Laura McNeill's Blog, page 29
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!)*
March 15, 2012
'STAY TUNED' WINS ROYAL DRAGONFLY BOOK AWARDS
CHANDLER, AZ (March, 2012) – The judges of the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest–which recognizes excellence in literature–have awarded the novel Stay Tuned by Lauren Clark second place in both the ebook Fiction and Relationships categories.
"Winning any place in the Royal Dragonfly Contest is a huge honor because in order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score is required before a 1st or 2nd place or Honorable Mention will be awarded to the entrant – even if it is the sole entry in a category," explains Linda Radke, president of Five Star Publications, the sponsor of the Dragonfly Book Awards. "Competition is steep, too, because there is no publication date limit as long as the book is still in print."
According to WWNY news anchor Anne Richter, "Stay Tuned is portrays life in a television newsroom…the personalities, the pressures, the pace. It captures the drama that TV viewers seldom see."
The novel can be purchased on Amazon in ebook and paperback formats. It is also available in paperback at Carpe Diem Coffee & Company in Mobile, Alabama and Page & Palette bookstore in Fairhope, Alabama.
For a complete list of winners including all first and second place and honorable mention recipients, visit www.FiveStarBookAwards.com and click on "Winners."
March 14, 2012
‘STAY TUNED’ WINS ROYAL DRAGONFLY BOOK AWARDS
CHANDLER, AZ (March, 2012) – The judges of the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest–which recognizes excellence in literature–have awarded the novel Stay Tuned by Lauren Clark second place in both the ebook Fiction and Relationships categories.
“Winning any place in the Royal Dragonfly Contest is a huge honor because in order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score is required before a 1st or 2nd place or Honorable Mention will be awarded to the entrant – even if it is the sole entry in a category,” explains Linda Radke, president of Five Star Publications, the sponsor of the Dragonfly Book Awards. “Competition is steep, too, because there is no publication date limit as long as the book is still in print.”
According to WWNY news anchor Anne Richter, “Stay Tuned is portrays life in a television newsroom…the personalities, the pressures, the pace. It captures the drama that TV viewers seldom see.”
The novel can be purchased on Amazon in ebook and paperback formats. It is also available in paperback at Carpe Diem Coffee & Company in Mobile, Alabama and Page & Palette bookstore in Fairhope, Alabama.
For a complete list of winners including all first and second place and honorable mention recipients, visit www.FiveStarBookAwards.com and click on “Winners.”
March 6, 2012
PURE CHALLENGE OR PURE INSANITY?
I like a challenge—repainting the inside of our 100+ year old home, landscaping our former jungle of a yard, and my personal favorite—finishing every novel on my bedside table.
My latest quest involves completing a 30-day challenge at Pure Barre. It's a ballet and pilates-based fitness program with the catchy (and semi-frightening) tagline: Lift. Tone. Burn. The goal? Complete twenty classes in thirty-one days. Each class is fifty-five minutes of muscle-curling, backside-firming, stomach-ripping pain (ahem!) exercise. The reward…drum roll, please…is a month of unlimited classes for 99 dollars.
So, why attempt it? Why not walk, or bike, or use the treadmill like other normal human beings? Why not forget fitness altogether and embrace caramel lattes and biscotti instead?
At 39 and holding, I decided that I needed some Lift. Tone. Burn. And despite my sore abs, tender hamstrings, and aching biceps, I feel pretty darn good. I've met some other 39-and-holding Barre-mates who make the class enjoyable, I sleep like a baby at night, and I'm actively recruiting a few other girlfriends (who insist they'll only go if we have margaritas post-workout).
This weekend, I took time off to play with my boys—and recover—but the madness starts again now. I'll be posting the daily report on Facebook—the good, the bad, and the ugly!
We all need to push ourselves sometimes and though it's not always pleasant, we always feel better for it! What do you think? I'd love to hear about the challenges you set for yourself, whether it's working out, staying in, or reaching for the stars!
Photo Credit: www.PureBarre.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!)*
PURE CHALLENGE OR PURE INSANITY?
I like a challenge—repainting the inside of our 100+ year old home, landscaping our former jungle of a yard, and my personal favorite—finishing every novel on my bedside table.
My latest quest involves completing a 30-day challenge at Pure Barre. It’s a ballet and pilates-based fitness program with the catchy (and semi-frightening) tagline: Lift. Tone. Burn. The goal? Complete twenty classes in thirty-one days. Each class is fifty-five minutes of muscle-curling, backside-firming, stomach-ripping pain (ahem!) exercise. The reward…drum roll, please…is a month of unlimited classes for 99 dollars.
So, why attempt it? Why not walk, or bike, or use the treadmill like other normal human beings? Why not forget fitness altogether and embrace caramel lattes and biscotti instead?
At 39 and holding, I decided that I needed some Lift. Tone. Burn. And despite my sore abs, tender hamstrings, and aching biceps, I feel pretty darn good. I’ve met some other 39-and-holding Barre-mates who make the class enjoyable, I sleep like a baby at night, and I’m actively recruiting a few other girlfriends (who insist they’ll only go if we have margaritas post-workout).
This weekend, I took time off to play with my boys—and recover—but the madness starts again now. I’ll be posting the daily report on Facebook—the good, the bad, and the ugly!
We all need to push ourselves sometimes and though it’s not always pleasant, we always feel better for it! What do you think? I’d love to hear about the challenges you set for yourself, whether it’s working out, staying in, or reaching for the stars!
Photo Credit: www.PureBarre.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!)*
February 28, 2012
Are You in The Middle Place?
Kelly Corrigan's wonderful book, The Middle Place, explores what it means to be a parent and a child at the same time. The author writes about receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis after the birth of her daughter. Her immediate reaction? Call HOME.
Corrigan explains in her prologue, "Even when…a marriage license, a notarized deed, two birth certificates, and seven years of tax returns—clearly indicates you're an adult…there you are, clutching the phone and thanking God that you're still somebody's daughter."
I'm not in The Middle Place yet. I'm blessed to have active, healthy parents who hike, bike, swim (and often run circles around me). They're a huge part of my life and I often find myself calling home to hear their voices and get that familiar reassurance.
But at the same time, my husband's mom and dad are close to ninety. And it's clear that this once-vibrant couple can't be on their own much longer. My husband and his brothers have difficult choices to make…and soon.
Are you in The Middle Place? Or beyond? How have you handled it?
*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!)*
February 25, 2012
Life: A Fine Mess
Have you ever have one of these days? I'm going to get a million things done. I have my handy to-do list, a full mug of coffee, my cell phone's charged, I'm leaving the driveway…and BAM!…the phone rings.
You look down and recognize the number. In that heartbeat, there's a choice: Say hello or send it to voicemail. I'll be honest. Some days, I can't answer the phone. I'm in the library, in the shower, in the grocery store checkout line, or at my son's school.
Today, though, I could answer, and the call was from my best friend, who lives three hours away. She's smart, funny, and reliable—a BFF who comes through for me when the rest of the world is off sipping caramel lattes or getting pedicures. We've been friends since our now-14 year-old sons were in kindergarten together. Our most memorable trip was Cub Scout camp—four of us sleeping in a 2-man tent because one of us saw a snake. Now that's some love!
This morning, I answered the phone, knowing the call would last a good hour or two. I answered, knowing that I'd have to put off my to-do list, my writing, my blog post, and everything else. I answered, because, next time, it might be me ready to jump off that ledge.
To give you a snapshot: My friend recently lost her mother, her father has had several heart attacks, she's a single mom, a homeowner, and a full-time nurse who put herself through school at 49 years old. She's overwhelmed with work, taxes, laundry, and the rest that life has decided to throw at her this week.
I didn't solve her problems. I listened. And listened. And told her that 'yes, life is a mess.' And I reminded her that she's a strong, tenacious, resourceful person who has people in her life who love and value her. A few hours later, I'm happy to report that she's feeling better.
I believe in paying it forward. No matter how much work I have waiting for me—the to-do list, the grocery shopping, and the dirty dishes in the sink—it will be there when I hang up the phone. That said, I don't want my epitaph to read, "She always had a really clean house." I'd like it to say, "She loved, and others loved her in return."
So, yes, life is a fine mess. It always will be. Thank goodness, I have good friends!
*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!)*
February 21, 2012
Release Date & Details: Dancing Naked in Dixie
Dancing Naked in Dixie
I'm super-excited to announce a May 2012 release date for Dancing Naked in Dixie. I hope you'll love my new heroine, New York City travel writer Julia Sullivan, and her fun, frothy romp in the Deep South.
If you'd like to be the first to know about Dixie's release date, get a peek at the cover, and all details on the Dixie blog tour, book signings, and contests, please sign up for my (very infrequent) newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/gSj0b.
Now, here's more on Julia and Dancing Naked in Dixie:
Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward, jet setting to Europe, South America, and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But all of this perpetual motion—and her own scattered personality—are catching up with her. When she stops in New York to pick up her next assignment, Julia discovers she's on the verge of being fired.
With a stern warning and unemployment looming, Julia is offered one last chance to rescue her career. She embarks on a journey to the 'Heart of Dixie'—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage. During this spring tour of historic homes, visitors flock to the city and enjoy turn of the century architecture, delightful meals, and Southern hospitality.
Despite a series of mishaps, a trip to the ER, and one major wardrobe disaster, Julia soon realizes she's fallen in love with Eufaula and her charming host, Shug Jordan. But when a real estate developer announces plans to turn the city into a tourist spot, Julia's thrown off-balance once again. How could this happen? Is there a connection between Shug and the developer? And can Julia's story help save Eufaula and the annual Pilgrimage?
I'd love to hear what YOU think about Julia's story and Dixie. Leave a comment below!
*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!)*
February 17, 2012
Sophie Kinsella & 5 Reasons to Read for Fun
Many of you know that I'm a bit of a Sophie Kinsella fan (Ok, I'm a huge fan). I'm also a big believer that reading for fun = a sprinkle of happiness. Sure, I love good non-fiction and I'm a fan of literary authors, but smart, sassy, hilarious novels are like the best junk food money can buy … but no calories!
Last night, I devoured I've Got Your Number in one sitting. If you haven't read Sophie Kinsella, and you've had a bad, terrible, awful day in the last month (Ok, raise your hand if you haven't!) here are my top five reasons why you should run–not walk–to pick up her Shopaholic series or I've Got Your Number.
5. Heroines — These girls get themselves into the craziest situations and it's so fun to watch them wiggle out
4. Dialogue — Spot on, snappy phrases I wish I could dream up at precisely the right moment
3. Humor — Kinsella's hilarious. Belly laugh funny. (And laughter is good for the soul, ask anyone!)
2. Proof — That your most embarrassing moments likely pale in comparison to Poppy Wyatt & Becky Bloomwood
1. Happy Endings — The last chapters aren't sappy and or perfect, but sometimes I prefer a nice, sweet wrap-up (As opposed to the gun-fire and grenade-filled espionage thrillers my husband prefers, but that's a story for another day)
All and all, it was a great escape–and I'll take a few hours of bliss any day! BTW–if you love texting, this novel's for you.
Do you have a favorite Sophie Kinsella novel?
February 14, 2012
Sir Paul McCartney & The Love Equation
The Love Equation
I'll admit it. I'm not a hopeless romantic. Even on Valentine's Day, I don't really need cards or chocolate.
But, before you decide that I'm raining Cupid's parade, know this: I'm smitten with love songs. Monday night, I watched the Grammys with my husband, totally captivated by Adele (that voice!) and later, the well-known words of Sir Paul McCartney.
And in the end, the love you take…is equal to the love you make.
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. And though the interpretation varies—note that I haven't yet had my sit-down interview with Sir Paul—I believe the message comes down to a simple, mathematical equation.
Give love = Get love
Seems obvious, right? Yet, I'd like to think that the Beatles intended for everyone to take it a step further. It's not just romantic love. It's love for a neighbor. Your parents. Your children. Give a little love to someone having a bad day. Say hello to a stranger.
Unfortunately, not everyone's going to love you back all of the time. For me, it's in the effort—paying it forward—with a gesture, an embrace, or a kind word. If you spread enough love around, it's contagious. And sometimes, often when you least expect it, you get that love back.
So, what are your thoughts about giving and getting love? (Or the Beatles?) Leave a comment below! xx
