Cassandra Dean's Blog: Blog of Bloggy Blogness, page 17
April 15, 2013
COVER REVEAL: SILK & SCANDAL from Decadent TEASE: Captivate
Peeps! I can finally show you all the beautiful cover of
SILK & SCANDAL! Check it!!!
Gorgeous, is it not? There’s a MASSIVE cover reveal party going on at Decadent TEASE, with lots of wonderful giveaways and prizes. You’ll see all the covers of the wonderful stories coming from Decadent TEASE in the coming weeks – make sure you stop by!
xx
FOOL’S GOLD Blog Tour Starts Today!
Peeps, today the blog tour for FOOL’S GOLD starts! You can check out the action at the following sites:
April 15th
The Many Muses of MaryLynn (Review/Giveaway)
Bunny’s Review (Spotlight/Giveaway)
Free Erotica Books (Spotlight/Giveaway)
Sweeping Me (Spotlight/Giveaway)
Coffee Beans & Love Scenes (Spotlight/Giveaway)
My Reading Obsession (Spotlight/Giveaway)
Full Moon Bites (Spotlight/Giveaway)
April 16th
D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters (Spotlight/Giveaway)
The Stuff of Success (Review/Giveaway)
Love In A Book (Spotlight/Giveaway)
Sweet n’ Sassi (Review/Giveaway)
My Bookshelf (Spotlight/Giveaway)
Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Mystery and More! (Spotlight/Giveaway)
Make sure you stop by, peeps, there’s tons of giveaways and great prizes. Try your luck and enjoy the wonder that is FOOL’S GOLD!
xx
April 10, 2013
Have you been watching…In The Flesh
My love of TV + my blog = Awesome fun sharing times.
Enjoy the shows I think are The Shizz
In The Flesh
A brand new TV show! Huzzah! I love discovering new awesome shows and this one certainly is awesome.
In The Flesh is a new BBC Three show about zombies. Pshaw, I can hear you say. Another show about zombies? But there’s The Walking Dead and Dead Set and other zombie shows that I can think of but Cassandra totally can’t. Ah, I say smugly. But are these shows from the zombie’s point of view?
The series follows Kieren Walker (heh, walker. Snigger), a young man who is suffering from Partially Deceased Syndrome (or PDS). Under medication and rehabilitated, Kieren has regained his cognative ability and is no longer a threat to society. In fact, he’s going home. Today.
Home is a remote village in the north of England, a place abandoned by the government and authorities during The Rising, which saw the deceased rising from their graves to feast upon the living. A few years after this dread time, fear and hatred still runs deep.
A great allegory on prejudice, this emotional tale is just a thing of beauty. The visuals are stunning, but it’s the acting and the story that make it shine. Luke Newberry is amazing as Kieren, a troubled teen who took his own life only to rise again.
The last episode is a bit rushed, clearly setting up a potential second season, but all in all this is one hell of a tale.
You can learn more about In The Flesh at:
the website ~ Wikipedia
April 9, 2013
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. I hope you enjoy Alice Reynolds and Rupert Llewellyn’s shenanigans!
Mouth dry, Alice watched as Llewellyn gently dragged the glove from her. His fingers curled slightly around her hand. For an eternity, he stared down at her glove. Then, he raised his gaze to hers.
Wetting her lips, she struggled through a breath. In his face, she saw everything he only ever teased her with. Intelligence. Cunning. And a need so deep it would all but consume her.
A need she wanted for her own.
Learn MORE about ROUGH DIAMOND here
Visit Hump Day Hook and discover more wonderful authors!
April 7, 2013
Gastronomic Indulgence: Vue de Monde
Over the Easter break, I went to Melbourne with family. It was a lovely three days, filled with shopping and walking and, of course, eating. Eating a lot. I’m a big fan of eating, especially when it’s an “experience”.
This time round, we certainly had that. I insisted upon Vue de Monde, a fancy pants restaurant in the heart of Melbourne. I’d seen head chef and owner, Shannon Bennett, on the telly and just adored his laid back, ocker cooking style. A classically trained French chef and one of the best in the world, Bennett won me over by taking a humble potato, julienning the hell out of it, assembling it in a mould with cream and butter, cooking it and then pronouncing it a ‘fancy roast potato’. LOVE.
So off we trotted to Vue de Monde on Good Friday. Three hours later, we were close to pain as we stumbled out into the crisp Melbourne night. It was delish, peeps. The service was impeccable, the decor astounding and the food…oh, the food. We got the seven course degustation menu, along with snacks as soon as we were ushered to our table and petit fours to cap the evening.
But don’t take my word for it. Here’s the photos I took, posted on the tumblr and the instagram. Enjoy, salivate and if you have a spare dollar or two, visit Vue de Monde! It’s a once in a lifetime experience, that’s for sure 
Vue de Monde part 1
April 3, 2013
Have you been watching…Game of Thrones
My love of TV + my blog = Awesome fun sharing times.
Enjoy the shows I think are The Shizz
Game of Thrones
Seriously? I need to explain this show to you? Have you not heard of it?? 
In all seriousness, Game of Thrones is a bit of a phenomenon. The third season premiered on the weekend just gone to an audience of 4.4 million Americans, not to mention all the other peeps around the world tuning in within hours of the initial broadcast in the US as TV stations wise up to this thing called ‘torrent sharing’. In Australia, we were able to watch the first episode of season three about two hours after it aired in America – yay!
So. Um. I don’t know quite how to describe it. Based upon George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, it’s Epic Fantasy, loosely based upon Medieval European culture and events. It follows four families – Starks, Targaryns, Baratheons and Lannisters as they battle, lie and cheat each other for the Iron Throne and rule of the seven kingdoms of Westros. There are about a million characters and a gazillion plot lines, each more intricate than the last…You know what? I totally can’t describe it. Let us allow Wikipedia in all its wisdom to do this job for me – A Song of Ice and Fire.
This show is just the bestest. Seriously. It’s one of my very faves, with its outstanding writing, magnificent cast and glorious use of the four corners of this Earth. Filmed in Iceland, Croatia, Ireland and Morocco, the visuals are stunningly beautiful, suitably epic, and place you immediately in the heart of this world.
But the writing. Oh my, the writing. Intricate, dense, clever and never talking down or over explaining, the show is a delight to watch and to obsess over. Lord, it’s so very easy to obsess over. I have my theories…which I will explain now ***SPOILER STARTS*** (highlight to see) Jon Snow is actually the legitimate child of Robert Baratheon and Lyanna Stark. He’s clearly being groomed for a leadership role, and the story is forcing him to learn how to rule. Similarly, Daeneyrs Targaryn is also receiving a course in how to rule and the price of power. Morality doesn’t always mix, and a leader must be flexible. I think ultimately these two crazy kids will get married, rule Westros jointly, and Tyrion Lannister will be their Hand. Thus, all four houses are represented and fun times and stuff.
Alright. I admit, I’m a romantic. Of course I want people to fall in love and stuff. I don’t care that the last book had Jon being stabbed and lying there presumably dying. I like my theory, damnit! ***SPOILER ENDS***
I highly recommend you check this show out. It’s a bit violent, there’s a lot of nudity but I don’t mind either of these things. It also has one awesome credit sequence.
You can check out Game of Thrones at:
the Website ~ Amazon.com ~ JB Hi-Fi
April 2, 2013
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, a bit from my second book, TEACH ME. TEACH ME was actually written before ENSLAVED, during a three-month European holiday extravaganza! Tiny pieces of paper covered in scribbles floated around my luggage in that trip, let me tell you 
So, continuing on with the kissing theme, here’s Elizabeth and Malvern’s first kiss. Enjoy!
Malvern was disgusted to find he was holding his breath. Elizabeth smiled suddenly, wickedly, and then she stepped forward to demonstrate once more.
His brows rose as she mashed her lips against his. Her kiss was…interesting. His heart steadied as she continued her…he hesitated to call it a kiss. She was trying her best, though. It shouldn’t cheer him that it appeared she had had some very poor tutors.
Gently, he set her from him, relieved they were back on familiar footing. “That was passionate kissing?”
A frown creased her brow. “Was I doing it wrong?”
He effected an elegant rising of the shoulder, the distraction of a moment ago forgotten. “It was not the best kiss I’ve ever received.”
“Oh.” The light in her eyes dimmed.
“’Tis easily remedied.” Taking a step toward her, he fairly crowded her with his body. She didn’t retreat, curious mouse that she was. Her scent wound about him, that scent that was hers alone, flowers and musk and her.
“How?” Her eyes fairly drowned him with innocence.
Suspicion rose at her guileless tone. “Are you being facetious?”
“Now, why would you say that?” Wickedness danced behind the innocence.
His lips quirked and, before amusement could find expression, he covered her mouth with his. His kiss destroyed the shape of her smile.
Learn MORE about TEACH ME here
Visit Hump Day Hook and discover more wonderful authors!
March 31, 2013
Guest blogger: Cassandra Dean
Peeps, I’m hanging out at Australian Romance Readers Association, chatting about FOOL’S GOLD. There’s also a giveaway – make sure you pop by.
Guest blogger: Cassandra Dean.
In other news, I’ve JUST returned from a Easter holiday trip to Melbourne and I have plenty to report. Look for a blog post detailing my adventures real soon.
As for now, I hope you’re enjoying gifts from the Easter bunny, delicious hot cross buns and amazing fun times!
March 28, 2013
SILK & SCANDAL, part of DECADENT TEASE!
Hey peeps,
I’ve been keeping this one under my hat but now I can tell you all! I am thrilled to announce SILK & SCANDAL is spear-heading Decadent Publishing’s new Tease: Captivate line!
Looking for a fearless Saxon lady captured by a powerful Norman or a French Courtesan caught in a life-alternating compromise? Or maybe you’re more into Regency rakes who lose their hearts to ladies of societies? Well you’ve come to the right place! No matter the time or location, there’s a story just for you!
Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.
All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.
But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her.
SILK & SCANDAL will be released in a glorious wave of awesomeness very, very soon. Check back regularly for more details!
March 27, 2013
Have you been watching…Vaginal Fantasy Bookclub
My love of TV + my blog = Awesome fun sharing times.
Enjoy the shows I think are The Shizz
Vaginal Fantasy Bookclub
Vaginal Fantasy Bookclub was created by Felicia Day (yes, I’ve mentioned her a few times…I like her, she’s awesome!) as a way of discussing her new obsession with Paranormal and SciFi Romance. 
Banding together fellow awesome ladies Veronica Belmont, Bonnie Burton and Kiala Kazebee, as well as the then new-to-me technology of Google Hangouts, the ladies get together on the last Tuesday of every month to discuss romantic books with a scifi, paranormal or fantasy edge. They also drink alcohol and become amusingly tipsy during the course of the hour-long show. As I’m in Australia and like to sleep, I have never watched a Vaginal Fantasy Bookclub live (boo) but have caught up with them on YouTube (yay!)
The basic set up is this: every month, a ‘primary’ book will be discussed. Usually purchased and read via Kindle (except for Bonnie, who goes the old school dead tree route), the ladies will natter away about the book. There is also a second, or ‘alt’, book set, which will usually get a bit of discussion, depending on time. They refer often to their twitter hashtag #vaginalfantasy for questions and comments posted by viewers, and will always dreamcast the characters in the books they are discussing. Michael Fassbender’s name gets bandied about a lot, as well as Benedict Cumberbatch’s. I heartily approve of this
It’s been so awesome seeing the books I love being discussed in an intelligent manner, and to see how many people are jumping on the bandwagon. This bookclub has gone from strength to strength and has a hugely popular Goodreads forum.
I haven’t had a chance to watch this month’s book club, but the ladies are discussing Daughter of Smoke and Bone and the alt book is Pleasure Unbound. I’ve read both of these, so I’ll be interested to hear their thoughts.
You can check out Vaginal Fantasy Bookclub at:
Goodreads
YouTube
Geek & Sundry
