Nan Dixon brings her Southern Comforts to GLIAS!

I am so super excited for today’s guest. Nan Dixon is one of the hardest-working debut authors I’ve ever known, and it shows in Southern Comforts, her first novel with Harlequin SuperRomance. And it’s a sweet, wonderful, comfort of a book—believe me! Nan is also a 2010 Golden Heart Finalist (one of five GH finals) which makes her the Golden Heart sister of many of the GLIAS crew members! So please welcome Nan Dixon to Get Lost in a Story.

MEET NAN

Nan spent her formative years as an actress, singer, dancer and competitive golfer. But the need to eat had her studying accounting in college. Unfortunately, being a successful financial executive didn’t feed her passion to perform. When the pharmaceutical company she worked for was purchased, Nan got the chance of a lifetime—the opportunity to pursue a writing career.  She’s a five-time Golden Heart finalist and lives in the Midwest where she is active in her local RWA chapter and on the board of a dance company. She has five children, two sons-in-law, one grandchild, a husband and one neurotic cat. 

A LITTE TASTE OF SOUTHERN COMFORT

Rule #2—Absolutely never get involved with a guest.

Abigail Fitzgerald has always followed her mamma's rules when it comes to running their family's B and B. But her mamma never had to resist a man like Grayson Smythe. A long-term guest, Gray spends his evenings having dinner with Abby in her kitchen—and it's not long before their attraction begins to sizzle. 

Although Gray's kisses are a delicious distraction, Abby's priorities are the B and B and the dream of opening her own restaurant. And Gray definitely has the means to help her. But when money seems to be all he can offer, Abby suspects she might get burned.

EXCERPT:

“Actions speak louder than words.” 

Tears trickled down Abigail’s cheek.  The ice in her eyes frightened Gray.  “I’m going back to Savannah.  I’m going home.”

“Abby.”  This couldn’t be happening.  Not when he was in love with her.  “Stay.  Please.”

“We’re done.”  She wheeled her bag around him.

Desperate, he blurted out.  “I think I’m in love with you.”

She stopped.  Her shoulders shook.  She turned around, pity filled her face.  “You can’t buy my love, Gray.  That’s not how it works.  It’s something I would have given freely.”

Panic bubbled inside his chest like lava in a volcano about to blow.  “I’m not trying to buy your love.”

She didn’t even stop.

He ripped a hand through his hair.  He’d been trying to help her, for God’s sake. And she’d thrown everything back in his face.  He told her he loved her.  He had the money.  He could fix her problems.  Make her life easier.  Why wouldn’t the stubborn woman let him help?

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A FUN Q&A WITH NAN

LIZ: How often do you get lost in a story?

NAN:  Darn it—all the time!  When I’m reading, I know I should be looking at the structure, the conflicts, and trying to analyze plot structure.  Instead, I find myself immersed in the wonderful world of the author and totally forget the craft of writing.

LIZ: Now I am in total respect and awe of you—a wonderful author who can read a book and forget to edit. I say, never lose that gift! You can study structure anytime!

LIZ: What’s the first book you remember reading? 

NAN:  This will be right up your alley, Liz.  The Black Stallion.  Loved Farley’s books.  My sisters and I used to walk to our library in the summer and they had a reading program.  My problem?  You could only take out five books a week.

LIZ: Oh, I’m in heaven! I lived and breathed The Black Stallion. Alec Ramsay was my first book boyfriend! 

LIZ: What are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile?

NAN:  My agent tweeted a question on what were people’s favorite Nora Roberts books.  I started to dig them out—and am now reading Blue Dahlia.  I will read the rest of the trilogy, then move on to Honest Illusions and probably a few more.  (It’s a sickness!)

LIZ: Name three things that are, at this moment, in your heroine’s purse.

NAN:  Abby has a recipe she’s convinced another chef to give her, a To Do list for her day, week and month, and a copy of her Life Goals. 

LIZ: What sound or noise do you love?

NAN:  Again, you will know what I’m talking about—the coo of a contented baby and her chortle.  What better sound in the world is there?

LIZ: You know it! 

LIZ: What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?

NAN:  A cup of tea, especially if I get a mug in bed! 

LIZ: What is your biggest vice?

NAN:  Prosecco!  I’ve decided to make sure there is a bottle of Prosecco in every book I write.

LIZ: I have shared in this vice—it’s a very good vice. 

LIZ HAS GOTTA ASK: What’s the most personal thing you’ve ever put in one of your books?

NAN:  I joke about my suicidal ballerina book, but my brother committed suicide when he was in his thirties.  Undiagnosed depression is a very real problem.  If I ever sell that book, some of the proceeds will go to SA/VE—Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education.  After my brother’s death, my youngest sister became very active at SA/VE, speaking to high schools, helping to set up their office and sitting on the Board.  My heroine fights her way through depression—but not everyone can.

NAN’S QUESTION FOR HER FANS:

When I created my bookmarks I was suffering from a cold that my granddaughter had passed on to me.  I made a mistake.  In the book blurb it reads: … Gray's kisses are a delicious distraction, but that’s not what I put-I left out “delicious.”  So here’s my question:  Fill in the blank _____!

Gray’s kisses are a ________________

Anyone who comments will be put in a drawing for an autographed copy of SOUTHERN COMFORTS (and a copy of the bookmark!) if you are in the US, or an eBook if you are international.   

CONTACT INFO:

E-mail: Please contact me through my website – http://www.nandixon.com/

Website: http://www.nandixon.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nandixonauthor

Twitter: @nandixonauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8307477.Nan_Dixon

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/NanDixonauthor/

Blogs: http://www.nandixon.com/category/blog/  

Thanks, Nan, for being my guest today on Get Lost in a Story. I wish you the very best with Southern Comforts and your next books!!