Character Interview Scavenger Hunt

Hello and welcome to one of the character interviews in the scavenger hunt! For a chance to win a signed copy of

MASK OF THE BETRAYER

Please answer the question at the end of the interview.

I am chatting with the chilling villain and serial killer of Mask of the Betrayer, a psychological thriller set in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada. So grab a seat and make yourself comfortable. The man I am about to interview is devastatingly handsome, a silver tongue devil. He has brilliant blue eyes that could melt butter, black wavy hair framing the face of a fallen angel and is 180 pounds of raw, sexual energy. He is also a demented sociopath that will kill without blinking an eye. With no further ado, here is Michael DeVeccio.

With the raw beauty of the Red Rock Canyon as the backdrop, Michael presents Sharon with a bouquet of yellow roses.

In a gesture as old as time, she brings the roses up to her nose and takes in their sweet essence. She smiles demurely. “Yellow roses are my favorite flower. However did you know?”

Michael smiles. “I make it a point to find out the important things in my life.” Brushing her lips with a feathery kiss, he adds, “And, you, Darling Sharon, are very important to me.”

An explosion could not have moved her more than his tender kiss. Between his lips touching hers and the sound of his husky voice, she feels warm and overheated. Fussing with the cellophane wrap around the roses, she sniffs the flowers once more. “I’ll just have my butler put these in some water.”

Oliver appears, casually dressed in a black t-shirt and low rider jeans. Taking the flowers, he raises an eyebrow. “Sure thing, boss lady. Might I offer cocktails and hors d’oeuvres”

“Thank you, Oliver. That would be lovely. The usual for me, a nicely chilled glass of chardonnay. And I think a platter of artisan cheeses might fit the occasion.”

Michael takes a seat on a Queen Anne wing back chair. “Thank you. A bourbon on the rocks would hit the spot. Mind if I smoke?”

“Not at all,” Sharon responds, taking a seat opposite Michael. She gestures to the ashtray on the white marble coffee table in front of them. “Knock yourself out.”

Oliver scuffs in, a sterling silver tray balanced above his head. Casting Michael the evil eye, he sets down the drinks and a platter of wafer thin crackers, assorted cheeses of asiago, bleu, gorgonzola and gouda. Plump amber and ruby red grapes center the platter.

Sharon nods her approval. “Thank you, Oliver, that will be all. Shall we get started, Michael?”

Michael taps his Marlboro on the table three times before lighting it. Taking a drag, he stares into Sharon’s eyes, his searing gaze scorching hot. “What would you like to know?”

Mesmerized by his hypnotic blue eyes, Sharon stammers. “Ah, you’ve been getting away with murder for years. How so?”

Never taking his eyes off Sharon, Michael sips his bourbon. “Simply speaking, no one in this world can outwit, out play, or out maneuver Michael DeVeccio. I am and always will be king of the world.”

Sharon: “You were born in a small fishing port in Tuscany, living a simple and somewhat sheltered life with loving parents. But when you were twelve years old, something traumatized you, turning your whole world upside down. Tell us about that.”

Michael’s eyes grow misty. “My parents’ car went over the steepest cliff in Tuscany early one bright and sunny May morning. It’s a day I’ll never forget as long as I live. Their car crashed over the mountainside and burst into flames before it ever hit the ground. Mama and Papa were killed instantly. It was the day my life in that fishing port came to a screeching halt. My parents were dead and my world as I knew it was over. It was such a shock, such a brutal shock. I went into a deep depression and barely remember the funeral.”

Clutching her heart, Sharon gasps, “What, pray tell, could have caused a sweet blue-eyed boy with good morals to grow up to become one of the decade’s most cold-blooded killers?”

Michael smiles a beguiling smile. “In a nutshell, Carlos DeVeccio happened. He was my father’s brother, and after my parent’s death, he raised me in his likeness, training me to take over the DeVeccio Empire, a billion dollar construction company that built luxury resorts all over the world. A master manipulator, my uncle trained me to kill the betrayer from the time I was twelve years old.”

Turning ash, Sharon hurriedly drains her cocktail. “How so?”

Blowing a perfect smoke ring into the air, Michael crosses one long leg over the other and grins. “By deprogramming the morals my parents had instilled in me.” His jack-be-nimble fingers pull a mini CD player from the pocket of his navy pin striped jacket. He presses a button and the music plays. “This song played in hidden speakers all over the mansion, over and over again like a broken record.”

A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go. We’ll catch a fox and put him in a box. High ho the dairy-o, a hunting we will go.

Appalled, Sharon stares in disbelief. “Hearing that programmed you to kill? That’s how your uncle brainwashed you?”

Bringing his drink to his lips, Michael watches Sharon over the rim of the glass. “Once the hunting song got in my blood and I started thinking of myself as an action figure in an action movie, killing became a sport.”

“You enjoyed killing?”

Walking to the bar, Michael freshens their cocktails, his brilliant blue eyes blazing as bright as a sorcerer’s flame. “Eventually. I wanted what my uncle had.”

“And what was that?”

“Absolute power. “So that’s my life story in a nut shell. A poor fisherman’s son strikes it rich when tycoon uncle hands over the reigns of his billion dollar dynasty. I had it all living with Uncle Carlos--a mansion built for a king, the best educations in Ivy League colleges, fancy sports cars and more money than I knew what to do with. But there was a price to pay. Uncle Carlos ran his ship with an iron fist, demanding family loyalty and respect. He held meetings every Saturday in the great room, and under his tutelage, I learned how to become master of the game.”

Sharon gulps back her drink. “And yet you killed your uncle, slashed him in the throat, then covered his corpse with a death mask?”

“Of course I did.”

“Why?”

Michael stares at Sharon long and hard, as if dealing with a petulant child. “Uncle Carlos taught me well. Under his expert tutelage, I learned how to wield the death star into the throat of the betrayer and shroud the corpse in a death mask. It was poetic justice that I should do to him what he taught me to do. Carlos DeVeccio decided who had the right to live and die. But it turned out he was the biggest traitor of them all. My dear Uncle Carlos committed the ultimate sin and had to die by the sword. Placing the skull mask on his corpse was indeed sweet revenge.”

“Tell us, Michael, just what was the ultimate sin?”

Michael’s eyes narrow into steely slits. “Darling Sharon, I guess you’ll have to read the book, won’t you?”

“I most definitely will. How do you think your uncle would feel about you slaying him with a death star had he lived?”

Michael smiles, his brilliant blue eyes icy. “Uncle Carlos would have been proud. Under his expert tutelage, I learned how to lie, cheat, and kill. All for the sake of absolute power.”

Mask of the Betrayer
Book one in the Mask series
Filled with so many twists, turns and surprises, you’ll be hooked from the first chapter.
ISBN: 978-1-936167-06-7

AVAILABLE NOW!
http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html

QUESTION

What does Michael do before lighting a cigarette?

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Plenty of time to join. Winners will be announced at end of month. Thank you and good luck!

Sharon Donovan
Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

MASK OF THE BETRAYER VIDEO by TRIAD PRODUCTIONS

Second place winner YOU GOTTA READ CONTEST IN JUNE

Do you believe in miracles

We are all familiar with the idiom extending an olive branch. But what does it mean? This term has Biblical origin dating back to the Old Testament and is an offering of peace. In ancient Greek and Roman times, the olive branch was offered literally. In Rome, defeated armies carried an olive branch to indicate surrender.

In today’s modern society, the olive branch is used metaphorically rather than literally to convey the message of peace. Peace negotiations are used to settle differences between nations and in our personal lives.

LASTING LOVE is one of my earlier publications, an Easter story about death and resurrection. It is also a story about peace and forgiveness. There’s a lot of heartache and conflict packed into this short ebook. But the message it delivers is huge. Before Abbey Jordan can find happiness with Brady Jones, her fallen angel, she must find it in her heart to forgive him and offer an olive branch.

When Vermont florist Abbey Jordan’s nursery manager quits a few days before Easter, she is left up the proverbial creek without a paddle. But when she places it in God’s hands, she finds Lasting Love in a garden of roses.

Brady Jones has a daughter to raise, is out of work, and knows more about cultivating roses than anyone in rural Vermont. And when Abbey hires him as the horticultural manager of her floral shop, it seems like the answer to her prayers. But just on the brink of a budding romance, a fire destroys the nursery and buries all hope of love.

And when all fingers point to Brady for starting the fire, he falls from grace and off the pedestal Abbey has placed him on.

With its old fashioned classic appeal, the Lasting love rose is beautiful and timeless. It’s dark red with vibrant green leaves and big beautiful blossoms. It shimmers with a striking boldness and is a hearty climber. Bearing this in mind, I used a Lasting Love branch as the peace offering between Abbey and Brady.

Without giving the story away, a miracle occurs in Abbey’s life through Divine Intervention. Using a Lasting Love branch, Abbey extends it to Brady in the hope of reconciling their irreconcilable differences.

Upon checking the status of Lasting Love today on Amazon, I was rather shocked to find several customer reviews that were not there the last time I checked. More shocking, some were downright insulting, the worst of them advising it should have been a freebie! On the flip side of the coin, some were equally flattering.

 What do I think about this? As with all things in life, you can’t please everyone. I just know that even after two years and two publishing houses, people are still buying Lasting Love. It was initially contracted by The Wild Rose Press for their White Rose line, the inspirational line. Not long after its release, the inspirational line branched into its own publishing house White Rose Publishing.

Even though the miracle in Lasting Love is purely fictional, the miracle evolving around the Lasting Love in my life is very real. The rose intrigued me so that I bought one of these shimmering jewels for my garden. I planted it with great expectation, confident it would sprout up to its promised Jack in the Beanstalk height, showering me with dozens of fragrant crimson blossoms that would make my neighbors pea green with envy.

To my dismay and great disappointment, my Lasting Love rosebush was a dud, a joke, a real lemon. In spite of the numerous accolades by customers who raved about their Lasting Love rose climbing the stairway to heaven, mine neither blossomed or bloomed or grew an inch.

I continued to nurture my little midget through autumn, losing hope when winter set in. We had a particularly frigid winter with lots of snow which buried my little pet. After a particular heavy snowstorm, the awning caved in and collapsed on my precious rose.

With the dawning of spring, much like the Lasting Love rose in my book, my rose resurrected with a vengeance. But even though the foliage was green and glossy, it remained a bud less three inch plant all summer long.

In late August, I suffered a massive heart attack and was not expected to live. Doctors saved my life through open heart surgery by implanting a heart pump in my chest. My own heart had failed perilously and permanently. When I came out of my four day coma, my cardiologists informed me that I was alive due to a miracle through Divine Intervention.

When I returned home three weeks later, it was a sunny fall day. My Lasting Love rose bush was as small as ever. But popping its head out of the glossy green foliage was one beautifully fragrant red rose.

I’ve just read Lasting Love again and got chills. Miracles happen every day. Do the insulting Amazon customer reviews bother me? Not in the least. Obviously, they never experienced the miracle of life.

Read customer reviews here

www.amazon.com/Lasting-Love

Purchase Lasting Love

http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/Lasting-Love

Watch trailer by Hywela Lyn

Why Hawaii as setting for Charade of Hearts

I’m the featured author on Anne Patrick’s blog, a behind the scene peek at why I chose Hawaii for the setting for Charade of Hearts, a Jewel of the Night mystery. Any Jack Lord fans, raise your hands and come on down!

http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com

Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

Sign up for Sharon’s newsletter

My website

www.sharonadonovan.com

sharonad@comcast.net

My blog

Where the one and only Oliver will mix your favorite cocktail with a wink and a smile!

http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com

Oliver in the hot seat

Hello and Happy Friday! For the entire month of April, I am the featured author on Anne Patrick’s blog. Last week, I was in the hot seat, answering some challenging queries. For the next week, Oliver is in the spotlight. Please come chat with him. Here is what Anne has to say.

"I've been looking forward to today since I first contacted Sharon Donovan and asked

her and Oliver to come for a visit.  If you haven't ever visited Sharon's blog and

met her sexy buttler, you're in for a real treat.  He sure makes

my heart go pitter patter :-).

Come on by and leave a comment for a chance to win one of Sharon's books.

http://suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/2011/04/oliverthe-man-of-my-dreams.html"

Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

Sign up for Sharon’s newsletter

My website

www.sharonadonovan.com

sharonad@comcast.net

My blog

Where the one and only Oliver will mix your favorite cocktail with a wink and a smile!

http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com

Dear Oliver with Pat Dale

Hello and welcome to another episode of Dear Oliver! Today’s special guest is my friend and fellow writer Dale Thompson who writes captivating novels under the pen name Pat Dale. You don’t want to miss Dale’s pet peeve, especially if you’ve ever had to deal with a rejection letter from an agent. If they don’t have the wherewithal to recognize a future New York Times bestseller, let them eat crow.

In the meantime, belly up to the bar and bend Oliver’s ear a spell. And while you’re eavesdropping on his sound advice, why not treat yourself to one of his legendary martinis! You’ll find his impressive venue listed on the sidebar. Not a martini fan? Not a problem. Oliver will make whatever drink strikes your fancy and serve it with a wink and a smile. Rumor has it that his hand tossed pizza is more loaded than Jessie James’s pistol. With no further ado, let’s give a warm round of applause to my good buddy Dale Thompson!

Hi there, Oliver. Manning the bar again, I see.

What can I getcha to drink, Dale ol’ buddy?

Right about now a double bourbon straight would do the trick. Hold that, Ollie. Been there, done that, and it cost me big time. How about a lemonade?

Oliver grins. You’re pulling my leg, right

No, I’m not kidding! Back when I was a jazz trumpeter, I got lost in alcoholic haze so bad I ruined my family and my career. Lost a decade in the doing, so no, I don’t need that again.

Oliver pumps his biceps and salutes Dale. He fills two tall frosted mugs with freshly squeezed lemonade. There we go then, ol’ buddy. Takes a real man to own up and turn a new leaf. To starting over. Cheers!

Over the sound of sax and trombone, Oliver and Dale share a toast while they shoot the breeze.

Why so glum, chum?

Dale shrugs and drains his mug. Oliver pours another from a pitcher brimming with lemonade, ice cubes and lemon slices. I just got another rejection from an agent. She read thirty pages of my mystery, said the opening was gripping and she loved my female protagonist, but my writing wasn’t tight enough to suit. She never even got to my male Wlead, who’d have blown her knickers off!

Oliver flicks his James Bond remote. An agent sits in her office in her ergonomic chair, glasses perched on the edge of her nose as she reads Pat Dale’s manuscript. When she gets to the male lead, her knickers shoot up in the air.

Dale chuckles and holds up his empty mug. I tell you, this business will lead a grown man to drink. Twenty years ago, it would have been a piece of cake, but no more. Now it seems most editors and agents have been indoctrinated to look for a few ‘gems’ that prove a manuscript worthy. Missing those, there’s no need to read the whole thing.

But wait, I just thought of something. Damn!

Dale slaps himself upside the head.

Just when I was ready to get a good mad on I have to remember it’s my responsibility to sell the thing to whomever I solicit for help. Now I’m back to writing that cursed synopsis, and I’d better make it good.

Nodding, Oliver fills Dale’s mug. Ah, yes, the dreaded synopsis. I hearsay from the dragon…er…boss lady they can be more challenging than writing the book, a real nightmare.

Dale nods his head in agreement.

So, Dale ol’ buddy, who can I play for you on the jukebox to chase your blues away?

Maybe a chorus of ‘One more for the road’ would do the job. Instead of sitting here crying in my beer, I should be hammering out a storyline and synopsis that even Machiavelli couldn’t fault.

Oliver presses the button on his JB remote. Instantly, Lido Shuffle by Boz Scaggs drifts across the bar. Dale sings along.

“Lido missed the boat that day he missed the shack

But that was all he missed and he ain’t coming back

A tombstone bar in a jukejoint car,

Just long enough to grab a handle off the top

Next stop Chi town, Lido put the money down and let it roll

He said one more job ought to get it

One last shot ‘fore we quit it

One more for the road…”

Oliver sets a bubbling, loaded pizza in front of Dale. When did you develop this pet peeve?

Dale plucks up a piece of pie dripping with cheese and pepperoni. It’s been growing for a long time. After I’d been writing four years I submitted to an agent. Got the same doggone answer back then. Now I’ve been at it for fifteen years and nothing’s changed. Got four books published and seven more under contract, too, so I’m more successful with editors nowadays. Guess I’d best just stay with it, ol’ pal.

Sounds like a plan, ol’ buddy.

Where do you think utopia is, my friend?

*big grin* Utopia? Actually, I’m living it, Ollie. I get to spend my days creating these strange worlds that have crowed my brain for decades. Now that they’re more polished and civilized, I’m building a reader base. How much better can it get than that?

Oliver grins back and pumps his biceps. Hot damn, you got it, hit the ol’ nail right on the head. So tell me, how can Dear Oliver help

You already have, my friend. By allowing me to vent my frustration, I feel much better now. And I can see what I need to do to fix my so-called problem. I can’t control my editor or my agent; my readers, either. That means I have to modify my own approach to my situation. Thanks again, Ollie and Sharon, for hosting me today!

Oliver raises his mug. You got it, my friend. When life tosses you lemons, make lemonade!

Native Missourian Dale Thompson traveled far and wide before returning to his home state. He sailed the Pacific from San Francisco to Tokyo, spent a cold winter in Goose Bay Labrador; lived in such diverse places as Fairbanks, Alaska and Fort Collins, Colorado.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force as an airborne electronics technician, Dale earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and a Masters in Music Composition from the University of Nebraska. While laboring in a professional capacity, Thompson made it a point to work with a wide range of folk; observing and cataloguing what was most important to each of them.

Using his imagination and humanity catalog to draw from, he began writing novels fifteen years ago. He builds stories from his rich experience but also from constant research that allows him to keep his characters fresh and up to date. Underlying Dale’s work is a desire for us to see that we all choose varied paths in living but nobody has a lock on the ‘right’ lifestyle. He claims, “Life, as ugly or beautiful as it gets, is a wonderful thing to behold.” Something of the little child remains in the old man, writing as Pat Dale, sits at his keyboard even as we read, hammering out another view into what makes humanity go round; and with it, the world.

Website: http://www.patdale.net/

Blog:      www.patdalesblog.blogspot.com

Contact? patdale@charter.net

Five minutes of fame

 
According to Andy Rooney, we all get our five minutes of fame, our five minutes in the sun. I got my chance to shine last week when a local media station in Pittsburgh interviewed me.
 

WTAE television anchor woman Michelle Wright came to my home to question me about how diabetes has affected my life. It was all very exciting. When the truck pulled up in front of the house and the camera man came in with all his equipment, I admit to being a little star struck. Once things were all set up, Michelle and I sat on my living room sofa and the camera got rolling. Amazingly, any initial butterflies doing the rumba in my belly did their swan song and skedaddled. Michelle is very personable and put me at ease. WTAE is running a week long series on diabetes beginning tonight and I am scheduled to air at 5:45 pm.

Hopefully, by answering questions about the serious impact type 1 diabetes has had on my life, my outlook on living with a life long disease and its devastating complications, I can offer hope to those  facing  diabetes. Yes, it is a deadly disease which can rear its ugly head, affecting many organs, including the heart, kidneys and eyes. But millions of diabetics, both type 1 and 2 lead long and productive lives. Knowledge is power. If you’re a diabetic, don’t ignore it or take it lightly. See your doctor often, check your blood glucose, eat sensibly and exercise. Fresh fruits and veggies are a lot healthier than sweets. There’s something to be said for that age old proverb.
 An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Good Golly its Ollie McCauley

Hello and welcome to another episode of Dear Oliver! Today’s special guest is my sister and her brand new fur baby, Oliver! You don’t want to miss her pet peeve, especially if you’ve ever had trouble training an adorable, free spirited and highly rambunctious puppy. So, come on in and belly up to the bar. And while you’re eavesdropping on Oliver’s sound advice, why not treat yourself to one of his legendary martinis! You’ll find his impressive venue listed on the sidebar. Not a martini fan? Not a problem. Oliver will make whatever drink strikes your fancy and serve it with a wink and a smile. And rumor has it that his Taco Con Questo dip is hotter than a sultry night in Georgia. With no further ado, let’s give a warm round of applause to Mary Beth and Ollie McCauley!

What can I getcha to drink, love?

Of course an ice cold beer in a frosty cold mug! And a fresh cold full water bowl for my chum Ollie!

Casting Mary Beth a wicked wink, Oliver flashes his most dazzling smile. My pleasure, sweet thing. After serving the requested drink orders, a chilled mug of IC Light and a bottled water, he scoops the squirming black lab puppy up in his arms and raises an eyebrow. Ollie ol’ boy, being my name sake and all, I’m your mentor, which means y’all have quite a reputation to live up to with the ladies!

Gazing at his mentor with admiration, Ollie grins a doggy grin, his eyes gleaming like stars. He yips excitedly.

What’s that, Ollie ol’ boy?

Ollie yips a little louder, just a tad annoyed that he has to explain himself to his mentor.

Catching on, Oliver puffs out his chest. You got it, my little protégé, I’ll be happy to give y’all some pointers guaranteed to score major brownie points with the ladies.  Starting with this. With a flick of his wrist, Oliver presses a button on his 007 remote. Instantly, a panel opens displaying a box of doggy breath buster biscuits. Whistling, Oliver feeds the panting pup a few. First rule of thumb, Ollie dear boy, fresh breath will allow y’all to steal lots of kisses.  With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Oliver sets the doggy in an upright position on a bar stool and pumps his biceps.  Ollie, my pet, watch and learn. You’re about to see the master at his game.

Placing another frosty mug of beer in front of Mary Beth, Oliver leans a little closer and gazes into her eyes. Who can I play for you on the jukebox, my pretty young thing?

Mary Beth grins. I have a few selections starting with AC/DC – You Shook me all night long! Or how about Play that funky music white Boy! By Wild Cherry or Sweet Caroline – good times never seemed so good by the one and only Neil Diamond! Or who could forget “everybody wang chung tonight” remember that one? How about “Pour some sugar on me” by Def Leppard? I know a favorite of my dear sister’s is Hall and Oates “I can’t go for that – no can do” or “Kiss on my list” How about for old romantic time sake good old Frank Sinatra “fly me to the moon”! I could go on and on with this category. Any more suggestions from the audience?

With his jack-be-nimble fingers working a mile a minute, Oliver programs the impressive venue into the jukebox, mumbling under his breath that MB is every bit as high maintenance as her sister. With a sonic boom that quakes the earth, You Shook Me All Night Long vibrates off the walls.

When Frank Sinatra’s song floats across the room, Oliver smiles a beguiling smile. Taking Mary Beth by the hand, he leads her out to the dance floor. serenading her, they dance cheek to cheek.

“Fly me to the moon

Let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On a Jupiter and Mars     

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, baby, kiss me…”

The audience breaks into thunderous applause. The Dancing With the Stars couple take a sweeping bow.

Whew, Oliver mixes himself a James Bond martini. Handing Mary Beth another cold one, their glasses clink in a toast. So tell me about your pet peeve, love.

My pet peeve is Oliver’s biting!  He will not leave us alone!  We give him chew toy after toy but his attention span is that of a pea and within seconds he goes from the chew toy to jumping on us, biting us like a chew toy!  He is very strong and thinks this is the most fun game!  He growls playfully as he chomps on your fingers/arms/toes/legs anything he can sink his teeth into!  Also he will not entertain himself; he thinks we are solely there to be a source of entertainment to him and if you do not pay attention to him for one second he will bark for your command

Right on cue, Ollie barks sharply, demanding equal time from Oliver. Whistling a verse of Hall and Oates “I can’t go for that – no can do, Oliver snatches a present from the bar, a chew toy of a James Bond martini. Strutting over to Ollie, he picks him up. Immediately, Ollie displays his annoyance for being ignored by biting on Oliver’s ears, fingers and arm.

Watch the biceps, junior! Chew on this for a while. He sets him on the floor on a blanket, gives him fresh water, some doggy nibbles and his chew toy. Totally ignoring the command, Ollie attaches himself to Oliver’s leg, chomps his teeth into it and takes off running laps around the  bar, barking excitedly. He shoots Oliver a don’t mess with me look.

Mary Beth shakes her head. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?  Luckily these wild times do not last long and he tires easily and the next thing you know he is curled up at your feet or in your lap and lavishing you with sweet kisses and then the next thing you know he is snoring and out like a light!  This is when he is so lovable and sweet!

Ollie races past them, a streak of black lightning, stopping only to bite Mary Beth’s leg.

Another beer, love, you’re looking a bit frazzled.

Mary Beth accepts it with a smile. Oliver delves a tortilla chip in his Taco Con Questo dip and feeds it to MB, then another. So tell me, sweet thing, where do you think utopia is?

Utopia for Oliver is running in the yard full speed ahead, chasing sticks or us!  Also he likes to play basketball with my son Connor and is very good at defense!  Utopia for us is Ollie’s naptime!

Showing no sign of slowing down any time soon, Ollie does laps around the bar that would make a marathon runner weep.

Deciding it’s time to take charge, Oliver goes about the ritual of mixing up a pitcher of his legendary James Bond martinis. He pours the chilled, shaken, not stirred concoction into two frosted Gibson glasses. He hands one to Mary Beth and winks. Here we go then, love, a nice JB to sooth your blues away. Snatching Ollie as he streaks by, Oliver pumps his biceps and grins. Dipping his finger into his cocktail, Oliver sticks it into Ollie’s mouth. Ollie smacks his lips. Then he shoots up his arm and pumps his doggy biceps.

Mary Beth McCauley is a wife, mother of two children and one fur baby. She is Customer Service Team Leader at PPG Industries, Inc. in the Silica Products Customer Service Department.

When she is relaxing in her spare time, Mary Beth enjoys reading, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens and is an avid sports fan.

Final words from Mary Beth.

Any suggestions for calming this crazy pup when he is in his full speed ahead play and bite mode?  We are desperate!

Happy St. Patricks Day

Struggling with her faith after her mother’s death, Meghan O’Malley finds comfort in wearing her Claddagh Ring, believed to be blessed by St. Patrick. And when Meghan meets Rork, she finds love, friendship, and loyalty. But before everything comes full circle under God’s plan, Meghan must face the biggest challenge of her life. Rork McGuire is ruggedly handsome, sings Celtic music straight from his soul, and has a dark secret.

When he sees Meghan O’Malley, he falls hopelessly in love with her and wants nothing more than to give her his heart. Will the secret he harbors bring them together—or pull them apart?

And as My Wild Irish Rose played, Meghan and Rork danced, their bodies gliding across the dance floor in perfect rhythm. Rork sang in her ear, the lilt in his voice sending chills through her entire body. “And my one wish has been…that some day I may win…the heart of my wild Irish Rose…”

As Rork’s arms tightened around her, the lyrics of the song seemed to crawl deeper and deeper inside her skin. Gazing into his hypnotic blue eyes, she thought perhaps St. Patrick had indeed bestowed his blessing into the Claddagh. Could Rork be her purpose? Finding love and friendship with a man who could sing like an angel?

On a romantic lilt, Rork ended the dance with a simple promenade around the floor, giving the couple the regal look of a king and queen. Staring into midnight blue eyes, Meghan’s heart danced a wild rhythm. When she finally came back down to earth, she was giddy with delight. And when they kissed, it was the kind of kiss dreams were made of. Meghan Shannon O’Malley had met her destiny.

Buy The Claddagh Ring

http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/The-Claddagh-Ring

The Claddagh Ring

February 25, 2009

WRP Nbr: 2880

Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7QRcR5vEX8

Charade of Hearts featured in Allegheny General Hospital newsletter

Local Author, Medical Marvel Celebrates Life and Latest Work with Book Signing

Sharon Donovan Received LVAD Destination Therapy at AGH in August

Local author Sharon Donovan, 55, of Avalon, will celebrate the publication of her seventh novel, “Charade of Hearts” tomorrow at a book signing event in Sewickley.

The book’s title is telling. And though most authors are quick to claim that theirlatest work is the one most dear to their heart, in Ms. Donovan’s case it could notbe any more true.

Just seven months ago, it appeared that Ms. Donovan’s heart would not allow her to complete the novel. A lifelong diabetic who lost her eye sight at the age of 25, Donovan suffered a massive heart attack on August 11, 2010 that left her heart perilously and permanently damaged.

Among those celebrating with Donovan tomorrow and lining up for signed copies of her new novel will be members of her medical team, including AGH cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Robert Moraca and nurse Sherrie Stutz, who coordinates the hospital’s LVAD program.

Charade of Hearts

Oliver’s story

AVAILABLE NOW!

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/charade-of-hearts-p-4346.html

Read full article here

www.wpahs.org/agh

Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

Sign up for Sharon’s newsletter

My website

www.sharonadonovan.com

sharonad@comcast.net

My blog

Where the one and only Oliver will mix your favorite cocktail with a wink and a smile!

http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com

My Books

Charade of Hearts

Oliver’s story

AVAILABLE NOW!

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/charade-of-hearts-p-4346.html

Her Biggest Fan

An edge of your seat chilling suspense

ISBN: 1-60154-813-3

AVAILABLE NOW!

http://www.TheWildRosePress.com/Her-Biggest-Fan-P-4234.HTML

Mask of the Betrayer

Book one in the Mask series

Filled with so many twists, turns and surprises, you’ll be

hooked from the first chapter.

ISBN: 978-1-936167-06-7

AVAILABLE NOW!

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html

Dear Oliver with Val Pearson

Hello and welcome to another episode of Dear Oliver! Today’s special guest is my good friend and one of the reviewers of You Gotta Read, Val Pearson. You don’t want to miss Val’s pet peeve, especially if your teenager is driving you bonkers with nerve-wracking music. So, come on in and belly up to the bar. And while you’re eavesdropping on Oliver’s sound advice, why not treat yourself to one of his legendary martinis! You’ll find his impressive venue listed on the sidebar. Not a martini fan? Not a problem. Oliver will make whatever drink strikes your fancy and serve it with a wink and a smile. And rumor has it that his tortilla chips and salsa are spicier than a pot of his Cajun Jambalaya. With no further ado, let’s give a warm round of applause to Val Pearson!

Oliver: What can I getcha to drink, love?

Val: Tequila straight up Oliver, it's been the most irritating day EVER!

Oliver mumbles under his breath, but when he turns to Val after pouring her chosen poison straight up, he flashes the charm with a wink and a smile. There we go then, love. With a flick of his 007 remote, a calming beach scene with gently rolling waves materializes on the big screen behind the bar. When Val downs her shot and points a finger to her empty glass, he leans a little closer. Why so glum, chum?

Val: It's this whole Glee soundtrack that my daughter has going on. It's not that I don't like Glee, but she plays it OVER and OVER and OVER!

Nodding, Oliver fills Val’s empty shot glass, tossing a Lemon wedge and shaker of salt on the bar as an after thought. We are at the beach, after all. So if y’all could sum up your pet peeve in a word, what would it be?

Val: One word? GLEE

With another flick of his 007 remote, The Eagles' Tequila Sunrise plays in the background. Oliver hums along. "Given the way you downed that rather potent shot down the ol’ hatch without coming up for air, I dare say the added amenities may keep y’all from falling off the bar stool like the rest of ‘em". Humming away, he takes a margarita glass, coating the rim in salt before presenting it. "As long as you think you’re woman enough to handle another shot of the nasty, knock yourself out, sweet thing."

Val coils her fingers around the glass in a death grip, brings it to her lips and knocks it back neat.

Oliver shoves a heaping basket of his tortilla chips and spicy salsa in front of her and smiles a beguiling smile. "Best have a bite to eat, love. Remember how tanked the boss lady got when she so foolishly thought she was woman enough to handle more than one martini. As if!" Oliver pumps his biceps and hums another verse of Tequila Sunrise. Plucking a chip from the basket, he dips it in salsa and feeds it to Val. Then another. "Now about your pet peeve with Glee, love. But if you’re not ready to rant and rave just yet, who can I play for you on the jukebox?"

Val: *sigh* if you could play me some Bon Jovi, I would love you forever Oliver.

Oliver presses a button on his JB remote and Bon Jovi appears on the background beach scene and the music begins. Casting Val a wildly wicked wink, he plucks up his electric guitar and spews forth, gazing into her eyes the whole while. In moves that Jon Bon Jovi himself would envy, Oliver shakes it loose.

It’s my life

It’s now or never

I ain’t gonna live forever

I just want to live while I’m alive

It’s my life

My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said

I did it my way

I just want to live while I’m alive

It’s my life

It’s my life

It’s my life

Oliver flings his guitar over his head and takes a sweeping bow. The bar rocks with hoots and whistles.

Oliver: Whew, I dare say I’m in need of a drink after that rather electric dance. Oliver fans himself. Now, back to the subject at hand. When did you develop this pet peeve with Glee, love boat?

Val: The moment one of my daughter's friends gave her the CD soundtrack.

Oliver shrugs. So, tell me, sweet thing, where do you think utopia is?

Val: My utopia is in a tropical paradise somewhere with Channing Tatum, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jon Bon Jovi. I'm lost Oliver, can you point me the way to my little Valtopia?

With a wink and a smile, Oliver hits his remote and a tropical paradise with Channing Tatum, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jon Bon Jovi appear on screen, fanning Val and feeding her bon bons as she lounges in a chaise lounge, grinning from ear to ear.

How else can Dear Oliver help, my pet?

Val: You can help me sit back and laugh. I got back at my daughter by grounding her from all of her CD's except the one I gave her. It has a Mariachi band, some Spanish guy singing a French song and songs I know she will detest! So join in for our big guffaw Oliver, MOM won!

Oliver kisses Val on each cheek, hands her 30 pieces of silver and grins. With a flick of his 007 remote, the repugnant Mariachi band strut in, six short and chubby Spanish inmates that haven’t shaved or showered in way too long, gather ‘round Val, belting out French tunes for all they’re worth in between hoots and whistles.

Oliver hands the be-frazzled Val a double shot of tequila. Ah, well, y’all know what they say ‘bout what goes ‘round comes ‘round. Val? Love? Are you all right?

Final words from Val Pearson

I would love for each person visiting to stop by You Gotta Read reviews, an awesome review site I work with. Here's the link: http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/ Then there is my personal review site for the sweeter books here http://thesweetersideoflove.blogspot.com/ (still working with the layout on that one) and the my spicier blog here http://booksthatleaveyoubreathless.blogspot.com/?zx=e5ffa6e11b7f5e8e

It would be greatly appreciated if you decided to follow the sites listed. With your help, more reviews can get greater exposure.

Oliver, Dahling, thank you so much for ..... just looking so sexy to begin with and for listening to all my drama issues.

Fat Tuesday

Hello and welcome to Mardi Gras!

Wearing masks bearing images of skeletons and Christian icons is a vital part of Mardi Gras in the city of New Orleans. This pre-Lenten festival is framed by the donning of original masks worn by people at masked balls, crew members in parades, tourists and partakers in the final crescendo known as Fat Tuesday.

This is a time when individuals hide behind masks to play out the final moments of fun and to bid farewell to the flesh before the penitence of Lent begins.

Masks have always possessed a certain air of mystery that has fascinated people for centuries. According to legend, masks were worn by ancient Greek actors in honor of Dionysus, god of theater and were quite large. Because the structures used to represent the plays were so colossal, masks bore exaggerated expressions in order to convey various emotions.

The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple symbolic of justice, green symbolic of faith and gold symbolic of power and are used to decorate carnival masks.

Winner of Blue Diamond earrings

Oliver is most pleased to announce the chosen winner of his beautiful heart-shaped blue diamond earrings featured at the lovely Sky Purington’s

Celts and More blog

During the week of February 14-18^th. The winner is…….drum roll…..

Deb Thomas. Congratulations, Deb! Wear them well. Now, here comes Oliver with a bottle of champagne. POP!

You can read the excerpt where Oliver presents Dominique with the gift on their wedding anniversary here

http://www.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com/

And you can purchase Charade of Hearts here

Oliver’s story

AVAILABLE NOW!

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/charade-of-hearts-p-4346.html