Dogwood Days
Holly Creek Book One
Poppy Dennison
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date of Publication: October 21, 2015
Number of pages: 131
Word Count: 40k
Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza
Book Description:
Small town heroes and big town hearts.
Jefferson Lee Davis is happy with his life in the city until his favorite uncle has a bad fall and he rushes to Holly Creek to make sure Uncle Sherman is okay. Jefferson Lee knows how to navigate small Southern town’s politics and the residents greet him with open arms. Everyone but the town’s sheriff, Zane Yarbrough, that is.
Dogwood Days, the town’s biggest festival is looming, so Jefferson has to step up and take over his uncle’s job as the town blogger, even if that puts him right in the sheriff’s path. Quirky neighbors, meddling family, and a sassy best friend all come together to make Jefferson Lee’s life in Holly Creek a full-time adventure. When he loses his job back in the city, Jefferson Lee has to start a new job search that will take him away from the town he’s learning to think of as home.
Will this big city boy find sweet romance in the arms of a small town sheriff or will the allure of the city call him back?
Dreamspinner Press
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Add two parts sass and one part sweet and you have Poppy Dennison to T—sweet tea that is. Raised by a gaggle of Southern women who love reading and have backbones of steel, Poppy was brought up to see the best in people but always speak her mind. Mix it all together, like Grandma’s famous cobbler, and you get a sassy, Southern lady with a quick wit and loads of charm, who will soften any blow with “Bless your heart.” Her books reflect her small town roots, are filled with all the comforts of home, and come with side dish of spicy, because that’s the way she likes it.
Website: www.poppydennison.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PoppyDennison
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poppydennison
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5108648.Poppy_Dennison
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Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?
That’s a bit of a trick question. Normally, I plan pretty thoroughly with an outline. However, with Dogwood Days, Jefferson Lee just started talking and didn’t quit. I didn’t have a plan so I just let him blab until he was finished. *g*
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
Sometimes they do, especially when I have one as dynamic and gabby as Jefferson Lee. He makes it really easy to just go with the flow. I love it when that happens though. The story is really all about the characters so when they’re excited and talking, I’m exciting and typing as fast as I can to keep up!
What drew you to the M/M genre in particular?
It happened by accident, actually. I have a great friend who is an avid paranormal reader. One day, he said he wished he could read gay paranormal where the main character had a kid. I thought “I could write that” so I did. And I’ve never looked back.
Do you write in other genres besides M/M?
Not right now, but that doesn’t mean I never will. I write whatever story is in my head.
What is your favourite food?
Does coffee count as a food group? If it doesn’t, it should. *g*
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Total morning person. Obnoxiously early. I’m usually working no later than 6am, but I’ve been known to be up earlier than that when the mood strikes me. Problem is that I’m also in bed the moment the sun goes down. What’s the opposite of a vampire? Cause that’s what I am!
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
I’d love to travel anywhere! Italy is a dream destination of mine, but I also want to see a lot more of the United States. It’s funny how I’ve lived here for all of my 40 years, but haven’t managed to see nearly enough of my own country. I’m working on it!
Do distant places feature in your books?
Not usually. I’m a Southern girl through and through so most of my books are set in the South. I love to immerse myself in the culture of the location while I’m writing, and it’s harder for me to do if I haven’t spent a lot of time in the place where I’m setting my books.
Do you listen to music while writing?
Depends on the day and my mood. Nothing with words in it, cause I’d find myself typing the words pretty quickly. I have the “Classical Music for Studying” channel on Pandora and I have that playing in the background quite a bit.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
My new release is Dogwood Days, which is book one in the Holly Creek series. This series has been my dream for a long time and I finally found the right character in Jefferson Lee to really center the town around. I’m so excited for everyone to have a glimpse into small Southern town life. This is how I grew up, and I really hope everyone loves Holly Creek as much as I do!
What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
Oh so much. I think the most important lessons are to work on the craft of writing as often as you can. A lot of writing comes from the heart, but knowing how to work the craft makes it so much easier—and better in the long run. Always keep learning, that’s the best lesson.
Is there anything you would do differently?
No, there really isn’t. I mean, yeah, if I had a chance to do a few improvements to earlier titles, I would. But then again, it’s a timeline of my journey as a writer and I can look back and see how much I’ve grown.
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
Our genre has so many amazing writers. I read all the time and am constantly amazed by their skill. I’ll throw a few names, just because I can. Rhys Ford is completely brilliant. Her pacing and language is just stunning. Mary Calmes writes characters that stay with me forever. I feel like they are real people! Charlie Cochet has such a wicked sense of humor, and the emotions in her story are awe inspiring. Everything from laughter to tears, to fear and happiness. That gal can do it all!
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
Write every day. Read every day. Find a mentor. Don’t obsess over reviews. Reviews are for readers, not for authors. Treat writing like a business. Oh heavens, I could go on and on.
What are three words that describe you?
Sassy, Southern, and Smart. Look at all those “S” words. Total accident. *g*
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
*coughs* No comment? But you can pretty much count on anything by Rhys, Mary, or Charlie being on my best of the best list.
List of previous books if any
Triad Series:
Mind Magic
Body Magic
Soul Magic
Wild Magic
Creature Feature 1 (with Mary Calmes)
Creature Feature 2 (with Rhys Ford)
Born This Way
Pack Partners Series
Accidental Alpha
Belligerent Beta
Any websites/places readers can find you on the web:
www.poppydennison.com | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
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