Nan Dixon -- A SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS WISH is almost here!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Now that we've eaten our turkey, I can start talking about Christmas and I won’t feel like I’m rushing the season.

The release of A SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS WISH is four days away.  (I hear angels singing!)  To celebrate, I’m giving away both books in the Fitzgerald House series.  SOUTHERN COMFORTS and A SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS WISH.  Look for the Giveaway at the bottom of the blog.

I think I am more worried about this book than my debut, SOUTHERN COMFORTS.  With SOUTHERN COMFORTS the book went through eight major revisions.  People who had their fingers on it included, my critique group, contest judges, my agent and then finally my editor. 

A SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS WISH hasn’t had that kind of visibility—so I’m hoping the lessons I’ve been learning about writing a compelling book have taken root!  Who has seen it?  My critique group read the beginning, one daughter has read the entire book— (she couldn’t put it down---I wiped my brow in relief after she let me know) and of course my editors. 

So on December 1, 2015 my second book is heading out into the world.  (Take flight book!)  Okay, it’s apparently been out in the world via Harlequin’s book club, but beginning December 1^st, the rest of the world can pick it up. 

Here's a little bit about the series.  

Fitzgerald House is a Savannah B and B, run by three sisters.  They all provide a different expertise:  Abby is a trained chef, Bess is a landscape architect, and Dolley is the technical/website/bookkeeper.  When their father died he let them in so much debt, that their mother began turning their family mansion into a B and B to survive.  Now that the sisters are running the B and B, they’re trying to finish the restoration work and open more rooms.

Here’s a little teaser from Book 2 – A SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS WISH

“Don’t shut me out. I’m here for you.” Bess took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I forgot our dinner.”

“That doesn’t matter anymore.” Daniel pulled her down an empty corridor and stopped by a small alcove.

Since they were alone, she hugged him. His arms hung at his sides and his muscles were rock. Her stomach twisted and turned like kudzu strangling a tree. What was going on?

“I need to be with my family.” Daniel put his hands on her shoulders and set her away from him. “We need to take a step back.”

“What?” Her hands shook. Couldn’t he tell how much she cared?

“We’re done.” His brown eyes were...dead.

This couldn’t be happening. Daniel needed her. She needed him. “I can help.”

“We got involved and look what happened.” His hands slashed, as if he was severing the ties between them. “I lost focus. I didn’t catch Nathan’s mistake. Now Pop’s in the hospital.”

“Daniel.” Her voice squeaked. “Please don’t do this to us.”

“I can’t keep all the balls in the air.” He shook his head. “I need to get down to basics, pare away the luxuries.”

“I’m a luxury?” She dashed away the tears backing up in her eyes. She refused to cry in front of him. “I can help.”

“Like you helped me the other night?” His voice was harsh. “I was waiting for you when I should have been making sure the plasterboard Nathan ordered was secured.”

“What?” She clasped her hands on her head. Everything was falling apart.

“Because of you, I failed to check the supply orders and deliveries.” His words were barbs jabbing into her body.

“But the plasterboard was Nathan’s responsibility.”

“But I didn’t check his work. Now Pop’s in the hospital.”

“Daniel.” She held out her hand. “Don’t.”

“We’re through.” He walked away and never turned back.

Her knees let go. She slumped against the wall. He blamed her for his father’s collapse? She loved him. Weren’t they better together than apart?

She held it together until she got to the elevator and punched the button. And stood. Her tears waited, held back by a floodgate. Not here. She searched for stairs, anything to get her off this damn floor.

There. An exit. She ran down the hall. Wetness streaked her cheeks and she swiped her sleeve over her face. She banged the door open and ran. One floor. Two. Three. Heading into the main section of the hospital, she sprinted to the exit.

Outside she stumbled, trying to find her car. Clicking open the locks, she slumped into the seat.

She pushed on the ache in her chest. She’d fallen in love and been slapped back—again. Fumbling her phone open, she started to dial Abby’s number and stopped.

Her breath shook. No one knew about them. Daniel had been her secret.

She had to bear this pain alone.

Here are the Buy Links for the eBook 

Kindle  Nook  Google Play  iBooks   Kobo 

Here is the Buy Link for the Paperback and eBook at Harlequin.  If you purchase before November 30th - A SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS WISH is 30% off, all month long! Enter code XMAS1115 at checkout.

 Harlequin

Don’t forget to click the Rafflecopter question to get credit for commenting on the Blog.  

Here's the question-----Tell me about a Christmas wish that came true for you.

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NAN DIXON joins the CREW

THE UNSINKABLE NAN

Joining Get Lost in a Story as a new crew addition is Nan Dixon.  Yes, she's a multiple RWA Golden Heart finalist and one of those years was part of the Unsinkable crew.

She writes contemporary romance with characters in families or creating family connections. She says, "There's usually wine and always food."  She includes some recipes on her website. She also has some great photos of the B&B she writes about.

We are tickled pink to have Nan joining the crew. She has a great blog about receiving THE CALL. You've got to take a peek. Here's a little about our friend.

THE OFFICIAL 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. 

Contact   Website   Facebook    
Twitter @NanDixonAuthor
Goodreads    Pinterest    Blog

FIRST BOOK BY NAN

Amazon

SOUTHERN COMFORTS

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.

THE NEXT BOOKS

Harlequin SuperRomance has bought three more of Nan's books. Two will be involving some characters from Southern Comforts.

A SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS WISH

Is falling love worth the risk?  A Savannah mansion ignites with the sparks between a free-spirited landscaper and a controlling contractor who are turning the mansion into a B and B.  

DOLLEY'S DREAM 

An orphan photographer and documentary maker who longs for roots and family falls for an amateur photographer and part owner in a Savannah B&B whose biggest dream is leaving home. 

THE FUN NAN

1 Cowboy Singer/Model & 12 fans

laughing
as always!

6 Unsinkables

8 Unsinkables

 
THE NAN FROM MINNESOTA

This is Liz, jumping in to give an extra special shout out welcoming Nan to Get Lost in a Story. I'm especially excited about amazing Nan joining us, because she isn't only my Golden Heart 2010 Unsinkable sister--she's a fellow Minnesotan, a fellow Midwest Fiction Writer (the largest Minnesota RWA Chapter) and, most importantly of all--a great friend. So I know she'll be a fabulous asset to our awesome blog.

Nan the cheerleader

Nan & Liz 2011

As we've mentioned, Nan is a multi-time Golden Heart finalist. In 2011 I was honored to be her date at the RITA/GH ceremony in NYC.  Here we are (left) in our finery. And here she is (right), wearing her trademark smile, at a local book signing in 2013  where she would jump out of her spot as chief cashier and cheerleader to explain (very nicely) to passersby why they NEEDED to come and meet all the authors. She wasn't quite published yet--but she was personally responsible for many sales that day!
 
I am an extrovert and proud of it. But Nan is like three of me in one dynamite package. She's our immediate chapter past president, she organizes, she plans, she's ALWAYS positive and fun. She keeps spreadsheets on everything from daily word counts to her goals. She's almost as crazy and talkative as I am--which is why we get along and also why she hesitates to room with me at conferences any more (can you say SLEEP DEPRIVATON?). You can absolutely count on Nan making everything she does here at GLIAS super fun and super upbeat--I guarantee it. 

Welcome to the cool kids' group, Nan!!

E.E. & Nan 2013

THE NEWEST MEMBER 
of the CREW

Angi, Liz & Nan 2015

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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 

Barnes & Noble

IBooks

Kobo

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!!