Dancing Naked in Dixie

Lauren will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/04/virtual-book-tour-dancing-naked-in.html

Lauren Clark is going to tell us what sets life in the South apart from the rest of Julia's (Dancing's heroine) travel experiences.

Julia Sullivan lives at twice the speed of life, traveling to the far-reaches of the globe to bring Getaways magazine's readers the latest on fabulous resorts and exotic new destinations. She's quite content visiting different cities and meeting new people every day. The constant change doesn't allow Julia to get attached to anything or anyone. This is her comfort zone, as Julia is still nursing wounds from her mother's death and father's abandonment.

As a travel writer, the five-star hotels and celebrity restaurants also have Julia a bit spoiled. Her view of the world skewed, as she doesn't spend time in the 'trenches.' Though she's aware of how the economy has impacted America, she's still naive. The day-to-day struggles, especially in small towns, aren't really on Julia's radar.

Her trip to the Deep South is a bit of a shock because there's no disappearing into a crowd, no skyscrapers, no blending into the scenery. The people of this Eufaula -- in a very loving way -- won't let it happen.

Julia's stop at the Citgo is a prime example. Elma broadcasts her arrival to the far reaches of Eufaula, all of fourteen thousand people. For those who don't catch the news, her visit is also made public knowledge at the Honeysuckle Cafe. Julia is questioned and examined like an (adorable) alien who's landed her space ship on the White House lawn.

When invited to dine with the Jordan family at their home, this very personal connection throws Julia even more off-balance. She sees the inner-workings of this family, the passion with which each member loves Eufaula and the Pilgrimage, and how much her visit really means to this historic community.

As Julia spends more time with Shug and his family, she discovers that progress may destroy this lovely city as she knows it. For the first time in Julia's life, her assignment becomes more than words on a page. Her article, and how she chooses to write it, will affect the future of Eufaula and the people who live there.

For anyone who's visited the Deep South -- likely because of the intense heat of the summer -- you know that everything operates at a much slower, more languid pace. People aren't in such a hurry. Almost everyone is friendly, waves, and will offer a hand if you're in trouble. Be prepared for a conversation while shopping at a store or having lunch at a cafe -- it's considered rude not to comment on the weather, church happenings, or make general small talk.

If you love comfort food, no region of the country does it better than in the South. From the golden fried chicken and fall-off-the-bone ribs to peach cobbler and fresh banana pudding, meals here are savored, shared, and celebrated. Often, in the evenings in my own neighborhood, everyone sits out on their porches to enjoy the occasional breeze and share a chilled glass of sweet tea with friends.

Pride in community, family name, and Southern history is fierce. College football has a cult following, especially in Alabama where there are no professional teams. From birth, children are dressed in orange and blue for Auburn University or crimson and white for the University of Alabama. There are many folks who will still argue that the Confederacy should have won the "War of Northern Aggression."

Life in the South isn't perfect -- as Julia finds out -- there are fire ants that bite and stinging insects that will attack when disturbed. The snake population is live and well, especially in the country. Tiny green lizards love to hang out on my azalea bushes. One occasionally makes it into my house. I still shriek in surprise when I see one, even after years of living here. (I grew up in Upstate NY)

Julia, at the outset of the novel, sees a visit to the Deep South as punishment. She announces loudly to her boss that she'd rather "dance naked" than go on assignment to Eufaula, Alabama. Realizing that she might lose her job, Julia makes the trip, and the visit ends up changing everything in her life for the better.

Have you ever had an experience similar to Julia's? What good came out of it?

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?  

EXCERPT

I’m a travel writer at Getaways magazine. Paid for the glorious task of gathering up fascinating snippets of culture and piecing them into quirky little stories. Jet-setting to the Riviera, exploring the Great Barrier Reef, basking on Bermuda beaches. It’s as glamorous and exhilarating as I imagined.

Okay, it is a tad lonely, from time to time.

And quite exhausting.

Which is precisely why I have to get organized.

Today.

I sink into my chair and try to concentrate. What to tackle first? Think, think.  

“Julia Sullivan!”

                                                        

Third reminder. Uh-oh.

Marietta rolls her eyes and jerks a thumb toward the inevitable. “Guess you better walk the plank,” she teases. “New guy’s waiting. Haven’t met him yet, but I’ve heard he’s the ‘take no prisoners’ sort. Hope you come back alive.”

I grope for something witty and casual to say, but all of a sudden, my head feels light and hollow.

I’ve been dying to find out about the new editor.

Every last gory detail.

Until now.

“I’m still in another time zone,” I offer up to Marietta with a weak smile. My insides toss from side to side as I slide out of my chair.

Marietta tosses me a wry look. “Nice try. Get going already, sport.”

I tilt my head toward the hallway and pretend to pout. When I look back, Marietta’s already disappeared. Smart girl.

“Fine, fine.” I tug a piece of rebellious auburn hair into place, smooth my wool suit, and begin to march toward the inevitable.

Our new editor.

My neck prickles.

I’m not going to worry. Not much anyway.

My pulse thuds.

Not going to worry about change. Or re-organization. Or pink slips.

Focus, Julia.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lauren Clark writes contemporary novels set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets.

A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5280308.Lauren_Clark

https://twitter.com/ - !/LaurenClark_Bks        

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauren-Clark/235315706518284

June 18:  A Case of Reading Insomnia
June 18:  STOP 2: TaraLenWalker
June 19:  It's Raining Books
June 20:  Welcome to My World of Dreams
June 20:  STOP 2:  Reader Girls
June 21:  Hywela Lyn (Romance That's "Out Of This World")
June 22:   United By Books


BARRAGE SCHEDULE:
June 21, 2012
Black Hippie Chuck's Take on Books & The World (Giveaway)
The YA Cafe (Giveaway)
Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Giveaway)
Hywela Lyn (Giveaway)
Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem (Giveaway)

June 22, 2012
Bea's Book Nook (Giveaway)
Bornean Bookworm Reads (Giveaway)
Carly Fall - Where Fantasy Meets Romance (Giveaway)
Sapphyria's Book Reviews (Giveaway)
Young Adult Novel Reader (Giveaway)