Cassandra Dean's Blog: Blog of Bloggy Blogness, page 26

Six Sentence Sunday – Rough Diamond #sixsunday

Yay, it’s time for 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

ROUGH DIAMOND is out and about, and I’m just so gosh-darn proud I could burst! Below are six sentences from my newest release. I hope you enjoy!

Straightening, she held out her wrist. “Would you unbutton me?”

He said nothing as he complied. God, this reminded her of the alley, and him removing her glove oh-so-slowly.

“Other wrist.” His voice was hoarse.

Thanks for stopping by, peeps!

If you’re inclined, ROUGH DIAMOND can be purchased at the following places:

Decadent Publishing | Amazon.com | Smashwords | All Romance eBooks | Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

The Alpha Male Blog Hop! [CONTEST]

 

The Alpha Male Blog Hop is hosted by
Carrie Ann Ryan.

Let the celebrations begin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey peeps!

Welcome to the Alpha Male Blog Hop! Big thanks go to Carrie Ann Ryan for hosting.

There’s something so delicious about an Alpha male, isn’t there? A take charge kind of guy, who is no-nonsense and forceful and single-minded in his actions. However, my favourite kind of Alpha is one who protects and guards his heroine. Hmm. I don’t think I’m explaining it too well…I’ll try again.

I LOVE a story with a strong heroine, who may be the leader of a country, and the alpha male who is sworn to serve her. LOVE THIS WITH A PASSION! A great example of this is The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop. These books are fairly littered with the alpha-iest of Alpha Males, and yet they crave being in the service of a worthy female. LOVE THIS SO VERY MUCH! I highly recommend these books, peeps, and suggest you check them out. Right now, in fact. I’ll wait

Are you back? Good! How cool are they? Super cool, right??

As for my own books, I would LOVE to write an alpha male, but I just don’t think I’m wired that way. Maybe one day, if I’m real good and eat all my vegetables (and, you know, write a character who’s an alpha), then it will happen. In the meantime, I’ll take the lovely Rupert from ROUGH DIAMOND!

 

Owner of the Diamond Saloon and Theater, Alice Reynolds is astounded when a fancy Englishman offers to buy her saloon. She won’t be selling her saloon to anyone, let alone a man with a pretty, empty-headed grin…but then, she reckons that grin just might be a lie, and a man of intelligence and cunning resides beneath.

Rupert Llewellyn has another purpose for offering to buy the pretty widow’s saloon—the coal buried deep in land she owns. However, he never banked on her knowing eyes making him weak at the knees, or how his deception would burn upon his soul.

Each determined to outwit the other, they tantalize and tease until passion explodes. But can their desire bridge the lies told and trust broken?

 

 

And now, the contest#!

So, peeps, do you like an alpha male? Or is a beta more your style? A combo of the two? Let me know your thoughts, and please leave your fave books featuring your males. I’d love to have some springtime reading, so comment below, leave your email address, and you’ll go in the running to win!

One lucky commenter will win a USD$5 Amazon.com Gift Card, as well as a signed ROUGH DIAMOND postcard, and a ROUGH DIAMOND magnet. International entries are welcome – if Australia Post can reach your country, you can enter!

But wait, there’s more!

There’s also THREE GRAND PRIZES! Make sure you leave your email in your comment and you’ll go in the winning to win:

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack*!

 

Make sure you hop all over the place, comment and leave your email address, and you’ll have over 200 hundred chances to win! That’s like super awesome wow!

So comment away, peeps, I’m looking forward to reading them all!

 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CHANCES TO WIN!

 

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# The small print: Comment before midnight on 22/10/2012 (Australian Central Standard Time) to be entered to win a USD$5 Amazon.com Gift Card, one (1) signed ROUGH DIAMOND postcard and one (1) ROUGH DIAMOND magnet. Winner will be selected via random.org, with winner’s name posted on this blog by 23/10/2012. Cassandra will also contact the winner by e-mail; the winner will be required to reply with their postal address so Cassandra 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 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.

Grand Prize giveaway is hosted by Carrie Ann Ryan (http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com). Cassandra is not responsible or liable in any way for this giveaway. For more details, please visit http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com.

* Unfortunately, due to postage, the swag pack is only available to commenters with a US postal address.

WINNER! Hot in Handcuffs Blog Hop! [CONTEST]

Peeps, we have a winner! Congratulations…

Shadow!

Shadow has won a USD$5 Amazon.com Gift Card, a signed ROUGH DIAMOND postcard and a ROUGH DIAMOND magnet. Congrats, Shadow!

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

Welcome Kacey Hammell to the blog! #guestpost

Hey peeps!

Kacey Hammell has dropped by, to let us all know about her latest release. Come with me now on a journey into her world…

Wow, that sounds kinda forbidding, doesn’t it??

 

 

 

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

Kacey Hammell: Thank you! AWAKENINGS features Alicia is very strong-willed and trying to deal with the aftermath of what happened to her in her cousin’s story (ILLUSIONS). With the reappearance of the man who made her feel alive once before in the past, and believing that love is no longer what she needs, it’s a journey of ups and downs. As well, she’s suspended from her job as a Detective, but continues to search for a killer and a missing child.

CD: What inspired you to write AWAKENINGS?

KH: AWAKENINGS was a labour of love, and battles, with the heroine. Alicia is very strong-willed and trying to deal with the aftermath of what happened to her in her cousin’s story (ILLUSIONS). She had a lot of healing to do, as did I due to some of my own difficult times, so she and I had a lot of things to get through.

CD: AWAKENINGS is a part of your series, IN THE ARMS OF THE LAW. What do you find most challenging about writing a series?

KH: The characters. They’re flawed, a lot, but I adore them. They aren’t the normal heroes/heroines that a lot of authors write, because of their flaws, but everyone has a story to tell and a love to find. Nothing is easy for any of them, and their woven histories/romances.

CD: AWAKENINGS is a contemporary romantic suspense. How do you go about writing in this genre?

KH: I let the story tell itself in that way. With ILLUSIONS & AWAKENINGS, I didn’t know anything – hadn’t pre-planned the villains/suspense angles – and just allowed the characters to lead me through it.

CD: You’ve written contemporary erotic romance, contemporary romantic suspense, and even dabbled in the paranormal. Do you have plans to write a book in any other another genre?

KH: Not at this time. I find the Contemp/Rom. Susp the most comfortable. The ghost story, which comes out with another pub around Christmas, was a lot of fun to write but I find the aforementioned genres are more my avenue. Of course, there is that paranormal ménage trilogy (with witches, telekinetics, etc) that is sitting in the outline stages of my WIP folder – so never say never. *g*

CD: What is your writing process?

KH: I wait for a song, tv, movie, a real-life event I hear on the news to strike a chord. Or a character appear to me in a dream – this happens most often.

I have a hard time staying within a box that is set by certain submission calls or serials/lines, and have to let my heart/gut lead me. Then I have to envision the main intervals of each story in my head, kind of like a movie reel to fly through my mind, before I can sit to write.

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

KH: Being true to those characters and the love between the two of them. If the writer has to force characters together, then it’s not real, and readers can usually tell. Allowing them each the depth to share their world/romance with readers is vital.

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

KH: From my dad – that I can’t please everyone. To simply be true to whom I am and the life I wish to live. Be honest, kind, and always root for those that have no one in their corner.

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

KH: To be true to myself and my characters. Allow the heart and soul to be put out there, leaving nothing missed and no holding back. Make it all about the story, not the money, the great reviews, the accolades, but all about the story. Not everyone will like everything every author writes.

CD: Who is your greatest writing influence?

Two authors – Cherry Adair & JD Robb. Legends in this business and really hooked me into reading romance when I was in my early teen years. Only my husband has ever lived up to any of their heroes! *g*

CD: What do you enjoy reading?

KH: The 2 aforementioned authors but also many more. I love Contemp, Rom. Susp., Paranormal genres. Some fave authors – Sara Brookes, Sandra Sookoo, Sandra Brown, Cindy Gerard, Suzanne Brockmann, Lucy Felthouse, Jessica Subject, Jaci Burton, Lauren Dane, JR Ward, Patricia Rasey, Sahara Kelly, Jill Shalvis, Lori Foster, Lara Adrian…and the list continues! LOL

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

KH: I have a lot of fave tv shows – Bones, GRIMM, L&O:SVU, Games of Thrones, True Blood, Blue Bloods, American Chopper, American Pickers, CSI, NCIS/LA, Days of our Lives.

Fave movies – Grease, Top Gun, Dirty Dancing, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Armageddon, Avengers, Con Air, A Time To Kill, Expendables, and the list is endless …

CD: Wow, you’ve watched Days of our Lives for 29 years! What do you love about the show?

KH: It’s a guilty pleasure! Foremost, I love the memories of my mom and I watching it together for years. Plus the bonds of the families on the show. Yes, albeit fictional, but their also create some great memories. As a die-hard fan, it’s like I know the characters personally. Dramatic, yes, but it’s a lot of shows over the years, it’s like an addiction now. It is my hour of complete veg/me time every day – or once a week if I get behind in watching the recordings. LOL

CD: If you were stranded in an abandoned police station in the middle of a ghost town, what three things would you wish were with you?

KH: Oh gosh, that’s a hard one. My husband first of all – he’s my rock, in every situation, so I would need him to keep me calm. Food & water probably the other two. As long as I have the hubs, I don’t care about anything else! LOL

CD: Where can readers find you?

KH: Website / Facebook / Facebook Author Page / Twitter / Amazon / Goodreads / Pinterest

 

 

In the Arms of the Law, Book 2
Romantic Suspense/Contemporary Erotic Romance

 

With her old flame back in her life, and on the trail of a killer, Detective Alicia Knowles is forced to face the past as she tries to make decisions about her future…

Detective Alicia Knowles once believed there was good in everyone. Not anymore. After a harrowing experience, her life had changed and she was a very different woman. Now more dangerous, she moves through the darkness of her once sunny world, unsure what to do with her pent up feelings of fear and anger.

Even her new boss, Cole Douglass, makes her feel out of control. One night, years ago, he made her feel things she’d never felt with any other man. This time it can only be business between them.

With her latest case, however, temperatures flare.

Their passion is rekindled as the search is on for a missing child and a murderer on the run. Can Alicia protect her heart from the most dangerous power of all…love?

 

Available at
Amazon
aRe (All Romance eBooks)
B&N (Nook)

 

 

~ Excerpt ~

She turned around. Their chests brushed, and she gave him a half-smile. “I know Hannah might not blame me, but I do. A few more moments, it’s all we would have needed. I’d change it if I could.” When Cole opened his mouth, she placed her fingers on his lips to silence him. “I can’t, but I vow to do whatever it takes to catch this son-of-a-bitch.”

Alicia tried to convey the sincerity of her promise as she stared into his eyes. For Hannah, and this man, she’d do whatever she could to bring peace to their family once more.

“I know you would. But you can’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. We’ll get him.” He raised his hand to her cheek and pushed back a strand of hair that had fallen over her face. Her breath quickened at the light touch. Her body stilled.

The air crackled with electricity. She was sure he could feel it, too; the tension rolled off his body like waves in the ocean. To walk away would be the best thing to do, but for the life of her, Alicia couldn’t get her feet to move.

“You know what, Ali?” His voice was soft and powerfully seductive. “You know what I remember most about our night together?”

Alicia’s hand clasped his wrist, below where his fingers rested lightly on her cheek. She wanted to fall into his arms, burn beneath his touch again. They’d never talked about it and she was curious to know what he remembered.

She remembered it all.

Every touch and sigh. Every kiss and pleasure she basked in.

Through many a cold and lonely night, she cherished the memories of Cole’s hard body pressed against hers, pushing her against the mattress—and the wall and the bathroom counter—but she marveled at how he’d made her feel like more of a woman in one night than she’d felt in all her adult years.

Her voice hoarse and scratchy, she whispered, “What do you remember?”

“Our fire.”

When his mouth claimed hers, her body ignited with long-repressed emotions. Hunger, mind-blowing hunger, rattled through her. It was so hard to breathe.

© Kacey Hammell

 

The writer: Kacey Hammell is a multi-published erotic romance author who writes mainly in the Contemporary/Romantic Suspense genres. She is a true romantic at heart.

The Wife and Mom: Born, raised and still living in her hometown in Ontario, Canada, Kacey found true love with her husband. As a Mom of three, Kacey has made certain that each of her children know the value of the written word and the adventures they could escape on by becoming book-a-holics in their own right.

Peeps, I’m back! #thereturn

Hey peeps,

I’m back! Thanks to the break, I’m all rested and revitilised and raring to go. Expect a FLURRY of stuff from now on…or maybe just a slow trickle…

So, have you peeps visited my new blog with Lucy Clark yet? More on that in another blog post, but skip on over to Cassandra and Lucy right now for an exclusive ROUGH DIAMOND excerpt!

And don’t forget, the stuff below is still happening, with more stuff to come:

Also, ROUGH DIAMOND is now available, as is TEACH ME in print!

More real soon!

xx

Radio Silence – I’m offline for a few days

Hey peeps,

Just a quick note to let you all know I’ll be offline for a few days while I have a bit of a rest. Real Life, writing WTF 2: The Reckoning (now called Fools’ Gold) and other odds and sods have contributed to a very tired Cassandra. HOWEVER! There’s still exciting bits and bobs about the place, including:

And don’t forget, ROUGH DIAMOND is now available, as is TEACH ME in print!

See you peeps in a couple of days!

Hot in Handcuffs Blog Hop! [CONTEST]

 

 

The Hot in Handcuffs Giveaway Hop is hosted by Under the Covers. Let the celebrations begin!

 

 

 

 

 

Hey peeps!

Welcome to the Hot in Handcuffs Blog Hop! Big thanks go to Under the Covers for hosting.

Phew, this is a bit of a saucy hop, isn’t it? I’m not even sure where to begin…um…uh…*blushes* My, my, I never thought I’d be this reticent about this subject!

I do love the saucy times in my books. Actually, I remember my first introduction to Erotic Romance – the lovely Emma Holly. Beyond Innocence was my first book by her and my word, the sauciness abounds! The description of the lovemaking between the hero and the heroine is lush and explicit, and I was totally hooked from then on!

I discovered online bookstores such as Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing and, of course, Decadent Publishing.

Hmm. This doesn’t have much to do with handcuffs, does it? Um, well let me tell you about my introduction to BDSM stories. I’d heard a lot about Joey W. Hill and decided to give her a try. I started at the beginning of her Nature of Desire series, and when I read the second in the series, Natural Law, I just about swooned. It was soooo good, and featured a lady Domme and her defiant sub. Ms Hill deals with the psychology behind BDSM superbly, and my understanding of the sub-culture expanded exponentially. I’d invite you to try her books if you like that genre!

Of course, now that I’m a published author, I also like to inject a little spicy times into my work. My latest release, ROUGH DIAMOND, has some saucy moments:

God, this was all so stupid. Rupert put in her head all sorts of thoughts Alice shouldn’t be entertaining. She shouldn’t be thinking of his hand on hers, and the heat that went through her as his touch danced over her skin. She shouldn’t be thinking of dark eyes and the flash of something deeper behind them. She shouldn’t think of whiskey and words, and the way he’d looked as if he wanted to devour her when she’d put the glass to her lips.

She shouldn’t be thinking of him and all that pale skin in her bed.

One by one, he tugged the fingers of the glove. Each pull of the fabric against her skin dragged through her, traveling up her arm and across her chest, finding an answering tug low in her belly.

She didn’t even know where these thoughts were coming from. Hell, there was no reason on God’s green earth why she should be thinking them. It was only…. They’d talked some, and most of it had been nonsense, but every now and then she reckoned it was the real Llewellyn peeked through. Every now and then, it was as if he were daring her to discover his ruse, daring her to play, and…and, well hell. He was just so damn pretty.

Mouth dry, she watched as he 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.

As one, they lunged at the other. Pulling on his lapel with one hand, she ignored the twinge of pain as she plunged her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. His tangled in the strands piled atop her head as his tongue swept her lips and she opened eagerly, his taste exploding in her mouth, as full of fire as the whiskey she’d teased him with. God damn, she had wanted to do this. She had wanted his hands on her, his mouth on her, his hair in her hands and his taste in her mouth. Now she had what she wanted, his hand tightening in her hair, his body hard and delicious against hers, and she wanted more.

Backing her against the wall, he braced his arms behind her to protect her from the rough wood. Lips traced her eyebrow, her cheek, the cord of her neck. Arching for him, she melted, molded, became whatever he needed so he wouldn’t stop. His mouth returned to hers, and she kissed him, for hours, for days, until she was a seethe of want and lust and she wanted him. Dear God, how she wanted him.

Owner of the Diamond Saloon and Theater, Alice Reynolds is astounded when a fancy Englishman offers to buy her saloon. She won’t be selling her saloon to anyone, let alone a man with a pretty, empty-headed grin…but then, she reckons that grin just might be a lie, and a man of intelligence and cunning resides beneath.

Rupert Llewellyn has another purpose for offering to buy the pretty widow’s saloon—the coal buried deep in land she owns. However, he never banked on her knowing eyes making him weak at the knees, or how his deception would burn upon his soul.

Each determined to outwit the other, they tantalize and tease until passion explodes. But can their desire bridge the lies told and trust broken?

 

 

And now, the contest#!

What sort of saucy tales do you peeps like? What are your favourite handcuffed moments? I’d love to hear all about them. Comment below, leave your email address, and you’ll go in the running to win!

One lucky commenter will win a USD$5 Amazon.com Gift Card, as well as a signed ROUGH DIAMOND postcard, and a ROUGH DIAMOND magnet. International entries are welcome – if Australia Post can reach your country, you can enter!

 

 

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# The small print: Comment before midnight on 16/10/2012 (Australian Central Standard Time) to be entered to win a USD$5 Amazon.com Gift Card, one (1) signed ROUGH DIAMOND postcard and one (1) ROUGH DIAMOND magnet. Winner will be selected via random.org, with winner’s name posted on this blog by 17/10/2012. Cassandra will also contact the winner by e-mail; the winner will be required to reply with their postal address so Cassandra 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 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.

Welcome back to the blog, Jessica E Subject! #guestpost

Peeps, a special treat today. Please join me in welcoming back to the blog my fellow Decadent author and good buddy, Jessica E Subject!

I write what I read, and read what I write

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Cassandra! It’s a pleasure to be back.

In the publishing industry, I often hear the advice, to NOT read anything in the genre you write. Why? Because it supposedly can change the author’s voice in the story as they write their own. Well, that’s one piece of advice I don’t follow. I enjoy romance stories, especially science fiction, contemporary, erotica, and more. I enjoy other genres as well, but I tend to read more romance than anything.

Why do I not follow this advice? Well, when I’m reading young adult, my characters may sound too immature for some readers. If I’m reading a thriller, it’s kind of hard to write sexy for one character when I’m worried about the life of another. Maybe this is because I get very involved in the stories I’m reading. Recently, I read a book that I had to put down because I was too involved. The story was fabulous, but everything that happened to the character left me depressed. But I digress.

By reading stories in the genre I write, I learn from them, what I like and what I don’t. But my voice doesn’t change. I still write like myself, trying to improve my skills along the way. That’s what it’s all about.

So, I follow advice from other authors, in that I should read as much as I can, ESPECIALLY stories in my own genre.

And before writing my recent release, CRASH LANDING, I read a lot of erotica.

Here’s an excerpt from the beginning of the story:

Cael gripped the cushioned arms of the captain’s chair as his ship tumbled bow over stern. The console flashed a blinding red in front of him. Piercing alarms drilled into his mind and he lost focus. The seconds raced by as he plummeted toward Earth. He’d fucked up this mission of peace. Contact with his home planet had ended months ago. No one from Narien could save him now. His death was imminent.

The water below wouldn’t soften his landing. At its current speed, his ship would disintegrate on splashdown. The planet’s gravity pulled him down faster.

He coughed; the acrid scent of fried electronics stung his nose and the back of his throat. Please let my death be quick.

A rattling to the left caught his attention above all other noise. The handle on the cabin door shook. Freedom. It wasn’t his time to die, if he could get out.

The altimeter on the dashboard read six thousand meters, high enough to jump and land safely with his chute. Only to land in frigid water and die of exhaustion or hypothermia from treading without any hope of a rescue.

“Shit.” But he’d die if he stayed. He had to take the chance. Yanking off his safety harness, he pulled himself to standing and strained to reach the recess where his pack hung. Stretching up, he fingered the cloth strap. Not close enough to grab hold of it.

The ship jolted and flung him to the stern. He weaved his arm through the straps of the pack on his way past, dislodging it from the hook. Yes.

His triumph was short-lived as he flew starboard, smashing his shoulder against the wall. He groaned when an electrifying spasm shot down his arm to the tips of his fingers. The ship lurched again, and he tumbled back toward the console. He grabbed the door, his feet dangling in mid air. If he didn’t get out now, he’d forfeit any chance to survive.

The ship righted again. He planted his feet against the bottom of the door and twisted the crank. The latch snapped open, filling him with a sense of hope. Careful to keep at least one hand on the handle at all times, he slung the pack over his shoulders.

All set. Time to jump. Pushing off the floor, he slammed his uninjured shoulder against the door. It blew open and tore away from its hinges, lost to the sky.

Cael teetered on the edge before plunging out of his failing ship. Wind whipped all around him as he twisted to catch his bearing during freefall.

Glancing down, he spied crystal blue lake, much closer than he’d expected. Too close.

He jerked the cord on his chute–several hundred feet lower than he should have. At least. His feet skimmed the cold waves just as his chute caught the current and heaved him back into the air.

The ship splashed into the water beside him, disintegrating into millions of pieces. He raised his hands in front of his face as shrapnel flew at him. Tiny shards sliced into his arms and legs, but the extreme heat from the cloud of steam billowing up at him stung the most.

From the moment his toes touched down in the once frigid water, his skin sizzled. He screamed in agony. His death would have been quicker and less agonizing if he’d remained in the ship.

A hard piece of his spacecraft smashed down on his head, and he welcomed the darkness.

 

As his ship plummets toward Earth, Cael believes his life to be over. His last ditch effort to save himself ends in a fiery crash. When he wakes up, he believes he’s entered the afterlife, but his surroundings indicate otherwise. He made it to Earth. But who saved him, and what do they want with him?

Now available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers.

More information and Buy Links here.

 

Giveaway#!!

Leave a comment with your email address to receive CRASH LANDING swag (signed postcard & magnet). Giveaway ends October 10th, 2012. Thank you!

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 anyone who has enjoyed her stories.

Website/Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon

 

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# The small print: Comment and provide your email address before midnight on 10/10/2012 (Australian Central Standard Time) to be entered to win Crash Landing swag (signed postcard & magnet). Winner will be selected via random.org, with winner’s name posted on this blog by 12/10/2012. The winner will be contacted by Jessica E Subject 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 Cassandra and/or Jessica 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.

WINNER! Hot Summer Heroes Blog Hop! [CONTEST]

Peeps, we have a winner! Congratulations…

Yesenia!

Yesina has won a USD$5 Amazon.com Gift Card, a signed ROUGH DIAMOND postcard and a ROUGH DIAMOND magnet. Congrats, Yesina!

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

Welcome to the blog Alexa Bourne! #guest #author #interview

Peeps, today we have Alexa Bourne visiting the blog, telling us all about her wonderful IPN series and her upcoming release, FRACTURED PARADISE!

Let’s get to it, shall we?

 



 

Cassandra Dean: Congratulations on the upcoming release of FRACTURED PARADISE! Would you tell us a little about it?

Alexa Bourne: FRACTURED PARADISE is set to release on November 6th from Decadent PUblishing. Rachel Grant, an American lass with too much passion for life and not enough common sense, crushes the dreams of Aidan Camden, an English widower clinging to distorted memories of his late wife. But when someone threatens the lass’s efforts, can Rachel and Aidan set aside their differences long enough to protect the cottage they both want and to keep Rachel safe?

CD: What inspired you to write FRACTURED PARADISE?

AB: Actually, the original story was A LOT different, and I wrote it to help me deal with my English grandmother’s death in 2003. When I started writing for Decadent Publishing, I decided to pull it out, revise it, and use it as a way to celebrate my British heritage.

CD: I see this book is part of the IPN series. Tell us more!

AB: I’m so excited about the IPN series! IPN stands for International Protective Network, which is my fictional bodyguard company I first introduced in my 1st book, Her Highland Champion. The company has offices in Edinburgh and Boston. They specialize in protecting people who have nowhere else to go for help. In each of my novellas, one of the main characters works for the IPN. To learn more about the organization, you can visit the IPN History page on my website.

CD: What do you find easiest/most difficult about writing a series?

AB: The easiest and most difficult aspect is actually the same-creating my own fictional business. I get to choose where it is, what kind of jobs they take, what kind of building they’re in, the background for the company’s birth. BUT these details can also be the most difficult because every single aspect has to be covered- how the organization began, who works there, which countries they work in, etc. Basically, I have to keep in mind everything that I would need if I were creating a real business, from how they are funded, to what the offices look like, to who does all the paperwork. I like the challenge of figuring out every single detail, but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming too. I have to write everything down in my IPN Bible & hope I never lose it!

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

AB: I’m actually waiting to hear back from my publisher on a contemporary romance submission AND I’m currently hard at work writing my very first historical romance.

CD: What is your writing process?

AB: I write the rough draft on paper. I don’t plot/plan ahead of time. I usually have one scene idea or one character in my head and I just write. It’s during this rough drafting where I learn the plot and all about the characters. I usually go through 4-6 drafts depending on the story and its size. As I get closer to being finished with the book, I spend more time on the computer.

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

AB: Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.

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

AB: If you want it badly enough, don’t give up.

CD: Who is your greatest writing influence?

AB: Stephen J. Cannell was. He created many of the TV shows I was hooked on as a child, shows that had suspense and the good guys always winning. I wrote a lot of fan fiction (when I didn’t know it was fan fiction), which helped me decide to pursue publication.

CD: What do you enjoy reading?

AB: I love reading romantic suspense, of course, but I also love historicals, thrillers, inspirationals, classics, non-fiction such as biographies, recounts of historical events, true life stories. I read some paranormal stories, but I’m very picky about which ones I read.

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

AB: My favorite movies are the 3 Bourne movies with Matt Damon. If I had to choose just one of them I’d go with The Bourne Identity. Talk about a tortured hero! As for TV, I love Leverage. It reminds me of my favorite TV show from when I was a kid, The A-Team.

CD: You’ve been involved in NaNoWriMo several times. Would you share a little about your experiences?

AB: I love doing NaNoWriMo! The first year, I wasn’t sure I would be able to write 50,000 words in one month, but I did. Afte that, I refused to fail. Last year was very difficult for me because I had things going on in my “real world” and I honestly didn’t think I’d finish. But my friends and family kept saying, “You’ll do it.” I figured if they had faith in me I couldn’t let them down.

CD: If you were stranded in the middle of a wind-swept and heather-strewn Scotland, what three things would you wish were with you?

AB: A hot Scotsman in a kilt, a great Scotch whisky, and a blanket!

CD: Where can readers find you?

AB: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Almost Daily Blog

Thanks so much for this opportunity!

CD: And thanks for stoppying by, Alexa! It was super fun times, and we’re now all going to rush out and purchase you books, aren’t we peeps?

Peeps? Where are you??

Oh. Purchasing Alexa’s books, right?? ;p

 

 

Technical analyst Rachel Grant arrives in Sunderland intent on tidying up her grandmother’s cottage, but the disaster she discovers requires more than a gentle sweep of a dust rag. Determined to please the most important person in her life, she trades her computer keyboard for a hammer and nails to make the repairs. She doesn’t count on the chilly reception from the locals who want to claim Nan’s home as their own.

Tour guide Aidan Camden wants to buy the cottage. He’s determined to acquire the property no matter how attractive he finds the current occupant. However, when tragedy strikes, throwing them both into a tailspin, he discovers he wants more than the house. He longs for the sexy American as well. Can Aidan put his own ghosts to rest in time to save the woman who’s claimed his heart?

 

~Excerpt~

“A bit of a disappointment, I expect.” A rich, deep voice with a twinge of an English accent drifted from behind her.

She whirled around. Her hair whipped against her cheeks and made her wish for the hundredth time today she hadn’t packed all her hair clips.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

The stranger paused beside the edge of the clearing, and her heart stuttered. Although no one would mistake him for a Hollywood leading man, this guy could command attention by stepping into a room. Or onto an island.

“That’s okay. You didn’t.” She permitted her gaze to wander over him.

He kept his hands stuffed into the front pockets of faded jeans. The wind tore at his gray long-sleeved shirt, outlining the contours of a well-defined chest. Unruly light brown hair touched his collar. High cheekbones accented his deep-set eyes. Not friendly eyes, but no threat lay behind them either, at least none she could uncover.

He pulled a hand from his pocket and held it out. “Aidan Camden of Dawson Tours, your neighbor from across the water.” He tipped his head toward the way he’d come. Camden. His name sounded familiar, but why? She shook his hand with a hint of hesitation. “Rachel Grant.”

His fingers warmed her skin, his grip strong and confident. Awareness trailed along her arm. Then again, it could be the accent that made her skin tingle. British accents never failed to stir her emotions.

A trace of a smile danced on his lips. “Aye, the American.”

Huh. “You know of me?”

A low rumble of laughter slipped from his mouth, the sound relaxing her from deep within. “Word travels fast here. I saw you paddling your way out.”

Paddling? No, he’d seen her fighting with the oars. Until today, she’d never set foot on a boat, much less held an oar. But she would consider swimming across the Atlantic Ocean if it would make Nan happy.

“Tell me, Mr. Camden, are you in the habit of following foreigners?”

“No, lass, but you’re all the talk of the Roker area. The mighty Grant descendant, come to see about selling the family cottage.”

Selling?