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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, September 18, 2015

the Author Roast celebrates the new release, Asylum Harbor by Isla Grey - Spotlight and Giveaway


A salty breeze drifts on the light winds as the Hostesses sit around the roaring bonfire, beneath the twinkling lights, listening to laughter and the sounds of ropes and poles as they gently clank together on the boats docked at the ramps below the island beach party for the wonderful story Asylum Harbor. 





Dozens and dozens of people sat on towels and beach chairs; more walk the shore dipping toes and strolling arm and arm, or in the water jumping the low crashing waves. Children run in and out of the water, or munch on snacks as they salivate to the grilling teriyaki steaks.  There are also  shrimp cocktails for starters, baked potatoes, salads - beautifully  made and sporting a cinnamon apple ring  made from crisp, sweet, apples,

though the Orange cake with cream cheese  steals the show…




“Lyn, what is that you’re writing?” Debby elbows Lyn, who would normally fall except for those big feet that balance her perfectly no matter how hard she gets elbowed. 

“Sorry Lyn,” Debby grins. “Is my hair too big today?”

“Your hair is always too big.” Lyn, Mary, Laverne, Mac and Lilly all comment at the same time.


“Yeah, says the one who could carry a tray, not just a glass, but a tray; on her butt like Kim what’s her name.” Debby mumbles under her breath.


Lilly chuckles, “Mary beats us all, when she walks in, there is a sigh of awe that a bosom that big does not prevent her from standing up.


Mary stands even taller. “Jealous?” she asks?


LaVerne takes off her hat. “Finally the sun is low enough that I won’t have to worry about burning. 


“Yes Morticia,” Debby grins. “We are all very special in our own ways.”


“Here, here,” Mary raises her drink, a strong Rum Runner, and they all click glasses.


“What are we toasting?” Mac perks up to ask.


“Never mind now ladies. We have a job to do. We have to introduce our guest author and tell everyone how wonderful her story is. We have to supervise the books and make sure everyone can get their signed copy. Thank goodness Oliver always has a handle on the food. It looks yummy!” Lyn takes a deep breath. “Come on girls put on your flip flops and

follow me.”

The girls turn with determination and head to the table where Isla's books await avid readers. And her readers are lined up to get their signature on each book. They see things running smoothly and cheerfully approach the table to greet and introduce their guest.


“Hey, back of the line, no cutting.” A woman gives them the evil eye. “Hey, folks, cutter-inners.” She hollers. 


And the crowd begins to boil!


“Wait, we’re the hostesses.” The girls try to tell them. But they are pushed back and with hands on hips, wait distressed. Not wanting to make a scene.


“I know, let’s find Oliver and he can help us.” Lyn suggests and they head back toward the food.


Oliver gracious as ever escorts them to the head of the book table, bows, grins, and leaves. after making sure Isla has a glass of his special 'Shirley Temple' cocktail.

 
Lyn raises her voice and speaks into the microphone. “We want you to welcome our author ISLA GREY and please enjoy this terrific beach party celebration for her new romantic release Asylum Harbor.” 


Cheers and whistles fill the air. And the animated conversations and the party continues on even louder.


“Who are those women anyhow?” Someone in the crowd asks. 


“I think they snuck into line.” Another person shakes their head in answer. 


Just another Roast and Toast!
 Congratulations on your new release, Isla, welcome to the party, everyone!



BLURB 

PURCHASE LINK
Trouble is the last thing Devon Brown needs when she leaves the painful memories of her past behind and heads to Shell Island. As the Salty Dog’s new bartender, she finds herself drawn to Kerr, the Shell Island harbormaster.  But finding her happily-ever-after is difficult when dealing with an obnoxious bootlegger who supplies the bar with illegal liquor and a jealous coworker.
A standoffish loner with damaged emotions, Kerr avoids relationships like the plague.  Things change when Devon catches his eye. As a simple flirtation grows serious, the coworker and bootlegger quickly become obstacles to any future Kerr and Devon may have together. As the situation worsens, Devon realizes that even the still waters of Asylum Harbor are no refuge during a storm.


 EXCERPT
  The waves of Asylum Harbor crashed against the hull of the ferryboat that dared to cut through its churning waters. Devon Brown’s long tresses whipped in the wind as she clung to the deck’s railing and looked toward the shrouded Shell Island. Her view of the mainland wasn’t much better. The fog and mist obscured what she was leaving behind in a fitting goodbye.
     Devon strengthened her deathlike grip when the boat swayed in the heavy surf. Her palms grew sweaty. “What was I thinking?” she mumbled to herself as she strained to see the outline of the island ahead.
     Another spray of salty water made her release her hold on the railing and step away. She cautiously took another step back. Just as she began to turn around, she collided with another ferry rider. The bump was enough to send her off balance, and she spiraled down to the deck.
     “You should watch where you’re going.” The looming figure towered over her.
     Devon shook the grime from the deck off her hand and could feel the salt water seeping through the denim on her backside. She looked up, about to give him a piece of her mind, but was immediately tongue-tied as she admired the snugness of the white T-shirt he had on. “Sorry, I didn’t see you.”



AUTHOR BIO
Isla Grey is from Central Virginia and developed a love of writing at an early age.  She has tried her hand at penning poetry, screenwriting, newspaper articles and historical stories. She’s “old school” when it comes to writing and is a hoarder of more pens, post-it notes and writing journals than she’ll ever need. Isla likes to write different types of stories from romance to mystery and anything in between and loves a “happy for now but there could be some bad things coming” feel. 
When Isla’s not writing, she spends her time being called “Mom, Mama, Mommy” (well, you get the picture) by her daughter who is forever active, even in her sleep. She considers herself an unofficial “cat whisperer” and is a pet human to a plethora of cats that have taken up residence at her home over the years. Isla also enjoys reading a good biography or ghost story, traveling, even though “there’s no place like home”, good music played loud and walking. Isla loves movies and is the movie mistakes editor at Bellaonline.com where she talks about…well…movies. 
This weeks's introductory skit was written by Mary Ricksen

***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Isla'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)

44 comments:

  1. Hi everyone and welcome to the beach party! I hope you enjoy your day with your toes in the sand. There's plenty of food so sit back, relax and have plenty of fun!

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    1. Oh wow. I'm totally late to the party...long story. But, now that I'm here, congratulations on the release of Asylum Harbor, Isla. Love the blurb. I totally grinned at the name of the bar. I spent a few hours at a bar called the Salty Dog while on spring break eons ago. Sweet memories.

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  2. Hi Isla, welcome to your party, we're so happy to be able to share your celebrations for your new release. Congratulations - wishing you many, many sales. (We understand the Wild Rose Press', Isla's publisher, is offering a 50% discount at the moment, so now is the time to buy this terrific read!)

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  3. Hi, Isla, great party! Everyone loves the beach. I really enjoyed the excerpt from the book. I wish you many sales!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Debby! The beach is one of my favorite places!

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  4. Hi Isla! Hope our hero brought a lot of friends today. I am looking for a hot date. Shall we beach comb? After that we can settle down with your book and get taken away on a wave...

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  5. What a lovely party, Isla. I do love the beach, and I love Virginia. I was born in Richmond, you know and lived the first ten years of my life in Ashland. But now I call NC home. But I have fond memories of the Blue Ridge, Virginia Beach, Belvedere Beach in King George County. Such a beautiful state. And I love your short book trailer. So peaceful. And the tag line of your book is very inciting. Yet another title for my TBR list. Welcome to your roast, Isla. Now where's Oliver? I want one of those rum runners. It looks delicious. After all, it's 5:00 somewhere. Time to party!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lilly! The beach is one of my favorite places but I have to admit no other place steals my heart like Williamsburg. I try to go a couple times a year.

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    2. Williamsburg is nice. Haven't been there since 89, but we go to Fredericksburg every otter year or so. Another Virginia town rich in history.

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  6. Hello, Isla! Beautiful set-up for the party, you can really get the feel of the beach and almost taste the food, too. Yum! Good luck with your release.

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  7. Lyn Waves to fellow hostesses, 'Hi Debby, Mary and Lilly. Hi Hebby, thanks for visiting the Roast and joining us for Isla's party. Glad you like it - there's nothing quite like an after sunset beach party, is there!

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  8. Hi Lyn, Isla's book sure has a great location. I love that area too!

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  9. Hello Isla! Asylum Harbor sounds very intriguing and I love the trailer! Hi Roast and Toast Authors, I have missed you! I can see, had Cataract Surgery on both eyes, sight is now 20/20! Yea!
    Thanks everyone!
    Rebecca
    rbooth 43 at yahoo dot com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Rebecca! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

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    2. So good to see you here again, Rebecca. Looking forward to seeing you again in real life.

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    3. Yay, Rebecca!! So glad your surgery was a success! xx

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    4. That's so awesome, Rebecca. Welcome back, sweetie!

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  10. Hi Rebecca, we've missed you too! So glad you could make the party - and it's wonderful news about your eyes! So pleased for you! (And I agree about the trailer, it's really effective, some trailers are too long but this one is short and snappy - and a great teaser!

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  11. Glad to see everyone is having such a great time at the party! Personally, I'm going for more food. Oh and by the way, has the wind messed up my hair?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debby, no, Debby dear, your hair looks just fine, it would actually take a hurricane to muss it up, LOL!

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  12. Sounds like a fun party. :) Best wishes with the book, Isla!

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  13. Anyone for a swim? Skinny dipping? I've actually never done it!! But, I hear the girls float!

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    Replies
    1. I've skinny dipped and trust me, with the right person it can be lots of fun!

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    2. I will confess to 2 counts of skinny dipping, but that was 35 years and 40 pounds ago-lol!

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    3. WOOHOO ladies! Do it in the dark then no one can see the changes!!

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    4. LOL Mary, trust you to think of skinny dipping - one thing about this party, it's an evening one so as long as you stay out of the glare of the fairly lights......

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    5. I'm in! No chance of burning then - but I'm afraid my skin might glow in the dark :)

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    6. LOL Mary. You come with your own floatation devices. :-)

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  14. Wonderful party in celebration of your new release Asylum Harbor. Great food and fun. Winds whipping a bit makes the water cold on the skin, but fun.

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    Replies
    1. What a creative way to celebrate! Forgot to add this to my comment.

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    2. Hi Tina, so glad you could come to the party and glad you like the post - do have a virtual cocktail and some food - there's heaps here!

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  15. Isla, could we beg for another excerpt? Pretty please??? Tease them a bit more and they will not be able to resist wanting to read the rest!!

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    Replies
    1. OK Mary, you twisted my arm. Here's another snippet of Asylum Harbor:

      “You!” she spat when she recognized the man she’d spoken to on the ferry. Devon propped the shillelagh against the bar just in case she had to get her hands on it again. She grabbed the bottle of Jack Daniels, along with a glass, and slammed it in front of him. “Whiskey straight?”

      The man picked it up and waited for her to pour. “Rough day on the ferry, I assume?” she asked.

      He barely grunted his response and swirled the contents. He guzzled the liquor down and banged the glass on the bar.

      “Need another?” She reached for the bottle again.

      “Beer.” He gave her a one-word, monotone reply.

      “Got it.” Devon held the mug under the tap. “Are you a regular here?” She slid the glass over to him.

      The man turned and glared at Diane and Danny, who were laughing in the far corner, oblivious to everyone else. He picked up the mug and took a sip. “I pay for the drinks here, not the conversation.”

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  16. Hey everyone! Isla - congratulations on the release of such a fabulous book. It looks gorgeous! Love the excerpt and I agree wholeheartedly on the trailer - great job! Now, where is Oliver? I need something to cool down and he was mixing up something yummy :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much LaVerne! I think Oliver was headed for the skinny dipping party!

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  17. Off we go! Hope to see you all tomorrow. If I survive the skinny dipping!

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  18. I can totally see myself at that party on the beach. Fun thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  19. Hi Mary, thanks for stopping by - and another super excerpt Isla, what a great book this sounds!

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  20. Congratulations Mary P. and Rebecca! You've both won copies of Asylum Harbor!

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AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST

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