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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, September 7, 2012

Cate Masters at Key West to celebrate Angels, sinners and madmen



          “Shiver me timbers and walk the plank!” Mac adjusts her tricorn hat with a flourish. She waggles her full sleeves. “I think I sort of look like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean!”


            “For heaven’s sake,” Mary groans as she strides barefoot down the beach, calf-length skirt blowing in the wind. “We’re not pirates! We’re wreckers.”

            “What’s the difference?” Patsy spins in her full gypsy style skirt, a multi-layered rope of beads clacking on her peasant bloused breast. 

            “Pirates are the scourge of the seas and wreckers just go through the flotsam and jetsam left when a ship wrecks on the reefs or cargo is thrown overboard to lighten the load.” Lyn ties a bright scarf across her forehead leaving her ears bare so the big gold loops can flash in the sun. She hitches up her linsey woolsey pants. “Crikey, these things itch!”



            “If we aren’t pirates, then why are we dressed like this?” Mac draws a plastic sword and slashes at a frisky crab who scuttles into the water. 

             “Cate thought it would be fun to dress up in costumes befitting the life of a Key West wrecker back in the 1850’s.” Mary sniffs. “Your hat was out of fashion by then.” She bends down and examines a seashell before surreptitiously stuffing it in her pocket as she looks around to be sure no one’s watching. “We got a nice trip to Key West because of Cate.”


            Nibby races by with Hampy clinging to his tail. Foster blinks in, riding Cuddles. They fly off behind Nibby.
 
            “Come back here you nasty critters!” Patsy chases them down the beach. “Come back here!” She trips and falls headlong.



            “Oh my,” Lyn tsk tsks. “I think her mouth was open when she fell.”



            “Hey, you guys!” Patsy spits a mouthful of sand. “I think we’re here.”



            They round a tall palm tree. On a makeshift stage, right in the middle of the island festivities, dreadlocked musicians croon to the sexy rhythm of Reggae music wafting from loud speakers hung in the palm trees surrounding the open area.  Lo and behold! Dressed in a loose fitting shift and a wide brimmed straw hat, Cate is up there too, singing and swaying to the music!


            She spots them. “Isn’t this just too fun!” She motions to the band. “We’re having a blast.”



            She checks her watch. “Oops, time for the scavenger hunt.” She taps on the microphone to draw everyone’s attention then holds up a small brown wooden box. “Okay, the pseudo scavenger hunt begins. You know the rules. Best flotsam or jetsam find wins what I have in the treasure chest.” 


            A mass of people rush into the water, laughing and giggling as they splash through the waves.
            “What’s in the chest,” Mac whispers.



            Lyn winks conspiratorially. “I heard it was a weekend all expense paid trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras!”



            “I want some of that,” Mary marches into the water and just as quickly screeches and runs back up the beach. “Something touched my leg!”



            “What’d it look like?” Lyn peers into the waves.



            “How do I know,” Mary grumps. “It just touched my leg.  Felt all slimy and slick.”



            “Probably the skeletal hand of one of those who perished in the dangerous shoals and shallow waters surrounding the islands.” Patsy shudders. “Gives me the creeps just thinking about it.”



            Cate jumps down from the stage. “Key West was an official port of trade in the early 1800’s. Lots of ships went down around here.” She gazes out to sea. “If a wrecker was lucky, he’d get to the shipwreck first and be the wrecking master. Then he’d get the largest cut of the goods and oversaw the project. Wrecking was an organized industry, not the riffraff as one might expect from a historical aspect.” 





            “Well, I want what’s in that treasure chest.” Mac stumbles into the sea, thrashing like a beached whale. “Gotta be something down here worth finding.”



            “Not me,” Mary shudders again. “I’m all for blended margaritas and some food.” She stomps up the beach.



            “I think I’ll join Mary,” Patsy says. “I can smell seafood cooking from here. My stomach could eat a crab whole, shell included!”



            “Try some of the key lime pie,” Cate yells as she wades into the surf. “It’s the best ever!”



            Lyn wades in behind her. “If an octopus grabs me, I’m going to be so mad!”



            “I’ll save you!” Mac waves her ridiculous toy sword. “The hunt begins!”



 


Please welcome Cate to her roast and join us in celebrating her new release 'Angels, Sinners and Madmen'



Blurb:
Sam Langhorne loves the carefree life of a wrecker in Key West. The island is perfect – for forgetting the woman who broke his heart. When he rescues Livvie Collins from a watery grave, he’s swept away by her beauty. He’s sworn off love, but is soon captivated by Livvie’s wit – and her independent spirit.

Olivia Collins never planned to visit Key West, or to fall in love with Sam. Handsome and attentive, he’s constantly surprising her with his intelligence and interest in current literature, but she knows better than to believe she’s anything more than a dalliance. As a novelist, she intends to make her own future.
Deception and treachery await them both in New Orleans. Can Livvie and Sam weather the most dangerous storm of all – love?


Previous reviewers called it “enchanting,” adding “I loved it and applaud Cate for creating a time in the past that seems so real in this book.” Another said: “You will fall in love these two characters along with the rest of Sam's wrecker friends. Laughter, tragedy and heroism abound, so make sure you have plenty of time when you start reading Angels, Sinners and Madmen, because you will not want to put this gripping story down until you have read every single word of it.”

It was a Top Ten Finisher in the Preditors & Editors Poll! I hope you’ll check out the book video, reviews, and more:http://catemasters.blogspot.com/2007/12/angels-sinners-and-madmen-historical.html

Excerpt:
Inside the tall windows of Whelan’s Dry Goods Store hung sail cloth and rope. Anchors and other nautical necessities unfamiliar to Livvie occupied one side of the store. After wandering several aisles, she found the sewing items. One spool of white thread appeared thick enough to sew stitches in horse hide. While she examined it, a movement caught her eye, and the back of her neck prickled.

She glanced up to see Sam Langhorne stroll in. Walking toward her, his smile widened, and his gaze wandered freely across her, sending heated pinpricks across her skin.

He sauntered closer, his movements panther-like in their grace. “Good morning.”

The prickles traveled from her neck down her spine, deepening along their inward path. She held the mending tape across her chest to hide her quickening breath. “Hello, Mr. Langhorne. What brings you here?”

He stepped closer, his eyes bright. “Our schooner suffered a battering during the storm. I’m charged with mending the sails and am in need of some strong thread.” His fingers closed around hers. “I see you have what I need.”

Her voice failed her. “Pardon?” she whispered.

“The thread.” He slipped the spool from her hand. “Are you mending sails today also?”

Disappointment surprised her. “Mrs. Crowell sent me here for sewing thread.”

From the display, he selected a smaller one and held it up. “I suspect she meant this type.”

Warmth crawled up her neck. “I’m not much of a seamstress, Mr. Langhorne.”

“You aren’t joining Mrs. Crowell’s sewing circle?” He clucked his tongue. “I thought women enjoyed passing the time that way.” His brown eyes sparkled. Stubble shadowed his jaw and chin, framing his mouth.

She forced her gaze away when she found herself staring too long, wondering how his rough face would feel against hers. She pretended renewed interest in the threads. “I’ve little experience in that area.”

He leaned an elbow against the display and looked up at her. “Ah. Your passels of servants took care of your sewing for you, eh? And here I was hoping you might come lend a hand.” Grinning in a teasing way, he searched her face intensely, as though trying to divine the truth.

She lifted her chin. “After my mother’s death, my father hired a housekeeper. I’m afraid I wasn’t an ideal charge. I spent more time with Sir Galahad than at home.” Never had she wanted to be one of the primping girls who practiced domestic skills in hopes of enticing a husband, or took more interest in their appearance than anything else. Now she felt deficient in womanly skills. Sam Langhorne made her feel more deficient. Since their last encounter, she’d dreamed of practicing womanly skills on him.

He pressed his lips tight. “Your own knight in shining armor?”

So he knew of King Arthur. How, she wondered?

“My horse, Mr. Langhorne.” Something tightened in her chest while he held her gaze, so she scanned the mending tapes and selected one, hoping he wouldn’t correct her.

He straightened and stood closer than propriety allowed. “I see. You’re full of surprises.”

His nearness warmed her skin. She stepped away and forced a light tone. “And you, as well. You’re a man of many talents, apparently–sewing, salvaging, sailing. Is there anything you can’t do?”

“I’m sure there is. Nothing comes to mind.” His low voice rumbled like an approaching storm, one of searing lightning and drenching rains.

Livvie had always been fascinated by such storms, and the thought of Sam tearing at her clothes like a gale made her shiver.

“A typical male affliction.” The newspaper tucked beneath his arm caught her eye. She tilted her head to read the banner. “Is that a Philadelphia newspaper?”

He held it out for her to see. “Yes, my brother sends it to me now and again, thinking he’ll taunt me into coming home. His letter said this edition had an interesting article on the wrecking industry.”

“You’re from Philadelphia?” She’d imagined him a farm boy, perhaps, from some obscure place providing no outlet for his energy. What else would propel a man to travel far from home to become a wrecker?

His tone fell flat. “Born and raised there.” He inserted the newspaper in its resting place beneath his arm.

“What made you come here?” Surely Philadelphia had entertainments similar to those in New York. Perhaps his occupation–maybe a blacksmith–didn’t allow time for social events. Judging by the abundant muscles on his lean frame, he’d worked hard all his life.

He leaned in dangerously close. “Why don’t you let me walk you home so we can continue our conversation?”

No ready excuse came to mind to refuse him. Nor did she want to.





Cate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
Cate loves to hear from readers. Email her at: cate.masters@gmail.com


NB: 'Angels, Sinners and Madmen' is  FREE today through Sunday! Go grab your copy from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YWQGOU


***GIVEAWAY***
Cate will be giving  away a copy of her  recent Western historical release with BookStrand called A Midwest Summer Night's Dream.

To win a copy of Cate'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.

58 comments:

  1. Morning Cate and Sister Hostesses! What a beautiful place for a party. Just look at that water. So beautiful! Congratulations on the release and fingers crossed for many sales.

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  2. Hi Patsy (Lyn hugs her sister hostess and waves ) Welcome to your Roast, Cate, and congratulations from me too!

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  3. Ahoy mateys! *Cate jumps from a sloop as it lands on the beach*
    You ladies look fantastic in your wrecker garb! Thank you so much for letting me crash your site, er, celebrate, my re-release of the revised Angels Sinners and Madmen.
    Is it too early for a margarita? :)

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  4. Oh, and I forgot to mention - it's FREE today through Sunday! Go grab your copy from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YWQGOU

    Instead, I'll give away a copy of my recent Western historical release with BookStrand called A Midwest Summer Night's Dream.

    Here's the blurb:
    Blurb:
    Open sky, Shakespeare, solitude. All Jebediah Greene needs. Alone since his teens, he’s never known loneliness, until he leaves Winona Young in California. Worse, he fears she’ll trap herself in a loveless marriage of convenience. After acting as her guide to San Francisco, how far will Jeb go to win her heart?
    Reading provides escape for Winona Young. Usually. Fleeing Philadelphia, she learns her distant suitor isn’t who he seemed. Neither is her mountain man guide, in a good way. Intelligent, but mule-headed, Jeb’s impossible to speak to, in any language. Winona falls in love with the stunning beauty of the wilderness, with the simple ways of the Osage people, and with Jeb. But books can’t teach her how to tame a mountain man.

    You can find more about it here: http://catemasters.blogspot.com/2011/04/midwest-summer-nights-dream-western.html

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  5. Hey Patsy! *waves* The water surrounding Key West really is an amazing aquamarine color, and so clear! My family had a great time snorkeling and jet skiing during our visit. I missed it - I was in the library! :)

    Thanks so very much, Lyn. I really appreciate you wonderful ladies hosting me today!

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  6. We're so excited you are here, Cate! And no, not too early for margaritas, never too early for margaritas. *she links arms with Cate* Let's go find some - let the rest of them look for flotsam and jetsam!

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  7. Mac hurries out of the surf dragging a broken chair and passes out wet hugs all around.

    Hiya Chickies! Now, this is my kind of party, Cate. I can't wait to read Angels, Sinners and Madmen. Great title and the excerpt snagged my imagination! Free today, you say? Anyone have a laptop handy? I need to do a download.

    *eyes Lyn's feet and snickers*

    Geez girl, those shoes make your feet look like platypus beaks.

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  8. What fun, Cate!!! Congrats on your release - shiver those timbers!

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  9. Now you're talking, Patsy. I'm sure we can salvage some. Margaritaville didn't exist in those days, but we can make our own, lol

    Hey Mackenzie! Thanks for joining the party. :) Yep, free is a good thing. It's already on the Amazon Historical top 100! Yay!

    Ahoy, Barbara! Welcome to the party. Grab an umbrella drink and beach chair.

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  10. Hiya Barbara. I love shivering me timbers! Where's the rum? I do look just like Capt'n Jack, and he loves rum.

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  11. Ha, just saw a pic on Facebook of a diner sign advertising: Soup of the day - tequila. I bet we could come up with a tasty version. Yo ho!

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  12. Lyn rides a huge wave on a porpoise!
    Ahoy me hearties! (Thanks for the lift Flipper) Cate, congratulations on being in the top 100 already, that's great, and I'm looking forward to reading 'Angels...etc.' Oh and I love thetrailer too. 'A Midwestsummers Dream sounds wonderful too, I love historical Westerns. I'm going to put your link on the main page so people can link through to purchase 'Angels, sinners and Madmen' By the way, hats off to you for titles, these are really brilliant and quirky!

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  13. Hi Barbara *waves* thanks for stopping by.

    By the way,Cate, Oliver can whip up any drink or delicacy you fancy, regardless of what century we're in- that's the beauty of virual parties! ;)

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  14. You are so sweet, Lyn! Thanks so much for sharing. :)

    Oliver is amazing! He's adept at everything, isn't he? He'd have made an incredible wrecker! All the ladies would be throwing themselves into the sea for him to save them, lol

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  15. I am going to download a copy as soon as I get home! Yes, Oliver is looking very dashing I must say. Mac, a broken chair doesn't seem to me to be a great find! But then I haven't seen what the rest are bringing in. Oh look, Oliver found a gold doubloon! Hmmmm *she taps her lips* gold doubloon...broken chair...

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  16. Ahoy!!! I got lost. Took a turn and ended up on the other shore. There's real pirates there, I ran as fast as I could to warn everyone! They're on the way any waving cutlas,sword and rope to tie us with. What will we do? Quick hide Cate, we have to save our guests first!!! HELP!! Run for your lives, here they come!!!

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  17. You're so welcome, Cate, and I think you're right about Oliver. He might belong to our dear Sharon, but the ladies still fling themselves at his feet in hope!:)

    Hi Mary, sweetie, I dunno, trouble just seems to follow you like a haw, doesn't it! I'm sure we can stave off a few pirates.

    Mac, I'm not wearing these oversized pointy boots for nothing - they make great rapies!

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  18. Hmmm. Cate can toss her drink at those pirates, Mary can flash the sisters, Lyn has her pointy shoes, and I have a sturdy leg from my broken chair. What do you have, Patsy?

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  19. She has the muscles!!!
    Here they come ready or not!!! A large he man grabs Lyn and tosses her over his shoulder. One takes Patsy by the hair and drags her away. Mac, Mac, don't go toward them run away. Ah too late. Oliver has hidden Cate and they are all leaving! YAY! Hey, no one grabbed me!!!

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  20. Take a look at my arms! I don't have these for nuthin! *she flexes her arms and poses* Popeye doesn't have anything on me! But first a piece of key lime pie - one of my absolute favorites!

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  21. LOL Pirates and Key Line pie. Yeah, we know how to party! Where's the rum? Oh, Oliver, sweetie!

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  22. You know what they say, Patsy - one man's treasure... just put it on eBay and see, lol.

    Yay, Mary's here! Just toss the pirates some rum, they'll be singing a chorus in no time and forget all about plundering!

    Oo, Oliver, my hero. *sigh*

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  23. What exactly is plundering anyhow???
    Why is Foster laughing at me!!

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  24. Depending on the plunderer, Mary! lol
    Maybe ravaged? Either might be fun. :)

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  25. Oooh I had such fun with my rapier pointed boots - any more pirates wanna have a go?

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  26. Plundering and ravaging!! I don't think we've done this before. Oh Oliver.......

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  27. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me ... oh no, sorry, you're wreckers, not pirates, aren't you? Love your outfits, especially Oliver's (pause for quick drool). Anyway, glad to see you're all up to your usual antics - and congrats on the new release, Cate! It sounds fascinating, and I loved the excerpt, so I'm off to download it right now - (disappears, singing again...)

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  28. I don't mind the ravaged part, sounds pretty fun. Plundered, I'll skip.
    Anybody seen Johnny Depp? I hear he has a few hot friends?
    Shiver me timbers!!
    What are timbers? I have no clue!

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  29. I think the pirates have all started their weekend hangovers early, Lyn, lol

    Oo Patsy, Oliver's a great candidate for ravaging. Or plundering. Or both. :)

    Ha, they're easily mistaken for pirates, Paula. Hope you enjoy the wrecker's life too!

    Yeah, Mary, Johnny can hang with us any day. :)

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  30. Hey Johnny Depp is single again! I read that in the tabloids. He and his long time partner have split up. Oh Johnny - Yoohooooooo........

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  31. I want the tall one that came with Johnny, he's too short for me. I like em with some muscles and big enough to make me feel small...
    I think his name is Josh Halloway, he's mine!!!!!

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  32. Hi Paula - so glad you could join the party for Cate.

    Ooh I rather like Johnny Depp too. He's just my size Mary dear, especially as you tower over me with your four ft three inches! LOL

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  33. Excellent. Jonny is mine. He's enamored over my outfit. Foster, quit laughing at Mary.

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  34. Mac you're gonna have to fight Patsy and Lyn for him. That's why I want Josh, (remember him from Lost?)
    Gerard Butler is getting too old. Looking for new guys. Any suggestions as to whose hot now??
    Yeah shorty you should talk!!! LOL

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  35. Yo ho, yo ho - hello, I'm back. I could quite fancy Hugh Jackman as a pirate. Correction, I could quite fancy Hugh Jackman as anything! Hands off, ladies, I;ve claimed him first!

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  36. You got first dibs Paula!!! Let me know how it goes!! LOL!

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  37. Oh, Hugh Jackson is exactly who I picture as Sam! Look!
    http://catemasters.blogspot.com/2010/07/casting-call-angels-sinners-and-madmen.html

    Great minds, Paula. :)

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  38. Nope not a Hugh Jackman fan - I will stick with Johnny Depp - I'm only 5'3" so he's tall enough for me. I love that voice - YUM! Makes me all . . . . .

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  39. I still like em tall even if I'm short. Johnny is too small and I'd look chubby next to him!!!
    Now Josh, Mmmmmmmmm.

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  40. oooo-OOOOOH, you've just made a convert, Cate, he's gorgeous!

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  41. I love that whole cast. Now I just need someone to make the movie, lol. Hm, James Cameron, are you listening? :)

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  42. Oh geez, I'm not fighting anyone. I'm a weenie and i might break a nail. I'm gonna go find Timothy Olyphant.

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  43. Hoorah for Cate. I'm hungry and thirsty now.

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  44. Okay Mac - Timothy Olyphant is my totally secret desire! OMG

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  45. Lol Patsy. There is nothing secret about my desire for Timothy Olyphant. Yumm

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  46. Hey Susan! I'll whip you up a drink and snack. What's your fancy?

    Now I need to go check out Timothy Olyphant... :)

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  47. Hi Susan *waves* There's loads of food and drink, we never run out at a Roast!

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  48. This looks like such fun! And the book looks wonderful...

    May I have a slice of Key Lime Pie? And does anyone know how to make a Hurricane?

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  49. Hi Cindy,

    Thanks for joining us at Cate's part. Of course you can have some Key Lime pie, how big a slice would you like, we always have plenty in store - and if Oliver can't make a Hurricane, I'll bet no-one can1 :)

    Yes Cate's book sounds amazing. I've already downloaded my FREE copy and someone will win her Western historical - how's that for an amazing weekend!

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  50. Hiya Susan and Cindy. Did you get your free download of madmen yet? I'm a third way through. Worth the read. Sigh.

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  51. This was fun. Thanks for the party and giveaway. I passed on the amazon free book link, so thanks for that as well!

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  52. Oops! Forgot to leave my email! lavendersbluegreen(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  53. Hi Lavender

    Glad you enjoyed the party - and we're still going! :)

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  54. Sorry to be away, but a storm knocked out our power. :( I was writing for a bit by candlelight, just like in the days of the wreckers, lol.

    Hi Cindy! Now that's a hurricane season I wouldn't mind!

    So glad you're enjoying Angels Sinners and Madmen, Mackenzie. :) Thanks for reading!

    Welcome, lavendersbluesgreen (what lovely shades). Thanks for sharing!

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  55. Thanks to everyone who visited! I put names in a bowl, and my daughter drew out...
    lavendersbluegreen

    Congrats! I'll email you this afternoon.

    And thanks again to the wonderful authors at Author Roast and Toast for throwing such a cool beach party. You guys are the best!

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  56. Congratulations Lavendersbluegreen.

    And thank you Cate for being such a wonderful guest of honour. We really enjoyed having you and wish you much success wtih 'Angels, Sinners & Madmen'as well as all your future works.

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  57. Calisa sloshes through ankle-deep water, kicking at flotsam and rubble. Awww This sounds like such a great read and I missed the freebie. :( Dang ranch work kept me outside all weekend and edits kept me busy when I got inside. Shucks.

    Congrats on the P&E ranking Cate. I'll have to see what I can do to get this one. :)

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