Burning up the Beer Bar With Cassandre Dayne!
welcome to my Tap Room Cassandra (or Bethany, whichever you prefer)! what can I pour you to start?
You can call me Cassandre or Bethany or DH or Dakotah or… I won't tell you the OTHER names I've been called. I use Bethany for an all around name such as my work with Rebel Ink and now some conferences as well as a blog talk radio show I host. I also write a paranormal series as Bethany but we aren't going to drag HER into the public eye yet.
Damn, the woman has so many personalities she forgot I want to pour her a drink.Ahem: Here *pushes glass of amber goodness across the bar* It's my "District 16 Vienna Lager" that is so popular we about to re-brand the sucker and release it in bottles this fall giving me a trifecta of color on store shelves!
You are one of the most prolific authors I know, all your regular releases getting instant silver stars and great reviews including a recent acknowledgement in Queer Magazine Online, if I'm not mistaken....So we newbies don't claw our own eyeballs out with jealousy, give us an idea of your trajectory. That is, how long did it take you to get to this point?
Hmm – well I honestly did start writing when I was five BUT having said that I stopped and started again until 3 years ago. I then broke free with ideas and thoughts and started writing. It was crap in the beginning and I do mean that. But I had a wonderful editor from Ellora's Cave – who I thought was the cat's meow at the time – take her time with me over emails after I had submitted like nine pieces and she thought I had talent but needed to really work on my craft. So she suggested everything from joining the local chapter of the RWA – which I did to Passionate Ink and enter contests to get feedback – which I did and I slowly started seeing what she was saying.
In September of 2010 when I had a request from Carl Franklin – those of you who know Rebel know he's the talented cover artist – after he kept seeing me post bits and blurbs to try Rebel. I did and was accepted the next day. E from Rebel has spent a great deal of time with me and I keep (I think so anyway) getting better. What I can tell you is that I still get not so great reviews and not every piece gets a silver star – I can't get one for a HET piece to save my life other than with DH and Dakotah – but they are different genres. You can't take every review as an end or not receiving silver stars as anything but the flavor of the day. What you have to realize is that I do feel MORE pressure now that I seem to have successes to be better and better and sometimes its about what people want to read.
I am blessed by Queer Magazine and part of my accolades is because I support gay rights and write about it with love and I think total support. In addition being a part of Passionate Ink and giving back as President Elect means a hell of a lot to me. I want to help other writers – cause this business is TOUGH.And you my dear are one of the few out there who has made it and have no problem reaching down to yank the rest of us up by the shorties. A rarity in any industry.
And what do you to daily to maintain your visibility in a sea of fellow erotica writers? I keep on plugging and helping and reminding writers they can do this and never stopping. It's constant. I also listen to my readers when they tell me what they want to see.
Whew, I am thirsty again. What about you? Wine please – red in colorDEAR GOD THIS IS A BEER BAR. Are you people DEAF? Sigh...here, I like red wine too there fore I GUARANTEE you will love this deep, roasty, toasty Baltic Porter aged for 6 months in bourbon barrels. Drink it. Trust me, by day I'm a Beer Wench.
What is your absolute favorite story you ever wrote? And what about your least favorite? (not based on sales, but on your opinion).
Favorite might be either Treats in a Plain Brown Wrapper – cause it was the first sold and the hubster thought of the title and the idea based on my real life UPS man who's all chocolate and yummy. I love PINKED too because of what I do for a regular living – managing community associations. Least favorite – hmmm – Game Over – and only because it was too frivolous for my first m/m piece but it was well received.
What do you do when you are not writing?
What's not writing? I love my dogs and cooking and playing outside.
What is the last book you finished?
Just hot off the presses to Naughty Nights Press – the first in a new trilogy called Bad Things – Hunger were tigers, faith healers and BDSM – imagine…Okay enough with the "weres" already. I am the only one weary of shifter? Guess so. But this is my blog and I'll admit it here. Vampires I will take more of, thank you and pass the alpha male.
I have to say I'm intrigued by this one you are calling an m/m/m/m/m/m/f story...."unleashed" tell us about it.
It's a bisexual piece – three men loving and living together and a woman who suits their fancy BUT – this started out to be kinda frivolous and then it took off to a dark place. She was abused in her marriage and wrote about all her dark cravings in a diary. Her best friend knew she needed to be dragged out of her private hell but what she didn't know is that in doing so she brought our hero back into his remembrances of sexual slavery so… It's one of those books.I cannot wait. So many of your books contain a dark element about the human condition--I love 'em.
time for a nightcap...what's your poison?
I enjoy cabernet, vodka and sambucca – what about you?*Gets up from bar stool and walks away lest I be tempted to smack my lovely guest. She'd like it anyway.*BEERBARso no, no vodka, wine or any other half assed liquor. Here: shoves brandy snifter of deep golden beverage. I've been saving it for a special occasion. An honest to God all English IPA made with maris otter malt (look it up, it's rare and expensive hence the small glass) and fuggle hops (again, this is what "Wikkipedia" is for). An amazing balance of bitter and sweet.thanks Cass you are the best and one who has helped many of us rooks along the way. Thanks so much and keep up the great work. We are not worthy.
And yes you are Liz – many thanks!!Here's where you'll find her:
http://www.cassandredayne.comhttp://cassandredayne.wordpress.com/
Email: cassandre@cassandredayne.comhttp://twitter.com/bethanyhallehttp://kindlegraph.com/authors/bethanyhalle
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Cassandre+Dayne
COMING SOON FROM REBEL INK PRESS:
HEARTS FORGED IN FIRE
For rancher Zeke Parker every day was difficult. Not only was Rattlesnake Ranch falling on hard times but he couldn't get over the horrible grief plaguing him for over a year. The death of his lover David had nearly stripped away his soul. As Valentine's Day drew near his sister Sandi was determined to drag him out of his private hell. Agreeing to be a part of a charity auction for the humane society one date with a wealthy woman wasn't going to kill him. During dinner at Sandi's house he met movie producer Drake Wilson, who was scouting locations for an upcoming movie, and sparks flew.
Seeing David's horse Milly and her strong reactions to the mysterious man, Zeke was intrigued. After an impetuous moment of heat both men were skittish and each had their reasons for pulling back. It seemed Cupid had other ideas in mind. When a rouse brought the two men together passion roared between them but damning secrets were too much for either to deal with. Just as Zeke was determined to give up on love forever Cupid intervened again and this time, the arrow went straight through his heart.
and
RUSTLING DANGER
It was cowboy country in Colorado and while Julia Barnes loved her new home she had a job to do and one that would expose several prominent members of the protected ranching community. Several of the ranchers were selling their souls to the devil and allowing their cattle to be slaughtered for scientific experiments while they hid behind their laurels. She was incensed and her expose would surely stop the horrendous actions. Meeting the main suspect wasn't what she'd expected and when she and the infamous Tray Masters had an intimate moment Julia was furious. It didn't matter her best friend wanted the two of them together. Tray was the enemy.
Unfortunately someone wanted Julia dead. Threats had been coming for weeks but when they escalated to the point she was forced to turn to her sworn enemy for help she was left rattled. What neither of them knew was that there was a master plan in the making and one they had no control over. With the help of Tray's best friend and the lawman in town, Steven Sanders, they were able to slip into hiding but both men held a terrible secret and one that threatened not only their livelihood but their very lives. The two men were secret lovers. Amidst a backdrop of lies and deceit Julia was faced with her ultimate enemy. As the three raced to find answers after finding a level of passion none of them realized, they were forced to face several ugly truths. In the end too many lives would be lost. Could they save each other or succumb to the madman who held the key to a tragic past?
You can call me Cassandre or Bethany or DH or Dakotah or… I won't tell you the OTHER names I've been called. I use Bethany for an all around name such as my work with Rebel Ink and now some conferences as well as a blog talk radio show I host. I also write a paranormal series as Bethany but we aren't going to drag HER into the public eye yet.
Damn, the woman has so many personalities she forgot I want to pour her a drink.Ahem: Here *pushes glass of amber goodness across the bar* It's my "District 16 Vienna Lager" that is so popular we about to re-brand the sucker and release it in bottles this fall giving me a trifecta of color on store shelves!
You are one of the most prolific authors I know, all your regular releases getting instant silver stars and great reviews including a recent acknowledgement in Queer Magazine Online, if I'm not mistaken....So we newbies don't claw our own eyeballs out with jealousy, give us an idea of your trajectory. That is, how long did it take you to get to this point?
Hmm – well I honestly did start writing when I was five BUT having said that I stopped and started again until 3 years ago. I then broke free with ideas and thoughts and started writing. It was crap in the beginning and I do mean that. But I had a wonderful editor from Ellora's Cave – who I thought was the cat's meow at the time – take her time with me over emails after I had submitted like nine pieces and she thought I had talent but needed to really work on my craft. So she suggested everything from joining the local chapter of the RWA – which I did to Passionate Ink and enter contests to get feedback – which I did and I slowly started seeing what she was saying.
In September of 2010 when I had a request from Carl Franklin – those of you who know Rebel know he's the talented cover artist – after he kept seeing me post bits and blurbs to try Rebel. I did and was accepted the next day. E from Rebel has spent a great deal of time with me and I keep (I think so anyway) getting better. What I can tell you is that I still get not so great reviews and not every piece gets a silver star – I can't get one for a HET piece to save my life other than with DH and Dakotah – but they are different genres. You can't take every review as an end or not receiving silver stars as anything but the flavor of the day. What you have to realize is that I do feel MORE pressure now that I seem to have successes to be better and better and sometimes its about what people want to read.
I am blessed by Queer Magazine and part of my accolades is because I support gay rights and write about it with love and I think total support. In addition being a part of Passionate Ink and giving back as President Elect means a hell of a lot to me. I want to help other writers – cause this business is TOUGH.And you my dear are one of the few out there who has made it and have no problem reaching down to yank the rest of us up by the shorties. A rarity in any industry.
And what do you to daily to maintain your visibility in a sea of fellow erotica writers? I keep on plugging and helping and reminding writers they can do this and never stopping. It's constant. I also listen to my readers when they tell me what they want to see.
Whew, I am thirsty again. What about you? Wine please – red in colorDEAR GOD THIS IS A BEER BAR. Are you people DEAF? Sigh...here, I like red wine too there fore I GUARANTEE you will love this deep, roasty, toasty Baltic Porter aged for 6 months in bourbon barrels. Drink it. Trust me, by day I'm a Beer Wench.
What is your absolute favorite story you ever wrote? And what about your least favorite? (not based on sales, but on your opinion).
Favorite might be either Treats in a Plain Brown Wrapper – cause it was the first sold and the hubster thought of the title and the idea based on my real life UPS man who's all chocolate and yummy. I love PINKED too because of what I do for a regular living – managing community associations. Least favorite – hmmm – Game Over – and only because it was too frivolous for my first m/m piece but it was well received.
What do you do when you are not writing?
What's not writing? I love my dogs and cooking and playing outside.
What is the last book you finished?
Just hot off the presses to Naughty Nights Press – the first in a new trilogy called Bad Things – Hunger were tigers, faith healers and BDSM – imagine…Okay enough with the "weres" already. I am the only one weary of shifter? Guess so. But this is my blog and I'll admit it here. Vampires I will take more of, thank you and pass the alpha male.
I have to say I'm intrigued by this one you are calling an m/m/m/m/m/m/f story...."unleashed" tell us about it.
It's a bisexual piece – three men loving and living together and a woman who suits their fancy BUT – this started out to be kinda frivolous and then it took off to a dark place. She was abused in her marriage and wrote about all her dark cravings in a diary. Her best friend knew she needed to be dragged out of her private hell but what she didn't know is that in doing so she brought our hero back into his remembrances of sexual slavery so… It's one of those books.I cannot wait. So many of your books contain a dark element about the human condition--I love 'em.
time for a nightcap...what's your poison?
I enjoy cabernet, vodka and sambucca – what about you?*Gets up from bar stool and walks away lest I be tempted to smack my lovely guest. She'd like it anyway.*BEERBARso no, no vodka, wine or any other half assed liquor. Here: shoves brandy snifter of deep golden beverage. I've been saving it for a special occasion. An honest to God all English IPA made with maris otter malt (look it up, it's rare and expensive hence the small glass) and fuggle hops (again, this is what "Wikkipedia" is for). An amazing balance of bitter and sweet.thanks Cass you are the best and one who has helped many of us rooks along the way. Thanks so much and keep up the great work. We are not worthy.
And yes you are Liz – many thanks!!Here's where you'll find her:
http://www.cassandredayne.comhttp://cassandredayne.wordpress.com/
Email: cassandre@cassandredayne.comhttp://twitter.com/bethanyhallehttp://kindlegraph.com/authors/bethanyhalle
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Cassandre+Dayne
COMING SOON FROM REBEL INK PRESS:
HEARTS FORGED IN FIRE
For rancher Zeke Parker every day was difficult. Not only was Rattlesnake Ranch falling on hard times but he couldn't get over the horrible grief plaguing him for over a year. The death of his lover David had nearly stripped away his soul. As Valentine's Day drew near his sister Sandi was determined to drag him out of his private hell. Agreeing to be a part of a charity auction for the humane society one date with a wealthy woman wasn't going to kill him. During dinner at Sandi's house he met movie producer Drake Wilson, who was scouting locations for an upcoming movie, and sparks flew.
Seeing David's horse Milly and her strong reactions to the mysterious man, Zeke was intrigued. After an impetuous moment of heat both men were skittish and each had their reasons for pulling back. It seemed Cupid had other ideas in mind. When a rouse brought the two men together passion roared between them but damning secrets were too much for either to deal with. Just as Zeke was determined to give up on love forever Cupid intervened again and this time, the arrow went straight through his heart.
and
RUSTLING DANGERIt was cowboy country in Colorado and while Julia Barnes loved her new home she had a job to do and one that would expose several prominent members of the protected ranching community. Several of the ranchers were selling their souls to the devil and allowing their cattle to be slaughtered for scientific experiments while they hid behind their laurels. She was incensed and her expose would surely stop the horrendous actions. Meeting the main suspect wasn't what she'd expected and when she and the infamous Tray Masters had an intimate moment Julia was furious. It didn't matter her best friend wanted the two of them together. Tray was the enemy.
Unfortunately someone wanted Julia dead. Threats had been coming for weeks but when they escalated to the point she was forced to turn to her sworn enemy for help she was left rattled. What neither of them knew was that there was a master plan in the making and one they had no control over. With the help of Tray's best friend and the lawman in town, Steven Sanders, they were able to slip into hiding but both men held a terrible secret and one that threatened not only their livelihood but their very lives. The two men were secret lovers. Amidst a backdrop of lies and deceit Julia was faced with her ultimate enemy. As the three raced to find answers after finding a level of passion none of them realized, they were forced to face several ugly truths. In the end too many lives would be lost. Could they save each other or succumb to the madman who held the key to a tragic past?
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