Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 64
October 24, 2013
First Kiss Friday – SPECIAL!!! – Lost Souls: Deception by Laurel O’Donnell
Since Halloween is less then a week away, I’ve decided to give you a special treat! Today’s First Kiss Friday is from my urban fantasy series, Lost Souls. The first episode, Resurrection, is free!
This First Kiss is from the third episode in the series, Deception. The series centers around the Lost Souls, souls who refuse to pass into the afterlife. They have banded together to fight against an evil endangering both their existence and the safety of the human world they once inhabited. This evil has taken shape in unholy creatures called the Changed, being who were once Lost Souls but who are now dark, dangerous and disturbed monsters.
Samantha and her brother Ben have teamed up with a new Lost Soul, Christian, to save humanity. The love of her life, her long ago husband, Damien, is now a Changed. Enjoy this First Kiss!
Sam fazed to her car. She was glad to see Damien wasn’t near it. He lounged against the brick wall in the alley with that infamous masculinity. His head was bowed and his long dark hair hung over his face, shielding it. How many times had she seen him like this? The past came searing back, so long ago. He wore different clothing back then, but it was the same pose.
Sam mentally shook herself and clenched her jaw. Damien wasn’t the same man. Her husband would never have killed that human so coldly. She thought of the horrible tragedy surrounding coach Frederick’s death, then quickly put aside the memory of their failure to save the human. “I’m starting to think you’re following me.”
“I am.”
The timbre of his voice sent chills down her body. She had always reacted to his deep voice with anticipation. “Why?”
“You’re the only one who knows how to blast Changed who have made the Jump. You’re the only one using that technique to stop them.”
Sam nodded. “That’s right. You don’t like us blasting your friends.”
“They are no friends of mine.”
“But you want us to stop.”
Damien lifted his head and pinned her with his black eyes. “I don’t want you to blast them. Go ahead and kill them like you used to, I don’t care. Just don’t blast them.”
Sam narrowed her eyes. Perhaps the other Changed were not his friends, but he still belonged with that race of hideous monsters. Damien was of the same grotesque stock now. “You’re out of luck. We’re going to keep blasting them. We’re going to save the humans and kill the Changed.”
Damien jerked away from the wall.
A rush of power rushed through Sam and her muscles tensed in preparation.
Damien’s gaze swept her and he released a breath as he relaxed.
The moment of power disappeared. Sam cocked her head in confusion.
A small smile crept over his lips. “You always knew how to get me angry.”
“You didn’t have to kill that human. He was a coach. He was a father.”
“You were blasting him. I warned you not to.”
Sam’s jaw clenched. “Tell me you did it because he was doomed anyway. Tell me you did it to save his family from scandal and humiliation.” That was the argument she, Ben and Christian had. Kill the man to save the family. She wanted to know Damien had that moral dilemma too, that he hadn’t killed the human just because he didn’t want her to blast the Changed.
Damien grinned softly. “I’ll tell you that, if you want me to.”
Part of Sam cried out for her lost love because he was a monster now. He no longer cared for life. “Thanks for straightening me out in that matter.” She began to faze.
Damien was suddenly before her, grabbing her wrist. He was so fast! And even more shocking…somehow he was able to grab her wrist during her faze.
“I’m not done talking to you.”
“How did you do that?” No one had ever interrupted her faze like that before. She never even knew such a thing was possible.
“I can do a lot of things now,” he said.
She yanked at her hand, but he held it firmly. Then, he tugged her against him, his arm circling behind her, holding her close. His chest was firm just like she remembered. He was too much like she remembered, like she wanted him to be. Her gaze moved over his face. “Going to drain me again?”
Those lips, a sensual slash on his face, curled in amusement. “You’d like it too much.”
She felt herself melting against him, her body instantly warming to his hold. She fought the feelings. Not my husband, she told herself. Her jaw clenched.
He lifted a hand and wiped a strand of her hair back from her cheek. Small blue electrical shocks danced between his fingers and her cheek. “Life is different for me now, Sammie,” he whispered.
Yes! You’re a monster, she wanted to scream at him. She knew his morals, the morals that had been so filled with honor and pride, were now corrupted with evil.
“I’m so glad I’ve found you.”
Shocked, the fight dissolved from Sam. What did he mean by that? Was he truly glad? Her gaze traveled over his face. Everything about his features was so comfortingly familiar…except for his eyes. Except for those damned black eyes.
“You have to stop him, Sam,” he whispered, drawing close to her.
Stop him? Their noses were so close they almost touched. Was he talking about himself? She didn’t want to stop him. Her mind scattered at his closeness. Her husband. A Changed. How could she not resist him? How could her mind be so muddled, so confused? How could her fingers be touching his shoulder, pulling him close? It was so obvious. He was a fiend. A horrible, evil, Changed.
She lifted up on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips to his.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 20, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #38 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “There is something haunting in the light of the moon; it has all the dispassionateness of a disembodied soul, and something of its inconceivable mystery.” – Joseph Conrad
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 17, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Cold Warriors by Clare Dargin
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Clare Dargin, author of Sci-fi romance novel Cold Warriors. Welcome Clare! Here’s the first kiss between Caitlin Driskoll and Lieutenant Colonel Medoro Keegan.
Cold Warriors
Left in cryogenic stasis for nearly a century, Caitlin Driskoll is awakened and drafted into a war she knows nothing about. Expected to defend a world where her kind is despised and expendable, she discovers love and respect from the one man who can’t be associated with her.
Lieutenant Colonel Medoro Keegan has spent a lifetime in the Marines. With no family to speak of, the Corps and his ship, the USS Blanchard, are all the loved ones he needs…until Caitlin sparks a fire within, that threatens to consume him if he doesn’t walk away.
Will he choose a life of certainty in the only world he knows or give it all to Caitlin and run the risk of losing someone, yet again?
Genre: Sci-fi, military romance, futuristic, interracial/multicultural
Heat level: 3
Word count – 52k
Cover art by LFD Designs
~Excerpt~
He didn’t know what to say. His first clash with her had distracted him to the point of madness. It had been some time since he’d had such a powerful encounter with a woman. The last one to push his buttons that hard, he wound up marrying.
Caitlin was stubborn, mouthy, somewhat insubordinate, and filled with an innate force he had not seen in sometime. She had no problem in standing up for who or what she believed in. He didn’t like the feelings she stirred in him. He dare not consider them. Especially with her. She was a subordinate and a cryo. It was against regulations for him to even think of starting anything with her.
He shifted his stance. His heart pounded in his ears and breaths quickened. “Ms. Driskoll. I don’t know what you expect from me.”
“Nothing more than I expect from myself.”
Before he knew it, he crossed the distance between them and swept her into a searing kiss. He caressed her body, touching every curve. Arousal sped through his body like lightening. He dug his fingers in her hair and hungrily dominated her mouth, his tongue delving in, playing with hers. Gripping her waist, he lifted her up and placed on her the table. She arched her neck exposing her creamy skin. He nipped and bit at it enjoying its smoothness. He reached up and caressed her breasts, a need filling him to see them, taste them.
He was ready to slip off into oblivion when he remembered himself. It was the middle of the day; they were in a briefing room and would be caught. Breaking off the kiss, he raised his hands in surrender.
“Jesus,” he said in between breaths.
“What?” she panted, as she straightened her uniform.
“Please leave. Just go.” He closed his eyes, wrestling his feelings into submission. Holding them down, he shuddered. Dear God, help me. He needed her so badly. His breathing slowed to a normal rate. When he opened his eyes, she was gone.
“Sir, you’re needed on the bridge,” the voice on the com said.
“Be right there,” he replied, grateful for the distraction.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 13, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #37 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.” – Dale Carnegie
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 10, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Beautiful Imperfection by Kathryn J. Bain
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Kathryn J. Bain, author of contemporary romance novel Beautiful Imperfection. Welcome Kathryn! Here’s the first kiss between Teddy Federline and Sloan Michaels.
“It has nothing to do with you,” she lied. “Marge has done a good job of keeping the fact that someone’s trying to kill me from the papers and my brothers. I’m not sure how they’ll react once they find out. Or worse, once I tell them about the cancer.”
“You never told them?‛” Shock was evident in his voice.
“You know how they are. Ryan’s pushy and Jason’s overprotective. I couldn’t deal with that during the surgery.” She focused her attention onto the dark backyard and choked back a sob. “Besides they see themselves as perfect. How will they react once they find out their sister’s deformed?”
“Stop saying that.” Sloan scooted the chair out and came up behind her.
A tear crawled down her cheek. He placed his hands above her elbows. After days of thinking she was coming out of the depression, feelings of despair were beginning to set in again.
“I’m sorry but that’s how it is,” she said. “None of my clothes fit right, and I have this hole in my chest. It’s hard knowing you’re not a real woman anymore.”
Sloan spun her around by the shoulders. “You listen to me good, Theodora Federline. You’re no less a woman than any other female in this country just because you lost a breast. That scar isn’t a sign of a deformity. It’s a badge of strength and courage. You should be proud of it because you’ve conquered something horrific and made it through to the other side.”
His words shocked her. By no means did she regard herself in that way.
Sloan stared into her eyes then pulled her into him. The warmth of his hands engulfed her. Their lips brushed then the kiss deepened. She brought her arms around his neck. It was wondrous having a man hold her, to yearn for her, to have the sensation of being a female again. Heat seeped into her.
“What in the world are you two doing?” Marge stood open jawed in the doorway of the kitchen.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 6, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #36 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.” – Herm Albright
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 4, 2013
Free Ebook!
Start October off with a free read about three Lost Souls and the society of afterlife souls that was created to battle evil! Lost Souls: Resurrection is free everywhere, the first in the Lost Souls series!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
October 3, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Immortal Relations, Love and War by G. D. Ogan
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is G. D. Ogan, author of paranormal romance Immortal Relations, Love and War. Welcome G. D.! Here’s the first kiss between Gary Logan and Magdalena.
I asked Maggie, what would happen if, while making love, she bit me.
She thought for a moment and told me that sharing venom and blood between vampires can strengthen the bond between partners and increase passion, but she’d never suggested it since our passion seemed more than adequate.
I looked deeply into her eyes and said I’d like to have her bite me the next time we made love and she agreed, but only if I would do the same.
That gave me pause as my first priority had always been to never do anything that would harm either of my lovely “owners.” They had graciously accepted me into their family and changed me into a vampire, so I called them my owners, much to their consternation. I asked her, “Will there be any pain if I bite you?”
Maggie knew my concerns for her, smiling she said, “There’s a big difference between biting during combat and showing love and passion. During a fight the incisors rip open the body of an enemy; during sex, it would be a gentile entry of a partner’s body with the incisors, allowing just a little fluid into your mouth.”
I said, “Okay, as long as it doesn’t cause you pain.”
Maggie asked, “So where did you hear about biting during passion?”
“I read a vampire story having something about biting during the couple’s sex play and wondered if it was founded on reality or just an author’s imagination.”
Maggie put her hands on each side of my face and began kissing my cheeks, my lips and then moving to my neck and shoulders. I wasn’t sure if she meant to bite me right then or not, but she then moved her hands down my chest, which always exited me, I soon gasped as she grabbed something lower. She pushed me back against the bedroom door and bit me on the shoulder. Rather than feeling any pain, it sent a shiver of passion through me, unlike anything I’d felt before. It was all I could do to keep from picking her up and slamming her down onto our recently acquired queen sized bed. My own hands were caressing her body and as soon as she released her bite, I placed my mouth over hers and got a mouthful of my own blood and venom, increasing my own passion to a fever pitch.
Without thinking I bit Maggie, taking her own fluid into my mouth to mix with my own. Instantly, I totally lost all control and didn’t know what I was doing.
Finally, my mind started to clear from the intense passion. I found I was on top of and joined with Maggie lying on the bed. Maggie’s eyes were the widest I’d ever seen them, I was instantly afraid I’d harmed her.
My muscles involuntarily juddered and I found myself on the other side of the room. I jumped back to her side with both fear and concern on my face.
She raised her head and asked, “Why did you stop?”
I said, “I didn’t know what happened after I bit you! When my mind started to clear I saw how wide open your eyes were and feared I’d hurt you. My muscles reacted to that fear by throwing me to the other side of the room.”
Maggie let out a husky sounding laugh and pointed at the wall and said, “We are going to have to repair that.”
Turning, I saw I’d cracked the concrete and the profile of my torso was still visible where I’d slammed into it. I said, “Oops!”
Maggie laughed again and put her arms out to me to join her on the bed.
My blog site: http://immortalrelations.blogspot.com/
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Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Author Interview!
I’m visiting with Jane Wakely today. Drop by and discover some of my favorites, also learn a little bit about my Lost Souls series!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 29, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #35 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” - Frederick Keonig
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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