Dancing Naked in Dixie

Dancing Naked in Dixie is a light fun read that will pull you in

Dancing Naked in Dixie is a light fun read that will pull you in and leave you cheering for the good guys. It isn't a romance title but there is a lot of love included. A budding romance, a lost romance, and love for the heart and soul of a town. It isn't just chick lit either. Julia is a career girl with a plum job that allows her to travel the world but her heart is cut up so badly that she lives her life in a blur to avoid the pain. You will laugh, shed a tear, and be pleased with the ending. A satisfying read that will make you a fan of Lauren Clark.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Very interesting and entertaining. Very good book. finished it v

Very interesting and entertaining. Very good book. finished it very quickly

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Dancing Naked in Dixie is a really fun read. I was laughing out

Dancing Naked in Dixie is a really fun read. I was laughing out loud in the first chapter! Being born and raised in Alabama this book brought so many people, places and things to me that seemed familiar, made me feel right at home. Having also lived in New York I could totally relate to how Julia felt about all those “strange” southern things. I was truly impressed with Ms. Clark’s ability to weave lots of southern charm into this book. In the end Julia realizes the hustle bustle of the big city and always being on the go is not all there is to life. After I read Stay Tuned I became a fan of Ms. Clark’s books but this one is even better. I love this book, my favorite book so far this year. Ms. Clark is great with character building and her ability to build a scene is superb. Grab a big glass of sweet tea and plop down in the porch swing and enjoy this great story!
This book was provided to me by the author for review.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Really cute read....

My Review:

This is not my normal type of read...you know I normally read a book where the romance is the focus of the story. There is romance in this book, but it's easily a secondary story line. What is the main story line is quite simply put...Julia.

Julia's mother died two years ago. Since that point in time, she has buried herself in work. As a travel writer, she is on the road constantly and it's been really easy for her to practice avoidance in her life. There's something that she doesn't want to deal with? No problem, she's leaving for Bangkok tomorrow so she doesn't have to. But after two years of living like this, it's all starting to catch up with her and when her new boss comes in and demands better, she's forced to change her ways.

Luckily her newest assignment (although she so doesn't think it's lucky at the time) is to head down south to Alabama where everyone is forced to take life at a much slower pace. For someone who is used to traveling the globe and constantly entering into strange situations, Julia is incredibly awkward when she gets to this southern town. She's unorganized and clumsy...and completely out of her element as she is immediately thrown into the town politics and family drama. What she doesn't realize is that there is even more of both those things than she is even seeing on the surface and it's about to blow her entire world out of whack.

I liked Julia, although there were moments when I found it hard to believe that she is this world traveler with amazing writing credentials that she is supposed to be. She is such a "duck out of water" throughout so much of this book. I really felt for her...whatever can go wrong, definitely does, and this is just not acceptable when her world is already on the verge of falling apart.

I also really liked the town of Eufalia...it really is almost a character all on it's own. The author created gorgeous pictures of it through this story and it was entrancing.

I also really LOVED David's character and NEVER would have guessed that after reading the beginning of this book. I was definitely ready to hate him till the very end, but I had a complete turn-around with his character.

I should probably mention Shug, but I have a hard time with him since he continued to stick with Mary Katherine. I wanted him to stand up for himself more than he did through most the story. He's a truly nice guy...I just wanted more from him.

Overall this was a fun read. I definitely laughed out loud several times throughout the story. I loved watching Julia's transition as she comes to love this little town and starts to question the life she's been living in NYC (and the world). It's a book about slowing down and appreciating what you have, even when you don't realize you have it. A really great lesson!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Dancing Naked in Dixie is the second novel by Lauren Clark. Thi

Dancing Naked in Dixie is the second novel by Lauren Clark. This one certainly comes out in style.
Synopsis:
Julia Sullivan is a travel columnist for the magazine Getaways. Her job includes a lot of travel. She is constantly leaving New York for one assignment after another. This leaves her boyfriend Andrew constantly trying to find time with Julia. She also does not have much of a relationship with her father David Sullivan who also happens to be her new boss. Julia is asked to come to his office and he presents her with a different assignment to go to Eufaula, Alabama and write about the annual pilgrimage. What will she decide? Will she go? What adventures await Julia in Alabama?
My Thoughts:
Lauren’s second novel is definitely worth the wait. I had a slow start with this one. I did enjoy the cultural differences between north and south. I just didn’t immediately love Julia. This quickly changed as I read more about her adventures and the problems she ran into in Alabama. I also enjoyed the mystery that occurred with phase three and found myself unable to put the novel down because I wanted to know how it ended.
I one aspect of Lauren’s writing I like greatly is the focus on the story. There are no intimate scenes within either of her novels. I don’t feel this is needed to tell a great story. I realize that some publishers look at that aspect as being important to sell the story, but this is not always true. I hope that she continues to write stories such as this!

She's got 99 problems

And, yes, a XXtch is one.

I enjoyed this story, but had a hard time relating to the main character. Even before she got on the plane to Atlanta and eventually wound up in Eufaula, Alabama, Julia Sullivan revealed a host of concerns... dead mother, daddy issues, accident prone, ADHD, slipping work, impending unemployment, a boyfriend she doesn't exactly love... Then, she arrives in Alabama, and there are a whole host of other things to deal with. And when her boss/dad gets involved towards the end, all credulity goes out the window.

I'm not saying it's not a well-written, enjoyable story. I just think if Lauren Clark had pared down these issues, the story could have been more coherent, more enjoyable.

A Lilac Wolf and Stuff Review

Before we have any misunderstandings, I did enjoy this story...for the most part. Julia did start getting on my nerves when she had accident after accident and whatever man happened to be around jumped in to take care of her.

The other issue that popped up were the numerous inconsistencies. I was honestly surprised to see the number of early readers she thanked. They really should have let her know about them. Take the boyfriend, for example. Early in the book she goes into how he hates traveling, really hates it and so they work out well because she is so exhausted from the traveling she does all the time so it doesn't bother her they never go anywhere. Then later on Julia thinks about how he took her to New Orleans for her birthday and on a sky diving trip...you see where I'm going here?

But around that, I did enjoy the story. Julia made great friends down south, even though she never wanted to go there. She learned more about her estranged father than she ever thought possible. And she met a man, although romance was not at the center of this story. She has a boyfriend nearly all the way through it, and I respect that Julia knew she wasn't a very good girlfriend.

Julia isn't a stagnant character either. She goes through a lot of changes, and likes who she is more at the end than at the beginning. I like her more too, although I didn't think she was that rude at the beginning.

Very Interesting Southern Novel

First I have to say, that there is an amazingly delicious recipe at the end of this book that alone is well worth grabbing a copy of this book:)
I have always been fascinated by the South, (I'm in the Northeast), so I was pretty anxious to read this book. Even if I am not really a romance novel fan, I do enjoy reading about other places, and learning new things, especially places that intrigue me.
The story does flow very nicely, and the author has a very pleasant way of introducing all of the characters, and scenes. Very descriptive, and definitely feels like you are there in many scenes! (One of my favorite parts of reading books is for the escape, so this was very appreciated!!)
It certainly wasn't a story I have read before, nothing close, and unfortunately, this is the first I have read by Lauren Clark. I will be checking out more of her work in the near future! I would like to see a second part to this story. (HINT:)
The characters are charming, well, most of them, I am not to thrilled about Shug's woman, but I don't believe we are supposed to be! I was very impressed with how the story twists and all of the excitement that I didn't expect to have in a romance story. (I have no idea why, but romance stories always seem to bore me, and the romantic movies) But this was a lot different then any I have ever seen or read. The author also really keeps your attention in this book, with something always going on, and she is outstanding at making every small detail, so interesting.
I did like Julia, as a character, and all of the drama and issues she was going through since the start of the book, and how her career was on the line, she seemed just like a very normal career woman. However, she had lots of her own problems to deal with, most recently, her job. She is a travel writer, and is so used to traveling to gorgeous, faraway places, until her creativity and writing started to decline and her new boss decided to not print her last article. He sent her to Alabama, which she thought was ridiculous, and tried to refuse to go, until she realized it would be her job that is taken from her next. So, she agrees, reluctantly, (saying she would rather dance naked.. hence the title), and from that point the story really takes off.
I recommend this book to anybody who enjoys romance novels, drama, this is a good choice for taking along on vacation, an airplane ride, a hot summer day, spent in the shade. Any chic literature fans will certainly love how Julia, grows and heals and becomes the young woman at the end of the book!

** I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review **

The saying "Anything bad that can happen, will." That

The saying "Anything bad that can happen, will." That should so be the motto of Julia Sullivan's life. You feel so sorry for her and find her so endearing, yet you are so thankful that you yourself are NOT her!

She is the defination of anal! Sometimes there are people in this world who should take a step away from their scheduled life and Julia is so that person! So being sent to South is a blessing in disguise for her!

I myself am from Texas and even I was impressed by the plethora of Southern phrases! I guess I am not country enough living in the "city" (dallas).

I just really enjoyed Julia's transformation in this. It's really just a great feel good story that teaches you to appreciate the little things in life.

A Must Read

This was a great book, the kind you don't want to put down but are sorry when you have finished it.

Very fun quick read

I really enjoyed this book. City girl goes down south with a bit of mystery and romance. Perfect beach read book! You won'tbe sorry you picked this one.

Lauren Clark is a former TV anchor and journalist bringing her s

Lauren Clark is a former TV anchor and journalist bringing her second novel, Dancing Naked in Dixie, to readers. This contemporary women’s fiction (dare I say chick lit?) is a cute novel in which her heroine undergoes every imaginable problem just to meet her own problems.

Julia is a magazine travel writer living in fast-paced New York City. She is accustomed to traveling the globe when her editor suddenly sends her to the whopping town of Eufala, Alabama. Yep, you heard it here folks. Paris and Rome have fallen to the Deep South. Oh wait! Did I tell you who her editor is? I think you should find out on your own (yes, I’m laughing slightly wickedly).

Upon her arrival, the problems begin. Who would think travel to a southern town would be so problematic? Well, Julia found out. She gets to experience a unique B&B, sweet tea (if you don’t drink it, you really don’t understand the requirement for the South). She meets a few colorful characters during her trip, and finds out about herself as well.

Dancing Naked in Dixie is a read that you won’t want to miss. Enjoyment, light-hearted humor, and a little self-discovery on the way leads to a great read.

I give this a 5 of 5, and add a “Please write more” plea to Lauren Clark

DISCLAIMER: I purchased this book with my own funds.

I wanted to be on the tour for this book, because it sounded rea

I wanted to be on the tour for this book, because it sounded really cute and I live in the south. Now, I live in FL and some wouldn't considered FL Dixie, because of all the northern transplants (like me), but here I sit in a southern state. Anyway, I love stories about the south. I love southern charm and a hot guy with a southern drawl just makes my knees week. I picture Josh Lucas in Sweet Home Alabama. Purrrr.....

On to Julia. I liked Julia, but can't say I really identified with her personally. She's a fly by the seat of your pants kind of gal and I'm more of a planner. I do go with the flow too, but I start out with a plan. Julia...is not that way. I did envy her job though. I mean, how fun would it be to travel around the world and write about all the neat places you visit? I would love that. What a dream job! Sorry, I digress. Julia has some issues with her father, who becomes her boss. He sends her on her way down to Alabama. For some northerners, southern culture can be a shock at first. This was the case for Julia. She was used to the fast paced New York lifestyle and NOT used to everyone being in your business. When she arrives in Alabama, she meets Shug, who is the guy that will show her around and give her info on the town.

Now, Shug is a sweetheart of a guy. He's handsome, nice, good to his mama, loyal, and charming. There is definitely instant attraction happening between the two, but Julia and Shug are both involved with other people at this point. They do eventually get together, but I really felt that the story was more about solving the mystery of the town and Julia finding her own way.

I won't reveal too much about the story, because I do feel like this story was more plot driven. I will say that it was no coincidence that Julia ended up in Eufaula. As in a lot of southern towns, there is tradition, mystery, and family loyalty. As Julia begins to unravel some of these secrets, the town explodes. Literally. As a result, Julia gets more than she ever imagined in a story and it boosts her career to a whole new level.

Overall, I really liked the story. It was a nice change of pace. I tend to read books heavier in romance and I prefer more of a character driven story, but I really did enjoy this one. The only reason I didn't rate it higher was because I wanted a little more romance between Shug and Julia. One word to sum up this story: sweet. So, if you're looking for a sweet story, this is a perfect book for you.

Julia has just gotten home from Italy for a job assignment, hasn

Julia has just gotten home from Italy for a job assignment, hasn't seen her boyfriend yet, and has to go meet the new editor AND meet her deadline. After nearly breaking her toe on a stack of books, she rushes to her meeting and gets a shock of a lifetime. Who she finds behind the doors of the editor's office not only sends her reeling...but sends her packing...to Eufaula, Alabama that is! What she finds there in the quaint little town changes Julia forever; the people, the homes, and the lifestyle. Yep, this is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of New York. But who she finds there is even more spectacular. And he changes her more than anything else, and it scares Julia. Will spending time in Eufaula become a dream come true or will it turn into a nightmare that sends her running back to New York?

Dancing Naked in Dixie was a cute read that ended before I knew it. I got so immersed in the story I didn't even realize I was coming up on the ending. And I will admit that at first I got a little scared the author was going to go into a 'Lets Bash the Southern Rednecks' rant; making fun of everything us Southerners do. But it was nothing like that at all. It's actually kinda funny. But come on...who doesn't love sweet tea?

Characters were really well written and I loved how they all grew on me. Especially Julia ...'bless her heart'...the girl is one big accident waiting to happen. What could go wrong on that trip did go wrong. The romance was sweet...but not overly abundant. In fact, it's not until the end that you really get any. Yeah a few sparks here and there, but the author saves the best for last. I did love the suspense of the storyline; letting me play detective right along with Julia, seeking out all the players to the mystery.

Man it’s crazy how much I am drifting towards Chick Lit lately…and this one was just icing on the cake! So thank you Lauren for asking me to review your book and participate on your tour. I love your writing style and look forward to more of your work in the future.

First I would like to give a huge THANK YOU to AToMR tours for a

First I would like to give a huge THANK YOU to AToMR tours for allowing me to be a part of this tour. This is the first book I have read by Lauren Clark and let me tell you it will NOT be the last.

Dancing Naked in Dixie was full of humor, suspense, and romance. Julia is a travel Journalist and she goes from story to story reporting back what she can. Then one day her assignment is to report on a historical project from Eufaula Alabama. If any of you readers are familiar with the south you will enjoy this book! Lord Julia is so out of her element because she goes from the fast lane to the slowest of slow lanes when she goes to Eufaula Alabama.

As she starts to uncover what is happening with the historical project she finds herself in a place as rare a a diamond because everyone knows you and everyone knows each others business. Julia is determined to get to the bottom of this and on her she gets a few lessons in life, love, and happiness. Yes people here seem like they are from another planet but the more time she spends with them and helps them out the more she is impressed by their no nonsense attitude and slow ways.

This is a summer beach must read. Want a great laugh and more read this book and you will not be disappointed!

This is one of those books that shocks you, because it is so dif

This is one of those books that shocks you, because it is so different from what the book blurb reads, but then again it isn't. I was expecting a light hearted book about a clumsy, cute woman who is sent to Alabama to write her story and then gets caught up in all the funny "goings on" in the town. That is what happens, but what doesn't come across in the blurb is how this is really a gut-wrenching, emotional read about start over.

Julia Sullivan is a travel writer and spends very brief amounts of time at home. She's disorganized and clumsy, which leads to many mishaps on her travels but also serious repercussions at work with her new editor. She has a steady boyfriend who she isn't in love with, but isn't ready to let go of just yet because they get along well. She's estranged from her father and missing her mother terribly after her death two years ago.

But Julia's world does a complete 180 when she sets foot in Eufaula, Alabama. She finds the town charming, it's busy body residents irresistible and her tour guide, Shug Jordan. In this quaint little town, she finds what's been missing in her life: a relationship with her father, putting down roots and opening yourself up to all the joys and pains in life. Without knowing it, Eufaula, Shug and his family and the friends Julia made give her everything she didn't know she wanted, but in the end truly couldn't live without.

This was a pretty good book. I really enjoyed the southern char

This was a pretty good book. I really enjoyed the southern charm. This author took factual bits of information from a town and turned them into an upbeat romantic comedy.

The main character Julia, opens the book with her world being turned upside down. She arrives back home only to find that her career has taken her for a loop. Her boss is a part of her past and she isn't sure how to deal with it.

Her jet set mediocre life gets a facelift as she travels to Eufaula, Alabama for the story that will make or break her career. There, she runs into Shug, PD, Roger and many other eclectic characters from the southern town.

Julia can't seem to catch a break. Hilarity ensues as she gets stuck in one sticky situation after another. The whole time, she doesn't realize how involved she is becoming in the story she is writing.

The author does a good job bringing the story to a close and tying up all the loose ends in a neat little bow. The story was organized, efficient and fun.

The only thing missing in this story was the romance. It was there, but there wasn't that exciting build up and overwhelming follow through. The book could have expanded more in this department.

All in all, if you are looking for a fun southern charmer, then Dancing Naked in Dixie is for you:)

Down Home Dixie Delight!

This was a really fun read. I enjoyed the writing style of Lauren Clark and the story line really gripped me. Being a southern girl myself, I really wanted to dive into a book that would make feel right at home. Lauren Clark's Dancing Naked In Dixie did just that for me and then some! With great characters, fun-filled plot line, and southern charm, Dancing Naked In Dixie is a fantastic read! Julia Sullivan, a New York-based travel writer, used to the hustle and bustle of life in the writing field, and life in New York, is asked to save her job by completing a southern based assignment. Her assignment? Taking on writing an article about The Pilgrimage, a festival of sorts, in Eufaula Alabama. This isn't your normal assignment. When Julia arrives in Alabama the fun just begins. She meets a very, um, how to put this, "different" set of people than she's used to. Now, when I say these folks are "different" I don't mean crazy different (although, so people have been known to call us southerners crazy, just cause!). I mean she meets people who listen to country music, say ya'll, drink good ol' southern sweet tea, and enjoy the fantastic charm-filled southern life. To that I can relate. We southerners really are a fun-loving bunch! But, along the way, Julia finds out that secrets can be found anywhere, including this small-town Alabama place. Not to mention that sometimes, the host can delightfully yummy! As Julia chases her story, she finds that New York Yankee-fied life isn't all it's cracked up to be. And that sometimes, Dancing Naked In Dixie is just the eye opener one needs to see that being happy in life, isn't always about hustle, bustle and fanciness. It's about being true to yourself. I definitely recommend this novel with 5 Books and hats off! I loved the southern charm that Lauren Clark wove into the story. It made me feel right home. If you are looking for a wonderful story filled with laughter, heartache, and love, then look no further than this small-town USA read. Grab ya'll some sweet tea, sit down on your back porch, and enjoy a relaxing chick-lit novel that will leave you feeling right at home in good ol' Dixie! Well done, Ms. Clark! You've gained a new fan :).

Dancing Naked in Dixie is the type of novel to have you laughing

Dancing Naked in Dixie is the type of novel to have you laughing on page one (I really did this, and I was on the train) and pacing that doesn't bore you, or speed past you.

Dancing Naked in Dixie is a must read for any fans of Jennifer Weiner or Sophie Kinsella. It's a bundle of laughs. Poor Julia is a clutz, to put it mildly. She seems to attract trouble. What I loved about the story is nothing felt forced, and the narrative and scenes flowed.

It's a light read, perfect for a long drive, a plane ride (hopefully less eventful than Julia experiences), or to cheer up a boring weekend.

An aspect of chic lit novels are how some characters are shallow -- well I loved all the characters. All varied, and they didn't all mesh into one constant voice. Julia is clutzy, Mary Katherine is cooky and OTT (Over The Top), Shug is a nice guy, Andrew is the too-perfect-boyfriend, PD is someone you'd want to have as a sister-in-law, Ella Rae is a little sh*t of a child ... and it goes on.

True to Chic Lit, this novel is about empowering Julia. I felt sorry for her as she grew up attached to her mum, never got to know her father, but then her mum died young. When her dad turns up as Julia's boss, I really felt like punching him because he spoke/acted a bit obnoxiously. To Lauren Clark's credit, he was always real and relatable on some level.

Being an Australian, I rely heavily on descriptions in novels to take me to American settings. Few books interest me in this regard, because the place/town hasn't transported me there. I can proudly say, that Dancing Naked in Dixie makes me want to see Alabama, ya'll! And eat all the yummy food, and see all the historic sites, and, and, and.

Unfortunately, though, there were some aspects that didn't quite satisfy me. One was Julia's constant knack for screwing everything up. Even when I didn't think it was possible! The storyline about the political side of things, I felt, was introduced too late, and then for a chunk it overpowered other aspects of the story, such as the love interest. Also, the ending dragged on for a little too long, with many things "explained" by the characters speaking dialogue to each other -- this felt like it was there for the reader's knowledge more so.

Overall, this novel has relatable characters, a hilarious thread of comedy strung through the story, and never dulls in pacing.

4 stars and recommended to ya'll (read the book to get the "insider's" joke).

When I first saw the title “Dancing Naked in Dixie,”

When I first saw the title “Dancing Naked in Dixie,” I knew I had to have a copy of this book for my library. After all, who doesn’t want a great book like that in their library, if for no other reason than the great conversation you can start by saying, “So I was reading this book called “Dancing Naked in Dixie…” At that time I just knew I loved the title, now I know that Lauren Clark has written a charming book that is as welcoming as the people in Eufaula, Alabama.

The story is charming. It is about small town America where values still matter and people still leave their doors unlocked because it is safe enough to do so. The story conveys that we all need to slow down, smell the flowers, enjoy one another, and occasionally get off our roller-coaster rush of life.

I took a little to get into the story, a chapter or so, but then the story had my total attention. Romance, scheming, quirky characters, betrayal, this story has all that and a few twists besides.

I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds and whole-heartedly recommend it for your reading pleasure.