Interview & Giveaway - Teach Me by Cassandra Dean

 

Teach Me

by Cassandra Dean 

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BLURB: 

Ever curious, Elizabeth, Viscountess Rocksley, has turned her curiosity to erotic pleasure. Three years a widow, she boldly employs the madam of a brothel for guidance but never had she expected her education to be conducted by a coldly handsome peer of the realm. 

To the Earl of Malvern, the erotic tutelage of a skittish widow is little more than sport, however the woman he teaches is far from the mouse he expects. With her sly humor and insistent joy, Elizabeth obliterates all his expectations and he, unwillingly fascinated, can’t prevent his fall. Each more intrigued than they are willing to admit, Elizabeth and Malvern embark upon a tutelage that will challenge them, change them, come to mean everything to them…until a heartbreaking betrayal threatens to tear them apart forever.

 

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Excerpt:

Moments passed, that impassive gaze weighing heavy upon her. An overwhelming urge to twist her fingers assaulted her, but what if her fidgeting made him refuse?  

He seemed to make some decision. “I shall show you carnal pleasure, madam. As you say, both to receive and to give. However, pregnancy should be avoided at all costs.” His eyes flickered, the first sign of something resembling emotion crossing his face. “I will not marry you, no matter the circumstance.”  

Well, of course he wouldn’t. She wouldn’t wed him either. In any event, conception was not a concern for her, not after a marriage that had never yielded—  

Good Lord. He spoke of practical application. He spoke of touching and kissing and—Was it warmer in here of a sudden?  

He continued with barely a pause. “Actual penetration will be avoided. While many people extol the virtues of withdrawal, I remain unconvinced. We will discuss methods of contraception during your education, but the most effective method is always avoidance. You are in agreement?”  

Still confused but now with cheeks aflame, Elizabeth nodded. In all her life, no one had ever spoken so frankly. This, combined with his matter-of-fact manner and lack of emotion, banished any lingering apprehension and left only the excitement. Glorious, thrilling excitement.  

“Excellent.” Stepping close to her once more, he brushed his hand from her neck to her shoulder, the back of his fingers now warm against her skin. “Shall we begin?”

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Let's learn a little about the amazing Cassandra Dean:

 

What is your writing environment?
 

I try to write wherever I can, but in a perfect world it would be in my study (I have a study! So pumped by this) with a TV show playing (the noise and movement in my peripheral vision helps me focus for some reason).

Who is your perfect hero and why?

A perfect hero is perfect in his imperfections. He may be funny, but perhaps he sometimes uses his humour inappropriately. He may be brave, but sometimes he may be stupidly brave. He may be smart, but sometimes he might be a dick about it. Perfect in his imperfections, but with all of this, he must match his heroine perfectly.

 

What authors have caught your interest lately and why?

I’m a MASSIVE fan of Kim Harrison and Meljean Brook. I’m really super pumped for the last in Kim Harrison’s Hollows series and am enjoying immensely Meljean Brook’s foray into serials with The Kraken King.

 

What type of book have you always wanted to write?

I would love to write an adventure-filled tale. For some reason, my stories tend to be fairly introspective, with lots of emotion and hanging out and stuff. I would adore sword-fights and mad dashes and wild laughter while defeating enemies. Hopefully I’ll get there!

 

Top 3 things on your bucket list?

* Visiting Scandinavia and touring the Silk Road from Russia to China

* Becoming able to undertake writing full time (no Day Job, huzzah!)

* Being Stephen King wealthy

 

How did you get the idea for TEACH ME?

The idea for TEACH ME came while I was on a bus tour in Scotland. I had just started a three month holiday and was daydreaming while the bus rolled through the gorgeous wind-swept Scottish landscape. Suddenly, I saw a cold, controlled man on the fringes of a ballroom, watching a bright, shining woman as she danced and laughed. I knew this man loved her, and what’s more, she loved him. I knew he was only at the ball because she wanted to be there, and I knew she was the only one who could see through his control to the sensitive, generous man beneath.

Elizabeth and Malvern, right there.

This scene eventually became the epilogue of TEACH ME and I had a lot of fun discovering how they arrived at that ball, together and in love.

 

What is your favorite scene in TEACH ME?

Oh, so many! I love the epilogue, because as I said, it was the first one I saw. I love when they met, because they are so wholly apart and neither is looking for love. But my favourite scene would have to be the indoor picnic. It’s a quiet scene, but I think it might be the moment Malvern falls completely in love with Elizabeth. Before, he was most of the way there, but her surprise picnic pushes him the rest of the way.

 

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on an exciting project for my publisher, Decadent Publishing. Beyond Fairy Tales will be a multi-author series where a fairy tale is assigned and we put our own spin on it. I’m doing my version of The Glass Coffin, a version of Sleeping Beauty, and I’m having a ball. In fact, I’m trying that adventure-filled thing...

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love to read, I love TV, I love hanging out with friends and family. I also love to cook, which makes hanging out with family and friends real easy – they always come for the food, if not my sparkling personality.

 

What would you consider a perfect date?

This year, it was 18 March, one day after the end of the Fringe Festival (which spelled the end of my second job) and the first day of my holidays from my first job. It was glorious!

 

What is one interesting fact about you that readers don’t know?
 

In addition to being an author, I’m also an editor. It’s a recent development but one I’m enjoying immensely!

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

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.

 

Links: 

Website http://cassandradean.com 

Blog http://cassandradean.com/blog-2 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraDean 

Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/authorCassDean 

Google+ https://plus.google.com/102347750251485935942 

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5016740.Cassandra_Dean 

Tumblr  http://cassandra-dean.tumblr.com/ 

Pintrest  http://pinterest.com/cassandradean/ 

Instagram http://www.instagram.com/authorcassdean

 

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Buy Links: 

Barnes & Noble 

DecadentPublishing

 

Amazon

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Giveaway:

 

Cassandra will be awarding a signed Teach Me postcard and a Teach Me magnet at each stop to a randomly drawn commenter. A Grand Prize of a $15 Amazon Gift Card, a Teach Me mug, a signed Teach Me postcard and Teach Me magnet will be awarded to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (International Giveaway)
 

The more you comment, the better your chances of winning!
 

Follow the tour HERE
 

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