Cassandra Dean's Blog: Blog of Bloggy Blogness, page 24

Two awesome month-long #giveaways start today!

Peeps! Today TWO AWESOME GIVEAWAYS started today!

GIVEAWAY THE FIRST:
GIVE A READER A READER

From 15 November to 15 December, Decadnet Publishing are holding a massive giveaway. 45 books by Decadent authors are on offer, as well as bits and bobs along the way. The Giveaway also heralds a huge Decadent Blog Hop, with many Decadent authors participating. Make sure you visit each author as the giveaway progresses, they could be giving away prizes too!

 

 

GIVEAWAY THE SECOND:

TRR YEAR END SPLASH PARTY

Also from 15 November to 15 December, The Romance Reviews annual Year End Splash parties on down! With over 300 participating authors and publishers (including me!), there’s sure to be something for everyone. Make sure you stop by daily, there’s plenty of fun games and LOTS of amazing prizes!

 

 

How great is that, peeps? Make sure you get on those giveaways, lickety split

xx

A Reader for a Reader – Massive Decadent Publishing Giveaway!

Hi peeps,

To celebrate November, Decadent Publishing are hosting a month-long giveaway! Commencing 15 November and running to 15 December, comment on the blogs listes to win a Nook pre-loaded with Decadent titles for a friend, and all 45 titles for yourself*!

There also be other fabulous giveaways, so make sure you visit every author participating. I’ll be hosting part of the giveaway hop on 10 December – stop by for a Giveaway ON TOP of the Giveaway!

Want more deets? Check out Daily Dose of Decadence for more info, and press play on the youTube vid below.

Hope to see you guys around the giveaway!

xx

 

 



 

 

 

* Unfortunately, the Nook is only available to US residents, but all other prizes are open to everyone.

 

Blah blah

Hey peeps,

Have you seen my new blog with Lucy Clark? My critique partner and F4E*, Lucy and I have created a blog to document the scintilating and sizzling conversations we undertake every week at our regular coffee meet. Seriously, peeps. Scintilating. Sizzling. So very influenced by caffeine ;p

 


Cassandra and Lucy

 

In other news, there’s a few giveaways and blog posts about the place! Stop by:

 

Books Amour

Daily Dose of Decadence

You Gotta Read Reviews

 

and I’ll be visiting on 14 November

 

Silken Sheets & Seduction

 

Now, back to the writing and stuff

xx

 

*check out Cassandra and Lucy to find out what F4E means!

Six Sentence Sunday – Fool’s Gold #sixsunday

After another break, I’m back with Six Sentence Sunday! As always, a big thank you to the peeps behind this wonderful initiative, and to all the lovely people who comment on my sentences

So, I don’t know if you peeps know, but I’ve a new book coming out! A sequel to ROUGH DIAMOND, FOOL’S GOLD features secondary characters Pearl and Garrett. They don’t get on at all, but when they’re stuck in the Diamond Saloon on Christmas Eve as a blizzard storms in, well, shenanigans ensue.

Here, Pearl thinks she’ll be getting a night to herself, but instead, there’s a pounding at the Diamond’s door…

The pounding began again, the doors trembling under the force of the knock. Hell and tarnation, she couldn’t leave the poor soul out there to freeze.

Resigning herself to the loss of alone time, she strode across the saloon’s floor and arranged a smile of welcome across her features as she unbolted the door and swung it wide.

Framed in the opening, his hat jammed tight on his head and the collar of his duster turned against the cold, stood Ethan Garrett.

Her smile died. Out of all the population of Freewill, why did it have to be him?

Thanks for stopping by, peeps! And please keep coming back for updates on FOOL’S GOLD’s progress!

 

 



 

 

Welcome to the blog Sorcha Mowbray! #blogtour

Peeps, today we have Sorcha Mowbray visiting the blog! Please join me in wishing her a very warm welcome, as we settle in to read all about her new release, LOVE REDEEMED!

 

 



 

Cassandra Dean: Congratulations on the release of LOVE REDEEMED! Would you tell us a little about it?

Sorcha Mowbray: Well, LOVE REDEEMED is book two in The Market series. It is about a high class prostitute who meets a handsome merchant on the street and is unexpectedly treated as a lady. Enjoying the novelty of such deference, she conceals that she is a prostitute. The merchant has been trying to work up the nerve to introduce himself to the beautiful woman he has seen on Bond Street and finally does. He is taken with her and loses his heart quite handily. Then she disappears and he must find and convince her that their love is enough to carry them through. (Read the official blurb and an excerpt at the end of the interview.)

CD: What inspired you to write LOVE REDEEMED?

SM: I love the idea of historical romance that doesn’t center on the nobility. I wanted to write a prostitute who gets a happy ending and since I was writing a series set in a brothel it was the perfect opportunity.

CD: LOVE REDEEMED is part of your Market series. How did the series come about?

SM: Well, I had this idea for two masked lovers who were intimate but yet wouldn’t know each other across a ball room. I needed a premise that would put them in masks in a believable setting. That was the genesis of LOVE REVEALED that was when I created The Market, the brothel where the series centers. From there the other two stories developed on their own.

CD: Would you tell us a little about the first book in the series, LOVE REVEALED?

SM: LOVE REVEALED is a story of a lord and a lady who have unusual sexual proclivities. He’s a dominant and she is a submissive. Under the guise of anonymity—the masks—they meet. However, they also know each other in their everyday lives. When the two worlds collide they must discover if their sexual relationship can blossom into more.

CD: What do you find easiest/most difficult about writing historical erotic romance?

SM: In the first book, it was working in the BDSM elements. It existed, just not in such a well-defined form as today. In all the books I’d say the clothing. For the love of God those people wore more clothing than you could shake a stick at! Getting them naked is tough work without boring the crap out of the reader.

CD: You write historical erotic romance and contemporary western erotic romance. How do you go about writing in these genres?

SM: It’s not much different. I get a germ of an idea and I start mapping out a story. Then I write it and find out where the journey really goes. The only difference lies in the things I research. Oh, and the language I guess. But I’ve read historical for so long I often use words in everyday language that makes people go, huh? Like arse. LOL! I say that one a lot. And as far as western, well I grew up down south so that’s not much of a stretch.

CD: Do you have plans to write a book in any other another genre?

SM: Yes! I am working on an erotic science fiction/post-apocalyptic story. Mostly plotting, but I have one scene written. We’ll see if I actually keep it.

CD: What is your writing process?

SM: Well, like I said above, I get an idea. Some key element that appeals to me and I start rolling it around in my head. This often happens on the weekends when I lay in bed half asleep and half awake. You know that in between state? Then I usually get up, get coffee moving, and sit down to draft a quick outline. From the outline I work up an initial blurb and maybe some character sketches. Then, either right away or maybe later if I need to set it on a back burner, I will draft a synopsis depending on how long the story is. If it’s meant to be short I might skip this step. Once I have a synopsis I do any research I know I need to do and then I start writing. As I write I may find my synopsis/outline changes and even my character sketches. Cause as I write, things develop more fully for me. I sometimes learn things about my characters I didn’t know going in.

CD: What do you believe to be the most important factor in portraying a believable romantic relationship?

SM: Chemistry and balance. The hero and heroine (or whatever variation of that you are writing) have to have chemistry. They have to complement each other and sometimes they have to conflict, cause that’s how it is in real life. If it is all hunky dory right from the get go or all piss and vinegar then the reader won’t buy into the relationship.

CD: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

SM: Put your butt in the seat and write. It’s how you get published and one you’re published it’s how you keep reader’s interest. It’s your best marketing tool.

CD: Who is your greatest writing influence?

SM: I think most authors that I read offer something worth admiring. Not all, but most. Whether it’s their story telling, sentence structure, plot weaving, characterization, grammar, or pacing. Or maybe how well they handle a particular topic. So I’d have to say there are a lot of little influences as opposed to one big one. Maya Banks, Cherise Sinclair, and Lorelei James are three authors I really enjoy reading and I like to think have improved my writing in some way.

CD: What do you enjoy reading?

SM: All kinds of romance and some urban fantasy. I don’t really vary my reading much outside of the genre. I know what I like.

CD: What’s your favourite television show? Favourite movie?

SM: Blue Bloods is probably my favorite TV show right now. Movie? Gone With The Wind. Seriously, I don’t know how many times I’ve watched it. Grease might be a close runner up.

CD: What do you find the absolute bestest about writing the smexy times type of books?

SM: It’s sex. Are you kidding? It’s all great!

CD: If you were stranded in The Market, what three things would you wish were with you?

SM: Modern day condoms, a pair of thong undies, and modern day lube.

CD: Where can readers find you?

SM: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pintrest | GoodReads | Kindlegraph

 

 

 

At each stop of the blog tour Sorcha will give away a copy of LOVE REVEALED (Book 1) of the series. At the end of the 11 day tour a grand prize of a $25 All Romance eBook (ARe) store gift card and one copy of her back list will be given away to one lucky winner.

Rules (Cause you know there have to be rules!)

1. Winners of the individual blog stops will not be eligible to win the grand prize

2. One comment per stop will be eligible for the drawings (so be sure to answer Sorcha’s questions!)

3. The contest is open internationally

4. Commenters must include an email so they can be contacted

5. Any prize not claimed within 48hrs will be subject to forfeiture and a new winner drawn

 

 

Love Redeemed

(Book 2, The Market Series)

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.

Available 27 November 2012 from all good ebook stores!

 

 

 

~ Excerpt ~

“Are you all right, Miss?”

For a moment, for this moment, she was a normal young woman experiencing the attentions of a handsome young man. Heat crept up her cheeks as he held her hatbox out, and the burning had nothing to do with the sun. “I-I— Yes, I am. Thank you.” His blue-gray eyes seemed to bore into her.

“I am so glad. I was sure you were a goner there for a moment.” He flashed a brilliant grin liquefying Serena’s insides instantly. “Please let me introduce myself. I’m Mr. Brennan Whitling of Whitling Textiles Importers and Wholesalers.”

“How do you do, Mr. Whitling?” Serena allowed her lips to curve up ever so slightly. “I am Miss Serena Freemont.”

“It is a pleasure. Might I interest you and your”—he glanced around the bustling street as his grin faded in confusion— “chaperone in a cup of tea?”

A wave of horror swept over Serena. Chaperone? Harlots did not require one of those. “Oh, Aunt Henrietta is in the bookstore, and I fear she will be in there a very long time. I am certain she won’t notice if we slip off for a quick spot of tea.”

“Excellent! There is a lovely little shop just up the street.” A beautiful smile spread across his face, causing her pulse to quicken.

He escorted her up the block where they stopped at a quaint little teashop. They settled in at a table and ordered a pot of tea.

“What has you on Bond Street today, Mr. Whitling?” They sat in semi privacy at the back of the shop.

“Oh, I was visiting some of my customers and taking new orders. I am very glad I was there to help you, and by virtue of said assistance make your acquaintance.” Did his already deep voice grow huskier? Their tea service arrived, dispelling the moment.

“As am I. Landing on my backside in the middle of the street would have been rather embarrassing. But in truth, thank you for your assistance today, and now the tea.” She lifted her freshly prepared cup to her lips and took a dainty sip from the delicate china. Through lowered lashes, she watched his graceful movements as he prepared his own.

“It is my pleasure on both accounts. You seem familiar to me. Have we met somewhere before? A ball perhaps?”

 

 

Sorcha Mowbray is a

© foaloce – Fotolia.com

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 long time 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!

 

 

WINNER! ROUGH DIAMOND Blog Tour Grand Prize! #blogtour #win

Hi peeps!

The ROUGH DIAMOND blog tour is all done and dusted and winners have been picked! Congratulations to the individual blog tour stop winners:

 

Blog Tour Stop Winners

Stop 1: Book Reviews and More by Kathy – JeanMP

Stop 2: Adriana Kraft – CarinW

Stop 3: Catriana’s Muse – Tin

Stop 4: Victoria Blisse – Faith

Stop 5: Satin’s Bookish Corner – jessiel

 

And now, da da da DAAAAA! The GRAND PRIZE WINNER! Drum roll, please….

Congratulations…

 

CARIN W!

 

Carin W has won a USD$20.00 Amazon.com Gift Card, signed postards and magnets of ALL my Decadent Publishing releases!

Thank you to everyone who commented on the tour. I had a grand time, and I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about Alice, Rupert and ROUGH DIAMOND. Big thanks to Writer Marketing Services for organising

Cassandra

xx

 

Winner! Wicked After Dark Halloween Giveaway Hop! [CONTEST]

Peeps, we have a winner! Congratulations…

 

micheleann oboyle!

 

micheleann has won an ebook copy of either ENSLAVED or TEACH ME, a signed ROUGH DIAMOND postcard and a ROUGH DIAMOND magnet. Congrats, micheleann!

I’d also like to extend a massive THANK YOU to all who participated. Halloween is such an awesome time of year, and I’m so glad I got to live it vicariously through you all. Thanks for hopping, peeps!

xx

#ANNOUNCEMENT! Fool’s Gold, a sequel to Rough Diamond!!!

Peeps! Exciting news! So very, very exciting it’s taken me a few days to blog about it! YES IT’S THAT EXCITING.

WTF2: The Reckoning has been contracted to Decadent Publishing! It also has a real name! Are you ready?? Here it is:

 

Fool’s Gold

 

Super excitement fun times wow, am I right? Part of Decadent Publishing’s Western Escape, Fool’s Gold is a sequel to Rough Diamond featuring secondary characters Pearl and Ethan. And here’s a blurb!

Christmas in Freewill

Christmas Eve, the Diamond Saloon is empty of its people, and Pearl la Monte has a hankering to retire early. A pounding at the Diamond’s door rids her of such a fool notion, and her irritation rises when she sees its the prissy, polite-like Garrett at the door.

Ethan Garrett has a powerful need to gain succor from the Diamond. When Pearl opens the door, he don’t stop to think on how his ire at her has disappeared, or how he just wants to spend some time in her company.

But when a blizzard storms in, when it traps them alone, maybe they’ll find their irritation for each other disguises something more…

More info as it arrives, peeps!

xx

 

WINNER! Howloween Blog Hop! [CONTEST]

Peeps, we have a winner! Congratulations…

 

Cassandra Hicks!

 

Cassandra has won an ebook copy of either ENSLAVED or TEACH ME, a signed ROUGH DIAMOND postcard and a ROUGH DIAMOND magnet. Congrats, Cassandra!

I’d also like to extend a massive THANK YOU to all who participated. Halloween is such an awesome time of year, and I’m so glad I got to live it vicariously through you all. Thanks for hopping, peeps!

xx

WINNER! Hot in Handcuffs Blog Hop! [CONTEST]

Peeps, we have a winner! Congratulations…

Cassandra Hicks!

Cassandra has won an ebook copy of either ENSLAVED or TEACH ME, a signed ROUGH DIAMOND postcard and a ROUGH DIAMOND magnet. Congrats, Cassandra!

I’d also like to extend a massive THANK YOU to all who participated. Halloween is such an awesome time of year, and I’m so glad I got to live it vicariously through you all. Thanks for hopping, peeps!

xx