The Curl Up and Dye, plus a Giveaway

I’m excited to welcome author Sharon Sala to Thoughts in Progress today as part of her virtual book tour for the release of her 99th novel (and first commercial fiction), THE CURL UP AND DYE.

Sharon is joining us today to answer some questions for me about her new release and her writing. In addition, she is giving away one print copy of THE CURL UP AND DYE to a lucky visitor. Please see the end of the post for the giveaway details.


I first learned of Sharon through THE CURL UP AND DYE prequel and novella COLOR ME BAD. I was hooked on the delightful Southern town of Blessings and its zany characters. Here’s a brief synopsis of THE CURL UP AND DYE to show you what I mean:

What happens when Georgia’s Peachy Keen Queen realizes it’s time for a makeover, both inside and out?
      In the 11 years since LilyAnn Bronte claimed her crown, her fiancé was killed in Iraq and her mama escaped to Florida with her new husband. Lost in the glory days of her youth, LilyAnn’s zest for life has fallen by the wayside as she struggles to move on. But when the very handsome stranger roars into town, rattling his pipes and turning heads, LilyAnn decides it’s time to shed her skeletons—and some pounds.
      On the other side of town, the ladies of The Curl Up and Dye beauty salon can’t help but interfere with LilyAnn’s plans, scheming the setup of the century between LilyAnn and the cute gym trainer and boy next door, Mike Dalton. As LilyAnn embarks on a quest to remake herself, she discovers an inner strength she never knew she had…But who will ever notice a washed-up beauty queen?
      Filled with the charm, quirky characters, and juicy gossip of a Southern beauty shop and sprinkled with Sala’s page-turning drama, humor, and suspenseful plot twists, THE CURL UP AND DYE is the story of a woman who finds the strength to reclaim her life—but not without the help of her sassy group of gussied-up gals. 

Now help me welcome Sharon to Thoughts.

Mason - With the zany characters in your book, I just have to ask are they based on people you know, a combination of people or just totally made up?

Sharon:
The people are totally made up. I would hope I had enough imagination to do that. I would NEVER base characters on people I know for fear that it would hurt their feelings or make them angry.  LOL

Mason - What one thing do you dislike most about writing?

Sharon:
The ONLY downside to writing for me is how long it takes to get paid. We get royalties twice a year. We never know how much they will be because they are based on sales, and between people pirating eBooks and reading off of sites that are pirate sites, as well, money has taken a sharp downturn. That being said, I still love this job better than any job I've had. It's what I was born to do and it makes me happy.

Mason - Most writers also enjoy reading when they have a chance. What was the last book you read?

Sharon:
It's been so long since I've had a chance to sit down and read a book I can't even remember. I care for my mother, who is 94 and who is suffering from dementia, full-time in my home without help. Between keeping her happy and feeling safe, and my writing, free time is non-existent. I will say... my two favorite writers are John Hart who wrote THE LAST CHILD, and Robert Crais, who writes super mysteries.

Mason - You write about a small town with such a flourish. Is the town based on a real town or a combination of towns you've visited or one you wish existed?

Sharon:
Again... imagination. I always lived in the country until I was grown, and then moved back to the country for many many years, so city/town living is not my choice of dwelling sites. I do live in a city now, but it's nothing like Blessings and I wish it was. I went to school in a very small town though, Paden, Oklahoma, population maybe 500, so I know the dynamics of one like I know my own name.
 
Mason - What can readers look forward to next from you?  

Sharon:
I am working on another book that will also take place in Blessings, with Ruby Dye and her ladies at the Curl Up and Dye taking a huge part of the storyline... It's about two teenagers...a 19 year old boy trying to raise his two younger brothers, and a 17 year old unwed mother trying to keep herself and her 6 month old baby boy from starving, who, through tragic circumstances, join forces to keep their families together, and in the process fall in love. It has all the funny stuff you would hope for, plus some great moments from the characters who inhabit Blessings, Georgia. It's called FAMILY SPECIALS... and I'm guessing it will be out sometime next year.

Thank you to everyone who is enjoying THE CURL UP AND DYE. Keep reading and I'll keep writing the stories for you to read.

Sharon, thanks so much for joining us and answering these questions. I love the small town setting of Blessings. It reminds me of the town I grew up in and I’m delighted to hear there’s another story coming out featuring these wonderful characters.

Now let me tell you a bit about Sharon.

Beloved by her brethren of fans, Sharon, who also writes under the name Dinah McCall, has 99 books in print, is published in four genres: romance, young adult, western, and women’s fiction, and has sold more than 1.5 million books. 

Her books have appeared on USA Today, New York Times, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists 47 times, and have been published in many different languages. Sharon has been named a RITA© finalist seven times by Romance Writers of America, and was the 2011 recipient of the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more on Sharon and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This giveaway is for one print copy of THE CURL UP AND DYE. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only, and no post office box addresses can be accepted.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. It may take a few seconds for the widget to appear. Thanks so much for stopping by today. Which had you rather read about a small town atmosphere, the big city life or both? a Rafflecopter giveaway