A Dangerous Soiree aka THE DANGEROUS DUKE Launch Party!!!

Good evening, Dear Readers! Allow me to introduce myself, since Mrs. Wells seems to have disappeared for the moment. Probably crawled back to bed, poor dear, after meeting her deadline last night. My name is Lady Kate Fairchild and I'll be your hostess this evening.

As it is well-known that Bandita parties usually feature vulgar antics like swinging from chandeliers and drinking champagne from bucket boots, Mrs. Wells has entreated me to take charge, lending my legendary savoire faire and elegant restraint to the occasion.

We are celebrating the release of two things--THE DANGEROUS DUKE, aka THAT BOOK and of course, the newfound freedom of my dear and dangerous hero, the Duke of Lyle.

You might recall that some time ago, the Romance Bandits kidnapped Lyle and incarcerated him in their lair. The ensuing months of separation have been extremely painful for us both, but finally, those feisty Banditas have released their captive! Words cannot describe the ecstasy of our reunion, though if you DO wish to pry into our most intimate secrets, I counsel you to read THAT BOOK and you will discover more than you ever wished to know!

Which reminds me. Lyle? It's almost time to receive our guests. LYLE???

Lyle: I'm here, my sweet. Mmm...

Kate: [giggle] Lyle, stop it, you'll mess up my hair. You are supposed to be dressing! What do you have there?

Lyle: [reading aloud] Kate shivered, remembering the way the moonlight struck his thick black hair as he bent to fix her gown. She'd known a fleeting urge to set her hand in that coarse mass and--

Kate: Oh, no! Not THAT BOOK! Where does it say that? Give it to me!

Lyle: [holding the book out of her reach] Uh-uh, no you don't. I've only just started reading. It's proving most edifying, I must say. You didn't tell me this Mrs. Wells was such a gripping writer.

Kate: Gripping?! The woman is a torturer. She imprisoned you, remember? She is exploiting us for financial gain! She is selling our story to the masses, making us the object of every curious eye.

Lyle: Yes, but she writes a lusty love scene, I'll give her that. [pointing to one particular passage] Tell me, did we REALLY...?

Kate: [blushing furiously] I don't recall.

Lyle: Is that so? Then my dear Kate, allow me to remind you...

************************************************************************************* Ahem! Christine Wells here. Um, well, it seems our hosts are going to be occupied for quite some time. Why don't we start the party without them? Here's Sven with cocktails and oh, look! He's brought his brother Lars, too. The Cabana boys are trooping out with canapes and suntan lotion. There are Banditas swinging in from all directions. Saddle up, Bandita Buddies, it's going to be a wild ride!

I'm afraid this wasn't quite the elegant soiree Lady Kate had planned...

So tell me--do you think romance novels EVER lend themselves to being read aloud?? What's your favourite quotation? It can be from anywhere--a romance novel, classic literature, a movie, or perhaps it's some pithy quip from your favourite comedian. I collect quotes, so I'm looking forward to reading yours.

Two lucky random commenters will win signed copies of THAT BOOK, aka THE DANGEROUS DUKE!! Thanks for joining in the celebration with me! Oh, and oops, I forgot to announce the winners from last time I blogged, so stay tuned for that announcement, too!