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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, August 19, 2011

When life serves you lemons - meet Sandra Sookoo at the Author Roast and Toast


When life throws you lemons, make lemonade!

Hello and welcome to the Author Roast and Toast! We are pleased and honored to have the amazing Sandra Sookoo in the house with us again to celebrate the release of her book
EMBRACING THE LEMONADE LIFE

And that’s just what we’re doing today, celebrating life with Sandra and her many fans. So, come on in and toss a few sour lemons our way.

On a late summer day where life is beautiful all the time, lemon trees thrive beneath azure blue skies. The sun glints through a patch of aimlessly drifting puffy white clouds. A slight breeze rustles through the leaves, stirring the scent of freshly cut grass. A gushing waterfall splashes into a meandering creek.

The charcoal pit is sizzling hot, spitting and spewing spears of flames. Oliver, donned in a white shirt, Pair of khaki trousers and chef’s hat, flips burgers, hot dogs and chicken into a barbecue frenzy. Smoke billows into the trees, a vapor of mouth-watering heaven.

The hostesses set things up on the picnic tables: paper plates, napkins, plastic silverware, cups, an assortment of buns, mustard, catsup, onions and pickles.





Sharon, looking hot to trot in pink shorts, white blouse that ties around the waist and high-heeled sandals, smiles to her sweet sisters as she sets out large bowls of potato salad and creamy cole slaw.

Lyn, looking too sexy for her own good, in violet hot pants, stripey blouse and strappy beaded sandals, smiles back as she sets out a bubbling pot of baked beans floating in a bucket of molasses and brown sugar.



Mary, the envy of all the girls, a dead ringer for Dolly Parton, is stylin’ in lime green hot pants, white tank top and sexy sandals. Smiling, she sets out a scalloped watermelon brimming with fresh fruit, grilled corn on the cob smothered in butter.

Drinks are arranged, icy pitchers of lemonade, both spiked and virgin, raspberry ice tea and sweet tea. Nearby coolers are stacked with bottled mineral water, soda and beer. Baskets of potato chips and pretzels line every table, and the dessert table has fudge, brownies, chocolate chip cookies and a huge chocolate cake. Fresh picked lemons fill wooden barrels.


 Cuddles and Nibby, roll out a few lemons and play ball.

“Well, sisters,” Sharon smiles. “Everything is on schedule, what’s say we take a stroll through the lemon grove on this bright mid-summer day.”

“You got it, sister girlfriend,” Mary smiles sweetly. “Let’s tip toe through the lemons!”

“Oh, my, yes,” Lyn smiles, looking around the lemon grove. “Life is beautiful all the time!”

The hostesses skip through the lemon grove,  laughing and singing, leaping up to pick lemons. Nearing the road, they look down below when a loud blast punctuates the quiet. A crew of hottie construction men, bare-chested, tan and rippling with bulging biceps  are hard at work.

Stunned speechless and wanting to get a closer look, the girls gawk, failing to see the sign.
BEWARE OF LANDSLIDE

So busy gawking to get a closer look at the men, they keep walking, tossing lemons to get their attention. Too late, they all see the sign, go tumbling down the broken hillside, get all scraped up and break their heels.

Just then, fire whistles shriek, the lemon grove is on fire where Oliver’s grill got out of control.  Thunder explodes with a mighty crash, turning sunny skies into rolling black clouds. Just then, Sandra streaks down the road in a gleaming white convertible, looking like a runway model, dark  hair billowing.

Spotting her, the hottie construction workers whistle and hoot. Smiling, Sandra  screeches to a stop. “Hop in boys, thunder storm’s a comin’. Y’all don’t wanna get wet.”

The hostesses three scream and yell to get Sandra’s attention, hurling lemons at her car. She doesn’t hear them, zooms down the road with a car load of hunks. Just then, the rain starts, a torrential hail storm, pummeling the girls as they slip, slide, and swear up a blue streak all the way back, bombarding each other with huge lemons as they scream,

“When life tosses you lemons, make lemonade!”


Blurb:
EMBRACING THE LEMONADE LIFE

When life gives you lemons, use them for lemonade or let them sour your life.
Clara Tildon, a cancer survivor, has no time for defeatism. She’s opened up the Cute as a Button B & B in Bridgewater, Indiana, and along with her guinea pig, is embracing the lemonade lifestyle. It was always how she wanted to live. Everything is perfect, except for the nagging sensation that she would still like to fall in love.

Jake Yates has returned to Bridgewater, the town he grew up in, for his friend’s wedding and he’s not happy about it. He got out once and coming back, even for a visit, is not on his agenda. The people of Bridgewater can keep their small town life, it’s in his past and that’s where he intends it to stay. Even loneliness can’t make him reconsider his decisions.
A chance meeting. A fleeting kiss.  Suddenly two polar opposites get a unique chance at love. But can Clara give up living in the moment long enough to see Jake as an opportunity she needs to plan for?  Can Jake alter his well-laid plans to fit Clara in his life?  Or will they both let love get away?

Excerpt:
Tim clapped him on the shoulder. "Your special girl is right around the corner, buddy. Probably just under your nose."

"Maybe so." If only life were that easy. Jake wasn't given an opportunity to say anything else before Beth dragged her new groom toward the pulsating jumble of bodies just as the strains of the "Chicken Dance" started up.

I gotta get out of here. Too much more of the flowers-and-swans scene and he might start pooping glittery hearts. He had a great job in Indianapolis at one of the more prestigious law firms, a nice apartment in the city and an expensive sedan that made other men salivate. He didn't need anymore from life.

Making apologies, he shoved his way through the crowded community hall and pushed through the first EXIT he found.  Immediately, the cool air chilled his overheated skin, giving him a second wind. He raked his fingers through his hair; a cropped style his mother called downtown-serious, especially once he applied the high-priced gels and foams. And why shouldn't he look good? Just because he was born and bred in simpleton-ville didn't mean he had to cultivate the image for the rest of his life.

Thank God his mom had moved away from Bridgewater after his dad died. Jake couldn't imagine having to do the "visit the fam" thing while he was here. He rubbed a hand along his jaw. Not that he could visit his dad--unless talking to a gravestone would replace that physical need. Just another reason to get out of town before the ghouls on memory lane intercepted him.

He'd lost his dad here, witnessed the change of attitude of his mom here, been burned by gossips here and had his dreams squelched here in good ole Bridgewater. Well, he wouldn't be a sucker for punishment anymore.

The beginnings of a headache invaded his brain, reminding him of the reason he was there in the first place. Time for a beer. Or a shot of really good vodka. Anything to dull the ache settling permanently around his heart. Maybe if he got roaring drunk, the pain would go away.

He wove his way through the cars lining the street. His dress shoes slid on the wet surface of the pavement. He snorted. How perfect for the happy couple. A gentle rain had fallen, softening the night. Jake rolled his eyes at the reflected street lamps in the puddles. The sooner he got out of this town, the sooner he could get his mind back on normal things and conversations which didn't include head count, airline
tickets, tux rentals... or love.

Being the best man really sucked.

Bleary-eyed, he peered down the street, mentally calculating how long it would take him to walk to the bed and breakfast before he barfed all over the pavement. Ten minutes, give or take. Tripping over his feet, he groaned. Maybe more alcohol was a bad idea.

By the time Jake reached Main Street, his heels hurt from the uncomfortable dress shoes and he let loose a string of curses into the air. Damn rented shoes because he'd forgotten to bring his own. He knew he'd have to buy the tux when he slipped on the pavement and tore a hole in one knee. His head ached, his heart felt heavy
and his stomach panged from emptiness since he hadn't eaten at the reception. That bed better be comfortable because he intended to sleep straight through the night. He'd gotten halfway across the street, dodging a slow-moving station wagon, when movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention. Turning sharply, he stood with his jaw hanging slack as a woman crawled along the road on her hands and knees, calling out the word "Hamlet."  The white sweep of headlights could just be seen at the far end of the street.


"Uh, ma'am? I think you should get out of the road." He frowned when she continued to crawl, peeking around the wheel of a parked vehicle.

"Excuse me?"

Finally, the woman glanced up and the sheen of the nearest lamp gleamed off the most fiery, copper hair he'd ever seen. Sparkling moss green eyes smiled up at him. "If you don't mind, could you help me find Hamlet?"

"What's a Hamlet?" The haze in his brain kept him from remembering his own name, let alone trying to figure out what she was talking about. Jake glanced in the direction of the headlights. They moved steadily closer at a fair clip, accompanied by the roar of a big diesel engine. "Uh..."

The woman appeared not to notice or care about the danger. "Hamlet's my guinea pig. He escaped the house. I thought he might have headed this way."

"Aw, crap." The bus bore down on them. Jake moved by instinct alone and threw his body into the street, snatching the woman into his arms, then rolled to the opposite side in mere seconds.

Time to play hero to the damsel in distress.




Publisher's buy link:  http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-196/Sandra-Sooko-Embracing-the/Detail.bok


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


***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Sandra'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.

91 comments:

  1. Good morning - doing a quick fly by - I must say, everyone looks "hot" today! Perfect for a barbeque or a picnic! The food looks terrific. Sandra, loved the excerpt! Congrats on the release and good luck with sales.

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  2. Good morning Patsy, so good to see you, you're always the first to arrive at our parties - we know you have to work so make sure you take plenty of goodies with you and we'll hope to see you later!

    Welcome to your party Sandra, you look so cool in your pretty white sundress.

    Love the excerpt, hope the gunea pig was OK guess we ju8st have to buy the book to find out, eh?

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  3. LOL Good morning ladies! The picnic looks lovely! I think Hamlet the guinea pig is somewhere around here. He always wanders off at the worst moments. :-)

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  4. Hi there Brenda

    Phew So glad Hamlets OK! He's probably gone to play with Cuddles and Nibbie. I'll see if he's on the main post with them!

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  5. Yes he's there, he's safe with them. Thank goodness - we love our fubies and wouldn't want any little critter to get lost at the Roast!

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  6. Hi Sandra and hi again Lyn, and Sharon - love your picnic outfits, and all the food - shame it all went up in flames.
    Great excerpt, Sandra, definitely sounds like my kind of story, would love to win a copy :-)

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  7. Hi Paula,

    Lovely to see you as always. Don't worry, Oliver managed to save all the food, the flames looked worse than they were!

    Glad you like the outfits, you're looking very chic yourself!

    Do help yourself to some lemonade, and there's loads of stuff on the barbeque!

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  8. What a fun party ladies. Can you hand me a glass of lemonade? I love the fresh squeezed kind. Hate that powdered crap. Sandra, I love the excerpt of your book and the premise sent chills down my arms. As a cancer survivor myself (breast cancer-2007) I know how it feels to want to live in the moment. But there are still medical bills to pay and oncologist to see for the next five years. It's nice to think of survival as a second chance, but I'm not sure I knew what I was doing with the first chance. lol!

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  9. Hi Lilly

    One glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice comingup! I agree about the powdered stuff - there's no comparison, but everything's fresh at the roast (though some of it may be a bit singed at the corners, LOL!

    What a relief that you survived the 'Big C' and are doing so well and continuing to enthrall us with your writing. Not so good about the medical bills of course, but it's wonderful that so many people survice amd lead full lives after being diagnosed with this terrible disease.

    Make yourself at home and help Sandra celebrate her special day.

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  10. Woot! Thanks Lyn for finding the little piglet! Now, if he'll just stay put...

    Hi Paula! I had great fun writing this one. Sad fact? I've experienced small towns like this one lol Even down to the car garage turned Chinese restaurant

    Hi Lilly! Congrats on being a survivor. Clara's outlook is challenged in this story. :-) Sometimes you want the future too.

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  11. I hear that lemon juice is good for your hair. Which is good because it's running down my head in streams!
    I think I'll take a little padding out of this bra before I fall over from the weight of these hooters.
    Sandra it's such a nice day for a party here in the lemon groves. Reminds me of where I live. Love that we can pick fruit right off the trees. Any orange trees in this grove? Mmmmmm. this stuff tastes pretty darn good. Mary lets Nibbie try a few laps of the sweet concoction. She loves it and her red eyes turn yellow for just a second, then back to her devilish red. She scampers off to chase little Hamlet with Cuddles. What a nice day. What mischief can I get into today?

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  12. Hello, hello, Sandra dear, sweet picking up all those hunky construction men with rippling biceps, oh, good you brought them. Waves to them, howdy, boys!
    Congratulations on your release, what a great and enthrolling excerpt. Hello there, Hamlet, stay clear of the grill, sweet thing.

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  13. Lyn rugs over to hug her sister hostess.

    Mary, I think you're right about that padding - if you fell on your front you'd rock yourself to sleep, LOL!

    And what have you done with out dear Sharon, I hope you haven't been pinning notices on her bubble butt again!

    Have you ever thought about being good, just once? You might find you quite like it?

    Why not sit here with me, sip your lemonade quietly and watch Sandra's trailer of Embracing The Lemondade Life. with me?

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  14. Hi Patsy, Paula and Lilly, who's up for tossing a few lemons? Lilly, we are all saluting you for being a cancer surviver. Congratulations. Unfortunately, we will have a million bills in life but only one life to live. Here here, to life!

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  15. Ah, there you are, Sharon, sweetie. *Hugs*. I'm glad you've been taking care of Hamlet, he's such a sweet little thing. I'm trying to persuade Mary to avoid getting up to mischief, but it's a losing battle!

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  16. Sharon pummels lemons at Mary and Lyn. That's for pushing me in the mud. Stomp on them and make lemonade

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  17. Oliver, dear heart, stop pouting. Suck it up and go pay the forest ranger the fine of $1000. I warned you about showing off for Sandra, didn't I

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  18. No matter how hard I try to be good, Sharon always gets me going. Mary picks up a few lemons making sure they are juicy and ready to blow. With an expert toss Mary gets Lyn in the butt. Several times. She looks at Lyn and tosses one on her gigantic bare feet. What have you done with the boats you wear Lyn. And My goodness you have bunions!
    Sharon stops to come and look at Lyn's feet. At which time Mary attaches a note to her butt. What the heck. The note says, sour butt!
    Now I need to put one on the bottom of Lyn's bare foot!

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  19. Don't worry Oliver, I'll help with the fine. I did hand you the gasoline instead of lighter fluid. But you're the one who kept adding more to watch it flame up!

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  20. Sharon shoots and scores from the top of a lemon tree, zapping Mary's hooters and Lyn's boats into the lake. Sandra hurls a few for good measure. Sharon cheers, go girl!

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  21. Lyn quickly slips her tiny feet into her oversized sandals. Those girls are so jealous of my small feet, just because theirs are like canal barges!

    Don't blame me for you falling in the mud Sharon sweetie, you couldn't take your eyes of those hunky workmen and you jsut weren't looking where you were going.

    (stoops to pick up an armfull of lemons.) You and Mary take that- and that - and that -!

    Oops *Blush* sorry about that young man - it wasn't me, it was her!

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  22. Ladies ladies, who knew the entire lemon grove would go up. I did it for you, Sandy, my sweet. Have a glass of lemonade.

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  23. It was you Lyn! And you can't deny it any longer by trying to tell everyone you have small feet. Are you blind??? Look at those bare clodhoppers, MaMa Mia! those are two oversized feet! Admit it or we may have to get you some mental health!!
    Mary lobs juicy lemons at Lyn and doubles up on Sharon. Oliver if you say one word you're next!!

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  24. Patsy, Paula, Lilly, my pretties, have some chicken, they're just a bit crispy.

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  25. the fire Marshall is here and he wants to arrest Oliver. Mary takes out her stun gun and shocks him and the two policemen with him. Run Oliver! Run!

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  26. Sharon, Mary, Lyn, sweet lasses, drink some lemonade to cheer you up. Don't be ridiculous, of course y'all are sexy, the construction men probably need glasses, and just a hunch, but they might not have taken kindly to pummeling their heds with lemons. They weren't wearing hard hats, after all. grin

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  27. I was just wondering what the construction workers are doing in a lemon grove? Those aren't construction workers! My God I see them for what they are! Stay away at all costs! They work for the government!!! They're lobbyists! Let's pelt them with the lemons!
    Oh wait we have to hide Oliver or they will arrest him. The two guys I conked on the head are waking up. Mary hugs one between her boobs, hoping to smother him. No wait that's not working run, Oliver, run!!!

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  28. Relax and drink your lemonade, Mary love. I've got it covered, I'm an FBI agent. Go practice shooting lemons with your stun gun.

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  29. Wait I think they are here for a reason. The fire duh? Even FBI agents aren't supposed to start fires. You better watch out there my good man. You have to be careful.
    But I'll go take my stun gun and chase those pretend macho men!

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  30. Well Sandra, I hope you don't get mad when I make trouble today. I gotta have some fun ya know. And my fellow hosts are so bad sometimes. But I know they love me. Hey, how about another short excerpt to rouse the troops??
    Lyn, I did not put lemon juice into your shoes. That was Sharon, I sprayed the canned whipped cream, that's all I did! Honest!

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  31. Mary sweetie, you're so bad. Sharon and I are as good as gold, trying to entertain our guest of honour and you're throwing lemons and whipped cream about the place! D'you think it might be you those guys are after?

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  32. I didn't burn the place down. I didn't start the lemon throwing and I just added the whipped cream. Blame me for it all. But you both are bad too! I'm just fun that's all!
    Plus I must admit I like being bad. Who woulda thunk it?
    I do have a stun gun, be nice to me.

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  33. Mary sulks in the corner. The two guys who came to talk to Oliver wake up. Mary points to Lyn and then Sharon. They take out their handcuffs and take both girls into custody. Mary snickers and sticks her tongue out at Lyn. In the squad cars, Mary can hear, the two girls shouting and cursing. TEEHEE! Gotcha again!
    Sandra please say something before they take them away. Oliver is hiding and they are ready to leave...

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  34. No wait, help! Mary is being arrested. They think she started the fire with her stun gun!
    Honest, I didn't hit you on the head, I didn't start the fire, I didn't know the town is on fire now. It wasn't me. Oliver did it! Oliver if you let me go to jail for your fire, I will be very upset. The doors close on the car and Mary is taken away! Lyn and Sharon wave as she leaves!

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  35. Sandra, Clara sounds like my kind of gal. Definitely putting this on my TBR list. Sharon, you are so right. We only have one life. So hand me another lemonade. And get Oliver to splash a little vodka in it. Time to celebrate life and have a good time. Hand me some chicken too. I'm starving.

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  36. Here you go Lilly love, lemonade and vodka it is wink

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  37. Mary, so help me if we all wind up in the slammer because of your stun gun...

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  38. Lyn, don't sulk, Mary will buy you new boats, honest. Yes, Sandra, another excerpt is in order

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  39. HI look - who's that galloping over the hill? It's The Duke and the James gang riding hell for leather to head the police car off at the pass! Sharon, Sandra, I do believe they're gonna rescue our Mary!

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  40. Wow, spent the afternoon doing errands with the hubby (last day of staycation) and came back to see that you've all been having a fabulous time without me!

    So, who's ready for a game of Frisbee? lol

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  41. Welcome back Sandi, yes a game of frisbee sounds good. Mary's been carted off to jail, and Sharon was last seen with a hunky guy in a fluorescent jacket - but me and Oliver are still game!

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  42. Ooh, another excerpt huh? Here you go!

    Thanks Lilly for wanting to buy it!

    "Ah." Clara placed the pitchers in the fridge. When she turned around, her heart slammed into her throat as he stared at her.

    "What?" His eyes were so blue, they resembled an ocean and so inviting, she almost took a few steps toward him.

    "Nothing." A smile curved his lips. "I just assumed the owner of a bed and breakfast would, you know, make the breakfast from scratch."

    A slow heat warmed her cheeks. "About that. I have a friend who usually comes in and cooks but she's on vacation this week."
    Clara worried a button on her apron, also rimmed with sunflowers. "I can't cook, bake or do anything very well in the kitchen. Wait, I take it back. I make a decent glass of lemonade."

    Jake snorted. "That's helpful in case the world runs out of it."

    "Hey, I don't knock what you do."

    "You don't know what I do for a living."

    "True." She shrugged when he didn't offer more information. In an effort to keep her hands busy and her eyes on something besides him, she emptied another bakery box and arranged shortbread cookies on a yellow plate.
    "Anyway, my lemonade has won awards in fairs and cook-offs so I can't complain."

    "Don't you want more?" Jake frowned as he drained his coffee cup. "I mean, Bridgewater is a small town. Nothing goes on around here. There's no life."

    A knot she hadn't felt in a long time formed in her stomach. "I beg to differ." Swinging around, she crossed the black-and-white checked tiles and shoved the plate into his hands. "That's exactly what is here. Life. And I couldn't be happier. Take those into the dining room, please."

    Jake stood, shooting her a confused glance. "I'm afraid I don't follow. What is it about this place?" His gaze encompassed the kitchen. "The inn can't possibly turn a profit each year. I mean, Bridgewater's not exactly near any tourist areas. So why do you act like it's the best place on Earth?"

    The smile lifting the corners of her mouth was genuine and hard won. "I'm a cancer survivor. Being able to breathe unpolluted air, walk about the area just pondering the fields or owning a bed and breakfast even if it isn't profitable is way better than the alternative, don't you think?"

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  43. Oh, and I've seen a raccoon in the area. Mind the food!

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  44. Love the excerpt. And the book trailer was excellent!

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  45. They're fingerprinting me! Help!!!
    I thought you'd save me!!

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  46. Quick before I start singing Folsum prison blues!!!
    Help get me outta jail!!!

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  47. What a great excerpt, Sandi, very poignant actually.

    I wouldn't worry about the racoon, he and Hamlet are playing together, quite cute really.

    Oh - did I hear a shriek? Don't worry Mary, dear, Sharon and I saw the Duke and the James gang headed towards town to rescue you!

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  48. Well Mary, I've sent Hamlet. He's got a skeleton key on his collar...

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  49. Mary picks Hamlet up and gives him a hug for helping her escape. Smart little thing. Mary puts the key back in Hamlet's collar and rushes outta the building with Hamlet.
    Outside the Duke offers her a ride and the James Gang scares the police back!
    (Mary is enjoying the attention the Duke was not bad looking in his twenties. And that Jessie James. Mmmmmmmm
    Mary leaves lemons behind and they all gallop back to the decimated grove. By the way who's paying for replanting the grove Oliver??

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  50. They took me in cause they thought i caused the fire. Will you tell them Oliver, they didn't seem to care about the FBI thing. They said someone is getting arrested for arson and they are hot on my trail!
    Fess up Oliver! Don't let me do time!! My hooters won't fit in the uniforms!

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  51. Actually, aren't there a pair of glasses laying in one of the charred areas? Maybe the sun was magnified through the lens and caught some dry grass on fire. Someone, find a scientist!

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  52. You're right Sandra. I wonder who's those glasses are? Oliver doesn't wear them, and it wasn't Sharon, Mary, me or you. If we find out who lost 'em we'll know who to blame.

    Never mind Mary, it's not everyone can say they were busted out of jail by the Duke!

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  53. Wait a minute, Sharon says Oliver went crazy with the barbeque! And those are my glasses thank you very much!
    But we'll protect him at all costs. Sharon needs her butler! And we love Sharon! So Oliver, mums the word. Did you call in the FBI? Or is it just a lemon lie?

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  54. Yo Sookoo! Great blog today :) I just redeemed swagbucks for an amazon gift card to purchase Lemonade for hubby's Kindle! Just think, in a few days you will have YOURS :) HE HE!

    Great blog. Keep 'er up :)

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  55. The Duke really wants to be with Lyn. Foiled again! No one left for me? Come on Hamlet, let's go play with Nibby and Cuddles. At least they are not pyromaniacs for sure!!!

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  56. A good book will always do the trick huh Stacey?
    Maybe I should just go read?

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  57. Hey Stacey! Thanks for buying the book! :-) I hope you enjoy it!

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  58. I keep hitting the blog surfer what fun!!!

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  59. Bye the way Sandra I really enjoyed the excerpt! Thanks!

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  60. Am I too late to partake in the leftovers? I could just take some home and feed the family and forget about having to fix dinner. By the way, Mary, I was totally expecting you to float away with those big bazoonies!

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  61. Those are your glasses Mary? Well they could easily have acted as magnifying glasses and started the fire.

    Hi Stacey - have you bought Sandi's book for yourself to read on your hubby's Kindle, or for him to read it? :)


    I'm off to the hills with the Duke. Mary, I think Jesse James is looking for you with that 'come hither' glint in his eye.

    Is sweet sister Sharon still with that hunky guy we saw her with earlier on?

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  62. Hi Patsy

    So glad you could come back. Yes, there's plenty of food left - jsut help yourself. There's another great excerpt of Sandra's to read, and also her video if you haven't had chance to watch it yet!

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  63. She must be! Have fun with Dukey baby and I'll be nice to Jesse.
    Patsy, do eat and take some home. Oliver, Mary points to him, is still cooking. Sharon read him the riot act for starting a grove fire. You missed the whole mess, Patsy, thank goodness.
    Well see you all later. Come on Jesse help me up! Mary rides to her hideaway...Be back...

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  64. Hey, I think at the very least as things wind down we could make s'mores! Oliver's pretty good with the fire...

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  65. I think it would be nice to sit round the campfire, eat some more barbeque food and sing.

    "Lemon tree she is priiiiiiteeee and the lemon flower is sweet
    But the fruit of the poor lemon
    is impossible to eeeattt!'

    Anyone remember that one? Altogether now?

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  66. Here I am sisters, my hunky construction man left me when he heard Lyn yodeling. Yikes, that cracked a few lemons

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  67. Mary, dear, good the Duke's ghost slipped in to your rescue. Did you pay bail with your enhancements, wink

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  68. Sandra, here's some sticks to peel and a bag of marshmallows. Oliver has the fire going again and has agreed to pay the fine. Whew, that was a close one

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  69. Glad you're back, Patsy, lots of charred burgers left. Waves to Stacey.

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  70. Sandra, great excerpt and video, thanks for the entertainment, where's the popcorn? Oh, thank you, Oliver popped some before he hiked it upstream

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  71. Sharon sweetie, how can you say your hunk left you when he heard me singing? I'll have you know I'm known for my singing, didn't you hear all the dogs in the area joining in, they just love to hear me!

    I'm awful tired though. I think I'll just curl up under this tree and go to sleep.

    Wishing you heaps and heaps of sales with 'Embracing The Lemonade Life', Sandra

    Night all.
    (If Oliver brings me a nightcap I wouldn't say 'no')

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  72. See ya girls! I think I see a good lookin guy with a convertible just beyond those trees. I'm gonna ask him out for ice cream!

    Thanks everyone for coming out and enjoying the excerpts/video. Thanks to my wonderful hostesses (and Oliver) I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  73. Now I'm hungry. EMBRACING THE LEMONADE LIFE looks wonderful. I did enjoy the excerpt thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  74. Hi Marybelle, plenty of food left, do dig in and enjoy.

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  75. Sharon wakes up in the lemon grove, and her feet are stained a bright canary yellow. Lyn and Mary have the same problem. She smiles as the fog lifts. On a dare last night, they jumped and stomped in a pool of lemons and made pretty potent lemon wine. As the sisters snore off their hangovers, Sharon reaches for a flask and takes a hearty swig.

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  76. Sandra, thank you for being a delightful guest. Best of luck with Embracing the Lemonade.

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  77. Ladies ladies, breakfast is served, my pretties. Bacon and eggs, sausage and fried potatoes, hot off the grill, pecan sweet rolls, donuts, coffee, tea and lemonade. Sandy love, heaping platter, dig in.

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  78. Oh, what a delicious smell.

    Good morning dear Oliver, good morning sweet Sharon - wakey, wakey, Mary dear. Your feet are such a pretty shade of lemon!

    *Waves* to Marybell. Come join us for breakfast Marybell!

    Thanks again for being such a great guest, Sandi!

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  79. Thanks ladies and Oliver! I had a great time!

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  80. I'll never get the stain off and I don't even remember doing this one!
    I'll have some of that juice please, might as well drink the stuff. I stomped it.
    Sandra thanks for playing along and being such a great guest! Good luck with your book and the many, many, more, successful ones to come!

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  81. Sorry Sandra I missed your party. Another workday for me. I am looking forward to this book. I love her books! She is an awesome writer.
    Sue B

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  82. Hi Suee, not to worry, it's always nice to see you and we know you work difficult hours.

    I'm sure there are some goodies saved for you in the fridge!

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  83. I am craving CHOCOLATE!!!! LOL.
    Sue B

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  84. Thanks Sue! I love fans like you :-) And yes, I'm also craving chocolate. lol

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  85. LOL I second both comments!

    I think we'll find there's another chocolate fudge cake in the fridge - and it's cover with thick Belgian chocolate! Yum!

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  86. Yummy! I could go for a great BIG piece of that cake! Hi Sandra. Thought for sure I missed you. Waving. Going to buy your book when I can and some others. Everything is falling apart at my house right now. Shaking head. Man when it rains it pours. LOL.
    Sue B

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  87. What a great party - I'm so glad I wore my shorts! Sandra, I loved the sound of your book - sounds like an inspiring read. I also agree that there's nothing quite a like a fresh lemon - and I could watch Oliver's biceps all day long while he squeezes them. This really is a perfect spot today!
    janice.horton@btinternet.com

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  88. Hi Janice,
    Yes, watching Oliver's biceps as he squeezes lemons is quite a turn-on isn't it! (Why do you think we got so many lemons! :) )

    Sorry Sue, I added an extra 'e' to your name earlier on!

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  89. Hahaha! I love it! This blog is so funny!

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  90. Hi Melissa

    Thanks so much for joing us at Sandra's party, glad you enjoyed it!

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AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST
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