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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, January 10, 2014

Journey into space with Victoria Pinder and 'The Zoastra Affair'

The six hostesses arrive by bus to a hanger at a secret location. The bus has no windows and there is a panel between the passenger section and the driver's front window so none of them know their location. None of the hostesses were allowed to bring their trusty familiars. None but AJ, who managed to sneak her Precious iphone aboard in her jean's pocket.

She beetles her brow. "Neither my GPS nor Google Maps is working. I can't get a location."

"We were told not to bring anything," Lilly says. "Anything would include your iphone, don't ya think, AJ?"

AJ hunches over her Precious. "I never leave home without my phone. You're just upset because you couldn't bring TT."


Lilly pouts. "I didn't want to bring TT."

"That's because Victoria said we're taking a trip and there's limited space," Lyn chimes in. "I'm sure Cuddles could have used his magical powers to shrink himself down to the size of...hmmm....I don't know, an iphone maybe?" She turns to glare at AJ. "But I was obeying the rules."

"Please!" Melissa scoffs. "I'm sure I could have brought Morena along had I wanted to. She could have just taken Vonnie's place. I mean, Morena can pass as human."

"And she takes up the space of a human," Mac argues. "Foster is a fairy. He's tiny. I could have easily brought him on board."

Mary tsks and waggles a finger at her five sister hostesses. "Ladies, I would have liked to have brought Nibbie as well. Unlike TT, she's a large demon dog and she would have protected us from the unknown we're about to face, but there is only so much room at the transport location. Only six people can transport with Victoria at a time and we need to stick together. Still, you ladies have to admit you are just as curious to know where we are as AJ. So, I'm glad she brought her phone."

"But she can't get a location," Melissa argues. "I think she's worn her poor 'Precious' out."

"She does live on that thing," Mac agrees. "I bet all her aps are worn out. She probably needs a new phone."

AJ gasps, holding her phone to her chest. "It's not my phone. It's this spooky hanger."

Just then, a panel slides open in the side of the dome-shaped hanger and Science Fiction Romance Author Victoria Pinder steps inside. She waves the bus out and then walks forward toward the hostesses as the panel slides shut, leaving the ladies encased inside the large, white and eerily silent dome.

"Spooky," Lilly whispers, stepping closer to Mary.

"Welcome, sister authors and hostesses of The Roast," Victoria says as she walks forward. "I am so happy to meet you all and I'm thrilled that you have agreed to let 'my people' transport us to the location of my Roast. You're all going to have a blast..." she giggles and flashes a secretive smile. "No pun intended," she says as she waves her hand toward the far wall and another panel slides upward revealing a full moon and a darkened night sky."


"We're going to the moon?" Melissa asks, quirking her brow.

"What does a full moon have to do with Victoria's book?" AJ says as she types on her phone's keyboard to find information on Victoria's book. A gasp escapes. "Oh. My!"

Lyn giddily claps her hands together. "Oh my indeed. This is going to be so exciting."



Victoria smiles and steps toward a console. "I hope you will all think so as we step onto the transporter platform and our molecules are blasted through space on ribbons of light through the worm holes. Look beyond the moon, Melissa." Victoria touches the panel, zooming past the moon and the rest of the planets. The blinking cursor zooms past Jupiter, beyond Saturn and Neptune, even beyond that arguable moon that was once a planet, Pluto. 


"We're going beyond this solar system ladies...Beyond the moons of Jupiter and I'm bringing the Guinness. This, my friends, is a Space Party. Now, if you would please step forward and onto the transporter platform."







With another tap on the console, Victoria and the hostesses are  molecularly transported to the far-reaches of space before reappearing seconds later aboard an alien space craft. They are not on the bridge of some galactic war ship, but have been transported to a holiday deck. One whole wall is made of glass revealing stars and a not-so distant planet that looks nothing like earth. The other three walls are oddly alien as is the creature who greets them.

Thanks to Alexander Winston for his Original artwork (Before the hostesses crept in!)

Then a handsome man steps through a portal and into the room. "Greetings. My name is Cross. Welcome aboard the 'Millennium Falcon'."


Lilly's mouth gapes and Mac nearly drools. 

"Oh, my." Mary leans forward, as if her hands are itching to touch Cross's wide shoulders and fondle one of his tightly encased biceps.

A gorgeous woman steps forward, holding her hands out to encompass a feast that suddenly appears before them. "Please, make yourselves at home. There is plenty of Rael for everyone....you may know it as chicken and spicy rice. And there are other foods as well. Lovely, tasty dishes from many planets. "

Cross raises his hand, beckoning someone from the shadows, and Oliver steps forward decked out in a tight-fitting, sexy space getup made of some metallic material that has all the hostesses agog. He holds up a tray filled with bubbly champagne and dark beer.


Victoria snags a glass and raises it high. "Cheers!"


Lyn steps forward and snags a glass of bubbly. "Everyone grab a glass. It's time to celebrate Victoria's latest release,  The Zoastra Affair."

The Zoastra Affair
by Victoria Pinder
Published by Soul Mate Publishing

Science Fiction Romance

Heat Level: Steamy

Length: 258 pages
Available HERE

Blurb:

A hundred years from now, Earth has trading partners with alien beings, mostly humanoid. However, going into space brought forth an unknown enemy who attacks Earth at will.

The Zoastra is part of the Earthseekers, an organization originally designed to go into space. Its new mission is to find Earth’s enemies.

Ariel is stuck on a Victorian planet and steals Grace’s body and life to get off the planet. Grace must get her body back before Ariel bonds with Grace’s husband, Peter. Then there is Cross, the man on a mission to find those who killed his family. Ariel is attracted to Cross, but she’s stolen someone’s life.


Excerpt:

I’m going to have to steal someone else’s body to get out of here.
“Ariel, are you listening?”
Ariel Transcender stared dumbfounded at the mother superior of her prison, a/k/a Aulnale School for Orphans. “Yes, mistress.”
She had no idea what happened, though she pasted a fake simpering smile of appreciation on her face. Ms. Rochelle walked away.
A few minutes later, Ariel looked out the window again, tuning out Rochelle’s mind numbing lecture on what was proper behavior when near a man. The boarding home on this planet gave the stupidest lectures of the galaxy. Her lips curled into a sneer. Women were not excited to be bound to men.
Could I do this to someone else? Do I have any other choice?
Lenchena, the teenage girl who’d stolen her adult body and taken off on Ariel’s ship, needed to be found. And Ariel refused to listen to the daily drivel about always listening to a man.
About the Author:
Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston before moving to the Miami sun. She’s worked in engineering, after passing many tests proving how easy Math came to her. Then hating her life at the age of twenty four, she decided to go to law school. Four years later, after passing the bar and practicing very little, she realized that she hates the practice of law. She refused to one day turn 50 and realize she had nothing but her career and hours at a desk. After realizing she needed change, she became a high school teacher. Teaching is rewarding, but writing is a passion.

During all this time, she always wrote stories to entertain herself or calm down. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, and Victoria spent too many years living other people’s dreams, but when she sat down to see what skill she had that matched what she enjoyed doing, writing became so obvious. The middle school year book when someone wrote in it that one day she’d be a writer made sense when she turned thirty.

When she woke up to what she wanted, the dream of writing became so obvious. She dreams of writing professionally, where her barista can make her coffee and a walk on the beach, can motivate her tales. Contemporary romances are just fun to write. She’s always thinking whose getting hurt and whose story is next on the list to fall in love. Victoria’s love of writing has kept her centered and focused through her many phases, and she’s motivated to write many stories.

Member of Florida Romance Writers, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA, and in Savvy Authors.

Visit Victoria online at:

Authors Website:  http://www.victoriapinder.com
Tumblr:    victoriapinder.tumblr.com 


The Zoastra Affair by Victoria Pinder is a science-fiction romance adventure that features body stealing, planet hopping and aliens. Yes, please! The video is short and milks every second for its full opportunity to pull you in with the upbeat slightly techno soundtrack, the brisk script and the images of hunky guys with guns. I loved how you got a real sense of the high stakes of the book and the intricate character dynamic from this trailer.

See for yourself below!



Victoria Pinder 
Always Imagining Life

***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Vicki'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.
(We reserve the right to waive the prize in any week when there are not enough contestants for a draw to be deemed fair and unbiased)

63 comments:

  1. "Good morning, Victoria. Welcome to your roast. Looks like we're going to have a great time!" Mac pecks air kisses at the other hostesses, then lowers her voice. "Did you read that excerpt? We need a code word or something. In case any of that body snatching starts happening." She bats her lashes and accepts a glass of bubbly from Oliver, or at least he LOOKS like Oliver...

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  2. Sheesh, started out the new year wearing the wrong identity! And I'M worried about body snatchers? *rolls eyes* Happy new year, everyone.

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  3. Lol Mac, that's happened to me once or twice too, worrying isn 't it! Happy New Year to you to and to everyone out there, including our sister hostesses and our Guest Author Vicky. Welcome Vicky, what a great snippet of an excerpt - I want more! Wishing you many, many sales and great success for the coming year.

    Now, if I can just find my space-legs, I wonder if Oliver has any other-worldly mead for me at the bar?

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  4. Body snatching sounds scary! Like in that movie with Leonard Nimoy. Speaking of Leonard Nimoy, this is all very Star Trekking. Think a young version of Captain Kirk might be on board? Or ooh, ooh! *Lilly fans herself* How about Jean Luc Piccard? Now that's one sexy bald guy. If I get body snatched, I'm going to give him a big smooch on the lips because it won't be my lips so it won't be like I was really kissing another man. Right? Oh crappers! I would not buy that excuse from my husband so guess I can't use it either. But I can look. Right? And oh my! Look at that hunk, Cross. Now, there's a sexy man. I think I'm just going to wander over there and see if those biceps are as hard and tight as they look. Oooh, ooh! Think I can float over? Can we turn off the gravity and bounce around the room. *Lilly fans herself and leans against Mary who pushes her onto Mac. Mary rolls her eyes. Lilly blushes* Oh. Sorry ladies, I think that maybe champagne and space travel have made me giddy. All those bubbles have gone to my head. *Lilly giggles and starts singing Tiny Bubbles.*

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  5. Hey, Lilly and Lyn. Did you see where are the other hostesses went? You know how AJ and Melissa are around guys in muscle molding clothes and I don't even want to think of what Mary might be up to. *Eyes a few studly space travelers* Those space suits sure do hug....stuff. That can only mean trouble.

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  6. Tiny bubbles *hick* *Lilly giggles.* Okay, maybe it's time to switch to the Guiness? I do love a good dark beer more than I like champagne. It's just not as much fun to drink. *hick* *Lilly giggles again*

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  7. Or you could try one one of these super-hyperspacial-knck-em-out-MartiniMeads I concocted, Lilly. I'm not a beer drinker, myself, but I do love my mead! *hic*

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    Replies
    1. I like martinis and some Meads. Hand me that glass, Lyn!

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  8. LOL, Lilly, I suggest we finish eating and drinking before we turn off the artificial gravity, otherwise we'll end up chasing our drinks and nibbles all round the starship. Shhh don't mention that to Mary, you know what her sense of humour's like! Now did someone say they'd seen Cross, I must go and introduce myself - it's only polite y'know. Talking about StarTrek, I wonder if he looks anything like Will Riker? He was always my favorite and I got mad when Jean-Luc would shout 'Fire at Will' Poor guy, he was such a good office he didn't deserve to be shot atr!

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    Replies
    1. *snort* It's good to see puns aren't affected by space travel.

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    2. Fire at Will. *snort* Hey, speaking of puns, if we turn off the gravity and start floating around, bumping into each other, will everyone then be feeling "Mary?" lol!

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    3. Feeling merry. Mary? Get it? Hey, my girls don't call me the Queen of Corny for nothing! Okay, hand me some of that spicy chicken stuff before my mouth gets me into trouble again. lol!

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  9. Have the Roast and Toast Authors been kidnapped? Do I need to call NCIS, Castle or Blue Blood! If you think they are in Hawaii, I can call Hawaii Five-O! With all the good-liiking men, I am sure they can be found! Victoria, should I call the Space Station? Lilly, I'll take some Bubbles, but I probably sleep through the excitement!
    Rebecca

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    1. LOL Rebecca. I think I spotted Mary out on the dance floor with a couple of hunks. She was doing...wait for it...the robot. :-) (how's that for a pun, Lyn?)

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    2. You crack me up, Mac! Becky, we are NOT in Hawaii, but do call Five-0! Please, call Five-0! Six can transport at a time and I just want McGarett! Can we say, "Hubba, hubba?!" What a hunk! Let's get him in a body hugging space suite!!

      Delete
  10. I've been in deep trouble! Suddenly I found myself transported to another planet! I think I might have inadvertently, accidentally, taken a little memento, do you think they will miss this beautiful, jewel encrusted, crown? Any mean looking guys been looking for me??

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  11. Glad to see you made it to the right starship in the end Mary. How did you manage to get to another planet - I do like your souvenir, though you could have got one for us too! And you can't fool me asking about hot guys - your lippy is smeared all over your face! ;0

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  12. *Waves* to Rebecca. Hi there Rebecca, do have some of this M\artin-Mead, it's delicious and not at all *hic* inebriat-enibria-tiddlymaking!

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  13. We can't take you anywhere, can we Mary? lol!

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  14. Trouble is, when we do, we have to take her back a second time - to apologise!

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  15. HeHeHe! I can't help myself. I figure you only live once, we're sure of anyhow. So step far, and try new things. Oh, wait, I finally made it back, but I think I mighta brought some people with me, Inadvertently, you know. WATCH OUT! RUN LARGE ALIENS! Strange suits, big guns!!!!!!

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    Replies
    1. I hate strange suits, big guns! Wait for me!!!! Oh, damn, never mind. Cross! Help meeeeee!

      Delete
  16. Sneaking over to get the liquid refreshments. Don't call the cops. I'll be back.

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    Replies
    1. I could use some refreshment, Vicky. Cross does leave a girl a bit dry mouthed, doesn't he? :-)

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    2. Hot muscular guy on a mission to save the world and keep his body at peak performance in case he has to fight... We'll need that drink when he passes.

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  17. I'm with you about Mcgarett, but I take any of the men! If you ever travel to Hawaii, I'd like to be a stowaway!

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    Replies
    1. This is for Lilly, but all are welcome to travel!

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  18. Cops! We have aliens chasing us!!!! AHHHHH!

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  19. Cops or Firemen! They can blow the aliens to bits, then have a bonfire and a roast and toast!

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    Replies
    1. Oh I nearly missed this - nice one Rebecca! a bonfire to roast and toast the aliens, what fun! (wicked snicker)

      Delete
  20. Sounds like a plan, HELP!!!!! I understand they have Vicki as we speak. Who will save her?

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  21. I WILL SAVE HER! *AJ appears as a panel whooshes open, hands on her hips* DA-DA-DAAAAAAH! LOL But before I do that, I thought I heard someone mention martinis? I got lost exploring the ship. This place is so cool! Have you ladies checked out those bathrooms? Wow! Vicki has outdone herself with this location! I can't wait for her to join us so we can beg her for another excerpt of her book! Whoot!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, we need another excerpt but first... Here's your martini, AJ. Now, tell me. Where did you get those fabulous boots, and that cape? Gorgeous! I need my own!

      Delete
  22. The cops heard there are some Martinis.... they are willing to trade! Can someone free me please?

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    Replies
    1. *slips a handcuff key from the bodice of her stylish space suit and grins sheepishly while freeing Vicky's hands.* "Don't ask me where I got that? What happens in space, stays in space."

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    2. I saw you snag that key, Mac. No worries. I'll never tell. *wink*

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  23. Now that was incredible Mac,but if you don't mind. There are at least a dozen nasty looking, huge, funky, faced, aliens, in the room. Not to mention at least fifty robots. Hey, some of them have human heads!! Yuk! What are we gonna do??? AAHHHHH! One of them has me, and he's, my God he's trying to touch my girls, can you imagine. I think I'll bite his hand! Ugh, he tastes nasty, at least he's not, wait he's strangling me!!!! Shoulda let him touch them...hmmm. AAHHH!
    Mary passes out...

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  24. Oh no! AJ tosses her cape over her shoulder and glances around. Can someone please give Mary mouth to mouth resuscitation? Lilly, you're the medic in the group, right? I'll pry the robot's hand off, you get Mary breathing!

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    Replies
    1. AJ, I think she's faking. I went to give her mouth to mouth and she shoved me aside and grabbed that cop Rebecca was doing the robot with....or was it a robot pretending to be a cop? I can't tell, but Mary is now lip-locked with a hunky cop!

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  25. Mac claps her hands while AJ preens in front of the aliens and Lilly slaps Mary's cheeks. "A Conga line ought to do it!" Mac signals the band (which strikes up an odd beat Jimmy Buffet would certainly condemn) and shimmies her hips as she moves across the floor. The aliens stare for a moment before falling into line. AJ's mouth falls open and her cape sags on her shoulders. She whips out her phone and starts snapping pics.

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  26. Hold on AJ, I'm coming to help. Lyn rushes up and aims her foot at the robot's head, sending it crashing to the ground where it spins like a toy spinning top. 'Take that you brute,' she yells, adding with a Welsh accent - GerROnemo! Gosh I enjoyed that, who's next!

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  27. I have to file a report fast! Are the huge aliens attacking you Gray? If so, we need to clear the deck. If they are in fact a different color, I know we can take them. Tell me so I can make this call!!!

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  28. Um, the one whose head I just kicked in was purple - I think! Not sure in this weird alien light, could have been bluey - or it might have been grey ...heck I'm getting as confused as Mac! Should we be afraid, Vicki? How are grey ones different to the others?

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  29. Their colors matter? Holy crap! What if a person's color blind? Where's Oliver. I need another drink!

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  30. Vicky? I think we're out-numbered....

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  31. The conga line did it, and mouth to mouth is what I got from that guy. He just didn't know how to kiss.
    Now I am having a hard time remembering if he was gray. Vicki make the freakin' call!!! Here they come!!! You didn't mention the odd behavior and I can't see what they look like running like this!! Come on Lyn slow down, you know those feet cover more ground. And put that darn phone away!!! No time for calls nor texts now!!!! AHHH! Thump!

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  32. Oliver is watching the show, I just grabbed a mimosa from his tray as I ran by. BTY AAAAHHH!

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  33. So no one cares that I am being attacked? I know I brought my taser, it's in my purse somewhere! It was Oliver's last gift to me~ Ah found it, and ready, set, spray!!!

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  34. Wow, watch where you're pointing that thing Mary! 'Course we care about you sweetie, but we all know how lethal you are with that taser (though anything you shoot AT is usually fairly safe! :) )

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  35. RUUNN! That's about all I have to say about it!

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  36. Mary, deer, you spray mace. You point a taser and Lyn is right. Watch where you are pointing that thing! You had it aimed right at Cross's um...well, watch where you're aiming. Shoot that big, godawful purple looking creature!

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  37. Okay. Hold on. Give this ten seconds. Everyone hold onto to something or someone. I've started a countdown. In thirty seconds, this room should only be full of aliens and Ariel. She's beaming everyone out that's not supposed to be in this room.

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  38. Ooh thank goodness you're there, Vicki and Ariel - not that we were panicking or anything. Now who can I hold on to - that guy over there looks nice and stable ...





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  39. Please forgive me... I was in the middle of my dance class and was sidetracked for a while. Wait till you see the youtube clip one day I'll make. Hold on. The purple idiots are fading before our eyes. No one hold your breathe to start looking like them.

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  40. What, hold your breath or not? AJ I think it's don't hold your breath. Or, gulp, I'm purple...My taser does both, watch out, I have a tendency to aim at the wrong thing. Uh Oh! At least Vicki, got rid of the bad guys. So what color ones are okay, cause Lyn is lip locked over there, and he looks blue.

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  41. I hate to say it - but purple is actually my favourite colour! :)

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  42. That's fine. The Gray ones are the dangerous lot. The rest are garden variety types.

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  43. Crap, I was holding my breath. Is that bad?

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  44. Only if you don't have a pulse anymore. Look at that hot dude, see you tomorrow! Yee Hah!

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