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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, October 11, 2013

It's a Caribbean Party with Melissa Douthit and The Legend of the Raie’Chaelia, Book 3 'The Return!'



“Don’t worry...about a thing...cuz every little thing, is gonna be all right,”
AJ sings, head bobbing, her wig of heavy dreadlocks swinging back and forth.

“Will you please knock it off with that!” Mac elbows her in the ribs. “That’s the third Bob Marley song in a row.” The small power boat lurches over a wave and the impact knocks Mac’s colorful turban askew. “Whose bright idea was it to let AJ come to Melissa Douthit’s Caribbean Roast and Toast as a Rastafarian?”
The hostesses exchange a wide-eyed glance around the boat before facing Mac. “Hers,” they respond in unison.

“You need to relax, mon.” AJ slides her blue tinted sunglasses to the end of her nose and peers at Mac. “The Caribbean includes Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic...”
Lilly sighs and nudges Mary’s arm. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and she’ll get lost in the Bermuda Triangle.”

“...the Cayman Islands, Port au France. I thought it would be fun for each of us to dress to represent a region.”

Melissa flips up her black eye patch and leans forward, her other hand resting on her broadsword. “Yeah, so what’s the reason I’m dressed like a pirate?”
“What are you complaining about?” Vonnie snorts. “One more bright yellow ruffle on this dress and I’m apt to set sail all on my own.”


“At least your feathered headdress matches that pretty scarf you got in Paris. This peasant skirt is louder than the horn on that steamer we took to get here.” The boat crashes against another wave and Mary groans and cradles her chest inside her white off the shoulder blouse. “My girls can’t take much more of this.”


“Good thing our sidekicks took their own boat to get there.” Lilly shakes her head. “There wouldn’t be room for all of us in the same boat.”

"Look, we’re almost at the island.” Lyn stands and points, tipping the boat off-kilter. The busy pattern of her black and white serape makes AJ’s eyes cross. “Oh, and just look at all the wonderful food!”

“Yep. There’s jerk beef and chicken, paella, eschabeche—which is a citrus pan-fried fish.” AJ counts off the delicious entrees on her fingers. “Not to mention Ropa Vieja and a variety of curries and fresh salsas.”


“Ropa Vieja.” Lyn puts a flat hand to her brow and squints into the distance. “Doesn’t that mean ‘old clothes’ in Spanish?”
Vonnie laughs. “It’s a spicy beef dish, and wonderful, from what I’ve heard.”

“Forget the food. I need a Mojito,” Mary mumbles into her boobs.
“Lyn, sit down.” Mac clings to the side of the boat, her turban sliding a little farther to the right. “You’re gonna trip on those big feet of yours and then we all be tossed into the drink!”

“We could always use Lilly’s butt as a floatation device.” Melissa snaps down her eye patch and grins.
“Ha, ha. Very funny.” Lilly rearranges the folds of her bright plaid skirt, a hand braced against the basket of fruit on her head. “I don’t see why I got stuck carrying this heavy thing. I got guavas, coconuts, carambolas, mangos...”
“Our guest, Melissa Douthit, asked us to bring some of our favorite local fruits to celebrate the release of the final book in her The Legend of the Raie’Chaelia series, The Return. It takes place in the Karahali Islands, which are just like the Caribbean.” AJ twirls a beaded necklace around on her finger and Mac puts up a hand to block it from hitting her face. “Have you seen the cover? It’s gorgeous!”
“As long as we’re talking visuals, have you seen the men on that beach?” Vonnie stands to join Lyn and the boat keels dangerously to the side. “Shirtless...they’re all shirtless.”

“Where?” Lilly springs to her feet and Melissa, Mary, Mac and AJ squawk, arms flinging in the air as they fight to maintain their balance.
“It’s going over!” Mac screams as her turban tips into the water.

“Oh no!” the hostesses scream and splash head first into the warm ocean.
They flop and flap toward shore, collecting the floating fruits and squeezing the water from their skirts.

“Great.” Mary shakes the water from her hands and blows a few wayward droplets off her upper lip. “Looks like we’re arriving at the party in typical Roast and Toast fashion.”
“And look, there’s Melissa Douthit!” Lyn waves as they all slosh onto the beach. “She looks beautiful!”


“Now if we can just get those bare-chested men to help us dry off,” Vonnie mumbles to Mac, “everything will be just as it should be.”
“Well, that and give a warm welcome to Melissa Douthit and her release, The Legend of the Raie’Chaelia series, The Return.”  Mac smiles and they all drip their way into the party.


THE RETURN
After the fall from the Maaldan cliff, Chalice is reunited with her friends on a journey that takes them to the coastline of Ielieria.  Little do Vlaad and his Fierain know what is in store for them as, bit by bit, their plans are thwarted by this blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty.
The small band of rebels then travels across the Realm, preparing it for war, while Chalice herself is brewing plans of her own that may just land her in the hot seat.  What will happen when she returns her father to the throne?  What will happen when he finds out what she has done?  And … what will happen once Dar’Maalda learns of the rebels’ location?

In the third and final novel of the trilogy, The Legend of the Raie’Chaelia, you find out.  It is a dramatic finish to an epic story of action, adventure, betrayal, forgiveness and love.

Author Links:
http://melissadouthit.com
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Douthit/e/B0053A3EI2/

Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DVTL6WS
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/The-Return-Book-3/IQExC9ZUjE68cSSx3vW2fw
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-return-melissa-douthit/1116010837?ean=2940148143192



Melissa Douthit grew up in North County of San Diego, California. After graduating with a Computer Science degree in Southern California, and working for a summer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in New Mexico, she moved to the Bay Area to work at NASA Ames Research Center for a year and then at Lawrence Livermore National Lab for another four years. From there, she moved to Monterey, California, to work at the Naval Postgraduate School on a government project for two years. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, working as a software engineer. Since high school, she has been a voracious reader of books of all genres, with an emphasis in fantasy and science fiction. Her literary work is strongly influenced by her professional experience and includes many elements of her scientific background. You can find out more about Melissa on her website: http://melissadouthit.com

Excerpt:

"Black sacks were placed over their heads and nooses secured around their throats.  The two hangmen stepped back as the third laid his hand on the lever and waited.  Then, the drumbeat began.  The end of the last beat would signal the release of the trapdoors.  When it did, the hangman pulled and the doors fell open.

    Before the condemned began to fall blindly to their death, Chalice glanced down at her hands and heard the sharp whipping sound of ropes tauten and the crack of two necks breaking under the strain.  It unnerved her completely, which was odd, she thought.  She had seen battle.  She had seen men die, spilling their life’s blood or worse, and yet this hanging, which spilled no gore whatsoever in front of its witnesses, had her magnificently unsettled.

    She knew why.  It was because she knew deep down that it could just as easily be her at the end of that rope.  In fact, it should be her.  If they find out what you did, you will hang for it, Jeremiah had said.  At no other time did she feel the severity of the truth behind his words as acutely as she did at this moment."


Book one of the Trilogy, the Legend of the Rai Chaellia can be downloaded free HERE


SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY MELISSA OF  A GREAT CONTEST
On October 14th, all readers have to do is visit my blog and leave a comment saying "I'm in" on the post The Return Blog Tour Starts Next Week! (http://melissadouthit.com/2013/10/09/the-return-blog-tour-starts-next-week/) The contest runs from October 14th to November 27th, during which time The Return's blog tour will be in full swing. All readers can enter! Prize is a free e-reader or a $75 gift card to Amazon's bookstore!

***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Melissa'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.

41 comments:

  1. Lyn hugs the guest of honour and blows air kisses to her sister hostesses.

    Welcome to your Roast, Melissa.

    What a beautiful island - and what a lovely cover to your book - and a gripping excerpt.

    Wishing you many sales with this third book and I hope the series is doing well.

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  2. Hi everyone! Thanks so much! It's so great to be here today!

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  3. Hiya chickies! *air kisses* I LOVE the beach!

    Welcome to your roast, Melissa. Powerful excerpt, sweetie.

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  4. I'm here now. All dry thanks to Xavier over there. *finger waves to handsome hunk who finger waves back* He showed me how to dry off with palm leaves.

    *AJ plants a hand on her hip and arches a brow* Oh, I just bet he did. Did you pull that weak grandmotherly act on him?

    *Vonnie grins* I'm dry, aren't I? Melissa, I loved your excerpt. Mac's right. It's very powerful. *glances at the beach bar* Oh, is that rum punch they're serving? I need some of that...

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  5. Thank you, everyone! I have more excerpts if you'd like. Or if you have questions about the book, just let me know! I'll be over here on my beach chair sipping my Mojito!

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  6. I still have to find some dry clothes. I look ridiculous in this wet outfit. Why you can almost see my nibs! Mary covers her girls protectively. Palm leaves you dried off with palm leaves. Besides Palms don't even have leaves. Vonnie I think Xavier should intro me to one of his buds?
    Melissa what a great story!

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  7. Whoo Hoo! Lyn, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how you dressed everyone! Oh my gosh, I was just cracking up that you found the PERFECT outfits! You ROCK!

    Melissa I am so glad to have you here today! What a lovely party! Love the island and the eye candy! *air kisses all around*

    Yes, please post another excerpt for us! That's a great idea!

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  8. Hi everyone! The Mojito, the fruit that Lilly is providing, and especially the eye candy on the beach sounds great, since it's cold, dreary and raining here!
    Melissa, The Return sounds like a great read from the excerpt and I love the cover! What a beautiful horse!
    Thanks!
    Rebecca

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  9. I'd love to read another excerpt, too, Melissa. Do share.

    Mary, are those your nubs or conch shells???

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  10. You're just jealous of my girls Vonnie.
    Besides I left those shells at home.
    Excerpt would be terrific!
    My

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  11. Lyn steps from behind a large towel held by one of the hunks. I'm really glad I thought to put a swimsuit on under that serape.

    Oh *Blush* thanks you AJ - as 'wardrobe mistress', it was fun finding costumes to fit your fun intro. I have to say all the hostesses do a fantastic job of writing the intros for our special gests.

    Melissa I think it would be great if you could post another excerpt here - I've read all three of your books and they're wonderful, romance, suspense, magic and mystery all combined with some great, memorable characters!




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  12. Hi Rebecca, I couldn't agree more, I just love that cover!

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  13. I've read two of them and I agree with Bigfoot. I mean Lyn.

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  14. Here's another excerpt. This one from the Chapter one, when Chalice is rescued from the island of Maalda:

    "The boy was small and was around four years old, she estimated, with brown skin, dark hair, and a laughing face that she loved. She watched him as he played in the pool of the fountain, ducking down beneath the surface and springing back up again, splashing and making a ridiculous face. And she just sat there, watching, brushing her hand to and fro in the water and smiling back at him. This was her favorite time of the day, waiting for Papa to return from market while she sat at the fountain and watched the people pass by, going about their quotidian routine. To her, it was a snapshot of life and of the wonder that only a child could see in the mundane.
    Suddenly, she heard distant cries of a name she did not recognize. Of a person she did not know. And the cries were getting louder. The louder they grew, the more her vision of the boy in the fountain blurred, until he was finally gone, replaced by darkness. Then, she opened her eyes and stared straight up into the thick green of an unfamiliar jungle. For a moment, she didn’t know where she was, but then remembered when she heard the name again.
    “Chalice!” the deep voices shouted in the distance. “Chalice!”
    With every aching muscle in her body, she pulled herself out of the brush and onto the white sand, shivering from the cold as the fading light of dusk held no warmth. Out on the pier where a beautiful ship was docked, she saw men in uniform approaching. She knew them. In particular, she knew the one in front. She knew him well. He was her best friend, her confidant, and her lover. Jeremiah. Which was why she couldn’t understand the reason he would whip out an arrow from his quiver and nock it in her direction, yelling something at her that was drowned out by a crashing wave.
    What is he doing? she thought, panicking. Is he trying to kill me? She squinted. Are my eyes lying to me? Or is that really Jeremiah?
    When he let the arrow fly, she heard the snap of a twig behind her."

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  15. Oh my! Sorry I disappeared for awhile. I got called away to work this morning and you wouldn't believe the odd looks I got for wearing this colorful outfit rather than my uniform. But I'm back! *waves arms frantically at Melissa, Rebecca, and hostesses* I need a drink. Fast! Pass me a mojito. And thanks for watching after TT while I was away. I bet she never missed me. I think she has a thing for Nibbie. Great excerpt Melissa!

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  16. So that explains Nibbie being so coy Lilly. TT is a boy after all...
    I loved the excerpt and your imagery is terrific Melissa!!!! You rock!

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  17. Good morning everyone! So sorry I'm late. I had too many errands to run this morning?

    How are we all doing?

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  18. All is well! I'm just over here enjoying my drink and this jerk chicken. Yum! And double yum for who's serving the food and drinks! :)

    Hey ladies, can I mention the contest I am holding for readers to win a free e-reader or a $75 gift certificate to Amazon's bookstore? Would everyone be interested in that?

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  19. Melissa, go right ahead! Readers love giveaways. :)

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  20. Hi Mellissa (sister hostess) it's getting complicated with two Melissa's.

    Melissa D - that's a fantastic excerpt - as Melissa S said, tell us about your contest and we'll put the details up on the main post

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  21. On October 14th, all readers have to do is visit my blog and leave a comment saying "I'm in" on the post The Return Blog Tour Starts Next Week! (http://melissadouthit.com/2013/10/09/the-return-blog-tour-starts-next-week/) The contest runs from October 14th to November 27th, during which time The Return's blog tour will be in full swing. All readers can enter! Prize is a free e-reader or a $75 gift card to Amazon's bookstore!

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  22. Oh Mary, TT is crushed that you thought she was a boy. She's gone into the corner to pout, but I think Morena is giving her some tips on how to keep the mats out of her course curls until she can get to the dog groomers. She is looking a bit scruffy!

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  23. Well tell TT I couldn't tell from here.
    And Nibbie is a girl too, so...
    She looks wonderful Nibs says and scruffy is good for a dog. It's people who want them looking spiffy. Why Nibs rolls in stuff for goodness sakes and loves it. Ask Morena whats with that??
    We'll all try to visit your blogpost and may the best reader win!!!

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  24. What a great contest Melissa! I'll send Cuddles over to the main page - oh wait, it's never a good idea to entrust Cuddles with anything, he has a habit of hiding it. Perhaps Oliver will run over and put up a notice!

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  25. By the way Melissa, Oliver cooks the food and sets it up. He makes an appearance and with a sexy smile, and a tip of his head, he's gone. He was Sharon's Butler and he still does the roast for us, in her memory. Though forget trying to get a date. A wink and a kiss...poof

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  26. Oh no, Mary. I thought Nibbie was a boy too. I should have known she was a girl from the pink collar, but those red eyes of hers are so intense, I guess TT was mesmerized. TT and I need to work on our communication skills. Here, I thought she had a crush on Nibbie when apparently, Nibbie is her idle and she wants to emulate her. lol!

    Melissa, I'll have to remember to check out your blog during your blog tour. That sounds like an awesome prize. *rubs hands together gleefully* $75 will buy a lot of books and I wouldn't have to wait for Amazon free days!

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  27. WOW! $75 smackaroos?!?! Melissa, that's outstanding. And speaking of outstanding, who's that hunka-hunka behind the bar? *AJ flips her dreadlocks over her shoulder and waggles her brows* Does anyone need a drink refill?

    Melissa, I love that excerpt! Your stories sound faboo!

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  28. I'll take a refill! :) Hunka! Hunka!

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  29. I'll take one AJ what are you all having?
    Nibbie has long fur too. Like a girl. Nibs says she is flattered TT wants to emulate her. Me, she ain't called the demon dog just cause of her eyes.
    Ask Miranda, she has a reputation amongst the canines of all kinds.

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  30. Well crap. I had a few of those mojitos and fell asleep under that palm tree over there. I hope I wasn't drooling. Someone tell me I wasn't drooling.

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  31. I won't say anything if you don't Mac! :)

    Sadly in this time zone it's time to hit the hay as they say, so I'm going to make my way to that little beach hut over there for some shut-eye.
    I'll be back in time for breakfast!

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  32. I'm about to hit something. That cute hunk over there. Behind the huge butt on...

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  33. Night, y'all! I'm gonna party with the boys til dawn!

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  34. Night Melissa - and my sister hostesses and anyone who's still around. Have a great time Melissa, you certainly have some stamina!

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  35. After too many mojitos and bottles of rum, and dancing around the fire under the stars, Oliver and I decided to crash on the beach for the night. Good night to all and to all a good night! See in the morning for eggs, bacon, tortillas and salsa Caribbean style!

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  36. And thank you everyone for a wonderful roast!

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  37. What a lovely guest you are Melissa, and what a fun location you chose for your Roast.

    Just some totillas and honey for me Oliver, I think I ate too much yesterday!

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  38. *stretch* *yawn*

    Good morning, everyone! Mmmmm. These breakfast wraps are delicious!

    What a great time it was yesterday! Thanks again for a great roast!

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  39. Thank you for being such a great guest, Melissa, we've loved having you and wish you huge success with your latest book.,

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  40. I dedicate this post to my wonderful hostesses!

    http://melissadouthit.com/2013/10/12/author-roast-toast-for-the-return/

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AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST

AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE OUR GUEST? DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE YOUR NEW RELEASE OR EVEN AN OLDER ONE?IF YOU FANCY BEING GUEST OF HONOUR AT ONE OF OUR PARTIES JUST EMAIL US AT THE ADDRESS in 'OLIVER'S RULES'!(PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A 'G' RATED BLOG SO NOTHING HIGHER THAN THIS RATING, PLEASE.)