Cover Reveal! "Silk & Scorn" by Cassandra Dean

Welcome to the Cover Reveal tour for my fellow Decadent author, Cassandra Dean. Her new book, Silk and Scorn is coming soon from Decadent Publishing! 

No matter how much their mothers wanted Sarah and Arthur to wed, Sarah had loathed him. However, circumstance[1] and her late husband’s father conspire against her, and she is forced to turn to Arthur [1]for help. Perhaps she needs his legal expertise, but she refuses to acknowledge how handsome her oldest foe has become…or her reaction to him.

His childhood nemesis is the last person Arthur Davenport expected to require his services. When a spurious claim against her late husband’s estate brings Sarah Wetherall to his door, he can’t refuse the pretty widow, no matter how much he wants to.

Thrown together by fate, will they discover there is a fine line between scorn and passion?

The Silk Series, Book 2

Early Victorian Sweet Romance

Coming 19 February 2014

Decadent Publishing

Excerpt:

15 February, 1847. Mrs. Wetherall.

He stared down at the name. There was something familiar about it, but he could not recall what it might be. He shrugged. She was soon to appear, and any familiarity would be quickly established.

At that, the door opened and a woman who could only be Mrs. Wetherall swept in, an obscenely large hat obscuring most of her face. A gown of uncommon simplicity clothed her person, but for all the garment was simple, it was obviously well made, which suggested wealth.

Ah, well, no matter if he knew her name or not. A wealthy client was always welcome.

Dunn trailed behind her, his expression as eager as ever. “Mrs. Wetherall, sir.”

Arthur inclined his head. “Thank you. That will be all.”

“Right you are, sir.” The clerk bobbed his head and left, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.

Arthur turned his regard to the woman. Currently she studied his qualifications, hung on the wall along with the framed pictures his mother had given him for his birthday every year since he’d become a solicitor. “Mrs. Wetherall, good afternoon. Please, seat yourself.”

Her shoulders straightened infinitesimally but she didn’t respond, instead continuing to regard the wall.

Irritation tugged, but he suppressed it. Emotion would get him nowhere. “Mrs. Wetherall?”

With a sweep of her skirts, the lady and her hat settled into the chair before his desk.

Frowning, he sank to his own seat. That enormous hat was absurd, still disguising her face. Why did women think such things were attractive? In addition to being ludicrous, it no doubt put undue pressure upon her neck.

Lacing her hands in her lap, the lady finally spoke. “I find I require the services of a solicitor in regards to my late husband’s will.”

The hair at the back of his neck stood up. No. Oh, Christ, no.

The hat tilted, exposing her face. Every muscle in Arthur’s body seized.

Mrs. Wetherall, formerly Miss Sarah Stanhope and the bane of his childhood, glared at him from beneath her ridiculous hat.

======================================

About Cassandra :

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
 

CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

VALENTINE’S DAY

A little history.

St. Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. These saints had to have a pretty decent story in order to rate their own special day of celebration. Whether the tale was truth or fiction didn’t matter. One popular account of Saint Valentine of Rome, says he was imprisoned and executed for performing weddings for soldiers forbidden to marry, and for ministering to Christians who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. And if that wasn’t enough, the narrative goes on to tell how he healed the daughter of his jailer. Supposedly he even wrote her a farewell letter and signed it, “Your Valentine”. The earliest Valentine’s Day card perhaps?

There were many other Saint Valentines out there with their own stories to be told.

 Traditions.

In 18^th-century England, the celebration evolved into a day for lovers to express their love to each other by giving gifts such as flowers, candy, and cards (known as “valentines”). During the 19^th-century, the handmade cards evolved into mass produced-greeting cards. Valentine’s Day cards are frequently adorned with hearts, doves, and a winged Cupid and his bow. Mushy words of love are found inside. Children give and receive versions with little cutesy critters, beautiful princesses, or super heroes. Pretty much any character or theme that happens to be popular at the time will work.

How Hubby and I spend our day.

My hubby still prefers the handmade cards I make him. I’m the first to admit my fine works of art do not pose a threat to Hallmark. They are not very creative. I use the same symbols…hearts, doves, and little Cupids. I glue these romantic morsels to a folded piece of red construction paper with one of those little white paper doylies slapped on, and write a good sappy line inside. There you have it, my work is done. And the five dollars I save on a store bought card will buy me a cup of indulgence at Starbucks. Happy Valentine’s Day to me!

Hubby and I celebrate at home usually. Years of waiting for tables at the romantic restaurant of our choice, even with reservations, grew old faster than I did. I prefer to cook hubby a great dinner to go with my construction paper card. I always give him a heart-shaped box full of chocolates…specifically Turtles or chocolate-covered strawberries. I always receive a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from Hubby. The opulence and size of the arrangements have grown over the years, along with our love for each other. A nice candle-lit bubble bath is always a nice touch at the end of the day—especially if we bring along the chocolates.

The best and the worst.

My best Valentine’s Day ever? The first one I spent with my future husband. We were just fifteen. Still little kids! We went to a Church-sponsored dance together. Well sort of together. We were too young to drive and our parents had to take us. Future-hubby gave me my very first heart-shaped box of chocolate candy. *fanning my heart here* He was romantic even at fifteen! I never imagined we’d spend the rest of our lives celebrating February 14^th together!

My momma and daddy

My worst Valentine’s Day? The year my momma died. It kind of took the wind out of the holiday for several years. With a lot of grieving and a husband who always makes Valentine’s Day special, I honestly enjoy the day again. Sometimes I still get a bit gloomy, but I know Momma wouldn’t want me to spend the romance day for lovers all sad. So at the end of the day, I choose to celebrate love and life.

Do you have a best or worst Valentine’s Day you’d like to share in comments below?

News.

A special shout out to Beth Lentz, the winner of this year’s treasure chest full of Valentine goodies! 

For a chance to win an Amazon gift card this month, answer a trivia question about "Resolutions".

Enter Here

There’s still a contest running on Goodreads to win a print copy of Resolutions.

Goodreads Giveaway 

I hope everyone has a great Valentine’s Day this year!

Teri