22, 2012
Winners of the Chick Lit BLOG HOP 2012
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the 2012 Chick Lit Blog Hop! What a fun time! Author Tracie Banister (Blame it on the Fame) did a super job of organizing it! I hope that all of you found many new books to read and new blogs to follow.
Now for the really good stuff! Congratulations to the Grand Prize Winner of the $150 Sephora gift card Tiffany White! And the winner of a signed paperback copy of Dancing Naked in Dixie is Kassandra Appel of Gentryville, Indiana!
There’s still time to leave your email address for my current DIXIE giveaway – see the May 21st Release Day post! (that contest ends May 23rd at midnight)!
xx, Lauren
Dancing Naked in Dixie for Kindle
Dancing Naked in Paperback
Dancing Naked for Nook
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May 21, 2012
Release Day ~ Dancing Naked in Dixie
Eufaula and Bluebell, Alabama
Release Day is finally here! Dancing Naked in Dixie is now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle, as well as on BN.com for Nook! Many friends and fellow authors have said that Dancing Naked in Dixie would also appeal to fans of the TV series Hart of Dixie (on the CW) starring Rachel Bilson. I’ve watched many episodes and have to agree!
I love Rachel Bilson as Dr. Zoe Hart–a physician from New York City who ends up in tiny Bluebell, Alabama–and decides to stay after inheriting a medical practice. Much like Julia Sullivan, Zoe is a bit bewildered and equally charmed by Southern customs and traditions. Both women, with the best of intentions, find themselves constantly ‘in trouble’ with some of the small town’s Southern belles and long-standing citizens.
For fun, I decided to do a little comparison of Hart of Dixie and Dancing Naked in Dixie. See what you think…
What do you think? Would Dr. Zoe Hart and Julia Sullivan be friends? Whose life would you prefer?
Leave your answer and an email address by Wednesday, May 23rd at midnight to win a $10 Amazon or BN.com gift card and some fun Dixie swag!
xx, Lauren
Get your copy of Dixie:
Dancing Naked in Dixie for Kindle
Dancing Naked in Paperback
Dancing Naked for Nook
Image Credits: cwtv.com
*Did you enjoy this post? Sign up for Lauren's newsletter & stay in the loop with all of her writing news here! (p.s. Book 2 is out in Spring 2012!)*
May 14, 2012
CHICK LIT AUTHOR BLOG HOP 2012
CHICK LIT AUTHOR BLOG HOP 2012
The Significance of ‘Setting’ in Chick Lit
Imagine Sophie Kinsella’s ‘Shopaholic’ series set in Anchorage, Alaska. How about ‘The Devil Wear Prada’ set in Phoenix, Arizona? Or picture Jennifer Weiner’s heroines in ‘Goodnight, Nobody’ living in Mexico City instead of cozy suburbia.
Sound strange? Doesn’t work for you? That’s why a story’s setting can make or break a novel.
In Dancing Naked in Dixie, I wanted to contrast the concrete jungle and towering silver skyscrapers of New York with the pink-blooming azaleas and elegant antebellum mansions of Eufaula, Alabama. Travel writer Julia Sullivan is used to crowded sidewalks, the smell of exhaust from taxis, and waiting in line for her daily Starbucks latte. But as a first-time visitor to the Deep South, Julia experiences many new sights, sensations, and smells.
In Dixie, Julia has her first swallow of syrupy Sweet Tea, her first taste of grits for breakfast, and her first sample of a pimento cheese sandwich. Julia experiences the world and wardrobe of Southern debutantes, SEC college football fanatics, and families who plan their Spring social calendar around the historic Pilgrimage.
In order to bring those cities to life, much research was needed. I was fortunate enough to live near Eufaula, Alabama for several years and attend the Pilgrimage many times. But, to do the story justice, I had to do extensive research about many of the antebellum homes, the settlement of Eufaula and Barbour County in the 1800′s, and the area’s current economic conditions.
If you have an opportunity to visit the annual Pilgrimage, be sure to stay for the Candlelight tour. With tour guides in period dress, Alabama stars sparkling overhead, and Spanish Moss draping the oak trees, it’s nothing short of magical!
What do you think? How important is setting when it comes to a story? Leave a comment below with your favorite novel’s setting and what you love about it. Be sure to include your email, as one commenter will win a signed copy of ‘Dancing Naked in Dixie!’
xx, Lauren
For a chance to win the Chick Lit Author Blog Hop Grand Prize of a $150 Sephora gift card, simply do the following:
Collect all 34 of the secret words (you will find a secret word in each of the blog posts on the hop.) The word will be italicized, so it will be easy to locate. ***HINT***The secret word in my blog hop post is in the first paragraph.
Submit your list of 34 secret words to CLABlogHop@aol.com before midnight on Sunday, May 20th and you will be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing!
The Grand Prize winner will be announced on Monday, May 21st, and the $150 Sephora gift card can be redeemed online, or at any Sephora store in the US.
Chick Lit Author Blog Hop contests are open to residents of the United States only.
Please see the list below with all 34 participating authors/blogs. You will have an opportunity to win a different e-book at each blog hop stop. Good luck!
CHICK LIT AUTHOR BLOG HOP LIST
1.
Natalie Aaron/Marla Schwartz
2.
Erik Atwell
3.
Christa Ann Banister
4.
Tracie Banister
5.
Barbara Barth
6.
Whitney Boyd
7.
Lacy Camey
8.
Margo Candela
9.
Lisa Cheney/Lisa Craig
10.
Lauren Clark
11.
Jennifer Daiker
12.
Jenny Gardiner
13.
Heidi Hall
14.
Cari Kamm
15.
J. F. Kristin
16.
Francine LaSala
17.
Lisa Lim
18.
Kimberly Lin
19.
Samantha March
20.
Maggie Marr
21.
Libby Mercer
22.
Miranda Parker
23.
Jackie Pilossoph
24.
Caitie Quinn
25.
Bethany Ramos
26.
Meredith Schorr
27.
Rachel Schurig
28.
Lisa Scott
29.
Nancy Scrofano
30.
Dina Silver
31.
Lucie Simone
32.
Juliette Sobanet
33.
Heather Thurmeier
34.
Jen Tucker
*Did you enjoy this post? Sign up for Lauren's newsletter & stay in the loop with all of her writing news here! (p.s. Book 2 is out in Spring 2012!)*
CHICK LIT AUTHOR BLOG HOP LIST
1.
Natalie Aaron/Marla Schwartz
2.
Erik Atwell
3.
Christa Ann Banister
4.
Tracie Banister
5.
Barbara Barth
6.
Whitney Boyd
7.
Lacy Camey
8.
Margo Candela
9.
Lisa Cheney/Lisa Craig
10.
Lauren Clark
11.
Jennifer Daiker
12.
Jenny Gardiner
13.
Heidi Hall
14.
Cari Kamm
15.
J. F. Kristin
16.
Francine LaSala
17.
Lisa Lim
18.
Kimberly Lin
19.
Samantha March
20.
Maggie Marr
21.
Libby Mercer
22.
Miranda Parker
23.
Jackie Pilossoph
24.
Caitie Quinn
25.
Bethany Ramos
26.
Meredith Schorr
27.
Rachel Schurig
28.
Lisa Scott
29.
Nancy Scrofano
30.
Dina Silver
31.
Lucie Simone
32.
Juliette Sobanet
33.
Heather Thurmeier
34.
Jen Tucker
*Did you enjoy this post? Sign up for Lauren's newsletter & stay in the loop with all of her writing news here! (p.s. Book 2 is out in Spring 2012!)*
May 8, 2012
Coming Soon … Chick Lit Author Blog Hop
We’re having a party, and you’re invited! In honor of May being International Chick Lit Month, some author friends and I decided to band together to celebrate, promote, and extol the many virtues of this wonderful, entertaining, and underappreciated genre. Chick Lit Author Blog Hop 2012 will be a week-long event, running May 14th-20th, and 29 amazing writers are donating their time, talent, and some very special prizes to make this inaugural event a huge success!
Here’s how the blog hop will work . . .
Each of the 29 participating authors has written a special Chick Lit-centric piece and these posts will go live on Monday, May 14th. At each blog hop stop, you will have the opportunity to enter to win a FREE Chick Lit e-book from that particular blog’s owner/author. All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog post, including your name and e-mail address, and you’re automatically entered to win. If you visit each blog hop stop, that means you have the chance to win 29 different e-books!
The blog hop will start at Natalie Aaron & Marla Schwartz and end at Jen Tucker. You will find a list of all the stops on the blog hop at each auther’s blog. Authors’ blogs will be listed in alphabetical order according to last name.
In each of the author’s blog posts, there will be a “secret word.” This word will be italicized, so it will be easy to find. All you have to do is make note of this secret word at each blog hop stop. Collect all 29 secret words and submit your list to CLABlogHop@aol.com before midnight on Sunday, May 20th and you will be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing! The winner of this drawing will receive a$150 Sephora gift card! $150 to spend on make-up, fragrance, bath and body goodies, skin care, and hair products! How fun is that? This gift card can be redeemed online, or at any Sephora store in the US.
Winners of each of the participating author’s e-books, as well as the Grand Prize winner of the $150 Sephora gift card will be announced on Monday, May 21st.
Contests are open to citizens of the United States only.
We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event! Don’t forget to tell all of your Chick Lit-loving friends! The more, the merrier!
xx, Lauren
*Did you enjoy this post? Sign up for Lauren's newsletter & stay in the loop with all of her writing news here! (p.s. Book 2 is out in Spring 2012!)*
May 2, 2012
Release Your Inner Chick Lit Goddess
Spring has arrived in the Deep South! Everything’s lush and lovely, the flowers are blooming, trees are budding, and there’s a new crop of fun, fresh novels just waiting to be gathered up and enjoyed.
As May marks “International Chick Lit Month,” I’d love for everyone to show her (or his) support for this fun and frothy genre! For me, Chick Lit showcases all of the most wonderful aspects of many different genres combined: A strong female protagonist in the prime of her career, support of a best friend, family challenges, humor, mishaps, and a (mostly) happy ending or the promise of one to come!
In honor of this special month, I wanted to share my favorite recent releases, most-anticipated new reads, and my favorite classic chick lit must-haves. Here goes:
Recent Releases/Most Anticipated New Releases
Juliette Sobanet – Kissed in Paris (February 2012)
Sophie Kinsella – I’ve Got Your Number (March 2012)
Cindy Roesel – Viewer Discretion Advised (April 2012)
Laura Dave – The First Husband (April 2012)
Devan Sipher – The Wedding Beat (April 2012)
Talli Roland – Build A Man (April 2012)
Dina Silver – Kat Fight (June 2012)
Emily Giffin – Where We Belong (July 2012)
Jennifer Wiener – The Next Best Thing (July 2012)
Favorite Chick Lit Novels
Sophie Kinsella – Remember Me & The Undomestic Goddess
Marian Keyes – Rachel’s Holiday & Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married
Cecelia Ahern – P.S. I Love You
Emily Giffin – Something Borrowed & Something Blue
Jennifer Weiner – Good in Bed
And for even more fun, here’s CLIND’s Liz & Lisa’s Must Have ebooks for Spring: http://chicklitisnotdead.com/2012/04/...
So, grab this list, pick up a new novel, and get in touch with your Inner Chick Lit Goddess! What are your favorite Chick Lit Reads? Most eagerly-anticipated releases for this year? Please share!
xx, Lauren
*Did you enjoy this post? Sign up for Lauren's newsletter & stay in the loop with all of her writing news here! (p.s. Book 2 is out in Spring 2012!)*
April 20, 2012
Has Anyone Seen My Keys?
Yes, I had one of “those” days yesterday. I was answering email, drinking coffee, getting everyone off to school/work, and trying to find my exercise gear when I discovered that my keys were missing. Gone. Disappeared. Poof!
Of course, I have a spare to my CRV and the house, but I wanted my jingly, heavy-enough-to-break-a-window set with the Stay Tuned tag. That, and my mini-library card. This was serious!!
I had to fight the urge to stay home and look. I started wondering if I’d dropped them outside, if someone picked them up, and if that someone was going to break into my house (Yes, this is how my mind thinks! Blame it on the author gene.) But, for once, I took my spare key, locked the house, and left.
I went to Pure Barre, grabbed a cup of coffee at Carpe Diem, and talked with a girlfriend on my cell. She insisted that it was okay if I missed the lunch and shopping date we’d scheduled for later that day.
Still worried, I hung up, and headed home to search. I went through every room in the house, the boys’ bedrooms, the laundry room, the back porch. After 20 minutes, I found them. In the bathroom. Don’t ask. I don’t remember leaving them there (of course). Relieved, I rushed out the door –again– to meet my friend.
The upshot is this. I almost missed out on great girlfriend time looking for keys that would most likely turn up somewhere inside my house. And … I didn’t realize it … but my long-time, reliable, always-there-when-I need-her friend was having an awful, terrible, rotten day. She was just too sweet to say so.
Lesson learned: Keys will turn up. They can be replaced. Time with a good friend can’t.
Have a fabulous day! xx, Lauren
*Did you enjoy this post? Sign up for Lauren's newsletter & stay in the loop with all of her writing news here! (p.s. Book 2 is out in Spring 2012!)*
April 10, 2012
Authors in Bloom Blog Hop & Giveaway
Welcome to the Authors in Bloom Blog Hop Giveaway! Lauren Clark Books is part of a 75-Author event in which you'll find recipes, gardening tips, great giveaways, and one grand prize: a Kindle Fire or Nook plus a $25 gift card for books!
To be eligible for the grand prize, you'll need the phrase from this blog: "Ultimately, our physical parts all perform the same task" and phrases from the other participating blogs. Put all of the phrases into one passage: Authors in Bloom, a vignette about a women's personal growth. The tour ends April 18th at 11:59 pm EST. Winners will be chosen then!**
My contribution to the Blog Hop is a very Southern treat: A recipe for Cheese Straws. Savory and rich with just a tiny peppery bite, cheese straws are great party snacks!
Savory Cheddar Cheese Straws
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 (1-pound) block sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 to 2 teaspoons ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
4 cups all-purpose flour
Beat first 5 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty stand mixer until blended (a hand mixer will do, just divide the dough in half). Gradually add flour, beating just until combined. Use a cookie press with a star-shaped disk to shape mixture into long ribbons on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Cut ribbons into 2-inch pieces. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 10 dozen. Store in an airtight container for one week. Prep Time: 30 Minutes Bake (Per Batch): 12 Minutes
As an added bonus … the Lauren Clark Giveaway! Win a signed copy of Stay Tuned or Dancing Naked in Dixie!
In addition to the grad prize, there are 3 ways to qualify for my giveaway: (1) "Like" Stay Tuned on Amazon: Stay Tuned, (2) "Like" my Facebook page: Facebook OR (3) join my mailing list Register Here. Leave a comment telling me whether you "Like" Amazon, Facebook, or signed up for my Mailing List. This contest also runs until April 18th. Winners will be chosen in a random drawing and will have a choice between the two books.
Here's a link that'll give you more information and author contacts for this Blog Hop: Authors in Bloom Spring Blog Hop. Thank you for stopping by! xx, Lauren
**All grand prize entries must be submitted to the landing page at www.acozyreaderscorner.com. Everyone who enters the grand prize drawing will be entered to win additional prizes. Only those who collect each phrase and complete the story will be entered into the drawing for the grand prize.
*Did you enjoy this post? Sign up for Lauren's newsletter & stay in the loop with all of her writing news here! (p.s. Book 2 is out in Spring 2012!)*
April 9, 2012
Authors in Bloom Blog Hop & Giveaway
Welcome to the Authors in Bloom Blog Hop Giveaway! Lauren Clark Books is part of a 75-Author event in which you’ll find recipes, gardening tips, great giveaways, and one grand prize: a Kindle Fire or Nook plus a $25 gift card for books!
To be eligible for the grand prize, you’ll need the phrase from this blog: “Ultimately, our physical parts all perform the same task” and phrases from the other participating blogs. Put all of the phrases into one passage: Authors in Bloom, a vignette about a women’s personal growth. The tour ends April 18th at 11:59 pm EST. Winners will be chosen then!**
My contribution to the Blog Hop is a very Southern treat: A recipe for Cheese Straws. Savory and rich with just a tiny peppery bite, cheese straws are great party snacks!
Savory Cheddar Cheese Straws
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 (1-pound) block sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 to 2 teaspoons ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
4 cups all-purpose flour
Beat first 5 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty stand mixer until blended (a hand mixer will do, just divide the dough in half). Gradually add flour, beating just until combined. Use a cookie press with a star-shaped disk to shape mixture into long ribbons on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Cut ribbons into 2-inch pieces. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 10 dozen. Store in an airtight container for one week. Prep Time: 30 Minutes Bake (Per Batch): 12 Minutes
As an added bonus … the Lauren Clark Giveaway! Win a signed copy of Stay Tuned or Dancing Naked in Dixie!
In addition to the grad prize, there are 3 ways to qualify for my giveaway: (1) “Like” Stay Tuned on Amazon: Stay Tuned, (2) “Like” my Facebook page: Facebook OR (3) join my mailing list Register Here. Leave a comment telling me whether you “Like” Amazon, Facebook, or signed up for my Mailing List. This contest also runs until April 18th. Winners will be chosen in a random drawing and will have a choice between the two books.
Here’s a link that’ll give you more information and author contacts for this Blog Hop: Authors in Bloom Spring Blog Hop. Thank you for stopping by! xx, Lauren
**All grand prize entries must be submitted to the landing page at www.acozyreaderscorner.com. Everyone who enters the grand prize drawing will be entered to win additional prizes. Only those who collect each phrase and complete the story will be entered into the drawing for the grand prize.
*Did you enjoy this post? Sign up for Lauren's newsletter & stay in the loop with all of her writing news here! (p.s. Book 2 is out in Spring 2012!)*
April 3, 2012
Rock the 'STAY TUNED' Vote!
Hi Everyone ~ I'm really excited to share that Stay Tuned has been chosen as a Top 5 finalist for the 2012 BookBundlz "The Book Pick" contest!
If you'd like to help …. Vote Now here: http://www.bookbundlz.com/votingpage.aspx
You can vote once a day during the voting period. Registration is free and you can opt out of all mailings.
Voting is open until April 26th. The "The Book Pick" winner will be announced by May 1st, 2012.
Thank you so very much!
Lauren
http://www.bookbundlz.com/votingpage.aspx
*Did you enjoy this post? Sign up for Lauren's newsletter & stay in the loop with all of her writing news here! (p.s. Book 2 is out in Spring 2012!)*
