1/09/2015

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?

BUY SOUTHERN COMFORTS
Amazon 

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/
Twitter: @nandixonauthor

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!!

42 comments:

  1. Hi Nan! Welcome to Get Lost in a Story, sister! Fill in the blank, 'eh? How about: Gray's kisses were a mind-numbing, tongue-thrilling, whipped cream-and-prosecco combination of perfection.
    I would kiss a man who tasted like that! LOL. Thanks for the fun interview today.

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    1. Oooh What a fabulous kiss! Thanks so much for having me - Lizbeth and GLIAS! So much fun to be here. And I'm so sorry for the Ooops!

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    2. Nothing to apologize for--this is the day you were meant to be here!

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  2. What a fun interview thank you.

    Gray’s kisses are a lot like Christmas!!

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Thanks for stopping Mary! Christmas - wow that would be a fun present to unwrap!

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  3. Gray's kisses are addictive. Tasting his lips just once left her longing for more.

    Love Southern Comforts!

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  4. Oh Julie - delicious! Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. Hi Liz! Hi Nan!
    Finished reading SOUTHERN COMFORTS earlier this week. (Oprah's Voice here-->) It was FABULOUS! Speaking of GLIAS. I honestly would; your setting descriptions are superb.

    I would wake up each morning before dawn, and it was my precious 'alone' time...me, my coffee and the Fitzgerald B&B!

    Let's see: Gray's kisses are as sweet as the inn's brandy-pecan bars.
    ;)

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    1. Yummmmmmm!! Hi Sarah! SC is a fabulous book, isn't it?? And I am going to make Nan bring those bars to a meeting because she's also a chapter mate of mine. WAIT!!! Nan, don't you have a JoaN tomorrow?????

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    2. I do have a JoaN tomorrow! And that is the plan!! (I'm going to see how many I can get made -- and may even bring them to the book signing! will need to bring wipes too!

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  6. Oh Sarah, I'm blushing! Thank you for the kind words and thank you for stopping by.
    (ts sub-zero here - so I would rather wake up and be in Savannah.)
    I'm making Brady Pecan bars tonight. And Gray's kisses would taste that way - because he loves those bars! Can't wait for your 1st book to be released.

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  7. Oh, I loved The Black Stallion, Nan. I also loved Southern Comforts, and still have a craving for brandy pecan bars. :-)

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    1. Thanks for stopping Sandra! I don't understand why my parents wouldn't get me a horse! (Wouldn't fit in the yard -- silly) I'm worried about making the bars -- because I will want to eat them and I need to bring them to my book signing!

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  8. Gray's kisses are a hot distraction, My legs got weak

    yenastone at aol dot com

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    1. Tammy - don't you love a kiss that makes your legs weak! Thanks for stopping over.

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  9. You know it's a good book when you finish reading it and have to look around to get your bearings. The description was so vivid I thought I was in the B&B in Georgia!

    Gray's kisses are a wicked distraction (cuz I'm in New England!)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Suzanne - that is wicked good! You're making me blush! I can't wait to get my music fix! It's waiting on my Kindle!

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  10. Welcome to GLIAS, Nan. I loved reading about your book! Congratulations.

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    1. Thank you Vicki!
      It's so fun to be here as a guest - instead of just a reader!!

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  11. Nan!
    Loved, loved, loved Southern Comforts! Felt like I was there and it made me oh so hungry with all the yummy food.
    AE

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    1. Ahhhh - Thank you AE! (And with the cold - don't you wish we could head to Georgia?) My critique partners said if I brought in any more scenes with food _ I would have to bring treats to the critique group!

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  12. ... a lot of fun

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, BN100!! Gray's kisses were a lot of fun -- to write!

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  13. Hi nan,

    Great interview. Checking out books from the library is one of my fondest memories! And wing able to enjoy a book without picking it apart is a real treat! Many congrats on Southern Comforts!

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    1. Thanks Miranda --
      I know I should be analyzing books when I read them - I just get so immersed! Thanks for stopping by. Soon it will be you launching her book!!

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  14. Hi Nan and Liz! Great interview. I have SC on my Kindle and can't wait to get to it. Darn work gets in the way. I need a job that lets me read all the time. Wait ... ;-)
    Anyway, Gray's kisses were sweet as molasses on a biscuit and just as tender.

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    1. Oh Carrie - I may just have to use that one in book 2! Will I have to pay a copyright fee?
      Thanks for stopping by. I totally understand about the TBR pile. Some days it is sooo long!

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  15. Gray’s kisses are a delectable turn-on!

    I love Gray and Abby's story and can't wait to read more about the secondary characters, because they weaved their way into my heart too!

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    1. Oh Asa his kisses definitely are!!

      I'm so glad you want more stories in the world. (Wish I could send all of these notes to the editors. Sigh .... Staff changes are killing me here!)

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  16. Hi, Nan! Waving to Liz!

    I have a copy of the Black Stallion with that very same dust cover — love that story. And you know what else I love? Southern Comforts! I'm very close to the end of the book, and kind of sad about that because I adore your characters, the food, the wine and that beautiful Savannah setting.

    Fabulous interview!

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    1. Thanks for stopping Vanessa!
      I am so happy you like Southern Comforts! It's hard to imagine how people are going to react to your characters - and people have been so kind!!
      Thank you!

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    2. Hi Vanessa--see me waving back madly! I have the book, too! I've spent a lot of time trying to collect the whole set of Black Stallion and Island Stallion books and a couple of others Farley wrote in the original hard covers. They are impossible to find! I have about ten of them. I see that I'm in very good company! Hugs to you!!

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  17. Wonderful interview, Nan! Ahh yes, and those beloved childhood library visits! I think I actually carried my first library card with more reverence than my drivers license.

    Still can't wait to sink my teeth into Southern Comforts! And I'm positive I'll ADORE it because it'll sparkle just like you. ;)

    Gray's kisses were better than any chocolate that had, or ever would, touch Abby's lips.

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    1. Oh Darcy - thank you! Gray's kisses sound fantastic - and not just because I spent the evening in the ER with the hubby and didn't get any dinner! (We think he's okay -- sigh...)

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  18. Hi Nan! I'm still reading SC so my line is "Gray's kisses are tempting Amy to read a few more pages when she should be writing (communicating with her husband and kids, etc.) Fun interview!

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    1. Thank you Amy for stopping by when you should be writing, communicating with hubby and kids and doing all those life things!
      (I leave a lot of white space - so maybe the book will read fast!)

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  19. SCRUMPTIOUS!

    Thanks to Liz and Nan for a great interview. I _loved_ the Black Stallion books, too. They're their own kind of romance novel, aren't they???

    Greta

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Greta. I thinnk every young girl needs to read the Black Stallion series and fall in love!

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  20. And the Winner is ......
    Julie! (Gray's kisses were addictive!) Can you contact me through my website and send me your address!

    Thanks everyone for stopping by!

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  21. Thank you, Liz, for hosting me on the GLIAS blog! It was fun!

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