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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 31, 2012

Margaret Tanner's Victorian Wedding Celebration

Balder Grange for NZ0019
  © Copyright William Stafford and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Joining the throng of wedding guests filing into the large hotel where the Victorian Country Wedding reception is to be held, Mac glances around, admiring the other hostesses in their splendid gowns.

“We all look so hot, chickies. Isn’t this exciting?”


“I’m not sure this gown was the best choice for me.” Mary tugs at the bodice of her off the shoulder gown and glances down her back, “Between the ‘sisters’ and that bustle, I look like an hourglass on steroids.”
Lyn snickers. Patsy brushes her fingers over the frilly sleeves covering her arms to the wrists. “I love mine. It makes my arms look almost delicate, though I’m with you on the bustles. How are we supposed to sit with these pillows strapped to our butts?”


“Very carefully,” Lyn pronounces, stretching on her toes to look over the crowd filling the room. “What a beautiful wedding. Can you believe that coach?”





The bride arrived at the church in a horse drawn coach complete with liveried coachmen wearing white rosettes. Even the whip was decorated with a white bow, and the coach to take the bride and groom from the Church to the wedding breakfast was drawn by beautiful chestnut horses.

 “They went all out, and from the look of things, the reception will be just as grand. Oh, look at the cake! Three tiers of yummy.”


“We certainly won’t starve,” Mary adds - Turkey braised à la française, roast chicken, pigeon pie, with meringues a la Crème d Marasquin and Belgrave jellies weigh down the serving tables. “Can anyone see Margaret?"


“There she is,” Patsy points across the room, “and she has Oliver with her.”
“Oh thank God. I need a drink.” Mac waves a lacy gloved hand in front of her face. “How did Victorian women ever survive hot flashes?”


"Maybe Foster can whip you up a fan," Lyn waggled her brows. "I saw him outside with Cuddles."

"Don't give that fairy any ideas," Mac grumbles. "Did you see him at the church? I know it had to have been his idea to have Nibbie chase the coach with Hampy on his back."

Mary and Patsy exchange a look and burst out laughing. "I wouldn't be so sure," Mary says past her chuckles. "The demon dog and manic hamster are capable of getting into mischief all on their own."


Just then, organ music fills the hall and the bride and groom enter, drawing everyone’s attention. The bride wears a cream satin wedding gown with puffed sleeves, fitting snugly, and emphasizing her tiny waist. The skirt has a long, heavily embroidered train. The bonnet is of cream velvet, trimmed with orange blossom and silver thread embroidery under the brim, covered by a tambour lace veil.

“That’s some dress,” Patsy coos, then forgets all about the bride when the groomsmen enter behind the newly wedded pair. The eyes of all four women follow the men as they cross the room, dressed identically in dark dress jackets over colorful waistcoats and black trousers. White neckties and gloves complete their ensembles. Each is more handsome than the next.

“Forget hot flashes, I think I’m about to start drooling,” Patsy sighs.

Margaret arrives with Oliver in tow. Passing out flutes of champagne, she smiles broadly and toasts with her glass. “Oh, I am so glad you could come, ladies. We’re going to have so much fun.”  





Margaret says:  Unfortunately, the heroine in my novel, Savage Possession, was denied the wedding of her dreams, but had she been able to, this is what she might have had.


 MARGARET TANNER
Margaret Tanner is a multi-published award winning Australian author. She loves delving into the pages of history as she carries out research for her historical romance novels, and prides herself on being historically accurate. No book is too old or tattered for her to trawl through, no museum too dusty, or cemetery too overgrown. Many of her novels have been inspired by true events, with one being written around the hardships and triumphs of her pioneering ancestors in frontier Australia.
Margaret is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild (MRWG) and EPIC.  

Margaret is married and has three grown up sons, and a gorgeous little granddaughter.
Outside of her family and friends, writing is her passion.

Website:  http://www.margarettanner.com/

SAVAGE POSSESSION
Raw sexual emotion, revenge and redemption. If you want a sugar-coated romance, Savage Possession is not for you. In colonial Australia it took hard men like Martin Mulvaney to tame a harsh land.
A sweeping tale of love's triumph over tragedy and treachery in frontier Australia.

A mistaken identity opens the door for Martin Mulvaney to take his revenge on the granddaughter of his mortal enemy.
An old Scottish feud, a love that should never have happened, and a series of extraordinary coincidences traps two lovers in a family vendetta that threatens to destroy their love, if not their lives.


Leave a comment and you will go into the draw for a PDF download of Savage Possession.




***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Margaret'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 eligible.

81 comments:

  1. Hi Margaret
    Welcome to your Roast and congratulations on "Savage Possession", it sounds like a wondergful and gripping read!

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  2. Hi Margaret, don't we look lovely. I do look like I am smuggling somethin' bad there. I wouldn't mind being savagely possessed for a bit by the guy standing next to Oliver. Now who is that hunky man.
    Why are my hooters so pointy must change corsets eh?

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  3. Lyn runs and hugs her sister hostess.

    Lol, nothing wrong with 'pointy' - these corsets have a lot to answer for though don't they, Mary. I can hardly breathe in mine! :) I wonder if they're serving mead?

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  4. Good Morning Margaret and sister hostesses! Love the cover and excerpt. I do love my dress I must say, makes my butt look a little big but oh well, it is beautiful. *Sigh* such a lovely wedding. Will I be able to eat what I want with this corset I got tied on! ACCCK, I can hardly breathe. *a handsome male wags a finger at her* Oh, be right back, ladies, nature calls :)

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  5. If I lived in the era of this dress, I wouldn't wear a corset! It'd be a scandal, but I don't care, my hooters are on a platform and pointier then Madonna! And one of them is bigger then the other! Ugh! Oh wait, it was Just Hampy. Whew. Here Patsy before he pees on me! I think I scared the critter! Nibby will be mad at me. She loves that little rug rat! I mean cute hamster!
    Hey, why is Foster glaring at that woman? Oh my heeee turned her into a toad!

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  6. You both look marvelous though! I hope Mac remembers it's Friday! Did anyone remind her? You know how she'd forget her head if it weren't attached!

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  7. Hi Patsy - blows air kisses - you and Mary both look lovely. Don't worry about the butt, it's fashionable.

    Tee-hee 'call of nature' indeed! Good one!

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  8. Hey now. Me and my head are right here! I've been playing Cinderella this morning. My house smells like Lysol. ;-)

    Hiya Margaret, I love that cover and I have to say, I can't resist a book titled Savage Possession.

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  9. I think one of these corset stays is sticking me under my poor little breasteses. This smile on my face is not a real one. Gritting my teeth! I need some champagne - or even something stronger - Oh Yoohoooo pretty boy -can I get a little pick-me-up.

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  10. Patsy is thrown over the shoulder of a handsome mustached devil, and she is smiling as she gives us the thumbs up. I hope she doesn't mess up her dress. We didn't have a chance to find extra dresses and I'd hate to see that marvelous dress get wrinkly.
    I hear screaming. Is Hampy raising cane or is it Nibby. We know Foster is a bad influence on them all. Can you control that imp he's tossing things down into the crowd from a huge chandelier above us. See, Lyn gets a blob of gooey pie in her eye.
    Hey, Mary hollers as Nibby, Hampy, Cuddles and Foster riding on Cuddles race around the room to the sound of glass breaking and numerous other catastrophes!Stop Lyn yells and the whole room is suddenly in some kind of suspended.
    What's going Mary screams to her sister hostess's!!! This is a wedding for goodness sake!

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  11. Hi Mac, great, now the hostesses are all here - group hug!

    Mary sweetie, take a deep breath and blow the other one up a bit and you'll have a 'balanced' profile, LOL.

    He Mac, if you've finished cleaning, how about coming round to my place?

    Yikes Patsy, wish I could help you. Sometimes we ladies just have to grin and suffer for the sake of beauty!

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  12. Patsy fights free and rushes to stop the critters from destroying everything and lands face down in the cake!
    WAAAHHHHHH - my dress is ruined! And look at my hair *she says as she wipes a glob of frosting from her eyes*

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  13. Mac gulps from her champagne glass and glares up at the chandelier.

    Uh, Patsy sweetie, it'll be okay. The lard in that frosting is good for the complexion.

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  14. It's a nice shade of frosting, come on Patsy lets go clean you up. I have a Tide stain stick so it just might work!
    At least you got the menagerie to leave before it got too bad. You know we could brush the frosting into your hair and it would Look like streaks. All you have to worry about is some critter landing on you to eat the stuff. Lyn now the other one is too big if I keep adding it might blow! Which could get messy indeed! PS Mac, stop by after you have been to Lyn's house...

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  15. Streaks? Wouldn't that make me look older? Or the mother from The Addams Family?

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  16. I guess if they were gray. But the frosting ain't gray or white!!! HEHE
    Besides, you're as young as you feel, I hope!

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  17. Actually, Mary, the frosting is white! :) Here sweetie, let me wipe your glasses for you LOL!

    Don't worry Patsy, it's rather attractive, it's more like glitter dust than a streak, really! Good job the cake's been cut and it's only our slices that got squished. (Quick Cuddles, fly over and get some more for us, would you.)

    Now, where's Mac, she's the cleaning wizzard and we'd better get this lot cleaned up before the bride and groom and the VIP guests notice!

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  18. Oh my, the colors of everything have changed! Now I see people!
    Well you don't look old to me Patsy?
    And my glasses are clean now!
    Hey, where's Margaret, did she get stuck in traffic? Or has one of the guys grabbed her and she is necking in one of the hundred rooms in this place? Foster, can't you do anything to find her? By the way, love the green outfit!

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  19. I want to make this perfectly clear. I'm a woman who has to dust her oven before heating the frozen pizza. I am NOT a cleaning wizard. Pfft I'm going to go hide with Margaret. I'll just take another glass of champagne along

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  20. *Patsy wipes frosting from her bosom*
    This could make me more delicious in that handsome young guy's mind! I never thought of that. More frosting - WHEEEEEE!!!! Margaret, this is just such a great party!

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  21. Heck, I'm one of those five second people. If it hits the floor and you pick it up and can get the dog fur offa it before five seconds have passed. It's okay. My over is a disgrace and I cat fur in my bed, wonderful insulation, and I have to rub a spot on the back door to see through the nose marks! My house is a mess, which used to bother me. But, now somewhere in this mess, I got it all!

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  22. A fine housekeeper I am not! Too many other things much more interesting in life. I do clean periodically, but only when necessary - and necessary doesn't happen very often. Christmas and Thanksgiving are two necessaries:)

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  23. Thank goodness it's not just me! I used to live in a 'mobile home' and cleaned every day. When I first moved into my present home I was reasonably houseproud. Now I think like you, Patsy, clean when absolutely necessary, or we're expecting callers, LOL. I do vacuum and dust, but not nearly as often as I used to. Life's too short to be houseproud.

    Oh Mary what lovely eyes you have(now I can see them without the misty glass :) )

    Margaret's down under, so the time zone is all to pot. Hopefully she'll find her way here eventually.

    (Mac I love your description of cooking a pizza!)

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  24. I am a tad concerned about her! I hope she didn't get kidnapped. You didn't invite the James Gang did you Lyn? I didn't you know how the gang can be when they find an author they like! Hope she finds us!!!

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  25. Hi fellow wedding attendees,
    So sorry I am late, brides are permitted to be late, of course, but I am not the bride, but as one of you lovely gals mentioned, the time zones are a killer when you live in Oz. I luvs you all, but not enough to get out of my warm bed on a freezing night to attend a heroine's wedding.
    But here I am, primed and ready.
    Yes, and I reckon those bustles are killer, they do hide a big bum, though.

    Margaret

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  26. Hi Mary,
    Ooh, I am touched, that you should worry about me so much. No, unfortunately no handsome hunk kidnapped me or even give me a fit of the vapors (but I still live in hope).
    My needs a few - rich, handsome, devoted, and prepared to risk his life to rescue me each time I am in danger. Not much to ask.

    Margaret

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  27. Hi Margaret

    Thank goodness you're safe, and not captured by the James Gang - or even worse, Ned Kelly!

    Don't blame you for not wanting to get out of your warm bed - I'm just about to get into mine, on an equally chilly night. Times zones are a pain aren't they!

    Never mind, spread the word and I'll carry on partying tomorrow. (I do agree about the bustles, but in my case they hide a multitude of sins, LOL - and no-one can see my feet under this long skirt!

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  28. Hi Hywela Lyn,

    I am shocked, you look fabulous in your gown, but you can't live in a mobile home in historical stories, unless you are a gypsy. Come now, a lady like yourself,must surely live in a mansion with servants at your beck and call????? You are just being modest, so I won't feel bad because I live in a shack with a dirt floor down by the river.

    Margaret

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  29. Oh you don't need to be captured to get off with a handsome hunk at the Roasts, they have a habit of just appearing!

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  30. Hi Patsy,
    I agree, housework isn't for everyone, that's why we have to have servants (even a shack with a dirt floor down by the river) could do with a sweep now and again. Re-circulate the dust type of thing.
    I feel like Cinderella, coming to a flashy wedding like this. So glad you invited me.

    Margaret

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  31. Good on you Mac,
    A glass of champagne can heal a lot of heartache. Where's Oliver, brings me here and drops me like a hot potato.
    I won't have it (stamps her foot), I swear, I will return to my little shack by the river with the dirt floor.

    Margaret

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  32. Ooh, Hywela, do the handsome hunks just come to the roasts and sweep a damsel off her feet? I will stay a while longer in that case. Aren't these bustles a killer?

    Margaret

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  33. They always come Margaret! Especially when they heard you were coming!
    We got worried about you, Lyn invited the James Gang and Jessie's brothers are kidnappers. Well, stick around they might kidnap you yet!
    Just what I need a bustle!

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  34. Oh don't worry about Oliver Margaret, he's been told he has to spread himself around, so he's 'mingling'! :) Not to worry, just think of any handsome hunk you fancy and with a touch of our magic he'll mirculously appear!

    I do agree about the bustles, almost as hard to sit down in as a crinoline - and when you're 5ft nothing like me, they can be a tad embarassing! :)

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  35. Ooh Mary,
    Are the James gang handsome? Rich? Well endowed (in every possible way)? If so, I can't wait for one of them to kidnap me?

    Margaret

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  36. Well Hywela, that is all right then, If Oliver is obeying orders to mingle, I don't feel so let down. Can't help a few jealous pangs though.

    Margaret

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  37. LOL, Oliver does tend to have that affect on ladies! Oh look, here's a single red rose with the letter 'M' attached to it. I wonder where that came from? :)

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  38. Hi Margaret. The Victorian Era is my favorite time and this wedding is fantastic. Especially the food. As usual Mary and Hywela have helped make the party interesting.

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  39. Hi Roseanne,
    Nice to see you here at the wedding.Thanks for popping by. I enjoy the Victorian era too, and the girls here certainly put on a good spread.

    Margaret

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  40. Ooh,
    A red rose, excuse me while I swoon. Hang on. The letter M.(Margaret frantically fans herself) Is that Mary or me?

    Margaret

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  41. Mac strolls back humming on the road again. Oh i do love this group. Housekeeping slackers who know how to party! Gives Margaret a hug. Great wedding, girl!

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  42. Mac strolls back humming on the road again. Oh i do love this group. Housekeeping slackers who know how to party! Gives Margaret a hug. Great wedding, girl!

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  43. Thanks Mac,
    Not a bad wedding, be better if I could score myself a rich, handsome hunk of a man,who would love me for ever and indulge my every whim.
    I forgot, you are an M too, maybe the red rose wasn't meant for me or for Mary. It was you.

    Margaret

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  44. Well don't you ladies look beautiful. And Oliver looks so handsome. I love weddings. I hope there is some food left as I am hungry just looking at those goodies. LOL. Margaret you book sounds really good. Great cover.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

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  45. Hi Sue,
    Thank you. Isn't Oliver just the best. I love that man. Wouldn't be much of a wedding if we didn't have a few goodies to eat, and the girls really have turned on a banquet.

    Margaret

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  46. Margaret, how lovely - a wedding!

    I adore the clothing from that time, and the beautiful dresses shown here are no exception.

    And the food looks scrumptious!!

    Great write-up. Love it!

    (Don't enter me in the prize draw, as I already have Savage Possession, along with all your other fabulous books!)


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  47. Hi Cheryl,
    Thanks for dropping by. The dresses are fabullus aren't they? The wedding banquet isn't half bad either.

    Margaret

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  48. Ok so you are down in Australia, do you ever get to see Russell Crowe - LOL

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  49. Hi Patsy,
    No, haven't seen Russell Crowe, he lives in a different state to me (about 300 miles away).


    Margaret

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  50. Hi hunnies, I'm Baaack!

    (Hate this time zone thinggie, just checking what I missed while it was night time my side of the world. We're 5 hours ahead of US Eastern time here in the UK - what's the time difference between us and Australia, Margaret? It's about twenty minutes to mid day here at the moment! Lol - I just saw the bit about me being a lady living in a mansion - I wish! The servants would be quite nice too! :)ACtually I think I am a gypsy at heart, perhaps in a previous life...although sometimes I think I was a Welsh princess living in a castle in my beloved Waes ...





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  51. Hi Roseanne, Cheryl and Sue (hope I haven't missed anyone, it's a bit dim in here now the candles and oil lamps have burned down!

    Glad you're enjoying the party ladies Oh, by the way, Mac is our newest hostess. Please be gentle with her, she's very shy! (cough, cough, splutter).

    Margaret - I know Mac and Mary's names both begin with M too, but I'm sure that rose was meant for you. Oliver only gives the hostesses practical things - like Mary's stun gun! LOL

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  52. Lovely wedding, ladies - and, as usual, you've given me the giggles over your antics!
    (Waves madly at Margaret) Hi Margaret, good to see you here! Your new book sounds exciting!

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  53. Hi Paula,
    Thank you so much for dropping by our wedding feast. Hope you enjoyed it.

    Regards

    Margaret

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  54. Hi Hywela,
    Thank you for letting me know that the M was for Margaret. I don't like to sound jealous, but hey the other 2 M's are younger and more beautiful than me.

    Cheers

    Margaret

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  55. Hi Paula *waves* thanks so much for dropping in, stay and have some champagne.

    Oh Margaret, I think you may have made a conquest! The sender of that rose obviously thinks you're beautiful*sigh* perhaps the other ladies should be jealous of you!

    Anyway, how about an excerpt?

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  56. I would love to read another excerpt too.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

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  57. Zzzzzz oh my is it morning? Sigh, Jessie is so cute. Margaret the gang is hot, I mean really hot, I've let myself be kidnapped, I mean lured away, many times by him. Lyn would fight me if she could reach me with a swing, she's much shorter then me. I'm almost 5'3" well before I shrunk a bit. Anyone else notice that?
    Would you believe this is the first wedding I ever attended for some
    one? Oliver can you dance with me? I never dance either!

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  58. This frosting in my hair is working like glue- I can pull my hair up any way I want and it just stays! And these stays - oouch! Fun party ladies and the males are so ...

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  59. OMG Patsy,
    Ooh painful, maybe you glued your hair by mistake. I wouldn't fiddle with it too much if I were you, a chunk of it might snap off.

    Well, I still haven't snagged myself a man, looks like Mary has though. I am jealous of women who are 5'3" in height or taller., I am only 5'1" tall.

    Margaret


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  60. Ooh Margaret, I even look up to you - I'm five foot nothing!

    Hey, who's that hunky looking guy I see headed in your direction? Is your card full yet? He looks very determined!

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  61. Hywela,
    Thanks for letting me know,I hadn't noticed him before butI think it might be Jesse James' cousin, 3 times removed, and my card certainly isn't full, if it was I would certainly make room for him. Ooh I am having palpitations, do you think he might ravish me?

    Margaret

    PS, if he dances more than a couple of times in a row with me, he will have to ofer marriage, that's if he is a gentleman, otherwise my reputation will be ruined.

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  62. Now listen here Mary, I will have no shenannigans at this wedding, unless it is lil-ol-me doing the shenanniganing.

    Margaret

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  63. tee hee - I wonder of Jesse's cousin three times removed is going to be a gentleman or not - well you never know your luck - and me and the sisters can make him so tipsy he dances a dozen times with you in a row - how's that - Mary might get to go to another wedding yet, LOL!

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  64. Ooh Hywela, sounds good. Well, if and the sisters can get Jesse's cousin three times removed, drunk so that he dances with me a dozen times in a row, Mary will be able to go to another wedding. I will invite all of you to show my appreciation.

    No-one asked why the wedding cake had three tiers. The first tier is to be cut at the wedding, the 2nd tier is to be sent to absent friends, and the bottom tier, saved for the first born's christening.
    I know you wanted to know that.

    Margaret

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  65. I knew about the first and third tiers, hadn't realised the significance of the second layer. Aren't these old traditions wonderful!

    How about that excerpt you promised us?

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  66. SAVAGE POSSESSION - Excerpt:

    Australia - North Eastern Victoria 1870’s.
    Alistair was in trouble. With the unexplained but powerful connection she had with her twin, fear coursed through Beth’s body. She drew in a shuddering breath and tried to still her trembling hands by twisting an escaped tendril of hair from her plait. How many warnings did her brother need before he stopped consorting with outlaws?
    Standing in the doorway of their homestead, she squinted into the distance. A horseman galloped towards her. With a hammering heart she waited. Was it friend or foe? Should she dash inside and grab grandfather’s gun?
    The rider drew near and she recognized Alistair. Running to the track snaking towards the side paddock, she struggled to lower the slip rails so the horse could pass through.
    “Quick, Beth!” He leapt from the saddle. “Get the mare out of sight.”
    “What happened?” Dread clawed at her throat with cruel fingers. Her stomach knotted up. What had her brother been up to now?
    Without a word, he raced towards the homestead.
    Her hand trembled as she picked up the trailing rein and led the sweating, foam flecked mare into the barn. Something terrible must have happened. One of their best horses ridden to the point of exhaustion. She unsaddled the mare and turned her loose before sprinting back to their bark-roofed, slab hut.
    Rushing to the kitchen, she found him stuffing a sack with bags of flour, salt and sugar.
    Frantically, she grabbed his arm. “What’s wrong?”
    Pale and agitated, he stared out the window. “I have to get out of here. The police troopers are after me.”
    “The police? You’re in trouble with the law?”
    After he filled the sack he dropped it on the floor and paced up and down, banging a fist against his open hand.
    “Martin Mulvaney caught me with Dan Kelly and one of the gang. We found a palomino colt. I’d just put my spare halter on him when Mulvaney and one of his men rode up. I stayed so the others could get away.”
    “You fool. Grandfather warned you about the Kellys.” She picked up the corner of her apron and twisted it into a knot. “The Magistrate swore out a warrant for them after they wounded Constable Fitzpatrick.”
    “They were framed, Ned wasn’t even there. They arrested Mrs. Kelly and one of the girls.”
    “What did Mulvaney say?”
    “He looked like the devil mounted on a huge black stallion. When I told him my name he threatened to report me to the police for horse stealing. He’ll be out to get me now.”
    “You found the colt, didn’t you?” She gnawed her lower lip. “It’s his word against yours.”
    “One of his workmen saw what happened. It’s two against one. I don’t stand a chance. I’ll head for the ranges and join up with the Kelly gang.”
    “Stay away from the Kellys. They’re wanted men.” A reckless fire blazed in his blue eyes. “I’ll ride over to Mulvaney’s place and tell him you found the horse, try to reason with him.”
    “You think that bastard would listen? Better for me to clear out.”
    “No.” Her hands trembled so much she hid them behind her back. Facing up to Martin Mulvaney would be her worst nightmare. “Go to the mountain hut and wait. If you don’t hear from me by tomorrow lunch time, you’d better hide out for a while.”
    The thought of Alistair in jail, manacled like a wild beast, dangling from the gallows even, gave her the courage to face their grandfather’s mortal enemy. A man who had helped decimate their family.
    Regards
    Margaret

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  67. Wow, what a powerful excerpt Margaret, this sounds like a really exciting read!

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  68. I agree with Hywela Lyn. Very, very powerful excerpt. Going to have to finish reading it so I can find out what happens next.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

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  69. Hywela, my dear, you are too kind.

    Margaret

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  70. Hi Sue,
    Thanks for dropping by again, glad you liked the excerpt.



    Margaret

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  71. Ladies, you shouldn't encourage me.
    2ND EXCERPT:

    What the hell? Martin Mulvaney stirred himself from the kitchen fire. His head thumped from the numerous whiskies he had indulged in during a session of whoring at the Black Stallion bordello. He would rather pay women to relieve his sexual hunger. Easier and safer for everyone concerned.
    God, he hated living in this house. I ought to burn it to the ground and rid myself of its terrible aura once and for all. The wind shrieked and moaned outside, rekindling memories of Emily Parsons and what had happened to her here. Taking another swig from the whisky bottle, he tried to blot out the guilt that had tortured him for more than twenty years. I could have saved her but I didn’t.
    He rubbed his hand across the bristles on his chin. The sound of the front door knocker being slammed against the wooden door thudded into his fogged up brain. He would have ignored the noise, except the continual banging made his headache worse. God Almighty, how the hell had he found his way home? If he didn’t stop this kind of behaviour it would end up killing him. And good riddance many would say. “Stop that damn noise. I can't come any faster.”
    Wrenching the door open he peered out into the blackness. Something made him glance down, and on the step lay a dark shape. The soft object moved when he prodded it with his foot, so he turned the lamp up and took a closer look. “Bloody hell!”
    A girl knelt on his doorstep. A damp curtain of silver blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders. Glancing up, he half expected to see a hole in the sky where this angel had fallen through. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. God, he must be drunker than he thought.
    “Help me. Please. Have mercy.” Her desperate plea pierced the fog swirling around in his brain. When he lifted her up she swayed and almost fell. Swinging her up into his arms he kicked the door shut, and strode back inside.
    “I’m Martin Mulvaney. Who the hell are you?” He dumped her on a chair in the kitchen, grabbed the whisky bottle he had slugged out of minutes earlier and forced some of the liquid down her throat. She coughed and spluttered before turning her head away. “Who are you?” he persisted, mesmerized by the bewilderment in her blue eyes.
    “I…I don’t know.”
    “What!”
    “I…I can’t remember.”
    “Jesus.” He took a long slug out of the whisky bottle.
    Her rain-washed skin glistened like white marble, and a graze on her forehead oozed blood. He lifted her chair up closer to the fire and watched her trembling hands reach towards the flames. Small and dainty, a little work roughened, but no rings adorned her fingers.
    His anger turned to pity. “You’ll have to change out of those wet clothes.” He inwardly cursed the fact his housekeeper was away tending her sick sister. Of course, he had planned to spend most of his time enjoying the whores at the Black Stallion. Pure chance found him home tonight.
    Forced by the howling wind, rain lashed the window panes drowning out the girl’s whimpers. He strode towards the stove to lift the kettle off the hob.

    Margaret

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  72. Oh this grows more and more intriguing, Margaret. We didn't have an excerpt to put up on the actual Roast, but this is brilliant. Now I'm really drawn into the book and want to know more!

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  73. Hi Hywela,
    Thanks, it is an intriguing story, my favourite actually. I liken it to Wuthering Heights in Australia. The dark tortured hero etc.

    I might have another piece of that wedding cake, looks too yummy to resist. And to hell with the calories.

    Margaret

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  74. I never imagined myself enjoying a Victorian Wedding even a little bit -- until I read your roast! This book blog is like no other! I salute you all!

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  75. Ooh Margaret, there is nothing quite like a 'dark, tortured hero' is there! (in fiction, anyway) :)

    Hi Howard, thank you so much for your lovely comment, so glad you enjoyed our 'roast', we pride ourselves on being a bit different, LOL!

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  76. Hi Howard,
    Thanks for dropping by. This is a unique place. Glad you enjoyed the wedding.

    Margaret

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  77. Oh ladies, the tortured heroes. What would a romance book be without them, as long as they are redeemed by the heroine in the end.

    p.s. I wouldn't like to be married to one though.

    Margaret

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  78. I was thinking exactly the same thing myself Margaret! :)

    Thanks so much for playing along with us and being such a super guest, and we wish you many, many sales!

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  79. Hi Ladies,
    Thank you, a pleasure sharing a Victorian wedding with you.

    Cheers

    Margaret

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  80. Sounds like another wonderful story from Margaret! Sorry I missed the party, you ladies all look so genteel. :) And Oliver's incredibly debonair!
    Best of luck with sales, Margaret!

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  81. After reading nice stuff in your article I really feel speechless, because it is quit pretty article.
    Thanks & Regards,
    Australian wedding celebrants

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