Pie Girls
Lauren Clark
Genre: Southern Women's Fiction
Publisher: Camellia Press
Date of Publication: August 5, 2014
Number of pages: 336
Word Count: 88,300
Excerpt:Princess, Southern belle, and spoiled-rotten social climber Searcy Roberts swore on a stack of Bibles she’d never return home to Fairhope, Alabama. After marrying her high school sweetheart and moving to Atlanta, Searcy embraces big-city life—Carrie Bradshaw style.
But now, Searcy has a teeny, tiny problem. Her husband’s had a mid-life crisis. He’s quit his job, cancelled her credit cards, and left her for another man.
Searcy returns to Fairhope, ready to lick her wounds. But when her mother falls ill, she’s is thrust into managing the family business—only to discover the beloved bakery is in danger of closing its doors forever.
Enlisting the help of the adorable bike store owner next door, an array of well-heeled customers, and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Searcy hatches the plan of the century to save Pie Girls.
"C.C.," I exclaim, standing on tiptoes for an air kiss. "What a lovely surprise."Guest Post:
She clears her throat, and I step back. "You haven't greeted my Precious," C.C. warns in a lilting voice, tilting her head toward the pink sequined bag hanging over her left forearm.
Precious? Like as in the Lord of the Rings? Surely she doesn't mean...
A tiny black nose and beady eyes poke out of the bag.
"Eek!" I jump back and squeal, clapping a hand to my chest and dropping the keys.
The dog—if you can call it that—begins yipping and complaining like I've just whipped it with a cat o' nine tails.
I freeze in place, flush a lovely shade of violet, and want to self-destruct; certain that I've committed what equates to a mortal sin in the world according to C.C. Anderson. She's carrying her new puppy, a tiny Min-Pin; complete with pink collar and matching pink toenails.
"I'm so sorry—"
C.C. waves her own pink manicured fingernails an inch from my face.
"Mama's poor little baby," she coos in a high-pitched falsetto. "Are you okay, my sweetie-weetie, lovey girl?"
My jaw drops open slightly. I've never heard the woman utter a word of endearment toward any human being or living creature.
When I first dated Alton, I was almost certain that C.C., in fact, was among the un-dead. Five years ago, when she and Alton’s father decided to move to Atlanta—under the auspices of closer to their only son—I almost had him talked into buying some dove's blood from Marie Laveau's shop in New Orleans just to see if she'd drink it.
"Mama's Precious will be all right, won't she?" C.C. continues. "Searcy's just a bad girl. She'll do better, I promise, darling."
Music is such an inspiration. It can make you feel a myriad of emotions—giddy and uplifted, sad and melancholy—or just ready to party! It’s the same for my new novel, Pie Girls. I’ve chosen the following 10 songs that seem to fit Searcy’s story perfectly. Get ready to listen and have fun with this list! Here we go!
10. Downtown, Lady Antebellum – The lyrics of this song fit Searcy’s life to a ‘T.” She’s longing to be downtown Atlanta on her anniversary, celebrating and having fun with Alton and her best friends. If you haven’t watched this video, it’s hilarious!
9. Don’t Speak, No Doubt - This song came to mind when Alton breaks the news to Searcy that he doesn’t want to be married anymore. She doesn’t want to hear what her husband is telling her. The song and lyrics capture so many emotions. It’s a little disbelief, a little anger, and a lot of regret.
8. Un-break My Heart, Toni Braxton – This is a brilliant, heartbreaking “I’ve lost the love of my life” song. You can’t watch the video without getting a little teary. Braxton’s voice is amazing.
7. Wide Awake, Katy Perry – This song definitely mirrors the beginning of Searcy’s transformation. The lyrics are so powerful, as is the video. Here, Searcy is realizing that she was never living an authentic life with Alton. It’s difficult to swallow, but necessary for her growth into a really fabulous person.
6. Let it Go, Indina Menzel – Yes, I know. It’s a Disney Movie song. But don’t you just love it? Again, Searcy is doing her best to find her place in the universe and keep her chin up against some serious complications in her life. She desperately needs to believe in herself. This is the start of her really doing that!
5. Smile, Uncle Kracker – This is one of my go-to happy songs. It really epitomizes a turn-around in Searcy’s life. She’s finding her groove, things are going well with Luke, and she’s finding she’s really good at running the bakery.
4. Earthquake Weather, Matt Nathanson – This song and the next are both mentioned in Pie Girls. Matt Nathanson is a great performer and his songs are just the kind that you want to get up and dance to when no one’s looking! (Cue the painting scene at Pie Girls)
3. Kill the Lights, Matt Nathanson - This is the second song mentioned in Pie Girls when Searcy’s having a night alone in the shop. She’s definitely thinking about Luke during this one!
2. Shake it Off, Taylor Swift – Searcy’s transformation into a thoughtful, caring, and loving adult is almost complete. She’s more resilient now, and refuses to back down, no matter how many challenges she’s facing. She comes up with a fabulous, slightly crazy idea to save Pie Girls—and decides she is going to succeed and be happy despite what anyone else says.
1. Happy, Pharrell Williams – I love a happy ending, and that’s what Pie Girls delivers! You’ll have to read to find out what I’m talking about!
I’d love to know what you think about my Pie Girls soundtrack! Any other songs that I should include?
Giveaway:
Lauren will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Book Tour Info:
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:
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My Devotional Thoughts
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You Gotta Read Reviews
Author Bio:
Lauren Clark writes contemporary Southern novels sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets. A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends.
She is the author of four award-winning novels, Dancing Naked in Dixie, Stay Tuned, Stardust Summer, and Pie Girls, as well as a short story, A Very Dixie Christmas, published in the Merry & Bright holiday collection. Lauren is a member of the Gulf Coast Writers Association and the Mobile Writers Guild. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.
To connect with the author online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads
Author Bio:
To connect with the author online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads
great excerpt
ReplyDeleteThank you MomJane! So glad you enjoyed it! C.C. is a woman to be feared by all - LOL!
Delete<3 Lauren
Enjoyed reading the thoughts behind your play list.
ReplyDeleteKaren - So glad you found the playlist "thoughts" interesting! My older son came out of his bedroom while I was putting it together ... wondering why I was watching video after video on YouTube! LOL xxx, Lauren
DeleteI loved the LOTR reference in the excerpt, way to get your geek on, Clark! Author playlists are so much fun; No Doubt is DA BOMB, and Lady Antebellum is pretty freaking good too. Thanks for sharing, and for the chance to win! I can never resist an Amazon GC giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks Carmel! I'm such a geek when it comes to fantasy and superheroes. So glad you loved the playlist. The No Doubt song does kick some booty. And I loooove Lady A. Of course, I have a small crush on Matt Nathanson, as I mention him in my book. Last time it was Harry Connick Jr., but that was a holiday theme...happy sigh for his New Orleans drawl :)
DeleteCheers! Lauren
Judith - Thank you so much for hosting me on your Musings and Ramblings blog! Loved the excerpt you picked....things only get worse for Searcy then! Really enjoyed doing the playlist!
ReplyDeleteHugs! Lauren
Book sounds interesting and the Excerpt. Deb P
ReplyDeleteAn interesting play list.
ReplyDeleteI love the shoe on the cover, it's amazing!
ReplyDelete