Laura McNeill's Blog, page 28
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!)*
March 29, 2012
Pure Challenge, Part Two
At the beginning of this month, I signed up for a 30-day challenge at Pure Barre. It's a ballet, pilates, and isometrics- based fitness program with the catchy (and semi-frightening) tagline: Lift. Tone. Burn.
The goal? Complete twenty classes in thirty days. Each class is fifty-five minutes of muscle-curling, thigh-shaking, backside-firming, stomach-ripping exercise. The reward (yes, other than finishing) is a month of unlimited classes for 99 dollars.
After the first class, I'll be honest. The next morning, every muscle in my body ached. I couldn't laugh because my abs hurt. Even when I walked up the stairs in the library, my thigh muscles quivered with fatigue.
The second day wasn't much better. One of the instructors actually told me that some women say Pure Barre is addicting—and I'm pretty sure that I laughed out loud. (of course, I'm more inclined toward a chocolate addiction) But I was also intrigued with her promise that I'd see results in ten classes.
Two weeks later, that skepticism dissolved. My body had changed—it's tighter and stronger—and I felt better. My energy level has increased. I finish each class and smile…and then treat myself to a lovely flavored coffee.
Tuesday at 730 am, I finished my twentieth class and marked the last place off on the board. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. I've made some new friends, can do the entire Pure Barre routine in my sleep, and feel much better about getting into a swimsuit this May.
I'm so glad that I finished my challenge, I'm looking forward to the next month of Pure Barre, though I probably won't make another twenty classes. I'd love to hear about recent goals you've set, what it involved, and how hard you had to push yourself. Have a great day! 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!)*
Pure Challenge, Part Two
At the beginning of this month, I signed up for a 30-day challenge at Pure Barre. It’s a ballet, pilates, and isometrics- based fitness program with the catchy (and semi-frightening) tagline: Lift. Tone. Burn.
The goal? Complete twenty classes in thirty days. Each class is fifty-five minutes of muscle-curling, thigh-shaking, backside-firming, stomach-ripping exercise. The reward (yes, other than finishing) is a month of unlimited classes for 99 dollars.
After the first class, I’ll be honest. The next morning, every muscle in my body ached. I couldn’t laugh because my abs hurt. Even when I walked up the stairs in the library, my thigh muscles quivered with fatigue.
The second day wasn’t much better. One of the instructors actually told me that some women say Pure Barre is addicting—and I’m pretty sure that I laughed out loud. (of course, I’m more inclined toward a chocolate addiction) But I was also intrigued with her promise that I’d see results in ten classes.
Two weeks later, that skepticism dissolved. My body had changed—it’s tighter and stronger—and I felt better. My energy level has increased. I finish each class and smile…and then treat myself to a lovely flavored coffee.
Tuesday at 730 am, I finished my twentieth class and marked the last place off on the board. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. I’ve made some new friends, can do the entire Pure Barre routine in my sleep, and feel much better about getting into a swimsuit this May.
I’m so glad that I finished my challenge, I’m looking forward to the next month of Pure Barre, though I probably won’t make another twenty classes. I’d love to hear about recent goals you’ve set, what it involved, and how hard you had to push yourself. Have a great day! 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!)*
March 26, 2012
Happiness = Nutella + Puff Pastry
I've been on a baking spree…trying to find the perfect recipe to include in my next novel, Dancing Naked in Dixie. Despite the dirty dishes, it's been fun, and since I take almost all of the treats to my husband's office, I don't even have to feel guilty about all of the calories! (although one my husband's office employees did accuse me of making him fat)
My favorite new treat calls for one cup—almost an entire container—of Nutella. Yum! (Photos Below…)
Though I'd never tried Nutella before (find it in the peanut butter aisle of the grocery store; it's a spreadable chocolate, skim milk, and hazelnut confection) it's so delicious I could eat it off of a spoon! And maybe I did…just a little…but it was a really, really small spoon.
The recipe—Pastry Puffs—called for Nutella, two sheets of frozen puff pastry dough, mini-marshmallows, a sprinkle of granulated sugar, egg wash, and a dash of powdered sugar to finish it off. After cutting, spreading Nutella, adding marshmallows, and sprinkling all of the sugar, I popped the treats in the oven for twenty minutes. They came out light, airy, and delicious!
It's easy, fun to make with your children, and a great surprise for that special someone. If you'd like the recipe, leave me your email, I'd love to share it with you!
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!)*
Happiness = Nutella + Puff Pastry
I’ve been on a baking spree…trying to find the perfect recipe to include in my next novel, Dancing Naked in Dixie. Despite the dirty dishes, it’s been fun, and since I take almost all of the treats to my husband’s office, I don’t even have to feel guilty about all of the calories! (although one my husband’s office employees did accuse me of making him fat)
My favorite new treat calls for one cup—almost an entire container—of Nutella. Yum! (Photos Below…)
Though I’d never tried Nutella before (find it in the peanut butter aisle of the grocery store; it’s a spreadable chocolate, skim milk, and hazelnut confection) it’s so delicious I could eat it off of a spoon! And maybe I did…just a little…but it was a really, really small spoon.
The recipe—Pastry Puffs—called for Nutella, two sheets of frozen puff pastry dough, mini-marshmallows, a sprinkle of granulated sugar, egg wash, and a dash of powdered sugar to finish it off. After cutting, spreading Nutella, adding marshmallows, and sprinkling all of the sugar, I popped the treats in the oven for twenty minutes. They came out light, airy, and delicious!
It’s easy, fun to make with your children, and a great surprise for that special someone. If you’d like the recipe, leave me your email, I’d love to share it with you!
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!)*
March 22, 2012
Dixie Treats: Trial, Error, & Eat
In my upcoming novel, Dancing Naked in Dixie, one of the characters, PD Jordan, bakes treats for the annual Eufaula Pilgrimage. I'm trying to decide which recipe to include in the back of the book, so I did kitchen duty today…and sent the treats to my husband's office for a taste test (results still pending). Here's a peek at the two recipes I made today:
1. Pillow Pockets (Chocolate & Marshmallow wrapped in pastry dough, sprinkled with powdered sugar)
2. Mystery Rolls (Marshmallow dipped in butter and cinnamon, wrapped in crescent rolls, and drizzled with icing). Thank you to my friend and fellow fiction lover Jane McEnerney!!
After trying them both (yes, sacrificing some of the calories burned during Pure Barre in the name of literature), I think they are both delicious… but I need to make each portion MUCH smaller! That said, the Pillow Puffs are actually supposed to be wrapped in puff pastry dough and contain Nutella instead of chocolate…so, I'll be forced to do another experiment soon with the "real" ingredients!
In the meantime, what do you think of these two recipes? Which should go in Dixie? What's your favorite baked treat? Please share your recipes below!!
All the best, 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!)*
Dixie Treats: Trial, Error, & Eat
In my upcoming novel, Dancing Naked in Dixie, one of the characters, PD Jordan, bakes treats for the annual Eufaula Pilgrimage. I’m trying to decide which recipe to include in the back of the book, so I did kitchen duty today…and sent the treats to my husband’s office for a taste test (results still pending). Here’s a peek at the two recipes I made today:
1. Pillow Pockets (Chocolate & Marshmallow wrapped in pastry dough, sprinkled with powdered sugar)
2. Mystery Rolls (Marshmallow dipped in butter and cinnamon, wrapped in crescent rolls, and drizzled with icing). Thank you to my friend and fellow fiction lover Jane McEnerney!!
After trying them both (yes, sacrificing some of the calories burned during Pure Barre in the name of literature), I think they are both delicious… but I need to make each portion MUCH smaller! That said, the Pillow Puffs are actually supposed to be wrapped in puff pastry dough and contain Nutella instead of chocolate…so, I’ll be forced to do another experiment soon with the “real” ingredients!
In the meantime, what do you think of these two recipes? Which should go in Dixie? What’s your favorite baked treat? Please share your recipes below!!
All the best, 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!)*
March 20, 2012
Divine Caroline & Great Minds
There are times in life when everything comes together perfectly…is it fate? Luck? Divine intervention?
It happened yesterday when my author interview with Kitty Bullard was featured on Divine Caroline, an online division of Ladies' Home Journal and Meredith Corporation. An avid blogger and book reviewer, Kitty is CEO and creator of the Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community. We connected online back in November of 2011, when my novel, Stay Tuned, was first released.
I was thrilled with Kitty's thoughtful and interesting questions–she asked why I chose to write about flawed characters– and inquired about the first books I remembered reading as a child (Dr. Suess & Richard Scarry) To read the entire interview, click here: Divine Caroline. For more on Kitty and Great Minds Think Aloud click here: Literary Community.
Thank you Kitty and Divine Caroline!
And as promised, I am giving away a copy of *STAY TUNED* to a reader who signed up for my newsletter March 16-March 18. Using random.org, the computer chose Ron Wright as the winning entry! Congratulations, Ron, and please send your shipping details to laurenclarkbooks@gmail.com. Thank you to everyone who signed up and entered the contest!
All the best, 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!)*
Divine Caroline & Great Minds
There are times in life when everything comes together perfectly…is it fate? Luck? Divine intervention?
It happened yesterday when my author interview with Kitty Bullard was featured on Divine Caroline, an online division of Ladies’ Home Journal and Meredith Corporation. An avid blogger and book reviewer, Kitty is CEO and creator of the Great Minds Think Aloud Literary Community. We connected online back in November of 2011, when my novel, Stay Tuned, was first released.
I was thrilled with Kitty’s thoughtful and interesting questions–she asked why I chose to write about flawed characters– and inquired about the first books I remembered reading as a child (Dr. Suess & Richard Scarry) To read the entire interview, click here: Divine Caroline. For more on Kitty and Great Minds Think Aloud click here: Literary Community.
Thank you Kitty and Divine Caroline!
And as promised, I am giving away a copy of *STAY TUNED* to a reader who signed up for my newsletter March 16-March 18. Using random.org, the computer chose Ron Wright as the winning entry! Congratulations, Ron, and please send your shipping details to laurenclarkbooks@gmail.com. Thank you to everyone who signed up and entered the contest!
All the best, 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!)*
March 16, 2012
Dancing Naked in Dixie: Cover & Giveaway!
Cover Reveal & Giveaway!
A little over two months and counting down to the release of Dixie! I am really excited to show you the cover–and many thanks to the wonderful designer who created it, Damon! Without further adieu….
Here's the Summary: Dancing Naked in Dixie
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?
As a special part of today's release, I am giving away a signed copy of *STAY TUNED* to one reader who signs up for my newsletter in the next 72 hours (by Sunday, March 18th)! I'll do a random drawing of all of the entries and announce the winner Tuesday, March 20th! Good luck! 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!)*
