Cover design of Girl on an Island by Cassandra O'Leary

Cover Reveal – Girl on an Island

Exciting news, people! I have a new book cover to reveal for my planned release, Girl on an Island. This is fabulous and cool and all the good things. . . but it means I have to actually write the book. Like, the whole thing. I may have hit a tiny snag in my plans. As an indie author I can set my own deadlines, but sometimes I get a little ahead of myself.

Due to some ongoing health issues my writing has been slower than I would like, but I need to be realistic in what I can achieve at the moment. I have also committed to writing two novellas for multi-author anthologies for release later in 2024 and the drafts of these stories need to be completed first.

I can confirm that my Girl on a Plane series will have a third book soon and although I have had Girl on an Island up for ebook pre-orders for a few months, I may have to delay the planned mid-year release. The release date is to be confirmed – please keep an eye out for updates.

Cover Reveal

Here she is:

Cover design of Girl on an Island by Cassandra O'Leary

The cover was designed by the fabulous Deborah Bradseth who also designed the covers for books 1 and 2, Girl on a Plane (ebook and paperback) and Girl on a Layover.

I love the way this cover evokes the tropical feel of the setting, which is the Whitsunday Islands off the coast of Australia. This story will feature Bridie, the redheaded little sister of Sinead from Girl on a Plane, and her love story centres on her taking a new job as marketing manager for a resort on a tropical island. When she arrives on the island, she runs into Aidan, her brother’s best friend from back home in Ireland. What are the chances? 😉

Please keep a lookout for updates about this story, and of course the anthologies I’ll be posting about in coming months.

For now join my newsletter or follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter/X for updates.

 

Deposit Photos stock image of a woman looking at books in a library

Library Lovers – Order My Books

Deposit Photos stock image of a woman looking at books in a library

If you love borrowing and reading books from your local library, you should know you can request that a library buys my books! 

I’ve just been approved by James Bennett, another library distributor in Australia, along with ALS. You can often go to a library’s website and request a book, usually by including the title and ISBN (international book number) or  you can just ask the librarian in person.

Internationally, you can ask the librarian to search for my books in their systems, or they can order direct from Ingram Content Group.

Also, many of my ebooks are distributed to library services around the world including Overdrive, BorrowBox, Hoopla, Baker & Taylor and more.

 

Details for Libraries

  • Girl on a Layover by Cassandra O’Leary

Paperback ISBN: 9780648422785

Ebook ISBN: 9780648422761

 

  • Girl on a Plane by Cassandra O’Leary

Hardcover ISBN: 9780648422730

Paperback ISBN: 9780648422747

Ebook ISBN: 9780648422754

 

  • Dating Little Miss Perfect by Cassandra O’Leary

Paperback ISBN: 9780648422778

Ebook ISBN: 9798215502372

 

  • Hot In The City: A Romantic Comedy Story Collection by Cassandra O’Leary

Paperback ISBN: 9780648422716

Ebook ISBN: 9798201329396

 

Libraries can also order direct from the author – email cassandra@cassandraolearyauthor.com for enquiries. 

More information about my titles is available on my Books page.

Girl on a Layover tropes graphic. Book cover featuring a woman lying on a beach on bright yellow background with a monkey image.

Release Day for Girl on a Layover!

It’s release day for my novella, Girl on a Layover (Girl on a Plane series #2) and I’m excited, people!

Girl on a Layover novella cover image

#2 – Girl on a Layover

The ebook is out now at major online bookstores and I’ll be getting the paperback version ready to go soon. Sometimes it takes a little longer to format the paperback for print and to get the distribution channels to display the book online. Anyway, it won’t be too long for my print readers. I will also have copies available to buy at any book signing events I attend next year, including A Romantic Rendezvous in March (Melbourne, Australia)!

When Yuki met Declan . . .

There were times when I never thought I’d be able to publish any other stories in this ‘world’ and I’m so glad I finally have the opportunity. I just really like these characters and the themes of travel, finding love and a sense of home, and I hope you will too. Of course, this story is also heaps of fun.

When I released the ebook of Girl Under The Christmas Tree, the prequel novella in December 2020, I was rapt with the chemistry on the page between characters Yuki and Declan. I knew I’d have to revisit them as a couple and work out how they could get to their happy ever after, without making it too easy, because where is the fun in that?

I decided to skip ahead a few years when revisiting this series, as I’d regained the publishing rights for Girl on a Plane and wanted to extend the series. I moved forward so the events in newer books would occur in current times, more or less. When Yuki and Declan first met, I was writing about events a few years in the past, but I wanted them to meet again sooooo . . . TIME JUMP!

Six years have passed since Yuki and Declan first met, in the story timeline at the start of Girl on a Layover. Both characters have been through some stuff (no spoilers!) that have left them bruised and battered by love, in a metaphorical sense. But they are now ready for a real chance at love, and their second chance romance was a joy to write.

Blurb

Yuki Yamimoto has a problem with billionaires. If only she wasn’t stuck in a luxury resort with one billionaire in particular!

Yuki agrees to be her friend Sinead’s bridesmaid at her second wedding in a heartbeat. She’s a flight attendant and used to jetting around the world, but staying at a luxury resort in Thailand for Sinead and Gabriel’s renewal of vows sounds amazing – like a mini vacation. The only problem is. . . Declan Moriarty.

Years ago, Yuki and Declan shared a mind-blowing one-night stand and a few weeks of bliss, and then nothing. Nada. Was it all a dream? Or a nightmare? Because he cheated on her with his ex-fiancĂ©e and Yuki left before he could break her heart. Declan was Yuki’s big fish, the one who got away. An Irish IT geek and billionaire built like a pro rugby player with bonus soulful blue eyes and dark wavy hair.

Yuki has a sinking feeling Declan will also be at the resort for the wedding celebration. Declan is a good friend of Gabriel’s after all. But she won’t have to hang out with him, surely? Yuki doesn’t believe in second chances anymore. Besides, Yuki’s just been dumped and humiliated and all she wants is rest and relaxation on this layover.

Declan no longer believes in love. In fact, he’s probably cursed. Yuki isn’t the only woman who ran from him or broke his heart. When he sees Yuki at the airport, he can’t take his eyes off her. She’s as gorgeous as ever. Maybe his luck is changing. Another fling might be just what fate has in mind!

A feel-good, second chance romcom novella with steamy scenes. And a monkey. This book is #2 in the Girl on a Plane series.

Girl on a Layover tropes graphic. Book cover featuring a woman lying on a beach on bright yellow background with a monkey image.

Buy now from major ebook stores including Apple Books, Amazon, Google Play Books, Kobo or check the universal link for more!

Note: I earn from Amazon Associates links on my website. 

Girl on a Layover: Pre-order now!

I’m excited to let my readers know that my next release is book #2 in my Girl on a Plane series, and it’s coming out very soon. It’s a romantic comedy novella titled Girl on a Layover, and it’s due to release on 26 October 2023! Yes, this date snuck up on me sooner than expected. My editor has the novella at the moment and I’ll be finishing off edits next week and getting it ready to publish on major ebook sites. I’m planning to release this one in paperback so look out for that a little later.

This story follows Yuki and Declan, characters introduced in my already-published prequel novella, Girl Under The Christmas Tree. Yuki and Declan shared a steamy night together a few years ago followed by a few blissful weeks, but then things didn’t work out. In Girl on a Layover, the couple have a second chance when they are stuck together for a wedding at a luxury resort.

It’s a super fun romcom with steamy scenes that I hope you’ll enjoy reading. I certainly had fun writing it! I only wish I could visit the tropical resort in Thailand where the story is set . . .

Readers can pre-order the ebook right now!

Girl on a Layover novella cover image

Blurb

Yuki Yamimoto has a problem with billionaires. If only she wasn’t stuck in a luxury resort with one billionaire in particular! 

Yuki agrees to be her friend Sinead’s bridesmaid at her second wedding in a heartbeat. She’s a flight attendant and used to jetting around the world, but staying at a luxury resort in Thailand for Sinead and Gabriel’s renewal of vows sounds amazing – like a mini vacation. The only problem is
Declan Moriarty. 

Years ago, Yuki and Declan shared a mind-blowing one-night stand and a few weeks of bliss, and then nothing. Nada. Was it all a dream? Or a nightmare? Because he cheated on her with his ex-fiancĂ©e and Yuki left before he could break her heart. Declan was Yuki’s big fish, the one who got away. An Irish IT geek and billionaire built like a pro rugby player with bonus soulful blue eyes and dark wavy hair. 

Yuki has a sinking feeling Declan will also be at the resort for the wedding celebration. Declan is a good friend of Gabriel’s after all. But she won’t have to hang out with him, surely? Yuki doesn’t believe in second chances anymore. Besides, Yuki’s just been dumped and humiliated and all she wants is rest and relaxation on this layover. 

Declan no longer believes in love. In fact, he’s probably cursed. Yuki isn’t the only woman who ran from him or broke his heart. When he sees Yuki at the airport, he can’t take his eyes off her. She’s as gorgeous as ever. Maybe his luck is changing. Another fling might be just what fate has in mind!

A feel good, second chance romcom novella with steamy scenes. And a monkey. This book is #2 in the Girl on a Plane series by Cassandra O’Leary.

Girl on a Layover by Cassandra O'Leary, Oct 26 pre-order graphic. Features book cover and trope descriptions.

Keep an eye out on social media for news about this book, visit my Books page or follow the links below to buy the other books in this series:

#0.5 – Girl Under The Christmas Tree (Yuki and Declan meet in this prequel novella)

#1 – Girl on a Plane (Sinead and Gabriel meet in Cassandra’s debut novel)

#1.5 – Girl on a Babymoon (Sinead and Gabriel return in this novella)

#2 – Girl on a Layover (Yuki and Declan meet again!) – releases October 26, 2023!

3D image of Dating Little Miss Perfect by Cassandra O'Leary, paperback edition

Paperback shop!

I’m so excited to launch a new paperback shop for my Australian readers. You can buy signed copies of my books through a secure site powered by Square, paying by credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Books will be posted to you via Australia Post.

3D image of Dating Little Miss Perfect by Cassandra O'Leary, paperback edition

At the moment I have six paperbacks listed for sale:

Dating Little Miss Perfect
Girl on a Plane (2nd Edition)
Girl Under The Christmas Tree (A Girl on a Plane prequel novella)
Hot In The City: A Romantic Comedy Story Collection
Heart Note: A Christmas Romcom Novella
Taste of Romance (Limited Edition), a multi-author anthology from the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild

I’ll add more books as I publish them in paperback format!

Go to Paperback Shop!

International readers
At this stage, I won’t be selling signed books direct to international readers due to the high costs of shipping from Australia. If this changes, I’ll be sure to let you know.

You can buy my paperbacks from a range of online stores including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Walmart.com and Booktopia.

Visit my Books page for more links.

Dating Little Miss Perfect promo graphic with tropes

Sneak peek of Dating Little Miss Perfect

A funny thing happened on the way to publishing this book . . . Everything happened. Including a global pandemic.  Now it’s almost release day and I can’t believe I’ve almost got this book baby out into the world.

Dating Little Miss Perfect is my quirky take on You’ve Got Mail, with anonymous online dating, workplace romance of the rivals to lovers variety, banter, cupcakes, and a spark of science! I can’t wait for everyone to meet my spunky scientist heroine, Doctor Eden, and the gorgeous Aussie marketing manager hero, Finn (who may possibly look like a Hemsworth).

I hope you enjoy reading this excerpt of Dating Little Miss Perfect, releasing on 24 May 2023 in ebook and paperback.

Dating Little Miss Perfect by Cassandra O'Leary, cover design by Kylie Sek.

Excerpt of Chapter One

HotAussie007: Hi stranger. Talk dirty to me!

Eden heard her smartphone ding and knew who it was before she looked. She grabbed her phone. Yes, it was her anonymous almost boyfriend. Hardly anyone messaged her. And that tingly anticipation in her lower belly, no one else had that effect.

She shouldn’t be doing this at work. It seemed naughty. A little dirty. But she was addicted to messaging him. As with any addiction, she couldn’t help herself. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her pristine white lab coat and smoothed back a lock of hair escaping her high ponytail. Silly, considering they couldn’t see each other, but she wanted to look her best.

Eden tapped out her response
 No. Delete! She wouldn’t go all the way totally sexy. Not at work.

LittleMissPerfect: Hey big boy, what’s up?

HotAussie007: That’s it? Nice dirty talk. You’re a real bad girl LOL

LittleMissPerfect: I’m at work. Covert messaging in progress *side eyes*

She scanned the lab. Her fellow science geeks were absorbed in their work, some plugged into earbuds as they conducted experiments or typed up reports. Felicity, her research assistant, was focused on analyzing the drug assay.

All clear.

HotAussie007: I’m working too. Coffee break. What are you wearing?

LittleMissPerfect: Not telling. You have to guess. Some men fantasize about my prim and proper outfit. And what’s underneath


HotAussie007: Gah! Librarian? School teacher? Am I close? Stern, bossy, smart as a whip. I like this train of thought *daydreams*

LittleMissPerfect: I’m picturing you in underwear over tights. I’ve got this whole Clark Kent/Superman fantasy going on


HotAussie007: *choke* Standard office gear today. Sorry to disappoint. But you can be my Lois Lane any day.

LittleMissPerfect: You’re making me shy *blushes*

HotAussie007: Don’t be shy. I like you.

Her belly flipped. Likey like.

HotAussie007: Will you meet me IRL?

Meet him? In real life? Her skin tingled, heat rising up her throat and across her cheeks. Oh God.

It could go spectacularly wrong, but she wanted to meet him. She wanted. Bad. All this online flirting had her mind intrigued and her body set to explode at the merest hint of a sexual fantasy. It was weeks since they’d ditched the dating site for one-on-one chats. But they’d kept things casual. And anonymous.

She’d chickened out of meeting him once already. Maybe she’d been smart. What if he took one look at her and bolted out the door? What if he didn’t go for geek girls? What if she couldn’t be sexy and funny in real life?

Eden loved the banter they shared online. But it was way easier to sex it up virtually with a faceless man than to flirt with a real, live, hot and sweaty human. Oh, but she wanted hot and sweaty.

Time to bite the bullet, to see if he was as funny and sexy as he seemed in their chats. She was dying to know what he looked like. Perhaps she’d indulge his librarian fantasy.

LittleMissPerfect: You’re on. Sweep me off my feet, big shot. Get back to me with a time and place. I’ll wear something strict.

HotAussie007: *dies* Will message later

Eden stared into space, indulging in her superhero fantasy. But Superman was too boring. This situation called for Thor. Lois Lane morphed into the spunky scientist Jane. With her long dark hair and subtle curves hidden under a lab coat, she did look a little like Eden. She’d help Thor save the world and hold on to his hammer
 She’d happily oblige her hero. Strong, powerful, built like a pro wrestler but with a caring side. He’d do anything to protect her and save humanity.

As she was stroking her bare thigh near the edge of her summer skirt, a looming presence materialized behind her, sparking warning tingles across her nape, making the tiny hairs stand on end. Eden knew who it was. The man had timing. Bad timing. And he’d snuck up behind her bench in the open-plan lab. Was he trying to make her uncomfortable?

A few words rose to the front of her mind and they weren’t polite. Eden tried to keep it cordial with the bane of her professional existence. “Donohue. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

She swiveled on her stool to face her work rival, and not for the first time, she wished Finn Donohue’s looks matched his unpleasant personality. Instead, he had stunning sea-green eyes, tousled caramel hair, and over six feet of hunky height. All the muscles. None of it made him more appealing. It just didn’t. Okay, his Aussie accent made him a tad more attractive. But only a little.

Odd how she was surrounded by Australians, online and at work. A little alarm went off in her brain but she ignored it. This particular Aussie was definitely annoying.

Finn heaved a long-suffering sigh. “You know why I’m here, at least you should. The final clinical trial report. It’s three days overdue, Eden.”

He leaned over her, drumming his fingertips on the bench, invading her personal space. She crossed her arms under her breasts, and his gaze tracked down to her V-neck for a second. Eden stared at him without speaking until he slowly blinked and met her eyes.

Her lips stretched in a mock-friendly smile. “It’s Doctor Robinson. And as I said in my email, I’m still waiting on the blood test results from the LA lab. I can’t magically make them appear on my desk here in San Diego.”

Finn straightened. “Well, keep me updated. We need to get this drug to market ASAP, and I won’t be held accountable if you don’t deliver your end of the project.”

Eden waved him away. “I get it. Now, shoo!” She must have scared him because he took a step backward. Smoothing down her skirt, she sighed. “Go back to your marketing cubicle. Relax in a beanbag chair and sip your hipster coffee. Send some tweets or whatever it is you do, and let the smart people do their jobs.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Right. Wouldn’t want to interrupt all that important texting, Doctor Eden.” Finn shot her a glimmer-of-death glare, then turned and strode from the lab.

She did not admire his retreating form in his sharp suit. Broad shoulders, slim waist
 firm butt. Nope, she scarcely noticed him.

He’d caught her slacking. She had to be careful. Her future at Magna Smart was precarious. From now on, she’d be the consummate professional to ensure her team received the special projects funding. Patients depended on her, on the heart medication that could save their lives. Years of research had gone into Magna Smart’s new drug.

She’d built up a team of good people who deserved a chance to prove themselves. They wanted to see the project through to completion and have their achievements recognized. She deserved recognition too. Plus, she needed the job. A big-ass mortgage didn’t pay itself. If she lost the project, she’d be downsized faster than you could say, ‘you’re fired.’ And finding another job at her level would take months, not weeks.

The funding would not be wasted on Finn Donohue’s marketing team. Again. The amount of funding his team received last year versus the paltry amount for her scientific research team was appalling. Eden’s gaze snagged on the memo from a few months ago, stuck to the partition behind her workspace. She reread it, her fists clenched in her lap.

Memo

To: All Staff, Heads of Department

From: Dr. McTavish, CEO Magna Smart Operations, USA

All departments now have the opportunity to compete for the current round of Future Smart Special Projects Funding recently announced by our parent company, Magna Smart Pharma (Europe). As part of this outstanding initiative, I am pleased to announce I have been appointed the arbiter of project suitability and likelihood of success, i.e., commercialization potential, revenue generation, and talent recognition for the United States arm of the company. A total of US$10 million in new funding is available for approved projects. 

Department heads are to compile detailed proposals on their special projects for my initial input and approval by 1 March. As this opportunity was conceived as a ‘Best of Breed’ initiative for ideas that will impact the consumer business, proposals are sought from consumer-facing units, including Marketing and Business Development, Research and Innovation Commercialization, Information Technology, and Medical Science Partnerships. 

If relevant teams choose not to take up this excellent opportunity to submit Future Smart Project proposals, management will, of course, carefully consider resource reallocation in future endeavors. The US Operation will aim to put its best foot, or feet, forward as the case may be. 

Signed,

Dr. McTavish

Eden shook her head, dismissing the urge to throw tacks at the stupid memo with its implied threats.

She pushed Finn Donohue to the back of her mind too. She needed to concentrate on this potential thing with HotAussie007. Soon she’d meet him. In. The. Flesh. That was fantasy and a half — enough to stop her heart *dead*.

***

Finn had finally escaped his painful conversation with that woman. Thank you, Jesus, or Odin. Whoever’s listening. He stomped down the corridor, his feet beating a rhythm like a call to war.

Doctor Eden could suck it, in his humble opinion.

If only that thought didn’t make his blood run as hot and thick as the chocolate sauce on his favorite banana split. Eden’s lips, that petulant pout and the tempting curve of her mouth when telling him off, nearly had him saying, or doing, something stupid.

The way she talked down to him, as if he wasn’t worthy of breathing the same air as her and the other snooty scientists in her lab, as if he was something she’d scrape off her surprisingly purple Doc Martens and shove in a doggy-do baggie. But it wasn’t worth spending any more time thinking about. Not how she spoke, not the words, and especially not her hot little mouth.

No, he needed to focus on his work. He stormed along the polished concrete and glass corridor toward the Marketing and Business Development Department, at the opposite end of the building to Eden’s research lab. His jaw clenched as he recalled her final dig: Let the smart people do their jobs.

He’d show her smart. He had plans, damn it. Big plans. He had so much on his plate it was hurting his brain, but he didn’t deserve her scorn. He’d try to be her ally if he could.

Swerving off route, Finn pushed open the heavy fire door to the spacious courtyard between the two main buildings and sucked in the salty sea air, breathing deep and filling his lungs with oxygen. It was a little humid out there but much better. Not so stifling. Outside, still standing on the concrete paving of the company’s campus but overlooking the Pacific Ocean, he could breathe.

The courtyard boasted an architectural centerpiece—a man-made stream bordered by blocks of granite ran down the sloped ground before dropping off a step into a small water feature. Finn plonked himself on the edge of the polished rock by the clear, running water and rolled his shoulders, shrugging off the tension. He came here whenever he needed to find his calm. Chant some ‘oms.’ Whatever.

He wasn’t the only one catching some rays. Quite a few of the worker bees had escaped the hive to eat lunch or work on their laptops outside. Surveying the scattered geeks and admin staff, he spotted one of his guys: Nate, their new website analytics guru.

Nate caught his eye and nodded once, his long black hair flopping over his eyes. The younger man picked himself up and ambled over, touchscreen laptop in hand. He needed a haircut, big time. No one would take him seriously when he looked like an overgrown student who’d escaped from a frat house.

“Hey, man, you okay? You look stressed out.”

Nate needed a makeover in how he spoke too. Finn was his manager, and as such, he deserved respect. Before he moved to the States, he’d thought Aussies were laid back. But some of these Californian dudes were so laid back that they were almost comatose.

“I’m fine, thanks. Just taking a breather.” Finn held up a hand to shield his eyes from the blinding summer sun. Beautiful day, as always. He’d rather be surfing, for sure. Maybe at Bells Beach back home.

Nate nodded, his head bouncing like one of those bobblehead dashboard ornaments Finn bought for his Chevy. “I want to show you something. Can you spare a few minutes?”

Finn dipped his chin in Nate’s direction. “Sure. What have you got?”

“Weirdness with the website. A whole lot of traffic from Eastern Europe, and considering Magna Smart doesn’t trade there, it stood out. Could just be a blip, but it could be something more.”

Nate pulled up a graph on his screen and showed Finn the data. He talked him through the usual site traffic, mainly from the US and Canada, with some hits from Asia on particular products. The Eastern-European thing did seem odd. The pattern was out of whack compared to previous months, and Finn had read a lot of records lately. There were also large file transfers happening that Nate hadn’t seen before. The younger man shrugged, as if to emphasize his uncertainty. There could be a new partner or a reseller we haven’t heard about, sending traffic our way. Or, not to be too doom and gloom, it could be bad news. A hacker or someone else targeting our site. Do you think we should check with IT?”

“Absolutely. Get your information over to Data Security and see what they reckon.” Finn dragged his hand back through his hair and gazed out across the vast expanse of blue sea and sky. “Great day for surfing.”

“Surfing’s not my thing, but I’d like to try that one day.” Nate pointed to the clifftop to the right of the company’s complex, where a couple was preparing to jump. It wasn’t an emergency. They were strapped into a tandem hang glider.

Finn and Nate watched in silence as the couple launched off the cliff, hovered, and then lifted in an updraft of air. It looked impossible, or at least implausible, but they flew. Amazing. They swooped and glided on invisible trails of wind, rising higher still before tilting downward and skimming across the ocean. After a couple of minutes, they disappeared from view.

Finn sighed, brushed off his weird mood, and stood. “Yeah, I should try hang gliding.” Before I head back home to Australia. The depressing thought popped into Finn’s head, uninvited. He turned to Nate and shrugged. “Guess we should be getting back. Let me know what you find out about that blip.”

“Sure thing, boss man.”

“Don’t call me that. Finn will be fine. Mr. Donohue, if you’re feeling formal or we’re in a meeting with the Establishment.”

“Can do, Finn.” Nate saluted.

With a shake of his head, Finn headed across the courtyard to the opposite building, back toward the concrete bunker housing his team. But before he went inside, he succumbed to the urge to get his own back on Eden. Speaking to his smartphone’s dictation app, he drafted a quick email:

“Doctor Eden,

I greatly appreciated your attitude in our earlier chat. Your reminder of our formal work relationship and the importance of letting ‘smart people do their jobs’ was timely. Please find attached a file you may find of interest.

Your humble servant,

Finn Donohue

Manager, Marketing and Business Development

Magna Smart Pharmaceuticals

Attach file: Civilization”

“Send.”

It was juvenile, and she’d most likely hate him even more, but he couldn’t resist. When the cartoon titled ‘Civilization’ came up on his Twitter feed earlier, he’d immediately thought of her.

The cartoon depicted the slaves of ancient Egypt hauling rocks and lugging cartloads of tools to build a pyramid. A lone female figure stood at the top of the pyramid, raised on a lofty platform, shaking a finger at the workers below. Her long robe, black hair, cat-eye makeup, and jewels made it obvious she was the famous Queen Cleopatra. The caption nailed it.

Work smarter, not harder, that’s my motto. Civilization will thank me later.

He’d probably put his foot right in it. Still, it was better to be the shit-stirrer or even the one stepping in it than to be the excrement. There was a life philosophy.

Now that he thought about it, Eden kind of looked like Cleopatra, the classic Elizabeth Taylor version. Beautiful. Imperial. Scary. But irresistible, nonetheless.

Buy Dating Little Miss Perfect from major online retailers from 24 May 2023! 

 

Dating Little Miss Perfect promo graphic with tropes

Girl on a Plane by Cassandra O'Leary book cover design by Deborah Bradseth.

Girl on a Plane – new cover reveal!

I’m so excited to share the brand new cover of the second edition of my debut contemporary romance novel, Girl on a Plane. I recently regained my publishing rights from the former publisher, so now it’s indie time! I’ve been working myself a little ragged getting this book ready to independently publish. I’ll be releasing a new edition of the ebook, along with print — a paperback and hardcover — for the first time.

Cover reveal

Girl on a Plane by Cassandra O'Leary book cover design by Deborah Bradseth.

Girl on a Plane will be re-released on 29 March 2023 and features a gorgeous cover design from Deborah Bradseth at dbcoverdesign.com with a softer colour scheme and a modern romcom feel. Exactly what I was looking for!

For the contemporary romance and romcom fans out there who haven’t read this one yet, I do hope you’ll enjoy it. The updated book blurb is below.

Blurb

Perfect for fans of The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren and The Layover by Laci Waldon, Girl on a Plane is an entertaining summer read for grumpy-sunshine romcom lovers.

Sparks fly in mid-air when Sinead, a fun and feisty Irish flight attendant, meets Gabriel, a gorgeous but grumpy Aussie CEO in First Class.

When a storm hits during their flight from Melbourne to London, they are unexpectedly grounded in Singapore. No-one could predict Sinead and Gabriel would be locked-in together in the same hotel suite
with only one bed! One steamy night could lead to more as they chase each other across the world.

Sinead doesn’t know if she can follow her heart after her disastrous relationship with her stalker ex-boyfriend. He shook her so much, shattered her confidence in men, and made it hard to trust. Her connection with Gabriel is powerful, a call to throw caution to the wind. Maybe it’s time to find love, a man to call her own. To heal her broken heart.

But Gabriel isn’t exactly an open book. He wants Sinead with an intensity that scares him but he can’t afford to let a woman in, to pursue anything besides a hook-up. What if Sinead doesn’t understand the limits he has to place on relationships? What if she cracks him wide open and disturbs the careful balance of his life? He may never recover.

Follow Sinead and Gabriel as they navigate a new relationship while dealing with the excess baggage of their pasts. Will love take flight?

Where to buy

The ebook version of Girl on a Plane is ready to preorder from major online sites including Apple Books, Amazon, Kobo, Google Play Books, Barnes & Noble and Booktopia. The hardcover design and paperback links are coming soon . . . Check my Books page for updates.

Preorder the ebook now!

#GirlOnAPlane #CoverReveal #romcombooks #romancenovels #grumpysunshine

Dating Little Miss Perfect by Cassandra O'Leary, cover design by Kylie Sek.

Dating Little Miss Perfect – Cover Reveal!

Exciting news, book lovers! My next full-length contemporary romance novel is nearly ready to fling into the world, or in other words, release it wide!

Many thanks go to my fabulous Australian book cover designer and illustrator, Kylie Sek, who was an absolute star and totally got what I was looking for. I said, 90s romcom movie vibes, bright colours, a scientist heroine who rides a Vesper scooter, and an Aussie hero who looks like a Hemsworth brother. Nailed it!

Without further ado, here is the gorgeous cover:

Dating Little Miss Perfect by Cassandra O'Leary, cover design by Kylie Sek.

Dating Little Miss Perfect by Cassandra O’Leary. Cover design by Kylie Sek.

Blurb

The perfect romcom read for fans of The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren and The Hating Game by Sally Thorne . . .

On an anonymous online dating app, LittleMissPerfect meets HotAussie007 and it’s love at first click. In real life, a smart but spiky woman in STEM, research scientist, Dr Eden, meets a laid-back Aussie marketing manager, Finn, at the big pharma company where they both work in California. They’re forced to compete for special projects funding, and both their jobs are on the line.

Eden just wants to win at science and in life. It’s not happening! She can’t stand Finn’s too-cool-for-school, nice guy act, or his delectable forearms that keep invading her space. While Finn is stupidly attracted to Eden, when she’s not telling him off, he isn’t free to pursue her. He’s stuck in the worst position in his professional life, and doesn’t see a clear way out. He can’t tell her the whole truth about what’s going on at work or in his personal life. . . or it could all blow up in his face.

When they realise the truth about their online alter egos, dating is off the table. Can they ignore their inconvenient attraction, and work together to take down their unethical boss? Or will intense rivalry cause their IRL work lives and online love lives to collide and explode like a science experiment gone wrong?

Note: Dating Little Miss Perfect is an updated take on You’ve Got Mail for lovers of online dating romcoms, with added science, cupcakes and old movie references! This new novel from award-winning author Cassandra O’Leary is a stand-alone contemporary romance of approximately 95,000 words.

I have put it up for ebook preorders (paperback links coming soon) and I do hope you’ll all enjoy reading it when it’s released on 24 May 2023.

Preorder Dating Little Miss Perfect now!

Friday I’m In Love is out now

I’m so excited to release this surprise novelette at the end of the year, like a mini Christmas present for readers! Friday I’m In Love: A Sweet and Saucy Novelette is a super cute and funny short read, which I first published in the Hot In The City collection in June 2022. I thought some readers would prefer a short stand-alone ebook, so here it is!

It’s only 99c from major ebook sites so grab it now…all links on my Books page.

Friday I'm In Love book cover by Cassandra O'Leary. Features an illustration of a young couple with dark hair dancing, with a heart as a background image.

Blurb

A girl couldn’t help spying sometimes. Surely if she ever met him, he’d understand


Megan Macauley looks forward to her private rendezvous with her ridiculously hot, across-the-road-from-work neighbour. Every Friday morning, Megan and her inappropriate older colleague Jean, stop work on the company website to stare goggle-eyed at the vision of manly beauty in the apartment across the street. When he returns from his gym sessions and strips off his shirt, Megan can barely keep her tongue in her mouth. 

Megan didn’t mean to become a voyeur. It was an accident! She’s always had a feeling the situation might rear up and bite her. One Friday, fate proves her right. The hottie from across the road shows up at her office as the new auditor, in other words, the man with the power of hiring and firing. 

Cruz Ono is even more smouldering hot up close. A prime example of Japanese-Australian beefcake and smart as a whip. When he invites her to a private meeting, Megan nearly faints. He could either fire her or let her keep her annoying, underpaid job. Which would it be? 

When Cruz reveals he knows Megan has been watching him, she knows it could be the end of her career. But the way he smiles and flirts with her says it could be the start of something else


Note: Friday I’m In Love is a short read or novelette of approximately 10,000 words. It’s also available in Hot In the City: A Romantic Comedy Story Collection in both ebook and paperback formats.

Buy Now! 

More news coming soon…

Hot in the City release day!

Hot In The City preorder header graphic
Hot In The City: A Romantic Comedy Story Collection releases today, 30 June, as an ebook!

Description

Hot In The City is a collection of short romantic comedy stories and novellas from award-winning author, Cassandra O’Leary. Perfect for reading on your lunch break, on the go or anytime really!

Hot In The City by Cassandra O'Leary, ebook cover design. Features an illustration with a city skyline and a couple sitting on the floor in an apartment.

Never before published in one book, this collection includes:

– Chocolate Truffle Kiss: A Romantic Comedy Novelette – An older woman meets a younger man in a story full of pining. A lonely writer, a hot rockstar barista, a cafe setting with stolen moments, poetry and chocolate. . .

 Tree Love: A Romantic Short Story – A short story with a sweet second chance romance, an urban lumberjack and emails to trees!

– Girl Under The Christmas Tree: A Steamy Holiday Romance Novella – A prequel to the novel Girl on a Plane, featuring Yuki, a hotel staffer looking for adventure, and Declan, an Irish IT CEO with a broken heart. They come together right before Christmas for just one night. . .

 Friday I’m In Love: A Short and Sweet Story – A brand new story set in a pyjama company in the middle of the city. Featuring a Japanese-Australian beefcake, a wacky computer nerd, workplace romance, spying and wardrobe malfunctions.

. . . and a new novelette. . . Girl On A Babymoon! Sinead and Gabriel from Girl on a Plane return, five years later. It’s their anniversary, and Sinead has a big surprise for Gabriel. A romantic getaway and steamy role-playing feature in this laugh-out-loud story of a marriage in trouble, or maybe, a marriage that will be stronger than ever!

Each story is set in the author’s home city of Melbourne, Australia, with a cameo or two from other fabulous destinations around the world. Whether the setting in a central city cafe with a smoking hot barista, or a Santa-packed hotel in the lead-up to Christmas, these stories will introduce you to a world of steamy kisses, swoony couples and funny love stories each with their own a happy ever after (or happy for now) ending.

Buy Now

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Amazon CA

Apple Books

Barnes and Noble

Booktopia

Kobo

Google Play Books

Universal ebook link!

Girl on a Babymoon excerpt

Read on for a short excerpt of Girl on a Babymoon, the new novelette in Hot in the City!

Melbourne, Australia

Sinead had no hope of containing her giggles as she stared at her phone’s screen, but she slapped a hand over her mouth anyway. She half snorted, half coughed into her palm before shaking her head to get herself under control. The Uber driver would think she’d lost her mind, but who cared about that? Not today, she didn’t.

She clicked out of the amazing image on her phone screen and stared out the car’s passenger side window instead, watching the streetscape whiz by in a blur of colours, sky blue, white and grey. The warm fuzzies in her belly settled, fluttered and subsided.

Gabriel was going to absolutely love her anniversary surprise. Love. Adore. Worship at her feet and hopefully worship every last nook and curve of her whole body in minute, sensual detail. Several times. Oh, yes. This anniversary trip had been an excellent idea. How could they have been married for five years already?

She didn’t know how her news would go down with Gabriel. Hopefully, he’d be on board. All she had to do was let him know what she wanted and fill him in on the plan. She sighed, exhausted suddenly. He would be pleased, wouldn’t he? Happy? It was a lot to take in. She’d had a minor freak out already.

He’d be okay, she was almost positive. He’d research this like he would with a business deal or an investment. He was good at details, her Gabriel. The best at everything he did. Having a man like him, so focused and determined in everything, work and play, had turned out very nicely in their relationship so far, especially in the bedroom. The only problem was, sometimes he was a wee bit put off by spontaneous changes of plan.

He’d love her surprise. And if he didn’t bloody love it, she was possibly going to have him killed. Or at least torture him in a sexy way until he admitted he loved her and her surprise, and then he could do the minute detail worshipping of her body.

Yes, that was a plan. She grinned and rubbed her hands together with pure, undiluted, only slightly evil glee.

She gave a nod and word of thanks to the Uber driver, a very sweet man named Aziz who often drove her home from work at the luxury travel agency she ran at Gabriel’s office building in the city. She straightened out her shirt and threw her phone in her bag. The car rolled to a stop.

In one mostly elegant motion, she launched herself and her handbag out of the car and onto the footpath, then she was clacking along in her electric blue high heels. Her phone was in her hand, tapping on her husband’s name and he answered the call before she’d even taken five steps towards the front door of their beachfront townhouse.

“Hello, Irish.” His voice was gravelly and rumbly, pinging her pleasure centre and tugging at something in her abdomen. She bit her lower lip and almost tripped over the spiky plant near her front steps.

Sinead pressed her lips together before the exciting words exploded out of her in a great rush.

Control. Plan the announcement. Don’t freak him out.

Sinead nearly peed herself from the effort of keeping it inside. She released her lower lip and took a shuddery breath. “Ah, it’s the man himself. Are you looking especially handsome on this fine day? I’ll bet you are.”

“I was just thinking about you.”

She grinned so hard her cheeks ached. “All good thoughts, I hope. Maybe naked thoughts?”

He chuckled, deep and low in her ear. “Always good, and many naked thoughts of you, my love.”

What happens next? Read Hot in the City to find out…

 

P.S. Don’t forget to follow me on social media for more updates. I’m now on TikTok too for bookish content and a laugh!


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