A Scandalous Wager - is there any better kind?

Huzzah! I have some exciting news. Firstly, my debut novel - A Scandalous Wager is nearly here.

It will be officially released on the 8th of November, 2014 through Escape Publishing as an e-book. I am very proud to be part of the Escape/Harlequin family.

And the book should be available for pre-order through Escape and Amazon on the 1st of October, 2014.

Today I am revealing not only my cover but my blurb as well. I hope you like them both.

Isn't he gorgeous?

And now for the blurb.


Notorious Widow Lisbeth Carslake, Countess of Blackhurst was acquitted of her husband's murder, but no one believes in her innocence. Known as the Black Raven, bringer of bad luck and death, she is eviscerated by the gossips and mocked in the clubs. She’s also the subject of London’s most scandalous wager.

Oliver Whitely, Earl of Bellamy, needs money, but it takes more than a few drinks to take on The Black Raven Wager. He finds himself drunk, at her house, and – more surprisingly – inside, and agreeing to a business proposal at the end of a fire poker. She will let him win the wager, and he will help find her husband’s killer before the killer finds her. But business agreements don’t mean trust, and Lisbeth certainly doesn’t trust Oliver, her body’s reaction to him, or her heart.

Love may be the biggest gamble of their lives, but is it a wager their hearts can afford to lose?

Stay tuned for more exciting news.

Until then - only use good words.

Meet My Character Blog Tour

I’ve been tagged by fellow historical romance author, the lovely Amy Rose Bennet, to take part in this fun blog hop. Each week, an author is tagged. Follow the links and discover more about a character in either a newly released or upcoming title, or a work-in-progress.

Next week, I tag Alyssa J Montgomery blog author of both Contemporary and Medieval Romance.

Let me introduce Lisbeth Carslake, Countess of Blackhurst.

Thank you Cassandra, how sweet of you to ask me to join you today. My story begins in London in 1816. This is sometimes known as the year without a Summer because of the dismal weather we have been having due to a volcanic eruption last year (1815) causing bad weather, crop failures and general starvation over most of Europe. It has been a most horrible time for many.

I've had a hard time lately too. I've been a victim of domestic violence, accused of my husband’s murder, abandoned by my family and friends, called The Black Raven – bringer of bad luck and death and basically became a social pariah.

Even though I was acquitted of murdering my husband, Nathaniel, it seems that many chose to believe gossip and scandal over truth. Until the day I decided I'd had enough. I made a vow to myself that I would reclaim my life.

My plan was fairly simple - re-enter society and hunt down my husband’s killer and prove my innocence once and for all. What could go wrong?

Nothing is ever as simple as it should be as I was soon to find out. I could not just waltz into a ballroom on my own after being out of society for two years, so I had to find someone to escort me back into the vipers pit, otherwise known as the ton. Who would be desperate enough to agree to my proposal?

This is where the my hero comes in. Oliver Whitely, Earl of Bellamy, handsome, strong and dependable - not that I thought much of him at first. In fact I disliked him immensely and I am sure he did not think much of me either. I do confess to being a little protective of myself and my plan at the time. To be truthful I didn't trust him with a cup of tea, let alone my plan.

To find out what happens to Lisbeth and Oliver be sure to download A Scandalous Wager when it is released by Escape Publishing on the 8th of November, 2014.