Cassandra Dean's Blog: Blog of Bloggy Blogness, page 14

Have you been watching…Rake

My love of TV + my blog = Awesome fun sharing times.

Enjoy the shows I think are The Shizz

 

Rake

 

Rake is an Australian TV show that aired on our national broadcaster, the ABC. Starring Richard Roxburgh as Cleaver Greene, a brilliant but self-destructive barrister, the show follows the misadventures of Cleaver as he stumbles through life, lurching from one disaster to another. Loosely based upon real-life barrister Charles Waterstreet and the cases he tried, the show takes really, really unusual cases and depicts them with a decidedly blackish shade of humour. Add in the ongoing political sagas and Cleaver’s attempts to destroy himself and every relationship he has and you have yourself one humdinger of a show!

Roxburgh is truly outstanding as Cleaver, and I spent many a show in awe of his talents. Ably supported by an outstanding cast, as well as the creme of Australian acting talent as guest stars, this show is a delight to watch actors doing what they do best.

This coming US TV season will see an American version hit the screens. I’m really curious to see how the tale has been adapted – the whole barrister/solicitor dynamic is so integral to how Cleaver and

Barney interact I’ll be interested to see how this is changed for the American market. Not to mention the intrinsic Sydney-ness of it all. Seriously, if the show was set in any other state in Australia, it would be completely different. NSW is believed to be a bit of a ‘police corruption’ state, so the deviousness and depravity of Rake is tied to its setting. How will it go transplanted to America, I’ve no clue…Let’s check it out and see, shall we?

As you can probably tell, I ADORE this show. I’ve also JUST discovered there will be a third series and I’m ecstatic! Can’t wait to see the shenanigans Cleaver and company get up to.

 

You can check out Rake at:

the Website ~ Amazon.com ~ IMDb

 

 

Trailer for original Rake

 

Trailer for US Rake

 

 

 

Hump Day Hook #humphook

Welcome to Hump Day Hook, a weekly list of authors showcasing their work around the Internets. A big thanks to the wonderful peeps at Hump Day Hook for making this possible.

For this Hook, I’m featuring book 1 in The Diamond Series, ROUGH DIAMOND. Currently on tour, you can check out the stops and win stuff. Enjoy!

 

This was getting her nowhere fast. Annoyance marched through her, at his caginess, at her own damn fascination with a man intent on lying to her. “So, if you aren’t a fool, what are you?”

Removing his hands from his pockets, he moved toward her. Gaze steady on hers, he stopped close, so close she could see his eyes weren’t truly black but instead the darkest of browns. She froze, unsure what would happen but desperate to discover. He didn’t touch, did nothing more inappropriate than stand too close.

Then, he leaned down, and his lips brushed her ear. “Fascinated.”

 

Learn MORE about ROUGH DIAMOND here

 

Visit Hump Day Hook and discover more wonderful authors!

 

 

 

COVER REVEAL! Betting It All by Cate Masters #coverreveal #newrelease

Peeps, super exciting stuff: Fellow Decadent TEASE author and lovely person Cate Masters has a new historical novel coming out from Decadent Publishing very soon and we’re lucky enough to have the first look at the absolutely GORGEOUS cover. Enjoy!

 

Can the daughter of a well-known prostitute start a new life where no one knows her family history? Norah Hawkins is sure going to try. When a letter arrives deeding her property in San Francisco, she packs her bags.

Irishman Gerard MacKenzie likes his life free and easy, but is tired of the snobbish East Coast folk. San Francisco has enough vice and folly to suit his needs. Meeting Norah gives him the opportunity to bartend in her saloon. Maybe he can convince her to let him play the piano, too. She’s a shrewd businesswoman, and negotiating with her makes his blood boil. Damn if she doesn’t make his blood boil in other ways.

The morning of April 18, 1906, a terrible earthquake buries their dreams beneath the city’s ruins. Can Norah and Mac rebuild their lives? Will rebuilding their dreams bond them forever, or tear them apart?

 

Historical romance novella

(about 29k)

Coming soon from Decadent Publishing

 

 

About Cate

Cate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.

Cate loves to hear from readers! Email her at: cate.masters@gmail.com

 

Catch up to Cate

Blog ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon

 

To receive extras exclusive to subscribers,

sign up for Cate’s newsletter through her blog

at http://catemasters.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Hump Day Hook #humphook

Welcome to Hump Day Hook, a weekly list of authors showcasing their work around the Internets. A big thanks to the wonderful peeps at Hump Day Hook for making this possible.

This week, it’s all about TEACH ME. The second book I wrote, the second book accepted for publication, but the first book I completed, TEACH ME occupies a very special place in my heart. Elizabeth and Malvern’s story will always mean joy and a kind of empowerment to me – the story came to me after I emerged from a dark period in my life.

But enough about that! Enjoy Elizabeth and Malvern and how they learn how perfect they are for each other.

 



Bloody hell, had he slept on an anonymous floor once again? He had not done such a thing since his youth, preferring to sleep in his own bed no matter what manner of debauch he had undertaken. Still half asleep, he pried open an eye. There seemed to be a blanket between his body and the floor, but the covering had done little to cushion the hard surface. He noted the presence of a female body lying curled around him, her head buried in his neck, her breath light and warm against his skin. Cautiously lifting his head, he braced himself for the remnants of a night of excess.

Instead, he saw Elizabeth.

 

Learn MORE about TEACH ME here

 

Visit Hump Day Hook and discover more wonderful authors!

 

 

 

Action Scenes in Romance with Jessica Subject! #scifiromance

Action Scenes in Romance

Hello everyone! I’m Jessica Subject, and I’m the author of several science fiction romance and contemporary romance stories. I’d like to say thank you to Cassandra for having me back on the blog, and to you for stopping by to read my post.

There are many types of action scenes that can be written. I’ve penned chase scenes, fighting scenes, and sex scenes. Where many scenes are used to build tension, the action scenes are the ones where the tension bursts, everything comes to a head.

The scenes generally have less dialogue, and should get the heart racing. Description is more important, but it is narrow-focused, keeping in the character’s point-of-view. Putting myself in any of the above action scenes, I would not be noticing everything around me, focusing on the person I’m running from or chasing, fighting, or making love to. I would be looking for an escape route, worrying about how close the person behind me was.

In Another Night, Another Planet, which released today, the first time you meet the hero, he is running, trying to escape men who are chasing him. Here’s an excerpt:

“Run, Nate, run!”

Natazekiel, well aware of the stupid remark he’d made, bounded out of the pub behind his friend. As he rushed past, he toppled tables and chairs on their sides to slow his pursuers. Slamming into the doorframe, he lost his footing. He spun around, catching sight of the burly, blue-skinned Otarians lumbering after him, veins throbbing in their thick necks.

Regaining his balance, he scrambled down the street. He spotted Wyn ahead of him, rounding a corner. But the men he’d pissed off remained on his heels. If he followed his friend, they would chase him, too. If Wyn reached their star cruiser first, Nate hoped he would find a way to rescue him.

A beam of red light slammed into the road in front of him, blasting chunks of concrete all around him. Shit!

He faked to the right, pretending to follow his friend. Then he weaved left. The cursing from behind made him pause, but he valued his life too much—even if no one else did—to turn around.

Ornate stone pillars decorated the front of the tall, posh building ahead of him. An Otarian man stepped out of the entrance, and Nate raced to catch the door before it slammed shut. Inside, he glanced down the long hallway—lit by lavish sconces—at the multitude of doors lining either side. Would he find a way out behind any of them?

With his heart pounding, he grabbed each large brass-colored handle as he rushed by. None of the doors opened for him.

“There he is. Shoot him!”

Tell me: What types of action scenes do you prefer?

Another Night, Another Planet

A 1Night Stand / Elatia story

By Jessica E. Subject

Erotic Sci-Fi Romance

ISBN: 978-1613335413

Limited by status…

Ava is a housekeeper aboard Star Spirit, a luxury cruise ship travelling between the Milky Way and the Belvarian System. Coming from a middle-class family on Earth, she is considered by passengers as nothing more than an object to be tossed away when they’re done with her.

Shunned because of his lineage…

Banned from several planets across the universe, Nate struggles to run his interstellar shipping business. But the DNA of an exterminated race runs through his blood, giving him a diluted form of their powers, and leaving him labeled as a terrorist.

Both searching for the one…

Through her 1Night Stand dating service, Madame Evangeline matches these two together for a celestial escape on the pleasure planet, Elatia.

Will Ava and Nate find what they’re looking for, or will their date be just another night on another planet?

Now available from Decadent Publishing and other eBook retailers.

***

Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous. 

When Jessica isn’t reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.

Website/Blog | Newsletter | Twitter 

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Authorgraph

 

 

 

Giveaways galore!

Hi peeps,

Hope you’re all having magnificent Junes! Mine’s going gangbusters – I held my very first workshop at the SA Writers Centre. The Internet: Not So Scary was a resounding success, and I had such a blast. I hope I can hold more workshops real soon.

In other news, there’s a ton of giveaways going on right now:

 

THE DIAMOND SERIES BLOG TOUR

 

The Diamond Series Blog Tour is in full effect. Come along the tour to win one of four $5.00 Amazon Gift Cards, as well as one of four ebooks from my Decadent Publishing backlist (excluding ROUGH DIAMOND and FOOL’S GOLD).

 

TRS RELEASE Party

 

I’m also over at TRS Release Party on 13 June, chatting and sharing excerpts from SILK & SCANDAL. Visit to WIN more great stuff!

 

Finally, I’m over at The Romance Reviews Sizzling Summer Reads party today with a question about SILK & SCANDAL.Stop by, log in and you could win a copy of any Decadent ebook in my backlist!

 

That’s about it for the moment, peeps! Hope you drop on by.

 

 

 

Have you been watching…Luther

My love of TV + my blog = Awesome fun sharing times.

Enjoy the shows I think are The Shizz

 

Luther

 

Part detective show, part journey into the dark corners of a man’s heart, Luther is a magnificent piece of television. Starring Idris Elba as the titular Luther, a cop who isn’t adverse to a bit of violence to get the job done, he’s ably matched by his antagonist, Alice, a sociopathic killer played with gleeful menace by Ruth Wilson. Gritty, mired in shadow, Luther follows our tortured hero as he stumbles behind the debris left by killers, his own humanity dwindling as he falls further into the psyches of the murderers he pursues.

The visual style of Luther is arresting, with a lot of strange camera angles and non-traditional framing of the subject of the shot. Sorry to sound a bit technical, but I really loved how in the first season, Luther was often framed in the bottom right hand corner of the shot, the complete antithesis of the traditional framing of the main character of a show. From this, can we extrapolate that Luther is himself not a hero, instead a man worn down by the constant muck he must wade through? Or is it just the director thought it would be really cool to frame the shot that way? Who knows??

The third series is out soon and the BBC have just released a trailer – witness the cool:

 

 

You can check out Luther at:

the Website ~ Amazon.com ~ IMDb

 

 

 

A Buck A Book, WIN A Nook with Arlene Webb & @DecadentPub #giveaway #Nook #sale

“Everyone probably thinks I’m a raving nymphomaniac, that I have an insatiable sexual appetite, when the truth is I’d rather read a book,” said Madonna.

“We read to know we are not alone,” said C.S. Lewis.

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read,” said Groucho Marx.

“A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking,” said Jerry Seinfeld.

“A book for a buck written by such renowned peers is one fantastic sale,” said Arlene Webb. “Everyone should grab them up just to show DP how awesome they are as a publisher.”

#

Please comment on your favorite quote, and most of all, don’t forget to click on the raffle helicopter to get included in the drawings. The more blogs you comment on (find the schedule by clicking the Book for a Buck button) the more chance to win ebooks and/or the Nook.

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

 



 

Secrets:

Joan not only knows how to keep them, she hoards information. After all, blurting truths could prolong her life and that’s not something she’s willing to allow.

As a renowned journalist, exposing lies is Wesley’s job, but being honest extends to revealing his own agenda as well. He admits on the application he’s been asked to write a story kicking up any dirt he can on Madam Evangeline’s dating service.

Desires:

Joan has a reputation to uphold. Labeled a promiscuous monster, authorities shouldn’t be surprised her offer to finally tell them where the skeletons are comes at a price. One date, one night, one final fling.

Wesley doesn’t need one date, one night, a simple fling. Women eyeball him all the time. He knows some hookup service can’t find him his heart’s desire, a sweetheart to cherish for a long and committed lifespan, but he won’t make it a slam-dunk for them by saying otherwise.

Warning Notice:

If secrets stay buried and desire is feared instead of embraced, electricity will flow and not in a good way.

 


Available NOW from:

Decadent Publishing ~ Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble

 

 



 

Water.

What Cassi thought was a simple obsession with clean water has taken over her life. When she orders a distiller online to replace the one smashed by her abusive boyfriend, she gets more than she bargained for.

Enter a man with a badge, hunting a terrorist, and Cassi is his number one suspect. Not only is she struggling with her fixation on pure H2O, she has to prove she’s not the one he’s looking for—only she kind of wishes she was. Before she knows it, Cassi is in over her head.

Justice.

Ray had everything, until a random crime ends badly and he’s left to hold to his grief or make changes in his life. Charming his way into people’s personal business—slapping on the cuffs as needed—gives him reason to get up in the morning. When he falls headfirst into another chance at love, he must take the plunge without hesitation or risk losing more than his heart.

As the pair join hands, sparks fly as well as bullets, leaving Cassi and Ray to wonder if the universe could right itself. Will the past reach out and drown their chance for happiness?

 


Available NOW from:

Decadent Publishing ~ Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble

 

Thank you, so much, Cassandra for hosting me today. Happy reading!

Sincerely,

Arlene Webb

 

Cassandra: Thanks so much for stopping by, Arlene.

Peeps! Decadent Publishing has a great promotion going on now – A Buck A Book WIN A Nook! You can get ebooks for only $1 from great authors, as well as the chance to WIN a Nook 7″ HD Tablet.

The total value of the ebooks is around $48, so you will be saving 75% if you buy all of them. Prices of the ebooks on sale range from $2.99 to $5.99, so $1 is a HUGE deal!

Awaken the Demon–Shiela Stewart

The Naughty Angel– Shiela Stewart

Daughter of Lust–Ann Mayburn

Amber Moon–Ann Mayburn

Night With a Dom–Casea Major

White Wedding–Ursula Sinclair

Something Blue–Ursula Sinclair

Last Request–Arlene Webb

Falling For Water–Arlene Webb

The One he Chose–Wendy Burke

Respite- Wendy Burke

Senator Mine–Kerry Adrienne

 

They are already marked down on Amazon, Decadent Publishing, Smashwords, and ARe, and will be until 1 July.

 

 

 

Have you been watching…Silk

My love of TV + my blog = Awesome fun sharing times.

Enjoy the shows I think are The Shizz

 

Silk

 

Silk is a BBC TV series about barristers in a law chamber vying for a chance to earn their ‘silk’, or become a Queens Counsel. Our heroine is Martha Costello, a barrister who has many a front to fight – being a woman in a predominantly male occupation, being from a working class background. Martha is a dedicated and extremely intelligent barrister and has gotten where she is through hard work and determination. The other candidate for silk – and Martha’s antogonist – is Clive Reeder, a barrister from a privileged background. He’s also a bit smarmy, and you just want Martha to pound him into the dirt, which she does. Heh.

I really, really enjoy Silk. It’s an intelligent, well-structured show with great characters and wonderful actors. Aside from Martha and Clive, there is the fantastic character of Billy, senior law clerk in their chambers. He’s an appropriately shady charcter, dedicated to his barristers and making sure they get the cases they need – in whatever way he can finangle.

The head writer, Peter Moffat (no relation to he of Doctor Who fame), was a law professional in a former life, and this shows clearly in the authenticity of the writing. In point of fact, I was so intrigued by Silk that I wrote a book featuring barristers, which then turned into a series!

Series 3 will be filmed later on this year and I can’t wait to see what shenanigans Martha and co get up to.

 

 

You can check out Silk at:

the Website ~ Amazon.com ~ IMDb

 

 

 

WINNER! Wet and Wild Hop #wildhop

Peeps, we have a winner! Congratulations…

 

kesummer!

 

kesummer has won any Decadent Publishing ebook in my backlist, as well as a signed SILK & SCANDAL postcard, and a SILK & SCANDAL magnet. Congrats, kesummer!

I’d also like to extend a massive THANK YOU to all who participated. I’m so thrilled you all visited the hop, and I hope you had a fantabulous time!

xx