Again, Alabama with Susan Sands

8E3A3724Debut author Susan Sands recently sold to Tule Publishing and I’m very excited to host her on my blog as I’ve read her novel, Again, Alabama and loved it.  I couldn’t wait to introduce Susan to my readers and friends.

Please help me  welcome Susan Sands to JaneBlog! ~

I’m honored to be here, Jane. Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog today!

I started writing when I turned forty. It was better than finding a boyfriend, according to my husband. My kids were growing up and finding their own interests, and I’d always been a lover of romance and women’s fiction novels, especially ones set in the South. I grew up in small town Louisiana, far from anything resembling a city, and spent my days reading Nancy Drew books, then Harlequin romances as a child, then a teen. But really, what else was there to do?

AgainAlabama-LARGE

My novel, AGAIN, ALABAMA, is set in a fictitious historic town not far from Birmingham. Why Alabama? I’ve been asked many times. Being a Georgia resident with Louisiana roots, the question makes sense. Well, have your ever heard a native Alabaman say the word, Alabama? It kind of rolls off the tongue, like honey, like Tom Hanks’ version in Forrest Gump.  Al-uh-bohmuh. It sounds immensely sweet. I pass through several small towns in Alabama every year both on my way home to Louisiana and on my annual trek to the Florida Gulf Coast for our family beach vacation during the summer. (Yes, you do pass through Alabama from Georgia to get to Florida) I’m always inspired to stop and make my way onto some stranger’s lovely porch in Eufaula and drink sweet tea. It’s almost a compulsion at this point.

Here’s more about the book –

Cammie Laroux is back in Alabama—again.

Dragged back to her small town to help her mother recover from surgery while rescuing the family event planning business should be a cinch. Even for a disgraced television chef, right? Wrong.

Among the many secrets Cammie’s family’s been hiding is the fact that their historic home is falling down. Oh, and the man hired to restore the house, Grey Harrison, is the same high school and college love of her life who thrashed her heart and dreams ten years ago. Yeah, that guy.

Grey, a widower with a young daughter, has never stopped loving Cammie, and when they are face to face once again, the chemistry is off the charts. Cammie may be in full-blown denial, but letting go is no longer in Grey’s vocabulary, even when winning Cammie’s forgiveness and renovating their love may seem like an impossible build even for a master architect and carpenter.

As Cammie finds herself forgetting all the reasons she can’t trust Grey or love again, he finds himself remembering all the reasons he wants her to stay with him in Alabama… forever.

In the story, Cammie enters the local Pecan Pie cook off against some pretty stiff competition. Here is her winning recipe:

Cammie’s White Chocolate Pecan Pie
Serves 10-12
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (9-inch) pie crust, homemade or bought
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
  • 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
  • 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • Whipped cream or ice cream for serving (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Layer the pecans and white chocolate chips on the bottom of your pie shell.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, and flour until thoroughly combined. Carefully pour the mixture over the nuts and white chips, trying not to dislodge them.

Cover edges of piecrust before baking to prevent over browning. Bake the pie until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set in the center, about 35-40 minutes. Transfer pie to a wire rack and let cool for a couple of hours.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Cammie would be proud!

Anyway, folks, I do hope you will give my small town and it’s fun, crazy characters a try. Cammie and Grey are a couple we want to root for no matter what awfulness has befallen them in the past. It’s a second chance story not to miss.

I love connecting with readers! Please find me at:

Facebook Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/susannsandsauthor
Twitter:  @SusanNoelSands
Blog:  Sweet Home Alpharetta at susansands.com

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Again Alabama sounds absolutely wonderful, Susan!  Thank you for sharing with us.

Readers, there you are.  Another wonderful author and a great story recommendation! I hope you’ll download a copy of Again, Alabama soon.  As it happens, I just saw Susan last night! She and inspirational author Lindi Peterson, both attended my book event in Marietta, GA.

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Meanwhile, what’s even more fun than a good book to read?  The promise of more good books and goodies!  For a chance to win a fun mystery prize, leave a comment for Susan and tell us what you love most about stories based in the South.  Contest ends Friday with winner announced on Saturday.

 

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