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SIlK & SCANDAL

by

 

Cassandra Dean

 

 

Hi peeps,

 

I love historical romance so much. It’s always been my go to, from the time I was a young un picking up my first romance novel. There’s just something about the old timey world, the romance of the ‘rules’, the dancing, the pretty dresses. The allure of a ‘simpler’ time, where there were no computers or smart phones or personal hygiene…hmm J

 

I guess that’s why I write historical romance. Not the hygiene thing, cos ew! But I enjoy reading of times gone by, of learning little bits and pieces of history as well as enjoying a rollicking good story. And, of course, my favourite period is England in the 1800s.

 

It was such a massive century of change. In romance novels, it begins with Jane Austen and the Regency, where manners and pretty dresses and the all important Season is lovingly detailed. Then the industrial revolution came, making it so people flocked from the country to the cities and brought about those scant years of massive social, economic and industrial change that epitomises the Victorian age.

 

How could I not love such diverse and almost opposite eras bookending the century?

SILK & SCANDAL, The Silk Series Book 1, is set at the beginning of the Victorian era, where change is slowly starting to occur. Thomas, the hero, is a foundling, a young man taken in by a childless noble couple and given a chance at a worthy life. He chooses to become a barrister and then a member of parliament, to bring about change in this brave new world.

 

Nicola, the heroine, is still stuck in the old world. As a woman and a lady, she cannot be anything other than a pretty decoration, and yet her passion is the law. Secretly – so secret she doesn’t even admit it to herself, she wishes she could become a barrister like her friend Thomas, but the strictures of her time and class will not allow it. Instead, she has no outlet for her intellect and instead falls into scandal. A lot of scandal. Like, all the time J

 

I had such fun writing SILK & SCANDAL and exploring the era that brought about such massive change in Western society. Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

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.

 

Available NOW from
Decadent Publishing
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~ Excerpt ~

Thomas took a breath, knowing he had to phrase this just right. “Lady Nicola, while I am cognizant of the honor you do me, I don’t believe it appropriate you visit me in my chambers. Shall we arrange a time that suits us both, perhaps for a walk about the park?”

China-blue eyes laughed at him. “Oh, pish. Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy, Thomas. We never stood on such ceremony before.”

Didn’t she know he couldn’t be her friend? Not since their ways had parted and she’d become who she was, while he had become who he was. “Our situations were different before, Lady Nicola. It is not appropriate for a lady of your standing to visit a bachelor in his chambers.”

“Who is going to comment? No one knows I’m here.”

Was she serious? “My clerk knows you’re here. By now, the senior clerk undoubtedly knows you’re here. Before ten minutes have passed, everyone in the building will know you’re here.”

“Well, then, they are a bunch of shocking gossips, and I should not like to know them any better.” She folded her hands in her lap.

“Not the point, Nicola.” Bloody hell, but she drove him mental. She tore at him and picked at him until he didn’t know where he stood. Always she’d done this, taken what little sense he had and driven it right out of his brain.

“I should say it is the point. Our visit would not distress you, if it weren’t for them.”

“It should distress me in any case. You should not be here.”

“Do you know what I’m hearing, Thomas? I’m hearing a vast amount of negativity, when you’ve not even greeted me properly. Why, you’ve yet to kiss my hand, or perhaps give me a h-hug.” Chin up, she looked at him with eyes brimming, and he saw right through her facade. She was truly hurt he’d not yet greeted her as he should.

Helpless, he stared at her. How did she do it? How did she turn his brain to mush? She’d been here less than five minutes, and already she had drawn him back in.

But she was right. He hadn’t greeted her as he should.

Standing, he went to her and drew her to her feet. “Welcome home, Nic.” And he hugged her.