Just Romance Me Jingle Bell Blog Hop – Best Things about the South
Thank you for joining the Just Romance Me Blog Hop! I’m excited you are here to help celebrate the Dec. 6th release of my debut CAN’T FAKE THIS from Loose, id.
CAN’T FAKE THIS 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.
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…temptation in a hot package. For more, check out the book trailer and excerpt!
Buy the Kindle version now at Amazon
The story definitely has my “Sexy, Sassy & Southern” trademark. Speaking of the South, I’ve put together my list of Top 10 Favorite Things about the South.
1. Sweet tea and sweeter accents
2. Macaroni & cheese is a vegetable and pecan pie is a staple
3. Y’all is a proper noun
4. Smocked dresses and hairbows as big as a little girl’s head
5. Front porches are wide and words are long
6. Sultry summer nights that start in April
7. Mardi Gras. Enough said.
8. SEC football. (Roll Tide!) 9. Pageants are serious business
10. Everything is darlin’ and someone’s heart is always blessed
So what are your favorite things about where you live? I hope you’ll take advantage of the uniqueness of your area and enjoy it, no matter where you hail. One commenter will win an e-book copy of CAN’T FAKE THIS. If you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll receive a bonus entry. Thanks again for stopping by. Find me on Facebook at Casey Crow and Twitter at caseyecrow. I love to hear from readers!
December 8th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Hi Casey, love your list. I am a San Francisco Bay girl, and love exploring the sites and sounds of the City.
Joined your newsletter today too.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
December 8th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Hey Cathy! Thanks for visiting and signing up for my newsletter! San Fran is on my list of places I want to visit. I bet it is incredible! Jealous!
December 8th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
I love 3 out of the 4 seasons where I live… enjoyed reading your list!
December 9th, 2011 at 9:55 am
Girl, you mentioned some pretty awesome things about the South #8 War Damn Eagle! those rivalries are some of the best things about the South. How about 70 degree days in December? Grits, fresh tomatoes warm right out of the garden, and Nem as in Mama and Nem(If you’re from the South you said that all in one word and you know exactly what it is)
December 9th, 2011 at 10:56 am
Please enter me in this contest. Thank you. npl42011@hotmail.com
December 9th, 2011 at 11:49 am
I must first say the Cardnials!!! Go Cards! Then St. Louis style pizza. YUM!!
Thanks for the Hop!
December 9th, 2011 at 11:51 am
I live in Kentucky and I love your list. Merry Christmas
December 9th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
favorite thing about where i live, RI is the seafood, it’s plentiful year round and so good.
for thanksgiving we had a tradtional new england clamboil. started out with clam chowder with lobster tails, shrimp coktail then the clamboil and my brother made chocolate mousse for dessert.
December 9th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
We have a little restaurant named maid Rites and I like going there.
~*Drea*~
dreabecraft(@)aol.com
December 9th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Colleen ~ Thanks for stopping by!
Michelle ~ You had me laughing out loud. In FEELS SO RIGHT (it’s not out – an agent has it) the heroine went to Bama and hero Auburn! But, it’s all good. We all love each other in the end. Plus, y’all’s QB Clint Mosley is a local boy from my hometown area. Loved your list!
Nancy ~ Thanks for popping in!
Christine ~ Never been to St. Louis, but it sounds fabulous!
Amy ~ KY is another place on my list I want to visit. I can totally see me in a big ole hat at the Derby!
Julie ~ Yum! I’m jealous! Thanks for visiting.
Drea ~ So glad you came to visit! It definitely is the little things about one’s town that make it special!
December 9th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Well, just moved to Houston a couple of months ago. So far I’m loving everything.
Merry Christmas!
December 9th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
I grew up in Louisiana – I live in the Pacific Northwest… I love bringing southern manners, charm and food up here to share with the people I’ve learned to love in the north…
gumbo brings ‘em from all over anytime I fix it up!
December 9th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Since I am from the South – born and bred – I have to say that I like most of the things that you listed. LOL
Thanks for the giveaway!
Merry Christmas to all.
pnc07 (at) aol (dot) com
December 9th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
The things I love about where I live:
*The seasons change
*People still wave when you drive by
*Our town is small enough that we still have a ‘Home Coming’ and a ‘Fall Festival’
*We really do have a ‘block party’ and ‘subdivision garage sale’ once a year!
*The sky is clear enough at night to see the stars
Happy holidays!
barbbattaglia@yahoo.com
December 9th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
I live in Australia on the Mid North Coast of NSW (New South Wales). What I love about where we live is the close access to stunning beaches, ancient rainforests, beautiful clean rivers, mountains and farm lands all within 1/2 hour drive. We’re still considered ‘Country’ by the City Slickers and I certainly don’t miss the hustle and bustle of the Big Smoke (Sydney) where I grew up.
December 9th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Although I live in PA now, my southern accent still shows. A few more things to love about the south:
“Slaw” (cole slaw for you Pittsburgers) is also a condiment, not just a salad.
You eat your fries with ketchup or malt vinegar, not in a salad or sandwich.
Time goes slower.
Thanks for a great list!
December 9th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
I come from a long line of Southern Belles – and I agree with your southern list, except for the sweet tea. Blech! Just too sweet for me.
December 9th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Thanks for doing this Hop… I loved the Halloween one!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
kimberlyjuliene@yahoo.com
December 9th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Im from Michigan. I love the snow…On the first snowfall day. lol Sweet tea, yum! I drink it constantly. And im always saying y’all. lol Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful Christmas!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
December 9th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
I live in Kansas City…where BBQ is king and KC strip steaks are queen!
BornajhawkATaolDOTcom
December 10th, 2011 at 12:04 am
Cynthia – Love my Texas friends! Thanks for stopping by.
Christine – I bet you are the most popular woman in your town with that gumbo!
Phyllis – So glad you stopped by. Happy holidays to you too.
Barbara – Great list! I grew up in a rural area and now live in a bigger city. I miss the stars. We had a huge bass pond behind our house. My dad and I would sit on the deck for hours watching the moon reflect on it. Thanks for reminding me of that memory.
Lyn – So jealous you are an Aussie. LOL My brother went there when he was in the Navy and out 14 countries he visited, Australia was his favorite. Said it had “the prettiest girls.”
Marcia – Thanks for popping in. Are you from Pittsburgh? I love how you drive through that tunnel and puff! There’s the city.
Jacki – Alright. I’ll confess. I like my tea half sweet, half unsweet. Merry Christmas!
Kimberly – Thanks for coming back to the hop!
Shadow – Thanks for visiting my blog again. Merry Christmas!
Laura – Great list to be proud of! Thanks for stopping by.
December 10th, 2011 at 12:56 am
Loved your list. I love Sweet Tea but haven’t had any good southern tea since visiting my son in North Carolina last year. I live on the East Coast and aside from the freezing temps that numb you completely I love that I live so close to so many Historical places .I do love the seasonal changes and the hustle and bustle of the NYC and can still enjoy the quiet and coziness of my town when I go back.
Happy Holidays.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
December 10th, 2011 at 1:21 am
I love that I live basically in the boonies but I’m close enough to the big city. I love 4 seasons
Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com
December 10th, 2011 at 3:58 am
I dont live in the south but Yall and Howdy are common phrases for me hehe I guess im a southern in spirit at least
meandi09@Yahoo.com
December 10th, 2011 at 9:31 am
Carol – Thanks for stopping by. New England is gorgeous! I know you must love it!
Krysykat – Merry Christmas. So glad you popped in!
Jennifer – I bet you have all the charm and grace of Southern Belle, no matter where you live!
December 10th, 2011 at 10:09 am
Congratulations on your new book. I enjoyed your list and mentally added a few things of my own. Happy Holidays!
December 10th, 2011 at 11:30 am
Here in Calgary, AB Canada we have the Calgary Stampede which brings so many of my favorite things, cowboys, horses and fun!
Happy Holidays!
December 10th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
I too am from the south and while I did live in the north for five years (loved the snow), my heart belongs to the south. My list is much like yours:
1. Sweet tea and sweeter accents
2. BBQ, Carolina style, heck just about any style.
3. Y’all but in NC we spell it Ya’ll
4. Big hair and wonderful hats.
5. Front porches with great porches for cuddling
6. Gorgeous construction workers with their shirts off even in December
7. SEC football (GA, AL, FL and more)
8. Darlin’ and Suga’ and someone’s heart is always being blessed
9. Can ride the roller coasters in FL and TX all year long.
10. Publix – being without one for five years was terrible.
You are a new to me author and I look forward to reading your work. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
December 10th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Agree with you list about the south, but being from NC we are all about the ACC here!:-)
December 10th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I’ve always loved the sounds of the South and plan to visit one of these days! I grew up in California, and I love the sunny skies, even when it’s cold out
(It’s a harsh lesson to learn that just because the sun’s out doesn’t mean it’s warm! 
)
f dot chen at comcast dot net
December 10th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Loved your Southern comments. Since I’m from Nebraska…
-We all bleed Husker Football Red
-If you don’t like the weather, just wait a moment and it will change
-We say Hello to everyone.
I joined your newsletter and appreciate you giving away a book. Happy Holidays!
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
December 10th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!
I am a midwest girl but I also love Mac and Cheese, pecan pie and sweet tea.
Wendy
December 10th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Well Casey darlin,
You have pretty much covered the list. We Southerners do love our world.
You forget field peas, and Collard Greens along with the Corn Bread.
And Sunday Dinners after Church. These were and still is the best meals. Congratulations on your new release. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Teresa K.
tcwgrlup41(at)yahoo Dot com
December 10th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
I am from Mississippi and we love our watermelon, sweet potato pies, corn bread, turnip greens, pageants, bbq’s, fishing, and flip flops. LOL I subscribed to ur newsletter too. christina_92 at yahoo.com
December 10th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
I am from St. Louis and we have so much going on…The Cardinals, The Blues, the Arch, the wonderful ever changing weather (stick around for 5 minutes and it changes)the many small neighborhoods that make up the community…the Hill area with the best Italian food anywhere….I could go on, but to really enjoy it, you need to experience it for yourself. Happy Holidays!
nancyg5997(at)gmail.com
December 10th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
I’ve never visited the South before, and you make it sound so appealing.
December 10th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Great list! Happy Holidays!
December 10th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
One of my favorite things about Colorado, is that we could have a bad snow day, and the next day its melting and we are wearing a sweatshirt and shorts.
December 10th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
That’s a great list. I found myself smiling as I read down.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
December 10th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
I signed up for your newsletter. I love that we have so much country land to spread out in… no stuffiness of the city, but it’s close enough when we need to go there:)
Happy Holidays!!!
yadkny@hotmail.com
December 10th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
I agree. Mac and cheese is a vegetable. Great list. I signed up for your newsletter.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
December 10th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Great list. Just about sums up the south. I’m a L.A. girl and we have: Sunshine most of the year; 80 degree Christmas; Santa Monica beach, Malibu; Venice Beach; Hollywood; Rodeo Drive. (I don’t get there too often. Most stuff out of my price range, but I love to look.) :’}
I am having a wonderful time going to all the sites in Santa’s sleigh! I love visiting with old friends and finding new authors and books to add to my wish list. !!
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win such a great prize!
reneebennett35 at yahoo dot com
December 10th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Gem – Thanks for the congratulations. Merry Christmas!
Shari – Canada! How cool. Thanks for stopping by.
Wild About Bones – Lovin’ your list! So true. Thanks for adding.
Michelle – You’re in the heart of FAST DREAM – the book I’m working on now about NASCAR! Merry Christmas.
Fedora – So glad you stoppyed by. Happy Holidays!
Joder – Thanks for joining my newsletter. Love what you said about the weather changing in a minute. LOL
Wendy – Happy to have you pop in. Merry Christmas!
Teresa – You are so right. I did forget about collards and corn bread! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Glad you popped in.
Christy – We’re neighbors! I’ve got good friends in Mississippi, too, and glad to add you to my list of them.
Nancy – Can I come to the Hill just for the Italian? LOL That sounds too yummy to pass up! Merry Christmas.
Shelley – Well, get yourself down here, girl! You are welcome anytime. Thanks for stopping by.
Rebecca – Happy to have you! Merry Christmas!
Elaine – Colorodo is amazingly gorgeous. I went snow skiing for the first time ever in ’09. I was PITIFUL. I’m not kidding. My kids were better at it than me. I want to go back so I can redeem myself!
Mary – Thanks so much for stopping by. Glad to have you. Merry Christmas.
Yadira – Thanks for visiting and signing up for my newsletter. Come back any time!
Joanne – I do love carbs. LOL Glad you stopped by. Merry Christmas.
December 10th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Renee – You are sweet to stop by. I visited Cali when my daughter was 5 mths old and have a pic of us under a Rodeo Drive sign. I think that’s why she’s such a fashion diva now. LOL I’m with on the price range. I had to pass on the $1500 souvenir t-shirt. Please come back again soon!
December 10th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
I live in a small town in Ohio and love that I know everyone and can take a walk and see someone on the street and stop and chat. I also signed up for your newsletter.
December 10th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
As an Australian who has spent some time in the South (from Charleston to Florida, through every state west to San Antonio)I would have to agree with most of your list.
The accents are divine!
I could live on pecan pai.
Y’all is the sweetest, freindliest sounding word.
It took a while to get used to ‘Texas’ hair.
Front porches are perfect for sittin’ n swingin’ n saying howdy to passers-by
Hot, humid nights with the crickets chirping – ahhhh
Mardi Gras – I’ll be back
American football – they look cute in their uniforms but AFL (Aussie Rules)players in their short shorts. As my Texan girlfriend stated – HOT DAMN. Those boys are mighty fine.
Darlin’, Cher and Sugar sound like liquid honey in a southern accent
December 11th, 2011 at 2:34 am
I live in the tropics and i love our music, culture heritage and my favorite is when i go camping at our highest mountain and sit and watch the stars, nothing else matter when i am there just the music of nature, its so peace. Happy Holidays! rshereifa at yahoo dot com
December 11th, 2011 at 6:48 am
Love how green everything is all year round in Washington state.
Signed up for the newsletter.
linze_e at hotmail.com
December 11th, 2011 at 8:40 am
Sherry – Thanks for visiting and joining my newsletter! Ohio sounds wonderful! Merry Christmas!
Natasha – Wow! You are such a world traveler. What an amazing life you live! I’ll confess, I’m jealous! Thanks for stopping by.
Acriss – That sounds fabulous and so relaxing. So glad you joined us today!
Lindsey – Thanks for joining my newsletter. I’ve never been to Washington, but everyone always how gorgeous it is. I definitely need to come up there and visit someday. Happy holidays!
December 11th, 2011 at 9:53 am
I’m in Texas, and I don’t have big hair! While I’d love to see mountains out my window, I do get some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Also, most of my family is close enough that I can get there if they need me. Or just to celebrate during the holidays.
December 11th, 2011 at 10:53 am
My favorite thing about where I live is that it is closer to my brother and mom! It also is a great place to raise kids with many things to do.
December 11th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Terri – thanks for stopping by! Sounds like you’re in a fantastic area. Merry Christmas!
books4me – how fortunate you are to be close your family! I know your mom loves having her grand babies close by. Happy holidays! Please come visit me again soon.
December 11th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
well, I live in the south, so your list rings true for me!
December 11th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
I’m from KY so your list applies to me pretty well too! Add Kentucky Bourbon and horses (which I am allergic to, lol) and you are all set.
June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
December 11th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Your list was lol funny & spot on!
elizabeth@bookattict.com
December 11th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Christy – thanks for stopping by! Happy holidays.
June – I can’t imagine living in KY and being allergic to horses. You poor thing. I’m glad you popped in. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Elizabeth – thanks for visiting. I’m so enjoying the blog hop and meeting readers like you!
December 11th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Congrats on your new book! Whoo hoo! I love the snow! My favorite part of Christmas is decorating the tree with my family.
Fun fun!
tonyapeterson35(at)yahoo(dot)com
December 11th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Tonya – thanks for stopping by! Merry Christmas!
December 11th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
love love love your list. and especially the Roll tide comment.
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
December 11th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Firstly I have to say that I love your list, especially number 4 on the list. I can’t express how many giant bows I had when I was little!
What I do love about where I live is that we usually get a white Christmas.
Thanks!
rae.gwendy(at)gmail(dot)com
December 11th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Hi Casey! Congratulations on the recent release of your book =)
December 11th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
You know I never knew how good tea was until I had some sweet tea when I visited a friend in Atlanta. That is some of the best tea ever! I wish I could have it imported to me
December 11th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Pam – Thanks for stopping by! At a gas station today, my daughter say a life-size cut out of Nick Saban and actually asked who he was. I was devastated. LOL
Rae – No fair about the white Christmas. Never in my life has that happened. I can count on one hand how many times it has snowed in my life! Probably a good thing since I’m the world’s worst snow skier! Merry Christmas!
Na – Thanks so much. Happy holidays!
Eva – What a great comment. Thanks for stopping by!
December 11th, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Here in Texas your list is King, or is it Queen? I’m always blessing someone’s little heart. I love Anna Ryan’s determination. Thanks!
December 11th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Lisa – Thanks for popping in. Isn’t it funny how you can bless someone’s heart in the most sympathetic, meaningful way or cut them at the knees doing it in the most sarcastic way? LOL
I think National Best Seller, Susanna Carr summed it up best in her review of Can’t Fake This when she said, “One of my favorite parts of this story is Anna, the heroine. You see her as a friend, a mother and as a woman getting back into the dating game. She’s sassy, vulnerable, fun and ready to get more out of life. She reminds me a lot of the women I know and admire.”
I think we all have a little bit of Anna in us, and I hope ever woman realizes she can still be beautiful, sexy & strong no matter what age!
December 11th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Hi, Casey. I live in New Mexico and right now I’m loving not being buried in snow
Signed up for your newsletter, too. Thanks!
smaccall AT comcast.net
December 12th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Sarah – Glad you stopped by! I’m enjoying no snow too! LOL Merry Christmas!
EVERYONE – I’m picking the winner of CAN’T FAKE THIS soon. Just want to make sure I have all the newsletter sign-ups included.
December 12th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
AND THE WINNER OF AN E-BOOK COPY OF CAN’T FAKE THIS IS….SHADOW! Thanks to everyone for participating in the Just Romance Me Blog Hop! I enjoyed meeting all y’all fabulous readers!
Remember you can still check out CAN’T FAKE THIS – available through Loose, Id. (all versions) or Amazon (Kindle version). Buy links are on my homepage.