Friday, February 6, 2015

Whistlin' Dixie by Maggie Adams | Blog Tour with Excerpt, Author Interview, and Giveaway


The Blurb


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.


Whistlin' Dixie by Maggie Adams
Series: Tempered Steel, #1
Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense
Publication Date: November 13, 2014
Paperback: 242 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1503228085
eBook File Size: 1360 KB
ASIN: B00PKEQU4G
Amazon | Barnes & NobleGoodreads



The Excerpt


Dixie smiled back, but her smile slowly faltered as Mac grabbed her hand, and drew her into his arms. Dixie didn’t know what to do. She was pretty sure this was not proper business protocol. Alarm bells were going off in her head, but heaven help her, she didn’t want to move. Since meeting this man last night, her mind had conjured up all sorts of ideas about his hands; fantasizing about how it would feel to be held in his strong arms — absolutely wonderful. To have his fingers lightly touched her cheek… With a jolt of awareness, Dixie realized she was almost purring. His lips were coming closer. He was most definitely going to kiss her. Her knees began to shake at the mere thought of it. The phrase “Devil’s playmate” floated across her jumbled mind as he bent his head, blocking out the light.

At the first touch of her sweet lips, Mac’s mind and body rocked with desire. Never before had such an innocent kiss robbed him of his self-control. But she was so warm and sweet; she even tasted like bubblegum. He almost laughed out loud, but it would’ve meant breaking the exquisite contact. He wasn’t about to do that. Not when he had her exactly where he wanted her. Well, not exactly, he amended in his mind. He wanted her naked and writhing underneath him, but this was neither the time nor the place. Although the door did have a lock….






Interview with the Author


Did you have a specific inspiration for this book?   The series, Tempered Steel, 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 in Grafton. I saw the pictures on the news and heard the stories from other family members, but unless you are actually there, you just can’t fathom that type of destruction. It gave me the idea for this series, and Whistlin’ Dixie is the first book. So what better setting than a town than had actually endured it and rebuilt to become bigger and better.

Did you have a favorite character in the book? Why?  Well, I’m pretty partial to Dixie. She may be small, but she’s mighty! She is ferocious if she thinks someone is messing with the people she cares about, but she is also insecure in her own self worth. She needs a man who understands that. Someone who will cherish her, boost her self confidence, and keep her safe from her reckless temper.

What is the best part of being an author? I’m not sure I can pick one part. As a new author, it’s all pretty fantastic. From finding a cover designer, to an editor that said she likes my work and wants to help, to all these fabulous readers who like my page or leave comments and reviews, it’s unbelievable. I wrote Whistlin’ Dixie because the story wouldn’t leave my head and now it’s out there in the real world for everyone. That’s incredible to me.

When and Why did you begin writing? Actually writing the stories in my head down came when I was in middle school, I guess. Before that, I would just make them up in my head and leave them there to bring out at my leisure and add to them. I didn’t have an ideal childhood, so reading and making up stories was a means of escape for me. There wasn’t a lot I could do about my situation as a child, but I could create a better place in my fantasies and writing.

Do you prefer to write books that are in a series, or standalone? Well, they all seem to start out as a standalone and then, BAM, I’ve got to add on or change a situation. One thing leads to another and I’ve got a series, a novella, and soon, a cookbook for Tempered Steel and the Coalson family.

Can you tell us about any books you might have in the planning stage? Since Tempered Steel is a series and Whistlin’ Dixie is the first book, I’ve got my work cut out for me.  There are seven super hot alpha brothers in the Coalson family, and they each deserve their own story, plus maybe a novella to tie in a bit of mystery. Then there is the cookbook. I’ve included a recipe that’s mentioned in the book at the end of story, but since the Coalsons love to eat, well, a cookbook of their favorite recipes mentioned throughout the series is a must!
Aside from that, I have a paranormal trilogy involving a sorcerer, a vampire, a werewolf, a fairy, and time travel.
Oh, and, I’ve written a trilogy of erotic romance, but I’m thinking I may need to increase it to a series. Those voices in my head keep giving me ideas!

What books by other authors have influenced your life? The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss was the first romance book I ever read (fairytales don’t count!). It remains my favorite. Every time I thought my world was bad, I’d escape into the book. I love Amanda Quick, Jayne Ann Krentz, Julia Quinn, Lexi Blake and Shayla Black. And I’ve read Charlaine Harris’ “Sookie Stackhouse” books probably a dozen times. Sometimes back to back and I start again! She’s brilliant at bringing an entire new world into our world.

Which writer would you consider to be a mentor? Cali MacKay. I’ve only been on the horizon for less than six months, but she reached out to me in a message when I first started my Facebook page, offering help. We bonded over trading recipes! She’s just a lovely, thoughtful person and I’m blessed to have her friendship. Her writing style is similar to mine so that helps if I need to discuss a situation with her. And her “inspirational man candy” posts are always a hoot!

What are you currently reading? My TBR list is sooo long, but I try to read something new at least once a week. Currently, I’m reading Uncover Me by Chelle Bliss. It’s the latest in her Men of Ink series and I absolutely love it!

Do you have any hobbies other than reading? I love dancing! Unfortunately, my husband doesn’t. So I freestyle it a lot around the house. It’s not unusual for the mailman to catch me bouncing out to just about anything. I love music almost as much as I love books.

Are there any new authors who have captured your interest? Of course! It just depends on the genre. Rosemary Rey’s Bound series is erotic romance with suspense. C. C. Cartwright’s My Mr. series is sexy fun contemporary romance.

If you could have a dinner party and invite four authors, living or dead, any genre, who would you invite and why? Alexander Dumas because his classics never go out of style; Cali MacKay because she’s my friend and I’d like a buddy there; Mark Twain because I love the way he looks at the little things in life; and Luke, from the Bible, to get the real scoop.

What four items do you always have in your fridge or pantry? milk, coffee, popcorn, peanut butter


Is there anything else you would like readers to know? Book Two of the Tempered Steel series is set for release on Feb 28th, 2015. Here’s an overview:
Sam Coalson, ex-Navy Seal, has returned to Grafton for the wedding of his brother. After being run out of town fifteen years ago for a crime he didn’t commit, he’s determined to claim what is rightfully his and take on anyone crazy enough to try and stop him.

Angel Devereaux is smart, sexy and definitely on Sam’s blacklist. After siding with Sam’s enemy fifteen years ago, Angel can’t help but wonder what if….what if Sam had never left? What if he could forgive her now? She had her reasons, but he won’t listen. So enough with words, sometimes action is exactly what’s called for.

The Author

About Maggie Adams



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. 


Find me on the web at


The Giveaway


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

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