Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Blame it on Texas

Winners!  Winners!!!  Abigail Beal, you won the $25 gift card.  Cat, you won a copy of Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis.  Sally Felt, you won a copy of The Things Called Love by Susan Andersen.  Barbara E. You won a copy of Lori Wilde's The Cowboy and a Princess.  And Marilyn Lopez, you won the copy of Sophie Jordan's Lesson's of a Scandalous Bride.  Please contact me at Christie (at) christie (-) craig.com

Oh, and anyone who wants a free, yes, FREE, e-copy of Shut Up and Kiss Me can go down load it at either B&N or Amazon  tinyurl.com/9o772ny and B&N tinyurl.com/cgro8m4
 


Contest! Contest! Today I’m giving tons of stuff: A $25 gift card to either B&N or Amazon and a copy of four great books that were just released a couple weeks ago—Sophie Jordan’s Lesson of a Scandalous Bride, The Thing Called Love by Susan Andersen, Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis, and one more copy of Lori Wilde’s A Cowboy and a Princess. So make sure you leave a comment! And make sure you come back tomorrow to find out who won!


Blame it on Texas

Zoe Adams has always been content with her quiet nights at home, sitting alone on her couch munching popcorn and watching TV--until her life turns into a real-life episode of the Unsolved Mystery Hunters show she loves. The story of a kidnapped girl triggers unexplained memories, and Zoe is dead set on figuring out why. Her search leads her to one of the Lone Star state’s richest families and to sexy PI Tyler Lopez.

Tyler has sworn off women, especially redheads with killer curves who poke their noses into his clients’ personal affairs. Still, he can’t deny the attraction any more than he can deny that some of Zoe’s crazy story makes sense. But when she becomes a hit man’s target, this cold case really starts heating up. Suddenly, Tyler will do anything to protect Zoe—even if it means risking his heart,

* * *

Break out the fans and turn down the air conditioner because you’re about to learn just how hot it can get in Texas. And how hot is that? Hotter than grits right off the stove. Yup, my second book in the Hotter in Texas series, Blame it on Texas, releases August 28th.

And Tyler, my Texas hero in this new release, should know just how hot Texas and grits are because Zoe, my heroine who is slinging hash at a small-town diner, just accidentally slung three plates of hot food on him. You gotta love a man who sits, doused in hot grits, hash browns, eggs—both scrambled and sunny side up—and some buttered toast, and not only does he not lose his temper, but all he can think about is how pretty the women is who just turned him into a breakfast buffet.

Ah, but what a delectable buffet he makes.

Now, when writing the whole buffet scene in Blame it on Texas, I will admit I downright plagiarized—but it's okay! You see, I plagiarized from my own life. Yup, writing wasn’t my first career. Slinging hash was. And I will not deny that, like Zoe, I slung some hash where hash shouldn’t get slung. Not that the scene was a complete copy. I was a married woman, and the man I’d just doused in food wasn’t anywhere near as hot as Tyler, so he wasn’t a potential love interest at all.

My situation was actually much worse.

The man I’d just upturned a plate of food on just happened to be the district manager of the restaurant I slung hash at. And there he sat, looking a little like Donald Trump in “You’re Fired” mode, wearing spaghetti and meatballs with a side of garlic toast plastered to his chest.

Oh, and I’m a little bit of a nervous giggler. Meaning, when I get overly nervous, I tend to giggle. I bit my lip to hold in my laughter, blurted out an apology, then grabbed a towel and went to help clean him up. I was pulling noodles from his hair, when those giggles exploded. And then all the other restaurant patrons joined in on the laughter.

What can I say…I was destined to be a writer and not a waitress. Not that the Mr. Donald Trump look-a-like said those magic words, “You’re fired.” Apparently, he was a nervous giggler, too, and everyone in my wait section laughed. I actually worked at that restaurant for another couple of years, and every time that man came in, he sat in my section. I guess after you dump a plate of food on someone, or get dumped on, you feel like you know someone.

At least that’s the way it worked with me and my district manager and the way it happened with Zoe and Tyler. Here’s an excerpt from the slinging hash scene. And make sure you leave a comment. Since I told you my “I-screwed-up” story, maybe you can share one of yours. Don't forget—today I’m giving away a $25 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble and four copies of some great books to five lucky commenters. So make sure you leave a comment.

Excerpt:

When Tyler spotted the silver Cobalt with Alabama tags parked around the back of the diner, a thrill shot through him. After parking, he took a minute to figure out how best to approach Zoe. How best to find out why she was snooping around on, and under, his desk.

Inside, he immediately spotted her waiting on an elderly couple.

His gaze did a quick up and down of her shapely body. She filled out the white skirt and top to perfection. When she moved to a dirty table and started stacking dishes, he moved forward.

“Mind if I sit here?” He waited for her to look up, anticipating her reaction.

“No problem.” She barely glanced at him.

When she leaned over to clean the far end of the table, his gaze shifted to her ass and he recalled watching her crawl across his office floor.

“Coffee?” She gave the table two more swipes, her hips moving with the circular motion.

“That would be fine.” He sat down. “Thanks.”

He waited to see if she’d meet his gaze and hoped for a flash of recognition, but she didn’t look at him directly. He watched her step away. She snagged a cup and filled it. Then turning back, she placed the coffee on a tray loaded down with three plates of food.

She moved toward him and set the coffee on his table while balancing the tray with her other hand.

“Got some cream?”

Her gaze shot to his face, and her blue eyes widened with recognition.

He grinned.

She didn’t move, but one of the plates on her tray did. She adjusted her hold on the tray as if trying to prevent the disaster, but it was too late. Tyler saw it happening, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. The white plate flew off the tray, heading right at his head. He dodged the plate, but the warm grits and scrambled eggs made a direct hit with his face.

“Shit,” she muttered as the plate crashed to the floor.

He knocked a blob of butter from his cheek and looked at her. Her step back sent the second and third plate racing across the tray, and, once again, he was the finish line. Shredded potatoes, accompanied by the half-cooked eggs, plopped right in his lap.

Somehow, he’d managed to catch one plate, but the other plate bounced off the table, hit the linoleum, and shattered. As a thick glob of hot grits fell from the end of his nose, laughter exploded from the other diner patrons.

“I…” She stared at him.

He scooted his chair back from the table and stared down at himself. She dropped the tray on the edge of his table, grabbed his napkin, and started wiping grits off his chest. She kept wiping, following the trail of food down to his lap. She attempted to flip one half-cooked egg from his crotch. But the yoke burst and he watched it run between his legs.

Finally, she raised her head and met his gaze. He stared into her beautiful blue eyes and the sweetest mouth he could ever remember seeing. Appearing almost as mesmerized by his gaze as he was by hers, her hand slipped deeper between his legs. Her gentle touch came in direct contact with sensitive body parts and felt pretty damn good, too. She jumped back as if suddenly realizing where her hand was.

A smile pulled at his mouth. “It’s okay.” Actually it was more than okay. By damn, she was a pretty thing.


Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the contest.


CC

65 comments:

Cheryl said...

Umm . . . WOW!
You never disappoint! Love the excerpt.

Zita said...

I've got this on my wishlist, but it doesn't release in Canada until the 28th. Why are there so many days in the month? And why do publishers release at the beginning or the end but rarely in the middle of the month? And why don't authors just email me their books chapter by chapter so that I can read them as they write them?

Virginia C said...

Whoo hoo! A triple treat: great story, great excerpt, great giveaway! Wunnerful : )

petite said...

What a great story, wonderful excerpt and entertaining as ever.

traveler said...

Your amusing and unforgettable antics never cease to amuse and amaze me. that is what life should be. Lovely excerpt.

Sarah S. said...

That is an awesomely hilarious story. I'm glad I'm not the only nervous giggler. I can't wait for you to write your memoirs. I'm positive they will be epically hilarious! Can't wait for the new book. :)

Unknown said...

I can hear the laughing out loud already!! Can't wait to read the book!!

Alison said...

LOL! Love the excerpt!

I waited tables for about 7 years in HS and college. I never dropped a plate full of food on anyone, but I did spill an entire Dr. Pepper on a woman in an all-white outfit. She was NOT happy with me. Then there were the few times I dropped my tray full of food...so embarassing since the whole restaurant hears the crash and turns to see who did it!

Can't wait for this book!

Kathleen O said...

I love Christie's books... can't wait to read this one..
I have waited tables in my youth. But I can't think of a time when I ever dropped anything on a person.. I am sure I did, but I just can't remember that far back..

catslady said...

Oh, that was a great scene. Laughter really is the best medicine. How wonderful that your real life story turned out okay considering the cicumstances. They do say write what you know lol.

Wowie1969 said...

I, too, am a nervous giggler!!

So much so that when my fiance proposed, I just wanted to elope.
He wasn't having any of that, so insisted on a relatively modest sized wedding.
And so on that lovely day, I opened my mouth to begin my vows and what erupted were not words at all, but giggles.
Giggles, giggles and more giggles. I laughed so hard I cried, trying to get the vows out. My matron of honor was in tears from laughing too. The groom eyeballed me with brows raised, eyes twinkling the entire time. I could see my poor Dad was furious...which made it more hilarious!

The good thing is, 20 years later, he's still my husband and I still laugh so hard I cry! :)

Mo said...

Only two more weeks 'til I get to read the whole thing. I've been waiting for this one. The teaser was awesome as was your real life story.

Anonymous said...

I love your books and this looks like an amazing read, I cant wait to get my hands on it.

CAT said...

Awesome. Would love, love, love to win this. Cannot afford to buy books right now as I am unemployed. So would love to win so I have a new book to read.
CAT

annasmw said...

Glad I stumbled on this site! Looks like a fun read for a weekend!

Philippa Lodge said...

I am totally looking forward to this :)

Sue said...

Looks like this book could give me the belly laughs that I'm craving!
Thanks for the contest

cathyann40 said...

This is on my to be read just. it sure would be great to win.
Cathy
cathyann49@Yahoo.com

lucy0326 said...

I worked a at Whataburger for about 3 years. I did a lot of mistakes but I think the one that sticks out the most is when I first started to learn how to make milkshakes lol I forgot that if you filled the cup too much it will go every where when you turned on the machine. I felt bad for the guy training me because he got a shirt full of vanilla milkshake and strawberry mix :? I couldnt help but laugh because while it hit his shirt it hit me in the face lol

I cant wait for this book! The expert looks great!

Kim said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I'm afraid I don't have a story quite like yours.

Suzan Harden said...

YAY! Tyler's book is finally here! I fell for him when he was just a noodle in Christie's brain. Congratulations, girl!

(And DON'T enter me in the contest!)

Jessica said...

Looks like it's going to be even hotter in Texas when this book comes out. Can't wait.

Anonymous said...

Love the excerpt! I'm reading Don't Mess with Texas right now. I love Dallas and I love Texas. Can't wait to read Tyler's story!

TrishJ said...

I have been chompin at the bit waiting for this book. And I KNOW it will be fantastic. Got my fingers crossed that I get picked to win a copy.

Loralee said...

Girlfriend, you know I love anything you write! So proud of you and your success! Blame that on your great writing.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good book. Would love to win the giveaway

Tasty Book Tours said...

Starting Blame it on Texas this week...excited to see where you are taking those sexy boys!!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOVE the snippet! Definitely my kind of story - hot, fun and characters who pull you right in. Love it! :)

Christie Craig said...

Howdy everyone!

Thanks so much for stopping in. Waving at all the familiar names. And I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who giggles when nervous.

CC

Elizabeth H. said...

Ooooh, great excerpt! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

Betty Hamilton said...

Great story. Please add me to the drawing!!

Shari said...

Sounds like a fun read, looking forward to reading. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Love the excerpt! Thank you for doing the contest! I would love to be entered in it! Hope everyone has a great day!

SnowWhite258(at)hotmail(dot)com

mlopezae@gmail.com said...

This is why i love her books! WOW...;) can't wait for more.... :)

Jaren Kelly said...

I never worked as a server, but I did work as a cook. Not much interaction with customers so the only people I dumped food on were myself and my coworkers. They were not amused.

mlopezae@gmail.com said...

This is why i love her books! WOW...;) can't wait for more.... :)

Gigi said...

Tyler!!! ~swoon~
I'm really looking forward to read Blame it on Texas! I love Don't mess with Texas! I'm intl, but I don't know if I can be enter in the giveaway!

Unknown said...

Great excerpt. I'm a nervous giggler too. For a while we couldn't go thru a drive through without giggling. It started one day on a messed up order and it continued for a bit. lol

Melinda said...

Can't wait to read it! :)

Gail D said...

I can't wait to read it...keep up the "hot" writing!!!

Unknown said...

I can't wait to read this. It looks like it will be hot and funny too.

Linda said...

Looks great!

Robin in NC said...

Woot!!! Thanks for the contest!!

Refhater said...

That's the exact reason I never worked at a resturant. Grace is not my middle name! Looks amazing!

Refhater said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brandie said...

As always, I love your stories. Love the excerpt and can't wait for the book :-)

Brandie

Bet Lantaff said...

Brings back memories of when I worked in a restaurant and spilled food and beer. Not together. Not at the same time or even on the same night. Not even on the same people. Have to admit it tho, they were very understanding and polite to me. Needless to say, 'Grace' is not my name.
Thanks for the blog laughs. And the giveaways.

Pamela said...

Things going wrong...hmmm...

There was one day last December when

- I was late to work cause I couldnt find my keys (were at bottom of laundry basket??!)

- left my lunch and money at home so I couldnt eat lunch. :(

- suffered a blowout on the freeway only to find the used car I bought didn't have a spare tire. (!)

...Yeah not one of my better daya. LOL

Alison B said...

Woohoo!!!! Loved Tyler and can't wait for more!

thscar said...

I was a waitress one summer prior to starting college. That summer let me know that was not the profession for me. I didn't like having to close. We had so many extra duties when we closed.

gds said...

Wooooeeeee! I'm fannin' myself! Am really looking forward to receiving my copy!

Sally Felt said...

Christie, Christie, Christie. Such a storyteller. You're a treasure. Love your books.

Pamela, your very-bad-terrible-day made me remember the day I got to work, reached blindly into the satchel I'd carried from home to retrieve a book and got my cat's well-hidden hairball instead.

Still, I'd rather repeat my day than yours!

Unknown said...

I was one of the lucky winners the other week and received the early release from Christie. This book will not disappoint. The excerpt she posted is just the beginning. There is another scene later in the book that a week later I'm still laughing at. So, run do not walk to your nearest bookstore or pre-order on your e-book because you want this book ASAP.

I think I enjoyed this one more than the first and that is saying alot. As I wrote Christie, now we have to wait for the next one in the series. Trust me if you're like me you will be impatiently waiting for the book.

Read, Enjoy & Laugh

Unknown said...

I never worked as a waitress or was the unlucky recipient of having food dumped on me. But one morning I stopped at one of the fast food restaurants to order 2 dozen biscuits for a potluck breakfast at work. The girl asked if I wanted it for here or to go. The man behind me bust out laughing then I had to laugh, the poor girl was so embarrassed that she thru in extra butter & jam for the biscuits.

Unknown said...

I was one of the lucky winners the other week and received the early release from Christie. This book will not disappoint. The excerpt she posted is just the beginning. There is another scene later in the book that a week later I'm still laughing at. So, run do not walk to your nearest bookstore or pre-order on your e-book because you want this book ASAP.

I think I enjoyed this one more than the first and that is saying alot. As I wrote Christie, now we have to wait for the next one in the series. Trust me if you're like me you will be impatiently waiting for the book.

Read, Enjoy & Laugh

Kristi said...

I used to waitress in a coffee shop and I called one of the regulars by the wrong name for 7 years.
I can't wait for this to come out!

Fedora said...

Ah, that sure is a killer contest :) Thanks for the fun today!

Sharlene said...

Oh, thanks for the preview! Sounds like a hot one! Thanks for the chance to win!

Ashes12 said...

Have not read a book by tbis author. But this preview has made me add this book to my read soon list. Thanks for the intro.

Dawn said...

Woo hoo!!!! Sounds like great books!!!

Quilt Lady said...

Great excerpt, I can't wait to get this book. Love your books. Thanks for the great contest.

Barbara E. said...

Loved the excerpt and I'm really looking forward to reading Blame it on Texas. I can't think of any embarrassing public screw ups. I've definitely done plenty, but a lot of them weren't in public, like the time I didn't read my contract closely for the first time homebuyers loan I got and then sold my house to someone that was not low or middle income as stipulated. That cost me not only the $8,800 for the loan, but 10% of the profit from the sale of the house, which totaled $24,000. Ouch! I felt pretty stupid, but I did still make a huge profit and I consoled myself with the fact that other people will be helped to buy their first house with that money.

Abigail Beal said...

Congratulations on Blame it on Texas, it sounds just as funny and fun as all of your other books! :)

mariska said...

Love love the excerpt..wanna the book too :)

Caffey said...

August is just a fab month of releases. I can't wait to read more of Tyler. That was a fab peek to read of Blame it on Texas.

Cathiecaffey @ gmail. Com