D

D
As many of you may know, our beloved sister hostess SHARON DONOVAN, tragically passed away on 11th April 2012. We who knew her, loved her, and were inspired by her courage and determination to face head on whatever life threw at her. When she could no longer see to paint she turned to writing and showed her amazing talent in the Inspirational Romance and Romantic Suspense genres, and her story 'Charade Of Hearts' was awarded the coveted Predators and Editors Award in January 2011.

This Blog was a source of great delight to her, she was one of the founder hostesses and she contributed to the fun and silliness in her own original way, and was kind enough to let her unique creation, the hunky butler 'Oliver' join us for our Friday romp and prepare 'virtual breakfast' for the guests on the following morning. It's beyond hard to have to go on without her, but we know that she would have been the first to insist that 'the show must go on.' She is, and will always be with us in spirit.
Sharon, dear friend, we will never forget you.
The Author Roast and Toast is part of the legacy you left us. Let's raise a Toast to you as well as all our guests.
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Saturday, February 20, 2010

AND THE WINNER IS.....


Beth

who wins a $5.00 GiftCertificate from All Romance Books or 1Romance Books, from Raine Delight.

Email her at rainedelight @ yahoo DOT com with your preference and email addy.

Congratulations Beth!

Friday, February 19, 2010

A Moonlight Celebration

Hello and welcome to The Author Roast and Toast. Today we are spotlighting Moonlight And Magic -- Book 5 in the Devon Falls Series with our featured guest. So come roam with us deep in the forest of Devon Falls and let your imagination run wild.
IT’S MAGIC!
IT’S SPELLBINDING!
IT’S RAINE DELIGHT!

Amidst a beautiful backdrop of snow-capped mountains and glistening glaciers in the forest, the three hostesses groan and moan, trying to keep up with all the work the Wolf Shifter Oliver has lined up for them. Teeth chattering, fingers numb and toes frost bitten, they trip and fall, fumbling with drinks, appetizers and trays of food.

Sick to death of their moaning and groaning, the Wolf Shifter Oliver glares at them, a plan formulating in his head. To get them to help prepare the feast, there is only one thing to do. Grinning, bearing his fangs, he snaps his fingers and a whip appears in his hand. The girls gasp, their breaths coming out blue.

Mary passes out cold, her bubble butt smacking the forest floor with a resounding thud. In her clumsiness, she knocks Sharon down. Although feather light and barely making a sound with her petite form, Sharon manages to hurl into Lyn, latching onto her hair as they tumble down in a heap. The hostesses shrieking cause the warbling hoot owls to screech in protest, wings flapping as they run for cover. The hostesses hiss and spit like cats as they sit on the floor of the forest, big scowls on their flaming red faces, blue lips snarling as they fume.

WITCHYS WIKKED     GRAPHIXSick to death of them, Oliver snaps his hands and a ring of fire appears like magic. Too stunned to do anything but gape, the now mute hostesses stare at Oliver in wonder. In a trance, Sharon, Lyn and Mary stand up, awed at the magic of the moment. With a snap of his fingers, the Wolf Shifter Oliver commands each to jump through the hoop. He points at Sharon. “You, first.”Animals Comments

With a gulp, Sharon takes a running leap through the ring of fire, coming through the other side a lion. Gaining her metal of courage, she growls a robust roar that reverberates through the forest. Next the Wolf Shifter points at Lyn. Mary slaps her hard on the butt to get her moving, anxious for the show to get rolling. With a whoop, Lyn takes the leap, coming out on the other side a tiger. Testing her new vocals, she lets loose with a fierce growl that rumbles through the forest. Mary is next. Not wanting to be left behind, she takes a running leap, coming through as a burly bear. Joining her shift sisters, she erupts with a loud growl. The hostesses run off through the forest to do their chores, hand in hand, singing a chorus of “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!”

An hour later, it’s show time. From the flaming coals, Oliver removes steaming platters of lasagna and bubbling pots of cappuccino. There’s plenty of white chocolate candies and a decadent red devil’s food cake fit for a beast to sink his or her teeth into.

From deep in the woods, the werewolves howl, the screech owls hoot, their warbling echoing through the thicket. A cold gust of winter air swooshes through the bristly pines, a slight dusting of snow covering the ground. And then a nightingale calls out, announcing the arrival of Raine Delight. Preceded by a rare and exotic sleek white tiger, Raine Delight gallops into the thicket on a beautiful white horse, his hooves clomping on the pinecones and fallen twigs.

Oliver dashes to greet her, his furry arms snaking around her wait to hoist her down. He treats Raine to a bone-melting grin, his white fangs gleaming as he hands her a winter white rose. Looking drop dead gorgeous in a plush red velvet pants suit that hugs her body, she saunters into the party, blowing kisses to her adoring fans. While she greets her hostesses and guests, Cuddles and Junior, the two little Elk Shifters, give us a sneak preview of Moonlight & Magic, unveiling it with their horns. And if that’s not enough to get your blood pumping, there’s a teaser of Moonlight and Magic.

Please answer the following question and leave a comment for Raine. Tomorrow, she will choose a winner and give the winner a prize. Good luck!

Question: If you could choose someone to play your very own tiger shifter, who would it be and why?

The forest grows as black as spades, the glint of a hunter’s moon gleaming through the undulating pines. White twinkle lights shimmer in the trees, the sound of the night predators thrashing in the thicket. A blazing fire crackles and hisses, smoke billowing upward in a tantalizing blend of mouth-watering aromas. Hoops of flaming fire appear like magic for anyone brave enough to enter the forbidden forest. The rare and exotic white tiger sits at the entrance gate, guarding the forest with primal possession. He opens his mouth and roars. Welcome to Raine Delight’s celebration, The Greatest Show on Earth!

MOONLIGHT AND MAGIC
Book 5 in the Devon Falls Series can be read alone
Coming to Aspen Mountain Press

BLURB:
Dixie Sinclair was bored and just about ready to give up on love ever finding her. Her cousins all had love matches and frankly, she was tired of being the one always alone. Impulsively making a wish to find love before her next birthday, she never expects to find the one man to turn her inside out and make her believe in love all over again.

Michael Barnes is a rare white tiger shifter and with no pride of his own, he roams from place to place, trying to find the one place to call home. What he never expects is to find the one woman who is destined to be his mate. Can he find a way to win Dixie’s heart while teaching her the delights of love...one chocolate kiss at a time?

Sneak Peek Unedited Excerpt:
The sun shined brightly as Michael drove into Devon Falls. He looked around as he drove up Main Street and wondered if he could finally find a place to call home. “Wow…look at this place.” Michael said to the dog on the floor of the rental car. Sadie looked up and yawned before going back to sleep with a snore. Grinning, Michael took in the snow covered buildings to the people bustling around. He was charmed by the way the small town seemed to make him feel like he was welcomes. If Damien has told me the truth then I think I finally found the one place that will ease this loneliness inside, Michael thought as he spied the Dragon Inn up ahead.

Finally reaching the parking lot, the Dragon Inn looked imposing yet even he felt the magic that surrounded it. It made him wary even as he patted Sadie on the head and opened the window so she could get fresh air. “I will be back soon Sadie. Man the fort and bark if you need me.” Michael said as he stepped out of the car, shivering as the artic air seemed to have froze the blood in his veins. Blowing into his hands, he cursed himself that he didn’t get any winter clothing before he started this trip. “Living in Miami for the summer really didn’t prepare me for winter at all”, Michael muttered to himself as he walked to the front door. Steeling himself, he hoped Damien would still welcome him and remember the invitation he made when they crossed paths in Europe a year ago.

Come to Devon Falls, Mic. Here you can be free to be yourself and you never know, you might find the one person who will love you no matter what, Michael remembered Damien saying in Prague as he pushed open the door and breathed in the warm air that had him shuddering as his body started thawing even as he shut the door behind him. Finally warmth and sniffing the air, the scents of bread baking made his stomach growl in anticipation even as he tried to stomp the snow off his boots before venturing into what looked like the common room and courtesy desk.

He was just about to turn to walk over to the room he spied when he came in when a loud “MICHAEL” seemed to bounce of the walls. Turning around he spied Damien walking toward him, smiling broadly.

“Dang man, it’s been too long since I laid eyes on you. How have you been?” Damien asked him as he clasped hands with the one person he considered friend and smiled back, relieved to see that he was welcomed after all.

Michael grinned and said, “I decided to see what all the fuss was about in this town of yours, Damien. From what I saw on the way in, it looks very welcoming and intriguing.” Relief flowed in his veins as the knots in his stomach eased a bit as Damien guided him over to a private area where coffee bar was set up.


Find out more about all Raine Delight's Books at her WEBSITE


DEVON FALLS: STICKY MAGIC

BLURB:

Jenna never expected to see the one man to make her heart spin and her body clench in repressed desire walk into her Candy Shoppe. With just one look, Marc du Bree captures her elusive heart and takes her on a journey that will either make her his for all time or have her run as fast as she can away from him! Will Jenna be able to accept Marc’s secret or will Marc lose the one woman he has been searching for?

EXCERPT:

Jenna wondered what Marc’s surprise was and when she was finally told to open them, her eyes widened in pure delight and awe as the front window came into view. Full of falling snowflakes, candy cane hearts raced up the windows as two lovers sat in a chocolate sleigh with a candy kisses blanket wrapped around them. Gasping in pleasure, she walked to the window and saw the horses looking like they were trotting depending on how a person looked at them . Twirling back to Marc, she saw the love shine in his eyes and the uncertainty at his gift to her.

“How…When…” Jenna couldn’t get any questions to come as her eyes welled up. One tear leaked out when she saw the lovers’ faces for the first time. Full of passion, love and acceptance it almost brought Jenna to her knees as she saw what Marc couldn’t tell her in words; the depth of his passion caused her heart to swell in delight and as the sun rose, they kissed deeply, secure in the passion that brought them together.

“Don’t be mad but Raven helped me by showing me the flyer you obsessed over . You were stressing over it so much that I wanted to make it easy for you to enjoy the holiday.” Marc said as he watched her walk to the window and try to see to full effect

Book 1 in the Devon Falls Series

Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press

Where to Buy:
AMP:
http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/more-hot-reads/sticky-magic/prod_297.html
ArE:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-stickymagic-391150-142.html
Fiction Wise Books:
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b101508/Sticky-Magic-/Raine-Delight/?si=0
Amazon Kindle
: http://www.amazon.com/Devon-Falls-Sticky-Magic-eb
ook/dp/B0030FQOUC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266282412&sr=8-4


Saturday, February 13, 2010

...And the winner is


Jennifer!

Contratulations Jennifer, please contact Sandra at
sandra.sookoo@comcast.net
so she can arrange to send you your prize.l

A very Happy Valentines Day to everyone, however you spend it!
Valentines Day Comments

Friday, February 12, 2010

A Valentines Celebration with Sandra Sookoo

Flowers Comments
Flowers Comments A beautiful, starry evening and an Italian Villa set on the shores of Lake Garda, in Tresnico, on the Gardone Riviera. What could be more perfect for a Valentine's celebration than a beautiful terraced garden for the festivities!
Outside, Oliver is busy hanging the last of the twinkling fairy lights in the trees surrounding the Villa. He steps back and flexes his biceps, with a grin of satisfaction. Inside, there are more fairy lights and the three hostesses have been very busy decorating in suitable Valentines style.
When night falls the place will be enchanting.
Hearts Comments
Valentines Day    CommentsThere are red roses and candles everywhere.
Flowers  CommentsA crisp white tablecloth covers the table in the large dining room with a red rose for each of the guests, and on tables nearby are a variety of
delicious foods. Cantaloupe slices wrapped in thin prosciuitto slices, bruschetta made of sweet tomatoes and spices covered small crisp slices of Italian bread, huge plates of antipasto, stuffed olives and cherry tomatoes and fresh, homemade mozzarella, fill the appetizer table. The ravioli, lasagne, pizzas and tortellini on the main table, are only inches from tables of cannolis, hundreds of little heart shaped anisette flavored Valentine cookies, and delicious tiramisu, all of which Oliver has been busy preparing for days. In its place of pride as usual, is the special cake he has made for the Guest of Honor, a feather light chocolate gateau with pink frosting and copies of the covers of two of her books .

Of course there is also plenty of licorice flavored Anisette and fine vintage wine, along with a wide selection of other drinks.

Junior and Cuddles with red velvet bows around their necks, play hide and seek in the hallway, and craftily steal a cookie each when the hostesses aren’t looking.

The three take one last look to make sure everything is ready, and the decorations are perfect, then check each other’s gowns. Tonight they are wearing an identical style, long and flowing. Lyn’s is forget-me-not blue, Mary’s deepest coral and Sharon’s is emerald green. When they have each twirled and admired each other, Sharon sweeps off her straw hat, which like those of the other two, hides large colored rollers.

“Come on, we need to get these out and our hair brushed before she arrives,” she says, grabbing hold of Mary and pulling out several curlers. “Ouch!” Mary says, “I’ll have you know I have sensitive hair!”. The three of them scramble up the wide, elegant staircase to their dressing rooms, and have just perfected their hairstyles when Oliver calls to tell them their special guest has arrived.
They all rush to the lake, where Sandra, looking stunning in an exquisite long white gown, with diamante ruffles at the neck and hem, disembarks from an elegant gondola,
taking the hand Women Comments
Oliver offers. He winks and blushes in the moonlight as he hands her a bouquet of red roses.The three hostesses and Oliver escort her inside the villa. In the dining room, Oliver draws back her chair and waits until she has seated herself. He places another red rose, a special deep red ‘Lasting Love’ in front of her, and gives one each to Sharon, Mary and Lyn. Then he holds up his hand and the soft buzz of conversation dies down as he says:

"On this special Valentine’s Night, we have a special Guest, Romance Author Sandra Sookoo. Let’s enjoy an evening of good food, romance and entertainment." When the thunderous applause for their guest dies down, he picks up his treasured copy of her novel, 'Cupid In Blue' and begins to read aloud, while in the background the hidden musicians play romantic mandolin music.
Hearts Comments
Blurb for
Cupid in Blue

Aaron Bernhart -- the new Cupid -- finds previous experience in love is a prerequisite for the job. He’s all ready with a golden bow and a quiver of magical red arrows. Sadly, what he’s lacking is a girlfriend. On his first day at work he meets Catherine, and literally tumbles head over wings…from the sky that is.

Catherine is a skeptic regarding all things romance, but finds herself turned on by Cupid’s wings. The only thing holding her back from a happily ever after is herself.

Can Aaron convince the lovely loner to take a chance on romance with him, or will he be the only single Cupid in the history of the world?

Excerpt for Cupid in Blue

“You said you’d pick me up.”

“I am.” Before she could protest, Aaron plucked her from the balcony and held her against him as he descended to
the ground. “I just didn’t tell you how I’d be doing it.” For long moments, his arms remained wrapped around her as he gazed into the deep blue pools of her eyes. He could easily stay there for hours. Desire slithered through his gut when she shivered against him.

The box of chocolates slipped to the ground unnoticed and she pulled out of his arms as he leaned in to kiss her. “Back off, Lover Boy.”
Aaron stepped away, acutely aware she was the one who broke the embrace. “I’m sorry.”

By willpower alone, he kept the warmth in his neck from spreading to his face. “So, are you ready for dinner?”

Confusion clouded her eyes. “I’m not going anywhere unless you put those things away.” She glanced pointedly at his wings . “But before you do, can I touch them?”

“Why?” Suddenly suspicious, he retreated another step. Curiosity blazed in her eyes as she closed the distance between them. “Why are you so interested in them? They’re just wings.”

“I’ve never seen anything like them before.” Her eyes sparkled when she smiled. “Did you think I’d be afraid and run away? Maybe call one of the tabloids and sell your story for a couple thousand bucks?” She stretched out her right hand then stroked the feathers of his left wing.

Tremors rocked his body at her touch. Aaron had no idea his wings could bring such intense spikes of pleasure, but as Catherine drew her fingers over the soft, downy feathers, his knees buckled. Intense waves of need crashed into him with enough force to make him flinch.


“Catherine…” His voice was rough with a passion he couldn’t explain.

“You’d better be careful, Cupid. If a simple touch has you nearly doing cartwheels, I can’t imagine what a kiss would make you do.”

He met her gaze and almost pleaded with her to stop her torment, but he quelled the urge.
He wanted to know what else would happen. “Catherine.” Urgency flooded his voice. She swept her palm down the length of his wing. Aaron shivered and clutched at the hand she placed on his chest. He groaned as his arousal strained against the front of his jeans. Never had he felt this way, and all because a woman touched his wing. “Enough.”

Catherine’s laugh was throaty and smugly feminine, but she removed her hand. “I can honestly say I’ve never turned a guy on quite like this before.”

“Damn.” He felt the loss of contact immediately, as the extreme sensations subsided and his ragged breathing returned to normal. “You almost killed me.” He stared at her with newfound respect and a healthy dose of shock.

“In order to be the authority on love and passion, wouldn’t you need to experience it for yourself?” She shrugged then turned away. “I’m going to the diner. You’re welcome to join me when you’re able.” At the last moment, she glanced over her shoulder. “I don’t know how you men function with those things between your legs. Seems to me they spring to life at the most inopportune moments.”

His jaw dropped. He stared after her for long moments as “that thing” calmed down enough so he could walk about town without embarrassing himself. Not for the first time did he wonder what exactly went on behind Catherine’s confident facade.

Aaron folded his wings beneath his skin, cringing when joints snapped and the skin on his back stretched. He’d never get used to that sensation. He took a deep breath and let it hiss out between his teeth. Being Cupid was not the problem. Being Cupid with the hots for an unattainable woman definitely was.


Now for this week's question - If you could have any man you fancied, to take you to a Valentine's dinner, which one would it be?
Flowers CommentsSandra will give an upload of one of her books plus a great goodie bag to one lucky commentator.

Publisher’s Website: http://www.lyricalpress.com/


Author website: http://www.sandrasookoo.com/

Valentines Day Comments

AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST

AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST
authorroast@btinternet.com
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE OUR GUEST? DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE YOUR NEW RELEASE OR EVEN AN OLDER ONE?IF YOU FANCY BEING GUEST OF HONOUR AT ONE OF OUR PARTIES JUST EMAIL US AT THE ADDRESS in 'OLIVER'S RULES'!(PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A 'G' RATED BLOG SO NOTHING HIGHER THAN THIS RATING, PLEASE.)