Wills, Estates and The Silk Series

Silk & Scandal available HERE

Hi peeps! 

The third book in The Silk Series continues to kick my behind as I struggle to get Gwen and Edward’s story down, but the second book is done, dusted and in edits so I thought I’d chat a bit about Silk & Scorn, Book 2 of The Silk Series.

Silk & Scorn is the tale of Sarah Wetherall and Arthur Davenport, childhood enemies who find themselves thrown together as adults when Sarah requires Arthur’s legal expertise. The family of Sarah’s late husband is challenging her right to his estate, even though Sarah’s husband died without writing a Will which, due to succession law, means Sarah as his wife inherits everything. However, her husband’s father is furious at this determination and bull-headedly fights for what he perceives to be his rightful inheritance. At her wits’ end, Sarah seeks the help of Arthur, who is a solicitor specializing in matters pertaining to Wills and Estates, and then, the sparks fly…

So…wow. That’s a bit of legalese right there. Luckily, The Day Job actually deals with these matters so I pestered the Estate Planning lawyer in my office with questions about the whole situation. As Australian Law is based upon and aligns closely with English Law, it was a cinch. Also, luckily, not much has changed in 200-odd years and so what is true today was true in Sarah and Arthur’s time (Early Victorian, for those playing at home). It made researching a bit easier to be able to talk to an expert, let me tell you!

As The Silk Series features people involved in lawyerish-type things, it’s going to be invaluable to have a lawyer available for my questions. Yay for Day Jobs!

Thanks for hanging with me, peeps.

Cassandra Dean 

THE SILK SERIES, BOOK 1

Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.

All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.

But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her. 

Available NOW

Decadent Publishing

Amazon: US | UK | Canada

Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | All Romance eBooks 

Cassandra grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.

Fairy tales, Famous Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives, science fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true passion was born.

So, once upon a time, after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra tried her hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t discount her true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over heels.

The love affair exists to this very day.

Cassandra lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

You can find Cassandra at:

CassandraDean.com ~ Cassandra and Lucy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Goodreads ~ Tumblr ~ Pintrest ~ Amazon.com

Idle hands

Silk & Scandal available HERE

by Cassandra Dean 

We live in a fast paced culture, one fueled by coffee and adrenaline. We’re constantly on the move, rushing to get to work, to a meeting, to the kids’ sporting events, to our parents’ place for Sunday lunch. We’re doing housework, paying bills, cooking, gardening, doing a million things and running around and around and around. We never seem to stand still, and when we do, we feel that we should be doing something. Doesn’t the car need to be cleaned? Doesn’t the budget need to be done? Those dishes are looking mighty dirty...We’re our own worst enemies, with this constant need to move.

But, and this is the big question, why? Why is it so bad to sit idle, to take time to just breathe and look about? Why must we feel guilty for taking a moment, a minute, an hour, to ourselves?

It seems strange to me. Our bodies aren’t designed for constant movement. We have to rest, or we’ll soon know about it. Its the same with our brains. We have to switch them off, let them rest and revitalise.

To apply such a thing to writing, sometimes you must step away from your manuscript in order to fix the problem. You could be going round and round in circles, ready to tear your hair out because it just. Won’t. Work!!!

I’m pretty bad at the ‘rest’ thing. As a writer, my brain constantly ticks over, always finding the next story or scene. I find it extremely hard to silence my mind, to just be in a moment. Even worse, I’ll finish a series of task and then be at a loss, convinced I should be doing something.

However, sometimes, it’s okay to do nothing. I find stepping away, doing something else, allowing my brain to tick away in the background while I’m doing other things always does the trick. The answer will come to me, and then I can sit before my computer and get the job done.

This seems more productive than traditional “sit and stare at the machine” doesn’t it? It might seem like I’m piking, or being indolent-like, but in reality, I’ve saved myself time and frustration. By stepping away for an hour or so, I’m giving my subconscious the time it needs to work through the problem, to make the connections my conscious mind is simply too fatigued to make. When I sit before my computer once more, fresh and raring to go, I’m much more productive, and it’s all because I took the time to have a break.

So, is being idle really that bad?

I’d love to know your thoughts, peeps. Do you think stopping to smell the roses is a bad thing? How do you relax? Let me know in the comments below.

Cassandra Dean

THE SILK SERIES, BOOK 1

Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.

All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.

But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her.

Available NOW

Decadent Publishing

Amazon: US | UK | Canada

Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | All Romance eBooks 

Cassandra grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. 

Fairy tales, Famous Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives, science fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true passion was born.

So, once upon a time, after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra tried her hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t discount her true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over heels. 

The love affair exists to this very day. 

Cassandra lives in Adelaide, South Australia. 

You can find Cassandra at:

CassandraDean.com ~ Cassandra and Lucy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Goodreads ~ Tumblr ~ Pintrest ~ Amazon.com

Thinking About it Totally Counts

Silk & Scandal

By Cassandra Dean

So. Um. I haven’t been doing that much writing. Bad, bad Cassandra. *hangs head in shame*

However, don’t fret, it’s okay! I’ve been thinking a lot about writing. It counts, right? Right??

Well, of course it does! Authors never stops thinking about their stories. We constantly develop, rewrite, brainstorm and workshop. I know I think about my stories constantly, when I’m driving, in the shower, during really boring office meetings. Constantly I’m reworking, creating, problem solving and planning the next story. It’s pretty busy in my head, at any given time. :D

This constant thinking is one of the joys, and also one of the burdens, of being a writer. It’s a joy because you never not have something to think about, but it’s a burden because you never switch off. Thinking, thinking, thinking, always thinking. It can be exhausting, but extremely rewarding.

The time away from writing, where you’re just thinking about things, is extremely beneficial as well. You need that time to let the story bubble away in your brain. Your subconscious never lets go of the story, and you can find a problem that had been stumping you for days suddenly is completely solved, fully formed in your brain.

Of course, with all this thinking, I need to switch off for a bit, and what better way to switch off than watching TV and movies?

Watching TV and movies is just as good as thinking about it. In some ways, it’s even better. Seeing other people’s style, how they solve problems, helps you develop your own skills. Are you stuck on a particular character? Maybe aspects of the sidekick from a comedy show you watch can help. Don’t know what to do in a situation? Maybe the way the heroine solved the problem in the drama you watch will help. In any event, it never hurts to see how someone else does it, even if it just solidifies you wouldn’t do it that way.

Want to give it a try? Just look off pensively into the distance and it’s bound to hit you :D Not working? Well, to get the ball rolling, here’s a few questions that may help:

   *  What are my characters motivations?

   *  Does it make sense for that event to occur in the plot? Do I need to add a scene or a conflict/beef up a scene or a conflict/delete a scene or a conflict in order for that event to make more sense?

   *  Do I really need that giant squid? (Answer: Of course. Every story needs a giant squid.)

So thinking about it totally counts! And, of course, I’ll get to writing soon...

Cassandra Dean  

THE SILK SERIES, BOOK 1

Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.

All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.

But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her.

Available NOW

Decadent Publishing

Amazon: US | UK | Canada

Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | All Romance eBooks

Cassandra grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.

Fairy tales, Famous Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives, science fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true passion was born.

So, once upon a time, after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra tried her hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t discount her true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over heels.

The love affair exists to this very day.

Cassandra lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

You can find Cassandra at:

CassandraDean.com ~ Cassandra and Lucy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Goodreads ~ Tumblr ~ Pintrest ~ Amazon.com 

I love a fairy tale...

 

Buy Silk & Scandal HERE

By Cassandra Dean

It’s come to my attention I have a type in regards to my heroes and heroines, a type I always write about, read about, watch on TV, salivate over and generally devour in great quantities. I LOVE the stoic, wounded, emotionally unavailable bad boy and the woman who fells him. I know, not much of a surprise, right? A lot of women love this trope, but I find in my case there is a reason behind this.

Years ago, and I can’t remember where (apologies to whoever I stole this from), I was told we each have a type which can be defined by our favourite fairy tale and this informs our reading habits and the stories that we return to over and again. When I was told this, I did not even take a second before realising my favourite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. 

Ever since I was little, this fairy tale has fascinated me. I remember reading the book of fairy tales someone had given me and returning over and again to the same tale, to Beauty and the Beast. I was never sure why, just something about that particular story drew me. However, once the question of fairy tales and types was raised by that person (unfortunately forever lost to posterity), I examined exactly why I was drawn to this story and I realised it's the idea of the wounded male and the woman who soothes him, the gruff exterior that hides a prince of a man. More than just Beast, I realised it was also Beauty who drew me, with her own awesomeness. She was the only person strong enough, brave enough, to confront the beast and discover the person within, to ignore what everyone said and discover for herself the truth of this misunderstood man.

So how can you discover your 'type'? Well, what's your favourite fairy tale? Stop and really think about it. Why does that particular tale draw you? What about it makes you return? Do you love Cinderella, with the balls and the gowns and the hero who immediately thinks you're awesome? Do you love Sleeping Beauty? Snow White? The Princess and the Pea? What is it about these tales that makes you love them?

So give it a go! Who knew the stories you grew up with as a child could influence your tales as an adult? 

Cassandra Dean

THE SILK SERIES, BOOK 1

Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.

All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.

But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her.

Cassandra grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.

Fairy tales, Famous Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives, science fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true passion was born.

So, once upon a time, after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra tried her hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t discount her true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over heels.

The love affair exists to this very day.

Cassandra lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

You can find Cassandra at:

CassandraDean.com ~ Cassandra and Lucy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Goodreads ~ Tumblr ~ Pintrest ~ Amazon.com 

SILK & SCANDAL by Cassandra Dean, part of Decadent TEASE: Captivate!

Hi peeps, 

I’m so excited and very honoured to be here with you all, chatting about SILK & SCANDAL, the first book from the brand new Decadent Tease: Captivate imprint. It’s such an honour to help launch Decadent Tease, along with other fabulous authors. Seriously, peeps, you have to check the books out, there are some mighty irresistible titles coming from Decadent Tease!

However, let me tell you about my irresistible 

title ;)  SILK & SCANDAL is, as I mentioned, part of Decadent Tease: Captivate, the historical imprint. SILK & SCANDAL is the tale of circumspect lawyer, Thomas Cartwright, and scandal-wreathed Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons. Growing up, their houses in London were divided only by a wall, and they often found themselves conversing over the wall dividing their houses. They quickly became firm friends, but one day Nicola’s diplomat father received a post in far Hong Kong and they were separated. Bored and alone, Nicola became caught in scandal after scandal, and the ambitions Thomas held to become a barrister and a member of parliament dictated he could no longer hold acquaintance with her.

Eight years pass.

One day, Thomas is surprised in his law chambers by the newly-returned-to-London Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons...and she wont’ let him ignore her.

I had such a ball with Nicola and Thomas! Nicola is such a force of nature, but all her bright smiles and running roughshod disguise an uncertain girl who has never been certain anyone’s affection. Thomas wants so much to be the perfect son to his adopted parents, and strives to an unrealistic ideal...one that might keep him and Nicola apart.

Thanks so much for stopping by, peeps. I hope you enjoy SILK & SCANDAL, the Silk Series and all the fabulous stories from Decadent Tease.

Cassandra Dean

Cassandra and Lucy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Tumblr ~ Pintrest ~ Amazon.com

THE SILK SERIES, BOOK 1 

Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.

All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.

But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her. 

BIO:

Cassandra grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.

Fairy tales, Famous Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives, science fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true passion was born.

So, once upon a time, after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra tried her hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t discount her true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over heels.

The love affair exists to this very day.

Cassandra lives in Adelaide, South Australia.