Whistlin' Dixie by Maggie Adams

Maggie Adams Isn’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie About The Grafton Flood

Whistlin’ Dixie is the first book in my contemporary romance series, Tempered Steel. The series revolves around the efforts of one family to rebuild their community after a devastating flood. I know just how horrific a flood can be to a small town like Grafton, Illinois. My friends and family lived through the Mississippi River Flood of 1993.

I personally lived in the Grafton area for several years and that is why it is the perfect setting for my series. Our family moved in February of 1993, but my daughter went to kindergarten at the old Grafton School and my son was baptized at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. I saw the pictures on the news of how the Mississippi River overflowed its banks, causing millions in damage. I heard the stories from other family members of how the churches and beloved historical buildings were all but destroyed, but unless you are actually there, you just can’t fathom that type of destruction. It gave me the idea for this series.

Although the story is romantic fiction, many of the places and events portrayed are in Grafton, Illinois. Whistlin’ Dixie tells the tale of the romance between the eldest brother of seven, Mac Coalson, the owner of a construction company, who is trying to rebuild the town after a flood. Vandals have wreaked havoc on the new construction, and he’s determined to find the culprits. When evidence points to the brother of the new schoolteacher (Dixie), she locks horns with the stubborn construction company owner. They grudgingly agree to combine efforts to find the vandal, but their relationship is volatile at best.

It’s a story about real life struggle, and how fate plays a hand in life. It has humor, suspense, and a healthy dose of steamy romance, along with sites many locals will recognize. The bluffs, the river, Pere Marquette Lodge, and the marina, as well as several local businesses, names changed, of course, are all a part of the story.

As to the characters, well, my husband comes from a family of ten children – seven brothers, three sisters. I learned first-hand the dynamics of the large family, how every person is different, with differing opinions and characteristics. I took one or two particular characteristics of each of the brothers and used it to create the characters for my series. Although they are completely alpha males (read stubborn and hard headed here), they are also compassionate, honorable men who love fiercely and forever.

The female characters aren’t your typical types, either. They are just as hard-working, hard-headed, and hard to handle as their male counterparts. No shrinking violets, here. They know what they want and are determined to get it. And if it takes knocking a few heads together to achieve that goal, well, better get the ice packs ready!

The secondary characters that make up the small community are real folks, too (names changed) that I remember from my childhood in the Grafton area as well as some new friends I met while researching the changes in Grafton over the past twenty years. My characters are “Characters”, there’s no doubt about that! But again, I tried to convey the actual feel of this small community where everyone knows everyone and if they don’t, well, you can be sure they will find out who you are before you leave.

Whistlin’ Dixie is full of fun, laughter, suspense and of course, steamy romance. Book Two, Leather and Lace is now available as well. So now there’s twice the reason to grab a glass of iced tea and settle in to visit with the friendly folks of Grafton, Illinois. After all, who doesn’t like a little fun, laughter and a sexy ever after?

Available at:
Amazon

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A man on a mission....

Mackenzie Coalson was determined to rebuild his hometown after a devastating flood left it in ruins. He has no time for a relationship and all the romantic junk that goes with it. He has a vandal to catch and no sweet smelling bundle of femininity is going to sway him. 

A woman protecting her family.....

Dixie Harris charged into the county sheriff's office with a sassy sway and a smart mouth, eager to give the sheriff, and anyone else, a piece of her mind. When she locks horns with the devil himself, in the form of Mac Coalson, she quickly learns he has a temper to rival hers, even if he's the living epitome of her sexual fantasies.

When the two unite to catch a potential murderer, it's in everyone's best interest to keep it, "business only". But that's hard to do when their combined attraction is volatile enough to burn down the town.

Excerpt


He had to know if what she had told the doctor was the truth. “Your brother suggested I tie you up and stuff a rag in your mouth to get you to listen to me, but since you’re not going anywhere but here, this will do just fine.” He patted the blankets near her hand.

 “If you don’t leave this instant, I’m going to scream.” She nodded to him to show she meant business.

He laughed.

Dixie was furious. She was practically an invalid and he was teasing her mercilessly. She wanted to throttle him. She wanted him to hold her. She was definitely going crazy. Either that, or the drugs were making her delirious. She couldn’t make up her mind about anything.

“Thanks for the warning, darlin’. I guess I’ll take your brother’s advice after all.” He reached into his back pocket for a handkerchief.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she growled.

Suddenly Mac leaned closer, putting his arms on either side of her head as he pinned her with his gaze. “I’ll dare anything to clear up this mess and have you back in my arms where you belong.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Hi! I'm Maggie Adams. I live near St. Louis, MO, with my high school sweetheart, Ned, and my wonderful kids, Katie (Kyle) and Ross (Valerie). My life is like a walking, talking sitcom from I Love Lucy, but I love it, although people do tend to keep their distance from me!

 Writing has always been my dream, with reading my favorite hobby. When I’m not writing, I can be found singing, dancing, and cooking, often all at the same time. I try to include a little bit of my life in everything I write, so when you read my books, keep your eyes wide open - I'm in there somewhere! Happy reading!

I love to hear from readers and I can be contacted at maggieadamsbooks@gmail.com. 

Website: www.maggieadamsbooks.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006716025147

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/maggieadams.

http://www.amazon.com/Whistlin-Dixie-Tempered-Steel-Book-ebook/dp/B00PKEQU4G

Maggie will award a $20 GC to Amazon or Barnes and Noble to one randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.


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