| Cassie Verano |
SIMPLY CASSIE
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Movie: Imitation of Life
Favorite TV Show: Hawthorne
Favorite Author: James Patterson/Kennedy Ryan
Favorite Song: Crown Royal, Jill Scott & Quickie, Miguel
Favorite Book: Impossible!…there are sooo many that I love, I can’t choose. But if pushed, it would be When You Are Mine by Kennedy Ryan
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
What made you become a writer? I can’t recall a time that I wasn’t writing. It started at the age of 12 and I never stopped. I tried my hand at publishing my books a few moons ago, but decided to pursue erotic multicultural romance in 2019 and published my first book in that genre in August 2019.
I am sure you have been asked this before. Why romance? People need hope, and they need to believe that there’s a chance for them to find true love someday. Whether they have had and lost it, are in it now, or never experienced it, I hope my books help them to recall what it’s like to be appreciated, desired, and protected by someone who cherishes everything about them, both good and bad. Life is full of heartaches, disappointments, and pain. I’d like to bring some truths about that, but spritz it with love stories that have all the feels, thrills, and all the naughtiness. Someone said to me, Cassie gives the people all the sex. LOL!!!
Do you have a day job or are you a full-time writer? I started writing full-time in 2019.
Describe a typical day for Cassie, the writer? I start my day in prayer, reading the Bible, doing some yoga and then have the breakfast of champions (smoothies). I head to my office and handle all administrative tasks, promos, social media related items, and other tasks related to my brand, and then I take a lunch break. There’s always some H.E.R., Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Miguel, Ella Mai, Jhené Aiko, or Giveon playing in the background, or some new artist. After my lunch, I start writing. But no two days are always alike. There are times where the muse gets the best of me and everything goes on hold until I write. And then there are days where I plan to write and don’t get anything done. So, I HAVE to write the next day. I get very grumpy and stressed when I can’t write.
What do you like to do when you want to relax? Sip some Stella Rosa Black or an Amaretto Sour, read a good book, and watch Hawthorne, Luther, or binge watch some medical or crime shows. Sometimes, I sit out on my deck and just enjoy nature, watching and listening to the birds, and other critters.
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Tell us a bit about CAUGHT IN THE GAME. - Caught in the Game is a sports romance about a young, professional athlete who’s new to town. JC Peña is a franchise player, and he’s wild, cocky, and arrogant, because he’s a proven man. The ladies love him and he’s not looking to settle down. Everyone attributes this to his youth, but he’s already gone through heartache. He meets Stormi Knight at her jazz club, Stormy Nights and they butt heads, instantly disliking each other. Stormi is a divorcee whose ex-husband is a wealthy, and powerful business mogul, who still wants her. She lives in fear of her ex-husband who’s threatened her life if she should ever become involved with anyone else, and she’s scared to call his bluff. However, JC & Stormi meet again unexpectedly. She’s the first woman who isn’t swayed by his notoriety, wealth, and fame so he wants to get to know her and prove he’s worth taking a shot on. But, Stormi knows the dangers of bringing him close and she’s hesitant. She pushes him away on different occasions, but JC finds a way to get close again until she can’t stay away. To keep things easy and safe, she puts rules in place that he’s not sure he can abide by. When his past relationship and her ex-husband returns rules, emotions, and strength will be tested on both sides.
What inspired you to write this book? I was invited by Tiye Love to write with her and I was ecstatic about the idea because it’s something I always wanted to do, write with other authors. I think we tend to push each other’s boundaries as authors and help one another grow and think outside of our norms. We open ourselves up to new ideas and embrace them, and expose ourselves to new readers. Initially, I proposed writing about brothers to her and we agreed. But before we got started, a couple of months later, I suggested doing a sports romance and she was all onboard. I began to weave this fictional town in my head and then she and I started bouncing ideas off one another and inspiring each other and voila! I loved reading author collaborations, such as Christina C Jones’ and Love Belvin’s Connecticut Kings series. So, Tiye and myself are bringing a sassy, southern, spicy flavor to the game of baseball that’s sure to get the game of love heated!
How have you changed as a writer since that first book? I’m willing to take risks that I wasn’t before. In the beginning, everything needed to be neat and tidy, but now I’m delving more into real life issues, drama, traumatic experiences, and showing how to rise above that. I’m leaning towards becoming the writer I first wanted to be when I decided to go down this path. Not writing a romance book alone, but writing life stories that span across cultures, backgrounds, and experiences with romance at its core.
If you had to recommend one of your books to a new reader, which one would it be and why? GREYSON, because it’s truly a romantic story. He’s been hurt and she’s self-contained and he needs to learn how to bring her out her shell while opening himself up again. In that story, you meet both Greyson’s and Nicole’s families, whose stories are told in The Sons of Victor Black.
What’s next for Cassie? I am working on finishing another series, that I’ve been multi-tasking on, Love Notes. This series is a rock band romance that features, women in non-traditional jobs, or roles that you don’t see women in as often. For instance, NEEDING YOUR KISS (Book #1) and KEEPING YOU CLOSE (Book #2) are about the band searching for a new drummer and hiring her on, and the subsequent journey. FORGIVING YOU NOW (Book #3) that I’m currently working on is about the keyboardist and a lady from his past, who happens to be a firefighter and single mom. Other than that, I’m working on a new video chat series that I’ll be launching soon, Cassie’s Afterglow, with my co-host Tiye Love. This will be a monthly video chat with other authors on their books, their lies, and we’ll dish on culture, and various topics that are trending (e.g., entertainment, politics, etc.). It will be in the style of Drink Champs if you’ve ever seen that. We’re scheduling to launch this series in mid to late summer.
ABOUT THE READERS
If there was one thing you could tell your readers about Cassie, the person, what would it be? I’m a super sensitive, artsy creative type who loves love, family, and food, and helping others pursue their dreams.
What advice would you give an aspiring author? Be true to your craft, no matter what’s trending. If you’re not feeling it, the people will know. Tell the stories that are in your heart, and develop very tough skin. It’s impossible to please everyone all the time.
How can readers reach you?
Email: cassiepemsromance@gmail.com
Website: https://passionatelyseductive.wordpress.com/
Facebook: Cassie Verano’s Love Affair
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcassie_verano/
Thanks, Cassie, for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us!
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Movie: Imitation of Life
Favorite TV Show: Hawthorne
Favorite Author: James Patterson/Kennedy Ryan
Favorite Song: Crown Royal, Jill Scott & Quickie, Miguel
Favorite Book: Impossible!…there are sooo many that I love, I can’t choose. But if pushed, it would be When You Are Mine by Kennedy Ryan
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
What made you become a writer? I can’t recall a time that I wasn’t writing. It started at the age of 12 and I never stopped. I tried my hand at publishing my books a few moons ago, but decided to pursue erotic multicultural romance in 2019 and published my first book in that genre in August 2019.
I am sure you have been asked this before. Why romance? People need hope, and they need to believe that there’s a chance for them to find true love someday. Whether they have had and lost it, are in it now, or never experienced it, I hope my books help them to recall what it’s like to be appreciated, desired, and protected by someone who cherishes everything about them, both good and bad. Life is full of heartaches, disappointments, and pain. I’d like to bring some truths about that, but spritz it with love stories that have all the feels, thrills, and all the naughtiness. Someone said to me, Cassie gives the people all the sex. LOL!!!
Do you have a day job or are you a full-time writer? I started writing full-time in 2019.
Describe a typical day for Cassie, the writer? I start my day in prayer, reading the Bible, doing some yoga and then have the breakfast of champions (smoothies). I head to my office and handle all administrative tasks, promos, social media related items, and other tasks related to my brand, and then I take a lunch break. There’s always some H.E.R., Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Miguel, Ella Mai, Jhené Aiko, or Giveon playing in the background, or some new artist. After my lunch, I start writing. But no two days are always alike. There are times where the muse gets the best of me and everything goes on hold until I write. And then there are days where I plan to write and don’t get anything done. So, I HAVE to write the next day. I get very grumpy and stressed when I can’t write.
What do you like to do when you want to relax? Sip some Stella Rosa Black or an Amaretto Sour, read a good book, and watch Hawthorne, Luther, or binge watch some medical or crime shows. Sometimes, I sit out on my deck and just enjoy nature, watching and listening to the birds, and other critters.
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Tell us a bit about CAUGHT IN THE GAME. - Caught in the Game is a sports romance about a young, professional athlete who’s new to town. JC Peña is a franchise player, and he’s wild, cocky, and arrogant, because he’s a proven man. The ladies love him and he’s not looking to settle down. Everyone attributes this to his youth, but he’s already gone through heartache. He meets Stormi Knight at her jazz club, Stormy Nights and they butt heads, instantly disliking each other. Stormi is a divorcee whose ex-husband is a wealthy, and powerful business mogul, who still wants her. She lives in fear of her ex-husband who’s threatened her life if she should ever become involved with anyone else, and she’s scared to call his bluff. However, JC & Stormi meet again unexpectedly. She’s the first woman who isn’t swayed by his notoriety, wealth, and fame so he wants to get to know her and prove he’s worth taking a shot on. But, Stormi knows the dangers of bringing him close and she’s hesitant. She pushes him away on different occasions, but JC finds a way to get close again until she can’t stay away. To keep things easy and safe, she puts rules in place that he’s not sure he can abide by. When his past relationship and her ex-husband returns rules, emotions, and strength will be tested on both sides.
What inspired you to write this book? I was invited by Tiye Love to write with her and I was ecstatic about the idea because it’s something I always wanted to do, write with other authors. I think we tend to push each other’s boundaries as authors and help one another grow and think outside of our norms. We open ourselves up to new ideas and embrace them, and expose ourselves to new readers. Initially, I proposed writing about brothers to her and we agreed. But before we got started, a couple of months later, I suggested doing a sports romance and she was all onboard. I began to weave this fictional town in my head and then she and I started bouncing ideas off one another and inspiring each other and voila! I loved reading author collaborations, such as Christina C Jones’ and Love Belvin’s Connecticut Kings series. So, Tiye and myself are bringing a sassy, southern, spicy flavor to the game of baseball that’s sure to get the game of love heated!
How have you changed as a writer since that first book? I’m willing to take risks that I wasn’t before. In the beginning, everything needed to be neat and tidy, but now I’m delving more into real life issues, drama, traumatic experiences, and showing how to rise above that. I’m leaning towards becoming the writer I first wanted to be when I decided to go down this path. Not writing a romance book alone, but writing life stories that span across cultures, backgrounds, and experiences with romance at its core.
If you had to recommend one of your books to a new reader, which one would it be and why? GREYSON, because it’s truly a romantic story. He’s been hurt and she’s self-contained and he needs to learn how to bring her out her shell while opening himself up again. In that story, you meet both Greyson’s and Nicole’s families, whose stories are told in The Sons of Victor Black.
What’s next for Cassie? I am working on finishing another series, that I’ve been multi-tasking on, Love Notes. This series is a rock band romance that features, women in non-traditional jobs, or roles that you don’t see women in as often. For instance, NEEDING YOUR KISS (Book #1) and KEEPING YOU CLOSE (Book #2) are about the band searching for a new drummer and hiring her on, and the subsequent journey. FORGIVING YOU NOW (Book #3) that I’m currently working on is about the keyboardist and a lady from his past, who happens to be a firefighter and single mom. Other than that, I’m working on a new video chat series that I’ll be launching soon, Cassie’s Afterglow, with my co-host Tiye Love. This will be a monthly video chat with other authors on their books, their lies, and we’ll dish on culture, and various topics that are trending (e.g., entertainment, politics, etc.). It will be in the style of Drink Champs if you’ve ever seen that. We’re scheduling to launch this series in mid to late summer.
ABOUT THE READERS
If there was one thing you could tell your readers about Cassie, the person, what would it be? I’m a super sensitive, artsy creative type who loves love, family, and food, and helping others pursue their dreams.
What advice would you give an aspiring author? Be true to your craft, no matter what’s trending. If you’re not feeling it, the people will know. Tell the stories that are in your heart, and develop very tough skin. It’s impossible to please everyone all the time.
How can readers reach you?
Email: cassiepemsromance@gmail.com
Website: https://passionatelyseductive.wordpress.com/
Facebook: Cassie Verano’s Love Affair
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcassie_verano/
Thanks, Cassie, for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us!
