Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 61
January 26, 2014
Inspirational Quote Monday! #4 of 2014
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “There is the great lesson of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ that a thing must be loved before it is lovable.” – G.K. Chesterton
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
January 23, 2014
First Kiss Friday – Unraveling Secrets by Lana Williams
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Lana Williams, author of historical romance Unraveling Secrets. Welcome Lana! Here’s the first kiss between Stephen and Abigail.
Thanks so much for having me, Laurel! Here’s the First Kiss between Stephen and Abigail in Unraveling Secrets, set in late Victorian London:
She couldn’t take her gaze off his mouth. His hands felt warm on her waist despite the layers that separated them.
He gave her a little shake as he spoke. “Do not approach him again.”
She looked up into his eyes and tried to swallow. What had she been trying to say? Oh, yes. “Someone has to and you’re not taking any action. I don’t understand why you haven’t yet spoken with him.” Lord Ashbury didn’t seem to realize how desperate she was to put an end to the threat that Simmons represented.
“For one, Simmons vacated the lodging house you discovered and hasn’t been seen at the pub. Secondly, a more pressing matter is now requiring my attention.”
She drew in a breath to steady her nerves only to catch his clean scent once more. It reminded her of the sea with a hint of bay rum. She looked up at him from beneath her lashes, hoping to hide his affect on her.
What on earth was wrong with her?
A mere look from this man had her fumbling like a young girl, uncertain of herself. And when he touched her—regardless of the layers of clothing that separated them—awareness speared through her to her toes. The sensation was very unsettling, not to mention unfamiliar, but oh, so intriguing. No man had ever made her feel anything like this.
He scowled at her. “I did not promise a particular schedule.”
“If you can’t find him, simply say so. There’s no need to become defensive.”
The glare he gave her would’ve withered others, but luckily she was no fainting wallflower. “Perhaps we should locate him together,” she suggested, her enthusiasm growing as the idea took hold.
“I’m experienced in such matters. You may rely on me to take care of it.”
“You must forgive me for failing to trust you,” Abigail said. “After all, I only have your word.”
“That should be enough.”
“Hmm. I would suggest we plan some sort of outing for the morrow to see if Simmons appears.”
“No.”
“Probably not Regent Street again. What of Hyde Park?”
“Miss Bradford—”
“Or perhaps Piccadilly would be better?”
“I would remind you,” he continued, moving to the edge of his seat, “that your visit here today is highly inappropriate.”
“True.” She blinked and eased back, suddenly uncomfortable with his proximity.
“I think it best we don’t meet again.” He tapped his gloved finger on her nose. “And do not confront Simmons.”
A spark of awareness flashed through her, mingled with fear.
But she couldn’t afford to let him intimidate her. “I will do what I see fit—”
A small smile played at the corner of his mouth. “Do you never cease arguing?”
She stiffened when his lips took hers, shock holding her still. The heat from his lips melted her from the inside out. A tiny moan escaped her mouth and he groaned in response.
Her anger slipped away and desire took its place. All thoughts flew from her mind and she could only feel. Much more than simple heat spiraled through her.
So this was desire…
For so long now, she’d thought herself incapable of feeling it.
She tilted her head, wanting more of what he offered. His hand cupped her cheek, the other holding her arm, steadying her from the sway of the carriage. With more courage than she’d thought she had, she reached up to rest her hand on his broad shoulder.
For a long moment, she allowed herself this pleasure. She allowed herself this longing for things that could never be. This man was not for her, but that didn’t mean she didn’t wish he was.
http://www.lanawilliams.net/books.html
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
January 19, 2014
Inspirational Quote Monday! #3 of 2014
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” – Neil Gaiman
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
January 16, 2014
First Kiss Friday – Must Love Cats by Elysa Hendricks
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Elysa Hendricks, author of contemporary romance Must Love Cats. Welcome back Elysa! Here’s the first kiss between Daniel Bishop and Katherine Sinclair. For an added special treat, check out the book trailer at the end of the first kiss!
Daniel crept down the stairs, wincing as the ancient wood creaked under his weight. He paused at the front door and peered outside. A dog barked. Something thumped on the porch. Kat cried out in pain.
Concerned, Daniel flipped on the exterior porch light.
*** *** ***
Kat blinked at the sudden light and tried to untangle her legs from Dobbie’s leash. Tongue lolling from his mouth, the dog flopped down and regarded her with obvious canine amusement. Biting back the groan of pain the movement caused her twisted ankle, she gave up.
“Go ahead and laugh, you silly mutt,” Kat grumbled and looked helplessly at the man standing silhouetted in the doorway.
“Dr. Clark? Are you hurt?” Concern colored his tone as he hurried down the wide porch steps and kneeled next to her. With sure, gentle hands he ran his hands over her bare legs.
Like heat lightning his touch sent a shiver of feminine awareness flashing through her. She flinched in pain as his fingers probed her tender ankle.
Ducking her head to avoid his questioning gaze and the sight of his broad, naked chest, she jerked her legs away from the warmth of his fingers against her chilled flesh. “I’m fine,” she lied. “Just my pride is bruised.”
She scrambled to her feet and tried to back away. Instead her weakened ankle buckled and she stumbled over something furry. The animal – TC – yowled and jumped aside. Arms pin-wheeling, Kat fought to regain her balance before she landed on her already sore backside yet again.
Daniel’s strong hands latched on to her upper arms, and pulled her forward. Her chest collided with his. Because of the mild summer night air and her haste to find his cat she hadn’t bothered to change out of the knee-length t-shirt she normally wore to bed. She’d slipped into a pair of sneakers and pulled on Pop’s bathrobe. Wearing the ratty old flannel he’d loved made her feel closer to him.
In her tumble the knot in the robe’s sash had come loose and fallen away. Now, the robe gaped open, leaving nothing between her and Daniel’s bare chest but the paper-thin material of her worn t-shirt.
She gasped and heat flooded through her, both from embarrassment over her ragged attire and the feel of him pressed against her from breast to knee. Her nose was buried in the hollow of his throat. Unable to prevent herself from doing so, she inhaled. His scent of pine soap and sleep-warmed male filled her lungs.
Against her will the tenseness inside her relaxed. As wrong as she knew it was – she couldn’t risk her heart again – being in his arms felt right. She sagged against him. His hands slid off her arms and closed around her back to pull her closer. She titled her head back and started to apologize. Her eyes met his bemused gaze and the words died on her parted lips.
The light from the porch cast his face in stark shadows, but didn’t hide the question in his eyes. Her heart thundered in anticipation. Her lips tingled. Her nipples grew hard. Her legs went weak. In the ten years since JT’s birth she’d dated a few times, even kissed a couple of her dates, but none of them had affected her this way. None had made her forget she was an unwed mother. None tempted her to repeat the mistake she’d made with JT’s father. None enticed her to lose control.
Something in her return gaze must have answered Daniel’s unspoken question because his head dipped to hers. In a rush of long denied need she pushed aside caution, restraint and common sense. Her eyelids drooped and she met his mouth with her own.
Like a heady wine heat flowed from his mouth to hers. His hands flattened against the base of her spine to press her close. Her thin t-shirt was little barrier to the feel of his chest muscles against her sensitized breasts or the bulge beneath his jeans probing her belly.
Unexpected and unwanted passion flared between them. Self-restraint melted as she gave herself over to long-suppressed desires.
“Daddy, why are you hugging TC’s doctor?”
Book Trailer for Must Love Cats - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvJQCyC44sU&feature=youtu.be
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
January 12, 2014
Inspirational Quote Monday! #2 of 2014
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week -
“I have the opportunity, once more to right some wrongs, to pray for peace, to plant some trees, and sing more joyful songs.”
- William Arthur Ward
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
January 5, 2014
Inspirational Quote Monday! #1 of 2014
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the first quote for the New Year – “I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.” - Neil Gaiman
Happy New Year everyone!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
January 2, 2014
First Kiss Friday – Miss George’s Second Chance by Heather Boyd
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Heather Boyd, author of regency romance novella Miss George’s Second Chance. Welcome Heather! Here’s the first kiss between Peter Watson and Imogen.
Imogen wished she could see. It must be close to midnight. “How did you get in the house?”
Metal thudded against wood. “Key.”
The sheet tumbled from her hands. “Have you taken leave of your senses? Where’s Walter? What have you done? Did you win the key from my brother or stoop to steal it from him?”
“Neither.” The bed dipped as he sat at her side. “Lost all interest in gambling when you tossed me aside. Deuced unlucky of me. Would you believe Walter handed over the key to me with his best wishes?”
“No.” She swallowed the hard lump lodged in her throat. “He would never do such a thing.”
“Wrong. He’s not completely under your thumb as you imagine, for which I must say I am extremely grateful. Walter has been surprisingly helpful in my wish to speak with you privately.”
A heavy weight settled on her legs. His hand? Imogen fought to breathe as she shook off the sensation she’d lost control of her relationship with Peter. The man she remembered was so lacking in passion he would never dream of risking her reputation. “We’ve already spoken several times since your return. I’ve told you we do not suit.”
He swept his hand up to her hip and she trembled at the storm of sensations his caress caused in her. She slapped her hand over his, holding his wandering fingers in place.
“If you recall our final conversation a year ago I disagreed.” He touched her jaw with his fingertips so lightly she held her breath. “I should have fought harder. When you had no reason to pity me you couldn’t get out of the engagement fast enough, discounting any future we might have had together. I gather you wanted a malleable husband and a man with a title and money of his own would never do. The day my inheritance was confirmed you ended us.”
She huffed at his claims. “There was hardly any us.”
“No.” He dropped his hand to her shoulder and skimmed the skin of her neck above her nightgown. “I should apologize for being too much of a gentleman before, I suppose. I never laid more than a finger on you to prove otherwise and I find I regret not being clearer the first time very much.”
Imogen clenched her hands together to control her shaking. What had happened to the carefully polite gentleman of last night? “Hardly the behavior of an ardent suitor.”
Peter brushed her cheek with his lips. His hot breath fanned over her skin to give her gooseflesh down her arms. “So, it’s true you would have had me be wicked and steal a kiss or two before we married?”
Imogen shifted back against the headboard and crossed her arms over her chest. Her breath came in a rush and she couldn’t calm it. “If the idea had occurred to you I’m sure you would have done something about it long before now.”
His wide palm cupped the side of her head and eased her toward him. “Imogen, the idea occurred to me. I just didn’t want to make a mess of yet another situation. But that was a year ago and I’m no longer a patient man.”
As she took her next breath, Peter’s lips crashed against hers, tossing her theory he wasn’t attracted to her out the window. His arms encased her in warmth. Desire flooded her senses. She struggled to know how to respond as Peter took command of the kiss. He tugged at her lips, the tip of his tongue danced across the tender skin until she gasped.
A groan left him as he slipped his tongue into her mouth and tangled with hers. He pulled her closer, into his arms, freeing her from the barrier of the sheets that stood between them. He cupped her face as he softened the embrace, pressing kisses gentler than she had ever expected to her lips. “Should have done that long ago,” he whispered when he drew back momentarily.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
New Year Sale! Only 99 cents!
Angel’s Assassin is on sale for 99 cents! Get yours before the sale ends.
“This is the quintessential historical romance–practically perfect in every way.”
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
December 29, 2013
Last Inspirational Quote For the Year!
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! This is the last quote for the year 2013. Here’s the quote – “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter isNew Year’s Day.” – Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Wishing you the best year ever!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
December 26, 2013
On Sale for 99 Cents!
My award winning medieval romance, Angel’s Assassin, is now on sale for only 99 cents! Get your copy before the sale ends.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
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“What do you want from me?”
Perhaps it was ridiculous, Ryen thought. Men never seemed to have a problem with taking what, ...more
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