D

D
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, February 21, 2014

Satin Pleasures - a beach party celebration with Karen Doctor

Welcome to our Roast Party for Katren Doctor to celebrate  the second anniversary of her book 'Satin Pleasures' Don't forget to leave a comment to be in the draw to win one of the prizes she has generously offered this week.

"Ooooh!" Lilly scrunches the bouffant curls on either side of her head as she and the other hostesses hop from their dune buggies to celebrate the 2nd Anniversary release of Karen Doctor's Satin Pleasures. "Look there's a beach band!"

"Cool! You guys line up and I'll take a picture!" AJ squints into her phone and snaps off a few photos of the parking lot. "We all look so cute in our fifties garb and teased hair."

"Over here, AJ." Mac grabs her shoulders and turns AJ toward the beach. Sighing, she adjusts the pink scarf knotted at her neck. "The band is by the tiki bar and crab shack. Over there, by where all those people are dancing the twist."

AJ tips her phone sideways and takes a picture of some folded chaise lounge chairs leaning against the side of the weathered building.

"Oh, and look at those wonderful drinks!" Mary's poodle skirt swings at her ankles as she rubs her hands together with glee. "They have orange slices and strawberries skewered in them with... What are those? Little surf boards?"

"Karen asked we have the bar make her guests some delicious Chi-Chi's." Lyn links her arm through Mary's as the hostesses start across the sand toward the dancing crowd. "They're like Pina Coladas, but instead of rum, they're made with vodka."

"Vodka! Vodka!" Mac chants. 

"Or the guests can have Mai Tai's or Bahama Mama's or Sex on the Beach." Melissa elbows Mac with a smirk before pointing
toward the large bonfire and pit turning slowly on it's outdoor rotisserie. "And we have a roasted pig and with veggies. Get it? A pig roast for Karen's roast?"


Mac rolls her eyes as AJ snaps off a few pictures of a beach umbrella. "I'm so excited for this party. Did you know Satin Pleasures won a RomCon Reader's Crown Finalist Award in the Contemporary Category and was a Golden Heart
Oliver
Finalist for Best Short Contemporary Romance by the Romance Writers of America? Karen has a lot to celebrate!"



"And she also write romantic suspense." Lilly sighs as she scans the tanned crowd. "This party is just like a scene straight out of an Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon movie."

"Right!" Lyn nods at Mary and the hostesses squeal in excitement as the crowd parts and Karen dances her way over to greet them. "It's time to party until the sun goes down!"

"And don't forget the s'mores and rich, dark chocolate cake!" Karen smiles as she tosses her arms around the hostesses and they laugh as they all make their way into the party.
Bustiers, Birds, and the Blues…

Dan McDonald walked away from the American dream, a life full of money, glamorous women and power. Now nothing can lure him back into the corporate death trap. Except….

Dan’s scheming aunt snares him into opening a lingerie shop in Tess Emory’s shopping mall. Tess is everything Dan has vowed to avoid…sexy, smart, and obsessed with work.

Tess is determined to make her life a success and right the wrongs of her past, no matter the cost.

They’re both going to discover that true love breaks all their rules.

** RomCon Reader's Crown finalist ~ Contemporary Category
** Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist ~ Best Short Contemporary Romance


Excerpt:
Dan shook his head when he realized he'd pushed his old life behind him far enough to find amusement in the scene.  He'd come a long way in the past year.  Was it far enough?  He'd been happy—well, content enough—with his solitary lifestyle...until his aunt tracked him down in Florida a couple of weeks ago.

She'd convinced him she and his mother needed him in California through June. However, he'd had three thousand miles to wonder if his temporary return to the rat race might prove to be the biggest mistake of his life.  His impulse to turn the truck around had grown with each passing mile and he wondered if this traffic snarl was his last chance to save himself. 

He certainly couldn't complain about his first glimpse of San Francisco Bay.  There wasn't a cloud in the sky.  The sun stirred bright color into the murky waves and streaked light across mirrored office buildings on the opposite shoreline.  A light, salty breeze gave wing to a variety of raucous sea birds over his head and teased long tendrils of toffee-rich hair out of his brunette's French twist.
His brunette.

Desire coiled deep in his belly as he watched her wiggle her bottom onto the hood of her car.  With one hand resting on the driver’s side mirror on the open door, she talked briskly into her phone, her expression hidden behind sunglasses.  The straight lemon skirt and fitted jacket she wore accentuated her rich, dark hair, full breasts, and slender waist.  Spiked heels showcased legs long enough to fuel a man's fantasies for months.  Her hand waving in emphasis to whatever point she was making spoke to Dan of urgent caresses and wild passion.

The blend of cool professionalism and hot sensuality fostered the illusion a man only had to peel away one layer to expose the passionate woman beneath.  He'd never seen a woman who made him feel so needy, so primitive, with barely one look...which is why he hadn't bothered to pursue a woman since Charlotte Betham opted for her career over him last year.  He might have made an effort to change her mind if she’d turned his crank this way!

Only a caveman would dream of ripping the phone from his lady's hand.  Only a cretin would throw it into the bay before he dragged her away to his cave for a year or two.  Only a sex-starved man would allow such idiotic impulses to get out of hand.

"Maybe Aunt Mary dragged us back to civilization in time."  Dan scratched behind his dog's ears.  "Maybe I should go out on a date or two while we’re here.  Take the edge off."
Colby barked, and then rested his muzzle on the dashboard, pointing the way.
"No, it won't be with my sexy brunette."

  

Bio: 
Karen Docter won the Category (Series) Romantic Mystery Suspense unpublished division of the 2005 Daphne du Maurier Award.  She's a four-time Golden Heart finalist and a charter member of The Golden Network & RWA® PRO®.  Also a member of Colorado Romance Writers and Kiss of Death Romance Writers, she writes romantic suspense (Women hunted by killers…men who’d die to protect them ~ www.kldocter.com) as K.L. Docter, and contemporary romance (Romance…With a kick of humor ~ www.karendocter.com) as Karen Docter. Two genres, one blog: www.karendocter.com/blog/. Karen loves chatting with fans daily on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Docter-Author/112017712223396 and https://www.facebook.com/kldocter
  
Romantic Suspense by K.L. Docter: Killing Secrets, Coming Soon!
Romantic Comedy by Karen Docter: 
www.karendocter.comSatin Pleasures http://amzn.com/B0078VSY6G Catch That Santahttp://amzn.com/B00ACDF0EG
Contact: kldocter@yahoo.com Twitter: @KarenDocter


***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Karen's book, or a $10 Amazon voucher,  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)

77 comments:

  1. Whew! I'm here! The flight in from the icy, blustery wilds of the Rocky Mountains was uneventful, although getting out of my snow bunny suit was a challenge. The zipper got caught in my long johns.

    Good morning, ladies! Love your costumes. Lilly, I can't ever get my bouffant teased that high! You'll have to tell me your secret.

    Thanks for hostessing my wonderful Beach Blanket Bingo beach party. I've always wanted one. I was thrilled to discover that Oliver found my itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, yellow polka dot bikini. It went missing ages ago but, here it is and it still fits!

    I'm toddling off to a beach chair outside the tiki hut to watch the surfers until everyone shows up.

    Oh, Oliverrrrr! I'm ready for that tall, frothy caramel macchiatto now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wowza! How the heck did I miss this title? Love love love the excerpt, Karen. Hiya chickies. *air kisses all around* I actually have a few minutes to myself this morning to party on the beach with you all. Squee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Mackenzie, * air kisses back*. Welcome to our sunny beach, and thanks for the kind words about my excerpt! Had a wonderful time writing Dan and Tess's story. They're so cute together.

      My toes are finally warming up in the sand and Oliver is on his way with another tray of cappuchinos for those of us who still need to thaw a bit. Pull up a beach chair and sit as long as you like!

      Delete
  3. Oh, sure. Hold a beach party on a day when I'm in too much pain from early-morning shoveling to hold my own in a Twister contest. Happy party!

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    Replies
    1. I hear Oliver gives a mean massage. I'll send him your way as soon as he comes back from shoving quarters into the jukebox at the dance pavilion. I hear some "Wipe Out" coming from the speakers.Score!

      Thanks for stopping in, Mary!

      Delete
  4. Hi Karen! What a fun thing to do on a windy winter day! I can smell the coconut sunscreen now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lather up and join us, Jennifer! No wind on this beach. Good thing, too, because Oliver's setting up the net for the beach ball game. Those babies can really fly if the wind's blowing.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. Good morning! The sun is shining and it looks to be warmish today. Good thing because my daughter has a Special Olympics B-Ball event at preschool. How is everyone?

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    1. Thanks for stopping in at our party, Melissa!

      It's warming up here in the Colorado Rockies -- 40 degrees already. However the steady 30+ mph winds whipping by my office window makes going outside a "no go" for me. I'm just glad to be here sunning on the beach.

      Sounds like you have a great day planned, too! B-Ball in preschool...what fun! If you get a chance, stop back by and tell us how it went.

      Delete
  6. Oh, I just love the beach and beach parties are the best. This was the best idea ever, Karen! Now, where are one of those hunky, shirtless waiters? I'd love sex on the beach. *blushes* um, the drink. I meant the drink.*wink*

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Good morning, Lilly Gayle, and thanks for joining the party!

      Oliver's on his way with your Sex on the Beach. Wink, wink. *Blushing* here, too. (A sight considering how much of me is exposed in this teeny weeny bikini.)

      Sigh. I love beach parties, too. Our hostesses have outdone themselves and let's not forget Oliver, who's been baking and cooking all week. I would love to have my own personal butler every day! :)

      Delete
  7. Did you dig for clams and have your own clam bake? Reminds me of an Elvis Presley movie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Clamming is scheduled for later this afternoon, Cindy, so hope you can come back. Oliver's promised to steam up whatever we dig up. It's going to be sweet!

      Thanks for stopping by. Love your beach wear, BTW!

      Delete
    2. Certainly, Mackenzie. I saw Oliver lovingly tucking some huge lobster tails into the boiling pot with the potatoes and corn on the cob. Grab a plate and join us on the picnic blanket.

      Don't forget your melted butter for dipping!

      Delete
  8. I love the beach! Here in sunny CA it already feels like summer. Sending sun to everyone! Not enough coffee to even try the twister.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Anita. Thanks for bringing the additional beach sunshine with you. It's one of the things I missed when we moved back to Colorado from CA. Spent 5 years on the San Francisco peninsula, with nearly weekly visits to the beach on the ocean side.

      The scene I shared from Satin Pleasures is one I actually experienced in the a traffic jam on the San Mateo bridge in the middle of the bay. Well, not the ACTUAL experience. I was stuck in traffic for 2 hours in the middle of the Bay, and Satin Pleasures was born. With a fear of heights -- we moved to San Fran directly after the major earthquake that took down bridges, too, yikes - I distracted myself with a "what if" story and Tess and Dan were born. By the time I drove off the bridge, I just wanted to turn around and go home to write their story. :)

      There's a "post coffee" Twister game scheduled for this afternoon after we've all woken, so feel free to linger over your coffee. :)

      Delete
    2. I have lived in CA most of my life. My parents were in San Jose during that earthquake. I was in valley almost 2 hours away. I could see the bridge and that happening when I read that seen. I loved the book. Off to get more coffee.

      Delete
    3. We actually moved to Burlingame (bedroom community on San Fran peninsula for those who've never been there) a month and half after that earthquake. I was already scared of heights. Add the bridges to it, and I was often holding my breath over bridges. Literally. My kids thought it was tremendous fun to tell me, "Okay, Mom, you can breathe now", every time we drove off one. Smart alec, kids!

      Delete
  9. I am ready for warm, dry weather.

    Congratulations on your second anniversary.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for coming to my party, Cynthia. I think you speak for all of us. This has been a long, cold winter for many. A day at the beach is on my wish list, which is why it's great our wonderful hostesses have set up this wonderful beach party.

      Thanks, too, for the anniversary greetings. I hope you enjoy Dan and Tess' story!

      Karen

      Delete
  10. Hi ladies,*Puff[ Pant* - sorry to be late, I came to the party a bit early and then one of those hunky surfurs over there asked me if I could tell him where he could get changed. Well by the time I showed him where... anyway, I'm back now!

    Welcome to your party, Karen and hello to all the guests, lovely to see you here. Now how about some chocolate cake, Oliver and some cappucinno? Love your excerpt Karen, and glad Dan brought Colby along, he'll enjoy running along the sand with our 'sidekicks'!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Pull up a beach chair, Hywela Lyn, and take a breath. I love the way you all are taking care of my and my surfer guests. I'm sure they appreciate your "assistance", too. :)

      We're having so much fun! Especially Colby. Dan's dog does love romping on the beach. Guard your Colby cheese, though. He's such a glutton for the stuff and has been known to nab more than his fair share. But, he's such a cutie, you just have to forgive him.

      Ohhh! I'm so ready for chocolate cake for "late" breakfast. I'll take a piece with extra chocolate frosting, please.

      Delete
  11. Oh, the beach! How lovely! It's been a long Colorado winter! Oliver, a bloody Mary, please. I'm going to soak in some sun while I read Karen's book!

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    Replies
    1. Excellent plan, D'Ann. I'll have another Chi-Chi. Oh my. Who was the genius who came up with this recipe? They deserve a trophy of some sort. Yumm.

      Maybe we can convince Karen to give us another peek? What do you say, sweetie? Can we have another excerpt?

      Delete
    2. Yes, it has been a long winter in Colorado, hasn't it, D'Ann? I was certainly ready for a beach party. Celebrating the anniversary of Dan's and Tess' story today has brought up a lot of summery memories of when I wrote it.

      Enjoy your Bloody Mary, the sun and the book!

      Karen

      Delete
    3. Oh, ChiChis! I'm ready to switch from capucchinos to ChiChi's, Oliver. Better bring a platter of them, dear man. I can see a gab fest brewing under this umbrella. I wonder how many of those little surfboards we can pile up in the sand. Yeah, naughty, but soooo delish!

      Hywela Lyn mentioned Colby, and I just saw him flashing by with a Frisbee in his mouth (we're sooo lucky the rambunctious dog didn't snag one at the bridge in Satin Pleasures.) So, how about a peek at Colby from Satin Pleasures? Dan and Tess have been sitting in lawn chairs outside his camper and the traffic jam is about to break up....

      Time had flown while they basked in the sun and talked about books, movies, sports, and Dan's favorite fishing spots across the country. Somehow, they'd stepped into a world where time was unlimited, leisure the only aim. She hadn't even decided what to say to the men who paid her salary! And, oh, yeah, Colby's master is almost as naughty as his dog...well, you'll see....

      Satin Pleasures EXCERPT:


      What was wrong with her? Did the blow to her head jar something loose in her brain? Surely, Dan's crooked grins and laughter-filled eyes weren't enough to drag her from her path.

      Yeah? Where was that path when you kissed him?

      Frowning over the question, she watched him untie the leash he'd attached to the truck bumper so his dog could sit in the shade. She sidestepped when the animal lunged in her direction.

      "Colby!" Dan admonished the dog before looking at Tess. "Sorry. He likes you and wants to say good-bye."

      Tess was more apt to believe the shepherd wanted to say bon appetit. With one look at the dog's huge, lolling tongue and bared teeth, she was certain of it. She didn't trust any animal that salivated each time it looked at her. "Bye, Colby," she called from a safe distance.

      Once Dan resettled his pet in the truck cab, he escorted Tess back to her car. "Do you have everything?"

      "All I had were my heels and you put them in my car."

      "Good."

      It was absurd, but she didn’t want to say good-bye. She was entirely too attracted to the man. Despite his dog. Despite their differing attitudes about life. "I—"

      Delete
    4. Giggle. Oliver was quick off the mark with those ChiChis. I seem to have planted EXCERPT in the middle of my excerpt.

      Better slow those wonderful drinks down a bit, Oliver. :)

      Delete
  12. Well I myself wouldn't mind a little snow. It's been 80 most of the winter in here in hell, I mean sunny Florida.
    I love your flip flops Lyn, I didn't know they made them that big! Pass the drinks this way.
    Karen I am looking forward to reading your book. Mac, no sand throwing...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Ah, to sit on the beach all winter, Mary! Maybe we should trade houses for a vacation. You can ski and sip hot chocolate and I'll sunbathe and sip ChiChis. A win/win situation for everyone. We can discuss ways and means over drinks. Here you go!

      Sounds like we can't take Mac anywhere. Even Colby isn't that naughty.

      Hope you enjoy the beach read, Mary!

      Delete
    2. Ah so, you know about Mac eh? No more ChiChis for her. What is a ChiChis anyhow?? I'll trade for a month, I never get to see snow and it's nice for awhile. I think I'll turn up the AC, it's like 82 and humid. Which does get a good sweat going...

      Delete
    3. One of the surfer dudes warned me about Mac but I didn't believe it until she threw sand into my hair. No more ChiChi's is probably a good idea. Oliver does make a mean cappuchino though.

      I discovered ChiChi's in Maui. They're a variation of a coconut drink similar to a Pina Colada, only using vodka rather than rum. Haven't had them anywhere else until Oliver made me one. Yummy, and fun with the little surf boards tucked in the frothy mixture!

      Delete
  13. Nibby! Don't you dare try to pull on bathing suit bottoms! I'll put you in the car. Although the big butt is irresistible I know. Look out!!!

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    1. Oh, look, Colby's learning a new trick from Nibby. Dan's going to be beside himself if Colby starts bringing home bikini bottoms to his beach house. :)

      Delete
    2. Nibby has some interesting habits. It would be a shock to Dan eh??? LOL She is a real troublemaker!!

      Delete
  14. I was just hoping Colby wouldn't learn any bad tricks from Nibby - I see I'm too late with that one!

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    1. It's too late now! Shes teaching Colby to steal food right outta peoples hands. Nibby! NOOOO! Not the bikini tops. Mary rushes over amongst screaming women and grabs Nibby's collar. Ah, sorry folks. Run doggies, they're getting up to chase us!!!!

      Delete
    2. That's okay, Hywela Lyn. Colby already has the penchant for dragging neighbor belongings home, so adding a few bikinis will simply make it easier for Dan to meet his new neighbors. With his house on the cliff, there's some distance between neighbors.

      Of course, he'll have to take Tess with him so there's no question he's off the market.

      Delete
    3. Those naughty pooches! Colby already steals cheese from Dan's burgers so he's just joining the fun. Looks like both dogs want to play a game of chase.

      I'd recommend planting our bikini bottoms in a beach chair and letting Oliver and the surfer dudes chase after the dogs. They'll look great running around in their bathing suits.

      Delete
    4. See! I'm thinking, Anita...despite the number of ChiChi surfboard thingies tucked in the sand by my side. :)

      Delete
  15. I see the celebrities!!!!!,Hey, is that Gerard Butler winking at me, or at Nibby. No matter. "Would you like to pet my dog Mr. Butler? Call you Gerry, okay. Wanna take a long walk with me??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohh, celebrities! I didn't know you were inviting more celebrities than Annette and Frankie. Of course, Gerry's welcome, Mary, especially if Colby steals his su...ahem, cheeseburger.

      We can climb up to Dan's cliff house over the beach and watch everything from there.

      Speaking of which, does anyone want to see Dan's living room? Wink, wink, Moon Doggie!

      Delete
  16. Oh, man, ladies. Your butler, Oliver, is a wonder! He just unearthed some chocolate covered espresso beans. My favorites, too. Dark chocolate. Now, I can get my coffee and chocolate with my ChiChis!

    I need the energy to chase after Colby and Nibby.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Anita, welcome to the crazy gang - er I mean welcome to the party. Now trust our Mary to find someone like Gerard Butler - especially when she's wearing such a skimpy bikini ! Karen, I would just love to see Dan's living room - let's go, and don't forget the chocolate! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't forget the coffee too. I am having a blast.

      Delete
    2. Your wish is my command, Hywela! Let me share another excerpt from Satin Pleasures which talks briefly about Dan's house but focuses more on the emotions the view elicits. Coffee and chocolates will be served on the beach after the tour is over to give Dan and Tess privacy to work through some things. :)

      Satin Pleasures EXCERPT

      Dan unlocked the door to his tri-level house and stepped back to allow Tess to precede him inside. He watched her cross the wide expanse that encompassed the middle section of the home. When she came to a stop in front of the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows facing west, he wasn’t surprised.

      Everyone, himself included, was drawn to the surreal view of the Pacific Ocean that could be seen from his kitchen and living room. With the house perched on the cliff, he often felt like a seabird hovering in mid-air, the endless sky his ceiling, the world at his feet. It’s why he leased the huge house. It grounded him, but didn’t destroy his illusion of freedom.

      The varied reactions the scene prompted in others also fascinated Dan. When he’d brought Aunt Mary here, she’d stood with her fists on her hips, her nose pressed to the glass to check what lay below, as if to say, “Here I am, mistress of all I survey.” Of the two students who helped him move in, one avoided looking out altogether, while the other threw his arms wide and laughed. All three reactions revealed something about their individual personalities.

      He studied Tess’s stance, the way she’d hugged her arms around her slender waist while she stared straight out the window. She didn’t blink at the miles of churning ocean beneath her. Which demonstrated how curiously withdrawn she’d become in the hours since lunch.

      Dan tossed his keys on the kitchen counter and deliberately broke the silence in the room. “Let me feed Colby. Then, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

      ****Needless to say, poor Tess really needs to learn to relax. It's a good thing she got the full tour of the house, including Dan's bedroom.

      BTW, to celebrate this anniversary, Satin Pleasures is only $2.99 today.

      http://www.amazon.com/Satin-Pleasures-ebook/dp/B0078VSY6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330384089&sr=8-1

      Delete
    3. Oh, no! The dogs ran off with my last post! I shared an excerpt of Dan's house and it's all gone. Sigh. I'll have to go digging in the sand behind the surfer dudes' changing tent...at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

      Let's try this again. Dan gave me permission to share a peek of the view from his living room, but he has plans for Tess so we'll have to peek and run. But that's okay, Oliver is collecting coffees and the most delectable chocolate buffet back on the beach when we return.

      Hi, Dan! Meet the ladies!

      Satin Pleasures EXCERPT

      Dan unlocked the door to his tri-level house and stepped back to allow Tess to precede him inside. He watched her cross the wide expanse that encompassed the middle section of the home. When she came to a stop in front of the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows facing west, he wasn’t surprised.

      Everyone, himself included, was drawn to the surreal view of the Pacific Ocean that could be seen from his kitchen and living room. With the house perched on the cliff, he often felt like a seabird hovering in mid-air, the endless sky his ceiling, the world at his feet. It’s why he leased the huge house. It grounded him, but didn’t destroy his illusion of freedom.

      The varied reactions the scene prompted in others also fascinated Dan. When he’d brought Aunt Mary here, she’d stood with her fists on her hips, her nose pressed to the glass to check what lay below, as if to say, “Here I am, mistress of all I survey.” Of the two students who helped him move in, one avoided looking out altogether, while the other threw his arms wide and laughed. All three reactions revealed something about their individual personalities.

      He studied Tess’s stance, the way she’d hugged her arms around her slender waist while she stared straight out the window. She didn’t blink at the miles of churning ocean beneath her. Which demonstrated how curiously withdrawn she’d become in the hours since lunch.

      Dan tossed his keys on the kitchen counter and deliberately broke the silence in the room. “Let me feed Colby. Then, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

      ***Needless to say, Dan has his work cut out for him if he ever expects the uptight Tess to relax. We have to end the tour here because these two need privacy to work out their issues. <3

      Delete
    4. It ain't just the bikini you know. They're attracted to my assets...

      Delete
  18. How about some of these dark chocolate pomegranate thingees. Yummy! Hey, it's nice here up on the hill. Mary has tied Gerard up for later. He was drunk anyhow...Oh! Look there are the surfers!!! And, oh my, SHARKS! Glad were up here...Lyn runs down the hill to warn the beach goers, she runs the fastest obviously. Go Lyn!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Run, Lyn! Run! There are shar...wait, those aren't sharks. Those are that snarky group of girls who crashed the party and they're circling our surfer dudes. Everyone in the water to save them. Mouth to mouth resuscitation may have to be applied. Do, please, wait til you get them all to shore, ladies, or everyone will drown and ruin my party. I can cry at my party, if I want to, but I don't want to. Having too much fun...and we still have a bonfire to light.

      Thanks for rounding up Gerard, Mary. Your reward is a bowl of those dark chocolate pomegranate thingees. You'll have to feed Gerard some though.

      Delete
    2. I'll save as many as I can!!! Gerard will have to wait till I'm done. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!!

      Delete
  19. Here sharky sharkies, nice fish - do you like chocolate?

    ReplyDelete
  20. I don't just write cute, contemporary romances. If anyone wants to walk on the dark side, I'm getting set to release the first of my Thorne's Thorns series (April 17), KILLING SECRETS. It might be something to scare ourselves with sitting around the bonfire after dark.

    Anyone game?

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    Replies
    1. Sure! Everyone cuddle a little closer to the bonfire with your surfer dudes because I excel at telling scary campfire stories. If I can make my critique partners shudder when they read this stuff, I figure I'm getting it right! :)

      I'll share the prologue so you can get a peek at the serial killer contractor hero, Patrick Thorne, is about to be confronted with, and that's in addition to the trouble and danger the heroine, Rachel James, drags to his door! Now, you'll see why I need fun heroes, like Dan, to brighten my office.

      Killing Secrets EXCERPT (Releases April 17):

      Prologue

      Four weeks….
      Two days….
      Sixteen hours….
      …‘Til death.

      The first time he laid eyes on her, he stood on the threshold of a doorway he dare not cross. He fell into her fathomless dark gaze, unable, unwilling to shake his soul free and, in that one moment, he knew.

      She was meant for him to love.

      Untouched by the sordid life that flourished around her, she was sunlight in a gray existence. A smile in a dingy room. A joy such as he’d never known. She was a gift from a cold, unforgiving God. Forever innocent.

      Why God would give him such a precious angel, he didn’t know. But he suddenly knew what he was willing to die for. What he’d kill for.

      In that instant of clarity the monster that lurked in the dark recesses of his mind was freed. A creature designed to kill. To live and die. Over and over again. Until his angel ascended once more to her place in Heaven at God’s feet where he couldn’t reach her.

      ‘Til death parted them, she was his and his alone.

      Certain she’d been lost to him, the shock of spotting her again in LoDo, a lower downtown section of Denver, nearly brought him to his knees. His brain tried to tell him he was mistaken. She had more curves than he remembered. Her hairstyle and clothes were different.

      The others were different, too. (Italics)

      He shook his head against the monster’s treacherous whisper. He refused to listen. Couldn’t listen. His angel smiled at him. His soul recognized her. Somehow, some way, his fractious God had been appeased and given him yet another chance.

      The past seven days were hell. Watching her. Wanting to take her. Knowing he couldn’t screw up and lose her again. Tonight, his preparations in place, she’d return to his side where she belonged.


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  21. Heading over to Dan's place since that is my dream house anyway. I have Jelly Bellys to share. I just took a siesta in the nice warm sun.

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  22. Oh Anita, did that excerpt of Karen's just chill you to the marrow? It did me. I love a 'walk on the darkside'. Oh, where's Dan, I think I need a cuddle! :)

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  23. Drat, he says he's 'working out issues with Tess'. Mary - we'll just have to share Gerard!

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    1. Sounds great! We can throw Tess and Dan at her place and party at Dan's. Margaritas sound really good.

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  24. Glad you enjoyed the chill, ladies. Have to say, my dear husband sometimes wonder if I have multiple personalities. He doesn't really care, really, as long as Karen Docter walks out of my office and not K.L.Docter. :)

    My Thorne's Thorns series is about six foster brothers and the danger...and women they fall in love with and protect, that show up at their doors. Patrick Thorne is the only biological son of Ross and Evelyn Thorne. Ross is a retired police officer who brought five troubled boys into their home where he and Evelyn fostered them into adulthood. They all became known as Thorne's thorns because of their history before they became part of the family. Patrick is simply the first deliciously protective brothers.

    You'll have to cuddle with Mary's Gerard, Hywela. Or we can console ourselves with Anita's Jelly Bellys. If she had buttered popcorn flavored, I'm toddling off her direction!

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    1. Wow! I'm kinda creeped out by who the others are myself. I'll keep the lights on when I read this one!!
      And...I don't share guys. But, Lyn seems to be doing well she always does. Who are those stars around her? And why is she kissing them all? All she did was give those sharky girls chocolate. I'll admit it made them leave...

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    2. The delicious Thorne brothers are more than a match for each of their villains. These are more "psychological women-in-jeopardy" stories.Big books, 100,000 words. Despite the serial killers, they aren't overly graphic. They can be intense though so lights are optional, Mary. :)

      Pout! No sharing? Geeze. I'm going to sidle up to Lyn's side and see if she'll give me an introduction. Smart Lyn...making those sharky girls leave peacefully!

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    3. I have no idea of flavors since they are the flops so it is always fun to eat them. Also, my dog will eat the ones we don't like. Love this story.

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  25. If it's not too late to "sunny up" your world again, I do have a cute Christmas story called, Catch That Santa, on Amazon for only $.99. If you think Dan's yummy, wait until you meet Cisco! Sitting in a car in a Christmas blizzard chasing after a runaway Santa (Cisco's grandfather) and his future Mrs. Claus (heroine's grandmother) before they get to a Vega wedding chapel is deliciously cozy fun!

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    1. Ok, off to shop. I don't need to do anything else but read.

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  26. Good luck with all your books. Me and Gerry, I let him go, are gonna take a little walk. I suggest you grab your favorite. Will there be fireworks later? Hope so!

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    1. Happy shopping, Anita! I'm going to get to my reading after a while. I still have some work to do yet tonight.

      Thanks, Mary! It's been fun to play with everyone today. You and Gerry, have a great walk. I'm going to corner, ahem, swing back into the kitchens to give that wonderful butler of yours a big kiss for all of his hard work.

      No. To tell the truth, I'm going to try to steal him away so I can have his exclusive care on a daily basis...give my dear husband a break. :)

      I don't know where the rest of our hostesses disappeared to -- Oliver may have to send out a search party in case they've wandered too far down the beach chasing after the surfer dudes --but THANKS, LADIES! You put on a wonderful beach party.

      For those of you who are sitting around the bonfire, there can be fireworks later but I think I'll let you make your own. They're so much more spectacular when they're unique.

      I'll check back through the weekend to make sure I don't miss anyone and, of course, there are winners of the prizes to be announced! Good luck. I hope you win!

      Have a great night, and HAPPY READING!! It is, of course, why we're all here, right? :)

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  27. Hi Karen,
    Had to work today so I could only stay for a bit this morning. Hi, love your writing!

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    1. Hi, Kate. Thanks for stopping back! That pesky work stuff can really interfere with the fun stuff, can't it? :)

      Thanks for saying so! I love to hear when someone enjoys something I wrote. I love to share my stories.

      I hope you have a great weekend!

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  28. It appears I've come in late and missed tons of fun. Poo. This seems like the place to be. I love parties. I love the beach. And I love celebrating all the great things that happen to wonderful authors. I'll have to keep my eyeballs peeled for more activity here! michelle-willms at yahoo dot com

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  29. Sorry we missed you, Michelle! Bummer! We did have a lot of fun but I think I heard that Oliver was leaving leftovers in the fridge. The lobster and corn on the cob was really yummy. You might even find a pitcher of ChiChi's in the wine cooler but no guarantees. I lost track of the number of little surf boards I plucked from my ChiChis. :)

    I hope you'll join my next celebration in April when I release my romantic suspense. Who knows! Maybe I'll be able to convince today's fine hostesses to let me come back for another party.

    Hope you have a great weekend!

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  30. Hi Kate, Hi Michelle! So glad you could join the party/Don't worry about being late - our parties do tend to carry on over the weekend, as long as guests keep arriving,Oliver will keep the food coming. (To find out more about Oliver, do read the notes in the sidebar about the late Sharon Donovan, he was her creation and she generously let us 'borrow' him for the Roasts)

    Sorry I disappeard Karen - I had a few internet problems, hopefully they're sorted now. Doesn't help I'm in the UK and a different time zone either! You've been an amazing Guest Of Honour and we've loved having you - of course we'd love to have you again just let us have the details of your next book and we'll be on to it!

    Right, don't know about you but I fancy some s'mores (I tasted them for the first time when I visited the US last year and I'm hooked!

    The I'm off to treat myself to your Christmas story!

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  31. Good morning from the wilds of the Colorado Rockies, Hywela. I had so much fun playing on the beach with everyone. Hope you got your internet issues resolved. That always seems to happen when you're in the middle of something. :)

    I'm gearing up for my romantic suspense release in April so I'll be in touch. I would love to introduce your readers to Killing Secrets.

    Ah, s'mores! The main reason why camping is so much fun. I may change up the menu when we go camping but I always bring the fixin' for S'mores!

    Hope you like Cisco and Sarah's Christmas story! Happy Reading!

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  32. Congrats Karen and Happy Birthday :)

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    1. Thanks, AJ! And, thanks for stopping by. Happy Sunday!

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  33. Happy Sunday! I hope you're all relaxing and sitting back with a good book in your hands. I've been busily working on my upcoming release today but I'm taking a bit of a break to stop in to say "Hi!" I want to thank everyone for coming to help me celebrate my 2nd Anniversary as a published author. I enjoyed meeting you all and hope you had as much fun as I did kicking up our heels and playing in the surf and sand.

    Now, it's time to pick the winners of my giveaways! I'm giving away two (Kindle or PDF, reader's choice) copies of my contemporary romance, SATIN PLEASURES, and one $10 Amazon gift card. Drum roll, please....

    Kate Lockridge and Cynthia Young, you've both won a copy of SATIN PLEASURES!

    Michelle Willms, you've won the $10 Amazon gift card!

    Congratulations, ladies! Please send me an email at karendocter@ymail.com so I can arrange to send your prizes.

    Happy Reading, everyone. Have a great week!

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  34. Thanks for stopping by AJ - and Happy Birthday Karen, sorry I hadn't realised it was your Birthday today! Do have another slice of chocolate cake to celebrate (Oliver made serveral!_ :)

    Thanks again for being such a fantastic guest - you're welcome back anytime!

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AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST

AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST
authorroast@btinternet.com
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.)