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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, July 26, 2013

Linda Nightingale's celebration for 'Sinners Opera'



“Oh no!” Mac stumbles and nearly falls. She grabs Mary’s arm to regain her balance and they bang heads.

“Ow!” Mary rubs at her ear. “That hurt, Mac.”

Ahead of them, Lyn and Patsy continue on toward the brightly lit mansion on Charleston’s historic Battery Row. “Quit fooling around, you two. We’re almost there.”

“Who’s fooling around?” Mac grumbles.

Patsy pauses to look over her shoulder. Clinging to Mary’s arm, Mac wobbles as she lifts one foot to wince at the heel of her gorgeous strappy stiletto sandal, hanging at an odd angle. “I knew these cobblestones were going to be a problem.”

Lyn smirks. “I don’t think the cobblestones are the problem. I think it’s your feet.”

Mac snorts and drops her foot to gingerly balance on her toes. “So says Ms. Ski feet. You have a lot more surface to balance on. The rest of us are at a disadvantage.”

Lyn grins and breaks into a little tap dance in her three inch heels, despite the uneven pavement.

“Show off.” Mary laughs.

“This is a disaster.” Mac frowns then glances longingly up at the second story piazza of Rover House where Linda Nightingale’s party is already in full swing. “How am I supposed to dance the night away with hunky southern men if I’m hobbling off balance?”

Patsy digs through her clutch purse and holds out a small tube. “Here you go.”

Mac gawks at the offering. “You carry super glue with you to a society dinner?”

She shrugs and hands over the tube. “I like to be prepared.”

“You’re such a girl scout.”

Patsy laughs. Mac slips off her shoe, reattaches the heel and tosses the glue back to her. The hostesses continue on toward the walkway to the historic mansion. Mac scurries to follow, blowing on the drying glue while bobbing unevenly on one bare foot. From the open front door, welcoming light spills out on the balmy, southern evening. Tinkling music, friendly conversation and soft laughter reaches their ears.

“Did I mention the current owner of the house is rumored to be a vampire?” Lyn grins maniacally.

Mary groans and Mac skitters to a stop. She eyes Patsy’s little purse. “You don’t happen to have any garlic in there, do you? Or a couple of wooden stakes?”

Patsy laughs. “Relax, Mac. According to Linda, Morgan D’Arcy is a gentleman vampire.”

“That’s an oxymoron.” Mac shoves her repaired shoe onto her foot, mumbling beneath her breath. “Zombies last week, now vampires. Why don’t we ever go to normal parties?”

“Where would the fun be in that?” Mary bumps Mac’s shoulder and she stumbles. A loud snap accompanies her yelp as her other heel gives out.

“Geez, I have faulty shoes!” Disgust crosses her features as she stares helplessly at the snickering hostesses. She holds out an open palm to Patsy.  While Mac repairs her second shoe, Linda greets them, stunning in her couture evening gown.

“You’re here!” She grabs the hostesses in a hug. “Wait until you see. The cream of Charleston society are all here, and the food! Oh, everything is perfect to celebrate my release of SINNER’S OPERA.”

Behind her, tuxedo clad waiters move amongst the gathered guests with trays of boiled peanuts, shrimp and low country oysters. Platters of succulent Beef Wellington share the buffet tables with
creamy potatoes and steaming bowls of She Crab Soup. 

Lyn hums, spotting the tray of pralines on the pastry cart.











Oliver slides through the crowd, dashing as usual in black. He stops before them and dips his head in a cultured bow. The hostesses grin as Linda passes out glasses of delicate pink drinks from his tray.

“Planters punch,” she announces. “It’s tradition, but don’t forget to try the gin cocktails later, and there is Madeira wine to go along with dinner.” 
She holds out her glass. 

“To SINNER’S OPERA.”

“We’ll drink to that,” the hostesses say as one, accompanied by the musical clink of crystal glasses.






Purchase HERE
Here is the blurb for Sinners’ Opera and the lovely cover created by Beth Trissel’s daughter Elise.  

Morgan D’Arcy is a classical pianist, an English lord and a vampire.  He has everything except what he desires most—Isabeau.  When she was a child, he appeared to her as the Angel Gabriel, influencing her life and career choice, preparing her to become Lady D’Arcy.  Many forces oppose Morgan’s daring plan—not the least of which is Vampyre law.  A vampire must not sire a child on a mortal.

Isabeau Gervase is a brilliant geneticist engaged to a prominent attorney. Though she no longer believes in angels, she sees a ticket to a Nobel Prize in the genetic puzzle presented by her long-absent childhood friend. She intends to unravel Gabriel’s secrets, using the DNA contained in a lock of his hair and identify the non-human species she named the Angel Genome.

Morgan is ready to come back into Isabeau’s life, but this time as a man—and a vampire—not an angel.  Will he outsmart his enemies, protect his beloved and escape death himself?  For the first time in eternity, the clock is ticking.

Linda Nightingale
BIO

Born in South Carolina, I've lived in England, Canada, Miami, Atlanta and Houston. Somewhat of a gypsy, I've seen a lot of this country through the window of a truck pulling a horse trailer. I bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses, rode sidesaddle and did musical freestyle exhibitions to Phantom of the Opera. My stallion Bonito, imported from Costa Rica, was twice National Champion at halter. Besides writing, I loves horses, sports cars, books and piano. I am the mother of two wonderful sons.






***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Linda's book, all you have to do is just leave a comment and your e-mail address.
Contest ends on Sunday and everyone who comments is eligible.



Sadly, we are saying goodbye to our hostess Patsy, this week.  We'll miss her and Hampy very much, and we're sure you'll join with us in wishing her well with all her future endeavours.

This of course, means we are short-staffed so if you think you have what it takes to be a hostess, please contact us at our usual email address  authorroast@gmail.com  and we'll tell you what it entails.

27 comments:

  1. Good Morning! Oh, I love a good vampire story and this looks good! Much luck with sales!

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  2. Hi Patsy, you're looking very elegant I have to say! Let's have some nibbles before the rest of the guests arrive!

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  3. Good morning Linda, welcome to your Roast Party - this sounds like a really fantastic book!

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  4. Loved the pics. Sounds wonderful.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

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  5. Don't let a broken shoe interfere with your fun! Welcome everyone. I guess Isabeau and Morgan are on their way to greet their guests. Take a look at the view while you are here. Everyone looks absolutely lovely!

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  6. Thanks for the encouragement and well wishes on the books, Ladies!

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  7. Hi all!

    Love vampire tales! I'm never disappointed with Linda's stories! They're fantastic!

    Looks like you have another winner here,Linda, but I wish you the best of luck!

    Great cover--by the way!

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  8. Hi Linda, Karen and Debby, Mmm, this food looks good doesn't it, dig in everyone. We'd love to hear more about your book, Linda, can you give us some more hints - or a short excerpt maybe?

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  9. Good morning, chickies! *air kisses*

    Does this duct tape I found to fix my heels match my dress? ;-)

    Welcome Linda. I love the sound of Sinner's Opera! Charleston is such a historically rich city. What a perfect location for your premise.

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  10. Hi Mac *hugs* - That tape is a really good idea, you never know - you could just start a new trend!

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  11. Hello ladies! I just got my intermittent internet back a few minutes ago. The weather plays havoc!
    Linda, you are an amazing author, so lyrical and meaningful, your voice is amazing! I told you not to wear heals Mac...Snicker. And may I say you look marvelous. As a matter of fact there are those vampires following you or what. Cause they are hot! Share?
    Hugs ladies!

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  12. You Know I Always Share My Friend. But I Get The Cute One. :-)

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  13. Says who?? I can muscle you outta the way! HeHe and all I have to do is show the girls. He's mine. LOL!

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  14. While Mary and Mac are arguing about who has which hunky vamp Lyn and Linda sneak behind them and walk off with both the guys!

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  15. Figures, luckily you missed a few. Come on Mac, should we tackle them??
    Or use our assets?
    Lyn and Mac, Please check your AR&T emails, ASAP? Need your input!
    I think there is a plot involved, just not sure! LOL

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  16. Off to enjoy the nite with the leftovers from Lyn, and Mac. And Linda your leftover vampires are all well worth it! Hope to see you here tomorrow.

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  17. It's past the witching hour this side of the pond, so I'll say Goodnight, sister hostesses, guests and of course, our Guestof Honour Linda.

    I'll be back tomorrow to carry on partying.

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  18. Sinner's Opera looks amazing, Linda. I wish you every success. I loved all your graphics on this blog. It was such entertaining reading.
    starcriter at yahoo dot com

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  19. Whew! I was following some hotties--vampires or not! Morgan and Oliver are HUNKS! But Morgan is taken with Isabeau. Oh, well. Anyway, I missed a few hours of the party. My day job had the audacity to call me away!!!

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  20. Debbie, thanks for joining our party and for the compliments on Sinners' Opera. Also, thanks for leaving your email. There are more prizes than one!!

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  21. Karen, you are a dear! Thanks so much for dropping by our party. We're continuinig over night and into tomorrow, so come one, come all.

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  22. Patsy, that's one FANTASTIC cover!!

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  23. Ok, now I'm hungry for some pralines!!! Those sure looked delicious. Congrats on the book release, Linda!!! Woot Woot!!

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  24. Lyn stretches and blinks, trying to wake up to greet the day. She waves at the gfuests, and her sister hostesses and especially Linda who is being fussed over by Oliver.

    Hi Julianne - would you like some more pralines - pralines for breakfast anyone!

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  25. Welcome Julianne and Sarah! (Hugs) Eat, drink and have a super time. I like Mimosas first thing in the morning!

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  26. I got confused as I sometimes do and thought I posted the winners today. Late as usual, Debby, you won the jewelry--silver dangling earrings; Sarah you won the download, and Julianne won the swag. I'll need for Debby and Julianne to send me their addy. My contact information is on my website: http://www.lindanightingale.com.

    Thanks everyone who commented and to our wonderful hostesses for a fun Roast!!

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  27. Thank you so much Linda - and what generous prizes for three lucky winners! Thank you for being such a fantastic guest of honour and we wish you even more success in the future and many, many sales with Sinners Opera!

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