Update: The winners of CAN’T FAKE THIS (Kindle copies) are: Carrie James and Katherine. Congrats!
Once upon a time, a new writer came to my local RWA Chapter meeting. There were three things that I learned about this woman within a few moments of meeting her: 1. Her name was Casey Crow. 2. She loved Nora Roberts. 3. She had a warm smile to offer everyone at the place. And 4.–Casey *would* be a published author. Her determination was immediate and unshakeable. Casey knew what she wanted, and she was determined to achieve her goals.
Well, let’s flash forward a bit…that new writer is now someone that I consider to be a great friend. She still has warm smiles for everyone that she meets (I don’t think Casey can meet a stranger–she makes friends far too fast), and…she’s also now a published romance author! I am so proud of her! And to celebrate her new release–a very sexy take on the 12 Days of Christmas (CAN’T FAKE THIS), I’m giving away 2 Kindle copies of this new book to commenters today.
I interviewed Casey about her release, and this is what she had to say…
Cynthia: Can you please tell readers a little bit about CAN’T FAKE THIS?
Casey: CAN’T FAKE THIS started out on a whim. At the last minute, I decided to enter this 10,000 word contest. I’d written spicy mainstream, but this was my first dive into erotic waters. I didn’t win the contest, but after having what I thought was a good start, I added some more words and low and behold, this erotic became the first manuscript I sold. It also finaled in the Golden Claddaugh book contest.
The story is about a divorcee ready to reenter the dating world. Anna Ryan is determined to be the best “product on the market,” which requires a lot more experience so she propositions sexy police officer Chase Harris to teach her how to make hot, passionate love as opposed to just having sex. He takes it a step further, instructing each lesson based on The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Cynthia: I love that you incorporated the 12 Days of Christmas into this story! Is there a favorite “day” in your story that you’d like to share?
Casey: Chase gives Anna two Dove chocolate candies to symbolize Two Turtle Doves. This is my favorite day because it’s so different from the rest. It’s the only day they don’t make out. Anna would definitely disagree with me, and in fact gets in a huff because Chase makes her talk when she wants much more than that!
Cynthia: What was the most challenging part of writing this story?
Casey: By far the most difficult part was coming up with so many detailed sex scenes and making each one fresh and unique. It sounds funny saying that because really there are worse things to have to right about than sex, you know? But twelve days equates to a lot of stripping down, and there are only so many ways you can take off your clothes. LOL
Cynthia: Since CAN’T FAKE THIS is a holiday-themed story, I’m curious…at what time of the year did you write the story? And if you wrote it in say June or March, how did you get yourself in the holiday spirit?
Casey: I wish I had a better story, but I didn’t have to break out the Christmas CDs in the middle of July. I wrote the original 10,000 words (for the contest) for a few weeks in October so as luck would have it, it was late November, early December when I decided to add more to the story. I do think writing CAN’T FAKE THIS added to my Christmas spirit. It’s such a fun story.
Cynthia: What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Casey : Every Christmas Eve, we go to my Dad’s. It’s a mad house with all the grandchildren opening gifts at the same time. Paper is flying everywhere and the noise level makes my Dad take out his hearing aid.
My favorite part of Christmas though is seeing my two children’s faces when they come downstairs Christmas morning. Of course, they wake me up at the crack of dawn and I’m holding them back until I can grab the camera and beat them down the stairs.
Cynthia: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
Casey: In high school and college, I was a bit of a nerd. Okay, that’s a lie. I was a big nerd. I only read text books. I didn’t even read my first romance novel until I was twenty-five. I picked up Christmas Keepsake for fifty cents at a library book sale. After that, I was hooked. I began reading more and more and found particular joy in Regencies and Contemporaries.
My mom, an avid reader of all romance genres, first encouraged me to write. About the time I started thinking, “I could do this,” she said, “You can.” Thank goodness too, because I love it. I turned my hobby turned into a serious career almost two years ago.
Cynthia: Do you have advice that you could give to aspiring authors?
Casey: You will get rejected, but don’t give up. Constantly educate yourself through conferences, online writing classes, and contests. I read RWR (Romance Writers Report), the trade magazine published by Romance Writers of America, cover to cover. Most importantly, keep on writing. The more you write, the better you become and this your voice time to find its own unique, true identity.
Cynthia: What’s next for Casey Crow?
Casey: Thanks for asking! I have two other manuscripts on submission right now with various agents and editors. HUSTLER’S DREAM is about a southern socialite pool shark who hustles the wrong guy, or is he? FEELS SO RIGHT is about a country music agent and her ex-boyfriend songwriter. I’m also half way finished with FAST DREAM, the sequel to HUSTLER’S DREAM, about a female NASCAR tire changer in love with the driver.
I recently was offered a contract from Siren Publishing on DANCE WITH A MILLIONAIRE, which features a ballerina. It will be out in e-book in March 2012 and print in July.
I swear these are not autobiographical! But, I’m passionate about the things I enjoy, and they invariably make their way into my writing. My tagline is “Sexy, Sass & Southern” and all my heroines are just that.
Thanks, Casey!! And if you’d like to win a Kindle copy of CAN’T FAKE THIS, just leave a comment or question for Casey. I’ll be picking 2 winners.
And here’s a little more about CAN’T FAKE THIS…
Blurb:
Anna Ryan is a woman on a mission. She’s sassy, pretty, petite, and ready to reenter the dating world after a messy divorce. She will kiss a few frogs, but that’s okay because she needs the practice. As a romance author, one would think she knows about sex. Sure, she can bump and grind, but what she desires is passion – hot, steamy, mind-blowing chemistry.
She capitalizes on the instantaneous lust with Chase Harris, deciding he is Frog #1. Sucking up her anxiety, she proposes a plan no man can refuse – sex with no strings, no commitment, and complete control. The catch is he must teach her “to make love” and do it for the next twelve days, a Christmas present to herself. The confirmed playboy is intrigued by the idea and takes it a step further by using the traditional carol The Twelve Days of Christmas to illustrate each lesson.
Anna needs to sow some wild oats so that means letting him go, even if Chase says he loves her. Bachelors talk a good game, so why does the intense look in his eyes have to be so real? Like he means it? Like she is…the one?
***
Casey Crow is a Summa Cum Laude graduate from the University of Alabama with degrees in Business Management and Dance. She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Mobile. Casey resides in Mobile where she stays busy with her two young children. She also works as a dance choreographer, pageant coach, professional emcee and model, and certified Miss America preliminary judge. In fact, she is a former Miss University of Alabama. Casey writes erotic and spicy contemporary romances with the tagline “Sexy, Southern & Sassy.” Visit her at www.caseycrow.com. Follow her on Twitter – caseyecrow and Facebook – Casey Crow.
