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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, June 30, 2017

Donna Dalton'S 'Magic In Her Eyes' picnic celebration



Lilly, LaVerne, Lyn, Debby and Mary are ready for the annual picnic lunch.

Every man is eyeing the line of hampers on the massive tables set up to accommodate them. The girls have each prepared a basket with
their favorite foods. Fried chicken, cheese, apples, homemade cakes, cookies, and lemonade fill the air and hungry men salivate
while trying to figure out whose basket they want. Children are running and playing with sticks and chasing each other to hit the rock farther than anyone else can.

“What in the heck is that?” Lyn’s eyes pop out as she looks at Mary’s basket. Everyone else
shakes their heads. 

“It’s my picnic basket.” Mary grins and tries to pick up the basket she has been dragging behind her. “That’s not a basket, that’s a portable food wagon.” Debby holds her basket up. “You want to feed him, not kill him.”

She nods the other baskets that Lilly, Laverne, Lyn and she have brought. “Hey, I need all the help I can get. This dress reminds me of Little House on the Prairie. Mary twirls and her dress does a wonderful lift that the others are soon trying to copy.

“Stop!” Lyn hollers. “Let’s get them on the tables before it’s too late.”
As the girls anxiously await the men’s choices, Laverne notices Lieutenant Preston Booth by the table closest to them. They all rush over to him, but he only has eyes for Meredith Talbot. He chooses her basket and they walk away to find a place for their blanket in the shade.

“Wonder what she brewed to get him to stick to her like glue.” Lilly sighs as she eyes the rest of the men at the tables. “Oh heck no!” Mary watches as a hulk of a man picks up her basket. All she can see is the back of his head, long hair, and overalls over a bare chest, he has a hairy back. “I hope he is better from the front.” Lyn laughs, which makes Debby chuckle, which causes Lilly to laugh out loud. But Laverne does not notice as she takes the hand of the young soldier who approaches her. The other girls watch her walk away with a grin on her face as wide as the field they are in. “Figures.” Mary sighs as she waits for the hulk to turn around as he carries her huge hamper on his head.


Welcome to the Roast! Today we honor Wild Rose Press Author Dona Dalton with a wonderful story that has a hint of the paranormal. Congratulations on your new release, Donna. Let’s all wish her the best of sales and fans who love your stories! 

(This introductory skit  was written by Mary Ricksen)


Blurb:
Meredith Talbot has a secret. In fact, she has nine secrets – her own and those of the eight orphans at Seaton House, a home for children. Each of them has a special talent that if exposed would get them labeled as witches. It is her responsibility to protect the children and their secrets and keep them safe from persecution. Marauding Indians force them into a nearby fort where their safety is threatened by fanatical townspeople and a captivating army officer who try to unmask the children's extraordinary abilities.

Lieutenant Preston Booth has one goal – to serve and protect his country. The military is the only life he has ever known. It’s the only life he wants. When a child is abducted and Preston goes after the culprit, Meredith has a vision of what will happen to him.


Does she risk everything by exposing her gift? Or keep her secret and risk losing him forever?

Excerpt:
Little Anna squirmed and clutched her kitten against her chest. “Where will we live? Will we be together?” Her tiny voice quivered. “I don’t want to live with anyone else but you.”

“There’s no need to fret,” Meredith soothed. “Lieutenant Booth promised he would find a place where we can all stay together.” He’d best make good on his promise, or he’d deal with her wrath.
“He’s quite handsome,” Nel said. “You should set your cap for him, Miss Talbot.”

Having turned fourteen the month before, Nelda Sawyer was discovering that boys were not just playmates for hide-and-seek. She had developed a shine for the neighbor’s son and devised every excuse to visit the nearby Pryor homestead.

“I am not in the market for a husband.” Meredith plucked a sliver of chaff from Anna’s hair. “You children keep me occupied enough.”

Lily joined the volley. “The lieutenant likes you. His aura turned pink when he handed you into the wagon. Then both your auras melded together and turned purple, as if you were soulmates.”

She had blossomed into pink and red and all manner of hot shades beneath the lieutenant’s touch. But that didn’t mean she should set her cap for him. More fittingly, it should send her running in the other direction.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

BIO:
Donna lives in central Virginia with her husband, two sons, and a grandson. An avid reader of historical romances, Donna uses the rich history of the “Old Dominion” State for many of her story settings. She enjoys reading stories where characters overcome life’s challenges, where family is everything, and the power of love helps them succeed. You can visit her at www.donndalton.net or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DonnaDaltonbooks


Donna Dalton
....romancing America's past




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

16 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me at your lovely picnic. I can't wait to dive into the baskets of food and later nap under the shade of a big elm. I look forward to chatting with all the visitors today. I do have a day job that pays the bills but I plan to check in as often as I can. Happy Friday, everyone!!!!

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  2. Good morning Donna, congrtulations on your book, it sounds fantastic - and I'm so glad you suggested this picnic, I just love eating outdoors!

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  3. Hello Hywela, I also love a picnic. Thanks for stopping by and visiting!

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  4. Nothing like a picnic on the last day of June!! What a spread, too--yum!!! Donna, best of luck with your latest release! Wishing many lovely sales:)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Barbara. I appreciate you stopping by.

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    2. Hi Barbara, so glad you could join us to help us celebrate Donna's new book.

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  5. Donna, I am so sorry it took me so long to get to comment. My computer hates me!
    What inspired you to write this wonderful tale?
    I have been hiding from the overall guy all day. Warn me if you see him. I hate hairy men!

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    Replies
    1. Story of my life. Can I hide behind your feet? LOL

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    2. No problem, Mary. Glad you made it to the picnic. I'm not much on hairy men either, so I'll hide with you :) As for my story, I wanted to write about witches, but I didnt want to go the route of covens or dark magic. So I decided to go with unusual abilities that people may have that cause others to consider them as witches. I love children, so I had to include them as well. I took my inspiration from the movie Father Goose with Cary Grant. Love the interaction of the prim school teacher, the young girls, and the gruff military man. The story was lots of fun to write. I hope my readers enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

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  6. That sounds like a great premise, Donna, I'm sure people will love it, it sounds enchanting!

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  7. Sounds wonderful to me, Donna, I love stories like that!!

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  8. Oh dear, I'm so late. Many apologies but I had to dash off to another party. We are celebrating my granddaughter's 3rd birthday today. Love historical and paranormal romances, Dona and your book is both.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lilly, I have a 4 year old grandson, so I know how important it is to celebrate those birthdays. I appreciate you stopping by to visit.

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    2. Hi Lilly - Happy birthday to your little granddaughter!

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  9. In a random drawing, Lyn is the winner of my book! Congrats, Lyn.

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