Star light
Star bright
The first star I see tonight
I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight
In a land where dreams come true and billowy white clouds aimlessly drift, a fairy tale castle graces an azure blue sky. The castle is as pretty as a white wedding cake. Gleaming white steps spiral to a three-story Queen Anne with silver turrets and pearl gingerbread. A gentle breeze swooshes through the China berry trees, stirring the sweet perfume of wild orchids, roses and lilacs. From inside, music floats on a hush of sultry summer air as the hostesses prepare for the Cinderella wedding.
We are pleased and honored to welcome back the delightful Roseanne Dowell to celebrate the release of her book DOUBLE TROUBLE.
Looking roguish in white tails, Oliver stands in the glass foyer of the elegant ballroom to greet guests. With a wink and a smile, he hands each lady a cluster of wild flowers. The hall is elegant. Jasmine-scented candelabras flicker off floor to ceiling windows draped in satin curtains. Water trickles down a cascading waterfall, and a marble staircase ascends to the balcony like a stairway to Heaven.
The cherry wood dance floor sparkles beneath the crystal chandelier. Silver buckets of lilies grace either side of a stone fireplace and floating candles decorate the center of each long table. The hostesses, donned in sweeping formal gowns, fuss to ensure all is perfect for the June Cinderella wedding.
Looking elegant, Lyn bustles about, pleats of her shimmering bronze gown swishing as she sets out the appetizers. She winks at Sharon, who looks ravishing in royal blue. “Oh, sweetie, how romantic, and I for one, can’t wait to try on the glass slipper when the prince arrives!”
Sharon smiles and hikes up her fluted skirt. She, like each of her sisters, is clad in only one glass slipper. “Oh, honey, me neither. It’s mine because I wished upon a star so bright.”
Mary adjusts her diamond pendant in the center of her ample cleavage, then brushes a non existing wrinkle from her stunning gown of emerald green. “You wicked step sisters only wish. Don’t be ridiculous. Y’all know the prince only has eyes for Roseanne. It’s her glass slipper."
With a gleam in her eye, AJ, looking chic in sizzling scarlet, tames down her wild hair in the beveled mirror.
“We’ll see sisters. Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the prettiest of them all.”
As the brass quartet plays, the sisters set out the feast Oliver has prepared. Cuddles, Nibby and Thor kick up their heels on the enchanted dance floor.
Appetizers spin on Lazy Susan trays Peeled, Boiled Gulf of Mexico Shrimp with Tail-On, with cocktail sauce, crab Claws, Smoked Mussels, Fresh Shucked Oysters on the Half Shell, Caviar, and for the main course:
Raspberry Chicken, thinly Sliced Tenderloin, Wild Rice Pilaf, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Puree, Vegetable Medley, Rolls and Butter, which will be followed by a dessert of, among other things, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Raspberry Brownies
Sitting pretty on a glass pedestal next to a champagne fountain where orange blossom martinis flow free, a beautiful seven-tier white wedding cake with a glittering Cinderella slipper sits.
With a blowing of trumpets, the guest of honor arrives. A horse drawn white satin carriage with lace curtains glides to a halt.
Oliver rushes to escort Roseanne into the ball. With a sweeping bow, he kisses her and presents her with a bouquet of wild orchids.
Looking drop dead gorgeous in a flowing white gown with full bustle and glittering crystal beading, Roseanne, elegantly donned with a diamond tiara, blows kisses to her adoring fans.
DOUBLE THE TROUBLE
Blurb
Kate Wesley left Twinsburg, Ohio five years ago after her fiancé jilted her. Now she’s back, happy and content with her single life. She doesn’t need men to fulfill her dreams, she has her florist shop.
Widower, Mark Westfield wasn’t interested in women. He had twin five year olds to raise, and they took all his time and energy. But Kate sparked something in him he hadn’t expected to feel again.
Adam Shaffer left Kate two days before the wedding. Left a note and took off to Las Vegas. Biggest mistake of his life. But now they were both back, and he aimed to get Kate back.
Two murders, two men, one with five-year old twin daughters, complicate life for Kate Wesley. When the identical twin sister of one of the murder victims arrives in town more confusion erupts. Can Kate sort through this mess that has suddenly become her life?
EXCERPT
A shadow passed over the doorway, and Kate realized she wasn’t alone. She looked up.
Adam stood in the doorway, the same cocky grin on his face. “Now that’s settled, how are you, Kate?”
Kate couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t he take a hint? “What do you want, Adam?” She didn’t care if she sounded angry. He deserved angry.
Adam came into the work room and stood in front of her. “You look great.”
Kate looked away. So did he, but darned if she’d tell him. He looked too damn good. What was the saying? Fool her once, shame on him, fool her twice, shame on her. Nope, she didn’t need him or anyone like him.
“So what do you want? I gave you all the information on Emma. Shouldn’t you be out investigating?” She picked up a flower and set it in a vase. Her heart beat so hard, it surprised her that he didn’t hear it.
“Look, I know you’re still upset about the wedding, but give me a chance to make it up to you. How about dinner tonight?”
“I’m busy.” Still upset? The man has no idea. Like we should pick up where we left off? He’s got to be kidding.
“Tomorrow then?”
“I’m busy tomorrow, too. Look, Adam, just go, okay. I don’t want to have dinner with you. Not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever.”
“Come on, babe, don’t be like that.” Adam moved a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t blame you for being angry. But damn, it’s been five years.” He ran his finger along her cheek. “The least you could do is give me a chance to explain. Not that I’m sure I could. I’m not sure, even now, why I took off. Cold feet, I guess.”
Kate trembled at his touch. A spark of something familiar tumbled in her stomach. She pushed his hand away. Try as she might, her anger shattered.
“How dare you walk in here like nothing happened? Like we’re going to pick up where we left off?” Kate spoke through clenched teeth. What she really wanted to do was lash out and hurt him the way he hurt her, but a customer might come in and screaming wasn’t going to help anyway.
Adam stared at her, a look of confusion in his dark eyes. He just didn’t get it. He really didn’t see anything wrong with what he did. Took the coward’s way out and left her to deal with canceling all the wedding plans. What a jerk. “Look, just go.” She turned back to her work and picked up a vase to fill her next order.
Adam ran his hand through his dark, wavy hair. Hair she used to love to run her fingers through. She could almost feel the soft, silkiness of even now.
“Give me a break, Kate. Let me make it up to you.”
Part of her wanted to give in, and part of her wanted to throw something at him. Stay strong, get rid of him. No way was she picking up where they left off.
The bell rang again, and before she had a chance to react, Mark stormed in. Kate’s stomach did a flip at the sight of him. What was wrong with her, reacting to these men this way? For five years men had no affect on her.
Now in the course of an hour, the two of them managed to get under her skin, causing feelings deep within she hadn’t experienced in years. Feelings she didn’t want to feel.
Mark stared at them for a second. “I don’t know what the two of you have going, but why aren’t you out looking for my sister?”
Kate shuddered at the angry tone of Mark’s voice. “There’s nothing going on between us, Mr. Westfield. I just suggested the very same thing to Detective Shaffer,” she said just as angry. “Now if the two of you will continue this outside, I have work to do.”
“I’ll call you later, Kate.” Adam acted as if everything between them was settled.
Par for the course. Wasn’t that always how it was? She got mad, spoke her mind, and that was it. Over and done with.
Nothing changed.
Adam went on doing the same things he always did. Didn’t matter if it upset her. Poker every Friday night with his friends, no matter how angry she got.
How they had managed to plan the wedding was beyond her. Not that he did any of the planning. Adam didn’t even want to see the hall or listen to the band.
No wonder he didn’t have any qualms about canceling the wedding. He didn’t do any of the work for it. Obviously, he wasn’t ready to get married. So why had he asked her? Asked her, heck, he had insisted. Even when she suggested they wait a year or so. He at least owed her an explanation. But did she really want to hear it?
Double the Trouble was released in March 2011 from MuseIt Up Publishing
http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/
If you'd like to know more about Roseanne, check her website: http://www.roseannedowell.com/ or
her blog http://roseannedowellauthor.blogspot.com/
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