Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 62
December 22, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #47 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale
May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
December 19, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Keeper of the Light by Cynthia Owens
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Cynthia Owens, author of historical romance Keeper of the Light. Welcome Cynthia! Here’s the first kiss between Cathal Donnelly and Laura Bainbridge.
He made a rough sound, deep in his throat. He desperately wanted to hold her. Wanted to feel her arms around him, feel the tenderness in her fingers. He knew…knew…that while he held her, he could hold the clawing terror and uncertainty at bay.
With a low growl, he reached blindly for her. “Laura.”
Her arms slid around his neck so naturally, as if he’d held her a thousand times before. He drew in a shuddering breath, the scent of her hair familiar in an alien world.
“Ah, you smell so good.” He buried his lips in the tangled strands. “Tangy, like the sea.” He burrowed deeper, his heartbeat accelerating, his hands tracing restless, rhythmic circles on her back. “Sweet, like cinnamon and sugar and strawberries.” He pulled her closer, closer still, wanting, needing to absorb as much of her as he could. “Sensual, like a full-blown rose…”
“Cathal.” Her voice was a seductive murmur. Her fingers sank into the hair at his nape, sending fierce shocks of desire through him. He had to kiss her, just once. Just a tiny taste of her sweetness.
He pulled back to look into her shining eyes. There was tenderness there. Passion.
And, yes, ah, yes. Desire shone hot and bright in the shimmering blue depths of her eyes.
“Laura.” His voice shook. He gently framed her face in his trembling hands. “I want to kiss you. I need to kiss you. Please…” He ran unsteady fingers down her cheek. “Let me kiss you, Laura.”
She was gazing at him, her expression slightly dazed, her lips parted just enough to expose her white, even teeth and the tip of her tongue. He groaned again and, not waiting for an answer, crushed his mouth to hers.
She tasted so sweet, her lips soft and yielding beneath his. Her fingers stroked the back of his neck, a touch as soothing to his tortured soul as it was arousing to his heated body. He slanted his mouth across hers, taking all she offered in tender exploration. He ran his hands down her back, absorbing her startled shiver and molding her against him, savoring each curve of her lithe body.
“You taste so good. Laura…sweet Laura, I love the way you respond to me. Yes, like that.” He groaned as she pressed against him. “Just like that.”
He could lose himself so easily in this woman. She was all softness, yet he sensed passion singing in her blood. Her hair, lit by the bright sunlight, was a flame against his hands. Her skin was rose satin, her eyes deep, mysterious pools of salvation. And her body…ah, her body. Her hardened nipples pressed against his chest, and his whole body tightened in response.
They were in TirnaNog, Land of the Ever Young, where no one ever grew old or sickened or died.
The damp nudge on his shoulder jerked him back to reality. He let go of Laura and spun around, his hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there.
Big, long-lashed brown eyes regarded them solemnly.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
December 15, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #46 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – ““Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
December 12, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Hustlin’ Texas by KC Klein
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is KC Klein, author of contemporary romance Hustlin’ Texas. Welcome KC! Here’s the first kiss between Jett Avery and Nikki Logan.
As soon as her lips touched his, he knew it was too late. No, he wouldn’t hurt her by breaking away. Instead, he made himself a promise that he’d keep the kiss sweet, tender, something for her to remember after she buried her mother. After she grieved.Something for her to look back on fondly. He’d keep it to just a touch of soft lips, a gentle kiss to the corners of her mouth, maybe a quick taste of the fullness of her bottom lip. Then he’d pull away, finish off with a kiss to her forehead, and take her back inside.
If Nikki saw his line in the sand, then she blew past it with the confidence of a woman who knew what she wanted. A few breaths later, a few heartbeats more, and she was there inside his mouth.
His first taste of Nikki was all contradictions. Salty from her tears, sweet from the tea she must’ve drunk. Naiveté from lack of experience, wanton from desperation. The kiss turned opened mouth, and her knees straddled his hips. He could taste her need. Feel it as it moistened her skin with sweat, burned his with desire. Hell, one taste of Nikki and he was thirteen years old again, and just figured out that his lower half had far more uses than pissing in the woods.
Her shorts were, well…short and loose and it took everything he had to keep his hands along her thighs and not go and find out what she was wearing underneath. But Jett knew himself. He wasn’t applying for sainthood like Cole. Jett loved pleasure, and women had always been a pleasure to him. No, Jett wasn’t in the habit of denying himself. And why not? When things came easy, it was a shame to say no.
And he wanted to give in. Especially when his vision went hazy after she un-tucked his shirt and ran the flat of her palms up his chest. But even then, he would’ve been fine, except with her mouth on his, she breathed one word—yes.
He didn’t know if she was aware she’d spoken, but he heard and that was enough. There was a white-hot moment that ended with him cradled between her legs, and his one hand under her knee, pulling her leg higher.
He tangled his fingers in her hair, and he could smell the flowers and fruity fragrance of her shampoo. Lord help him, but self-control was not his strong suit, and God knows it wasn’t Nikki’s either.
“Nik, love, we’ve got to stop.” Was that him speaking? Oh, thank God. His mother would’ve been so proud.
Nikki didn’t say anything, just moved her mouth to the underside of his jaw. And Christ, did her tongue just trace a trail from his neck to his ear? Where the hell had she learned that? No, he didn’t want to know.
“Please, love.” Maybe if he begged, she’d feel sorry for him.
This couldn’t go down between them like two teenagers rutting in a barn. He didn’t want her first time to be on the night her mother died, in a tack room with some guy who should’ve known better. He didn’t want to see any more regret in her eyes. With Nikki, things were different. She wasn’t just a girl he picked up on a Friday night and forgot about on Sunday. He wanted to start something, not end it before they had a chance.
And besides, Cole would kill him.
He grabbed her face and forced her to look at him. Her breathing was ragged, and he didn’t even want to contemplate how he was going to walk out of this barn. But he had to break through to her. “It’s okay, we have time. I’m not going anywhere.”
Her eyes softened, and for a moment she looked so heartbreakingly young. “Do you promise?”
“With all my heart, I promise.”
But Jett had been so stupid back then. The promise was made by the wrong person. It should’ve been Nikki he made say those words, because years later she’d packed up her things and left him without so much as a goodbye.
Buy links for Hustlin’ Texas:
Amazon: http://kckleinbooks.com/HustlinTexas
Barns and Nobel: http://kckleinbooks.com/BNHustlinTexas
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hustlin-texas
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
December 8, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #45 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – ““Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Inspirational Quote Monday! #45 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – ““Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” – Mark Twain
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
December 1, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #44 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! We’re wrapping it up for the year, only a few to go for 2013! Here’s the quote for the week – “Christmas gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” – Oren Arnold
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Debut and Giveaway at LoveHistoricals
13 authors have come together to give you what you love the most – Great Historical Romances! Love Historicals is a new website, debuting today. For this grand opening, we are offering 13 readers who comment the chance to win one digital book each. One additional reader will get all 13 books as the grand prize!
LoveHistoricals is your one stop shop for all your historical reading needs. We have just about every time period from Ancient Rome to the American West. The giveaway date is Saturday, December 7th. We’ll announce the 14 winners and which books they’ve won on the Love Historicals blog – www.lovehistoricals.com – as well as on our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/LoveHistoricals
Come by, browse and leave a comment for a chance to win.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
November 28, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Little Witch (Evolution Series) by Jill Hughey
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Jill Hughey, author of historical romance Little Witch (Evolution Series). Welcome back Jill! Here’s the first kiss between Salena and Nox.
Little Witch: Historical Romance Novella, the fifth story in the Evolution Series, by Jill Hughey
FIRST KISS EXCERPT
“You are the first person outside my family who has believed in me,” she said, her voice sounding meek after his proclamation. “Thank you.”
“Do not give me too much credit. I did think about it for awhile.”
She liked his honesty. “Well, then, I am glad you have seen enough of the world to make your own decision. I envy you that.” After a few more steps, she asked, “What is it like to travel the countryside?”
“That depends very much on the weather. Wet. Cold. Hot. Windy.”
“How many people do you know?”
“I have never counted,” he said as they came to a stop at the door.
She searched his face. “Why won’t you talk about your life? You know the worst things about me so you certainly shouldn’t fear I will find something lacking in you.”
He sighed raggedly. “I keep to myself.”
“I know. But you have to trust somebody, some day.”
“I do?” The words were uttered as a challenge yet his mouth looked soft above that clever cleft in his chin, his eyes a shining enticement.
She leaned toward him then lowered her head shyly, the thrum of attraction muddling her thoughts. He put a finger under her chin to make her look at him again.
“The things you consider to be the worst about you are some of my favorites.” He slid his finger up to trace her eyebrow. “You told me the last time I was here that you think your eyes are hideous. I think they are beautiful.”
Before she could argue, he leaned down to kiss her, his lips testing lightly, giving her every opportunity to pull away if she wished. She did not, instead sidling closer, the draw toward him intensifying. His hand slipped to her hip. He settled his mouth more decisively on hers, the warm pressure sending tingles through her. Without thinking, she caressed his arm, moving upward until she grasped his shoulder, while her other hand settled on his waist. Oh, the feel of him, the possessiveness that engulfed her as she invaded the space between his cloak and tunic, finding lean cords of muscle despite the barrier of fabric and feeling the male heat pulsing off of him. To touch such a man and have him touching her ignited an emotion she had not known she was capable of.
He tugged her flat against him with a startling jerk. She pulled her head back, surprised by the motion, and more, by a hint of devilment in his eyes.
He ran his thumb along her jaw. “Look at that,” he murmured. “There is something other than anger that makes your lovely eyes glow.” He kissed her again, more needy, both of them becoming voracious as they pressed together, leg to leg, breast to chest.
His tongue traced the seam of her lips and she opened for him, shocked and excited by his touch. Their surroundings disappeared. She forgot where she was even as he crushed her against her own front door, his knees straddling her legs to gain as much contact as he could through the clothing still separating them. One of his hands palmed her bottom. Her arms wrapped around his neck, making her breasts rub against his chest.
He pulled his mouth away. After a stunned moment she opened her eyes again.
END OF EXCERPT
Little Witch: Historical Romance Novella is available from Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUA1TI8
Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-witch-jill-hughey/1117503393?ean=2940148988342
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/382133
Jill Hughey is on Facebook, blogs at http://jillhughey.blogspot.com, and tweets @jillhughey
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
99 cents Sale!
For a limited time only! Two great novels for only 99 cents!
To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield $0.99
Let the Wicked Wagers Begin
Lady Caitlin Southall’s temper has finally got the better of her. She’s challenged Harlow Telford, the Duke of Dangerfield, the most notorious rake in all of England, to a wager. She wants her house back. The one her destitute father lost to Dangerfield in a card game. But if she doesn’t win their bet, she not only loses her home, she loses her dignity and pride and damn it all, maybe her heart… For the handsome Duke has decreed, when he wins, she must spend the night in his bed.
Harlow Telford is amused by his hellion neighbor, Caitlin, or Cate to her friends, who seem to encompass everyone on earth except him. When she bursts into one of his private gatherings, he mistakes her for the entertainment. Her slap across his face sets him straight and raises the absurd desire to seduce the unconventional beauty into his bed. When she issues her daft challenge to win back her father’s pile of rubble, the terms are set. And he’ll do anything to win—except fall in love…
To Wager the Marquis of Wolverstone $0.99
They Say Revenge is Sweet…
Marcus Danvers, the Marquis of Wolverstone, is renowned for his cynical demeanor. It’s rumored that long ago, a beautiful woman broke his heart. Now he lives life for pleasure. He’s the consummate, handsome rake. If anyone tries to get too close—let’s just say his bark is as bad as his bite. That is, until the beautiful, as she is deceitful, Contessa Orsini re-enters his life with a wager he cannot resist. When he wins, he’ll have Sabine exactly where he wants her—in his bed and at his mercy.
Forced to return to England and avenge her father’s death, Sabine knows the one person who can help her is the only man she has ever loved—Marcus. The man who hates her with as much passion as he once loved her. But Marcus doesn’t know that by winning the wager he’ll also be getting his revenge. For there are some secrets best left buried…
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - 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
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