This month, we're spotlighting a super sweet romance author...
Cassandra Giovanni!
About Cassandra
Cassandra doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character’s stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. Besides being a writer, Cassandra is a professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.
Cassandra Giovanni is published by Show n’ot Tell Publishing based out of Connecticut, USA
Guest Post
I’m a romance author. That’s just what I do. In every single genre I write from contemporary all the way to historical or paranormal; I write romances. There’s just something so entrancing and beautiful about writing two people falling in love. That’s pretty much all I read, too. For me, there are a few key elements that every good romance needs:
- A HOTTIE – Every romance needs a hottie, but there needs to be something more than looks that makes them that way. To me personality can make a hottie even more than smoldering gray eyes and slicked back dapper hair.
- PERSONALITY – Since we were just talking about personality, my version of hotties aren’t dominating or aggressive. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bad boy. I just prefer him to have a heart of gold. I am not a fan of cocky jerk-faces.
- FRIENDSHIP – No good romance ever started with insta-love. Insta-attraction sure, but insta-love goes downhill to obsession and annoying inner monologue fast.
- WITTY BANTER – Ah, yes. This is my favorite part of romances. It deepens the personalities, strengthens the relationship, and makes me giggle. I like giggling.
- A GOOD CRY – I’m a fan of a romance that makes me cry. I don’t think all of them need it, but it’s nice to have one thrown in there every once in a while.
- BEAUTIFUL COVER – Preferably, fully clothed. I know, I know, you’re eyes are probably super wide right now. I just prefer my covers to be more emotionally pulling than hormone driven.
- THE SCENE – Speaking of hormones, every good romance has scenes. You know what I mean, don’t make me say the word. I’m a fan of clean romance, lots of kissing, emotions and fade to black. Use your imagination for the rest ;)
- A PAIN IN THE ASS – Yeah, I said it. I’ve come to love that pain in the ass character; the jerk ex-boyfriend, the jealous friend, the annoying girlfriend or the horrible parents. It just can’t be the love interest.
- STRONG BUT DAMAGED – I don’t want a protagonist who is constantly wondering why the boy loves her, or that she’s not beautiful. I also don’t want them to be a cocky ass. I relate to protagonists that are strong, but have some sort of damage they carry with them. Proving the statement, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
- A HIGHER MEANING – I like my novels to have a deeper meaning, something stronger than the surface romance. A cut and dry romance lacks depth for me. I look for something deeper, character growth, and growth for me as the reader or writer.
Balance of these elements means that every book holds its own character and meaning. While I love romance, the reason I write so many sub-genres is so that I can explore additional elements that round out a novel. I internally fear the day that someone might say that my characters or novels have become formulaic, but I don’t think there’s a formula for a perfect romance. It’s the different formulas for each novel that make them different, intriguing and swoon worthy.
What about you? What makes a romance for you?
About Finding the Cure
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Ellie Abela’s life has been anything but easy. Tragedy follows her where ever she goes, and she’s been a lot of places. At twenty she’s lived in over ten different states, all because of her dad’s career in medical research. His career is just another list of the causes of tragedies in El’s life. He’s dying, and with every breath he takes closer to Heaven, Ellie dies a little bit inside too.
At twelve she lost her mom in a drunk driving accident, and in a matter of months she fears she’ll lose the last person she has in the world to cancer.
While Ellie’s life has been rife with sadness, Trent Wentworth’s has been a challenge. A drug-addicted mom and a dead-beat dad meant at twenty three he was the adoptive father of his two year old sister. Now at twenty five he’s working his way up the corporate ladder and a struggling single parent.
Each is searching for a cure to the things in their lives dragging them down.
Not all cures are black and white; not all cures save us–and sometimes saving isn’t what we need. Sometimes we just need to realize how lucky we are to be alive, at least for this moment.
More Books by Cassandra
Giveaway
Cassandra is sponsoring a giveaway for a a swag pack (bookmarks, post cards, posters, etc.)! Check out the rules and then enter below!
- US & INT where an international stamp is accepted
- Ends at 12 AM on July 15th, 2015
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