Showing posts with label Nancy Naigle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nancy Naigle. Show all posts

Monday, April 13, 2015

Aloha to Kelsey Browning, Nancy Naigle, and IN HIGH COTTON


Honey, these are not your momma’s grannies…

When a tree topples over onto Miss Lillian’s prized 1948 Tucker Torpedo, the grannies are once again scrambling for money and keeping Lil in the dark. Lucky for them, they have their choice of two cases, but which to take—a suspected art forgery or mysteriously disappearing trash from the county landfill?

As usual, things aren’t exactly as they first seem, and the grannies soon find themselves going undercover and dumpster diving to track down both bad guys. And now that Lil has scored an unexpected early release from prison, the grannies have more at stake than ever.

Will they find the culprits in time to repair the Tucker before Lil gets home, or will she arrive and unravel their lies? 


Amazon link

TheGrannySeries.com


Kelsey Browning writes sass kickin’ stories of love, humor, and adventure. s. Originally from a Texas town smaller than the ones she writes about, Kelsey has also lived in the Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she’s either adventurous or downright nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy, Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a (fingers crossed) future therapy dog. For info on her upcoming single title releases, drop by KelseyBrowning.com.  


Nancy Naigle writes love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Nancy now calls North Carolina home. She’s currently at work on the next book in The Granny Series, and a new women’s fiction novel. Stay in touch with Nancy on Facebook, twitter or subscribe to her newsletter on her website NancyNaigle.com.


File:Tucker.jpg
1948 Tucker Torpedo
Image by Thomas via Creative Commons (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your favorite vintage car.   I'm partial to the "woody" cars that are popular among surfers.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, April 18, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 19.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City



The Grannies offer an excerpt from IN HIGH COTTON

Huge raindrops began to plop against Sera’s van like a warning from God. Maybe he was trying to tell them they weren’t safe here. What if one of them had surprised the intruder? That could have been really bad news.

“I better get the Torpedo inside,” Maggie said.

Sera watched Maggie take off into a jog across the yard. She was proud to see her new friend getting more and more fit. When they’d first met, Maggie probably would’ve had to stop and take a breather at the halfway point between the house and garage. But now, she made it all the way and jumped into the car, started the engine, then began to slowly edge it forward toward the garage opening.

A roll of thunder shimmied the earth, so loud it seared Sera’s eardrums. Surely, the lightning was still miles—Crack!

Sera screamed. Oh, not good. “Maggie, we need to get inside!”

That one-two punch meant the lightning was less than three miles away. It could hit Summer Haven next.

The next crack of lightning proved her right, flashing above her. Sera dropped to her knees and covered her head with her arms. “Maaaggie!”

As if in slow motion, an old oak belched a wad of smoke. The ripping sound of a limb coming loose set off a shiver deep in Sera’s muscles and jolted her heart. The branch’s descent seemed almost languid, graceful as she watched it fall.

Until it hit the apex of the garage, changed trajectory, and spiraled one end over the other. The thick, ragged edge of the limb landed on the Tucker’s hood with a sick thud.

Abby Ruth ran outside in her sock feet. “What in blue blazes was that?”


Monday, February 9, 2015

Aloha to Nancy Naigle and BARBECUE AND BAD NEWS


BARBECUE—MAKE IT SAUCY!

Oh how I love barbecue! Or barbecue, depending on how you spell it in your neck o’ the woods. And there’s a pretty hot debate about whether grilling is considered barbecuing, too.

Barbecue isn’t just meat and sauce. It’s a complex equation, and people have very distinct preferences for what goes with the cole slaw and between a buttered bun. Some believe the key to the formula is the meat. Beef, pork or chicken…and if you were like me and was married for twenty years to a goat farmer, you’d know cabrito is one kicking barbecued meat, too. In fact, Brady, TX does one heckuva Annual Goat Barbecue Cook-off.

But back to the other half of the equation. What kind of sauce is going to send you back for seconds of barbecue , even when you’re wearing your skinny jeans?

Kansas City Style – Super sweet, thick, tomato-based sauce that is usually pretty messy to eat (otherwise known as finger lickin’ good!).

Memphis Style - Memphis style isn’t much different from the Kansas City type, except it tends to have way less sugar and more of a spicy or tangy kick. Because sauce isn’t slathered on the meat, Memphis barbecue isn’t nearly as messy as Kansas City style. Better for date night for sure!

Texas Style – Those Texans sure love their beef. Carolina tends to lean toward pork barbecue, while Texas runs at the head of the pack with beef barbecue. I’m a Carolina girl, but I’ll definitely say yes to some good Texas brisket. Texas barbecue is all about the dry rub. If you want sauce it’s going to be on the side or dunked fresh at serving time.

Carolina Style – This one is near and dear to me. I’m a Virginia girl—born and raised But now that I call Carolina home, I’d be remiss to not hang my blue ribbon here. There’s not much in the way of dry rub going on with Carolina barbecue, and while Texas might sing the praises of the cow – we’re high on the hog for pork barbecue in our region. Carolina sauce is thinner with a bit of a tang. Now in South Carolina you’ll find mustard based sauces…. but up here in North Carolina and Virginia it’s vinegar based with flecks of cayenne and a little of the red stuff to create a perfect mix of sweet, tangy, spicy.

What’s your barbecue style? Do you have a favorite meat and sauce combination, or are you open to giving them all a try? I’ve got one of a different flavor for you. How about giving my latest Adam’s Grove novel, Barbecue and Bad News, a try? In Adams Grove, the barbecue isn’t the only thing that sizzles!

Barbecue and Bad News

Advice columnist Savannah Dey could use some guidance of her own, especially when it comes to the feelings stirred up by the handsome sheriff of Adams Grove…and the secrets of her tragic past.

Hugs and happy barbecuing~

Nancy

Hawaiian bar-b-cue with a fried egg!

Welcome to Adams Grove…where the barbecue isn’t the only thing that sizzles.

In no rush to attend her ex-husband’s wedding, Savannah Dey would be happy with any reason to get out of it…which is why the speeding ticket from the handsome sheriff of Adams Grove is both a surprise and a reprieve. With one quick call to her editor, the aspiring columnist finds herself with a new assignment and the perfect excuse to get closer to the man who pulled her over. Now, all she needs is a way to deal with all the bad memories the small town dredges up…

Sheriff Scott Calvin can’t forget the woman who set off his radar, but he’s determined to send her on her way. He’s done making bad choices, and this beautiful city gal is sure to leave Adams Grove once she finishes her story. When she stirs up a hornet’s nest, he’s already falling for her. Will trouble bind them together, or will her secrets tear them apart?

Print-Digital-Audio AMAZON link

Barbecue Kalua Pork Snack Bites

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, cooking, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she now calls North Carolina home.

Barbecue and Bad News is the sixth book in her popular Adams Grove series.

NancyNaigle.com
Facebook: link
On Twitter: link

Love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense.

Mahalo, Nancy, for tantalizing our taste buds.   Nancy is giving away a digital copy of BARBECUE AND BAD NEWS to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about barbecue - what's your favorite?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 14, 10 pm in Baltimore.   

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 15.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

158650231730048419437988




Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Aloha to Kelsey Browning, Nancy Naigle, The Grannies, and FIT TO BE TIED

 

The super duo, Kelsey Browning and Nancy Naigle, join us today to celebrate FIT TO BE TIED, Book Two in their Granny Series ...
What’s So Special about Southern Grannies? 

Recently, I asked my Facebook friends how they would describe Southern grandmothers, and I loved the responses. They ranged from “Southern grannies rock” to “Southern grannies can kick butt” and everything in between.

Since The Granny Series features three Southern (and one Californian) mature ladies, I wanted to give you a taste of how Lillian, Maggie, Sera and Abby Ruth fit the Southern granny mold.

Are classy - Lillian Summer Fairview, owner of the Summer Haven estate and matriarch of Summer Shoals, Georgia, is the epitome of class. She throws a lovely dinner party, raises money for charity, and is partial to her momma’s pearls. Only problem is Lil has found her classy hind parts in the federal prison system after a little run-in with Social Security fraud. Not to worry, though, because during her stay at Walter Stiles Federal Prison Camp, Lil is busy teaching her fellow inmates proper etiquette.

Are resourceful - Maggie Rawls, who hails from Virginia, fits this one to a tee. She and her deceased husband, George, owned a hardware store for years. That means Maggie can fix most anything from a stopped-up sink to a runaway toilet to a recalcitrant septic system (and yes, the Grannies have lots of plumbing problems out at Summer Haven). While Lil is vacationing at the big house, Maggie’s been charged with keeping the family estate afloat. Good thing she always has duct tape handy. Because any Southern granny knows duct tape and baling wire can fix darn near anything.

Tell it like it is - Abby Ruth Cady is a native Texan who’s found herself living at Summer Haven and wrapped up in the charade of keeping Lil’s whereabouts on the down-low. But that certainly doesn’t keep her from expressing her opinion and stirring up trouble. The good news is she’s able to back up her bold ways with her gun collection.

Are good cooks (except when they’re not) - Serendipity Johnson is a fifty-something California flower-child who has found herself living in the South. Sera is bound and determined to convert Maggie and Abby Ruth into meditation and yoga fanatics. And she’s into healthy cooking with ingredients like tofu and sprouts. Sera’s cooking would be the reason her pals sometimes sneak off to the Atlanta Highway Diner for the blue-plate special of chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and crispy fried okra. After all, a Southern granny can’t live on health food alone! ;-)

Nancy and I have such a great time dreaming up adventures for these four over-fifty ladies. So having readers often tell us they want to be just like the Grannies just tickles us to death! 




Kelsey Browning writes sass kickin’ love stories and co-authors Southern cozy mysteries. She’s also a co-founder of Romance University blog, one of Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers. Originally from a Texas town smaller than the ones she writes about, Kelsey has also lived in the Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she’s either adventurous or downright nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy, Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a (fingers crossed) future therapy dog. For info on her upcoming single title releases, drop by KelseyBrowning.com.


twitter.com/kelseybrowning
facebook.com/kelseybrowning
facebook.com/KelseyBrowningAuthor


Also by Kelsey Browning:

TEXAS NIGHTS Series
Book 1: Personal Assets
Book 2: Running the Red Light
Book 3: Problems in Paradise
Book 4: Designed For Love 




Nancy Naigle writes love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Nancy now calls North Carolina home. She’s currently at work on the next book in The Granny Series, and a new women’s fiction novel. Stay in touch with Nancy on Facebook, twitter or subscribe to her newsletter on her website ~ NancyNaigle.com


twitter.com/nancynaigle
facebook.com/nancy.naigle
facebook.com/NancyNaigleAuthor


Also by Nancy Naigle:

The Adams Grove Series
Book 1: Sweet Tea and Secrets
Book 2: Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes
Book 3: Out of Focus
Book 4: Pecan Pie and Deadly Lies
Book 5: Mint Juleps and Justice
Book 6: Barbecue and Bad News

Young Adult Mystery
inkBLOT – co-written with Phyllis Johnson

Short Works
Wrapped Around Your Heart Three short stories of <3 br="">Pretty Little Liars #1: The PAth To RelAxAtion
Pretty Little Liars #2: The LiArs LAir
Pretty Little Liars #3: Secret TAlents

Kelsey and Nancy are giving away a print copy of FIT TO BE TIED to one randomly selected commenter:


Honey, these are not your momma’s grannies…

Lillian Summer Fairview is settling right nice into the federal pen. She’s even making peace with Big Martha, the toughest broad on the cellblock.

After hearing Lil’s granny friends recently took down a swindler, Big Martha asks Lil for a favor. Her niece has fallen for a guy she met online, and Martha’s convinced Mr. Too-Good-To-Be-True is up to no good. All Lil’s friends have to do is a little look-see on the guy and report back. But when they poke around, they find the guy doesn’t really exist, and that triggers a wild ride through the world of online dating.

Meanwhile, a cantankerous septic system on Lil’s family estate in Summer Shoals, GA has the grannies fit to be tied. If Summer Haven isn’t in shipshape before the historic society’s inspection, they’ll be in deep you-know-what.

Big Martha sweetens the deal by promising to fix what ails Summer Haven if the grannies can find the elusive Romeo.

Will the grannies track him down before the inspection, or will they find themselves in trouble right up to their granny panties?

Amazon Link 


TheGrannySeries.com 


Email Newsletter Sign-Up via TheGrannySeries.com

Grannies are called Tutu in Hawaii

To enter the giveaway,


1.  Think about your granny (past or present) ... do they have anything in common with Lillian, Maggie, Sera or Abby Ruth?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 25, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 26.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City


18695166

Friday, February 14, 2014

Aloha to Nancy Naigle's MINT JULEPS AND JUSTICE


Creating Characters Readers Love

Is there some characteristic each of my heroines must have? Even if they are broken in the beginning, my heroines will find a way to pull up their bootstraps and carry on...stronger. I like that all my heroines are good friends too. To have good friends, you have to be one.

If my heroine was a famous actress, who would it be and why? Interestingly enough, I don’t picture actresses in my heroine roles. I kind of live out those parts myself as I write them, or some of my dearest girlfriends take on the role. I’ll never tell which ones are which...they probably can tell though.

Where do I find the inspiration for my heroes? Some are simply favorite traits from men I know. Some from well-known entertainers that we all know. The inspiration for Cody Tuggle in Out of Focus and Pecan Pie and Deadly Lies was Bret Michaels. From a looks perspective he was kind of a Toby Keith/Bret Michaels combo, but what struck me as I watched Celebrity Apprentice was that Bret Michaels was so much more than what he came off as on Rock of Love and in the tabloids. I was so impressed with how kind-hearted and sincere he was and his daddy/daughter moments absolutely melted my heart.

My husband just passed away last week. He was a man’s man. Very rugged. Handsome. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do. He had an amazing quick wit and there are lots of little pieces of Mr. Mike in all of my heroes.

How do I come up with careers for my characters? I have never started out knowing what my characters careers would be, with the exception of Cody Tuggle – the honky-tonkin’ singer. The jobs just seem to come out of who they are.

Mint Juleps and Justice just released on 2/1. It’s the fifth book in the Adams Grove series.

Welcome to Adams Grove…where wrongs are righted with just desserts.

Luck abandoned Brooke Justice during her nasty divorce. Desperate to escape her malicious ex-husband, she relocated to the small town of Adams Grove, Virginia. When someone breaks into her new house, she suspects her ex bears the blame for the crime. With no evidence and little help from the police, she asks a private investigator to take her case—a private investigator whose sexy broad shoulders and stunning blue eyes make her question her decision to swear off relationships forever.

Mike Hartman fled Adams Grove when a devastating loss left his heart in pieces. After years overseas in the military, he’s finally returned home, determined to start anew as a private investigator. Then Brooke walks into his office, awakening something he hasn’t felt in years. Can they both move on…into each other’s arms? Or will the pain of the past—and the dangerous threat lurking in the present—destroy their new beginning?

Amazon link


Nancy Naigle writes love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense.  With a career spent on the cutting edge of technology in the banking industry, Nancy spends her extra time writing the kind of stories she likes to read, in hopes that just maybe other career gals can find an escape from their hectic lifestyles in the make believe worlds she creates.

Website NancyNaigle.com


158650231781859517300484

Monday, November 4, 2013

Aloha to Kelsey Browning, Nancy Naigle, The Granny Series and IN FOR A PENNY

18695166

Kelsey Browning joins us for a chat about The Granny Series. Hold onto your hats because this will be fun!

The Granny Series Hero - Teague Castro

Nancy and I talk about Lillian, Maggie, Sera, and Abby Ruth from The Granny Series all the time because, let’s face it, we love them. But there’s another character in the series who’s a bit of an unsung hero. His name is Teague Castro, and he’s a transplanted Texan who’s now the sheriff in Bartell County, Georgia.

How do we love Teague? Oh, counting the ways could take us all day! But here are just a few…along with a tiny excerpt to prove it!

He thinks of others first:

Both women whipped around at the noise and Teague felt everything kick into slow-motion as he watched Lillian lose her footing on the shingles.

Christ Jesus.

He hauled butt out of the car toward the big old white house and made it just as Lillian tumbled ass over teacup down the side of the veranda.

She plopped into his arms with her feet sticking straight up in the air. She didn’t weigh much more than his favorite shotgun.

He’s got a soft spot: 
He hooked a thumb toward the yellow van in the driveway. “This lady needs a place to park for a couple days. That new manager at the Walmart called her in.”

“Park? What do you mean park?” Lillian blinked with each word.

Maggie’s face drew up like she’d smelled catfish bait. “You think Summer Haven is a campground?”

Okay. So it was a stupid idea.

He’s observant:

The children shouted and begged for the candy Lillian always tossed from the car. As she smiled and flung a handful, her jacket hiked up and something at her midsection winked in the sunlight.

Teague said to Talley, “Did you see that?”

“See what?”

“Nothing. Never mind.” Like he was going to tell the guy he thought Miss Lillian was wearing a belly button ring. Reelection wouldn’t be so easy if folks thought he was losing his mind.

He’s persuasive:

I bet you could talk shop with the folks at the newspaper. Maybe even do some freelancing for them.”

“Sugar—” she lifted an eyebrow and shook her head, “—it’s not like they cover the Texans or Cowboys here.”

“There’s always high school football in the fall.”

At that, her mouth dropped open and her beer clunked to the table. “The hell you say.”

A beep-beep-beep noise screeched in Teague’s head.
He makes sacrifices to help folks:

Abby Ruth checked out the genteel Georgian house as they approached the front door. “Some digs.”

“The Summer family practically built this town.”

“Power-mongers, huh? I knew a few of those back in Houston. Oil men. Good in bed, but they always wanted to be on top.”

Teague’s palms twitched with the need to cover his ears. God, he loved this woman, but he needed earplugs sometimes. 

We can’t wait for you to meet Sheriff Teague Castro and the rest of The Granny Series cast in the first book, In For a Penny, available now from your favorite e-tailers! 


Author Bios:

Kelsey Browning writes sass kickin’ love stories and Southern cozy suspense. Originally from a small Texas town, Kelsey has also lived in the Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she’s either adventurous or downright nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy, Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a Canine Companions for Independence puppy. She’s currently at work on the next book in her Texas Nights contemporary romance series and The Granny Series. For info on her upcoming single title releases, drop by KelseyBrowning.com.

Nancy Naigle writes love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Nancy now calls a small farm in southern Virginia home. She’s currently at work on the next book in her Adams Grove series and The Granny Series. Stay in touch with Nancy on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe to her newsletter on her website ~ NancyNaigle.com.

The Granny Series story… 

We’re often asked how we decided to co-write The Granny Series. Well, we didn’t so much as decide on it as it decided on us. In early 2012, we were attending the Romantic Times conference in Chicago. Often at events like that, writer roommates invariably stay up late chatting about their latest projects, the industry, and chocolate. Since we’re both Southern gals, we also talked about our home states and our families.

One of Kelsey’s family stories was about a (hypothetical) threat her mom made against a former family member. Of course, it was all a joke, but they decided Kelsey’s mom would have to be the one to make good on the (hypothetical) threat because in prison, she’d get three square meals a day and free health care. Besides, Kelsey looks horrible in orange.

We laughed and laughed about that silly story. But in the morning, Nan woke up and said, “I think we should write that book.” By the end of the weekend, we’d brainstormed a variety of scenarios and laughed until we cried. But the idea stuck, and we began plotting the story that would become In For a Penny.

Of course, In For a Penny is only the start of what we have planned for Lillian, Maggie, Abby Ruth and Sera. Join us and the grannies on the first of their many adventures!

To learn more about Kelsey, Nancy, The Granny Series, and the debut book, IN FOR A PENNY, check out TheGrannySeries.com.
 

Mahalo, Kelsey, for introducing us to the The Granny Series and IN FOR A PENNY.  In honor of Grannies everywhere, I am giving away a Granny Gift Pack.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your granny.  My maternal granny lived in Devon, England.   She loved tea and all things British. Hence, the gift pack honors Britannia:

- Queen Elizabeth II bookmark
- Pineapple tea spoon 
- Jasmine tea

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 9, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 10.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Notice the Tutu (Granny) Hula Dancer on the right ...