Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 42
October 8, 2015
October Zombie Fight!
Well, at least he has a knife! I think I’d use a chainsaw.
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 1, 2015
Frightening First Kiss Friday – Immortal Death by Laurel O’Donnell
Happy October! For this month, I will be featuring kisses from totally terrifying books of the undead! Today’s Frightening First Kiss Friday featured book is my paranormal romance Immortal Death. Here’s the first kiss between Demetrius Mercer and Jade Smith. Enjoy!
“I don’t want my story to end that way,” Jade said, her voice thick. “My Demetrius would be…destroyed. He would…”
Demetrius looked at her and was shocked to find glistening tears ringing her eyes.
“…be devastated.” Jade looked at him, her eyes tormented with anguish.
He reached out to her, taking her face in his hands. His fingers stroked soothing circles over her temples. “He would not have wanted to go on,” he said gently. He didn’t like to see her tears. He didn’t like her sadness. It made his own anguish worse. He pulled her close to him, holding her. “Don’t be sad. It happened a long time ago.”
“But he’s my Demetrius. If I can’t make him happy, who can?”
Her words shocked him, confused him. His gaze dropped to her lips. She was so beautiful. So very mesmerizing. It was so dangerous to be this close to any mortal, yet alone Jade. So dangerous. He couldn’t help how he was leaning in toward her. Just one taste. Just one touch of her warm skin. He had been so cold since Rosaline’s death.
“Rosaline would have wanted him to be happy,” Jade said softly.
Her words halted him a mere inch from her lips. “Happy?” he whispered bitterly. “Without her? It wasn’t possible. She was so vibrant and so full of life. When she died, she took his life with her. His heart died when that dagger was plunged through hers.” He stopped cold, but did not pull away from her. Her eyes were like a sea of blue, consuming, compassionate. And he needed that retribution. Absolution for not being able to protect Rosaline.
“She couldn’t help it,” Jade whispered. “She would have stayed with him if she could. She would never have left him. But there was betrayal. And–”
“Betrayal?” Demetrius demanded, his gaze sweeping her face. “What do you mean by betrayal?”
“Didn’t you tell me that? Someone close to her…” Her hand brushed across his arm. “I don’t know. I feel like it was someone she trusted.”
“Trusted?” he echoed, disbelievingly. It had been a Malachite. There was no way Rosaline would have trusted one of those monsters. No way. Maybe Jade didn’t know the story as well as he thought she did, as well as she pretended. Her hot breath fanned over his face and the story became less and less important. All that was important was the feel of her in his arms, the need to have her lips against his.
“Sometimes, I feel the story,” she whispered. “Not the way I want it to be, but the way that feels right.”
Demetrius stared down into her eyes and then moved his gaze languorously to her lips. She was so lovely. So enticing. A longing and need rose in him like he hadn’t felt in all the years since Rosaline.
The first touch of their lips was tentative, testing, as if he were giving her a chance to escape. But she didn’t pull back. A taste, he reminded himself. Her lips were hot, not just warm. It wasn’t enough. He wanted a larger taste. More. Demetrius pressed his lips to hers, fully. With a gentle stroke of his tongue across her mouth, her lips parted. And he couldn’t help himself. He was lost. He swept his tongue into her mouth, pulling her against him.
For the first time in centuries, he hardened. It was sweet, sweet ecstasy to feel her against him, to touch her face, her lips. Lord, he’d forgotten how absolutely breathtaking it was. She pressed her tongue to his and he almost exploded. He wanted her. He leaned into her, pushing her back against the bed. She was so small beneath him and he felt a sudden need to protect her. His emotions…yes, emotions, churned. He had been dead for so long he barely recognized the passion. But now, now it was as if he were given a second chance, a bolt of powerful desire shot through him and he crushed her to him.
She tasted of coffee and strawberry ice cream. Demetrius knew this was wrong. She was a mortal! She was not like him. And yet, he could not stop. He didn’t want to. He wanted to feel her. All of her. He wanted to touch her. She warmed him, touched him inside, made him feel alive again.
*****
If you would like to subscribe to First Kiss Friday and stay up to date on all of the latest First Kiss Friday romance novel excerpts, please enter your email address below:
Delivered by FeedBurner
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October!
It’s October 1st! Yes, you can look outside and tell Fall is here. But October, for me, is the month of Halloween and haunted houses. We just had the Supermoon eclipse, so I thought the picture below was appropriate to start the month of October off with.
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 24, 2015
First Kiss Friday – A Knight’s Quest by Lana Williams
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Lana Williams, author of medieval romance A Knight’s Quest. Welcome Lana!
Thank you, Laurel, for allowing me to share the first kiss between Sir Garrick and Lady Sophia from A Knight’s Quest, my latest medieval romance.
Garrick reached out to take her hand, causing flutters in her middle. For a long moment, he simply twined his fingers with hers. Heat seeped into her palm, up her arm and into her chest.
“I can see how worried you are.” He said the words so quietly, as though he didn’t want to frighten her. “Is there anything I can do to aid you?”
As she watched, he traced the lines in her palm with his thumb, sending the oddest sensations spiraling through her. His stormy blue eyes seemed to see straight inside her to her secrets.
“You are a good man.” She wasn’t certain if she was telling him or herself. But it was true. She’d bet her life on it.
He obviously loved his family. The way he spoke of his mother and father as well as his brother and sister, not to mention his cousins, warmed her heart.
“Thank you. I try to be.” He leaned closer, using his free hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Shivers chased through her at his touch. He was so close she could feel the heat of his body. His scent reminded her of the place where the forest met the sea.
“You are a lovely woman, inside and out,” he whispered.
Her breath caught and she swallowed hard, surprised by how much she wanted him to kiss her. She admonished herself for the thought. He’d soon be gone, and she’d be foolish to allow herself to care for him. Yet she knew all too well that pleasurable moments in life were fleeting.
“Sophia?” he said again. The sound of her name on his lips sent longing coursing through her.
“Aye.”
“I would very much like to kiss you.”
Her heart melted at his request. He watched her patiently with a hint of heat in those eyes. How different he was from other men she’d met, who took without asking, demanded without offering anything in return. Men like her betrothed and Sir Gilbert.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, scared of the risk she took. “I would like that as well.”
Before she had a moment to reconsider, his lips pressed to hers as though he’d been waiting for this moment for a long while. His mouth was firm as he kissed her then drew back. She nearly moaned in protest. Then he kissed her once more, longer this time, his head tilting to better fit with hers. His lips parted slightly, hungrily. What could she do but offer the same?
Emotions swirled inside her, strange sensations she’d never before experienced. How different this kiss was from the terrible one that Sir Gilbert had stolen from her earlier. This was no power struggle. Only pleasure, pure and simple, flowed through her, running as quickly as the river below. It felt never ending, building as they continued to kiss.
She eased back when her heart threatened to beat out of her chest. She stared at this man, perplexed at the feelings he caused inside her. What was it about it him that did this to her?
“You—” He frowned, seeming as confused as she. “I—” He shook his head ever so slightly.
She wanted to nod and tell him she felt exactly the same. But she needed to protect herself. He was not for her. He was an English knight who’d soon be gone, and there was no purpose in allowing her feelings for him to grow. She didn’t dare rely on him in any way. After all, the only reason he’d sought her out was because he needed her for his wool. Once his request was filled, it was unlikely she’d see him again.
“I’m sorry, but I must return home.” Without risking another glance at the handsome knight, she rose and hurried away. If only she could leave behind her growing feelings for the man as well.
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B014VF8ILW
Nook: http://bit.ly/1NsG0Rk
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1ER8Wj8
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 22, 2015
Find of the Week! Boxed set for 99 cents!
4 full length novels! Only 99 cents!
Kathryn Le Veque
Catherine Kean
Anna Markland
Laurel O’Donnell
Get it before it’s gone!
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 20, 2015
September 17, 2015
First Kiss Friday – To Take This Lord by Cheryl Bolen
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Cheryl Bolen, author of regency romance To Take This Lord, Brides of Bath, Book 4 (formerly titled An Improper Proposal). Welcome Cheryl! Here’s the first kiss between Sally Spencer and George Pembroke, the Viscount Sedgewick.
He covered her hand. “My daughter never told me until today that each time she saw a star, she made a wish on it. Do you know what she wished for?”
Sally looked up at him with a puzzled expression on her face. “What?”
“She wished she had you for her mother.”
He watched Sally and was utterly touched to see her eyes moisten and a single tear roll down her tawny cheek. He stopped under the street lantern and gazed into her solemn face. She had never been lovelier. He gently brushed the tear away. Then he did a most peculiar thing. He lowered his face to hers and settled his lips on hers.
He would have wagered she had never been kissed before, but in no way did her kiss feel like that of a befuddled first kiss. Her lips were soft and pliant, and she melted into his chest as if she were long familiar with such intimacy.
Good lord! What was he doing? He snapped away from her. “Forgive me,” he said in a shaky voice. “I don’t know what came over me. The tear . . . it was so pure . . . such a betrayal of affection for those I hold most dear.”
She placed a steady hand on each of his shoulders. “As dear as I hold them.”
*****
If you would like to subscribe to First Kiss Friday and stay up to date on all of the latest First Kiss Friday excerpts, please enter your email address below:
Delivered by FeedBurner
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 15, 2015
Find of the Week! 8 Book Set!
Wow! 8 medieval novels for $8.99! And if you’re in Kindle Unlimited, you can borrow it!
Catherine Kean
Eliza Knight
Denise Domning
Laurel O’Donnell
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 13, 2015
September 1, 2015
Amazing picture!
What does this picture conjure in your mind? A fallen knight? A knight who lost his lady love? What feelings does it invoke?
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Laurel O'Donnell's Blog
“What do you want from me?”
Perhaps it was ridiculous, Ryen thought. Men never seemed to have a problem with taking what, ...more
- Laurel O'Donnell's profile
- 243 followers
