Beverly and Tamara: Cassandra, welcome to SSLY. Thanks so much for joining us today! So first, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself.

Thanks so much for having me, Beverly and Tamara!
Hi all! I’m Cassandra Dean and I write historical romance ranging from sweet to steamy. I also play about in the eras, roaming from Ancient Rome to Victorian to the Old West and beyond. My books take readers on an emotional rollercoaster, from the lowest of lows to the joyous of highs. And, of course, my characters fall into the forever kind of love.
I’m from Adelaide, South Australia (yep, Down Under), have an unhealthy obsession with Camper shoes and cameras, and am CANNOT WAIT until Game of Thrones returns to our screens.

Tamara: What do you HAVE to have when you are writing?

My brain helps. If it’s switched into gear and not daydreaming about Nathan Fillion, things usually go much better 😉
Apart from that, not much. I’m very aware that writing is a profession, like any other, and as such you need to be prepared to do it anywhere.

Beverly: When did you start to write?

When I first learnt how to hold a pen! Seriously, I’ve always made up stories, so once I learnt how to record my stories on a page, I’ve never looked back!

Tamara: What do you think are the qualities that make up a “hero”?

A hero, in story terms, is someone who has something to learn, a need to be filled. Thus, you can tell who the hero is of each story by observing who has the most to learn.
Thus, each hero and heroine in a romance must be lacking something and through the process of the story, they learn and grow and the lack is filled. In a romance, the thing lacking is a person to love, and that person must compliment the other perfectly. They don’t have to be perfect themselves – in fact, it makes for a pretty boring story if they are perfect – but their flaws combine into an awesome Voltron-like being.
Voltron. Mmm. Sexy.

Beverly: Can you describe your favorite character? And which of your books is he/she in? How do you come up with your characters?

Oh man, I love all my characters! However, I think Elizabeth and Malvern from TEACH ME are my favorites. That story was such a joy to write, and I enjoyed the time I spent with them immensely.

Tamara: What are the hardest scenes for you to write? Suspense? Sex? Dialogue? And why?

I find action scenes hard to write. They just doesn’t seem to flow naturally from my pen. However, I’ve worked hard to try and make any action scene I do write dynamic and interesting. I’ve taken a leaf out of the writing team of the TV show Angel’s book and referred to Stephen S. DeKnight. That guy writes KILLER action scenes. Seriously, have you seen Spartacus? Awesome Sauce!

Beverly: What writer, if any, influenced how you write?

Joss Whedon. Def. LOVE him, love his work, love his advice. The man is a legend.
Loretta Chase. She’s so effortlessly humourous, and then turns on a dime to absolutely decimate your heart.
Lucy Clark. My F4E and my critique partner. Without her support and advice, I would not be published today.

Tamara: Who would you choose as your “book boyfriend”? From what book? Author?

Inigo Montoya, from The Princess Bride (book) by William Goldman, just so I can introduce him to people – “Hello. This is Inigo Montoya. You killed his father? Prepare to die.”

Beverly: LOL! Love it! What is the kinkiest thing you’ve ever done? Or would like to? What? We are all about the love!

I crimped my hair once. That was pretty kinky 😉

Tamara: What are your favorite types of heroines? Do you like the damsel in distress who needs saving or the kick-ass variety? Why?

I love well written, strong characters, no matter their ‘type’. A damsel in distress can be super cool, if she’s written well. A heroine who kicks butt and takes name can be equally awesome, again if she’s written well. As long as the characters are three-dimensional, which goals, motivations and conflicts that make sense for that character, I love them all.
That being said, I do like characters who save themselves. Others might help them realize they need saving, but ultimately it’s a decision they make and execute.
The Calvary always arrives late for a reason. 

Beverly: What was your worst date ever?

2 Januray 1992. That was pretty horrendous 😉

Tamara: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you? (you have food, water, shelter, all the necessities, so nothing mundane)

MacGyver.
A stick of gum.
A Cessna162 Skycatcher twin-engine aircraft with a pilot and a pitcher of cocktails to make the flight smoother.

Beverly: What is your “guilty pleasure”?

Potato Gems and cocktail frankfurts (In the US, I think they’re called tater tots and, um, I’ve no idea!). So, so bad but so, so delicious.

Beverly: Cocktail weenies. @.@ Frankfurts sounds so much better!

Tamara: What dream or goal have you yet to realize?

I would REALLY like to see a book I wrote on a bookshelf. I’m predominantly ebook published, and while I have one book in print, it’s not in wide enough distribution to have reached the bookshops in dear old Adelaide. One day, though!

Beverly: What was you most embarrassing moment?

I have a horrible feeling it’s still to come…

Tamara: *snorts with laughter* If you were a color what would you be and why?

Yellow-orange, like a sunset. It’s such a beautiful time of day, what they call “Magic Hour” on film sets. You always get the best photos at that time of day.

Beverly: Who has influenced how you perceive love? Why?

The world in general. We see love on display every day, as was so ably demonstrated by the movie Love Actually. Richard Curtis came up with that whole idea while at the arrivals terminal of an airport. How people choose to display their affection, from the tiniest to the grandest of gestures, influences me every day.

Tamara and Beverly: Okay. We are SSLY so we have to ask. Who loves you?

My mum!

Now for some quick fun questions:
Boxers or briefs?
Both have their place. Oh yes. *drooooooooool*
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee mostly, although a good cup of tea never goes astray. In fact, I might have one now…
Tall, dark and handsome or Blond and buff?
Tall, dark and handsome, def.
Hairy chest or smooth?
Both have their place, much like boxers and briefs 😉
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate, yum!
Kinky or Sweet?
Both. I know, such a fence sitter.
Fast or slow?
It depends. Am I driving a red car? Cos red cars always go faster…I don’t think they have a slow setting 

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