Cassandra Dean will be awarding an ebook copy of either Silk & Scandal or Silk & Scorn, a signed Silk & Scars postcard and Silk & Scars magnet (International giveaway) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Silk & Scars
by Cassandra Dean
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. What or
who inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always
been a writer. As soon as I could pick up a pen, I wrote, and I’ve been
crafting stories even longer. I don’t think there was any one thing that
inspired me, it’s just who I’ve always been.
2. What elements are necessary components for this genre?
Well, two people who fall in love in historical times helps! Seriously, though, that’s all that’s required. Two people meet, think the other is awesome, spend some time together, and fall in love. It sounds pretty basic, but I think it IS pretty basic. Putting your own spin on it is what makes your story unique.
3. How did
you come up with your idea for your novel?
Two of my favourite tales are Beauty and the Beast and Jane Eyre. So, with those tales in mind, I came up with the idea for SILK & SCARS, about a reclusive duke with an estate in the wilds of Dartmoor and a plain, subdued woman who finds strength and love.
Two of my favourite tales are Beauty and the Beast and Jane Eyre. So, with those tales in mind, I came up with the idea for SILK & SCARS, about a reclusive duke with an estate in the wilds of Dartmoor and a plain, subdued woman who finds strength and love.
4. What
would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?
I really like photography and have eleven cameras. Yeah. It’s a bit of a sickness J
I really like photography and have eleven cameras. Yeah. It’s a bit of a sickness J
5. As far as
your writing goes, what are your future plans?
I would love to write a steampunk/paranormal series and have tentative plans to do so. Watch this space!
I would love to write a steampunk/paranormal series and have tentative plans to do so. Watch this space!
6. Can you
give us a sneak peek into this book?
Sure thing! Here’s an excerpt:
Sure thing! Here’s an excerpt:
Crossing
her arms over her stomach, Gwen leaned forward, pressing deep. Good heavens,
she was nervous, and excited, and nervous. She was going to meet Edward. One
moment soon, he was going to open that door, and she would see him. She would
see the man she’d corresponded with for over a year, to whom she’d expressed
every thought, and who had expressed his to her. It did not matter that he was
a duke, so far above her in consequence as to be laughable. He was her friend,
and, at last, they would meet.
Foot
tapping wildly, she leaned her head back against the wall. This was all so
ridiculous. She was ridiculous to have this unbridled excitement rioting
through her. Exhaling, she caught the stare of the gargoyle. The gargoyle knew
how ridiculous her thoughts. Its stone features laughed at her, and in a fit of
pique, she poked her tongue out.
The study
door opened. Leaping to her feet, she swayed as the blood rushed from her head.
Lord
Beecham appeared in the door way and, his eyes lighting upon her, crooked a
finger. “Miss Parkes. Come.”
Heart
beating a rapid tattoo, she bent to grip the handle of her carpet bag. Lord
Beecham had abandoned the door by the time she had gathered herself enough to
approach, the worn wooden handle of the bag pressing deep into her palm.
Passing through
the doorway, Gwen stopped, her jaw slack as she looked about the chamber. Lit
only by the flame of the massive fireplace dominating one wall and the wan
flicker of a lamp seated on the enormous desk, the room was huge, cavernous
even, and dark. So dark. The faint light picked up rows upon rows of books
while heavy drapes of an unidentifiable fabric covered what she could only
presume were windows. The floor was the same stone as the hall, the only carpet
appearing before the fire under the clawed feet of a large armchair.
Her gaze
returned to the fireplace. A man stood before it, his back to her, right hand
held by his left.
Her heart,
already racing, started a wild thud against her ribs. That was him. The duke.
Edward.
He did not turn, though she willed him to. Willed him to turn so she could utter that most important of phrases, the one she’d longed to say for an age now.
He did not turn, though she willed him to. Willed him to turn so she could utter that most important of phrases, the one she’d longed to say for an age now.
Hello, Edward.
7. When did
you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you
to take this big step?
Once I completed my second published novel, TEACH ME, I started shopping it around. That was an exercise in perseverance, let me tell you! In the meantime, I wrote the short story that became ENSLAVED which was lucky enough to be accepted for publication by Decadent Publishing. The rest is history!
Once I completed my second published novel, TEACH ME, I started shopping it around. That was an exercise in perseverance, let me tell you! In the meantime, I wrote the short story that became ENSLAVED which was lucky enough to be accepted for publication by Decadent Publishing. The rest is history!
I couldn’t
have done it without my critique partner and friend 4 eva, Lucy Clark. Lucy is
a multi-published, award-winning author of Mills & Boon novels and has
encouraged me every step of the way. Thanks, Lucy!
8. Do you
outline your books or just start writing?
I outline a book, start writing, and then chuck the outline out the window! I like to have a plan when I start, but usually it completely changes by the time I’m done.
I outline a book, start writing, and then chuck the outline out the window! I like to have a plan when I start, but usually it completely changes by the time I’m done.
9. How do
you maintain your creativity?
I’m not sure…it’s something I’ve always had! I’m lucky enough to be cursed with too many ideas and not enough time – a good position to be in.
I’m not sure…it’s something I’ve always had! I’m lucky enough to be cursed with too many ideas and not enough time – a good position to be in.
10. Are
your plotting bunnies angels or demons?
Sometimes they’re angels, sometimes they’re demons – depends on their mood!
Sometimes they’re angels, sometimes they’re demons – depends on their mood!
BLURB:
For over a year, Miss Gwendolyn
Parkes and the Duke of Sowrith have corresponded. At first an error, the
letters quickly became something much more, a friendship forged on like minds
and perhaps the hope of something more…
When Gwen is compelled by her
employer to attend the duke at his Dartmoor estate, she is devastated to find
her beloved friend cold and imperious, even if he is the most handsome man
she’s ever seen – despite his scars.
Edward, Duke of Sowrith, has longed
to meet Gwen. Arranging her passage to his estate, he is tongue-tied when
confronted with her quiet beauty. All too aware of the twisted ruin of his
face, he allows fear to hold him silent…until Gwen’s safety is threatened.
Finally together, they grow closer
until it seems they can never again be apart – but can a commoner and a duke
find a happily ever after?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
Crossing her arms over her
stomach, Gwen leaned forward, pressing deep. Good heavens, she was nervous, and
excited, and nervous. She was going to meet Edward. One moment soon, he
was going to open that door and she would see him. She would see the man she’d
corresponded with for over a year, to whom she’d expressed every thought, and
who had expressed his to her. It did not matter that he was a duke, so far
above her in consequence as to be laughable. He was her friend, and at last
they would meet.
Foot tapping wildly, she
leaned her head back against the wall. This was all so ridiculous. She was
ridiculous, to have this unbridled excitement rioting through her. Exhaling,
she caught the stare of the gargoyle. The gargoyle knew how ridiculous her
thoughts. Its stone features laughed at her, and in a fit of pique, she poked
her tongue out.
The study door opened.
Leaping to her feet, she swayed as the blood rushed from her head.
Lord Beecham appeared in the
door way and, eyes lighting upon her, he crooked a finger. “Miss Parkes. Come.”
Heart beating a rapid
tattoo, she bent to grip the handle of her carpet bag. Lord Beecham had
abandoned the door by the time she had gathered herself enough to approach, the
worn wooden handle of the bag pressing deep into her palm.
Passing through the door, Gwen
stopped and, jaw slack, she looked about the chamber. The room was huge,
cavernous even, and dark. So dark. Lit only by the flame of the massive
fireplace dominating one wall and the wan flicker of a lamp seated on the
enormous desk, the light picked up rows upon rows of books while heavy drapes
of an unidentifiable fabric covered what she could only presume were windows.
The floor was the same stone as the hall, the only carpet appearing before the
fire under the clawed feet of a large armchair.
Her gaze returned to the
fireplace. A man stood before it, his back to her, right hand held by his left.
Her heart, already racing,
started a wild thud against her ribs. That was him. The duke. Edward.
He did not turn, though she
willed him to. Willed him to turn, so she could utter that most important of
phrases, the one she’d longed to say for an age now.
Hello, Edward.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Cassandra Dean is a best-selling,
multi-published author of historical and fantasy romance. Her latest novel,
SLUMBER, is part of Decadent Publishing’s Beyond Fairytales and features
Cassandra’s take on Sleeping Beauty. Her next novel, SILK & SCARS, is part
of her popular Silk Series, featuring Victorian Era lawyers and their happily
ever after.
Cassandra is proud to call
South Australia her home, where she regularly cheers on her AFL football team
and creates her next tale.
Follow Cassandra on Facebook
at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraDean and on Twitter https://twitter.com/authorcassdean
Social Media Links:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Cassandra Dean will be
awarding an ebook copy of either Silk & Scandal or Silk & Scorn, a
signed Silk & Scars postcard and Silk & Scars magnet (International
giveaway) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f1097
Hi peeps
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! And thank you to Rogues Angels for hosting me.
I'm in Australia, so it might take me a little bit to reply to your comments due to the time difference.
I hope you enjoy!
Welcome to the Angel's blog. I hope you have a great tour. Allana Angel
ReplyDeleteSo glad you could stop by Rogue's Angels' blog! This sounds like an intriguing take on a Beauty and the Beast theme. I wish you much success with your tour!
ReplyDelete--Amber Angel