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.
***********************************************************

Saturday, December 19, 2015

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR VISITORS, GUEST AUTHORS AND SUPPORTERS!

Have A Blessed Christmas

and wishing you all

A VERY HAPPY, PEACEFUL AND SUCCESFUL NEW YEAR



Look out for our next Roast Party on 15th January 2015, with Tena Stedtler


...and we're sad to say goodbye to sister hostess Mac Crowne. Thank you for all your support and clever 'introductory skits', we'll miss you but hope you'll come and visit from time to time!

Friday, December 4, 2015

The Bluestocking Belles - Celebrate 'Mistletoe, Madness & Mayhem with a Regency Christmas Party



The hostesses emerge from a sleek black carriage  parked outside of Mrs. Marlowe's Book Emporium
and Tearoom dressed in the height of Regency fashion. Mary adjusts the plunging decolletage of her pale blue evening gown and sighs.

Laverne snorts. "That empire waistline and your bust size don't go well with a scoop neck, Mary. The 'girls' are about to come out of that thing."


Mary holds her head high. "Well, at least I'm wearing the appropriate fashions for the appropriate times. Lilly's bustle is so big, she could have stepped right out of a Harper's Bazar magazine from the 1870s."


"That shows how much you know." Lilly pouts. "This is a Regency gown, and I'm not wearing a bustle."

Lyn pats her on the shoulder. "It's okay, Lilly. You just have a big bum, and that dress is really quite lovely, but perhaps you should have forgone the petticoats."

"Perhaps." Lilly says, still pouting.


"Hey, at least your shoes aren't as big as Lyn's," Mary says. "Her slippers look like small boats under that dress."

   "As long as I don't  have to wear heels," Lyn says with an emphatic nod.

Debby pats her poofed up hair. "Aren't the hairstyles of this era just grand?"


"If you're going for the Marie Antoinette look, then you nailed it," Mac mumbles under her breath. Then she scans the streets, her eyes crinkling up at the corners as she stares up at the large, Greek Revival style architecture of Mrs. Marlowe's Book Emporium. "Tell me again why we're going to a
bookstore dressed to the nines in Regency attire."

"So forgetful," LaVerne says with an indulgent smile. "The Bluestocking Belles are seven Regency authors who've written an anthology about seven runaway brides and their holiday heroes."


"These ladies have put out a Christmas box set,  Mistletoe, Marriage, and Mayhem just in time for the holidays. Since they run the Bluestocking Bookshop, we're here at Mrs. Marlowe's Book Emporium to help them celebrate with their heroes and heroines," Lyn says.


"Oh, I do love a good soiree," Lilly says.


"Come on," LaVerne says, leading the way inside. "The party is in one of the entertainment rooms."


Mary whistles. "This place is huge."

The hostesses enter the book emporium and are met by the seven lovely Bluestocking Belles: Jude Knight, Amy Rose Bennett, Susan Ellis, Sherry Ewing, Mariana Gabrielle, Caroline Warfield, and Nicole Zoltack. 

Jude smiles. "Welcome to our little book shop, ladies. We are so thrilled with what Oliver and your decorators have done with the place, and we can't wait to celebrate our release with you."


"Decorators? We hired decorators?" Mac gawks as the seven authors lead the hostesses
to a large room in back of the emporium. "When did we get decorators?"

"Mac," Lyn says, "you, Lilly, Mary, and Debby live in the states. Lavern lives in New Zealand, and I live in Wales. We can't always get together to decorate, so we get Oliver to contact his people, and the magic happens."


"Is there nothing that man can't do?" Mac asks before falling silent.


The hostesses are amazed at the beauty of the Regency style Christmas decorations and the array of scrumptious foods laid out before them: turkey, Christmas goose, Christmas pudding and tables filled with tempting deserts. The Bluestocking Belles sigh in unison.














"It's so much more than we ever expected," one says.


"I feel as if I'm actually in a 19th century salon," says another.


"You might well be in a different century," Lilly says. "When Lyn says Oliver and his people perform magic, she's not whistling Dixie. When Oliver creates magic, he creates magic"

"Even I am amazed," Mary says, "And I've known Oliver longer than you have."

"It's truly perfect," Lyn adds.


Debby beams and pats her coiffed hair. "Don't you just love it! Everything is so Christmasy."

Mac looks at Lilly. "I could use a drink."


"Oliver!" Lilly shouts, and as usual, Oliver is more than up to the task, offering a selection of eggnog, champagne, rum punch, and negus. Lilly goes for the rum punch, made with rum, brandy,lemon, hot water, and sugar, wanting a little more kick in her punch.


Mac reaches for negus,* a type of mulled wine made with wine, hot water, lemon juice, sugar, and nutmeg, created by colonel Francis Negus in the early 18th century.


Once all the hostess and the Bluestocking Belles have a drink, Oliver proposes a toast. Afterward, a string quartet begins to play softly in the corner as the authors of Mistletoe, Marriage, and Mayhem  introduce the heroes and heroines of their novellas, and the party begins.



Today's skit written by Lilly Gayle



MISTLETOE, MADNESS & MAHEM
Genre:
Regency romance, historical romance

Heat rating:
From G to PG-13

Giveaway:
ABOUT MISTLETOE, MARRIAGE, AND MAYHEM
Mistletoe, Marriage, and Mayhem: A Bluestocking Belles Collection
In this collection of novellas, the Bluestocking Belles bring you seven runaway Regency brides resisting and romancing their holiday heroes under the mistletoe. Whether scampering away or dashing toward their destinies, avoiding a rogue or chasing after a scoundrel, these ladies and their gentlemen leave miles of mayhem behind them on the slippery road to a happy-ever-after.

***All proceeds benefit the Malala Fund.***

Cover design by the eighth Belle, Vanessa Riley.

All She Wants for Christmas, by Amy Rose Bennett
A frosty bluestocking and a hot-blooded rake. A stolen kiss and a Yuletide wedding. Sparks fly, but will hearts melt this Christmas?

The Ultimate Escape, by Susana Ellis
Abandoned on his wedding day, Oliver must choose between losing his bride forever or crossing over two hundred years to find her and win her back.

Under the Mistletoe, by Sherry Ewing
Margaret Templeton will settle for Captain Morledge’s hand in marriage, until she sees the man she once loved. Who will win her heart at the Christmas party of her would-be betrothed?

’Tis Her Season, by Mariana Gabrielle
Charlotte Amberly returns a Christmas gift from her intended—the ring—then hares off to London to take husband-hunting into her own hands. Will she let herself be caught?

Gingerbread Bride, by Jude Knight
Traveling with her father's fleet has not prepared Mary Pritchard for London. When she strikes out on her own, she finds adventure, trouble, and her girlhood hero, riding once more to her rescue.

A Dangerous Nativity, by Caroline Warfield
With Christmas coming, can the Earl of Chadbourn repair his widowed sister’s damaged estate, and far more damaged family? Dare he hope for love in the bargain?

Joy to the World, by Nicole Zoltack
Eliza Berkeley discovers she is marrying the wrong man—on her wedding day. When the real duke turns up instead, will her chance at marital bliss be spoiled?

ABOUT THE BELLES

The Bluestocking Belles' books carry you into the past for your happy-ever-after. When you have turned the last page of our novels and novellas, keep up with us (and other historical romance authors) in the Teatime Tattler, a Regency scandal sheet, and join in with the characters you love for impromptu storytelling in the Bluestocking Bookshop on Facebook. Also, look for online games and contests and monthly book chats, and find us at BellesInBlue on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Come visit at www.BluestockingBelles.com and kick up your bluestockinged heels!

BUY LINKS

Amazonhttp://ow.ly/RJ4Cc
Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/RJ4Fx
Amazon Australia: http://ow.ly/RJ4Kd
Amazon Germanyhttp://ow.ly/RJ4OQ
Amazon Francehttp://ow.ly/RJ4SY
Amazon Japanhttp://ow.ly/RJ4Wg
Amazon Spainhttp://ow.ly/RJ4ZJ
Amazon Italyhttp://ow.ly/RJ51s
Amazon Netherlandshttp://ow.ly/RJ53G
Amazon Canada: http://ow.ly/RJ55t
Amazon Brusselshttp://ow.ly/RJ57U
Amazon Mexicohttp://ow.ly/RJ596
Amazon India: http://ow.ly/RJ5aJ

Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/RPqwp

Goodreads Reviews: http://ow.ly/RPqBl

Smashwords: http://ow.ly/RPqE9
CreateSpace: http://ow.ly/RPqFD

BLUESTOCKING BELLES ON THE WEB

Website and home of the Teatime Tattler: www.BluestockingBelles.com
Bluestocking Bookshop online storytelling: www.Facebook.com/groups/BluestockingBookshop

Bluestocking Belles’ Guide to a Good Time
The Bluestocking Belles are known for having a good time! Along with short excerpts from all of our books, we wanted to share the fun with you, offering up puzzles to solve and games to play. All royalty proceeds are donated to the Malala Fund.


*Recipe for negus:



“It is made with rum, brandy, lemon, hot water, and sugar.  . . .  Put in as much sugar as the water will dissolve. If you brew, say, a quart of punch, let it contain the juice and the rind of one lemon. The juice, I say; not the pulp. The rind also; not all the peel; none of the white pith: only the yellow outside pared off thin . . .  Mix your hot water, sugar, and lemon. Let the water be boiling hot—fresh from the kettle on the fire.  . . .  put a wrapper consisting of a folded napkin over the mouth of your jug, and lay a thick octavo or some other equivalent body, over the mouth of that vessel, and let it stand for five minutes. Then add the liqors"
Digital Christmas Card by EKDuncan using digital Christmas ornaments of Regency ladies

***GIVEAWAY***

To win a copy of 'Mistletoe, Marriage and Mayhem', 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.)

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

TENA'S WINNER IS...

MARY PRESTON

Congratulations, Mary - and thank you Tina for such a fun early Halloween party.
Wishing you much success and many sales.

The hostesses appear on-stage, holding hands, to take a bow

They hug each other and wave before leaving the stage.

"Just another Author Roast and Toast!"

We're taking a break for a while but watch this space for the announcement of the next AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST PARTY.




Friday, October 16, 2015

A Halloween Masquerade Party for Tena Stetler's book - A Demon’s Witch

It's October! The Halloween month, so we're celebrating a little early and you're all invited to Tena Stetler's Halloween Masquerade Party!

“You’re Cinderella, but you’ve missed the turnoff to the ball?”

Lilly rolls her eyes at Lyn’s suggestion. The Roast hostesses have spent the whole trip to Tena Stetler’s Halloween masquerade party coming up with characters, each one more ridiculous than the last.

“If I were, those feet of yours would make you one of the ugly step-sisters wouldn’t it?” she asks sweetly.

Lyn pretends affront and pouts, the move making her zombified made-up face even more alarming. Just then, the taxi pulls to a stop before an imposing turreted building. They walk up the path, dusk turning everything into shadows, lending an eerie feeling to the night. The hostesses pair up and link arms until they reach the entrance.

“I love the way you Americans go all out for Halloween, but why do there have to be cobwebs?” LaVerne shudders and waves a hand to indicate her fellow hostess to go first. “After you, Debby.”

“You do realise they’re fake?” Mary inquires from the back.

“Doesn’t make it any less creepy,” LaVerne mutters, not moving an inch from her position at the side of the entrance. “It makes me think of spiders and my skin starts to crawl.”

“You and your skin, girl.” Shaking her head, Debby steps forward, only for the hair she’d spent the best part of the evening teasing into a gravity-defying ‘do' to snag. “Gah!”

“What’s the holdup?” Mac pipes up from the back. “Come on, guys, get a move on, I’m starving. Tena promised prime rib and baked potatoes at her Roast party and it smells like she delivered.”

Just then, Oliver glides up to the entrance to see what the commotion was about. With a wry grin and a shake of his head, he places the tray of blood-red drinks down onto the hallway table and in a matter of seconds, has Debby freed from the fine thread. She flutters her lashes at him, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

“Thank you, Oliver. What would we do without you?”

He gives a courtly bow and smiles, his top lip lifting just enough to give a glimpse of fangs then disappears back into the crowd. The hostesses watch him go, the red-lined black cape he wears billowing behind him and sigh in unison.

 “It’s always nice to see him, but boy, is it mighty fine to watch him leave.”

“Always right on the money, Mary,” Lilly agrees with a laugh, then lifts her head and sniffs the air.
 
Mac snaps her fingers. “Now I see it. You’re Samantha from Bewitched!”


Lilly groans. “No. But I spy Tena over by the food. It looks awesome. There’s even cupcakes and bat-shaped cookies. I hope they’re chocolate. Yum. Ooo - even yummier, it looks like she managed to get Bruce along to party with us too.”


“Oh, my,” breathes Mary. “He’s a gorgeous one, isn’t he? I wonder if he’s taken.”
Lyn nods as he pulls a stunning looking woman close. “I’d say so. That’s Angelique.” She assesses Mary’s black dress and cone hat and scoffs. “I’ve got it on good authority, she’s a real witch. A lovely girl, but I wouldn’t want to get in her bad books.”

 
Tena glances over and steps towards them, her smile wide. “Ladies! Drinks are to your left. Grab one and join us. Oliver mixed us up Witches brew cocktail and Black Devil Martinis for the adventurous sorts, or if you prefer a non-alcoholic drink try the Dragon’s Blood Punch. It’s delicious.” 


 After selected their drinks of choice, introductions are made. It is soon obvious how perfectly matched Bruce and Angelique are for each other. The tender touches and adoring glances exchanged between the couple have the hostesses smiling. 

Debby lifts her glass. “Let’s raise a toast to Tena, Bruce and Angelique, and the release of their book, A Demon’s Witch.” Glasses are raised into the air. “Congratulations for releasing your magic into the world.”
 
Today's introductory skit was written by LaVerne





Blurb - Keeping a lid on all the paranormal beings inhabiting Washington D.C., is a daunting job. Bruce, a six hundred year old demon and the Territory Overlord of the Western Hemisphere, keeps his finger on the pulse of DC’s power players through the activities at his highly successful Wycked Hair Salon. His movie star good looks and body builder physique keeps his dance card full and the rumor mills running. Within these walls, his anonymity is safe, mostly.  

Bruce’s world spins out of control when Angelique, a pint size, gorgeous witch, with an attitude breezes through the doors of his salon. She is the younger sister of Tristian, Bruce’s long time trusted enforcer, whose professional skills are second to none. Tristian is furious at the relationship between Bruce and Angelique, a dangerous situation. The undeniable attraction between demon and witch promises to tear apart both their professional and personal worlds.

Excerpt: 
Suddenly, he felt the magic aura shirt and switched his attention to the front door. She breezed in, hair like spun gold flowing to her waist, with a seductive yet regal body and a sway to her hips that should be illegal even in DC. She wore a snug rose and cream colored sweater, cut low enough he could see the swells of her rounded breasts, tailored black slacks that fit her cute ass like a glove and four-inch spike heels. She paused in the center of the salon, wet from the sudden spring storm, and lowered the briefcase she’d used as an umbrella. Her sparkling violet eyes glanced up to the mezzanine where Bruce stood watching. Blatantly her gaze wandered over his well-muscled body, undressing him piece by piece, until he felt naked. He shook his head slightly and smoothed his shirt and slacks with his hand, just to make sure he was still wearing them.



Author Bio – With the majestic Rocky Mountains for a backdrop, Tena Stetler is a paranormal romance author with an over-active imagination.  She wrote her first vampire romance at the age of eleven, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. Tena finds stories in the strangest places, while camping, kayaking, or hiking in the mountains. Even at the hair salon ie,
A Demon’s Witch.  So far, she’s only found one dead body (imagined not real) during a camping trip, turned it into an exciting paranormal romantic suspense that’s nearly complete. For many years, Tena worked as a paralegal for a criminal law firm. You won’t believe the tales she can spin from that experience! Colorado is her home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-year-old box turtle.  She loves the adventure of a road trip. Together with her husband and their companion animals, they have logged thousands of miles in their RV visiting over 3/4 of the United States.  The great northeast is still on the bucket list. Any winter evening, you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn. 
***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Tena'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)


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.)