Thursday, August 4, 2011

Author Q&A & Giveaway with Nancy Naigle

PhotobucketI am so happy to welcome Nancy Naigle to my blog today.  I had the great honor of meeting Nancy at the Lori Foster Author Reader Get Together this year.  I was seated at her table and had lunch with her and got the opportunity to learn more about her and what she has in store for her readers.


Website:  http://nancynaigle.com/
Twitter:  @nancynaigle
Facebook:  Nancy Naigle

Welcome to Hanging With Bells Nancy!

So Nancy I was born in raised up North and it wasn't until I moved to Maryland that I had my first taste of Sweet Tea. In fact, I had never heard of it. Now, I'm addicted to it and must have it on a daily basis. So I love that the word Sweet Tea is in the title of your book as well as being in the storyline. Tell us about your love of Sweet Tea.

I was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA and it wasn’t until I was an adult traveling on business that I realized the whole world didn’t drink iced tea that way. What a shocker. Pearl’s Perfect Sweet Tea recipe is in the back of the book and on my website at http://www.nancynaigle.com/sweettea.htm We always have a pitcher of sweet tea in the refrigerator.

One of the characters in the book Pearl passes away and her passing was a lost for the town of Adams Grove. Pearl was a part of everyone's life that lived there and it seemed as if her advice to others was based on what she learned as her life went on. Were you ever influenced by someone like that in your life?

Not by one person, but I love the wisdom of our elders. I am simply captivated by their stories and memories. I loved writing the character of Pearl. She’s unforgettable. Whenever I tweet her Pearl-isms...people just love them. That always makes me smile. By the way, Sweet Tea and Secrets was originally titled Pearls of Wisdom.

Your book was an escape for me. Some of the books that I were reading had a real heavy feeling to it. I loved the small town setting and felt like I was there while I was reading it. Did you incorporate some of your own life into the storyline?

Wow, that’s the best compliment ever! That’s the whole reason I wanted to get my books published! It’s a crazy paced world we live in these days and we are juggling family, career, hobbies, and dreams. It can be exhausting, and daunting. I wanted my books to be the kind of stories that helped people relax. You know, suddenly your toes uncurl, your neck relaxes, and you realize .... that feels good. Life balance is so important, but hard to do. I hope my stories will help other busy gals find a little retreat from the microwavin’ drive thru pace of life we lead these days.

There are some little snippets of my life in the stories I write. I live in a small town in southern Virginia on a goat farm. Yes, you read that right. My husband is a full time goat rancher. I love the slower pace and kinder ways of our life. You’ll notice there’s at least a mention of a goat somewhere in each one of my books J In Sweet Tea and Secrets I compare Becky to a goat who always wants what they can’t have. I also mention yarn made from the fiber from Kashmir goats, oh and that goat farmer that bought the house that Garrett’s been working on...that’s a lead in to Out of Focus (coming in November).

The main character Jill in the storyline does some cooking in the book and I have to say that my stomach may have grumbled a few times while I was reading. LOL What is your favorite dish to make or eat?

I love to cook big meals. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and holiday gatherings are my favorite meals to cook. I’m a good planner so getting everything done on schedule is fun for me. I’m a southern girl so most of my best dishes are comfort food, like: meatloaf, fried cube steak, slow cooked barbecue ribs, homemade mashed potatoes, collards, butter beans. One thing that I love to eat that I’ve never mastered is good ol’ fashioned southern fried chicken. YUM.

Are you currently writing now and what do you have planned for the future.

Out of Focus is the second in the Adams Grove series and it will be out in November. I’m also working on Expiration Date, another book with ties to Adams Grove, for the spring.

Meanwhile, I co-wrote a young adult suspense with a friend, Phyllis C. Johnson. That book is written under the pen name Johnson Naigle and is titled, inkBLOT. It’s out in e-format now and the print version will be available 8/16. It’s a great story that Phyllis plotted after taking an online inkblot quiz and freaking herself out when they asked a bunch of personal questions. When she told me the idea I fell in love with it. It was a lot of fun to collaborate on a novel together. That’s something I’d never done before. You can find out more about that book at www.inkBLOTtheNovel.com.

Giveaway
Nancy is generously giving away a copy of her book
in paperback (US only) or ebook form (International):

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Visit the small town of Adams Grove where the biggest crime last year was a few hunters bagging over the legal limit of deer. This sleepy little town is wide awake and locking its doors after a series of break-ins over at Pearl Clemmons' place. Adams Grove is mourning the loss of Pearl Clemmons, known for her award-winning Chocolate Pecan Pie and the best unsolicited advice in the county.

When Jill returns to settle her grandmother’s estate, she’s greeted by a Clydesdale-sized guardian dog who doesn't seem to be earning his stripes (although he drools on them pretty well), and Garrett Malloy, the ex-fiancé she left behind a year ago.

Jill insists on staying at Pearl’s amidst the string of break-ins, but Jill’s past with Garrett becomes the least of her worries when she learns that their lives are in danger and she's the only person standing between a desperate conman and a secret from Pearl’s past.

Will Pearl’s past kill any chance of Jill and Garrett’s future together?
If you're a US winner, you'll also get a bag of
yummy Iced Tea Candy!
Nancy told me about them and now I'm hooked!
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Please leave an email with your comment and let me know if you are US or international. You don't have to be a follower of my blog, but I'd greatly appreciate a follow! Giveaway ends 8/09/11 at 12 PM EST and winner will be chosen using random.org.

Good luck and a big thanks to Nancy Naigle for stopping by today.

18 comments:

  1. Thanks for the giveaway. Growing up, I had a neighbor with goats. It was a small town and not on a farm.

    lillieblue613(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. I got sidetracked coming to the comments. Did you see that guys pretty tummy? Right there-->

    Whew. (fanning myself!) Thanks! I needed that.

    Thank you for having me here today, Bells. Sorry I got you addicted to the sweet tea candy. There isn't a 12-step program for that yet. We might have to start one!

    It is a lot of fun living on a goat farm. I've got some pictures of some cute ones on my facebook page, too. Oh...and one of Cheezburger (our new baby calf) he's reading my book while he takes his bottle. Isn't that sweet of my husband to hold the book for him? What a guy.

    Okay ya'll...ask questions and/or leave a comment and win a copy of my book :) so you can take your own little escape to Adams Grove.

    Hugs and happy reading,
    Nancy

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  3. sounds like a comforting down to earth book. thanks for having the giveaway.
    julie
    jbarrett5 at cox.net

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  4. I love sweet tea, so I definitely think I will like this book (okay, I also like mysteries and tea candy).
    rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

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  5. It's Joe, Nancy. He is worth getting sidetracked a bit.

    I loved Sweet Tea & Secrets! I felt like I knew Adams Grove(small-town Southern girl here)and can't wait to visit again.

    I already own Sweet Tea & Secrets, so don't include me in the drawing. Will say I'm also hooked on the sweet tea candy Nancy sent me in the mail. :)

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  6. I'm spreading the sweet tea love!!! I think the cool lunch table is made up of sweet tea lovers. Don't you think??

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  7. Oh...and did I mention there are some recipes in the back of the book. Pearl's Award Winning Chocolate Pecan Pie...so rich and gooey fudgy yummy...you'll eat it BEFORE you eat dinner.

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  8. Yes Nancy! The cool lunch table is seated with sweet tea lovers! I want to make that Chocolate Pecan Pie too! YUM!

    I'm in love with Joe as well.

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  9. I can't wait to try Pear's chocolate pecan pie. I have a friend who's favorite pie ever is pecan pie. I'm pretty sure she loves chocolate pecan pie too. Must make for her soon.

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  10. Hey ya'll
    I just got a note from a gal, Julie Bee Lippo, who couldn't get her comment to post.

    Here it is::
    Julie Bee Lippo commented on your link.
    Julie wrote: "i can never seem to post a comment on these blog sites.... Could you enter me in this please.. I would be super blessed to be able to win but if Not I will purchase it for my Nook Color and in paperback. Brenda Parker gave me your info and I can't wait to read your books :) have a blessed evening. Thank you Nancy"

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  11. Thanks for posting her comment Nancy. Sorry that your comment didn't post Julie. :(

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  12. I am in the USA. Please enter me in contest. Sounds like a good read. Tore923@aol.com

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  13. Great post. I live in the US! And I don't think I've ever heard of sweet tea candy. It sounds odd but also good.

    ruby95660@yahoo.com

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  14. I am in the US and it looks like an interesting story.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

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  15. I live in the US and I have to say once I tasted sweet tea I had to learn how to make it for myself. I always have it on hand. Your books sounds like a wonderful read. Oh I I do love the Eye Candy on this site. It never fails to make me sigh.
    ahhhhh yummy
    musicalfrog at comcast.net

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