Cassandra Dean's Blog: Blog of Bloggy Blogness, page 30

A Hero’s Blog Hop! [CONTEST]

Welcome to A Hero’s Blog Hop, peeps! I hope you all have hopped all over the place, taking in the many fine heroes Carrie Ann Ryan has amassed through the authors and bloggers participating. Thanks so much for hosting, Carrie Ann!

So, I’d like to chat to you all about my upcoming release from Decadent Publishing, ROUGH DIAMOND, and my wonderful, saucy hero, Rupert Llewellyn!

As a massive fan of the brilliant TV show Misfits, I love love LOVE Simon. He’s just so cute, which is really kinda strange cos in the first series, he was a bit of a creepy stalker dude. HOWEVER. The actor who portrays him, Iwan Rheon, is Welsh and as Rupert of ROUGH DIAMOND is Welsh, I thought who better to be my inspiration!

Personality-wise, though, the inspiration is all Rupert. He’s playacting at being an empty-headed Public School boy. Hmm. I should probably explain myself a bit there. Um… Er…

The closest example I can think of is Hugh Laurie in Blackadder. Total sidenote – you’ve no notion how shocked I was the first time I watched House. THAT was Hugh Laurie?! Are you sure?? No way was that the same man who played that empty-headed nincompoop in Blackadder. NO WAY*

Anyhoo, back to Rupert. Rupert is much cleverer than he pretends, and only his heroine, Alice, can see through his deception. Being the kind of man he is, Rupert is mightily intrigued and somewhat amused that Alice doesn’t believe his lie. Unfortunately, he underestimates her completely, and that’s when the fun begins… Alice turns him over and around, until he doesn’t know why she’s got him so tied in knots, and while it’s agony for him, it’s pretty fun times for us as readers, hey?

ROUGH DIAMOND will be available later this year from Decadent Publishing’s Western Escape. I hope you guys check it out!

 

And now, the contest#!

Comment below on your favourite hero. Why have you chosen that particular hero? What is about him that makes you swoon? What makes him so very special? Let me know!

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

 

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!!!

The GRAND prize winner may be chosen from this very blog! Therefore, please make sure to include your email address in your comment – you could win the following:

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!

Super cool, right? Good luck, peeps!

xx

 

*FYI, totally is him. It’s on his and everything, so it must be true**

** Guys, I’m totally messing with you. Of course I knew it was him. They kinda look the same, so it’s the same guy, right? That’s how that works, yes?***

*** Golly, I crack myself up some times, I surely do

 

Click here to see the other awesome giveaways!

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# The small print: Comment before midnight on 01/08/2012 (Australian Central Standard Time) to be entered to win a USD$5 Amazon.com Gift Card, one (1) signed ENSLAVED postcard, one (1) signed TEACH ME postcard, one (1) ENSLAVED magnet and one (1) TEACH ME magnet. Winner will be selected via random.org, with winner’s name posted on this blog by 02/08/2012. 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. International entries are welcome. No purchase necessary to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Void where prohibited.

The Grand Prize competition is run by Carrie Ann Ryan and winner will be drawn by Carrie Ann. Cassandra accepts no responsibility or liability for this competition.

Interview and Giveaway: Jessica E Subject [CONTEST]

Hey peeps!

Please join me in welcoming Jessica E. Subject to the blog today! Jessica is a fellow Decadent author, and her latest book, THE POWER OF THREE, was released 20 July. Have you bought your copy yet? Need swaying? Well, read on…and there is a contest, too. A CONTEST. THAT’s LIKE SUPER AWESOME WOW.

However, let us first chat with Jessica!

Cassandra Dean: Congratulations on your new release, THE POWER OF THREE! Would you tell us about it?

Jessica E. Subject: Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog, Cassandra! It’s such a pleasure to be here. THE POWER OF THREE is a paranormal erotica short story that involves Oscar, whose spirit is trapped inside a selection of stone gargoyles and the couple he’s been watching for over a year. It’s very hot and steamy. 

 

CD:What inspired you to write THE POWER OF THREE?

JES: Honestly, it came out of a conversation between me and a good friend. I wrote the original story as a joke. When I learned of Decadent’s new erotica line, The Edge, I thought the story would be a perfect fit. But before I submitted it, THE POWER OF THREE went through several rounds of revisions, with help from one of my critique partners.

 

CD: What is it that you love about writing Sci-Fi romance? Also, your newest release, THE POWER OF THREE, is a paranormal. Do you have plans to write more stories in this or in other sub-genres?

JES: Sci-Fi Romance is my outlet for my creativity. I’ve always been one to stare up at the stars, and wonder what else is out there. As for writing more paranormal, if the inspiration hits, I write the story. I may say “hold on” to a muse, but I won’t tell them “no.” Besides more Sci-Fi Romance, I also plan to write some more Contemporary Romance. My characters are all a little different though, because I believe everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after…

 

CD: Jessica, you write for Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand series, Decadent Publishing’s The Edge Series and Decadent Publishing’s Elatia series. What drew you to these different series? Could you explain a little about writing for each?

JES: Yes, I do write for these three lines, as well as having two series of my own, and another in development. My first 1Night Stand story, Celestial Seduction, was the first story I’d ever submitted. I was always too scared to submit anything, always afraid of rejection, even though that’s a big part of this industry. I’d been working on another story when my friend, Rebecca Royce, told me about this new line at Decadent. Her story, One Night With A Wolf, had just been contracted, and she suggested I look into the line, and maybe add my Sci-Fi twist to it. I mulled over it for a few days, wanted to finish my current project at that time, but when the story idea came, I had to write it. And then I just became addicted to the line, having to tell everyone else’s stories who were involved in Celestial Seduction. Each story in the 1NS line brings together a couple, sometimes more, for one night where all of their fantasies can come true. But the matchmaker, Madame Evangeline, has a tendency to give the people involved more than they were hoping for. These stories are short, can include any and every sub-genre of romance, and always end with a happily-ever-after, or at least a happily-for-now.

With the new Sci-Fi Romance line, Elatia, I was invited by Decadent Publishing to be one of the launch authors. Not only was it an excellent opportunity for me, but it’s very exciting to have a line devoted to Sci-Fi Romance. Each story takes place (though not exclusively), on the planet Elatia, also known as the pleasure planet, where the trained and highly revered Adamos help to fulfill the sexual desires of residents of the planet, and the many visitors. All the launch authors worked together to create the “Elatia Bible” and with that as our only limitation, we were free to write whatever romance story we wanted. My story, An Unexpected Return, is a tale of forbidden love. It is important to note, the stories in this line are all EROTIC Sci-Fi Romance.

THE POWER OF THREE is my first release with The Edge line, though I’ve contracted a second called Crash Landing, and have another one in progress. These stories are shorter than the 1Night Stand line, and much hotter. These stories focus little on the back story of the characters and more on their encounter. They don’t necessarily have a happily-ever-after, but the characters are very satisfied by the end. Once again, they can include any sub-genre of romance.

 

CD: What is your writing process?

JES: I usually brainstorm a story for a few days before starting to write it. I may jot some notes down, or just keep them in my head. Then I write the first draft. Once I’ve finished and revised it a bit, I’ll send it to my critique partners. If it’s a novel, I may send it to them a couple chapters at a time. With their feedback, I’ll revise a couple more times, maybe send out for a beta read, and then submit. I try to write every day, though with the kids off school now, that’s not always possible. I’m looking forward to more writing time come September.

 

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

JES: I think it’s important to have vulnerable characters. Even alpha heroes and heroines have weaknesses. If they seem too perfect, the story is not believable. 

 

CD: Some of your books feature ménage relationships. I find it hard to balance only two romantic partners! How do you create such amazingly awesome threesomes?

JES: I think the trick is to give them each a place in the relationship. Everyone has a different personality, and it’s important to recognize that in every interaction.

 

CD: Your love scenes are so very hot! How do you craft such steamy erotic scenes?

JES: Thank you! *grins* It takes a lot of practice and many revisions to get them just right. When writing them, I simply try to imagine myself in the character’s situation.

 

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

JES: My mom gave me a lot of great advice growing up. She told me never to judge anyone without getting to know them first, and she recited Thumper’s famous line, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” The second is hard sometimes, but I try to live by it. And I’m trying to teach my own children the same things.

 

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

JES: Fantasy author, Lorna Suzuki told me to join a critique group when I was still in the early stages of writing.

 

CD: Who is your greatest writing influence?

JES: I don’t think I can narrow it down to one author. I’ve gone through many books by Judy Blume, Ann M. Martin, Francine Pascal, and Nora Roberts. I guess they, along with many other authors have influenced my writing. 

 

CD: What do you enjoy reading?

JES: I read a lot of romance and erotic romance in most subgenres. I also read mystery/suspense, fantasy, and young adult.  

 

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

JES: For television, I don’t miss Castle or America’s Funniest Home Videos. I often watch reruns of both. For movies, it’s a tie between Avatar and Star Trek(2009). 

CD: If you had to choose only three things to take with you on a long-range mission to seek life in another galaxy, what would they be? 

JES: Food and water, of course, and my tablet. I can read, write and listen to music on it even without Wi-Fi. If it’s going to be a long mission, I’d need something to occupy my time. But then again, I guess it depends on who’s on the mission with me. *grins*

CD: Where can readers find you?

JES: Here!

Website/Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Amazon.com Author Page

Thanks again, Cassandra, for having me on your blog today!

CD: Thank you very much for coming along, Jessica! It’s been a blast

 

And now the GIVEAWAY!

Leave a comment or question for your chance to win a $5 Amazon.com gift certificate. Contest is international. Winner will be drawn July 28, 2012. Good luck!

 

Cursed to live amongst several stone gargoyle statues, Oscar watches a young couple, yearning to participate in their sexual activities. For he has been away from his own lovers for over a year, and longs to touch and be touched again.

When he tumbles off the headboard onto the couple, he is released from the statue but must find a way home. His only thought: a ménage with the man and woman who freed him. But will they try something new to grant him his return passage, or leave him wandering Earth alone?

Now available from Decadent Publishing, Amazon, All Romance Ebooks & more!

For more information and buy links, please visit Jessica’s website.

An excerpt!

“I’m from Wigbay,” [Oscar] stated. “I’m not sure how to explain where that is except to say, it’s in another dimension. I was sent here, trapped as a spirit inside your gargoyle statues when I refused to take on another female lover.”

On the day he’d been sucked away from his life partners, Catalis had arrived at his shared home, shouting curses and calling him out for not taking her as his mate. Against their advice, he left Lianna and Lewis on the love platform, anxious to dispose of their unwelcome visitor. But she had other ideas.

When he met her outdoors, she waved her arms in wide circles, uttering an ancient chant. Her malicious words drew the air around them into a swirling mass. Without the combined power of his mates, he was weak to stop her. Catalis used an energy field to bind him then tossed him into the center of the twister. Lianna and Lewis raced out the door and launched themselves onto the sorceress, but they were too late.

“You were in our statues?”

Oscar blinked hard, returning his attention to his hosts.

Bo’s eyes grew wide, his face a mess of contradictory emotions.

“Another lover?” Delayna asked.

“I’ve been able to move amongst the gargoyles you own for the past year. It feels like forever since I’ve seen Lianna and Lewis—my mates, my lovers.” A wave of sorrow threatened to wash over him, but one glimpse of the sparkle in her eyes brought back his immediate need.

“You’ve been spying on us for a year?” Bo turned to his wife. “I don’t believe this shit about being trapped, but there could be hidden cameras in your statues. I swear, Delayna. I’m throwing every single one of them away as soon as we get this whackjob out of the house.”

“Please, Bo.” She whispered something in his ear and he smiled until he caught Oscar looking at him.

Bo stood up, letting the pillow fall to the floor. “Like what you see?”

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.

Hop a blog, hero style!

Are you ready to hear what your favorite romance heroes have to say? Well, we’re gearing up to share our hunky heroes!

Starting on Friday 27 July and ending on Tuesday 31 July, over 100 authors and bloggers will share their favorite things about romance heroes, a character post from them, and what we love about romance and men in general.

But wait, there’s more! While we all do that, we’ll EACH hold a giveaway. That’s right, peeps, there will be over 100 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger!

But wait! There’s even more!

We have THREE grand prizes! You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. That means you can enter over 100 times!

Now what are those prizes?

 1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!

ALL of that! How amazingle, right??

Be sure to come back here on Friday 27 July and over the weekend to enjoy some stories and facts about our favorite Romance Heroes and don’t forget to enter to win, win, win!

Six Sentence Sunday – Rough Diamond pt 7 #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

Currently, I’m trundling through edits on ROUGH DIAMOND (almost there, peeps!) and thought I’d share a little bit with you guys.

 

Falling silent, he ran his gaze over her.

She felt beautiful as his eyes caressed her form, as he devoured her barely covered breasts, the way the wine-red corset cinched her waist, the lacy cream under-drawers. Slowly, she made her way to stand before him. His hand rose to her hip, gently tracing the curve. With a smile that spoke of her intentions, she lowered herself into his lap. The hand at her hip fell upon her thigh and he tangled his fingers in her garters.

 

Thanks for stopping by, peeps! And please keep coming back for updates on ROUGH DIAMOND’s progress!

 

 

Six Sentence Sunday – Glory Box pt 2 #sixsunday

Hi peeps,

It’s that time again! Six Sentence Sunday is upon us once more. Thanks, as always, to the lovely peeps at Six Sentence Sunday, and to all the lovely visitors who leave such wonderful comments. You guys rock!

This week, I thought I’d post something from that short story I was writing, tentatively entitled “Glory Box”. Check it out!

“I come here every night, and I want—Christ, I look at you on that stage and I just want to hold you, to feel you next to me and know that neither of us are alone.”

Running a hand through his tousled hair, he laughed, and it was a harsh, bitter sound. “Stupid, right? So tonight, when you beckoned to me with that wicked smile, I was going to take only what you gave and be content with that, but then you asked—” He exhaled, and his look turned rueful and despairing and self-depricating all at once. “You asked me what I wanted—and I want you.”

Thanks for stopping by, peeps!

Six Sentence Sunday – Rough Diamond pt 6 #sixsunday

Well, Six Sentence Sunday is here again. Yay! Big thanks to the peeps behind this wonderful intiative, and an extra special thanks for all the people who take the time to comment on my six sentences. You guys rock!

So, this week, I have some Big Awesome Fantastic News – ROUGH DIAMOND has been contracted to Decadent Publishing! Huzzah! ROUGH DIAMOND tells the tale of a lady saloon owner and the seemingly empty-headed Englishman who wants to purchase her saloon – sparks fly, people swoon, etc and so forth. More deets as they arrive!

So, in honour of this, the following six is from ROUGH DIAMOND. Enjoy Alice and Rupert!

Rupert glanced down at Alice, absently noting she was three and a quarter inches shorter than him. Not too short.

Shocked at the thought, he pulled himself up. Not too short for what? Abruptly, he could smell violet water and musk, and knew it to be the scent of her hair. A kind of heat flashed through him, and he had an overwhelming desire to feel her bare skin against his.

Thanks for stopping by, peeps! And please keep coming back for updates on ROUGH DIAMOND!

 

ANNOUNCEMENT! Rough Diamond is a goer!

Peeps! Exciting news! Not only will I have a short story coming out soon, but…

Wait for it…

The trumpets are just warming up…

Hang on. Where are the trumpeteers? Smoke-o? They’re not allowed on a smoke-o. Also, that stuff is bad for you. GOVERNMENT ADS TELL ME THIS, THEREFORE IT MUST BE TRUE

Oh. They’re back. Right, trumpets in three…two…one…

 

DA DA DA DAAAAAAAHH!

 

My Western Romance

ROUGH DIAMOND

has been accepted for publication by Decadent Publishing!

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!

 

Part of Decadent Publishing‘s Western Escape, ROUGH DIAMOND tells the tale of Alice Reynolds, a lady saloon owner, and Rupert Llewellyn, a seemingly empty-headed Englishman. Sparks fly when Rupert proposes he purchase Alice’s saloon, but is there a nefarious purpose to his request?

More deets as they arrive, peeps!

I’m so excited by this! I’ll have THREE published books and ONE short story very soon.

THIS CAPER IS GOING GANGBUSTERS!

xx

(and excited squeal!)

WINNER! Sinful Sirens Giveaway Hop! [CONTEST]

Peeps, we have a winner! Congratulations…

Pam!

Pam has won an ebook copy of EITHER ENSLAVED or TEACH ME, a signed ENSLAVED postcard, a signed TEACH ME postcard and a TEACH ME magnet. Congrats, Pam!

Also, a big thank you to all who entered. I LOVED reading all your comments, and have added some intriguing books to my TBR list!

xx

Six Sentence Sunday – Glory Box pt 1 #sixsunday

Hi peeps,

It’s that time again! Six Sentence Sunday is upon us once more. Thanks, as always, to the lovely peeps at Six Sentence Sunday for their orgamanisational skills, and to you lovely visitors who leave such wonderful comments. Thanks to all!

Now, for something completely different, a little bit from a short story I’m working on…

She hated this feeling. This uncertainty. Why him? Out of all the men, why did he matter so much?

And she knew the answer was simple, and pointless, and frustrating, and true.

Because he did.

Thanks for stopping by, peeps!

WINNER! Lovestruck Giveaway Hop! [CONTEST]

And we have a winner! Congratulations…

LorettaLynn!

LorettaLynn has won an ebook copy of ENSLAVED, a signed TEACH ME postcard and a TEACH ME magnet. Yay for LorettaLynn! I hope she enjoys Lucia and Marcus’s story immensely.

Congratulations again to LorettaLynn and thank you to all who entered. It was wonderful to read your Lovestruck moments.

xx