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.

If you’re like me, you’re well on your way to being in the middle of full-on hectic holiday time. There are cookies to bake. School parties to attend. Too many presents to wrap.  Family dinners. Shopping.  Full parking lots. Angry horns.

Happy holiday sounds. 😉

I love the holidays, no matter how frantic and wild they can become.  Because under that frantic wildness, well, it’s a time to sit back and enjoy the life that we have.  And no matter what my five year old may think, it’s not just about getting presents at this time of  the year.

It’s about giving. About helping people.  Yes…it’s time for my annual giving post. The post that lists easy ways for you to give and help out others. The post that asks you to share some of your favorite ways to give, too.

(And a big thank you to the folks on Twitter and Facebook who shared their giving ways with me before Thanksgiving!!)

So let’s start the list…

ONE WARM COAT–Do you have a coat in the back of your closet that you aren’t using anymore? Has your child gotten too big for his coat and you’re buying him/her a new one? Then donate that old coat to OneWarmCoat.org.  This is the way that One Warm Coat works (taken directly from their website):

• Donors clean out their closets and give their coats.
• Volunteer leaders organize coat drives and collect coats in their home towns.
• Social service agency volunteers and staff distribute the coats to those in need.
• Sponsors help us get the word out in cities across the country.

If you’d like to donate a coat, visit their donor page.  On that page, you type in your zip code, and you can see a listing of the places that are donation sites in your area.  McDonald’s is collecting the coats in my area.

THE SALVATION ARMY–I’ve been a fan of the Salvation Army Angel Tree program for years. I’ve volunteered locally and seen for myself the difference that this program can make.  You can “adopt” a child in your area for the holidays.  The child’s holiday wishes (ex. Legos, a bike, or a Barbie doll) are listed on a form for you.  You buy the presents and they are given to the family so that child will have a present to open at Christmas.

You can also donate used clothes, household items, books, etc., to your local Salvation Army.  These items are always needed and–you can even get a tax deduction for them. Come on, that’s win, win.

WOMEN’S SHELTERS–On Twitter, several people told me that they like to donate directly to their local shelter for abused women and children.  They donate new or gently used clothing, toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush), and toys for the children.  You can contact your local shelter to learn more about donation information.   This is a great way to help people directly in your community–people who are in need of some kindness after a very difficult time.

A FAMILY IN NEED–Some other very helpful folks on Twitter told me that, during the holidays, they go straight to those in need. Instead of donating to an agency, they find a needy family to help in their areas.  Some people talk to school counselors to see if there are children who need a little extra help at this time of the year. Some people find out from neighbors and try to help those who are having a hard time.  One person told me that she anonymously leaves the presents on the doorstep of a family that she knows is struggling.  And another told me that she bakes a pie each year for an elderly neighbor who doesn’t have any family to visit during the holidays.  There are lots of things you can do–big and small, to help out.

SMILE TRAIN–This is another organization that was listed during my Twitter Chat on giving.  This is the information in the banner on the Smile Train site:

EVERY YEAR MORE THAN 170,000 CHILDREN ARE BORN WITH CLEFTS: MOST
CAN’T AFFORD SURGERY.

Give a child back their future with surgery that costs as little as $250

The surgery and the changes that the surgery can make to a child’s life are truly amazing.

HOMELESS SHELTER–Do you have a few extra canned goods? Then donate them to your local homeless shelter. Clear up some cabinet space and give someone a warm dinner at the same time.

SHELTER PETS–Love animals?  Then help them from the comfort of your own home. Visit The Animal Rescue Site and just click their link to feed shelter pets.  By clicking their link, you will provide, “the value of  .6 bowls of food for rescued animals.”

***

And I know there are hundreds (thousands!) of other ways to give.  Please share your favorite ways to give with me. And have a happy holiday season!!

Want to learn more about my angels? Want to learn why my Kensington editor once told me, “No serial killers!” (Yes, a girl can apparently have too many serial killers…) Then head over to the USA Today romance blog (Happy Ever After) for an interview that shares all my secrets. (I do have some secrets, you know!) And a big thank you to Pamela Clare & Joyce Lamb!

I just want to offer a huge thank you to everyone who came out and helped me to celebrate the ANGEL OF DARKNESS release. I had a great time at the party, and I hope you did, too!  All of the giveaways will stay open until noon (Central time) today, and then I will pick winners.

Again, thank you!!!

Update:  Time to announce the winners! For Dale’s post, we have the following winners:

JackieW–Tuesday’s Child

Dale’s winners: JackieW–Tuesday’s ChildBethie:  Hide N’Go SeekB&N card:
Heater

This is it…the last party post of the day. Where has the time gone? Thanks so much for celebrating with me!!  And as a thank you, in addition to the lovely prizes that Dale is offering with this post (thanks, Dale!), I will also offer up a $20 Barnes & Noble gift card to a commenter because everyone has been so awesome today, and I want to say THANK YOU!!

I first met Dale Mayer when she and I were paired together for the Brava Writing With the Stars Contest. I quickly realized–Dale knew how to write some great romantic suspense. In fact, her book, TUESDAY’S CHILD has been nominated for BEST PNR – PSYCHIC TALENT (2011) by The Romance Reviews. Go, Dale! And Dale has a new book that I can’t wait to read…

***

Here’s the blurb for the book:

Hide’n Go Seek blurb (book 2 in the Psychic Vision series)

A twisted game of Hide’n Go Seek forces an unlikely alliance between a no-nonsense FBI agent and a search-and-rescue worker.

Celebrated search-and-rescue worker Kali Jordon has hidden her psychic abilities by crediting her canine partner Shiloh with the recoveries.  But Kali knows the grim truth—The Sight that she inherited from her grandmother allows her to trace violent energy unerringly to victims of murder.  No one knows her secret until a twisted killer challenges her to a deadly game of Hide’n Go Seek that threatens those closest to her.

Now she must rely on FBI Special Agent Grant Summers, a man who has sworn to protect her, even as he suspects there’s more to Kali and Shiloh than meets the eye.  As the killer draws a tighter and tighter circle around Kali, she and Grant find there’s no place to hide.

Are her visions the key to finding the latest victim alive or will this twisted game of Hide’n Go Seek cost her…everything.

Amazon link – http://amzn.com/B005Y8538W

Allromanceebooks.com – http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hide039ngoseekaparanormalromanticsuspense-624870-140.html

***

And an excerpt…

Twenty minutes later, Kali made her way to the kitchen. She fed Shiloh on the deck in the morning sunlight. Running her fingers through her shoulder-length hair, she remembered last night’s painting. She headed to her studio to take a look. She’d almost reached it when apprehension washed over her.

The door was closed.

She never closed the door after painting. It wasn’t good for the wet canvases, besides, the room only had a small window so the paint fumes built up fast. A frown wrinkled her forehead. Had she simply forgotten? She had been deadly tired last night.

Bolstering her courage, she pushed the door wide and flinched as the fumes rushed out almost stinging her nose. “Oh gross.”

Holding her breath, Kali crossed to the window, shoving it as far open as it would go. Fresh air surged into the small space. She’d love a huge studio, except painting wasn’t exactly a full time career for her – no matter how much she’d like it to be. It was a release for when depression and madness overcame her soul. Maybe later, when she no longer did rescue work, she could indulge her art as a creative hobby instead of as an outlet of pain and turmoil.

Walking around the easel, Kali stopped midstride.

The painting stood where she’d left it. With surreal and strangely enticing clarity, blacks and purples and browns popped off the canvas. Heavy paint splotched at places, then thinned and stretched across the top.

She stepped back and frowned. Up close, besides the heavy amount of paint, the picture resembled a distorted nightmare. Not surprising. Still, she caught a glimmer of an intentional design. She tilted her head and looked at it from a different angle. Nothing changed.

Sniffing the air, Shiloh ambled into the doorway.

Kali smiled down at the dog. “Not very sweet smelling, is it?”

She glanced back at the jumble of colors and stilled. There. She studied the abstract mess, letting the colors move and form to reveal the image hidden within.

Shivers slid over her spine.

Oh my God.

No way.

Kali blinked. It was.

There was no mistaking the image of a person buried under small bushes, civilization of some kind crouched on the horizon with a series of rough rock formations soaring behind the bushes.

“What the hell?” she whispered.

Kali was not a great artist, by any means. Blind escapism kept bringing her back to the process because it worked. She painted with wild abandon. The paint slapped on canvas with no thought discharged her emotions. For some reason it always worked.

And it always looked like shit.

This, on the other hand, was ingenious. Sure the subject matter was gruesome; however, given her volunteer work, not unexpected. Especially after finding the letter.

The artistic abandon was still there. The paint was so thick in spots the picture was almost three-dimensional. The terrain had depth and movement. The light was dark and terse, yet still shone with gruesome clarity—and way beyond her artistic abilities.

“It’s fucking brilliant.”

It was also scary as hell.

***

Scary as hell…interesting way to end the day. 🙂 But let’s go with that scary line…what scares you?  Leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of Tuesday’s Child and copy of Hide’n Go Seek. And don’t forget, commenters to this post will also be entered in the giveaway to win the $20 Barnes & Noble gift certificate. Good luck! Thanks for coming to the party!