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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 2, 2013

Collette Cameron's Regency celebration for 'Highlander's Hope'


“Is that the castle?” Mac, stoops to rub her sore feet. “I can’t walk any further.”

“Well if you hadn’t screamed 'fire', we’d still be in the covered carriage that brought us here.”
Mary grimly replies. “Lyn seems to be doing fine.” She glances down at Lyn’s large shoes. “She could walk all day on those things. Now I actually wish I had huge clodhoppers like that.” Mary ducks just missing Lyn as she swings at her.

“Yeah, and if you didn’t have those huge mamas, it would have cost a lot less to buy these dresses, material wise anyhow.” Lyn answers.

“You’re just jealous.” Mary snickers.

“I can’t wait to meet the new hostesses. I hope they can make it here today.” Mac smiles and shakes her head. “Again tell me why we’re here.”

“For the new book by Collette Cameron, Highlanders Hope, I just loved it and this is supposed to be a recreation of that Regency period in England.” Lyn stands a bit taller as she approaches the moat and huge wall around the castle. “These walls are so high I can only see the turrets on top of the castle.”

“Turrets.” Mac chuckles, “What a great word. What are turrets?”

“Lyn can tell you when we get there.” Mary sighs, “I’m not sure why they put them there, but they sure are pretty.”

The three hostesses enter the castle after crossing the moat and walking under the heavy castle doors. They stumble up the steep steps and knock on the door. In a short moment Oliver opens the door and grins, with a wave of his hand he directs them to the huge main room. Four huge fireplaces line one wall, and tables covered with food another.



On the table the food raises delicious and mouthwatering savory smells throughout the room.

A white soup, cold chicken and sliced ham, poached salmon, cheeses, glazed carrots and other vegetables, salads, fresh fruit, biscuits, jellies, nuts, and trifle for dessert. To drink there is lemonade, punch, white wine claret, and sweet madeira wine, mead, coffee and tea of course.


“Thank God there’s mead. I’d hate to think how Lyn would act without mead.” Mary comments.





There are beautiful regency dresses and handsome long coated period suits on those who fill the room. Music from a small string quartet fills the air and the girls ooh and ahh at the sight of it all.

“Look there’s Collette Cameron our author, she is talking to a number of ladies who surround her. Are those our new hostesses, they beat us here.” Mary frowns. “Figures, they probably drove. And you made us be authentic as usual Lyn.”

“Blah, blah, blah,” Lyn sticks her tongue out at Mary and the three of them approach, Collette.

“It is them, darn -  it, already doing better than we are.” Mary chuckles.

After they all  greet one another Collette suggests they take a turn dancing. “Dinner is not until eleven pm after the dancing.” She adds with a big smile. “I have chosen your partners, I hope you enjoy the music.” She takes the hand of a handsome gentleman who offers her a dance and flitters off with a grin of pure joy.

“Why do I get the short guys?” Mary mumbles as she takes an offered hand and begins to dance.

“For the same reason why I get the hunk.” Mac dances off.

“Mine is fine too.” Lyn smiles as she begins to dance.

Mary does her best to keep her distance from her partner, his nose is just at the level of her girls and he appears to intend to use them as a pillow. “Back off Bozo.” Mary pushes him. Unaware and un-expecting he falls back into Lyn and her partner. Who trips over her huge feet and crashes into Mac behind her. They all land in a heap in the middle of the floor.

“Well this is just dandy.” Lyn squeals.

“Yeah, well you dance with shorty and please step on his feet he’s fresh and dandy all right.” Mary remarks as she attempts to pull herself from the pile of arms and legs they have become, without injuring any of them. “Great impression we make on our author, her guests, and our new hostesses. They will think we are buffoons with no class.”

“Well we are, “Mac chuckles. “By the way, what’s a dandy?”

“Lord, help me.” Lyn groans. Oliver rushes to help his charges. One after the other he lifts them from the floor with grace and dignity, not a bit like the girls as usual.

“Another Author Roast and Toast, as usual.” Lyn laughs. They all join in and soon the twitter of new friends joins the sounds of music and laughter all around them.

“Yeah it is isn’t it?” Mary laughs out loud. “Just the usual Author Roast and Toast.”

Please welcome our author Collette Cameron and her terrific story, Highland Hope.

And welcome our new hostesses with a big hand. Say hello ladies and welcome to our blog.
We hope to have fun and promotion for everyone!



Highlander’s Hope Blurb:

PURCHASE HERE
Regency propriety and Scot’s boldness clash in this historical suspense liberally dosed with humor. 



She was the heiress determined to never marry.


Yvette Stapleton is wary of fortune hunting men and their false declarations of love. She’d rather become a spinster than imprisoned in the bonds of marriage. At first, she doesn’t recognize the dangerously handsome man who rescues her from assailants on London’s docks, but her reaction to Lord Sethwick’s kisses soon have her reconsidering her cynical views on matrimony.



He was the nobleman who vowed to make her his own. 

Not a day has gone by that Ewan McTavish, Lord Sethwick and Laird of Craiglocky, hasn’t dreamed of the beauty he danced with two years ago; he’s determined to win her heart. On a mission to stop a War Office traitor, he unwittingly draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. To protect her, he exploits Scottish Canon law to declare her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony. 



Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding, though she never said, “I do.”

EXCERPT



A sharp rap echoed at the door. Yvette breathed a sigh. Thank Goodness. Lord Sethwick wouldn’t have to answer the question after all. She raised her head and forced her gaze from the document in his hand.



He stared at her intently, then called, “Enter.”



“Lord Sethwick, please excuse the interruption,” a deep voice greeted. “‘Tis urgent I speak with you.”


Half-turning to look at the newcomer, Yvette could not contain her frightened gasp. She shot halfway out of her chair before Lord Sethwick’s hand snaked across the table and grasped hers, restraining her.


“Ewan!” In her panic, she addressed him by his given name.


“Miss Stapleton, Mrs. Pettigrove, may I introduce my associate, Trenton Carmichael?” said Ewan. “You know him as Nigel Collingsworth.”


Yvette sat down so hard her bottom smacked the chair with a stinging thud. Despite the day’s promise to be quite warm, she shivered, chilled to the bone. Searching the viscount’s face she repeated, stunned, “Your associate? I don’t understand. He was chasing me yesterday.”


Mrs. Pettigrove’s gooseberry eyes were round as the moon watching the exchange. “Mr. Collings, er, Carmichael was chasing you, Miss Stapleton?”

No one responded to her probing.

Holding Yvette’s hand, Lord Sethwick explained, “He wasn’t chasing you. Trent was trying to protect you by catching the man who was chasing you.”

“A different man was also chasing you? Whatever for?” Mrs. Pettigrove sounded envious.
Everyone ignored her.

Mr. Carmichael addressed Yvette. “I regret frightening you yesterday. It wasn’t my intent.”
Another knock sounded.

“Come in.” Lord Sethwick was less gracious this time.

Yvette managed not to gawk at the two men who entered the chamber. At least she thought she did. Faith, what handsome men. They must be friends of Lord Sethwick’s. Nobility no doubt.

“Sethwick, you rogue, keeping the arrival of your lovely bride-to-be a secret,” teased a tall gentleman dressed in black from toe to top.


Collette Cameron 

In February 2011, Collette decided to sit down and write a Regency suspense romance with a few Highlanders thrown in to spice things up a bit. She wrote Highlander’s Hope, the first book in her Blue Rose Trilogy. She has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. She's been married for 30 years, has 3 amazing adult children, and 5 dachshunds. Her puppy, Ayva, sits on her lap while she writes. Ayva also nibbles at and lies on the keyboard. 

Collette loves a good joke,  inspirational quotes, flowers, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list. 

Collette Cameron
"Highlander's Hope" Soul Mate Publishing May 2013
"The Viscount's Vow" Soul Mate Publishing September 2013


***GIVEAWAY***


To win a copy of Collette'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.

58 comments:

  1. Good Morning!
    Thanks for hosting me today. My, the food looks delicious!

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  2. Hi Collette, welcome to your Roast, it's great to see you here.

    Such elegance - such food, and such a great book, the excerpt drew me right in!


    Sorry to be late greeting you, we ususally try to get to the venue before the Guest Of Honour, but we had a few little problems - well we're here now, so eat, drink and be merry!

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  3. My, goodness. You're way ahead of my time zone. It's only 6:30 am here.

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  4. Love this-so much fun! And Collette's book is fabulous! Can't wait for the next in the series!

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  5. Hi Nancy, great to see you, so glad you could visit! Make yourself comfortable and help yourself to the goodies.

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  6. Good morning, chickies! *air kisses* It's really early where I am too. *Yawn*

    Hiya, Collette. Welcome to your roast. Oh yeah, don't ya hate when a man declares you his wife without a ceremony? LOL Highlander's Hope sounds like a fun adventure and I gotta say, I love your cover!

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  7. Hi everyone! I'm going to be traveling most of the day, but wanted to stop in and welcome Colette! Wow, you're story sounds outstanding! And I LOVE this party! Wait...*AJ squints at a young man across the room*...I just spotted my next dancing partner. Excuse me, ladies. Time to zoom in for the kill. :-)

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  8. What a fun post!! I really enjoyed it. Tweeted and shared.

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  9. Great post, Collette. Now I'm hungry. :-) Loved the excerpt, too.

    Sandra

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  10. I'm here! *rushes in breathless* Sorry I'm late. I was facetiming with my daughter in Germany. Those time differences are hard to get used to, uh, Lyn? Welcome, Collette! I love a good Highlander story and yours looks fabulous. Love that book trailer! Now, where's the mead? It's 5:00 somewhere. Right?

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  11. Hi Collette,
    Welcome. Sorry for being late to the party. I'm on the west coast so I'm three hours behind our east coast hostesses. :-)

    Melissa

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  12. Lyn waves and hugs her sister hostesses.

    Yes these time differences are a bummer! I's hard enough remembering what day it is lately without trying to work out time zones! :) Ah well, as Lily says, it's five O'clock somewhere.

    Oh how splendid to see such handsome hunks, er I mean gentlemen here. Excus me I must go and be introduced!

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  13. Hi Nancy, Ella and Sandy. Welcome to Collette's party. I do hope Oliver has made sure you have plenty of refreshments.

    Thanks for tweeting and sharing, Ella, much appreciated.

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  14. “Why do I get the short guys?” Mary mumbles as she takes an offered hand and begins to dance.

    I'd like to point out that height challenged men are easier to kiss. No neck cramps!

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  15. Hiya new hostess chickies! Nancy, Ella and Sandy, if you plan on drinking any mead, I'd grab some from Oliver right now. Lyn swills the stuff, and apparently Lilly is a fan too. Me, I'm starting with a Bloody Mary, as I'm Pacific time too, Missy.

    Oh, and look over there by the fireplace! A kilted hunk, just for me. ;-)

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  16. Mac, there's something besides mead? lol! Not a Bloody Mary fan, but how about a nice glass of red wine or a Long Island Ice Tea? lol!

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  17. Collette, is that hunky Highlander Ewan here yet? Can you ask him to rescue Mary? That slimy nobleman she's dancing with is ogling her big boobs and not listening to a word she's saying.

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  18. Somebody please help me! He's has his nose in my girls and won't stop breathing! I know I shoulda never used that body spray, it must have glue in it.
    Mary finally takes his head in hand and whops him with both hands on each side. As his steps back holding his ears. Take that you lecher! If he'd been cute I wouldn't have minded, now to find one who will do that that's handsome at least. So how about a huge hello for our new hostess's we are gonna have so much fun! Can't make it formal till everyone can make it, but hello ladies!!

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  19. By the way Colette your trailer is incredible, and well I can't stop drooling, too bad we couldn't bring our sidekicks to this fancy dinner and dance. Nibbie would wreak havoc on the food table...
    I can't wait to read your book, I might have to fight with the other girls to get to read it first!

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  20. Mary,
    Check out that tall drink of water surrounded by all those wall flowers in the corner. He's handsome. I bet you wouldn't care if he did a bit of ogling. lol!

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  21. Lilly ogling ain't enough I wanna dance and close with that one. Hey, Melissa, I had my eye on that one! Mary tries to grab Lilly's dress, but dang she's evasive and now dancing with him. Hmmm. Sheesh gotta be quick, our new hostess's are a lot quicker then Mac and Lyn...

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  22. LOL Mary. Yeah, Lilly is fast. I'm just waiting till she wears herself out, then, to the victor goes the spoils.

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  23. Oh, my, some of you are quite worked up already. Just how much mead have you had? Mackenzie, maybe I'll have a mimosa...

    Yvette is a little possessive, Lily, so do be careful. Oh, and she's adept with a knife and gun.

    By the way, those Highlander's don't wear anything beneath their kilts so if your lucky during a lively Scot's country dance...

    Just posted the book trailer yesterday. Perfect timing for this celebration!

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  24. I'm back, I just had to help that handsome highlander adjust his kilt - you know Collette, you're absolutely right what you said!

    I must add my compliments about the trailer, it's great, very seductive and enticing without giving too much away. (Bit like we ladies really, eh?)

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  25. Mead, Collette, forget the mimosas, you must have some mead it's absolutely delicious!*hic*

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  26. Lyn, I want details! What is under that kilt? Collette, tell Yvette I just want to look cause he's so pretty and I just love his accent. Mary, I think Mac must have elbowed you in the nose trying to get a look under that kilt herself.

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  27. Why, Lilly, you'll have to entice a Highlander into an alcove yourself to find out.

    I'll give you a hint though. It's the same thing the lady's have beneath their gowns... well, not literally, of course.

    Have you decided who your dinner partner will be?

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  28. LOL Collette - or to put it another way 'Notalot!'. :)

    How about another short excerpt, I'm dying to hear more about that hunky Ewan!

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  29. I think I'll just get down on the floor and look for something whenever I see a kilt! Mac was that your elbow I thought the dude next to you was saying hello.

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  30. Oh, Mary darling, you know I would never throw an elbow. I'd trip you instead. :-) And please don't get down on the floor. With the girls weighing you down, we may never get you back on your feet.

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  31. Collette,I should hope the ladies don't have the same parts beneath their kilts. lol! Mary, I think AJ lost a contact. You know how blind she is. Let's get down on the floor together and look for it. Hmm, maybe over there where Ewan and his friends are standing?

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  32. *Helps Mary to her feet so the "girls" don't make her faceplant the floor.* Come on! I think Collette is going to read another excerpt and I want to hear more about that sexy Scotsman.

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  33. Yes, stead on there Mary, you know last time you lay on your front you rocked yourself to sleep!

    mm, wonder where AJ.s contact is - perhaps I'd better check that bit of tartan - oops sorry sir, I didn't mean to kick you in the shin, it's these huge shoes the other hostesses make me wear!

    I'm dying to hear another excerpt too!

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  34. Must be the mead, Lyn can't see her own feet!
    I remember that time, who wouldn't want a built in rocker? AJ is that your phone again. Lilly, you could use that butt for a platform to carry stuff, can you carry AJ's phone?
    Melissa, where's the werewolf? Tell her not to bite me.
    And there's a reason I am on the floor, remember the kilts, it's because of the view...

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  35. Hmm, one has to wonder why so many of you are crawling about on the floor. Just how much mead have you consumed?

    Oh dear, Mary, did you dampen your gown? I realize it's all the rage, but your girls... Oh, do look at Mrs. Pettigrove's bum. She should never dampen her dress.

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  36. Oops, forgot the excerpt.

    Yvette stepped back as Ewan pushed his way into the room, leaving the door ajar. His hair was damp, no doubt from bathing, and the stubble darkening his face earlier was gone. Feet bare, wearing only buckskin breeches and a shirt unbuttoned to the waist, he resembled a pirate—a dangerous, rakish, sinfully handsome pirate.

    She sucked in her breath. He oughtn’t to be here, but he’d said he wanted to talk to her, and he had promised to behave.

    Yvette’s gaze traveled the path of silky hair from his chest until it disappeared into his waistband.

    Her stomach flip-flopped. Sweet Lord above. She pressed her hands to her frolicking middle. Why doesn’t he say something?

    A distraction, that’s what she needed.

    She escaped to the lumpy bed where she’d flung her clothing before bathing. She folded, then packed the garments into her valise and set it on the floor beside her trunk. Bending to retrieve her towel, she peeked sideways at him from the corner of her eye. He hasn’t moved an inch. What’s he about?

    Grabbing the towel, she glanced down and froze. The candles to her left bathed her in a stream of light. She could clearly see the outline of her legs. Her nightwear was almost translucent in the candlelight and gave him a shadowy view of— dear God—nearly everything.

    No wonder he hadn’t moved, the lout.

    Standing upright, she held the towel before her and faced him. “Enjoying the view, your lordship?” she snapped.

    Ewan lounged against the doorframe, watching her. A slow smile tilted the corners of his mouth.

    “Immeasurably.”

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  37. Oooh, thanks Collette, that's a fantastic excerpt - I think Ewan is my type of hero. This sounds like an amazing read!

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  38. Yummy excerpt! Oh, and I think I just found AJ's contact. It was on my bustle. Oops! That's not a bustle, it's my left butt cheek. *blushes* But we still need to find AJ's phone. I'll run ask Yvette if she's seen it. Maybe she'll tell me what happened after Ewan stopped staring.

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  39. I am a reader and reviewer and, like Lilly, sure do want to know more about the sexy Scotsman and what's under the kilt! LOL! I would love to read Highlander's Hope!
    Thanks,
    Rebecca
    rbooth43 at yahoo dot com

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  40. Love the excerpt!!!!
    Don't give her contact back we could really have fun with her. I think AJ's phone is between the girls, but this dress is so tight I can't reach it. Hey, it's ringing!
    Mary squeezes the girls and says hello. Just a telemarketer...

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  41. Rebecca, come on down here, the floor gives a great view of under the kilt, I may lie here all night.

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  42. Well see you in the morning, I just got helped up by a kilted guy and one with assets!
    Find your own girls. He's mine!!

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  43. I dunno, how come Mary always gets the guy?

    Anyway, I think all this dancing and mead has made me tired, so I'm going to retire as well, with a good book - 'Highlander's Hope' sounds like it will fit the bill perfectly.

    Goodnight everyone, see you at breakfast tomorrow!

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  44. Mary you are too funny. So glad you made it Rebecca. I've been looking for you all day.Thanks for sharing Ewan and Yvette's excerpts with us, Collette. I think I need to lie down now. Too much mead and all these young, kilted men are giving me heart palpitations. Mary, can the "girls" dial AJ's phone? Call my husband and tell him to pick me up. But don't mention the mead! Or the hunky men in kilts. lol!

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  45. *Waves to Rebecca* - hi Rebecca!

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  46. Goodnight all!
    Thanks so much for coming by.

    I'm off to write edit the second book in the series.

    Ta tat for now!

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  47. Love the toast and roast, ladies. Thanks for the laugh.
    I'm off to find one of Collette's gorgeous highlanders.

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  48. Oh, thank goodness there's mead--and wine--left. Oliver's pouring me a glass of each right now. Someone gent's snoring in corner--one of you missing a partner? What a fun party this must have been.

    I'm so sorry to have been late, Collette, your invitation got slipped into the wrong stack. I'll just sit here and moon over your luscious cover while I sip. Ta!

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  49. Waves to Mary, Lilly, and Hywela! Kudos for the post Collette!
    Thanks!
    Rebecca

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  50. What a wonderful nite I had. HEHEHE The best way to view a kilt is from the floor for sure.
    Mary waves to everyone, you all look a bit hungover. Well here's to the hair of the dog that bit you!Lyn gulps mead and Mary stops her. Champagne for everyone. And a kilted highlander too! What a great party Collette and I wish you tremendous success with sales!

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  51. *looks around the great hall, shaking head* What a mess we made this weekend, but Oliver and his crew will have things spotless in no time. And it was a wonderful party.Thank you so much, Collette for being such a fun guest and for sharing Ewan and Yvette with us. Wishing you many sales and great success in your writing career.

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  52. LOL Liulyt, it does look like everone had a good time - *sigh* and someone's drunk all he mead! Just as well we only have to be responsible for setting up the party and someone else does the clearing up!

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  53. Oops, forgot to tell you who won the copy of Highlander's Hope!
    Rebecca! Whoop. I'll email her and let her know.

    Thanks again.

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  54. Thank you so much Collette, we've loved having you as our special guest, and I'm sure Rebecca will be thrilled to have won your book, it sounds fabulous!

    Wishing you many, many sales and much success in the future.

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