10 Questions with Cassie Laeyln -

Today on 10 Questions with… I’m hosting Aussie paranormal romance writer Cassie Laelyn. She talks about her favourite childhood books, how music plays a part in her writing and the actors she’d love to see play her hero and heroine in a movie. Big thumbs up from me for the hero. 🙂

What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

In 2018 I discovered the super talented Jennifer L. Armentrout and I’m currently binging on her entire catalogue! Each of her books have sucked me in more than the last and I hope she never ever stops writing. My favourite book of hers (so far…) is Wicked, book 1 in the Wicked Trilogy.

Are you working on anything new?

Right now I’m finishing my final round of edits on Book 2 of The Fallen Guardians series before I send it off to the publisher. After that, I’ll knuckle down on Book 3! I’d also like to write a paranormal romance short story or two this year.

What is your favourite childhood book?

I was always an avid reader as a child (and still am!). The first book I can remember devouring over and over again was Anne of Green Gables. My Great Grandmother gave me a copy for my 12^th birthday and I still have it! I then discovered Jane Austin followed by Stephen King and Christopher Pike – bit of a genre leap there, I know! But maybe that’s where my love for paranormal romance stems from?

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you listen to?

Music plays a huge part in my writing routine. I have a playlist saved for each main character which I play when writing in their POV. I also have a playlist for major romance beats. For example, I had Lady Antebellum’s ‘Need You Now’ on repeat the other day when writing a black moment/break-up scene.

For Unforsaken, Raven’s playlist features songs from Nickelback and Creed, while Tayla’s a Lifehouse kinda gal. Blaine on the other hand has a fair bit of Linkin Park on his playlist!

When I’m editing though I can’t listen to music, I need complete silence.

When did you start writing?

I started writing short stories in my early teens and won my first competition when I was 14 years old. I used to daydream a lot, create characters and worlds in my head. Sometimes if I was in bed at night and heard a weird noise, I’d create a whole story about what caused the sound – with my fascination for the paranormal, it’s safe to say I didn’t get much sleep those nights!

My life took a detour in my early twenties and I didn’t start writing again until 2 years ago when I began Unforsaken and The Fallen Guardians series.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love binging on TV shows (throw me some recommendations!) and when I find an awesome show, I’ve been known to watch a whole season in one night! I also love going to the beach and of course, reading, reading, reading. Both my boys ride BMX, so when it’s racing season and I’m not writing, you can usually find me at the trackside cheering them on (silently wishing they’d slow down!).

Do you edit as you write or wait until the first draft is finished?

I usually try and smash out the story first and then edit during my first read through. I’m interested in the idea of editing as I go but it never seems to work for me, I tend to lose momentum. I sit more on the pantser side of the fence and like to layer in emotion and flesh out parts on my first read through, so for me it makes sense to edit then rather than as I write.

Do you have a favourite writing space? If so, where is it?

I prefer writing outdoors with my laptop. I find the words come more easily, the characters talk to me more and the world seems clearer. I love setting up somewhere where I can hear the waves – unless I’m writing a scene where it’s bitterly cold and snowing because then, hearing the waves just doesn’t work! In summer, I pitch a chair under a tree or on the deck, and in winter I chase the sun. I do have an office inside but I only use it if absolutely necessary, like if I’m behind schedule and need to work at night. To be honest, I think my hubby uses my desk more than I do!

Do you struggle to come up with book titles?

I usually start with a working title or no title at all, and don’t choose a final title until it feels right. For Unforsaken, the title didn’t come to me until after it came back from my beta readers. I had a working title up until that point, but it never felt like the right one. For Book 2, again I have a working title but I don’t LOVE it… so I’m keeping that door open until the right one pops up.

I like to think the title comes naturally when the time is right, and so far that technique has worked!

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the hero and heroine?

For the heroine, Tayla, the answer was pretty easy… I’d choose Anne Hathaway for two reasons. One: it would guarantee my hubby would watch the movie! And two: she has similar features to Tayla – hair, eye colour and build. And in The Devil Wears Prada, Anne plays a role with similar characteristics of Tayla – strong willed, driven and a kind heart.

For the hero, Raven, this was a tough question! Like, the toughest question! And I’m a little scared to name an actor! Ha ha! Okay… so, after many hours of scrolling through google, my vote goes to… Scott Eastwood with a touch of Chris Hemsworth! Scott Eastwood is hot and broody and has that smouldering look going on! And Chris Hemsworth, well, he has the perfectly defined body!

Thank you so much, Sonia for having me on your blog today! And thank you to everyone who reads Unforsaken – I hope you love Raven and Tayla’s story. Cassie x

Unforsaken – The Fallen Guardians Book 1

Hidden deep in the Snowy Mountains, lives a brotherhood of immortal Guardians, banished from the Heavens.

After centuries of exile, Head Guardian Raven can taste Hell. One wrong move could destroy his soul. When Fate assigns him a female mortal to protect, his forbidden desire becomes a distraction he can’t afford. Giving in to temptation risks plummeting into the fiery pits of Hell, dragging her along with him.

Tayla Eason is on the run, escaping a horrific attack on her life. When she lands in the arms of the sexy, alluring man who saved her, the shadows of her past swiftly close in. But when Fate throws a twist, Tayla’s forced to choose between saving Raven’s soul or fleeing before the creatures strike again.

In an ultimate test of love, the two must battle against the almighty Fate. But will it be enough to save them both?

Cassie Laelyn

Aussie paranormal romance author.

Growing up in a military family, forever on the move, Cassie had a childhood filled with countless crazy adventures. Eventually, sunny Queensland stole her heart, and she now calls it home with her husband and their two BMX-crazy boys.

Borderline obsessed with the paranormal world, Cassie has a passion for crafting stories involving strong, otherworldly characters in need of redemption. She’s a self-confessed book-a-holic and a sucker for a gut wrenching happily ever after.

When she isn’t narrating imaginary characters, Cassie loves binging on TV shows, spending time at the beach, and curling up listening to the rain.