Cassandra Dean's Blog: Blog of Bloggy Blogness, page 20
February 13, 2013
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day, peeps!
I hope you have a fantabulous day, however you choose to spend it 
In other news, I’m floating about this here interwebs. Check me out at:
Much love to you all,
Cassandra
xx
February 12, 2013
Have you been watching…H+
My love of TV + my blog = Awesome fun sharing times.
Enjoy the shows I think are The Shizz
H+: The Digital Series
H+: The Digital Series is an online web series wholly contained on YouTube. 
Produced by Bryan Singer, who directed one of my very favourite films, H+ takes you into a future where an implantable device, known as H+, connects the human nervous system to the internet. That’s right, peeps, the computer is in your head (or base of the neck, as the case may be). 33% of the population have this device implanted, but then one day, something goes bad – very, very bad – and people with the device collapse…and die.
Spanning most of the globe (but not Australia, damn it!), H+ takes you to India, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Chile, USA, Republic of Congo, Japan, Germany and many, many other places, with people from all walks of life represented. This makes the threat truly global, affecting everyone and not just those in Places That Shall Remain Nameless. For someone from a country that is not one of Those Nameless, the threat seems more imminent and more likely to affect me personally, adding a certain thrill to the watching.
It’s also just a damn good rolicking time.
There are many different storylines running through the series, following many different characters. The series jumps back and forth through time, from 8 years before the H+ ‘malfunction’ to two years after. My favourite of the storylines is the one following Manta, mainly because it’s the one with the love story ;p Also, Manta is a bad a$$ chick. A brilliant hacker, Manta at first seems to belong to a group determined to hack the H+ technology. She seduces an undercover police officer, Topi, but it soon becomes something more. We then jump to the future, and Manta and Topi are no longer together – but he is desperate to see her, to have her listen. Further into the rabbit hole we go, and Manta is tied to the mystical Simona, who may be the savior of humanity…
It’s all very convoluted and awesome and you just have to experience it to get the full gist!
You can watch the series as it aired, chronologically, follow a character or story arc, or by chapter.
February 11, 2013
Ancient Roman hairstyle recreated
This is an amazing video, featuring an hairdressing archeologist. Seriously.
Janet Stephens researched for seven years to bring you the video below, a recreation of the hairstyle of a Vestal Virgin. Stephens didn’t have much to go on, as most depictions of Vestal Virgins showed them wearing various headdresses. However, she managed to recreate the below from two busts showing the hair style.
Anyhoo, if you have seventeen minutes, please watch the below. It’s truly fascinating.
Source: io9
February 5, 2013
Have you been watching…The Lizzie Bennet Diaries #webseries #prideandprejudice
My love of TV + my blog = Awesome fun sharing times.
Enjoy the shows I think are The Shizz
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a modern adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, played out on YouTube and various other social media platforms. The 
brain child of Hank Green of the VlogBrothers and Bernie Su, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries updates Pride and Prejudice in a marvellous and wholly relevant way.
Lizzie is now a grad student, working towards her thesis. At the beginning of the series, she lives at home with her two sisters, Jane and Lydia, as well as her mother and father. Then, the Bennet sisters meet a medical student named Bing Lee at a wedding, as well as his friend, this awkward, stuck-up, prideful dude named William Darcy…
This is an impressive adaptation, and one I highly recommend*. Unfolding as if Lizzie really is vlogging regularly about the minutia of her life, this story has taken on a life of its own, one encompassing YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.
Of course, the story as Jane Austen originally penned can’t be reproduced in its entirety. There are clever updates to the tale, such as Mary becoming a cousin and close friend of Lydia’s after a rocky start, and Kitty becoming, quite literally, Lydia’s kitty. All the characters have been fleshed out and given depths only hinted at in the book. Lydia especially has benefited from this, becoming an exuberant but lonely young woman who is misunderstood by her big sister, Lizzie.
We’re at the pointy end of the stick in regards to the timeline, with Wickham revealing his dickish nature. It’s truly horrifying how the writers have updated his callousness and self-interest, and so completely in keeping with the technology-soaked times we live in.
I’m on tenterhooks to discover how they’ll resolve the tale. As we all know the ending, the joy isn’t in what will happen, but how. What will happen to Lydia, now that Wickham’s true nature has been revealed? How will this affect her sisters, and Lizzie’s burgeoning relationship with Darcy? Will GiGi Darcy help Lydia deal with Wickham, seeing as she went through a similar experience? What will bring Jane and Bing back together? HOW WILL LIZZIE AND DARCY FINALLY GET TOGETHER???
Check out the website
* I’ve recently discovered historical romance author, Kate Noble, is a writer on the show, which is just the sauce that is awesome.
February 3, 2013
Guest Author: Sorcha Mowbray
Hi peeps,
Please join me in welcoming Sorcha Mowbray to the blog!
![Love%20Redeemed_LG[1]](http://cassandradean.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/love20redeemed_lg1.jpg)
Cassandra Dean: How long have you been writing?
Sorcha Mowbray: I have been seriously writing with the intention of pursuing publication for about four years. Once I got serious things started moving pretty quickly.
CD: What genres do you write besides historical erotic romance?
SM: I also write contemporary erotic romance. I have a short story out featuring a cowboy and the woman that got away, and I have a new erotic short coming out with Decadent later this year that is set in New York City at a mergers and acquisition firm.
CD: What inspired your main characters?
SM: Well, I knew I wanted to write one of the books in The Market Series about a lady of the house *ahem* a prostitute. I couldn’t find a way to make a relationship with a lord work that was believable so I decided it would be fun to write a common man story.
CD: Where do you write?
SM: My couch mostly, but also in the kitchen, and when it’s nice out on the patio. Have laptop, will travel.
CD: What book do you wish you’d written?
SM: I wish I’d written Cerise Sinclaire’s Shadowlands series. Damn those men are sexy!
CD: Do you have a specific writing style?
SM: I don’t know. I just do it. I hope there is something that people like about my writing, if that is my style/voice/whatever, then awesome. What that might be? I dunno. I like to think my style is to just tell a good story!
CD: How did you come up with the title?
SM: Well, I wanted to keep the series titles of a similar flavor. So, the first book was Love Revealed which meant I wanted to stay with a Love R— something. I thought about the story and what the interplay was between the hero and heroine and I realized it was about redemption. And voila! Love Redeemed became the title.
CD: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
SM: That would be a definite no. I really just tried to imagine what it would be like for a survivor who has accepted their fate to suddenly have all their expectations shaken by a total paradigm shift.
CD: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
SM: She’s not wildly new…2011, but Lucy Rodgers is writing some really dark erotic romance that pushes a lot of boundaries. I find it appealing when I’m in the mood.
CD: What are your current projects?
SM: I am working on another cowboy story, but it has a twist. A female bull rider. I am also working on a post-apocalypse M/M/M/F story. I kind of used the notion of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson as a jumping off point…only there is a really different scenario in play.
CD: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
SM: Here’s a bit from COVERING HER BULL, the female bull rider story. Lara has just been rescued from a handsy cowboy by Bull.
“Miss?” He reached out to cup her shoulder. The heavy weight of his hand pressed her skin through the thin layer of shirt as sparks lit across her body. Brain power reignited allowing her to both breath and possibly talk. Her attempt to respond ended in a choked mangle of sounds.
“Did he hurt you?” The man now gripped both of her shoulders as concern creased his brow. The sounds of the pack departing finally jogged her out of the stupor his fathomless eyes had caused.
“I’m fine,” she whispered. Greedily, she took in the rugged face of Bull Bullard. He was one of the stars of the PRCA until his injury last year. She’d know the familiarly chiseled face anywhere; after all, she’d been staring at it over her bed for almost three years. He was her idol, and now her savior.
“Good. You sure got yourself in a heap of trouble with that sassy mouth of yours.” He shook his head, disapproval making his oh so kissable mouth curl downward.
Indignation dispelled the last vestiges of her stupor. “Not my fault he didn’t understand what no means.”
“No. No it ain’t. But, you didn’t need to bait him by claiming to ride bulls. That was foolish.”
The heat of anger crept up her cheeks, scorching her face. She knew these men wouldn’t be happy about her presence, the boys in high school and college had been total assholes. “All I did was speak the truth.” Her temper flared, and now there was no reining it in, not that she wanted to. She stepped toward Bull and started poking him in the chest as she spoke. “I’m no damned rodeo queen or buckle bunny. I ride bulls. Plain and simple, and if you and the other riders can’t handle that, well it’s too damn bad. I’ve busted my ass to get here and I won’t stop until I have that PRCA card in my hand and a host of big ass gold buckles hanging on my wall. Got it?”
She had him pinned against the corral fence, her finger drilling a hole in his chest. “Damn woman I think I’m gonna be bruised in the morning.” He pushed her hand aside and rubbed the spot. “So, you’re the little lady that caused a stir by signing up. Who’d of thunk you’d be so damn pretty?” His lopsided smile caught her off guard and deflated her sails.
CD: Do you have any advice for other writers?
SM: Just put your butt in the seat and get it done. If you can’t get things moving then try some help from a book like Jill Badonsky’s The Muse Is In. I love this book. Even wrote a post about it on my group blog site.
CD: And now, the super quick bonus round!
Coffee/Tea? Both!
Cake/Cookies? Cupcakes, specifically.
Coke/Pepsi? Coke
Heels/Flats? Heels. I will never give my heels up.
BDB/The Order? The Order. Love those sexy vampires! The Brotherhood works for me too though.
Vampires/Werewolves? I have to go vampire. I just don’t like a hairy man.
Cats/Dogs? Both. I love all animals, and I love my cats, but I miss having a dog, too!
Fly/Drive? Fly. Love flying.
CD: Thanks for stopping by, Sorcha!
Brennan Whitling wants for nothing but the love of a good woman. He has a close family, good friends, and a successful textiles import business. But, a beautiful and elusive young woman he has only seen from afar haunts him. Until a chance meeting leads to far more than dinner.
Serena Freemont has only ever known the life of a prostitute. When an invitation to dinner by a handsome gentleman provides her an opportunity to experience life as a young lady, it’s too tempting to pass up. Much like the man issuing it. After a night of passion she must disappear or face his reaction when the truth is revealed.
To find happiness Serena must shed her past long enough to realize she is worthy of a future. To win her heart, Brennan must show her the redemptive power of love.
Decadent Publishing | Amazon | B&N | Amazon.uk | ARe | Coffee Time Romance
Sorcha Mowbray is a mild mannered office worker by day…okay, so she is actually a mouthy, opinionated, take charge kind of gal who bosses everyone around; but she definitely works in an office. At night she writes romance so hot she sets the sheets on fire! Just ask her slightly singed husband.
She is a longtime lover of historical romance, having grown up reading Johanna Lindsey and Judith McNaught. Then she discovered Thea Devine and Susan Johnson. Holy cow! Heroes and heroines could do THAT? From there, things devolved into trying her hand at writing a little smexy. Needless to say, she liked it and she hopes you do too!
Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Google Plus | GoodReads | Pintrest | My Forum | Triberr
January 28, 2013
Announcement: Wounded Heart, THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF MEDICAL ROMANCE
More exciting news, peeps! Are you braced? Are you ready?
Coming soon…
‘Wounded Heart’
THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF MEDICAL ROMANCE!
Pretty amazing, am I right?
‘Wounded Heart’ is a medical romantic suspense short story, featuring a hunky man doctor and a heroic lady cop. I’m so thrilled to be a part of The Mammoth Book family and can’t wait for all you lovely peeps to check it out.
More deets as they arrive!
January 27, 2013
Accidental Romance with Jessica Subject #guestauthor
Peeps, please welcome back Jessica Subject to the blog! Jessica and I are great mates, and I’m so thrilled to feature her newest release, ACCIDENTAL ROMANCE, on the blog. Take it away, Jessica!
In love with the farmhand?
Thank you so much, Cassandra, for having me back as a guest on your blog! It’s always a pleasure to be here.
Hello everyone! In my latest release, ACCIDENTAL ROMANCE, the main character finds out that the boy she grew up with, and worked beside for years, has feelings for her. And while she never saw him as more than a friend, she must depend on him to help her after her accident, an accident that left her with only one hand. Through her struggles, she must decide whether she, too, cares for him as more than a friend.
This story is very similar to the friends-to-lovers trope. Only the relationship between Leanne and Jake is a little more complicated than just friendship. Here’s an excerpt from the beginning of the story:
Leanne ducked, trying to avoid the apple flying toward her. With its speed, it stirred her hair, but she avoided contact. Instead, the fruit smashed against the wall then fell to the floor, a mess of brown pulp and skin. She stood and glared at the source of the flying object. “Jake, you’re such an ass.”
He grinned at her from across the milking parlor, tossing into the air another rotten apple he must have grabbed when he put the cows out to pasture. “You’d better be nice to me, LA, if you want me to do your chores tonight.”
With a huff, she rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I wasn’t the one who threw fruit at your head.” She cursed him several times a day for such pranks. Often he’d tossed her in the manure pile or turned the pressure hoses on her. He lived with his family down the road, and if their parents weren’t such good friends, she would have told her father to fire Jake years ago.
What do you have planned for tonight anyway?” He sauntered toward her, gripping the other apple so hard, she expected pulp to squeeze between his fingers. “Going out with your boyfriend?”
She cringed, hating how he mocked her with the word. “Jealous, much?”
Taking a step back, he scowled. “You wish. Why should I care who you date? You’re a grown woman.”
I’m glad you noticed.” She reached down for a piece of straw and poked him in the chest with it. “So, why is it such a problem?”
He shrugged his shoulders, his expression suddenly indifferent. “I think you can do better.”
She poked him again. “What, like you?”
He leaned closer, his face only an inch from hers. His musky scent overpowered the sweet stench of the barn and filled her senses. If he hadn’t been a constant pain in her ass, she might have thought he was going to kiss her.
“In your dreams.”
Should have known. She chuckled and tapped his cheek a couple times with her palm. “I can honestly say you have never been in any of my dreams. Not even my nightmares. And if you must know, I’m going out with my friends from college.” She spun around and called over her shoulder. “Tomorrow I’ll be with Scott.” She headed out of the barn. A field of wheat waited for her, and she had to harvest it before she went out.
At twenty-two, Leanne Declan has graduated from college and hopes to take over the family farm until a tragic accident changes her life forever. Unable to do the simplest everyday chores, she must depend on her family and friends as she learns to face life’s challenges. But when her fears threaten to destroy her future, can an unexpected love be strong enough to help her dreams come true?
Buy Links:
Amazon (Canada/US/UK) | Decadent Publishing | All Romance | Barnes&Noble | more
Giveaway#:
For your chance to WIN ACCIDENTAL ROMANCE swag, leave a comment telling me whether you’ve ever had a crush on a friend or co-worker. Winner will be notified by email on January 31, 2013. Good luck!
Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from her readers.
Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Authorgraph
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# The small print: Comment before midnight on 31 January 2012 (Australian Central Daylight Time) to be entered to win Accidental Romance swag. Winner will be selected by Jessica E Subject with winner’s name posted on this blog within three days of the close of the giveaway. Jessica will also contact the winner by e-mail; the winner will be required to reply with their postal address so Jessica can send the prize to them.
Only one entry per ISP address. Entrants must be over 18 years of age. By entering, you agree Jessica and Cassandra can use your name when announcing the winner if you should win. If potential prize winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, prize will be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. All prizes will be awarded. International entries are welcome. No purchase necessary to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Void where prohibited by law.
January 25, 2013
Happy Australia Day! Also, blog post fun
Hi peeps,
Happy Australia Day! I hope you’re having a great day, no matter if you’re Australian or from an extraction which is no Oz
I’m visiting a few blogs about the place to celebrate the release of FOOL’S GOLD. There are even some giveaways!
Joya Fields
Kali Willows
giveaway
Jessica Subject
giveaway
Check ‘em out and make sure you enter the giveaways! There’ll be other bits and pieces, so make sure you check back regularly.
Keep on having a glorious Australia Day. I’m going to continue enjoying Triple J’s Hottest 100 and chilling in the sunshine.
xx
January 17, 2013
Announcement: SILK & SCANDAL, Book 1 of The Silk Series!
Peeps, exciting news! Are you ready? Are you braced? Okay, here we go!
Announcing
The Silk Series!
Super awesome wow, am I right? So cool to have TWO series on the go! I’m super stoked to share the stories of five Victorian-era Cambridge students and their fates. Coming soon from Decadent Publishing, the first book is…
SILK & SCANDAL
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 her life.
Then, Nicola was required to follow her diplomat father to Hong Kong where, bored and alone, she proceeded to mire herself in scandal. Aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas was forced to sever their ties and eventually he became a respected barrister and new Member of Parliament.
Now Lady Nicola is back. And she won’t let him ignore her…
More info as it arrives, peeps!
xx
January 12, 2013
Guest Author: Cate Masters #giveaway
Hi peeps!
Today, we have author Cate Masters visiting the blog, chatting with us about her release, A MIDWEST SUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Check out the interview below, and there’s a GIVEAWAY at the end!
Cassandra Dean: Congratulations on the release of A MIDWEST SUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM! Would you tell us a little about it?
Thanks so much Cassandra! I’m excited that Book Strand released it last April. It’s a Western historical with a nod to one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
CD: What inspired you to write A MIDWEST SUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM?
Westerns were some of my favorite shows while growing up – Bonanza, The Rifleman, The Virginian and The Lone Ranger. A few years ago, I read about Jim Bridger, a mountain man who explored the Wild West before much of it was settled. Though illiterate, he loved Shakespeare and recited passages in mining camps and to Native American tribes. Many stories have already been written about Jim Bridger, but the notion of a mountain man loving Shakespeare stayed with me. So I created Jebediah Greene, who’s also a tribute to one of my ancestors, Peter LeVert, who was a fur trapper in the 1800s. Greene is the Anglicized version of his last name, and was my grandmother’s maiden name.
CD: Oh wow, that’s so cool! What do you find easiest/most difficult about writing Westerns historicals?
The answer to both is – the research. I’m a bit of a research addict, and can get carried away with it. I absolutely love it, and I love bringing history to life with vibrant characters and unusual settings. But writing historicals in general is a bit more difficult than other genres because the details must be accurate and authentic to give the right atmosphere. Oh yeah, and a hot cowboy is fun to write, lol.
CD: Yes, Hot Cowboys are fun to write! You write lots of different genres. How do you juggle them all?
Hm, maybe it also goes back to my childhood. In addition to Westerns, I also was a huge fan of shows like The Monkees and Dark Shadows, so it seems natural for me to write contemporaries and paranormal/fantasies.
Any story idea that hits me hard enough to make me excited, I simply follow it to see where it goes. Sometimes it crosses genres, sometimes mashes them. I don’t think of stories as any particular genre while writing. I just aim to make the story as good as I can!
CD: Do you have plans to write a book in any genre you haven’t written in before?
I’d love to write a steampunk story! I have a vague idea in mind for one but it’s way down on the currently overcrowded WIP list, lol.
CD: Ah, the overcrowded WIP list. I know it well What is your writing process?
It depends on the story. Sometimes just a name will spark a story to build around it. Usually I do begin with a vague plot in mind, and sometimes I will create a draft outline, but I’m mostly a pantser and let the characters lead me where they will. They’re very stubborn when I resist!
CD: What do you believe to be the most important factor in portraying a believable romantic relationship?
For me, the characters have to feel real, and readers have to care about them. Oh wait, that’s two, sorry. But they’re equal in importance.
CD: No probs, Cate! What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My Dad always told me, Stop dreaming your life away. Excellent advice as far as real life goes, but for writing, it definitely comes in handy, lol.
CD: What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?
To keep writing. Simple but true, because the more you write, the better you write.
CD: Totally agree with that! Who is your greatest writing influence?
Oh, a toughie. I don’t think I could pinpoint any one writer. I love so many, and the list keeps growing all the time.
CD: What do you enjoy reading?
Pretty much anything. I have three bookcases in my house overloaded with poetry books, short story anthologies, literary, fantasy, sci-fi, stories of magic and real life, you name it. Which also explains my eclectic writing!
CD: What’s your favourite television show? Favourite movie?
I’m usually not big on television, but Grimm has me absolutely hooked. It’s the one show I make a point to watch, though at this writing it’s in between seasons and I’m waiting eagerly for the new one to begin.
Movie, wow – I can’t pick only one. It changes as new movies are released, lol. The one that put me in awe in the past few years was Avatar – the theme, the world-building, the characters, the premise kept me intrigued long after I stopped watching, so I’d watch again later. (But no, I wasn’t one of those people who wanted to live in that world.)
CD: If you were stranded in the wild, wild West, what three things would you wish were with you?
Ha! Oh, what a great question. A horse would be a must-have, I suppose (I’ve always wanted one!). I absolutely hate guns, but I imagine those would also be handy. And I’d have to have a multi-talented cowboy like Jeb, who’s intelligent, resourceful, multilingual, and easy on the eyes!
CD: Where can readers find you?
They can catch up to me here:
My Blog ~ Blog for readers ~ Facebook ~ Google+ ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads
Open sky, Shakespeare, solitude. All Jebediah Greene needs. Alone since his teens, he’s never known loneliness, until he leaves Winona Young in California. Worse, he fears she’ll trap herself in a loveless marriage of convenience. After acting as her guide to San Francisco, how far will Jeb go to win her heart?
Reading provides escape for Winona Young. Usually. Fleeing Philadelphia, she learns her distant suitor isn’t who he seemed. Neither is her mountain man guide, in a good way. Intelligent, but mule-headed, Jeb’s impossible to speak to, in any language. Winona falls in love with the stunning beauty of the wilderness, with the simple ways of the Osage people, and with Jeb. But books can’t teach her how to tame a mountain man.
~Excerpt ~
Curses flew through Jeb’s head all day, but he cut them off before they reached his tongue. Stubborn woman. She’d cornered him like a fox in a hen house. Her chances were slim, but not impossible.
The mere thought of riding beside her, wind rifling through her hair… Oh, what a pickle. He sure could use the cash, but the strain of avoiding her might do him in. He’d have to ride upwind so as not to catch her lilac scent, or the constant erection hitting the saddle might kill him.
When she approached him that night as he relaxed on the porch swing, her sheepish expression said it all. “No luck?”
“Not yet. But I’ll find one soon. When I do, will you be my guide?”
Time to try a different tack. “What makes you think I’m trustworthy? I might be the kind of man who takes advantage of a lady in such a situation.”
“You are trustworthy. Mrs. Wilson said so. I have implicit faith in her good opinion of you.”
Why had he introduced the two women? Dealing with a single woman didn’t present a problem, not usually, but get two or more together, and damned if trouble didn’t brew in the kitchen right along with the coffee.
At his silence, she folded her arms, and stole glances at him. Never a good sign. He could see the spokes of her brain working behind those dark eyes.
“Perhaps you don’t have the gumption necessary for such an assignment.” She tilted her head, exposing her gracefully arched neck.
His mouth watered, longing to taste it. A laugh burst from him. “Gumption?” He scratched his chin. “Or perhaps my foresight is keener than yours, Miss Young. Do you have any idea what such a trip entails?”
“If you’re worried I can’t keep up with you—”
“You can’t keep up, you can’t pitch in. You can’t even cook, can you?”
She glanced away. “Well, I—”
“If I shoot a rabbit for dinner, how would you prepare it?”
She winced. “A rabbit?”
“A saddle can get mighty uncomfortable after an hour. What would you do after three hours? Or five?” The image of her rubbing her sore rear stirred him. Mighty tempting to offer to rub it for her. His voice cracked as he said, “If you want to be in San Francisco sooner than the coach, we’d have to make good time. Six, seven, maybe eight hours’ riding every day. And if we get caught in a storm, or held up somehow, we’d have to make up the time.”
Her jaw set hard, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“I’m sorry, Miss Young. You are not cut out for that kind of hardship.” Nor was he built to resist such temptation, the kind that carried a long-term sentence. Not that he wouldn’t enjoy carrying it out; yes, just thinking of sharing a bedroll with her heated his insides and turned his brain to mush. Another strike against such a trip; he might lead them in circles, staring at her rather than the path ahead.
She stepped closer, her eyes ablaze. “You think I don’t know hardship? You’re wrong, Mr. Greene. No, not the kind you face in your travels. I would think those hardships would be easier to bear than…” She looked away with glazed eyes. “Forgive me.”
Her sudden fury gave him pause, and aroused his curiosity. She had mettle in her bones, a steel reserve of strength in her sinewy frame. He had no doubt she’d experienced something terrible, terrible enough to make her leave her home. Her stubbornness might fade in the face of the long trail.
“I mean no disrespect.”
“Your kind never do.”
“Ma’am, believe it or not, I am not ignorant of the rules of civilization. I am well able to prevent myself from committing social blunders.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be unkind. My nerves have been on edge since we left Philadelphia. A woman traveling alone can’t take too many precautions.”
“I don’t expect you’d encounter many willing to take up the challenge of threatening you, ma’am.” He regretted his words when he saw how she flinched under their sting. He wished her no harm, but everything she said provoked him in some way.
GIVEAWAY#
I’ll give an ebook of A Midwest Summer Night’s Dream to a commenter who shares what they love most about Westerns. Please leave your email address so I can contact you.
Thanks so much for having me as a guest, Cassandra! It’s been a pleasure.
CD: Thanks for stopping by, Cate! Make sure you check out A MIDWEST SUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, peeps!
Cate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home for the past 20 years, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart.
Most days, 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.
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# The small print: Comment before midnight on 20 January 2013 (Australian Central Standard Time) to be entered to win an ebook of A Midwest Summer Night’s Dream by Cate Masters. Winner will be selected via random.org, with winner’s name posted on this blog within three days of the close of the giveaway. Cate will also contact the winner by e-mail; the winner will be required to reply with their postal address so Cate can send the prize to them.
Only one entry per ISP address. Entrants must be over 18 years of age. By entering, you agree Cassandra and Cate can use your name when announcing the winner if you should win. If potential prize winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, prize will be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. All prizes will be awarded. International entries are welcome. No purchase necessary to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Void where prohibited by law.
