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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, April 17, 2015

'Dangerous Love' - party at an aquarium with Kara Leigh Miller and Jody Holford


“Did I ever mention I’m deathly afraid of sharks?” LaVerne shudders as she stares wide-eyed at the fifteen foot long hammerhead gliding through the water of the ten story aquarium teeming with sea life.



Image result for pictures of angel fishImage result for picture of sea dragons




Mac hums the theme from Jaws and grins when LaVerne jabs her with an elbow.


Lyn knocks her knuckles on the glass and laughs. “It’s an aquarium, sweetie, not the ocean, and the glass is at least eight inches thick. Unless you go to the top and dive in for a swim, I think you’re safe.”


“Oh, look at that!” Steam condenses on the surface as Mary presses her nose closer to check out the giant sea tortoise meandering high above.

Lilly and Debby coo as a school of angel fish skim along the glass in front of them.

 “I don’t know about the rest of you, but this is one of the coolest places we’ve ever thrown a party.” Mac glances around the large building. Surrounding the gigantic circular tank in the middle, dozens of smaller tanks line the walls and hold sea life of varying kinds, like leafy sea-dragons, giant eels, and majestic rays.

As if in greeting, an octopus moves over the clear wall of his home with hundreds of suction cups and waving arms.


The Hostesses jump and laugh as a California sea lion barks and waves his whiskered nose in the air.

Debby glances down at her jeans and sweater then up at the penguins waddling over their rocky enclosure like miniature waiters. “I didn’t realize it was black tie.”

Lyn grins. “Isn’t it great? In Kara and Jody’s book, Dangerous Love, Josh and Alessa have a date at an aquarium. They love all sorts of underwater creatures, especially the more exotic ones.”



“I’m assuming seafood isn’t on the menu,” Lilly drawls.

Mary laughs and looks up. Kara and Jody wave from the tenth floor balcony overlooking the central tank
where their roast party is already underway.

 Spying the elevator, Mary leads the hostesses inside and the doors close. “We’re having a Greek feast. Skewers of shish kebob, gyros, pork loin, couscous and hummus, with cheesecake and baklava for desert, and a decadent chocolate cake as the centerpiece.”

The doors open to the sounds of merriment and heavenly scents. As the hostesses hurry out of the car toward today’s guests of honor, LaVerne’s stomach growls and she blushes. “As long as there is no shark.”



Let's drink a toast and congratulate Kara Leigh Miller and Jody Holford on DANGEROUS LOVE!
their great new release.

(Today's introductory skit was written by 
Mac Crowne)


BOOK BLURB:
He’s fighting to forget his past while she struggles to remember hers…

Doctor Josh Parker lives with guilt about his wife’s death every day. He believes himself incapable of ever loving again, but when a mysterious woman arrives in the Emergency Room, brutally beaten and left for dead, he starts to feel something he hasn’t felt in far too long: hope.

Alessandra Matthews has no memory of the events that led to her being hospitalized. Worse, she has no idea who hurt her or why. Although she’s uncertain of who she is, she is fully aware of one thing—she’s falling for her doctor.

Sometimes, what you don’t know can kill you… 

As Josh and Alessa work to solve the mystery surrounding her past, she soon realizes just how much danger she’s really in, but Josh refuses to let her face the darkness of her memories alone. With each of them struggling to put their pasts behind them, theirs is a DANGEROUS LOVE. 

EXCERPT: He picked up the small pitcher of ice water and poured some into a plastic cup, handed it to her. She finished the whole glass and held it back out, making him smile.

“This time with the pills.” He grinned, making him look younger as he passed her a tiny plastic cup with two pills inside. She kept her eyes wide open and on his the entire time, hoping that staying focused on him would keep her from another flash.

“All gone.” She smiled, and stuck her tongue out to prove it. He laughed lightly and took the cups from her, tossed the small one in the trash. He checked his pager, frowned, and then looked back up at her. “Do you think my memory will return?”

“I’m not sure. As I said, it’s not uncommon for victims of abuse to block memories. Almost self-preservation.”

She leaned her head back again and sighed. He moved to her side once more, and she could smell his cologne. It was becoming almost familiar to her,comforting.

“Well, maybe it’s better that way. I wasn’t living the best life. Clearly. I made someone mad.” She ran her fingers over the raised pattern in the hospital blanket.

“There is absolutely nothing you did to deserve this,” he said, his tone quiet but firm. She continued to trace the pattern. “Alessa, look at me.”

When her gaze found his, it was like lightning in her belly. Fast, intense, and electric. His eyes were fierce.

“No one deserves to be hurt like this, to be hurt at all. Regardless of what you remember, you need to go forward remembering that.”

She nodded, her eyelids heavy. She didn’t want to close them though. She didn’t want him to leave.

“You need some rest. But you’re safe. You know that right?”

She frowned at him, wondering how he could know that. He tilted his head to the side. How old is he? His eyes seemed older than the rest of him, and she figured he had seen enough to make that possible.

“Thank you. You’re going above and beyond. I’m sorry I’m taking up so much of your time.”

He stood for a moment, saying nothing, and she couldn’t read his expression. His shoulders slumped slightly, and he ran his hand through his already mussed hair. Giving a sigh, he stepped closer, put his hand over hers on the bed and squeezed lightly. Her pulse picked up even as her eyelids drifted closed. She tried to turn her hand in his, but her arm felt heavy.   As she nodded off, she thought she heard him say, “I want to be with you.” She tried to respond, tried to repeat his words so when she woke up, she could at least remember if he had really said them or if she had just wished he had.


AUTHOR BIOs:

Kara Leigh Miller is a hopeless romantic who spends her days weaving tales of love and heartbreak. She's a stay-at-home mom, full time author, and Managing Editor at Anaiah Press. 


Kara Leigh Miller
Editorial Director, Anaiah Press




Jody Holford is a wife, mom, reader, and writer. She's also a blogger and follower, a word twister, and a Gemini.

Website
Blog
Jody's Amazon Page










***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Kari and Jody'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)

93 comments:

  1. Welcome Jody and Kara, congratulations on the release of your book and wishing you many sales - the excerpt is really gripping.

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  2. HELLO! Thank you so much for hosting such an awesome party for us :-) The food looks and smells delicious. And those sea creatures --- absolutely magnificent! I call dibs on the entire cheesecake. lol. It is truly one of my greatest weaknesses.

    Welcome to everyone who joins us. Take some time to peruse the aquarium, gorge on the lovely feast, and have fun! Jody and I will be around all day to answer questions and discuss Dangerous Love or writing or anything else that tickles your fancy :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you like the cheesecake because I'm partial to the chocolate and pepsi :)

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    2. Oh, you'll have to share the Pepsi!! lol

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    3. Congratulations on your book release! But, Kara Leigh, did you have to finish off the *whole* cheesecake? ~eyes the crumbs sadly~ It looked divine. :)

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    4. I think Oliver can bring more cheesecake :)

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    5. LOL. Sorry, Ami! I just couldn't help myself. I'll personally bake you an extra special one ;-)

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  3. What a fun way to introduce a guest visit. Good luck Kara and Jody. This book sounds like a winner.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Susanne! Your continued support is beyond words :-)

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    2. Thank you Susanne. It is such a unique way to promo the book. All new to me but we really appreciate all the support. Makes it so much easier...thank you.

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    3. Hiya Susanne. Isn't this fun? Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  4. Best wishes! The blurb sounds like something I would enjoy reading. 😄Melindabaker65@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks, Mindy! We had a lot of fun writing Dangerous Love together. I hope that shows through on the page :-)

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    2. Welcome Mindy. So glad you could join us for the fun.

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  5. Hi Susanne, thanks so much for stopping by at Kara and Jody's party. Help yourself to virtual food (although I think the cheescake is spoken for :) )

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  6. Hi Mindy - thanks for stopping by - yes, this sounds like a really great book, well worth putting on the TBR list!

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  7. Hi everyone! This is fun already- thanks for coming. I love that there are penguins! Anyone else have a favourite sea creature?

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    Replies
    1. Oh, great question, Jody! I really love the turtles and anything really unique that you don't see very often.

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    2. Hiya Jody, welcome to your roast. I love the penguins, too, but I think seahorses are my favorite. Love those seadragons. They are so magical looking.

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    3. Seahorses are really cool. It always seems crazy that they're real.

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  8. What a great party. I love an aquarium! And I love the premise of this book. The cover isn't bad either. Hope you ladies enjoy your roast. And Mac, I'm sending you hugs today just in case you don't get a chance to stop by. Love you sister hostess.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Lilly! Thanks :-) Mac and I happen to be agency sisters! Despite the amount of authors and books out there, it still surprises me how small the writing community truly is.

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    2. It's crazy, isn't it, Kara? I was stoked when I saw your name. Congrats on the release, sweetie. It sounds fantastic.

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    3. It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small, small.....Oh. Sorry. Couldn't help myself. The song just popped into my head and I had to sing a few bars. Think maybe someone spiked the lemonade? lol!

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    4. If anyone spiked it, it has to be Oliver, right? It's so cool that there's connections.

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    5. Thanks, Mackenzie! It's been so much fun working with all of you lovely ladies on this event :-)

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  9. Save me a piece of the chocolate cake! Yum! What a great party. Good food. Good setting and GREAT book! My kind of event. Can't wait to read.

    Best, Judy Mclaughlin

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Judith. We hope you enjoy the book. We'll save you some cake :)

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    2. Hi Judith, welcome to the party.

      *Waves* to sister hostess Lilly. May I join with Lilly in saying we're thinking of you Mac, and sending hugs.

      As for my favourtie sea creature Judith, I atually have three

      Sea horses (Because they're so sweet and I love horses and If I were a mermaid I'm sure I'd ride one)

      2. Sea dragons, (Because they really are like fairy tale water dragons, so delicate looking and almost invisible amongst the seaweed.)

      3. Dolphins.( Because they're beautiful and gentle and soooo intelligent, we could learn a lot from them.)

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    3. Hiya Judith and welcome. I'll arm wrestle you for the chocolate cake. It's my fave!

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    4. And who doesn't love dolphins?

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    5. I LOVE dolphins! I got to touch one once in Sea World

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  10. Intriguing premise! Looks like you've got a winner here. Good luck with your release and congrats! Ahem.... can someone pass the baklava? :-) adrienne.dunning@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Hiya, Adrienne. So glad you joined us. Save me some of that baklava, sweetie.

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    2. Thank you Adrienne! Am I the only one that wants to eat all the chocolate?

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  11. Hi Adrienne, so glad you could join us for Kara and Jody's party. Virtual baklava coming your way!

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  12. Hello, Kara and Jody! I haven't been to an aquarium in years. This is so cool! Love the excerpt! Debby

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    Replies
    1. Hiya Debby. I miss being able to visit aquariums. There aren't a lot of them in the desert southwest. :-) So glad you stopped by, sweetie.

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    2. We have a wonderful aquarium here in Vancouver. It's expensive though. So this is a nice alternative :) Thanks for joining us.

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  13. I love fish! I never eat them, you hear that fishies?? I am so fatuzzled today. I can't do anything but look at the seahorses and want one.
    So any hot guys here today? Ya know, ones that are free. What is the most exciting scene in your book ladies?

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  14. Mac, my heart is with you. And to everyone else with problems forget them for a moment in a great book like this! My sister hostess's are so wonderful.
    They all keep kicking no matter how bad life gets!
    Thank au

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    Replies
    1. Muah, Mary. That's the beauty of books as well as writing, isn't it? They are there when your head and heart need a break from the pressures and heartaches of life. A good book lifts the spirit. Throw in a great party and you have smiles all around.

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    2. Books are the best way to escape everything else.

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  15. How about another excerpt ladies? Something fun, sexy, or intriguing. Nothing sad today.

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  16. Yes! I'd love to read another excerpt. Have to know what happens next!

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  17. Hi Debby and Mary *Waves* to sister hostesses..

    And Hi Carrie. I love aquariums too. There is a great one a few miles from where I used to live in Wales - and it has sharks, although it's not nearly as big as this one we're at now of course! (and the sharks are only babies really.

    Ooh yes - another excerpt would be great!



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How about a little peek at Josh and Alessa's aquarium date?

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    2. I'll post in two pieces. Here's the first:

      Most of the penguins were on the
      rocks above so from their vantage point, Josh and Alessa could see the bellies of the
      ones that were swimming and the few that dove in head first. Alessa giggled when one
      of them came near the glass.
      “See,” Josh said, “that’s what a date sounds like.”
      His voice was too solemn and now she knew she wasn’t the only one thinking of far
      deeper things. The smell of fries and fish wafted through the air, making Alessa think of
      the beach. She closed her eyes a moment and pictured it, just like she’d done that day
      during her MRI, realizing how much she loved the beach, the feel of salty air on her
      skin and her tongue. She licked her lips as though she could taste the salt. Josh was
      staring at her, and she realized it was only the two of them in this dimly lit, underwater
      cavern. His eyes almost glowed, and the glass panels shielding the water gave the
      illusion of weightlessness, a dreaminess

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  18. Sounds like a great a read. Love the doctor/patient relationships. Fantastic excerpt, leaves you wanting more. morgans.musings@yahoo.com

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  19. And second snippet from the same scene:
    Josh stepped closer, and Alessa inhaled sharply. All she could smell was Josh: soap,
    aftershave, hunger. He bent his head, pulled her a little closer, and his nose brushed
    along her collarbone, causing a pool of warmth in her belly. Her hand went to his bicep
    for balance but being this close to him made that impossible. Even standing still, she felt
    like she was tilting, shifting, falling. He kept his head bent, not moving but the nearness
    of him was exhilarating, it caused tiny bumps to form along her flesh, but she didn’t
    feel cold. He pressed a little closer, one of his hands going to her hips, gripping lightly.
    She could feel his breath on her and closed her eyes. He stepped into her, causing her to
    step back. She felt the cool pane of glass at her back and the heat of Josh at her front. He
    whispered her name like a sweet, soft prayer. His lips hovered over hers, his nose
    ouching hers, their hands holding each other, anchoring themselves to each other, as
    they breathed each other’s air.
    “The penguins were born here, in captivity, but the aquarium—” the tour guide’s
    voice trailed off, and Alessa surfaced to the sound of giggling. Josh put his forehead to
    hers, keeping his eyes shut, like if he couldn’t see them, they weren’t there. It made
    Alessa giggle as well, causing the tour guide to clear his throat.

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    Replies
    1. LOL Caught red-handed and red-cheeked, I'll bet. :-) Nice!

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    2. LOL. Yes. It takes him a moment to...um...compose himself so they can carry on with their date ;)

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    3. Oooo!!! *squeals* I LOVE it when the heroes hands grip the heroine's hips - especially when in company. So much *want* expressed in that action. Nice excerpt, ladies!

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    4. Great excerpt! Thanks for sharing

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  20. I'm late to this party, but I'm hoping to find some chocolate cake! Congrats on your wonderful book baby, Jody and Kara!

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  21. For God's sake kiss him!!!!
    Sorry, I get a bit carried away sometimes...

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    Replies
    1. LOL. Mary -- Oh, how you and I think alike. I had many moments where I felt like that. And it always happened to be when Jody was writing her scenes and I was reading them.

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    2. LOL Greedy girls. Both of you. But yeah. KISS him! :-)

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  22. LOL! I get carried away too Mary! I'm with you. Thanks Paula for coming and for all your awesome support :)

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  23. Wow!Josh and Alessa, talk about steaming up the glass!

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  24. Hey, everyone! Sorry I wasn't here this afternoon for all the awesome extra excerpt sharing. I recently moved from NY to MI, and I spent all afternoon (3 hours, to be exact) at the Secretary of State trying to get my new license and registering my car. *sigh* I would've much rather been here having fun with all of you!

    Thank you to everyone for stopping by and to Jody for picking up my slack ;-P

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  25. Well you're here now. Welcome--Snuggle up to Oliver and he'll make you a special drink. Whatever you want.
    Then eat some of these terrific, calorie free, eats. Imagine that! No fat, no calories, eat what you want virtually. If only it was the same...we have some great food here on the roast.

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    Replies
    1. I could really go for something strong and fruity! Like a daiquiri or something. *claps hands* Oh, Oliver....

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    2. Make that two, Oliver. I'm positively parched!

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  26. Welcome Kara! Where in MI do you live? You're now living in my home state.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Debby! I'm in Jackson. My husband was born and raised in Ann Arbor, and we have family here. It's odd being here because I've lived in NY my entire life. But so far, I love it here :-)

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  27. Wow! Excuse me while I come back to earth after reading those excerpts - thank you so much for sharing! I really love the sound of this book!

    And hi, Paula, Grannymama, Carrie and anyone I may have missed, with apologies.

    Oh and Oliver is mixing a special daiquiri, just for you, kara!

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  28. LOL! Some of my family live on Sand Lake in the Irish Hills. That's between Jackson and Ann Arbor.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sounds fascinating, Debby! I'll have to look it up. The only time I've been to the States was when I visited Pennsylvania and Ohio. Loved it!

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  30. Make my daiquiri a strawberry please! Make it a double, I'm off to find the hot guys!

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  31. Well ladies, it's been great fun, but I have to run. Kara and Jody, all the best of luck with the book!

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  32. Thank you everyone for taking part today. How about another excerpt? The best thing about putting a book out is when people actually like it :) I'm so glad that, so far, you do. Thank you for all of your support.


    “You realize you make me lose my mind right? I actually forget we’re in a public

    place. You consume me.” His voice was husky.

    “Is that a bad thing?” she whispered, lowering her lashes slightly. He pulled her

    closer, hugging her.

    “No. Dangerous, maybe. And perhaps a little awkward at certain moments,” he

    said.

    “Sorry,” she managed.

    “You don’t look all that sorry.” He arched his eyebrows. He kept his arm around

    her shoulder as they walked from their secluded penguin hideaway into the brightness

    of the jellyfish tanks.

    “I’m not really. To be honest, it feels incredible to me that you . . . that you could

    want me,” Alessa said quietly, watching the spongy creatures bounce around in their

    homes.

    “You really don’t see your own allure. Rest assured, sweetheart, I want you. I care

    for you . . . deeply. When we have figured out who hurt you, when we’ve put this

    behind us, I intend to make myself incredibly clear on how badly and how much.”

    She looked at him then, his eyes were heated, but they were also sincere. She wasn’t

    even completely sure of how he would make those things clear, but the thought of it, of

    him showing her, telling her, sent shivers up her spine.

    “I think this is the best date, ever.” She leaned her head on his arm because she

    didn’t quite reach his shoulder. He squeezed her hand.

    “Hmm. There will be others. Many. I promise you. We’ll just try not to get caught

    making out on the next ones,” he suggested, making her laugh again.

    “You started it,” she said saucily, making him grin.

    “Yes I did. And one day, we’ll finish it, together,” he whispered, kissing her slow

    and sweet.

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  33. I love this excerpt and I want to read more!!! :-)

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  34. Food, fish & fun. I'm in the right place then.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  35. *LaVerne sneaks in to hide the fact she's incredibly late*
    Hi everyone! Oh, those excerpts are fantastic! We've got a fantastic aquarium in Auckland called Kelly Tarlton's - but it doesn't even come close to the one in this book! But I suspect its more the hunky doctor Josh that is the big attraction for me! ;)

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  36. Ladies, I'm so sorry I'm late. Story of my life.... Your book sounds intriguing. Don't count me for the prize as I'm also a writer and feel you should give to readers only. I just wanted to add my congratulations and best wishes.

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  37. The book sounds great. I loved the information on the story and so want to read it. Congratulations to you both.

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    Replies
    1. Forgot to leave my email. Lol

      doveknoll@gmail.com

      Delete
  38. Thank you all of you for attending our party.

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  39. Lyn finishes the last of the dishes and sits down with a large slice of chocolate cake. Marvelous how everyone mysteriously disappears, even Oliver, and leaves me to do the clearing up! *Grins* Of course it does mean I get to finish off the chocolate cake - ooh and there's a smidgeon of cheesecake left too! Yum!

    Hi Paula, La Verne, Mary, Caroline and Terri!

    Thank you Kara and Jody, for being such great guests of honour and inviting us to this fantastic venue, and also for sharing these sizzling excerpts. We wish you much success and many many sales with 'Dangerous Love'.

    Hi

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AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST

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