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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, March 2, 2012

A Medieval celebration for Alison Knight's 'Windsong'


“So have you picked anyone to give your favor to?” Lyn chuckles and elbows Patsy.

“Yeah and so has Sharon. Oliver!”

Patsy elbows her back and Lyn falls out of her chair. As Patsy helps her up Lyn gives her a look. “You don’t know your own strength.”

“Hey, where is Mary?” Lyn asks.The four hostesses of the AR&T are hosting a medieval banquet for the wonderful author Alison Knight.

“I have no clue. She’s always late for everything,” Patsy smiles. The girls are dressed in lovely medieval gowns. Despite the lack of normal underwear they are ready to go. Seated above the salt, they gaze over the crowd as they cheer another jouster.

The tables are filled with bread trenchers for plates and the food is amazing.




“They didn’t do a lot of vegetables, but the medieval people sure liked meat. And who ever heard of making porridge for dinner? It does taste good though. Look at the puddings! Hey, is that blood pudding or what? Where is Mary?” Lyn mumbles.

“Sharon is sure getting close to that big guy. Where did Oliver go? And where is Sharon going? She’s leaving the arena with that big hunky guy.” Patsy sighs. “Oh look, here comes Alison, and she looks like a Queen."


 Alison struts her stuff and makes her way to the girls.

“Hi ladies, isn’t this fun.” She sits and then points below her in shock “Is that Sharon?” Lyn gasps, “Oh my goodness yes!”

Sharon rides into the arena on a beautiful black stallion. And she is totally naked, except for a long blonde, full wig, preserving her modesty. “She sure is gutsy.” Cat calls and whistles fill the huge area and Sharon winks at them as she leaves the arena.

Patsy pats Lyn on the back and once again she hits the floor. “You must stop that.” Patsy grins, Hampy’s head pops up in her bodice. “You are gonna hurt yourself.”

Nibby and Cuddles are under the tables hiding. Nibby is begging for food and Cuddles is just plain scared. Lyn notices a look of mortification on Patsy’s face as she points to the newest rider to enter the showground. “Oh my goodness, it’s Mary.” Patsy hollers.

“She will never learn will she?” Lyn sighs. “I hope she doesn’t kill herself.”

With shock on their faces they gaze a Mary who rides in wearing a full set of armor and holding a long jousting pole. “Just look at her. She’s crazy!” Lyn shakes her head. Mary appears to be ready to gallop to the other end of the arena, so she can knock her competition right off his horse.

“Is she usually this—gutsy?” Alison asks?

“You mean nutsy don’t you?” Lyn answers. “And the answer would be yes!”

Patsy grabs Lyn’s arm. “There she goes!” The three of them join hands and scream. “Look out Mary!” Her visor flops closed and Mary falls back her head and hooters bouncing as the horse's hips move. “AAAHHHHH!” She screams. The knight she was pitted against roars with laughter and grabs her horse's reins to save her.

“What are you doing my lady?” The knight helps her to sit up and as he gazes into her eyes Mary’s mouth drops open, even as her helmet closes again. “Who are you?” Mary asks, stars in her eyes.

“I am your knight in shining armor.” His husky voice is still loud enough for the girls at to hear.

“Lyn, can you believe it?” Patsy asks, totally shocked. “Where do I get one of those metal suits?”

“Never mind, we have a roast to do.” She uses her announcer voice. “Welcome one and all to the roast for our wonderful guest Alison and her new book, Windsong. Please eat, drink and be merry.” She raises her goblet of mead. “Cheers everyone!”





WINDSONG
BLURB:


Alwyn ab Brynn Ffrydd wants revenge against a powerful Baron without losing his king's support. What better way to exact revenge than to kidnap the Baron's long time mistress. But she is not what he thinks she is.Shy, unworldly Milisent Mortimore has been confined for nine years by a brother who now demands she agree to wed a cruel, heartless man. Thanks to her father's will, she has the right to chose her mate or her spouse will lose her inheritance.When Alwyn kidnaps her desires flares and together they must struggle against the treachery of Alwyn's current mistress, her brother and the man he wants her to marry. In defying all three, Alwyn places his life at risk. Milisent saves him from certain death and together they celebrate their life of love.


EXCERPT


"Nay, do not hurt her,” Milisent whispered. “She only meant to protect me.” She grabbed the arm of the soldierholding Ella. “Do not hurt her.” He ignored her objections and marched throughthe door with Ella in his arms.


The leader gave her a stunned look, then lifted his shoulders as if to shrug. “We do not harm helpless servants as some do.”


She scoffed at his words, for the sounds below belied that declaration. However, she had no time to comment further because he threw her over his shoulder. Stunned, she didn’t resist.


Instead  she took a deep breath, prepared to scream. The sound never passed her lips for the scent assailing her was not of battle and old sweat.


Nay,she was greeted with a crisp fragrance of a man who kept himself clean. A warrior who apparently knew the importance of a bath. His scent was fresh, that of a man, despite the struggles in which he must have engaged as he fought the soldiers below.


His intent finally slammed into her. He was going to carry her away. He could not. All here would die if she allowed him totake her from this place.


She gathered her courage, what little she had. “You must stop. I cannot leave. I must stay.”


“Nay,you come with me.”


“My servants, my loyal people. What of them? I must stay. I must tend to them. If I go they will surely die.”


He gave a ringing shout of laughter. “What servants? Loyal people? I think not. How do you think I found you? Some of those were only too willing to give you up. They are not loyal.”


“And you killed them!” It was not a question, because she had heard the screams.


This time he chuckled. “I am not like Chelse. Those who bore no guilt have not suffered. You will see for yourself.”


They bounded down the stairs with Milisent’s stomach pounding against the sharp bone of his shoulder. She shrieked with each jarring step.


When they reached the hall, she saw what he said was true. The servants were lined against the wall.


Several of Gilbert’s men lay on the rushes, their wounds giving truth to his statement. How many had died? She did not want to know. She turned her head away from the scene.


Cold air hit her in the face. They were leaving the building.


“Who do you serve?” she blurted against the jarring. She had to know.


“The king of England and myself,” he snarled and stalked through the door still bouncing her against his shoulder.


“I care not what man paid you coin to take me away, but I will not marry. I will not!” She smashed her fist against his metal coat, pain shooting through her hand.


Allison Knight began her writing career like many authors when she read a book she didn't like. Her children scoffed when she said she was going to write a book but after lots of rewrite and the support of her husband who acted as her agent, she garnered a three book contract for her first historical romances. Today, with her husband's continued support and to the delight of her children, she writes the genre she loves and eagerly praises the growing digital market on blogs and by speaking at writing conferences.









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

39 comments:

  1. Good Morning Alison, welcome to your Roast.

    Let Oliver escort you to the head of the table where you'll have a good view of the jousting in the arena below.

    I must say I've never seen so many handsome knights in one place.

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  2. Good Morning Alison, Fellow Hostesses. Love the medieval theme! Lyn, get out there and do your stuff. I'll wave my hanky or whatever this thing is at you!

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  3. Blood pudding? Isn't that made from . . . . ACK!

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  4. Hi guys! Isn't this so fun? What a delightful treat to wake up to.

    Was that Oliver's deep chuckle I heard? Nice hair, Sharon. Mary? You certainly dressed for the occassion, hehehe. A little top heavy, aren't we?

    But wait! Who is that? A Ms. Knight in shining armor? Ooh-la-la and look at that excerpt.

    Nice Allison. What a great day at the Author Roast.

    Everything looks wonderful...except that blood pudding. Ick-not a fan myself. I'm more likely to use. It as a weapon than eat that. *shudder*.

    Was that your menu choice Allison? Regardless your hero in Windsong looks scrumptious.

    Congrats and I hope you have a wonderful time today.

    *sigh* I love these parties.

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  5. Hi Patsy - Lyn runs across and hugs her fellow hostess. 'scuse the straw in my hair, I've just been getting my noble destrier ready for my go at the jousting.

    Who ordered the blood pudding? It certainly wasn't me, anyway, yeeeuk!

    I'll stick with the chicken and mead thanks! :)

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  6. Hi Karen *Waves*

    Thanks so much for coming by - I hope you enjoy the entertainment laid on for Alison's party.

    Yes, the menu's mainly Alison's. Good traditional stuff - hope you enjoy eating with a dagger!

    Pick yourself a starry knight and enjoy the fun!

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  7. Ladies, thank you so much for having me. The food looks wonderful and yes, the knights look great. Oliver looks outstanding in his armor. Now, I must
    warn you, don't imbibe in too much ale, because it will make you unladylike. I think Mary has already been into the ale.

    Oh, and Oliver, please, I like more wine.

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  8. Mary and Lyn I'm guessing. Would take a whole lot of ale for me to get on that horse and let someone stab a long stick at me! Sheesh!

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  9. Hi Alison, may I say how lovely (and regal) you look! I actually never touch ale, only drink mead, so I'm perfecshly shober!

    Aw go on Patsy,you'd look great on a horse, and the jousting is such fun!

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  10. Do they have like a baby seat with a seat belt? Maybe if I drank enough of the mead, I'd get the courage to get on. I haven't been on a horse since I was 18 - long years ago. But we do all look terrific

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  11. I need to change my outfit. Did anyone bring an extra dress or am i stuck in this metal prison!

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  12. Well everyone I thought it took a lot of guts to even wear that thing. Let alone ride a horse and use the pole thingee. I can't sit in this. I can't pee in this!!!

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  13. Sounds like medieval mayhem today, ladies!
    Great excerpt, Alison. Good luck with Windsong.

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  14. Hi Paula,

    Lovely to see you again! Yes, I think you have it nailed! Meideval mahem it is!

    Mary dear, if you follow the minstrel he'll show you where to find the nice ladylike dress waiting for you at the bottom of the post.

    I said follow him, mind, not play with him, flirt with him or kidnap him! :)

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  15. This hat is really itchy! I almost look like Princess Leia! Really hot in the sun with all this velvet. Who wears velvet anymore! I need some cheese with my whine (wine)!

    Alison - how about another excerpt!

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  16. You look marvelous though Patsy. I'm still trying to get outta this armor!
    Yes please another excerpt!!! Here, here, or is it hear, hear???

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  17. Hey, my hooters are stuck in this metal top. HELP!

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  18. Who doesn't love a joust and a big medieval feast? The excerpt sounds great, Allison-- I hope I win. Thanks for blogging!

    --Joanne Renaud

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  19. Mary has finally gotten out of her metal suit and into some hot and uncomfortable clothes. She sits and wonders how to liven up the party. No she couldn't use her tazer to grab herself a hot knight. Oliver would have a fit. Hmmm. then she spies it. Hmmp, Mary mumbles under her breath. This ought to do it. She takes out her flint and sparks a tiny flame onto a wick that she runs to a huge box of fireworks she'd found. Yes, this will wake up these people. Kaboom!!!!! Fireworks go up and the place erupts into chaos!

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  20. Hi Suburban beatnik

    Thanks so much for joining us, stay and help yourself to the feast!

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  21. Oh no, Mary - what HAVE you done!


    KAAAAABOOOM!

    Horses bucking like broncos all over the arena and knights falling around like tin cans behind a wedding carriage!

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  22. What a cacophony!!! I can't see through the smoke and I can't hear anything, well except for a lost of cursing and people talking about lynching the one who...Oh crap! I better put my armor back on!!! Mary watches the place erupt into chaos! I thought it was only connected to one firecracker not the whole box. Oh there's a horse on my foot! OH Lyn, it's you thank God you're okay. Can you see anything? Can you hide me??

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  23. Patsy where are you? Have I killed our guest? Oh, glad no one is hurt. Why are they still hollering like that. And the furbabies are laughing at me too! Anyone have a backup spell???

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  24. I think I've done in Alison girls, she's gone!!!!
    What am I gonna do??

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  25. I'm here *she waves from across the jousting field*. I just met this really hot . . .er nice guy! More mead! *Burp*

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  26. Good that's two people too drunk to know what I've done on this side of the arena. Whew! They didn't hear a thing over that way. Now to help clear the floor of handsome incapacitated knights. (It worked!) Hehe!

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  27. Well Patsy's ok, Thank goodness.

    Mary, sometimes you're a bad, bad girl - but we love you.

    (Wonder where Patsy was hiding with her knight when the fireworks went off?)

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  28. It's a rough job, but someone has to do it. I'm a baaaaddd girl...
    But...I figure I have to change so why not wait until the Alzheimer's sets in? I won't remember how bored I am being good!

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  29. Hey girls, we need to find Alison, come one put on these clothes. I know knickers are not your thing Lyn,but we need to ride now to find our roastee. I'm afraid something has happened to her. In a bit they are ready and mounted on mist snorting war horses. Let's ride ladies! Lyn, you're going sidesaddle?? Talley ho!!!

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  30. Fireworks? I thought I was just seeing stars when my knight in shining armor kissed me. Do you know how much it hurts to have metal jammed against your teeth! Believe me!

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  31. I missed my party. We lost our internet at noon. All the storms.
    My thoughts and prayers to all the people from Indiana. That's my birth state. I now live in Alabama and the storms knocked out all of our internet. So, I've been off line all day. Spent the time watching the weather channel and praying. Last year was bad, and it looks like this year will be worse.

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  32. I missed my party. We lost our internet at noon. All the storms.
    My thoughts and prayers to all the people from Indiana. That's my birth state. I now live in Alabama and the storms knocked out the internet for Florida, Georgia and Alabama, at least the southern part. So, I've been off line all day. Spent the time watching the weather channel and praying. Last year was bad, and it looks like this year will be worse.

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  33. Morning everyone - a wonderful medieval joust and party for Allison. Great excerpt. You all look the part!

    Sorry to hear about the terrible weather problems, Allison.

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  34. Good Morning Rosemary, thanks so much for stopping by -glad you liked the medieval fun!

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  35. Good morning Alison -

    Oh no! We did wonder what had happened to you. So sorry you lost your internet but thank goodness you're safe. Hope the weather calms down for you. Sending prayers for everyone in the path of the storms and tornadoes.

    We'll keep the party going over the weekend!

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  36. Good morning. Look at all the wonderful food I missed. And don't you ladies look so pretty in your beautiful gowns. And as always Oliver looks so handsome. Alison your book cover is so pretty. Draws you in. Enjoyed the excerpt. It sounds like a wonderful story.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail)dot)com

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  37. Hi Sue

    It's always lovely to see you Thanks for stopping by and joining us to celebrate Alison's book. I agree, the cover is gorgeous and it sounds like a great story.

    Don't worry, there's plenty of food and drink left - and I see Oliver headed this way with a heaped up platter for yo!

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