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?
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"The story engages the reader in both southern hospitality and urban intensity. Get ready for a great time as you travel along with Julia as she yearns to fall in love with life, family and syrupy Southern sweet tea!" - Dina Silver, Author, One Pink Line and Kat Fight
"I think we can all relate to Lauren Clark's fresh and hilarious fish-out-of-water tale. There's nothing more fun then plunking a tried and true New Yorker down in the Deep South. I read this book in a day and loved every second of it!" - Kate Rockland, Author, 150 Pounds
2012 Finalist, William Faulkner Wisdom Writing Competition
New Orleans, LA
2012, Silver Award, Dixie Kane RWA Contest
Single Contemporary Title
From the Author
I am a mom of two school-aged boys, wife of a medical professional, daughter of a nurse practitioner and a college dean (also avid readers). I have a master's degree in journalism and worked in TV news on-air for six years before deciding to write fiction. I love yoga, Pure Barre, travel, flavored coffee, the color pink, the ocean, my historic home, friends, laughter, and my family.
Visit Lauren at her Website & Blog: www.laurenclarkbooks.com
AWARDS:
Dancing Naked in Dixie
2012 William Faulkner Novel Finalist, Short List 2012 RWA (Romance Writers of America) So. Louisiana Chapter, Silver, Single Contemp Title 2012 Beach Book Festival Award, Finalist 2012 Readers Favorite 5 Star Award March 2012 Winner, Writers Type First Chapter Award 2011 Chick Lit Writers of the World, Get Your Stiletto In the Door Contest, Finalist
Stay Tuned
WINNER of the WritersType First Chapter Competition, October 2011 The MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW calls STAY TUNED "riveting and much recommended." Top 5 finalist for the 2012 BookBundlz "The Book Pick" contest! STAY TUNED awarded 2nd place in the 2012 ROYAL DRAGONFLY ebook Awards
PRAISE
"Stay Tuned is as faced-paced as a real-life newsroom. The drama on the air and behind the scenes will keep you racing toward the last page!" - Devon Walsh, News Anchor for WKRG-TV
"Loved it and you will too. Lauren accurately portrays life in a television newsroom...the personalities, the pressures, the pace. Stay Tuned captures the drama that TV viewers seldom see. The book will draw you in and leave you wanting more." - Anne Richter, News Anchor for WWNY-TV
"Stay Tuned is a great read! The story of a career woman juggling life and love and finding herself along the way. I couldn't wait to get to the end to see if my suspicions were right about Chris. Author Lauren Clark writes so well you can feel what the characters feel. And it's a very true representation of the TV news industry!" - Lauren Davis, News Anchor at WVLT-TV
"The characters in Stay Tuned grab hold and demand you live the story right along side them. I found myself wanting to steal Melissa's best friend Candace and make her my own-even if that means having to put up with an endless slew of quotes from Dr. Phil." - Emlyn Chand, Author of Farsighted
"Stay Tuned is fast-paced, fun, and a downright treat. Trust me, you'll love Melissa's hectic life and want her best friend (and Dr. Phil devotee), Candace, to give you all the right tips for staying on top." - E. McDannak, Author of The Inrugian Chronicles
"A wonderful read! I learned as much about relationships as I did anything else. However, I did laugh when Alyssa bopped Tim on the nose on air. Her interview with the doctor was hilarious, too. Let me know when you have another book out!" -James Robertson Mobile, Alabama
"If you like light-hearted stories about real life peppered with ominous Post-it notes, then you won't want to miss this fast and fun read!" -Violet Davis
"Stay Tuned" is the story of Melissa Moore, a producer for the six and ten o'clock news, who has to step in and anchor the last few minutes of the news after the female anchor punches her co-anchor on the air. When Melissa's boss asks her to become the temporary anchor, she really has no choice, and the new responsibility has her examining not only her wardrobe but other aspects of her life. Melissa's husband Chris is rarely home, and they have been reduced to communicating via post it notes. Her mother, who lives in a nursing home, is also having issues. If that's not enough, the female anchor Melissa replaced is out to get her, and the new male co-anchor puts the moves on her. Even with all this chaos Melissa decides she wants to do the anchor job permanently. Will she get the job? Read "Stay Tuned" and find out!
This is a very fast paced story that is often laugh out loud funny, but it also has its somber moments. The author's storytelling ability allowed me to actually visualize the story as it unfolded. From the way she described the scenes on the set, to allow us to see the longing Melissa felt for being accepted by her mother, she easily had me laughing one minute but feeling empathy the next. I can easily say there was never a down time for me in this book; the fast pace of Melissa's life set the pace of the book. The author also managed to make me believe something one minute and then, she would have me rethinking what I thought I knew, allowing for more than a few twists in the story. Melissa also had a great best friend Candace, who kept her grounded Dr. Phil style. I also thought the story line that revolved around Darius was great! I also love the quirky characters from the newsroom, from Sunshine the Weather Cat to Judd, the sports anchor. For me an added bonus was the behind the scenes feel of seeing how an actual news broadcast goes together." -Brenda C. Readers Favorite
BIO Lauren Clark has been a voracious reader since the age of four and would rather be stranded at the library than on a desert island. In her former life, she worked as an anchor and producer for CBS affiliates in Upstate New York and Alabama. Lauren adores her family, yoga, her new Electra bike, and flavored coffee. She lives near the Florida Gulf Coast. Visit her website at LaurenClarkBooks.org.
What a cute book! Being from the south myself, I absolutely loved this book! It was very realistic while still being creative, and very funny. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. There was also a little bit of a mystery towards the end of the book that had me very intrigued as well.
Usually, my favorite part of a book is the romance and I get frustrated if the couple is taking forever to get together. While it seemed like it took them a while in this book, I did not think it was a bad thing at all. I was so interested in the rest of the storyline, that I did not want to rush anything. I was very sad when the book ended.
I loved how the story of Julia and her dad is a big part of the story as well. It was a great story of forgiveness and overcoming things together. It was very sweet.
I really enjoyed all of the characters in Alabama. Shug was definitely my favorite (who doesn't love hot southern guys?! ;) but Roger was a close second. He was so fun and was a great friend to Julia when she needed it.
This was a great story that I thought was very true to the south. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.
I received this book for free from the author in return for an honest review.
This book has two main characters Julia and Shug. Okay what a name Shug. Well if you are from the south then you know we have names or are give weird names at birth. Sometimes these names are acquired while we are growing up and they stick with us for life. Shug was suppose to be named after a coach at Auburn University.
Julia is a writer for a national travel magazine. Shug works at the historical commission in the city of Eufaula, Alabama. Yes, this is an actually city in Alabama. Even the event Pilgrimage is an real event that happens in Eufaula (pronounced you-fall-uhs). The words underlined will take the reader directly to the websites. After reading about these actual events I am planning on making one of these amazing tours just to enjoy this history.
Her new boss gives Julia an ultimatum. Either go to Eufaula or you no longer have a job at this magazine. Julia is furious. Of course she is furious, who would not be. However, Julia knows that she needs to change some things in her life she just does not know how. She keeps saying that if she would organize her life it would help but we all know what happens when we just talk about something and never act on what we think. Julia tells the new boss that she had rather dance naked...! Well she might not actually dance naked but she comes close to that while in Eufaula.
Poor Julia is a magnet for bad things. If it could go wrong or happen then it happens to Julia. To me, Julia is one of those people who everyone loves but would hate being. She is always missing an appointment, deadline or just cannot find what she is looking for. She cannot keep anything organized including her desk, life or just stick to a schedule. She is always on the go. Never stopping for a breath or to smell the roses.
When Julia meets up with some southern hospitality, she is in awe. After living in the north and traveling all her life, she does not know how to react to the open friendliness. Yes, in the south, we have never met a stranger and everyone is called sugar, hon, sweetie or something along those lines. I admit that I do that to everyone. I will be at work and say "Hey sweetie, will you..." to an associate or a temporary employee. The younger generation just laughs at me. When I have traveled for work and say something along those lines I will admit to receiving strange looks.
Needless to say, I loved this book. Then it was high in southern terminology. This book takes an on-the-go person who never stops for the small things in life and turns her into one who knows how to enjoy the little things that life offers.
If I have to write a quick short blurb about this book, it would be the following: "The best read for southern life and hospitality".
I had the immense pleasure of not only helping edit but reading this book before it was released. Lauren Clark is a fabulous writer, a remarkable voice in women's fiction and she really knows what it takes to create a great story. This book has all the emotions, from happiness, to dramatic moments, love, generosity, the close knit ties of family, wanting to bawl your eyes out and cheering for the heroine! I loved it from beginning to end. Dancing Naked in Dixie is a book that every woman will want to read and should read! The plot is stimulating and exciting, the story is touching and beautiful and the characters become a part of your own family from the first meeting. It's a book that you will not want to put down and one that you will not want to end long after your done. I could easily find myself going back and reading this one over and over again.
A truly amazing read, with just the right amount of everything to make it a fast favorite. Grab a copy today!
