Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 65
September 27, 2013
Winner!
Congrats to Tara, the winner of my contribution to the Fall Into Romance Blog Hop! She won an ebook copy of A Knight of Honor and a $10 Amazon gift card. Congrats, Tara!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Book of the Day!
Lost Souls: Resurrection is the Book of the Day on trindiebooks! Check it out and get your free copy!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 26, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Rogues Hostage by Linda McLaughlin
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Linda McLaughlin, author of historical romance novel Rogues Hostage. Welcome back, Linda! Here’s the first kiss between Jacques and Mara.
(Note: This excerpt starts with Jacques lacing Mara’s bodice because she injured her wrist.)
When he’d finished lacing her bodice, Corbeau took her chin in his strong brown hand and tipped her face up to meet his gaze. “Do not be too proud to ask for help when you need it.”
She glared up at him, her eyes narrowed with anger. “I don’t want you touching me. Not after yesterday.”
Gently he stroked her face. “I never meant to hurt you.”
She pulled away from him and held up her bandaged wrist. “What do you call this?”
A spark of anger flashed in his eyes. “I call it self-defense. Have you forgotten that you tried to kill me?”
“You forced me to do it,” she said defiantly. “You should have let me go.”
“Never. Not if I have to sleep with my back to a tree from now on.”
He advanced on her and she retreated, her alarm growing.
“Will you try to stab me in the back next time?”
“No,” she insisted, shaking her head wildly. “I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to be free.”
He stalked her until she was backed up against a tree with no room to maneuver. He moved closer, looming over her, heat emanating from his body. “I have no wish to hurt you either, madame,” he said in a husky voice.
“Then what do you want?” The moment the words were out, Mara wished she could snatch them back. She saw his intent in his eyes as his gaze focused on her lips.
She pushed against the hard muscles of his chest but to no avail. Easily he encircled her in his arms, one hand at her waist, the other tangling in the hair at her nape, pulling her head back. She couldn’t miss his musky smell as he pressed closer to her. Her knees were weakened by the quivering of her limbs, and she fisted her hands in the rough linen of his shirt.
“What do I want,” he whispered as he lowered his head, his breath hot against her face. “This. This is what I want.”
Jacques stared at her through half-closed eyes. The anger, frustration, and desire that fired his blood merged into an overwhelming need to kiss her. He claimed her mouth with his own, smothering her lips, knowing the kiss was rough and aggressive, but unable to stop. He wanted to silence her, subdue her, and make love to her all at once.
Her hands beat against his chest in time with the wild drumming of his heart. Then she went still, enduring his embrace, lips clamped tightly together.
Desire won out over anger. He eased the pressure of the kiss, letting his tongue trace the fullness of her lower lip, coaxing her mouth to open. His hand loosened, let go of her hair, and stroked the back of her neck.
“No,” she whimpered, wrenching her mouth away from his
He drew his head back, his chest heaving, his breathing harsh and ragged.
“Why?” she asked. “What was that for?”
“That, madame, was my reward.”
Mara stared at him for a moment before finding her voice. “Reward? For what?”
Jacques glared at her. “For saving your life after being shot by your husband. For worrying about a woman stupid enough to run off into the wilderness and get lost.” He took a deep breath before adding. “In short, for behaving like a gentleman.”
Releasing her, he turned and walked away, but on hearing her hoot of laughter, he stopped, his shoulders stiff, and spun around to face her.
“Gentleman?” she sputtered. “Libertine, you mean.”
He glared at her until she quit laughing. “You would do well to guard your words, Madame Captive.”
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 23, 2013
Halloween Scavenger Hunt!
You can pick up some awesome prizes at this scavenger hunt sponsored by Night Owl Reviews! Drop by, sign up and get searching for the answers! I’m giving away all 4 episodes of the Lost Souls series, Resurrection, Imperfection, Deception and Altercation, plus a $10 Amazon Gift card!
The scavenger hunt runs from September 15th – October 31st. Good Luck!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 22, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #34 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Smile every chance you get. Not because life has been easy, perfect, or exactly as you had anticipated, but because you choose to be happy and grateful for all the good things you do have and all the problems you know you don’t have.” – Unknown
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Storyfinds Award Winning Themed Week!
Storyfinds is featuring books that have won awards this week – September 22nd – 28th. Angel’s Assassin is one of the feature books. Drop by and find some new exciting novels to read!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 20, 2013
One More Day to Enter to Win!
Only one more day left for your chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card and one copy of my ebook, A Knight of Honor. All you have to do to be eligible to win is
1. Subscribe to my blog (on the left side below like me on Facebook)
2. Like the Fall Into Romance Blog Hop post on Facebook (there’s a link on the bottom of the post) - http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/fall-romance-blog-hop/
3. Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win
The blog runs from September 13 – 21st. I will announce a winner on Tuesday, September 24th. Good Luck!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 19, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Buried Truth by Brenda Maxfield
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Brenda Maxfield, author of Young Adult novel Buried Truth. Welcome Brenda! Here’s the first kiss between Mags and Andrew.
First Kiss from Buried Truth by Brenda Maxfield
Ocean Mist Book One (YA)
“Mags?”
I swirled around to face Andrew.
“You’re crying. What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I’m not crying.” I swiped again at the tears. “What are you doing down here?”
“It’s the beach, not your private property.” He laughed, trying to make it a joke.
I stared at him.
“All right,” he said. “I was hoping you’d be down here. I know you take walks all the time.”
“Were you hiding? I didn’t see you on my way down.”
He turned and pointed to a mass of driftwood. “Perched over there.”
“Perched? Waiting for me?”
He shrugged.
“Are you stalking me?”
His faced scrunched into a scowl. “Really? Is that what you think of me? That I’m a stalker?”
I raised my eyebrows.
He ran his hand over the stubble on his chin. “No, I’m not stalking you. But I did want to talk with you.”
His eyes probed mine, but for some reason it didn’t feel like an intrusion. Instead, it felt warm, welcoming. A shiver tingled through my stomach and down my legs. Andrew’s offered me his crooked smile. No one should look so appealing right after getting up.
He took a step closer, and the tingling increased. I knew I should run, but I was transfixed.
“Mags, I’m not with Hilly.” He spoke quietly, but his words rang loud. I took a step back.
“What?”
“I’m not with Hilly. That’s why you wouldn’t talk to me, right?”
“Did you break up with her?”
“We never were together. You know …together.”
He gave me a meaningful look.
“I know what you mean by together.” My voice snapped. I rubbed my head as if my neck hurt. “I know you’ve been together with a hundred other girls.”
He flinched, and his expression was pained confusion. He lowered his gaze and watched his foot trace circles in the sand.
“Andrew, what do you want?” I bit my lower lip and a feeling of shame tightened my chest. Why was I being cruel when all I really wanted was for him to pull me into his arms?
He raised his eyes to mine. “Why were you crying, Mags?”
“I wasn’t crying,” I said, and the unexpected tenderness in his tone made my eyes tear-up all over again. I inhaled deeply. “Maybe a little.”
And then he did reach out for me. I let him pull me into the coolness of his jacket. I circled his waist with my arms and held on.
A gull screamed in the distance. The air was wet, and I felt the dampness on Andrew’s coat as his grip on me tightened. We stood together for a long moment and then he backed away and my hold on him loosened. He bent close to my face, searching my eyes.
“Mags?”
I knew he was asking permission, and I gave a small nod. His breath caressed my face and his lips touched mine in a gentle kiss. A surge of emotion raced through me leaving me breathless. I pressed my body against his. And then his lips were hard and searching. I raised myself to meet his kiss.
His touch left me weak, and I was shocked and embarrassed at my eager response. He drew back, and his eyes were moist. I thought he was going to say something, but he didn’t. He looked at me as if searching for something. The hunger in his eyes made my stomach flounder.
I stepped back only a few inches, but the space became wide and solid. Reality settled over me.
“Bri is my best friend.”
He tilted his head. “I know. You two were always together.”
“Hilly is her friend now.”
“I know.”
“She’ll see this as a betrayal to her and Hilly. She’ll hate me if I’m with you.”
The shadows I’d seen so often returned to his eyes. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “So don’t be with me.”
I frowned. “But I thought you …well, I thought …” My voice faded into nothing.
Andrew gripped my arm. “It’s simple. Don’t be with me, and then there’s no problem.”
My mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 15, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #33 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.” – Helen Keller
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 14, 2013
Long Ago Love!
I’m over at Long Ago Love today with Angel’s Assassin! Drop by and say hi.
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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