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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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Friday, January 7, 2011

Celebrate Sky Purington's new release in Ancient Pompeii - 'Heart Of Vesuvius'

I can't believe that by the magic of the internet we're in Ancient Pompii!" Lyn exclaims. "Just look at that view."

"It's awe-inspiring," Mary says, "I'm not sure about Vesuvius though,  let's not forget it buried the city in 79AD. Wouldn't we be safer somewhere else?"

"That was an awfully long time ago," Sharon laughs. We're only here to celebrate Sky Purington's new release 'Heart of Vesuvius'." We won't be here when it blows its top!  

"Hm, I hope not. It looks awfully threatening to me," Mary murmurs doubtfully.

"Today we're celebrating, and we're Roman noblewomen," Lyn says, changing the subject. "Now is everything ready for the feast - we're having a street party!" 
Before anyone can answer, a rider draws up and hands them a scroll, before disappearing in a cloud of dust.




"I'll read it."

"No, let me!"

"No, me!"

A slight tussle ensues, before the three lay it out on the table, and read it together. It's a message from Sky Purington herself.

It says:
"Greetings!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with my work, I write a cross genre of paranormal/fantasy romance heavily influenced by history. From Irish Druids to Scottish Highlanders many of my novels portray my love of all things Celtic. The past year or so I’ve mixed it up by traveling to medieval England and ancient Italy with my dashing vampires. Make no mistake, in each and every tale told, you’ll travel back to another time and revisit the romanticism history holds at its heart. 
Today I’m celebrating my eighth publication, Heart of Vesuvius (Sequel to Darkest Memory). What better place to do so than at The Roast? Must say, I really enjoyed writing this tale. While it will definitely appeal to Vampire fans, it has the added bonus of enticing those interested in numerology, time-travel, reincarnation and Italian history (Including Gladiators!)

Regrettably, I haven’t nearly enough time at this blog to dive into too many details and well…if I did, I’d give away the story. However, I’d love to answer any questions you may have so join in the fun and comment away!

Let's kick the year off right. I'd like to give away an Ecopy of Heart of Vesuvius and a $10 gift certificate to Digi Books Cafe to one lucky commenter!
See you soon,
Best Regards Always,
Sky"

"That's good," Sharon says, "sounds like she'll be with us very shortly."

"I wonder what she'll wear." 
Lyn gives a twirl. "How do I look?"

"Very nice,  the pink suits you," Mary says, murmuring under her breath "good job that toga covers her feet!"

"You look good too Mary, stunning in fact!" Lyn says as Mary hoicks up the front of her deep rose coloured garment, "I hope the fabric will stand the strain though. You've got lovely legs, and I do like the gold tie-on sandals."

"Hm, I'm not sure if the outfit's really authentic," Mary muses, "but I want to catch Salvator's attention."

"You'll do that all right," Sharon grins, looking the very picture of elegance in  black and gold. "D'you like the hair extensions,  girls?" I thought it would make a change."

She turns to Oliver, who has decided to dress as the Roman god, Bacchus. "Hm, nice knees Oliver, but what's with the garlic?"

Lyn and Mary forget the brooding volcano and giggle at Oliver with a string of garlic in each hand.

The hero and heroine of Sky's book are vampires and Oliver is very nervous of vampires.

"Don't worry, Oliver, Alexandria and Salvator won't hurt you, even though he's a Gladiator, but he used to be Royalty. In fact, Salvator is a bit of a hunk!"
Sharon snatches away the garlic and replaces it with bunches of grapes.  "That's better, you look more like the god of wine now!"  The three survey the tables laid out in the street.
Fish, oysters and pork, Snails,  vegetables, including cabbage and parsnips, lettuce, asparagus, onion, garlic, marrows, radishes, lentils, beans, and beets. Fruits and nuts. A variety of strongly flavored sauces, spices and herbs. Porridge with meat and vegetables. There are also varieties of cakes, pastries and tarts sweetened with honey.

Oliver and the hostesses decided that even though the ancient Romans ate dormice, they can't bear to serve the little creatures up for a meal themselves. There's plenty of beer and mead to quench the thirst of citizen and guest alike, wine (served watered down, spiced and heated) and Pasca (a drink made from watering down acetum, a wine similar to vinegar.)


As they check the last details, Sky arrives, looking absolutely radiant, her long blonde hair glowing in the sunlight.
 
She and the hostesses hug warmly.  She takes the wine they hand her, then Oliver rushes forward to greet her with a low bow.

"Oliver, care to share a glass of wine? I’m wearing  my best peplos." *winks* 

Sky’s eyes widen. "Our visitors think I was being naughty, Oliver. No, no. I’m not a Roman citizen so togas are not an option. Peplos is simply a form of tunic, perhaps a bit more…stylish? See, totally acceptable."

 drawing of different types of clothingThe hostesses look down the street as the first visitors begin to arrive. "Let the party begin - let us celebrate the memory of Salvatore and Alexandria's past life together!"

To be in with a chance to win Sky's great prizes, leave a comment and tell us what you'd do if you lived in the shadow of a volcano - and who you'd like to be with you if it threatened to erupt.

HEART OF VESUVIUS
BLURB:
 
Two vampires, one goal.
 
Alexandria has no choice. She must flee to the last place she wants to. Straight into the arms of a vampire she was determined to forget.
 
Salvator, ancient vampire, finds this a clever fix to obtaining the one vampire who he has always desired, Alexandria.
 
Together, they must find a way to evade her powerful enemy, Salvator's brother Luciano. On the run, they struggle to understand one another. Deep, dark secrets are revealed. Denied passion ignites. Blood is spilled. Within the Heart of Vesuvius, anything is possible. All can be conquered. But will it be? Can wrongs be made right? History is the locked door. Forgiveness is the key. Time will tell if ancient love can once again flourish.
 
EXCERPT:
 
She reached out a hand and walked slowly, let her fingers feel the rocky surface, every curve and nuance, every particular deviance made when the Earth had shifted and moved so very long ago. Even the bits of dirt and components embedded in the surface caught her attention, lent detail to whatever she may paint. She closed her eyes and kept feeling, familiarizing, let go of the world around her, for a second in time forgetting they all existed in extreme danger, forgot for a moment she caressed the inner belly of Mt. Vesuvius, destroyer of Pompeii.
 
“What should I paint?” she murmured to herself.
 
“What you feel living in the rock.”
 
Alex wasn’t surprised Salvator stood so closely by her side, that his hand covered hers while she caressed the rock. “You want what I feel?”
 
“Yes, bella, all you feel.”
 
Opening her eyes, she watched his long fingers ride hers over the stone. Alex wanted to debate with him, figure out his methods, yet another less used part of her didn’t care, adored the potential only an artist was capable of feeling. “You already know what I will paint.”
 
“No,” he said softly. “If I did this would not work.”
 
Turning, she curved into his side, repelled but needing his closeness. “So now you are a prophet as well.”
 
“I am vampire,” he whispered into her hair, sniffing as though she smelled unique. “I believe in your talent. If my instinct tells me to let you paint, I listen to it.”
 
“Paint, Alexandria,” he breathed close to her ear. “Paint.”

Purchase HEART OF VESUVIUS HERE

See Sky's other Wild Rose Press releases HERE


Sky's Website:

http://www.skypurington.com/
Visit Sky's blog here:
http://www.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com

Watch the trailer for 'Heart of Vesuvius' below












Pompeii Room at Villa Ca'Toga Calistoga Ca

81 comments:

  1. Good Morning Everyone! It's wonderful to be here with you ladies (& Oliver) to celebrate my latest release. Pompeii looks lovely at this time of day!

    I think I'll browse a bit here. Be back in a bit!

    Hugs

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  2. Hello Sky

    Welcome to your Roast. I must say you look stunning in your lovely peplos.

    Congratulations on 'Heart of Vesuvius', it sounds absolutely amazing, can't wait to read it.

    Please, let Oliver help you to some refreshments, while we wait for the other hostesses and guests to arrive.

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  3. Hello Sky and welcome to your roast here in ancient Pompii! You look so stunning, a vision among us! And a big hug to congratulate you on your eighth publication, you go girl! Oliver, this calls for a tumbler of mead. What do you mean Lyn guzzled it all!

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  4. Oh, thank you Oliver. The wine's delicious. Sky's astonished...Lyn, you drank all the mead already? Bound to be quite the party!!!

    BTW...the site looks wonderful. Great job!!!

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  5. Lyn always hogs the mead. She's a meadaholic. Mary chuckles and hugs Lyn and Sky. I hope she ain't in a corner passed out somewhere. You know how she gets when there is mead around. Well Pompeii is a beautiful place, but that Volcano thingee.
    We all look so good. Don't you think that these heels make my legs look great? And the toga covers Lyn's ahem "tiny" (guffaw here) feet. My Sharon your hair has grown so long.
    Sky before everyone gets here tell me how you came up with the premise for the story?
    Oliver can I have a smoothie please. Or the Pompeii equivalent please.

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  6. Mary, a smoothie in ancient times, that is just too funny!

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  7. Well they had fruit right, Oliver is very inventive ya know.
    I'll bet they had 'em!
    Though not called a smoothie. Any hunks here today??

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  8. *kissing Oliver on the cheek as he hands me a cup of mead*

    Oliver, it's so good to see you again!

    Ladies! I didn't mean it to be so long since I've dropped in to say hi. I LOVE the new back drop of fire! Very nice! Happy New Year to each of you and may 2011 be your best! I have been seeing your names pop up everywhere on the sites I visit so I hope things are moving along well for each of you.

    Sharon, so good to see you again! *hugs*

    Sky! Congrats on your eighth release. It sounds like a wonderful novel and I love the ancient times in Rome. Good luck and I hope your sales skyrocket!

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  9. Great party Sky! Oliver, you darling, thank you for the mead, I know how hard you worked to hide a glass from Lyn, it tastes all the better for your effort!
    Mary, I'm with you on Vesuvius, very threatening, but Pompeii is lovely.
    Sky, you look radiant in your peplos, wish I were brave enough to wear one! I'm looking forward to spending some time with your vampires!

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  10. Great party! And I love the questions. Let me think... when I visited Etna, it struck me that living in the shadow of the volcano, what people spent most of their time doing was rebuilding their homes! And if it was really about to blow, I'd want my boyfriend with me - partly for obvious romantic reasons and partly because he's very sporty so he'd probably help me race to safety!

    I'd love to win a copy of 'Heart of Vesuvius', but it's going on my wish list either way.

    Stephanie
    stephanie at stephaniecage.co.uk

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  11. Hi Rachel and Stephanie

    So glad you could come to help us celebrate with Sky. *hugs all round;.

    (Hic) I love my sister hostesses but they are very naughty casting aspersh-aspes-as- saying I drink too much mead! As if - *hic*

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  12. Mary helps Lyn to steady herself and leads her to a seat. Lyn I swear, that's why your feet are so huge. They are able to keep you upright even when your fried!
    How do you like my strappy shoes? Mary adjusts herself so the girls don't fall out. Oh Sky you look so lovely. What will we do if the volcano starts to blow. Is there an escape plan ladies? Oliver ain't that your department? By the way Olive nice job with the food. Very tasty indeed. MMMmmmmmmm. I've never tasted Mead, maybe I'll try it...If Lyn didn't drink all of it. AAHHH Sharon, is that a wig?

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  13. What's this peplos stuff? Toga, toga, toga. Right?
    gosh I wish the Duke would show up. I don't think he will though. He's in Texas I heard...
    Imagine if the volcano blew while we were here? Yikes, it's a scary thought!
    Lyn you sober yet?

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  14. Lyn sober with mead around, sweet Mary, what century are you living in! LOL Sharon slugs back a goblet and slips on an oyster, goes flying and knocks Mary down on her fake hooters. Sharon laughs. That'll teach you for thinking my long gleaming locks of finely spun gold is a wig!

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  15. Hi to Rachel, Stephanie and my gal pal Deanna. Huggs, girlfriend, it's great to be back with my sister hostesses. Oliver, more mead all around!

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  16. 'Meadaholic' LOL. Love it! :)

    Mary, believe it or not, the original premises for this story derived from numerology. I kept seeing the same numbers over and over again. Especially when I looked at the clock. 11:11 AM/PM. Finally I decided to type it into the search engine, see if anything popped up. Sure enough it did. While there are many interpretations, it appears the most common is that you've started on a new spiritual path. A 'Gateway' of sorts. So, long story short, I decided it would be fun to creat a 11:11 AM/PM gateway that vampires could access. I won't say too much more. Don't want to give it all away!

    That combined with a program I saw about about sex in ancient Pompeii (thank you History Channel!) and a very unique story was born!

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  17. Who needs the Duke with Julius and Anthony! To baby, give us a kiss!

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  18. Deanna, thanks so much! I know, ancient Rome is SO fascinating.

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  19. Sharon, it's great to see you back and having a good time but how can we not have a good time at the Roasts!

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  20. I am not *hic* unsober - just a little merry! *hic*
    'Course I saved some for my sweet sisters and Sky. It's deleeshous,Mary, try some. It's sweet and very potent, but delightful.

    Sky, what an amazing way to come up with a story - love it. And yes, those Romans were a randy lot, weren't they, LOL!

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  21. Rachel, this peplos does fit well. Very comfy! TY for joining the party!

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  22. Sorry ladies, forgot to logout of the Roast persona!

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  23. Hi Deanna

    Happy New Year! So glad you like our new decor!

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  24. Stephanie, would have to agree, I'd want my hubby with me. But seriously, what a petrifying thing to experience!

    Will be back in a bit. Party on all!

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  25. Sky I want to hear more about the sex!

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  26. I was gonna let it slide about you trying to slip in in cognito, Lyn, but who am I to let opportunity slip on by. It was the mead!

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  27. Hi all,
    Sky, I'm so glad you picked Pompeii for the setting of your party; I can leave home and still see mountains.

    I'm also glad Oliver didn't offer me a dormice. That's a culinary delight I happily bypass in favor of pastries.

    Congratulations, Sky, on the release of "Heart of Vesuvius". Your trailer is awesome and so is the story. I'm anxious to read the whole book. I raise my wine to toast her and wish her mega sales.

    Have a great day, y'all. My critters want their own food.

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  28. Dormice! Don't tell me we are eating rodents! Mary picks herself up from when she was so rudely knocked to the ground by Sharon. Mary kicks Sharon in her bubble butt. But she barely feels it! With a butt like that Mary decides to try a different approach. She puts a sign on the back of Sharon's toga. Laughing Mary pretends to pat Sharon's back. the sign sticks to stay and it says. "I'm easy, try me!" HAAHAHAHAHHA!! Take that. HeHe. Don't tell her anyone!

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  29. Sky I love how you came to think of this story. I also think that Lyn is still drinking. Otherwise she wouldn't have that pineapple on her head would she?
    Oh look she's dancing and it looks like the chicken dance. Well mead will do that, I've heard.

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  30. So all right, Sky, it'll be our little secret. You knowhat they say about vengeance being best served up cold. The Ricksen will never be the wiser about that sign on her backside that invites one and all to cop a feel for a cheap thrill! You in, Lyn?

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  31. Wowwww. I've always been fascinated by Pompeii--though from a safe distance--and Sky's new tale sounds fabulous. Great pics of everyone too. Love the attires.

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  32. Cluck cluck! I mean sure sister, I'm game for a laugh! Sharon sweetie, are you sure you haven't been at the mead too! First wanting to know more aboout the 's' word in ancent Rome then playing tricks on our dear Mary! What fun! LOL!

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  33. Hi Beth, great to see you, so glad you could join us to celebrate Sky's latest book - doesn't it sound great!

    (I have to say these costumes are very comfortable!

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  34. OOOHHHH YYYYEEESSS, I have had at least four hot guys grab my butt. Saw the sign and have decided to leave it there. Thanks Sharon. Have you had any propositions yet. Did you see the sign on Lyn's back? Says Pat my back if you got happy last nite! I saw one guy pat her twenty times! HEHEHE! OOOHHHHH nice!

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  35. Whatcha mean, Lyn, schweet schister, course I've been drinking mead all day, you mean there's alcohol in it hic!

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  36. Hi to Sandra and Beth, we're all enthrolled with Sky's vamp story, let the good times roll. Course I've been getting hit on, Mary, you crazy chick!

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  37. Ladies, that's a lovely party and you all look lovely in your togas. Don't stay too long--wouldn't want you to get caught in the eruption.

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  38. Hi Caroline, thanks and welcome to the party, don't worrry, we won't make the same mistake as the unfortunate original Pompeii inhabitants!

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  39. All the sober guests must pick one inebriated person and promise to help them escape if the volcano erupts, agreed! I got Lyn and Sharon, Sky you will have to grab a couple of people too!

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  40. Ha ha, Sharon! Caught your attent ion, aye? Yep, there was quite a bit of sex in ancient Pompeii. In fact, it was one of the busiest brothel areas in Italy at the time.

    BTW...(((Cyberhugs)))

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  41. Mary, if that volcano blows....run!!!! I'm thinking someone might need to carry Lyn. Is she still with the mead? ;)

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  42. Thanks for popping in Sandra! So glad you enjoyed the trailer. As I told Lyn, I created it with Movie Maker 2011 and lemme just say...WOW. Awesome program!

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  43. Thanks Beth! Love the pics here too. Always amazed by this blog. You ladies rock!!!

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  44. mmm, yum...rodents. Good source of protein.*chuckles* Bet their not so good for the ol' breath though. Sighs...no toothbrushes either. K, gonna skip on the rodents.

    Think I just saw Salvator stroll by. Now that's one hot Gladiator!

    Sky wanders after him. Ladies, could you keep Alexandria preoccupied?

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  45. Before I vanish for a few...Sky waves HI to Caroline! Thanks for joining us. :)

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  46. Thanks, Caroline, you always say the sweetest things! Here's hoping the volcano doesn't blow but on thee other hand, the mead just might!

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  47. Don't worry Mary, I don't thinkn Vesuvius would dare erupt while there's a Roast going on! I'm more worried about the mead running out!

    Oh there are no little dormice at this Roman feast - any resemblance to the tiny rodents is purely Oliver's skill and ingenuity with the honey and almond paste - isn't that right, Sharon?

    Sky - I agree with the others, that video is really great! Wish I could get hold of the new Movie Maker! You did a fantastic job.

    Uh-oh! There she goes after Salvator. Now what to you say to a slight miffed, several hundred years old vampiress who you really do NOT want to get on the wrong side of?

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  48. Don't worry, I'm sober. I'm the designated chariot driver. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. Lyn is the hardest, when she passes out I have to drag her on the ground to the car and her special, (ahem clodhoppers), feet keep getting caught on things. Sharon, well she usually leaves with a Gladiator, she's a lover not a fighter!
    Sky, you are a real trooper! And you know what I mean. Really!!!

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  49. Wow! Awesome excerpt and LOVE the togas. As usual, a visit to this blog brightened my day.

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  50. Hi Maeve


    Glad you enjoyed the Roast, Maeve - always nice to see you.Thanks for helping us celebrate Sky's special celebration for 'Heart of Vesuvius.'

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  51. Ladies, you all look lovely, and Oliver, yoiu look dashing as always. I love the toga...can I peek underneath?! (Oh, shame on me!)

    Sorry I'm late to the party, but I'm going to toddle over to the banquet table and indulge. Ta ta!

    Congrats on your release, Sky!

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  52. Hi Maeve! Come join the party. And about those rodents and Oliver's cookin, sure Lyn, whatever you say. Now sober up, here comes the Duke! Look at Mary run. Boy can her fake hooters jiggle. Hey, was that a tremble!

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  53. Hi Debra

    Welcome to the Roast and thanks for the compiments. Now that toga question is a bit like asking a Scotsman to reveal what he has under his kilt - ooh that sounded naughtier than I intended! We all know how Sky likes men in kilts though!

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  54. Awe, thanks Maeve. Glad you enjoyed it! & I totally agree, visiting this blog has brightened my day as well!

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  55. Thanks for joining us, Debra! Nothing but pure FUN going on here!:)

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  56. Oooooh, I do love my guys in kilts Lyn! Togas will have to do though. Still kinda easy access, eh? *wicked grin*

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  57. LOL Sky. (*Grin* that's where too much research can give a nice girl naughty ideas! :) )

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  58. Wow, the pics of Pompeii are great. Would love to go there someday... What a great choice for a story location!

    You-all sure do throw a good party! The oysters look yummy (I love raw oysters) and Oliver looks fab as always.

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  59. Hi Barbara - welcome to the Roast, help yourself to Oysters!

    Pompeii must be a fantastic place to visit - such a tragic history though!

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  60. Thanks for stopping in, Barbara! :) The pics are indeed fab. Keep in mind however, while some of the story takes place in ancient Pompeii this is a contemporary paranormal romance with a dose of time-travel... and that being on the day Vesuvius erupted! Other locals include modern day caves within Mt. Vesuvius and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

    Lemme tell ya...it's quite the ride!

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  61. What a great post!! It had alittle bit of everything. I loved the pictures. Did you vist? And try on some clothes? I do wish I could type.
    debby236 at att dot net

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  62. Hey Sky. I hope you had a great day. Sorry I couldn't stop by earlier.

    Congrats on the new release. :)

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  63. Well I think I'll get a room in the Pompeii Inn. It's getting late and I need my beauty sleep. And you leave my hooters alone Sharon Donovan or else I'll get you! Come on girls let's get some sleep. And Lyn I swear if you snore I am gonna use Sharon's breath rite strips all over your whole body! Now go to sleep!

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  64. Debby, thanks for joining us! No, I haven't actually visited Pompeii but my hubby has so I interviewed him when doing the research for this. And yes, the ladies here at the Roast did a fantastic job with this post!

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  65. Beth, TY for stopping in, Sweetie!!! It's been a super day so far. :)

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  66. K all, I'm gonna crash as well. My lovely hostesses (& host) I've had a fabulous day here in Pompeii. Thank you for makin' it the best. I'll be sure to pop in tomorrow.

    Big huge hugs!!!

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  67. Sharon opens her eyes to total uproar in the once beautiful Pompeii. Apparently the mount erupted as they slept off the mead but through it all, Sky's party ruled the day. Tables are overturned, oysters are rolling, and the Ricksen chick's hooters are hurling through the sky at the speed of sound. Even the rodents are beating feet. Debra, Patsty, Debby, Beth and Barbara, late to the party, are all hanging on for dear life in a swaying palm tree, Oliver at the top, garlic swinging from his neck, all screaming for help, mouths agape. . A few guests hide in Lyn's giant clodhoppers. Sky sleeps through it all, a smile on her face. Lyn clutches a flask of empty mead close to her heart. But...wait...it's not the volcano blowing after all...it's Mary Ricksen's snoring. Just another Roast and Toast.

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  68. Sky, thanks for joining us, sweetie. You are wicked fun and we love you. Best of luck with your latest releafe and may you have tons of sales!

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  69. Lyn takes a swig of mead and grins with relief.

    *Phew!* Thank goodness the mountain still looks quite peaceful! She bends double against the gale of Mary's snoring, and grinning wickedly, picks a large wild blossom and sticks it between Mary's teeth.

    What a great party, Thank you all the guests for joining us to celebrate Sky's release. Sky, I echo Sharon's words. We love you and wish you mega success with 'Heart of Vesuvius'.

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  70. Ok I KNOW I am late...so sorry Sky, but better late than never, right?
    LOVE the sound of this book! And woo! That trailer is hot too.
    I am so happy for you darlin! This is so exciting and to have eight books under your belt is quite an accomplishment. I can't wait to get there myself one day.

    Wishing you many sales, Sky! I'm sure 2011 is going to be a wonderful year for you!

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  71. Hi Renee, welcome to Sky's Celebration. Don't worry, the party carries on over the weekend while there are still guests arriving (and able to still stand! LOL)

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  72. Buongiorno! Sharon, darling, how long has it been? Far too long! And Oliver, mio tesoro, who would've guessed the mere sight of your wicked hunky knees would make my stomach go all butterflies? Kiss the palm of my hand again like that and you may have to take me for a seluded stroll around Pompeii. Ooops! Sharon's wagging her finger and mouthing "no." Oh well, forget the mead and stir me up one of your famous devil-may-care—or whatever they're called—martinis. I have some catching up to do!
    First, Sky congratulations on the release of "Heart of Vesuvius"—and the excerpt and trailer are oh so enticing. But then, ask around the Dark Side, Vampyre are very near and dear to my coeur de noir. Oh, quit trembling, Oliver, you big silly!
    I must apologize for my attire. I pulled out my old college toga, but it appears at last wearing, I must have leaped into a vat of red wine... And what the heck is a peplos? So I just wrapped this black silk sheet around me and hoped for the best!
    Wonderful roast, ladies! The locale—splendid!—and you do set a fine table. Oysters on the half shell—my favorite aphrodisiac. Oh, Oliver darling, another one of those devilish martinis, please.
    Sky, I cannot wait to read "Heart of Vesuvius" and may I say you do TWRP proud.
    Time to mingle—ciao!

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  73. Mi scusi, that last post was mine...nickname Jodi aka
    Joelle Walker
    Black Rose Editor
    The Wild Rose Press

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  74. Hello Jodi,

    Welcome to Sky's celebration. I know - I'm itching to read'Heart of Vesuvius too!

    Ah, I see Oliver's already plied you with oysters - some mead perhaps?

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  75. I'm back all! Sorry I'm running a little late. Tending the sick on the homefront I'm afraid.

    Renee!!! So good to see you sweetie! As you can tell, the gals here threw me a FABULOUS party. Without doubt, I'm blessed to know these lovely hostesses.

    TY for all the sweet compliments, Renee & a VERY Happy New Year to you as well! :)

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  76. Awe, thanks so much, Jodi! I adore hangin' out with you gals in the Black Rose line...certainly up my alley lately! Think I might go after those Lycans next. ;)

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  77. To my lovely hosteses (& Oliver)...

    You are an absolute BLAST and I love you all dearly!!! Not only are you wonderful people but you're top-notch, cut-above-the-rest, superbly talented writers. I think the writing in this blog alone is extremely remarkable.

    Thank you again for throwing such an incredible celebration for me!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Hi Sandra, thanks for dropping in, glad you enjoyed our party.

    Sky, we've absolutely loved having you as our very special guest. Thank you for introducing us to Alex and Salvator and taking us back to thee wonders of ancient Pompeii and its majestic but deadly mountain.

    Thank you for your kind words, you are such a superbly talented writer, and we're so glad you enjoyed your party. Wishing you many, many sales and continued success. (Hope your little one feels better soon.)

    ReplyDelete

AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST

AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST
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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.)