Interview with author Cassandra Jade

Today author Cassandra Jade is here as part of her September blog tour. First here's a little about her novel, Death's Daughter.

What do you do when the universe conspires against you?


Calandra has her future all figured out: She’ll live with her overbearing mother another year, then she’ll be free to pursue her heart’s dream—being a librarian. Then her mother is murdered, she’s stalked by mysterious beings, and the future she’s longed for crumbles.

On her quest to return the chaos of her life to order, hidden truths are uncovered that set her on a course she could never have imagined. She must confront ancient secrets, battle mysterious forces and survive the wrath of the gods before peace is restored and her life is again her own.




Tell us about your book.


Death’s Daughter is a fantasy story set in a world where the gods take a very personal interest in the life of the protagonist, 17-year-old Calandra Delaine. While she’s dreaming of the quiet life, away from her interfering mother, the gods are plotting to destroy everything she believes to be true. While the overall concept is grand scale, end of the world, the story is told entirely from the perspective of Calandra Delaine and gives the reader her journey through the events.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the story, without giving too much away, of course.

My favourite scene is about a third of the way through the book, and it takes place after several shocking revelations that have somewhat unhinged Calandra’s view of her world. It is where Calandra first encounters Bismira, and I’m not going to share much more than that. You’ll just have to read the story to find out what happens next.

What draws you to writing fantasy?

As a reader I had a great love of fantasy, because it could take me anywhere. Vast worlds where anything and everything would happen and I could find out about interesting characters that could do impossible things, and I loved it. As a writer, I think I stick with fantasy because I’m a bit of a control freak and by writing fantasy I get to establish my own rules for the setting. As long as I stick to the rules I establish, I’ll be okay.

Tell us a little bit about your writing process. For instance, are you a pantser or a plotter? If you’re a plotter, what method do you like to use?

I plot and then my mind races off in its own direction and so I usually throw my plan out mid-way, wait until I finish the first draft, and then write out the plan for the story I actually wrote before trying to revise it.

What are some of the writers and books that have inspired you?

Two writers that have inspired me would be David Eddings and Terry Brooks. David Eddings Elenium Trilogy is still one of my favourite fantasy reads and his wonderful narration and understated humour really appeal to me. I also really love Piers Anthony and his Xanth novels.

Tell us about yourself. Do you have a day job? Do you have any hobbies and interests outside of writing, and if so, do they ever find their way into your writing?

Well I teach, full time. Writing is something I do outside of teaching but I try very hard to ensure none of my characters are in high school or teachers. I definitely try to distance my two passions from one another.

And for extra credit if you’re interested: Team Angel or Team Spike? Edward or Jacob? River Tam or Buffy Summers? And why? ;-)


Spike – Angel spent all his time moping and Spike was a take charge, bad-boy. Okay, things didn’t always work out for him, but at least he was out there trying.

Neither Edward nor Jacob – I can’t believe either one would sit around waiting for Bella to choose him.

River or Buffy? I can’t possibly choose between them. My favourite character as a teen (Buffy), or my favourite character from the last ten years (River) is not a choice I can make.

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Cassandra, thanks for bringing your tour to my blog!

Death's Daughter is available from Lyrical Press. is available from Lyrical Press. Learn more about Cassandra Jade at her blog Cassandra Jade in the Realm and follow her on Twitter.