Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Lauren Clark Interview + review

Hi! Welcome back once again. In this post, I'm featuring an interview with Lauren Clark, author of  Dancing Naked In Dixie. A little later will also be posting a review for the book.  I do hope you'll leave a comment and let us know you were here. Without further ado, let's jump right in to the interview with Lauren.

Lauren, welcome back! I enjoyed your post a few weeks ago, and am glad to have you here once again for an interview.




Tell me about yourself, and your writing.

I grew up in a tiny village in Upstate New York called Akron (it’s near Niagara Falls). I have two younger brothers and we all walked one block to our school (K-12 in the same building). My parents are big readers and passed that down to me. I spent lots of time at the library, as out television was turned off every summer, all summer! We always spent a few weeks in the Finger Lakes swimming, boating, and skiing. After twenty years of vacationing there, my parents finally bought a second home there. (Yay!)


How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?

I was a reporter and an anchor for six years before I decided to stay home with my children, so I spent a LOT of time writing at the television station. I got serious about my own writing about seven years ago. I have three manuscripts that will likely NEVER see the light of day. It takes a long time to get good at the craft and I’m still learning.

I have two published books - both fiction (contemporary/chicklit)  Stay Tuned and Dancing Naked in Dixie


Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?

Although many readers love romance novels, I'm not drawn to books about a perfect heroine who's a size 2 (even after triplets), has a wonderful, gorgeous husband, and lives in a mansion on the ocean. I also don't care for horror (gives me nightmares!)

I like that Chick Lit is light, fun, humorous, and that an author can still have a message for readers. The genre allows an author to have the freedom of having a quirky character who's not perfect. I also believe that a good heroine should be a strong person--on her own. She doesn't need a man to swoop in and solve all of her problems. She's smart, makes mistakes, and learns as she goes, defining her own future

I've written two novels that are more in the psychological thriller genre, but am still deciding what to do with them.


Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?   PLOTTER! I do outline pretty extensively, meaning that I do a sentence or two for each chapter and plan out the entire story beforehand. Yes, sometimes the characters surprise me!! For example, I didn't plan on Mary Katherine being quite so scheming and deliberate, but I was having so much fun with her that I expanded her role, especially near the end of the story!

What is a typical writing day like for you?

When I’m working on a first draft, I spend 2-4 hours a day on it. If I’m nearing the end and working hard to wrap it up, I’ll spend longer. I can usually get 2000 words out if I’m in a groove. On a not-so-good day, I aim for 1000.


Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?

Love Sophie Kinsella, Juliette Sobanet, Jen Tucker, Dina Silver, and Tracie Banister.  Also, I think that Stieg Larsson was brilliant. I loved the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series - and I need to know if there's a book four or five!  Stephen King is fascinating and has led such an interesting, yet grounded life. I am a big fan of The Green Mile.  Jodi Picoult is such a fabulous writer and chooses such controversial topics. I really didn't think that I'd enjoy Lone Wolf, but decided to try it as an audio book and found it fascinating!


What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
I'd love to write a bestseller (aiming high!)

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?
Invisibility would be awesome, but I think I'd like to have the power to change mean people to nice people

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
Dragon - hands down!

Tell us a little about your latest release.
 Here's the summary: 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?


What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)
Flavored coffee.

Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?

Sophie Kinsella - something glamorous in London :)

If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?



What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?

I love yoga, Pure Barre, and riding my Electra bike (it’s a retro style and the same color blue as my novel Stay Tuned!) I love reading and I love having my Kindle for travel. I spend lots of time with my two boys. They love to swim and be outside. I’m also fortunate to have really great girlfriends in my book club. I’m also active in Food for Thought, a local initiative that raises awareness about childhood obesity. We go into elementary schools and help the students plant gardens. The kids then harvest and eat the vegetables and herbs.


If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?

Melissa, one of my proofreaders, dreamed that Dixie was a movie! I asked her who played Julia, and she said Reese Witherspoon. She’s adorable, so I have to agree! For Shug, I’m thinking Patrick Dempsey. Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League movie) could play Mary Katherine. David Sullivan – Sam Neill.

What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?   Ability to sing well

Favorite color?  PINK

Weather: Hot or cold?   Cool weather, like 70 all the time would be wonderful!

Favorite place to read?    My house

Favorite meal                    Homemade Mac & Cheese - My grandmother's recipe.

Favorite non-alcoholic drink.   La Croix Lime (Sparkling Water).  I gave up Diet Dr. Pepper, so now (other than coffee), it's my drink of choice!

If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?

Santorini, Greece





Blurb:  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?



Rating: 4.5 LIGHTNING BOLTS 


Review: When the bad strikes, it usually strikes with Julia. Okay, that may be  a little exaggerated, but with the way things are going lately, it's hard to tell.


Julia's string of not so good luck starts with her job.  She's used to being at the top, going to amazing places and writing wonderful articles and stories. But then, all of a sudden, she's knocked down and disgraced.  Instead of an overseas project, she's sent to dinky old Alabama.


But what awaits her there is the surprise of her life. 


Dancing Naked in Dixie is a charming, heartfelt story that grabbed my attention. Julia is so easy to relate to, and the changes she endures throughout the book only make her a stronger woman.  Written with humor, wit, and a touch of suspense, this is a novel not to be missed. Ms. Clark has a way with words that just make their way into your mind when you don't realize it.   I am a fan, and will be looking for anything by Lauren Clark.


Need a fun book with southern charm and all around a great read? Dancing Naked in Dixie is that book! 


To get a copy of Dixie:








Dancing Naked In Dixie on the Nook





Find more about Lauren here:





10 comments:

  1. Great review! I have this book on my eReader but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I'm really looking forward to it:)

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    1. Thank you Maria ! Would love to know what you think when you have a chance to read Dancing Naked In Dixie :)

      xx, lauren

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  2. Another fantastic review. I'm so glad I follow this blog because it helps me find new authors.

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    1. Brenda ~ Isn't Nikki's blog fabulous!?? Thank you so very much for stopping by and checking out Dancing Naked in Dixie! :) Lauren

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  3. Great review. Someone who loves Grandma's Mac and Cheese has to be a great writer.

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    1. Thank you Daryl ~ My grandmother's Mac and Cheese is so wonderful :) My children ask for it, so I know that I must be doing something right!! Lauren

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  4. Nikki ~ I am so glad that you enjoyed Dancing Naked in Dixie! I'm so thrilled that you read the novel ... 'charming' and 'heartfelt' are lovely descriptions of the book ... I am so glad you think so!

    Thank you so very much for taking part in the Chick Lit Plus blog tour!!

    xx, Lauren

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  5. Nikki ~ Thank you for cross posting the review to Amazon! That was so thoughtful :) xx, lauren

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    1. No problem, Lauren! I usually do, and it was about time I got caught up. I needed to stay awake to wake my husband up last night, so it was a perfect time to get them all on there. :)

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