Southern Jargon in a Southern Romance

 

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Robin Young has worked for one of the largest audit and assurance firms in Ohio for thirty years. Her career has left little time for relationships. After receiving an urgent call from her sister’s neighbor, she hurries to the small southern town of Fairhope, Alabama. The ambiance of Alabama has Robin contemplating life and meeting Tucker Ray, the quintessential “good ole boy” of the south, adds to the charm. Her stay in Fairhope uncovers a secret, and a chance for love, but the Buckeye state is where she belongs. Can Robin accept change and unravel matters of the heart?

 

Southern Jargon

 

As a lifetime southern gal, I enjoyed introducing Robin to a little bit of the south. Tucker (her love interest) and her new friend, Edith, uses some good old ‘southern slang’ in their vocabulary. Robin, being from Ohio, had a bit of difficulty with this language. To quote her friend, Edith, “Not everyone speaks with slang, but all southerners know the sayings. We hear it from our parents or grandparents.”

No matter where you’re from, slang can be humorous. Let’s enjoy some of the common jargon of the South.

 

In many places, people use a shopping/grocery cart at the store, but in the south it’s a buggy.

Any dark carbonated drink is a coke, not a soft drink or pop.

I’m fixin’ to, simply means I’m going to do something.

Where I’m from it’s okay to throw in the towel. That means we’re giving up!

If you’re as slow as molasses, then you’re very slow.

You’re preachin’ to the choir when you say something that is obvious to the listener.

Y’all. Yes, that’s you all!

Southern guys use the word buck to mean deer, not a dollar bill.

Anything unattractive must have got hit with an ugly stick.

When someone in the south can’t do a task anymore, it’s… they used to could.

We’re not craving food in the south. We’re hankering for it.

People don’t get mad as hell. It’s mad as all get out.

If you’re having trouble calming down, you’ll hold your horns, now.

When we get upset in the south, we throw a hissy fit or pitch a fit.

Children in the south are our young’uns.

After a long day’s work, you’ll either be tuckered out or wore slap out.

There are no snobby people in the southern states. All those folks are uppity.

 If you’re from my town, you’ll never assume anything, but you’ll reckon so.

In the south, being as happy as a frog in a pond full of Lillie pads means you’re excited about something.

 

The last one I want to mention is “Bless your heart.” This phrase has different meanings. It all depends on the tone of the person’s voice and their facial expression. Sound complicated? It’s really not.

 

If a southern gal thinks you’re pitiful and you do realize it, then she’ll say, “Bless your heart!”

If you don’t understand what we’re telling you, then… bless your heart.

We also say, “Bless your heart” to mean, I’m hurting for you and wish I could help.

Bless your heart works well for “I forgive you.”

 

 I guess you can say I’m GRITS (Girl Raised In The South) and proud of it. We care for each other, call others honey as a term of endearment and like to hug. These are only a few of the many slang sayings throughout our southern states.

 

Thank you for highlighting my latest release on your wonderful blog, Linda. Most romance novels are centered on age 20-something characters, but my publisher (Winged Publications) gave me the go-ahead to create a series based on characters in their autumn years. Since, I’m entering the later years, Southern Joy, Book 1, was exciting to write.

 

Southern Joy- book 1- is available on Amazon.

 

Mary L. Ball is a multi-published Christian author. She resides in North Carolina and enjoys fishing, reading, and ministering in song with her husband. Her books are about small-town romance, suspense, and mystery, influenced by the grace of Jesus Christ. 

 

 

 

Readers can connect with her.

https://marylball.weebly.com

https://www.facebook.com/gracefulbooks/

https://twitter.com/inspires4mary

http://heirsofsalvation.website2.me

 

A Children's Book Illustrated by the Reader!

About Brooke Sanchez: Brooke Sanchez was born and raised in southern Utah. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Utah Valley University, majoring in Integrated Studies with emphases in English and Business Management. Brooke is a wife and mother to four children, who inspired her to write a children's book. Reading, napping, writing, The Beatles, binge watching TV series, and artificial intelligence are just some of Brooke's passions. Foogle and Me is Brooke’s first published book.

 

A new concept for children’s books: Brooke created the novel concept to allow readers to illustrate a book. Children are naturally inclined to draw. Illustrated by Me was created to allow children to stretch their creative minds to accomplish illustrating a book and taking part ownership in its completion.

 

About Foogle and Me: Foogle is a kind robot who is best friends with Me, the reader. As they play, their friendship seems to irritate Next Neighbor. Foogle and Me choose an act of kindness in response to Next Neighbor’s mumbles and grumbles.

 

Take a look at a page from my book, illustrated by four year old Winnie: 

 

*Illustration drawn on a red piece of construction paper (separate from book) and inserted in the page with photo corners (also separate from the book)*

 

 

In an unprecedented time of seclusion due to efforts to heal our pandemic-stricken world, find joy in exercising your creative talents by illustrating.

 

Thank you, Brooke, for visiting my blog. I read your book and believe it will help children to be more creative. 

 

You can buy Foogle and Me by Brooke Sanchez at Amazon.

 

 

THE DATING ITINERARY: Contemporary Comedy Romance

Book Giveaway and an Amazon gift card of $15

 

As if it wasn’t bad enough to be deemed the “most single person” at her magazine’s office, budding reporter Penny has now been tapped to write a series of features called “The Dating Game.” From speed dating to Tinder, old-fashioned matchmakers to up-and-coming “dark dating,” Penny now has to go on a lot of dates. Silver lining: meeting new people should be fun, right? But running into her old rival, George, at her first dating event is decidedly not. Not only does the arrogant know-it-all have zero trouble attracting women, wherever Penny goes, somehow he just. Keeps. Showing. Up.

 

Geo knows he’s right on the cusp of writing success with the chance to have his own syndicated column. All he has to do is follow his agent’s ideas for showcasing different dating avenues, and he’ll pull in enough to help his sister’s non-profit women’s shelter get off the ground. Sure, his itinerary is starting to look strangely similar to his old rival Penny’s, but all’s fair in love and syndication, right?

 

The more they look for love in all the wrong places, though, the more they start to wonder if it was right in front of their noses all along. Still, the brutal dating scene just might end them, if these two don’t kill each other first.

 

ABOUT BROOKE WILLIAMS

Brooke Williams is a former radio announcer turned stay-at-home mom/freelance writer/author. Brooke finds that creating fictional characters and placing them in odd situations is a bright spot in any day and so she continues to do so with fervor. She has been married to her husband, Sean, since 2002 and they have two beautiful daughters, Kaelyn and Sadie. Brooke’s books include: Someone Always Loved You, Wrong Place Right Time, Accept this Dandelion, Dandelions on the Road, Mamarazzi, and Shower in the Rain, among others.

 

The Giveaway is for an Ebook of Accept This Dandelion and for a $15 gift card.

 

Author Website: www.authorbrookewilliams.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorBrookeWilliams

Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/brookewilliams

The Dating Itinerary on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Dating-Itinerary-Brooke-Williams-ebook/dp/B08D88KLR5

 
 

Jo Huddleston, Author of Sweet Southern Romances

EBook Giveaway: Sept 4 – 11: Anyone who comments will have a chance of winning Her Christmas Dream. A drawing will take place on the morning of the 12th.

 

Bio: Jo Huddleston is a multi-published author who writes novels inspired by her fascination with the 1950s and her love of her native American South. Novels in her endearing Caney Creek series, her West Virginia Mountains series, as well as her stand-alone release, Tidewater Summer, are sweet Southern historical romance novels. Visit Jo at her website (www.johuddleston.com), where you can sign up for her mailing list and read for free the first chapters of her novels and novellas.

 

Blurb: A Christmas romance sprinkled with suspense!

In this sweet romance set in north Georgia, all Marilyn dreams of for Christmas is a relationship with someone who cares for her. Someone who really knows her. A stranger volunteers at the rescue shelter where Marilyn and her best friend George volunteer. George has concerns about Marilyn’s safety if she dates the stranger. When George becomes overprotective of her, will Marilyn choose the bad-boy-stranger or her best friend to spend Christmas with this year?

 

Read this 20^th-century story to find out which one Marilyn chooses.

 

A Fun Character Interview:

I’m here at the Promise Rescue Shelter in White Pines, Georgia, for an interview with the shelter’s director, Miss Mabel Malcolm. I’m to meet her in her office.

 

JH: Good morning, Miss Malcolm. Is it convenient for us to talk now?

 

MM: Yes, of course. Please come in, have a seat.

 

JH: Thank you. How long have you been the director of this shelter?

 

MM: For ten years now. Before that, I was first a volunteer here as a teenager, then an hourly employee in my twenties.

 

JH: So, you grew up here in White Pines?

 

MM: Yes, I did.

 

JH: You must be doing an excellent job. As I walked through the front living area, several people there seemed content.

 

MM: Yes, we offer those without stable living conditions a place where they can feel secure and comfortable to spend a few hours each day. Of course, the meals we serve bring in the most numbers. Our local merchants support the shelter by donating clothing and shoes for our clothes closet, and they generously give to our budget.

 

JH: You mentioned you were a volunteer initially. Do you have volunteers now, or are all the folks working here on the payroll?

 

MM: We still have volunteer help who spend time here dictated by their schedules. We need volunteers for mealtimes, and also for giving our patrons attention as required.

 

JH: How many volunteers work here?

 

MM: At the moment, we have three volunteers—two who have helped us for many years, and one who just started and probably won’t stay here long.

 

JH: Does that last one you mentioned find the work undesirable? Is that why you think that person won’t be here long?

 

MM: Well, yes, and no. The young man does find the work here undesirable. He has a bad attitude, thinking the work here is beneath him…I just think he won’t be here long.

 

JH: You hesitated. Is there some other reason he’s not fitted for working here?

 

MM: I’m not at liberty to discuss that person any further.

 

JH: Very well. Then, can you please tell me a little about the other two volunteers you mentioned? What do they do? How many hours do they give to the shelter?

 

MM: The other two are Marilyn and George. They also grew up in White Pines and are delightful to have around. They show love for our clientele, who love George and Marilyn in return.

 

JH: Sounds like they’re cut out for this kind of work.

 

MM: Yes, they are. Their personalities lean toward helping others. They’re compassionate and patient toward those less fortunate than themselves. They both have careers, but they’re here all day every Saturday and usually a few hours after church on Sundays. I’m thankful for the help from both of them. I’d like for you to meet them but, unfortunately, it’s not the weekend and they’re not here.

 

JH: How old are these two volunteers?

 

MM: They’re both thirty years old, neither married. Like I said, they both grew up here, went to school together, even went off to Athens for college at the same place. The whole town expected them to marry each other by now, but they’re simply best friends.

 

JH: Interesting. But your brow creased there for a second. Do you have a concern for those two?

 

MM: Well, maybe off the record?

 

JH: Of course.

 

MM. The third volunteer we have—I think he’s a fly in the ointment. I’m afraid he’s worming his way between Marilyn and George. He’s flirting a lot with Marilyn. George is aware of this, and he doesn’t trust the new guy. He’s tried to warn Marilyn about dating him because we know so little about him, but she’s not listening. I think she’s flattered that someone as handsome as this new guy is interested in her. George and I try to watch out for Marilyn, but so far, she’s ignoring our advice.

 

JH: I can see where that is a concern.

 

MM: Christmas is almost here, and I’m afraid tensions may mount and spoil everybody’s holiday. But all I can do is stand by and watch and pray for all of them.

 

JH: Thank you, Miss Malcolm, for talking with me. I hope your fears about your volunteers don’t become a reality, and you have a very Merry Christmas.

 

MM: Merry Christmas to you as well.

 

Jo Huddleston’s Links:

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2YGpKXs

Website: http://www.johuddleston.com

Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1TY4uDI

Facebook personal page: https://bit.ly/30V6rdh

Caleb's Destiny: Historical Western Romance

About Carol: Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. She has found that the traveling and ministering has served her well in writing her novels. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

About writing the book:

This is book one of the Troubles in the West series. I write Romantic Suspense/Mystery in contemporary and historical, but it's the first time I've written in historical western. Set in the mid to late 1800s, it was a new adventure to me, but a fun one. I'd started it a few years ago thinking I might enter it into a contest, but never finished it then. My husband had given me the idea of the book, so I'd kept it hoping someday to finish it.

Last year was a hard year for me with little writing, but when 2020 came, inspiration came back and I was determined to finish this book, and finish it I did in a little over two and a half months. It's a book about wrongs from the past that children must make right… and in doing that, forgivenness and trust comes into play.

I hope readers enjoy reading Caleb's Destiny.

Description of Caleb’s Destiny: 

Mr. Michael, Destiny Rose McCulloch, and Hunter have a mysterious history. Why were three fathers, all business partners, murdered under suspicious circumstances while on their quest to find gold? Hunter, who is Mr. Michael's ranch manager, is determined to find the answers and protect the precocious young lady who he suspects holds a key answer to his questions. Mr. Michael wants only to be left alone to attend to his property, but what can he do when Destiny refuses to leave and captures the heart of everyone of his employees? Destiny almost forgets her quest when she falls in love with Mr. Michael's ranch and all the people there. And then Mr. Michael is much too alluring to ignore. The preacher man back east where she took her schooling tried to claim her heart, but the longer she stays the less she can remember him. She only came west to find a little boy she knew years ago. A little boy all grown up by now...unless, of course, he's dead.

Book Excerpt:

After he settled into a seat across from her, he picked up his fork and looked at her. “Dig in.”

She hated it, but her cheeks were heating up again. “Do you mind...?”

“Mind?” His first bite headed toward his mouth. “If you eat?”

Why hadn’t she just said a silent, quick prayer? “Uh, I’d like to say a prayer. I've grown used to doing it at sch—uh, home.” And Richard had always insisted on it.

He dropped his fork. “Of course. Go ahead.”

Closing her eyes, she pressed her hands together. “Heavenly Father, we ask for your beautiful—I mean, bountiful blessings on our snack—breakfast, uh, tonight.” Destiny wanted to sink through the floor. She, who was the epitome of gracefulness at school; she who wanted to impress this confident man, was stumbling like a drunken cowboy. Whispering a “Father, forgive me” for butchering what should have been a simple prayer, she hastened to finish it. “Thank you for Mr. Michael’s hospitality, and help us to further our friendship.”

Ugh. He’d think she wanted something more than friendship. Destiny cringed and refused to glance at him. “Amen.”

Had that been a snicker? Surely not. She picked up her fork and shoved a tiny bite of egg in her dry mouth. She chewed and swallowed, but the former delicious-looking omelet refused to go down. She reached for her coffee and felt the food slide down with the coffee.

Ah, reprieved.

“Tell me, Miss McCulloch—it is Miss?”

He was laughing. She could hear it in his voice without even seeing his face. Her appetite vanished just as her temper kicked in. “It is Miss McCulloch to you, Mr. Michael, and I’ll thank you not to laugh at me.”

 “I wouldn’t dream of it.” And this time his voice was serious.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3egdd2q

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/calebs-destiny-carole-brown/1137072312?ean=9781941622636

Social Media Links:

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

FB Fan Page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/183457429657732/

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/browncarole212/?hl=en

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a/

Your Family Tree

Learning about your ancestors can be so fun. When it comes to genealogy, you probably wonder where to begin, especially if you’re a beginner. A genealogy website that is free to the public is www.FamilySearch.org. There are no fees.

After you create a username and password, fill in the information about your parents and grandparents. Remember one thing! Only loved ones who have passed on will be visible on FamilySearch. Anyone who is still alive that you added to your family tree will not be visible to the public until that person passes on. It will only be visible to you. This is for the privacy of that person.

How do you begin? Here are the most important steps in order.

1. Preserve Memories: Record the memories of your parents and grandparents. Talk to your relatives and find out what they can remember. Write down their trials in life, their accomplishments, and humorous experiences. Add letters they wrote to the biography. If you don’t do this, their experiences will be forgotten. Your children need to know their heritage. When you’re done, go to that person’s page and post the biography you wrote in the section labeled: Memories. You can also have it published in paperback to give to your family.

2. Collect Photos: Scan all your family photos at a high resolution such as 300dpi. Then upload them to FamilySearch in the section labeled: Memories. When you upload them, make sure to label them, telling about who is in the photo and the date or their age. Get your children involved and have them help you with this project. The FamilySearch Center allows you to scan your photos free. There’s no charge.

3. Collect Documents: These should be birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates. You can add certificates that they earned during their lifetime such as graduation, competitions they were involved in, sports, plays they were in, etc. When you’re ready, upload them to that person’s page under “documents” in Memories.

4. Record your family for two to four generations and all their children.

There are also free online classes at FamilySearch in the link below that can help you in your research. To see what classes are taught each day online, click on the “Class Schedule.” Classes are taught daily at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. On Thursdays, there is also a class at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Go to Family Search Online Classes: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/St_George_Utah_FamilySearch_Center

The Classes I teach are in Mountain Standard Time:

Aug 13, 7:00 pm - Writing a Biography

Aug 20, 7:00 pm - Publishing Your Book