Eleanor never really stood a chance. Her mother was in love with a married man and a little bit crazy. And even though Eleanor's tired mother hated children, she was convinced that he would love her too if they just had a child together. That's how Eleanor was born. And when Eleanor didn't work, when he didn't leave his wife, she decided that one baby wasn't enough and so she had another. And that's how Casey was born. When she realized that having his children wasn't going to make him fall in love with her, she remembered just how badly she hated children. Eleanor and Casey were suddenly thrown aside by their broken-hearted mother; and then their father, being the married man that he was, completely denied their existence. Which left 8-year-old Eleanor and newborn baby Casey in foster care, hidden from the world like a blemish. As Eleanor gets older, she is forced to protect her brother from the cruel world that they live in. She doesn't want him to grow up like she did, feeling like a thrown away misfit. Eleanor learns that she needs to do whatever it takes to get her brother a better life. And that's when the trouble starts for her. By the time that Eleanor turns 22, she has been consumed by a world of lies, money, and sex. Convinced that doing the wrong thing is okay for the right reasons, Eleanor is used to living with two separate identities. When it all starts to catch up with her, Eleanor has to figure out how she is going to make it out of the mess that she's created. Poor girl. She never really stood a chance.

Lieutenant Marlowe Hughes was meant to be convalescing at his family's country home after his return from the Spanish front when a chance encounter with the high-spirited Lady Arabella Balfrey left him reeling. Marlowe is immediately infatuated with Arabella, who is beautiful and captivating, and who also happens to be the wife of Marlowe's closest childhood friend. Arabella urges him to forget his pain by being consumed by the intense connection that has blossomed between them, but Marlowe also finds a further complication is the opinion of a certain Miss Katherine Jennings, the surprisingly charming beauty that his mother has decided he should wed. Will Marlowe risk his family's approval, his deepest friendship, and society's scorn for Arabella's fiery embrace? Or will he discover that there is something more powerful than lust after all? Lust, lies, drama, and love abound in this completed Regency-era tale.

The human heart is an abyss. Through tunnels, and chambers, the organ beats and the world, in each persons life, continues to churn. With that heart, life is a reality. But, every so often, exceptions have to be made. Every so often a heart breaks, truly breaks, and all the pieces of life and reality become a haze. That heart is beating, but only sustaining. There is only one cure, one remedy- one antidote. That is love. ... There is nothing like the search for the perfect story. For Josephine Taylor, head journalist in a bustling Seattle magazine, where jobs are fought, not won, Aidan Hughes is that story...the story that will combine both truth and intrigue. Plagued by tragedy, the handsome photographer has secluded himself to a remote town, denying anyone who seeks to exploit him. For Josephine, Aidan Hughes is a jackpot of mystery, the perfect subject to propel her career into it's highest form. Like all the others, he intends to send her away. But, when a storm blows in, trapping them in his family estate, concessions will be made... Deep, dark secrets will be revealed... And unwilling hearts will be touched.

Lady Eleanor Cantwell, daughter of the Marquess of Salford, is a proper young lady. With her golden complexion, raven-black hair, and manners befitting a princess, Lady Eleanor has always been deemed a belle. There is just one problem. Lady Eleanor Cantwell is Indian. Having been adopted from India when Lady Salford found herself unable to bear a child, Lady Eleanor is shunned by society, including her mother, on account of her true heritage. The ladies turn their noses at her and the gentlemen only wish for her virtue which she clings to dearly. They certainly have no wish to wed an Indian girl, no matter how pretty she is! Which is why the entire ton is incredulous when a young man - a duke, no less! - offers his hand in marriage to the young daughter of the Marquess of Salford. Lady Eleanor finds it quite hard to believe that any gentleman would wish to marry her and instead of feeling grateful, all she feels is remorse and anger. A husband would only bring with him a mountain of restrictions that were detrimental to her plans of travelling the world - the land of her ancestors, in particular. So, when her parents sell her off to the duke, she realises that she no longer cares for society, her beloved father, or her reputation. And when the duke makes her an enticing offer, she realises she would have to abandon all sense of propriety, manners, and rules to do what he asks of her. She would have to defy. . * 1st Place Winner in HISTORICAL FICTION of the HIDDEN GEMS AWARDS * Featured in the "Diverse Fiction" reading list by @Ambassadors * Featured in the "Historical Fiction" reading list by @AmbassadorsIN * Featured in the "Ambassador's Monthly Picks (Oct 2025)", "War & Military" and "Historical DiverseLit" reading lists by @HistoricalFiction * Featured in the "Historical Adventures" and "DiverseLit Adventures" reading lists by @adventure

A ship's captain, a crime, a secret. An unwanted daughter of an earl who suddenly discovers that she has inherited her own earldom..through her mother. And in order to protect her inheritance, the countess needs a child. And the captain needs protection. It sounds like a fair exchange, a workable solution for two people in trouble. But...there was that portrait. That damned portrait. (ON DECEMBER 31, 2018 THE PORTRAIT WILL DISAPPEAR FROM WATTPAD! However, I send out chunks of whatever I'm working on and updates on sales if you sign up for my mailing list: https://www.cassandraausten.com/wattpadreaders . Thank you so much for reading!)

[1885; England] Lecia Harper can hardly accept her fate: marriage. When her father seemingly pawns her off to a Duke, horror and abandonment are only half of what she feels. She had been able to dismiss nearly every suitor before, but now she's bound to one man for ever. Freedom was all she wanted, but what happens when she begins to realize that that is exactly what she got?

Book Two - Crantock Trilogy Wealthy, successful, gorgeous Josh is resolutely single. Known as three jump Josh to his friends, he is as calculating in love as he is in business. He's watched his father break his mother's heart & friends' lives descend into domestic chaos with marriage & children & he's adamant they are not for him. Nell has been a widow for almost four years. Her husband & childhood sweetheart was killed whilst on duty as a police officer. Her life since has been completely focused on her two sons Jack & Louis (aged 10 & 7). It's a life of school runs, football matches, play dates, domestic chaos and there is not a spare minute for herself. A chance meeting between them results in instant chemistry and Josh offers Nell a fantasy few days away from the domesticity - subject to his usual rules. A few days is not enough though and they both agree they want more. However, will the forces that brought them together ultimately keep them apart?

Happily ever after becomes complicated when secrets and villains from the past begin to catch up with Scarlett and Giovanni. ***** From forbidden affair to passionate romance, Scarlett and Giovanni's journey hasn't been an easy one, but it's been worth it. Despite the chaos of the last year, Scarlett has found unexpected happiness with the man she loves. But with public declarations of love comes drama, and soon scandal and judgment are hounding them at every turn. As familiar enemies and the darkness of Scarlett's past close in, their love is tested like never before. Scarlett knows loving Giovanni has changed her life for the better, but it's clear their problems are far from over. Book Two of the No Strings Attached series Content warning: This story contains themes of domestic abuse, child abuse, PTSD, and death. Cover designed by Regina Dionela

Iris Tremaine's world is crumbling slowly around her. With a lawsuit pending in the background, the departure of her most loyal and trusted friend, and the detrimental decision that must come to pass soon regarding her entire future with the man she's suddenly taken into her heart- she must try to find a safe ground. But one must wonder: has she already past the point of no return? Is there no safe place left? Sequel to ICON. Make sure you read that one first or I'm afraid you will be miserably lost. Thank you in advance for reading!

Iris Tremaine is an icon. A fashion icon. At twenty-six years old, she's at the top of the fashion industry, having created a multi-national corporation, designing for both runway and retail. She's one of the richest, most-admired women in the world and yet there's something astronomical missing from her life. Somehow, the glamour and lights aren't what they used to be. When a tormented, mysterious man comes into her life, she begins to believe he may be what she's been waiting for. He may offer the spark she's been missing... But what she doesn't know is that this man has a past- a past that will rock her world straight off its axis. Thank you very much for taking the time to explore my work. xx