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Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 52
October 30, 2014
After Party for Lost in a Kiss Boxed Set of Novellas!
On Saturday, November 1st, the Love Historicals authors are having an After Party for their new boxed set of novellas entitled Lost in a Kiss! Think after party as in the after parties of the Academy Awards. Since Lost in a Kiss was released earlier this month, we’ve decided to celebrate with an After Party! Please join us for some fabulous prizes and a bunch of fun!
Join us on Facebook for the After Party! And don’t forget to pick up a copy of Lost in a Kiss. It features my story, Cherished Protector of Her Heart with Damien and Aurora from Angel’s Assassin.
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 26, 2014
Inspirational Quote Monday! #36 of 2014
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are your own fears.” – Rudyard Kipling
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 19, 2014
Medieval Monday! Dragon Knight’s Sword by Mary Morgan
It’s Medieval Monday and I’d like to feature Mary Morgan, author of Dragon Knight’s Sword. Hope you enjoy this Medieval Monday’s feature!
Duncan Mackay will do anything to lift the curse from his family – even forfeit his own life. But his plans change when he encounters the woman from his dreams, literally. She is from the future, somehow has his lost sword, and can talk to the Dragon that is able to lift his family’s curse.
Brigid O’Neill has spent her life listening to the mythological legends from Ireland and Scotland. So, when an ancient sword lands at her doorstep and she starts dreaming of a rugged Highlander, she drops everything and takes on a quest that will alter everything she believes.
Before their journey ends, not only will Duncan and Brigid battle an ancient curse, they must also find the courage to believe in the destiny that brought them together.
Excerpt:
He stood next to the waterfall. Beads of water glistened from his dark locks.
Brigid watched as they trailed down his chiseled torso, traveling down to where his tartan was wrapped low on his waist. The wind whipped at the folds of his plaid, the power coiling within and around him, as mystical as the land he stood on.
“Ancient warrior,” she uttered softly.
When she looked up into his eyes, they smoldered with desire, and it startled her. A sensual shiver ran through her, wanting to be crushed within his embrace. The raw desire to be in this man’s arms, touching and tasting him, was so potent, she could feel her heart hammering inside her chest.
He tilted his head to the side, as if studying his prey.
Brigid didn’t know if she should run or step into his massive arms.
He took a step toward her, and her pulse quickened. The very air around her seemed electrified. He then took another…and another, until he stood
merely inches in front of her.
Her breathing became labored, as he bent his head leaning close to her ear. She was engulfed in a sensual haze wanting his lips to touch her anywhere and put an end to her torture. His mouth was so close, she could feel a dark lock of his hair against her cheek, and she shuddered.
“Bring me back my sword,” he growled into her ear.
Brigid’s eyes flew open, clutching the sheets as the last fragments of her dream faded.
Buy Links:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, TWRP – The Wild Rose Press
Follow Mary via:
http://www.facebook.com/mary.morgan.564
http://www.twitter.com/m_morganauthor
http://www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Inspirational Quote Monday! #35 of 2014
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars, to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 16, 2014
First Kiss Friday – My Noble Knight by Laurel O’Donnell
For this First Kiss Friday, I’m bringing you a special treat! The first kiss from my new medieval romance, My Noble Knight! Enjoy Layne and Griffin’s first kiss!
She nodded, but she couldn’t quite stop the disappointment bubbling up into her throat, swallowing her words. A broken stirrup. Not her talent, not her skill. She had known as much, but to hear it aloud was heartbreaking. She turned and continued into the tent.
Griffin entered the pavilion after her, grabbing her arm. “Layne.”
She couldn’t turn to him. She didn’t want him to see the disappointment brimming in her eyes.
“All knights I have come against have fallen. There have been broken stirrups before.”
Startled, she turned to him. Was he trying to make her feel better?
“A good knight trains for a broken stirrup. It is not the reason I lost to you.”
She stared at him. A tremor moved through her. Her gaze dipped to his lips. “Then…why?” His hand still held her wrist as though he didn’t want her to move away. His fingers were warm against her skin. Firm. He was used to getting what he wanted.
Silence again fell about them.
Awareness sprang to life inside Layne. Her nipples tingled; warmth spread through her body, heating her. They were alone. The thought was instantly exciting. He could do something that would not be proper. “Should I be…” Her gaze swept his face as his hand moved up her arm, drawing her closer.
“A young woman should not be alone,” Griffin whispered, “with a man.”
Layne watched the way his lips formed each word. “Why?” was all she could say in a breathless sigh.
“He might…” Griffin gathered her in, pulling her closer.
Her hands rested against his strong chest. She should push him away. She should resist. But she couldn’t take her eyes from his lips. How she wanted to feel them against hers. How she wanted him to kiss her. “What?” she asked softly.
He hesitated a moment, his gaze sweeping her face in a heated stroke.
She was almost desperate. What if he didn’t kiss her? Her breasts pressed against his chest. “What might he do?” she demanded in a frantic whisper, almost a dare.
With a growl, he lowered his lips to hers, slanting them across her mouth. His lips slid gently over hers, coaxing. Layne sighed and Griffin plunged his tongue into her mouth, pulling her tight against him, exploring her mouth.
Layne wrapped her fingers up his back to the nape of his neck, curling them in the thick strands of his hair.
Suddenly, Griffin pulled away, taking a step from her.
Layne stumbled, but caught herself.
“He might do that,” Griffin said coarsely.
Shocked, she could only stare at him. Cold suddenly seeped in around her, putting a chill on her heated body. Anger quickly replaced her shock as Griffin whirled and stalked from the tent. She wanted to grab something and throw it at him. He had kissed her as an example of what might happen! She wanted to twine a stirrup around his neck. He had kissed her so she could see how dangerous it was to be alone with a man. She wanted to kiss him again. The thought was so appalling and surprising that she could only just stand there and take no action at all.
He was trying to teach her to be a proper lady, she reminded herself. She had to keep that in mind.
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 5, 2014
Inspirational Quote Monday! #34 of 2014
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Don’t ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are.” – Lady Gaga
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 3, 2014
October 10th! Release Day for My Noble Knight!
One week away! Please join me for the Facebook Release Day Party of My Noble Knight! I have a great line up of guest authors to help me celebrate. I hope you’ll join me next Friday!
https://www.facebook.com/events/65421...
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 28, 2014
Inspirational Quote Monday! #33 of 2014
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” – Thomas Jefferson
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 21, 2014
Inspirational Quote Monday! #32 of 2014
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “A failure is a man who has blundered, but is not able to cash in on the experience.” – Elbert Hubbard
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 18, 2014
First Kiss Friday – A Knight to Remember by Catherine Kean
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Catherine Kean, author of medieval romance A Knight to Remember included in the Enchanted by an Emerald boxed set. Welcome back Catherine! Here’s the first kiss between Lady Aislinn Locksmeade and Hugh Brigonne.
Aislinn’s hair was like sleek, shimmering silk under his chin. He’d known ’twould be so from the moment he’d first wakened and seen her standing at the table, awash in sunlight. He’d confirmed it when he’d captured the glossy end of her braid. Closing his eyes, he savored again the softness of her tresses against his skin and drew in a breath sweetened with her rose and almond oil fragrance. He silently groaned with the pleasure.
While he’d lain bound to the bed, he’d yearned to be this close—near enough to touch, smell, and taste this woman who intrigued him far more than he’d ever anticipated. He’d longed to have his hands free to plunge into her loosened hair, to hold her head steady, to devour her mouth with kisses that would make her sigh, moan, and mayhap even weep. He couldn’t remember what kind of lover he’d been, but didn’t doubt he had the skills to thoroughly pleasure a woman.
He shuddered as her hands shifted on his chest, a tentative brush of her fingertips across skin acutely aware of her every movement and quivering breath. Just that slight shift in position made the heat in his body burn brighter, hotter.
“Are you all right?” she whispered.
“For the moment,” he answered softly. He prayed she didn’t move her hands lower. ’Twould not be wise. Parts of his body were far too eager for her touch.
“Are you still dizzy?” She shivered, her rush of breath tickling his sensitized skin. “Should I—?”
“You have already done enough.”
She was silent a moment, as though pondering his reply. She didn’t try to push him away, though, or duck beneath his outstretched arms. From what he was sensing, she didn’t want to run at all. She, too, seemed to be waiting.
Did she want him to kiss her? What would she do if he did?
He lifted one of his hands from the stone wall, leaving the other to support himself, for his legs weren’t entirely steady. His fingers skimmed her shoulder, trailed across the embroidered pattern on her gown, and she made a tiny sound in her throat—not quite a moan of encouragement, but not a protest, either. His fingers slid higher, up the softness of her throat, up to her chin. With gentle fingers, he nudged her face up.
Their gazes met. Her lashes flickered, veiling the glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes. That hint of vulnerability, though, made his heart twist in his chest.
He didn’t want to hurt her. He wanted only to kiss her witless.
Words of reassurance formed on his tongue. Yet, he didn’t want to talk. He wanted to feel, to taste, to tempt… He bent his head and pressed his lips to hers.
A muffled sound broke from her, a sound of astonishment and pleasure. He swept his lips gently over hers, coaxing, savoring. Taste me, his mouth told her. Trust me.
A cry warbled from her lips, and then her mouth moved under his. She kissed him back, matching the ravenous rhythm he set. Faster. Faster still. Her hungry mouth glided against his as though they were meant to be together. As though they’d kissed before. As though they’d loved each other before.
And yet, she’d said they weren’t lovers or married.
Her fingers on his chest curled inward. Her tongue slid past his lips and brushed his. Ah, God. He shuddered at the ensuing flare of heat, at his desire that was now all-consuming. He deepened their kisses, showing her the fierceness of his need for her, and she sighed against his mouth.
One more kiss, and he drew back, looking down at her upturned face. Her eyes were closed. Slowly, her lashes lifted. She looked slightly dazed, her cheeks pink.
They weren’t lovers or married. So what was she to him?
He was loath to break the intimacy between them, but he had to know.
His thumb brushed her cheek. “Tell me something,” he whispered.
“What?”
“Why does kissing you feel so…right?”
Anguish filled her gaze. He sensed her withdrawing from him, pulling her emotions in tight.
“Please,” he murmured. “Tell me.”
“One day, you will remember.”
Laurel O'Donnell - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
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