Happy Birthday, Dante!

On this day two years ago, I posted birthday wishes for Dante, the hero of my first published novel, Wandering Soul. I gave my readers a peek into what his life was like before the events of that story (they took place starting on April 25).

Wandering Soul is about Elsa Sinclair, a time-traveling romance novelist who goes back in time and discovers Dante, the man behind the legend of The Phantom of the Opera. She brings him to modern times to save his life, and they fall in love.

Wandering Soul by Cassandra Chandler

I’ve always been obsessed with fascinated by The Phantom of the Opera story, and daydreamed endlessly about what it would be like if there was a regular person—a kind, intelligent, wonderful person—at the root of the legend, and he somehow found out about the stories that grew up from his life. When Wandering Soul found a home at Samhain Publishing, it was a dream come true. I was so happy that this would be the first story that I ever had published. Much of that was because Dante is so dear to me.
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A Spectral Excerpt — “Wandering Soul”

For my final #SamhainShort, here’s an excerpt from the book that started it all, Wandering Soul.

This is a spectral short instead of a ghostly one because Elsa’s body is still alive—on another continent and over a century in the future. She’s using her psychic ability of astral projection for her soul to travel back in time. Dante is unaware of that, and thinks she’s an angel sent to take him to the afterlife. Instead, she’s planning to teleport him back with her to Florida in the year 2015.

Oh, and did I mention that in this story Dante is the man behind the legend of the Phantom of the Opera? 😀

Enjoy!

Wandering Soul by Cassandra Chandler

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Lingering Touch Backstory —The Limo

I have a tradition with The Summer Park Psychics. Whenever there’s a new release, I like to write a little backstory piece about that title. For Lingering Touch, I decided on a moment that takes place right before the action of that book.

We learn in Wandering Soul that Garrett was concerned enough about Elsa’s safety to hire a private investigator, Finn Connelly, to look into her new roommate, Dante Lucerne. Neither Finn nor Garrett know that Elsa is psychic and actually brought Dante forward through time to save his life.

Finn is Garrett’s best friend, and as we see very quickly in Lingering Touch, Finn is also Jazz’s ex. He and Jazz did not part on amicable terms.

While running down clues about Dante, Finn stumbles across more than he expected—a deeper threat to Elsa from a different suspect. The first vision that gives Finn a clue about the danger takes place in the limo Elsa hired to take her and Dante home the night she brought Dante forward through time.

WARNING: There is adult language and reference to adult content in this short piece. 18+ only, please.

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Wandering Soul has a Book Trailer!

Working with Samhain Publishing on my books has been amazing. I’ve been learning so much about the publishing process and everything involved in getting a book out there. My writing has improved, my understanding of cover art, and my general knowledge about the timelines (I’m starting to understand the whole “Hurry! Wait… Hurry! Wait…” thing). Some things, though, are completely new to me.

Like making book trailers.

This is the part where my editor and the Samhain marketing department put on their superhero capes. I asked if there was a chance they could make a book trailer for Wandering Soul. This is what they came back with.

So. Much. Love.

I am extremely grateful to be working with such a supportive publisher. The trailer is beautiful. Thank you, Samhain!