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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, May 20, 2011

Cynthia Vespia's Birthday Celebration Roast

Somewhere between heaven and hell is what’s left of the Garden of Eden. Once regaled by mankind as the cradle of man’s existence, the hostesses of the Author Roast and Toast welcome author Cynthia Vespia.

Original Cyn is the inspiration for our trip. We need to find the soul of the woman who was the first women in Eden. She’s elusive for sure. But we are gonna find the Source of Original Sin for Cynthia. Say that five times fast. 

Lyn, Sharon, Mary and AJ are on the case. Lyn why did you pick these when I gave you a wonderful pair of mucklucks to wear” Just like we have.
Mary points to the warm furry footwear she has chosen for everyone to wear and then to Lyn’s feet.

Her huge hoofs are shoved into pointy cowboy boots.
“Well as long as you are dressing us like Indians, I thought I’d wear cowboy boots, you know just to kinda add to the flavor of things.”

Mary, AJ andSharon, roar with laughter. The girls are all dressed in deerskin dresses. AJ fluffs her afro head up even more and smiles in glee. “No one had hair salons in the Garden of Eden so my hair fits right in.”

“Yeah, your hair fits in, it fits in a huge hairnet.” Lyn chuckles. Mary, not wearing a  bra under her deerskin dress is having a time keeping her boobs from bouncing as they hurry along to the encampment where the party is to be held. Sharon’s dress flaps over he bubble butt too as it bounces in time to her footsteps.

“We’re almost there I see the clearing ahead, and look there’s Oliver. Lords, he’s got a huge tub of apples, must be for the bobbing contest? And look it’s full of water, he’s so strong,” AJ sighs. “I want a man like that.”

“Don’t we all girls, but Oliver’s heart will always be with Sharon, no matter how many stories she makes up about him.” Mary groans. “But he knows a lot of hot looking guys, take a look?”

All four of them stop short as they approach camp. Banana leaves are covered in food. Fruits of all kinds are peeled and ready to be devoured.

Huge bowls of fresh strawberries are ready to dip in sinful warm chocolate.  From the campfire smells of shrimp, lobster and clams are noticeable.




Huge wrapped leaves hold vegetables that are cooking in the coals.  The only thing for desert appears to be chocolate.

Chocolate cake, an Angelfood/Devil's food combination birthday cake, pie, cookies, a variety of chocolate covered apples (of course) and other yummy things to munch on, draw the girls closer.


There are multi colored jello-shots to drink.

Then they see Cynthia, she is dressed in a white deerskin and looks just lovely.



They reluctantly pass the tables of food and a laughing Oliver to rush over to greet Cynthia.

“We have to find the Source,” Cynthia tells them. “If not the balance between heaven and hell will be affected. Apparently she is trying to shove the blame of Original Sin onto someone else. And no one is prepared to handle the centuries of blame like she can. Heck at least she got Adam out of the deal.”

Cynthia’s bold laughter is contagious and the girls are all soon laughing and making plans.
“Is it time? Shall I do it?” Sharon finally stands from the bamboo chairs that Oliver made for everyone and asks. All three of the other hostesses chime in with a definite yes!
Sharon turns to the gathering of guest invited to share in the search. “Let’s get started everyone and please welcome warmly our guest Cynthia Vespia as she helps us with the clues to the search.  Belated Happy Birthday, Cynthia.

Whoever find the Source and can tell us where, will win Cynthia’s prize, a PDF of Cynthia’s Best in Series Nomination, ‘Demon Hunter’ Let the search begin!!!”
Mary, Lyn, AJ and Sharon fall over each other as they begin to look. Now where would the Source of Original Sin hide?


BLURB:Life goes by in a blink
One moment can change everything.

For most, death is the eternal end.
Bryan Caleb has unfinished business. Even as he struggles with his own mortality Bryan must find the compassion within himself to help guide Lisa Zane, an emotionally and spiritually drained young girl, through her troubled life to find her purpose. For it is only with Lisa's help that Bryan can rescue his very own son from the life of crime he has fallen into before Kriticos Caleb's fate mirrors his father's...in death.


EXCERPT - CHAPTER I

The first sojourn from life to death was very much the epitome of birth. Brilliant flashes of light were aglow all around bathing snapshots of memory, minute but hardly trivial.


When the ride stopped and the suspension of disbelief released him, Bryan was curious to find his own corpse stretched out at his feet. It lay on the grassy lawn in front of his office building, twenty feet from where he had initially been walking.

The corpse, his corpse, stared up at him through one wide eye. Sightless now it still echoed the feeling of shock that he had felt the very moment the vehicle had struck him.

Though he wanted to look away from the tragic scene utter terror and confusion gripped him still. Pedestrians and motorists surrounded the accident and sirens wailed in the distance.  He was oblivious to it all.

All Bryan wanted to do was crawl back inside his body, stand up and say, "Hey, look at me, I'm fine. Not a scratch." Then there were strong impulses pulling him into the belief that this was just a nightmare. At any moment he was going to respond with a shudder and a cold sweat but he would wake, frantic at first, until he found himself in bed next to his lovely wife, Holly.

He hadn't bothered to wake her that morning. She was radiantly aglow in her pregnancy as she slept. It was their very first child and they were overjoyed to be experiencing this miracle after only one year of marriage.
Bryan had kissed her on the cheek and gone on his way to the law firm. His place of business was another joyful experience to be able to share with Holly. Bryan was the youngest of his class to seek and sustain a substantial position within a reputable law firm. Of course it helped that his father had owned and maintained the firm since Bryan had been a boy. But now it was his own, inheriting it when his father had passed away just two years after Bryan had graduated from law school.

It was an unusually cloudy day in Stanford, but nevertheless Bryan was in an upbeat mood. Whistling as he crossed the street to his offices he had never even seen the drunk driver's vehicle coming. Perhaps he had not wanted to. As the saying goes he had been looking upon the world with rose-colored glasses up to that point. No harm could befall him, he was indestructible. Throughout life Bryan had truly felt blessed, now it was all gone. In an instant his entire life had been snuffed out. His promising future was no more. All that was left was another casualty in the war of drinking and driving. He was no longer Bryan Adam Caleb outstanding lawyer, loving husband, expectant father, and genuine nice guy. Now he was just another statistic.
But Bryan didn't understand what was happening. If he was dead, why was he still on this Earth? What happened to the other side? So many unanswered questions tore through his mind.
He refused to believe it.

As paramedics encompassed the accident scene Bryan turned and ran. His mind was in frenzy and he just needed to get away, get some space to determine what in the world was going on. 
His pace quickened to the point where he felt as though he had wings and could lift off.  Finally he came to a stop at the end of the block and to his surprise he was not at all fatigued.  His leg muscles did not ache and he was not breathing heavy. In fact, he was not breathing at all.

Still in disbelief he went to check his pulse for some sign that he was still alive. His fingers passed straight through his arm. There was no solidity to his wrist at all. He tried two more times with nothing but the same result.

Bryan looked around frantically for help. With his head on a swivel, something above him caught his eye. Lights gleamed up in the sky like as though a great crystal was wedged between two clouds precariously placed for the sun to shine off it. He stood awed looking at the magnificent colors waning in every direction. It brought him a smile and a sense of peace. After a moment he even thought he glimpsed his loving father's face high above beckoning him to come forward and join him.  


Bryan began to imagine just how nice it would be to be at his father's side again and to see his mother again in perfect and simple bliss.


The lights shone brighter and began to descend down towards him. Bryan stood stock still as they came closer and closer. The bright glare was such that he had to close his eyes but the pleasant images still remained. He felt his feet lift off the ground and he began to rise up with the jubilation.
Many wondrous memories were encompassing him now. Simple joys he knew as a boy, more substantial and rich emotions of love and faith and virtue that he'd experienced as a man.  Those worlds of days long since past were uniting on a grand scale and lifting Bryan up higher and higher into ecstasy the likes of which he had never known before. But with this cataclysm of extraordinary peace came relevance and a fear.
This illuminated structure of memories was a portal allowing him access to the other side.  It was the ever after, bounty and life everlasting would be soon to come. Bryan's time here on Earth had been full but was now over. But he wasn't ready to leave yet.

"No," he stated. His voice was low at first as he still clung to the tranquility of the descending portal and the majesty of what it was. He tried hard to shake it off, feeling indifference of a strong nature. Something was wrong. He did not belong here, not now. There was too much left for him to do. He did not want to leave his unborn child fatherless. The Caleb Family Law Practice was on a steady rise; Bryan needed to leave his legacy before he left this Earth.

As his will to stay grew stronger and stronger he shouted "No!" more defiantly than before and this time it broke him away from the suction of the light.


YOU CAN PURCHASE 'LIFE, DEATH  AND BACK HERE





Cynthia has always been driven towards the written word. Today Cynthia writes quality, character driven novels full of suspense as well as dark fantasy. With a plot pace to stir the adrenaline and keep the pages turning, Cynthia likes to refer to her novels as "Real life situations that you could find yourself in but hope to God you never do." In her spare time she enjoys reading, movies that involve a strong plot/characters, and keeping active through various forms of martial arts and as an active fitness competitor.
Cynthia can be reached through her website at http://www.cynthiavespia.com/




 ***GIVEAWAY***
  

To win a PDFcopy of Cynthia's book, all you have to do is just leave a comment and your e-mail address.
Contest ends tomorrow and everyone who comments is elligible.

60 comments:

  1. Hi Cynthia

    Welcome to your Birthday Celebration Roast.

    What an intriguing read 'Life, Death and Back' sounds!

    Grab yourself some chocolate and let the festivities begin!

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  2. Happy Birthday, Cynthia! And a warm welcome to your roast. Oooh, your excerpt drew me right in. Let's grab some chocolate and some of those jello thingies and begin hunting

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  3. Hugs, Lyn dear. Looks like we're first to meet and greet Cynthia. Maybe she can tell us about her characters

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  4. Hugs dear sister-hostess. Looks like just us hre at the moment - ooh yes, thank you Oliver, I will have one of those lovely chocolate dipped strawberries!

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  5. Happy Birthday, Cynthia, your book Life, Death and Back sounds fabulous. Love the excerpt! Wishing you mega sales.

    Ladies, I must admit I haven't eaten breakfast yet and your menu has me drooling all over my shirt.

    Oliver, quit grabbing! I know I'm not supposed to eat chocolate, but there is a strawberry under it and I'm not allergic to those.

    Cynthia, you and the ladies have an outstanding day. I need to go change my shirt.

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  6. Hi Sandra, welcome to Cynthia's birthday bash.. Oliver, about those hands! Now run along and grab some more of those scrumptious berries

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  7. Hi Sandra, thanks so much for stopping by, great to see you!

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  8. Thank you for hosting such a "cynful" bash ladies...the fire was a nice touch ;)

    Who doesn't like to indulge in a little sin every now and then? Coming from "Sin City" Las Vegas I say temptation is around every corner.

    To answer your request, Sharon, my characters are inevitably an extension of myself whether I'm writing man or woman, fist person or third. They are usually a balance of good and evil...aren't we all?

    No let's dive into that chocolate, grab some bubbly, and party!

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  9. Cynthia, you are my kind of girl, a true to life she diva!

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  10. Birthday kisses, Cynthia love godess! A nice glass of bubbly and a platter of chocolate strawberries, double dipped. Might I be so bold to say you are simply ravishing, dah ling

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  11. Hugs and kisses, Lyn, Sharon and Sandra. You ladies look exquisite. Drinks and more strawberries, both bubbly and mead. As you know who says, 'I'll be back!'

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  12. Lyn blows a kiss to Cynthia - hi Cynthia - and one fror Oliver. Dear Oliver, I see you're looking after Cynthia well - and you're much nicer looking that You-Know- Who!

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  13. Happy Birthday!!! And I must say you look lovely in your skins, well Lyn wouldn't let us wear fig leaves. I have no idea why.
    Adam and Eve didn't have to wear this stuff. Authentic you wanted and you got it! Nice touch with the boots. These mucklucks are hot as hell!
    So Cynthia, any luck finding the
    Source. Anybody? Well I guess it's up to me! Oliver, I'll have some jello. Oh, you didn't make any without booze in it for me??

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  14. Kisses Mary love, here are your alco-free jello squigglies. Enjoy

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  15. Blush Lyn my lovely, have another mead

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  16. Lyn runs and hugs her sister-hostess.

    Hi Mary, yes, I'm very glad I wore these cowboy boots - although when we discussed the clothes forthe Garden Of Eden and suggested animal skins, I'm not sure the Native American look was quite what was meant! Never mind we all look lovely don't we - especially Cynthia.
    Yes, I'll have one of those Jelly whatsits too Oliver, I don't think I've ever had the pleasure.
    *Giggle!* Of driking one of those I meant, silly! What did you think?

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  17. Perhaps an alcohol free squiggly, Lyn. A bit too much mead perhaps

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  18. I should have been more explicit with the deerskins. I was thinking much less of them, but Lyn it's hot in these things. Deer skin dresses not winter clothes! LOL! Mary proceeds to cut the excess material of her dress. When she is done she has a short dress that has soft skins and is now a little sexy. Come on girls this is the garden of Eden. We are supposed to look hot!! Mary trims everyone's skins to short, cute, and cool, length and design. Sharon shakes her butt, now freely able to move it. Mary pulls her dress to cover her huge bazoonkas. Lyn's cowboy boots are now showing and they are huge and cute. AJ well, AJ is still looking for a comb. Couldn't help her with the hair. What a nest!!!
    Cynthia now shows her long legs in a mid thigh white skin, that is soft as silk. Oliver, you're on your own. Much better, now girls, let's look for the Source and some hot guys too!!!

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  19. Girls, tell the truth, does my butt look a wee bit slimmer

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  20. Yes it does dear!!! Mary smiles and crosses her fingers behind her back. Much!!!
    Just like my boobs. I will say the new dress does make you look much better. Now we can see that tinsy waist of yours!

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  21. Whew, much cooler and sexier. Thanks Mary, my petite butt can wiggle freely now. Hey Lyn, how are those jellos treating you, sister?

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  22. We better keep an eye on her she's worried about the Apocalypse!
    I keep telling her it's just a bunch of fanatics but she's been scared for awhile now. Lyn it's supposed to be today and we're still here see!!
    And I love your boots too!
    Cynthia, how do you like your dress?

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  23. If the end is near, live and let die Oh Oliver more chocolate and bubbly and big group hug

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  24. Yes! Let's celebrate the fact that we even got to live at all!!!!

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  25. We've lost Cynthia! Wherever did she go?? She was here, and then she disappeared! You think that she got taken by the Source?? I'm kinda worried! The Celestial Sin could have put her into hell????

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  26. Hello all!

    **clears throat**

    Happy Birthday to Yoooooouuuuuu!

    **spits hair from mouth**

    Happy Birthday to youuuuuuu!

    **coughs up hairball**

    OK, I take the hint. Happy Birthday Cynthia!

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  27. Hi Ladies - I love the Garden of Eden theme - and all the "sinful chocolate." I'll take one of the caramel apples - I looovvvveee caramel - so much better than chocolate. And Happy Birthday.

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  28. Oh, I forgot to sing happy birthday.
    Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday to you
    You don't look like a monkey
    but sometimes I doooooooo!

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  29. Hugs AJ, I'm going to see who I can temptt with an apple. Wink wink

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  30. Waves madly to Patsy. OOOH yes, sink your teeth into the caramel

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  31. Happy...Birthday to you...
    Happy...Birthday to you...
    Happy...Birthday belated...
    Dear Sheelia I mean Celia
    Happy birthday...to you

    *hic* Opps. perhaps I shouldn'gt have had mead AND jellos!

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  32. I'd offer one of those sweet chewy caramels to that hot guy, no not the cave man, the guy on the horse who is waving to you Patsy! Go have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do!!
    That gives you leeway!!!
    You look wonderful by the way in your
    soft doeskin too!
    Look there's someone wearing Elephant leaves to cover up! Cool!
    Hey, no one is looking for the source but me. Did you know there's a prize if you find her!!

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  33. I hope Cynthia hasn't drowned in the lake of youth I saw her heading that way? Anybody seen our guest? Help!! Help find her, maybe the Celestial Sin sent her to a bad place?????
    Or she picked up one of those Angels who guard the gates of Eden??

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  34. *Waves HELLO to all the fabulous hostesses of this blog- and of course dear Oliver!!!*

    It's been too long since I've visited. I see I've missed some wonderful authors, Maeve and Brenda for starters!

    Hello again, Cynthia! Happy Birthday! Too cool to find you over here. Isn't this blog incredible? As you know I love the sound of LIFE, DEATH and BACK. Wishing you much success! :-)

    Hmmm, I think I'm going to go grab some of those delicious treats. Have a super weekend everyone!

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  35. Hi Sky missed you bunches!!! That Angel over there. Yes the one who is so hot! Is wiggling his finger in a come hither way. So I say go get 'em. He is petting a real tiger!!
    Wonder if it's a pet...

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  36. Hugs, Sky, so happy to have you return. Enjoy the sinfully delicious treats

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  37. I think Cynthia is off with Adam, tempting him with, you know...her apples

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  38. Hugs Sky, dear friend. How lovely to see you here - it's a sin to stay away, you hear! Before you flit over to that angel won't you join me in a flagon of *hic* mead and some chocolate cake?

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  39. I gotta try the mead, what does it taste like? Beer? Cause I don't like beer...

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  40. You haven't tasted mead Mary? What were you drinking at our medieval banquet Roasts? Here, have some quick. It's very sweet, and depending how it's made can be spicy or fruity, it's made from honey and I love the stuff! (Don't drink too much though, it's more potent than it tastes.)

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  41. I was sober then!!! Ha!
    I can't wait to taste it!
    Sorry everyone, I have no clue where Cynthia is, guess she didn't want to play today!
    Wait is that the Duke in furs???

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  42. Oh no, not the Duke! Ah well, where there's the Duke, there's usually the James Gang. Let me at 'em!

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  43. Now I know why you wore the cowboy boots! WooooWhooo!!!Get 'em I'll take Frank and you guys can fight over the Younger Brothers, I hear Cole is pretty hot!!!
    We lost our guest she's on a quest. Finding the Source isn't easy. Sorry everyone, she's no where to be found!!
    Should we send out a posse?? Is there a posse here in the Garden.

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  44. Hey, with chocolate in one hand and Oliver in the other, how could a birthday possibly go bad!!

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  45. Hey, with rich cream filled chocolate in one hand and lucsious strawberry bearing Oliver in the other; how could a birthday be bad?!

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  46. Now that is a picture in my head I can dream about...
    Too bad he's in love with Sharon. He won't say it, but he is.
    And he gave me a stun gun too!!!!
    Nite ladies. I think I'm gonna go and make bubbles with my new big bubble thingee! So If you see them floating around it's me!!!

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  47. Now make sure you don't confuse your bubbles with your booboos Mary! :)

    Hi Debra, so glad you could come join the party - as my sisster hostess said - that's quite a picture to go to bed with!

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  48. Happy Birthday Cynthia. Hope you have a great day! These ladies and Oliver know how to throw a party. That was a great book trailer along with the music. Your book sounds very compelling and interesting. Really nice book cover also.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

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  49. Welcome Debra, Historical Writer Editor and Sue, thank you so very much for coming over to party with us. Plenty of sinful chocolate in lieu of breakfast! So dig in and indulge!

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  50. Oh yes I forgot to ask for lots and lots of chocolate. Chocolate is dear to my heart. LOL. Everything on the menu sounds wonderful really.
    Sue B

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  51. Sorry to slink off in the middle of the party but I was distracted by a snake...Oliver's, Adam's, take your pick...LOL
    But ladies, haven't you guessed yet...The Source is indeed ME. That's why they call me ORIGINAL CYN!
    I see the Jello shots did you well. Anyone hung over today?

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  52. Oh man! That was so simple after you said it! LOL. Guess I was thinking way to hard.
    Sue B

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  53. Hi Cynthia - so glad you're safe - and the best secrets are always the ones underneath one's nose, aren't they! :)

    Hi Historical Writer/Editor. Thanks so much for joining the party - get stuck in, there's plenty of chocolate left!

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  54. Happy Birthday, Cyn-ful! Ha! Love that name. Hey, I want Oliver to deliver the book in person::-0
    This roasting is a great idea! Kudos to the hostesses.

    Susan Whitfield
    The Logan Hunter Mystery Series
    www.susanwhitfieldonline.com
    www.susanwhitfield.blogspot.com

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  55. So that was a hell of a party...pun intended!
    I don't know about you but I have had my fill of chocolate. The workout regime resumes tomorrow.
    They are telling me it is time to pick a winner for the e-book
    Drum roll please
    And the winner is........
    SUE B, aka katsrus
    Congratulations Sue!!!
    If you guys desire more please visit me at www.cynsights.blogspot.com
    Have a great rest of the week ladies. I look forward to the next party :)

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  56. Wohoo! Thank you so much!! You made my day! Looking forward to reading your book.

    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

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  57. Hi Susan

    Great to see you at the Roast - and Sue B. Grab some more chocolate ladies!

    Congratulations Sue!

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