A cold wind blows off the Pacific, buffeting the ladies as they pick their way down the rocky beach. The path is narrow and slick with rain, made even more treacherous by the pounding waves where the pathway curves nearer to the sea. In the distance, perched atop a rocky bar, a soaring lighthouse beckons, promising warmth and protection against the raging storm. Beacons of light flash from the edifice, warning seafarers to stay away from the perilous coastal waters.
Nibbie catches sight of a seal and races towards the water dragging poor Mary behind. She screeches in panic. Startled, Hampy peeks from Patsy’s pocket while Foster and Cuddles, sensing danger, dive under the crown of Mac’s rain hat.
“Whoa Nibbie,” Mary screams just in time to avoid a cold swim. She hauls on the leash and digs her heels into the sand effectively halting Nibbie’s joyful race to the sea. She wraps the flapping slicker closer around her body. “A lighthouse? A party at a lighthouse?”
“I sure hope there’s something warm waiting for us when we get inside.” Lyn grabs her hat as the wind catches the broad brim.
Mac’s rain poncho flares, caught by a sudden gust. “I don’t care what there is to drink, I’m starving! I could eat that lighthouse right now.”
They stumble to a wide boardwalk circling the building. Lyn raps at the door.
“We’re here,” she yells. “You know,” Mac whispers conspiratorily. “Charlene says this place is haunted. Years ago, one of her ancestors came here as a mail order bride!”
Patsy’s green eyes round. “You’re kidding me, right?”
Patsy heaves a long sigh. “That is just too romantic. I didn’t think stuff like that happened in real life.”
“Today is the traditional Greek Easter,” Mac adds. “Charlene though it was a good reason to party.”
Mary wipes her dripping face. “Can I tie Nibbie out back?
“Let her run,” Charlene laughs. “Can’t hurt anything in here.”
“You have no idea,” Lyn mutters.
Mac’s stomach rumbles loud enough for everyone to hear. “Uh, sorry,” she gasps. Her face flushes crimson. “I’m kinda hungry.”
“I have just the remedy for that,” Charlene leads them up a winding wrought iron staircase to the second floor. The circular room is jamb-packed with party-goers.
Nothing conventional about this crowd! Plain flannel shirts, blue jeans and work boots are the dress of choice. In the center of the crowd, Oliver and another man stomp and whirl to the lilting rhythm of traditional Greek music.
Charlene inhales, rolling her eyes. “You just can’t get these guys together and not have a round or two of Tsestos.”
She leads them to the far wall where tables are set. “How about some Ouzo?”
“Ouzo?” Mary’s brows arch. “What’s that?”
“It’s an aniseed-flavored aperitif. Warms your insides.” Charlene accepts a small shot and tips it up. “Yasou!” She swallows in one gulp. “If you prefer, we also have Lemonada, Orange Fanta or Portokalada which are soft drinks made in Greece.”
"Look at all this food!" Mac swoons with delight
“Load your plates,” Charlene urges. “You’ll need energy for the dancing and Greeks love to dance.”
Lyn points across the room. “Is that a bellydancer?”
“Yes, it is,” Charlotte laughs. “What’s a Greek party without a bellydancer?”
“Beats me,” Patsy shrugs. “I’m not Greek. I thought about pledging in college but it was too expensive.”
“That’s not Greek,” Lyn coughs, choking as she sips the Ouzo. “That’s totally something else.”
“Well, it was Greek,” Patsy argues. “Anyway, what’s the saying? Beware of Geeks bearing computers?”
“ARRRGGGHHHH!” Lyn groans. “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”
Mac samples a bite of the skewered kebabs. “Wasn’t that from the Trojan Horse?” She grins. “These kebabs are terrific.”
The rhythm of the music speeds up.
"Come on, ladies." Oliver takes Charlene’s hand. Time to dance.
(And if you like the sound of Baklava and Moussaka, Charlene has kindly provided the Recipes HERE!)
But before you start cooking, relax, enjoy the refreshments and join us to celebrate Charlene Raddon's new release FOREVER MINE!
THEIR LOVE WAS FATED...
A mail-order bride from Cincinnati, Ariah Scott had traveled all the way to Oregon to marry one man...only to lose her heart to another. What would become of her now? Ever since her father died at the hands of a vengeful relative, Ariah's life had been shadowed by dark secrets. And now her forbidden desire for Bartholomew Noon filled her with uncertainty--and a secret longing that could never be fulfilled.
AND FORBIDDEN...
From the moment Barholomew saw Ariah at the Portland Station, the keeper of the Cape Meares Light was lost. Hopelessly in love with this angelic beauty who was fated to live beside him at the isolated lighthouse as another man's wife, Batholomew never dreamed that destiny would someday bring them together. Would Ariah truly be the woman he could cherish...forever?
FOREVER MINE - Excerpt
Ariah. The name suited her. Light and airy. Perfect for a nymph. He struggled to regain his composure and remember what he was about.
Around them, passengers continuing on to Goble, where train and all would be ferried across the Columbia River before resuming the journey to Seattle, were boarding the train. Soon the platform would be empty except for porters and employees of the Union and Northern Pacific Railroads. And Bartholomew suddenly realized he too was eager to be away; he could not wait to have Miss Ariah Scott to himself.
Bartholomew glanced at Miss Scott, wondering if she could be one of fate's tricks. Something niggled at his memory. He shrugged it away.
"Miss Scott, if you'll point out the rest of your baggage, I'll get it loaded while you and your friend finish your good-byes. We've a long way to go."
"Oh, yes, of course." She gestured to two small crates and a large trunk. "That's it there."
Bartholomew shouldered the trunk as though it contained nothing more than bird feathers, holding it in place with one arm while he squatted to pick up one of the crates.
As he put space between himself and the two women, he chuckled silently, remembering how he had wondered what he would do with the girl during the four long days of the journey home. There was no doubt about what he wanted to do. His hands ached with the need to stroke that smooth, velvet flesh, to explore and discover its secret contours. Thinking about it, four days no longer seemed enough.
He set the crate alongside the boxed-up fancy rosewood étagère Hester had insisted he buy her, and lowered the trunk onto the wagon bed.
Hester. Bartholomew's fantasy about Ariah burst like the seed head of a giant dandelion, scattered by the wind.
Hester was his wife—till death do us part—no matter how much he might wish things different. And Ariah Scott belonged to Pritchard.
His shoulders sagged under guilt as ponderous as a steam engine. He rested his arms on the sideboard, braced his forehead on a fist, and tried to banish the image of the girl's sweet tempting mouth, so lush, so—
A warm hand closed over his arm. "Are you all right, Mr. Noon? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Bartholomew looked down to see Ariah Scott standing only a kiss away, gazing up at him with those unbelievable forget-me-not blue irises, her luscious lips moist and parted, her concerned expression sweetly, guilelessly intent.
And he plummeted into hell.
PURCHASE LINK
Biography
Charlene Raddon began her fiction career in the third grade when she got up and told her class that a little sister she didn't have died of a black widow bite. Many years later, a particularly vivid dream drove her to drag out a portable typewriter and go to work on her first novel. In 1990 her second completed book, Tender Touch, brought her a first place win in a writing contest and the following year became a Golden Heart Finalist. She has five romance novels set in the American West, published by Kensington, one, The Scent of Roses, under the pseudonym Rachel Summers. Her books have placed or won other contests and one, Forever Mine, received a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award nomination. Charlene has always loved the Old West and her novels reflect that emotion in their depth and vividness.
***GIVEAWAY***
Contest ends on Sunday and everyone who comments is eligible.
Morning Charlene - Morning Sister Hostesses. Love the cover and the premise for the book Charlene. I must read this one! Hey, I'm off to dance a few rounds of whatever that is! LOL! Maybe I'll see the ghosts of your ancestors. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteMorning Charlene - Morning Sister Hostesses. Love the cover and the premise for the book Charlene. I must read this one! Hey, I'm off to dance a few rounds of whatever that is! LOL! Maybe I'll see the ghosts of your ancestors. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteACCCK - I hear an echo!
ReplyDeleteGood morning,Charlene. Good morning, Patsy and sister hostesses. (Waves and blows air kisses).
ReplyDeleteLol Patsy, I guess you might expect to find an echo in these old lighthoues.
UH - don't go out on the platform, really high up here!
ReplyDeleteYikes! I don't like heights over water! Come here Cuddles, don't lean over like that!
ReplyDeleteThe storm is getting quite bad and the waves are breaking really high. Think I'll go back inside and have some more Ouzo, or something bracing.
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHA, love the raincoats ladies! And does it echo here often? Charlene, the book looks really interesting and I agree with P.L. that cover is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteVal
lastnerve2000 at gmail dot com
Charlene, I'm with Patsy, love the book jacket!
ReplyDeleteI was looking outside and felt the almost unstoppable urge to jump. The only thing that stopped me was the rocks down below. I'm not going out there again! The wind almost blew me off anyways!
So hot guys? Or just great food?
Sorry I'm late, ladies. *blows air kisses around still snickering over Patsy's comment about not pledging* I got caught up reading Charlene's excerpt. Any chance there is a copy of Forever Mine around here, Charlene? I'm hooked, and I love curling up with a good book while the wind howls outside, especially when I can do it with a glass of Ouzo!
ReplyDeleteHi Val, Hi Val, Hi Val - yes I think there is an echo in here.
ReplyDeleteMary, for heaven sakes, don't jump. I can't swim and I'd have to go in after you and then where would we be? Two giant yellow blobs floating in the water. Do these slickers float I wonder?
Hot guys AND great food!
If you see any ghosts, do let me know. I love ghost stories. Sorry I'm late joining the party. Terribly ill half the night and slept in, but I'm glad to be here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words about my cover. I like it. And the story is even better.
ReplyDeleteNo! Don't anyone do anything silly like jumping off the cliff. Would spoil the party and it's been so fun so far.
ReplyDeleteHave no fear, with this hooters, we'd float back to shore Patsy. But, it looks a little cold out there.
ReplyDeleteBesides, I didn't bring a clothing change this week. Never thought I'd need one. So, Nibster, what can we do to liven up this party. Where is the trickster when we need him Mac?
He can liven up a party with a twitch!
Be careful what you wish for, Mary. Foster threatened to replace the lighthouse beam with a disco ball. He's such a tacky little fairy.
ReplyDeleteOh, sorry to hear you've been ill Charlene, let's hope we can work a little roasting magic and make you feel in the pink again - and yes, I forgot to say, I love the cover too, and the excerpt drew me right in!
ReplyDeleteWaves to Val. Hi Val, great to see you here again!
Thank you, all. This is great fun, but where are the hunks dancing Greek dances?
ReplyDeleteYeah! Good question, Patsy says there here, I can't find them myself.
ReplyDeleteI wanna meet a hot Greek!
If you find that hot Greek, send him my way. And someone, pass the ouzo.
ReplyDeleteThey are everywhere, silly girls. Just wade in and start dancing. Oh my, having a heat flash!
ReplyDeleteHa, These Greek guys are something else! Hot enough even to make our Mary forget about the James Gang, LOL!
ReplyDeleteHey, save me a hunk. I want tall, dark, handsome and about 40 years old, if there are any like that. LOL
ReplyDeleteMake that two, would you, Charlene? Hmmm You're looking like you're feeling better already. Nothing like a hot Greek to cure what ails you. ;-)
ReplyDeleteEasy for you to say Patsy. You can just wiggle your way in. Me, hmmm bounce maybe, wiggle never.
ReplyDeleteWhere's the Mead?
I used to belly dance - I'm going over there and dance with her! Do some really amazing belly rolls and undulations! Oh, I need a pair of zills! Can't belly dance without zills.
ReplyDeleteYou can use the ones I put on Lyn's shoes to warn people...
ReplyDeleteZills? Is that what I hear? I thought my ears were ringing from the height, or the Ouzo.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I thought my feet were hurting - hoenstly as if it's not enough making me wear these oversized booths, the hostesses put zills in the toes! :)
ReplyDeleteYou ladies are a riot. I'm going to have to come here more often.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I puts zills on your boots, when did you change it to a telephone booth one for each foot. I mean that is overkill don't you think?
ReplyDeleteMaybe she has had too much ouzo. Lyn lay off the booze, you're gonna break your neck!
Bad enough that dang Foster attached one to the end of my, (don't go there), chin. How do I get this off, did you use super glue Foster, you are gonna get it as soon as I can catch you. Nibby don't you dare laugh. Or Cuddles, Hampy, darn you, I hope you pee in Patsy's pocket. Oh sorry Patsy...
Please do come back sweetie, we need all the victims, I mean visitors we can get!!!
ReplyDeleteMac, that ain't your ears ringing that's Patsy singing. We never tell her how bad it is. She has muscles on her upper arm that make Popeye look weak. I know it ain't spinach, so what's her story. Mmmmmm...
ReplyDeleteWhatever she's using, she's taken too much. I know she ain't no Lance Armstrong, she's too honest. What food could it be? What vitamin supplement? Or is it beer pong?
beer pong?
ReplyDeleteIt's got to be the beer pong, Mary. It's hard to tell but the song she's singing sounds suspiciously like "Red Solo Cup"
ReplyDeletePsst Charlene, don't play beer pong with Patsy. She's got secret weapon arms.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we make you smile, Charlene - yes please do come back! As for these naughty sister hostesses - I do love them, but don't you think it's cruel of them to put things in my shoes!
ReplyDeleteBeer Pong! Beer Pong! I'm the queen! Who wants to play. *burp* I'm warming up! Maybe I should sing a few more versus before we start. Oh solo mio ....anybody know more of the words.
ReplyDeleteOMG - Hampy peed in my pocket!
Naughty Hampy. Someone explain the beer pong thing to me, or is it an inside joke?
ReplyDeleteYou know Charlene, I was wondering that myself. Don't drink beer. My favourite tipple is actually Mead, preferably Welsh, but I have to say this ouzo is rather nice and *hic* splendidly potent!
ReplyDeleteLOL Charlene. No inside joke. It's a drinking game you play on a table. Line up paper cups full of beer and toss ping pong balls across to land in the cups. Then the other team has to drink. The game usually ends with everyone involved staggering for the bathroom. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI vote for a rousing game of Mead Pong. Sheesh, it just doesn't sound the same.
ReplyDeleteLOL Mac! The Roast is such an educational blog. One learns something new every day!
ReplyDelete*Hic* cackle!
Glad I could help, Lyn. And I just want to go on record saying I have never personally played Beer Pong, or Mead Pong for that matter. However, I do have two twenty something sons. I can't keep Solo Cups in the house.
ReplyDeleteLOL Mac, for a minute there I thought you said you had twenty something sons - thought you'd lost cunt! :)
ReplyDeleteTalking about the male species, did you notice Mary and Patsy seem to have slunk off and there are two hunks missing?
No, I'm still here, just came for a refill. I'm playing spin the bottle over there. Mary points to the corner where several tall, dark and handsome Greek Adonis types smile at the girls. You're welcome to join us.
ReplyDeleteMuch more fun then any kinda table game I know. My lips are swollen, need a drink!
Oooh, come to think of it, I am a bit thirsty! Come on girls!
ReplyDeleteHey now, wait for me! Foster super-glued my raincoat shut and I have to pee.
ReplyDeleteWait for me too. Don't want to miss any of the fun.
ReplyDeleteLet's go get the guy, only one per girl Lyn! Tally Ho!!
ReplyDeleteTally ho indeed, Mary. I'll see you gals tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI'll be back tomorrow too. This ill body of mine wants sleep. Thanks so much to all of you for the great time.
ReplyDeleteLyn awakes to the sound of seabirds squawking and the aroma of breakfast cooking.
ReplyDeleteGood morning everone. Hope you're feeling better today, Charlene, and thanks for being such a great guest despite not being at your best.
Good morning. Thank you Lyn. I am feeling a little better. I enjoyed the party and look forward to joining you again for Tender Touch
ReplyDeleteIm glad you're feeling a bit better, and that you enjoyed the party, Charlene, yes, we look foirward to doing ut akk agaun fir Tender Touch in January.
ReplyDeleteI love that cover. Beautiful. sounds like a great story. Hey do you have any men belly dancers? LOL. Mmm,mmm that food looks tasty. Might have to have one of those shots to warm up. It cold as heck here. Thanks for the recipes.
ReplyDeleteSue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Sue, so glad you could join the party. Yes, those recipes look good don't they, look forward to trying them out. Keep warm!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks for the compliment on my cover. I see you're a cat lady like me. I only have one right now, but only because my husband won't let me get another one. My Toby is a bit paranoid, scared of strangers, loud noises, shoes, tin foil, fly swatters (although he's never been hit with on) and the television, among a few other things. Nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Ladies. *waves at Sue* Glad you're feeling better, Charlene. Poor Toby. Fly swatters? LOL My Zoe is blind and a huge scardy-cat. She bounces through the house like a manic pin ball whenever the microwave starts (although she's never been heated in one) ;-)
ReplyDeleteFunny kitties. I have 5 kitties. One of them is 20yrs old. I have a couple kitties that hate the trash truck. They run around and hide and growl. So funny. Mine can be scaredy cats sometimes too. LOL.
ReplyDeleteSue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
You just never know what to expect with cats. That's one reason I love them. And anyone who reads my books may note that there is a cat in each one, some more prominently than others, but there.
ReplyDeleteLol, Charlene, I'm the same with horses - I usually manage to get a horse of some description in most of my stories!
ReplyDeleteIt's been so much fun having you as our special guest. I'm sorry you weren't at your best to enjoy it fully but we hope you'll be fit and well when we roast you again in January.