Lyn elbows Mary. “Ssh!” Her gaze darts around the reception room of Pearl House, a
historic hotel in Austin, Texas. “We’re celebrating the release of Lilly’s
latest book, Wilder Hearts. Let’s not
talk about murder, especially here.”
“What’s
wrong with here?” LaVerne asks, giving a little twirl and watching her
full-length skirt billow out around her ankles.
Debby
leans close, lowering her voice. “One of the cooks that worked here was a
suspect in the The Servant Girl Annihilator murders. The case was never solved.”
LaVerne stops her twirling and glances up, her face
more pale than usual.
“So…does that mean the killer is still out there?” She latches on to Lyn who’s busy admiring the glossy leather of her lace-up ankle boots.
“So…does that mean the killer is still out there?” She latches on to Lyn who’s busy admiring the glossy leather of her lace-up ankle boots.
Lyn shakes her off and rolls her eyes. “Relax. That
was well over a hundred years ago. I think you’re safe.”
“True
” Debby drawls with a
wicked gleam in her eye. “But Lilly’s hero and heroine, Jake and Ellie have traveled through
time
to party with us. Stands to reason the killer could have too.”
Mary’s
hand stills in her attempt to squish the girls back into her bodice and instead
plumps them back up again. “Is he here? Where? Oh, I just love a proper western
man, all burly and rugged. And Lilly’s Jake is a former Texan Ranger. Can he
get any sexier?”
“You
are so bad, Debby.” Lyn shakes her head and drags LaVerne by the hand towards the
centre of the room where Lilly is holding sway to an adoring crowd. “Let’s go
celebrate with our Lilly.”
Pushing
through the throng proves difficult and as they stop for a breather, they
become aware of the music filling the room. In the far corner, on a makeshift
stage a live band play a ballad. The melody is at once old-world and beautiful.
In the middle of the room, the crowd steps back to form a circle where a couple
dance as if no one is watching, their movements simple, elegant and synchronized.
When they finish, the crowd erupts into applause and the band move effortlessly
into a more modern bluesy rock number.
“My
question has just been answered,” Mary sighs. “Jake definitely can get sexier.
Look at those hips move.”
They
all turn to find Lilly standing before them, resplendent in a pink-colored
dress trimmed in lace. Her eyes dance and her cheeks glow with pleasure.
The
hostesses whoop and cheer as one, taking turns to hug her and talking all at
once.
“You
look amazing!
“Look
at this turn out!
“You
clever girl!
“We’re
so excited for you, Lilly!
“This
place is to die for!”
Mary
winces as a large foot suddenly treads on her toes. Her yelp is cut off by the
look of death Lyn directs her way.
Lilly
hugs them all back. “Thanks for organizing my roast, ladies. You must try the
food. I tell you, Austin folk sure do know how to put on a feed! I had to take
my corset off after a couple of bites of those baby back ribs and cucumber slaw.
I gave up putting it back on after seeing the plates of chicken-fried steak,
garlic taters and fried okra.”
“You’re
speaking my language, Lilly.” Mary rubs a hand over her ribs. “Save me and
lead on to the bathroom so I can take this torturous device off.”
A murmur of agreement goes up through the group.
“Before we do that, ladies, I spy Oliver making his way towards us – bearing a tray of glasses, no less! I wonder what’s in them.”
A murmur of agreement goes up through the group.
“Before we do that, ladies, I spy Oliver making his way towards us – bearing a tray of glasses, no less! I wonder what’s in them.”
Every
head swivels towards the direction LaVerne is looking. Sure enough, the handsome
waiter dressed in saloon-slick leather waistcoat and shirt saunters over.
Lilly grins. “Frozen margaritas. I thought it fitting
since we’re in Texas. Thank you, Oliver.”
Lilly grins. “Frozen margaritas. I thought it fitting
since we’re in Texas. Thank you, Oliver.”
He
bends and give Lilly a quick peck on the cheek then winks when she giggles like
a girl before disappearing back through the crowd, his tray empty.
The
hostesses all gaze after him, then turn back to Lilly with envious glances.
Debby
is the first to recover. “Well, on that note, I propose a toast to our sister
host and author extraordinaire, Lilly Gayle. Congratulations on the release of Wilder Hearts. We’re so very excited and
proud of you.”
This week's skit written by LaVerne
Writing about the outlaw, Jake the Snake, could be the opportunity of a lifetime—if it doesn’t get her killed.
When Ellie Wilder takes her sister from their grandfather's home, she's determined to put her family back together and write of their adventures. Then she runs into Jacob Harper, a man who resembles Jake the Snake, a notorious outlaw who once rode with Billy the Kid. Is it possible the outlaw who escaped justice has mended his ways? Or is the handsome Mr. Harper now murdering servant girls in Austin?
Finding out the truth could be the journalistic opportunity of a lifetime.
Former Texas Ranger Jake Harper has returned to Texas to help solve the Servant Girl Annihilator murders. But when a similar murder occurs in Harmony, Texas, Jake goes undercover as Jake the Snake to find a connection between the series of brutal murders. Then Ellie Wilder shows up. Her snooping could blow his cover and get her killed, but Ellie soon becomes a bigger threat to his heart than his investigation.
The book is on pre-order now. It releases May 6.
Buy links: pre order at:
http://www.amazon.com/Wilder-Hearts-Western-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B01E84JI1K/ref
Available May 6 at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Lilly%20Gayle%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall
Also available for preorder through the iTunes store.
***GIVEAWAY***
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)
Oh LaVern, I love my Roast. It's perfect and so much fun. An e-book of Wilder Hearts and the first book in my Western Hearts series, Helpless Hearts to on lucky commenter today.
ReplyDeleteLilly I hope you sell a ton. I love this story line. Don't I look hot in this dress?? So, what men are available??
DeleteYou look amazing, Mary. Now, tuck the girls back in before you draw unwanted attention from Maurice. lol!
DeleteHello Lilly, welcome to your Roast and congratulations on your forthcoming release, it sounds like an absolute 'must read'!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyn. Little known fact: The Servant Girl Annihilator struck between Dec. 1884-1885. Soon after, Jack the Ripper began his rampage in London. Some believe the killer was the same person. I document some of the details in the case in Wilder Hearts. And Jake thinks the Malay cook, Maurice was the Annihilator and the Ripper. Come to think of it, I think I heard someone call the assistant chef Maurice. You don't think Debby is right do you? Did the killer travel forward in time when Jake and Ellie did? I don't know about you ladies, but I'm sticking close to Jake and Oliver.
ReplyDeleteThat is so interesting, Lilly I have to admit I hadn't put the two together. Now you have me nervous, yes, let's not let Jake and Oliver out of our sight!
ReplyDeleteWell, Lyn, it looks like we have them all to ourselves. Uh oh, I think Ellie is watching us. I hope she's not the jealous type. I didn't write her that way, but you never know with some women. And she is young...
ReplyDeletelol - I guess maybe I'd better not walk with my arm around Jake then> :)
ReplyDeleteWonder where the others are - hope they're OK; It's getting late - talking about which, let's get back to the food, I'm starving again.
Oh, my!! I hope Debby isn't right! But then, it does give me an excuse to cosy up to Jake. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteLilly - you look absolutely stunning in pink! Congratulations on yet another fab book! I love anything you write.
Gee. Thanks LaVerne. And when is your next book coming out?
ReplyDeleteWorking on it! :)
DeleteHi LaVerne, well at least the three of us are OK - but I wonder where Mary and Debby are. I hope they're OK. You've got me all jittery talking about Maurice/The Ripper. *shiver* hope they're just holed up somewhere drinking marguaritas!
DeleteI just hope I don't pass out. lol! Better late than never, but the party seems to be in full swing now. Thank you ladies for a wonderful roast.
Deleteenter me in contest
ReplyDeleteHi Karen! Thanks for popping by :)
DeleteHi Karen - we will need your email address to enter you in the draw - otherwise we won't know where to find you if your name comes up! :)
DeleteHello Karen. Welcome!
DeleteA great roast. Loving all of the gowns.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Aren't they simply gorgeous, Mary! They're even better once the corsets came off though - *relieved sigh*
DeleteHi Mary, lovely to see you here again, I see Oliver making his way to you now with refreshments! Glad you like the gowns, but I'm with LaVerne about the corsets. Instruments of torture!
DeleteWishing our guests luck on the drawing. Thanks so much for stopping by.
DeleteJust got my electricity back, sorry for being AWOL, but I am buying this book for sure. It is right up my alley. So pass the food!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're a doll, Mary. Thank so much.
DeleteWell at least your not lying in a pool of blood slashed by the ripper! So glad you're back with us Mary, I'm loving the sound of Lilly's book too!
ReplyDelete