About

Cassandra is a romance novelist, freelance photojournalist, and artist. She has an intense passion for passion in all its guises. She believes in the power of love and creativity to transform peoples lives, making them feel refreshed, playful, inspired, adventurous, and courageous.

Cassandra has an intense passion for passion in all its guises. She believes in the power of passion, change and creativity to transform people’s lives, making them feel refreshed, playful, inspired and adventurous.

As fellow artist Paul Klee says – "one eye sees and the other feels" Cassandra’s creative endeavours are echoes of our culture when we are at our most happiest. Classic but fresh each time. The significance of creativity whether it is writing, photography, painting or anything that involves taking something that doesn’t exist and making it real is about the power of transformation. Sometimes all it takes is one sentence in a book, one evocative image or one sensual painting to evoke a radical reinvention of one’s life.

Created in Aotearoa, New Zealand Cassandra’s passions all embody the essence of her beliefs and speak to her soul mission: to live life to the fullest, to take risks, to be playful, to create beauty and to always have fun and to help others achieve the same.

About the author

A trained counselor, successful businesswoman and incurable romantic Cassandra likes to share her stories of love and passion with people around the world, giving them hope that magical romance can be real.

Her earlier publications include romantic short stories, and a non-fiction book released in 2009 Happy at Work: for mid-lifers a practical and inspirational guide for job-hunters and career-changers

She has one gorgeous daughter, and lives with her handsome partner near the sea in Wellington, New Zealand.

Cassandra gave up a flourishing business as a life and career coach to write her first romance novel. For 2 years she turned deaf ears to parents and friends who pleaded with her to “get a real job”. She rented out her house and did a succession of freelance and temping jobs to support “writing days.”

During this time, she was rejected by many publishers and agents whose comments ranged from “your characters are dysfunctional” (referring to characters that were taken from Cassandra’s real life experiences!) to, “I like your idea but I'm not sure that it'll work - the average Kiwi book buyer is a reticent creature and are likely to be a little intimidated by the idea of a book based on the concept of 'passion'.”

Undeterred, she continued writing – this time with her eyes set on the UK and US market and writing sexy, steamy romances full of passion with characters just like the rest of us “normal” people!

Education

Business

• Bachelor of Commerce – Victoria University 1995–1998
• Bachelor of Design - Wellington Institute of Technology (2yrs of) 1998 –2000
• Diploma of Counselling - Wellington Institute of Technology 2000- 2003

Creative

• Writers University, USA
• Interactive Drawing Therapy - advanced 2006
• Abstract painting workshops Jane Kellahan 2008
• Abstract painting workshops Megan Schmidt 2008
• Sumi Ink Painting with Max Gimblett in Hawaii, July 2008
• Certfified Image and Colour Consultant - Fashion Academy 2008

Current projects

• Freelance writer for the NZ Herald
• Misc romantic fiction novels - works in progress
• Coaching and change communciations

Awards and achievements

• Successfully wrote, designed and published Happy at Work: for mid-lifers, Dec 2009
• Winner Wai Art Awards “Love Stain” May 2008
• Finalist The Adam Portrait Award and Exhibition, Wellington Feb 2008

Exhibitions

• The Adam Portrait Award and Exhibition, Wellington 21 February – 01 April 2008
• The Affordable Art Show, May 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010
• Maypole Gallery and Design, February -June 2008
• Millwood Gallery, November 2006, 2008, 2010

Cassandra