Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 66
September 13, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Demon King’s Desire, Elemental Sisters by J. L. Sheppard
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is J. L. Sheppard, author of paranormal romance Demon King’s Desire, Elemental Sisters. Welcome J.L.! Here’s the first kiss between Lucas Thaler and Jenna Jenson.
Ecstatic, Lucas materialized a block away from Jenna’s apartment, instantly sensing her. He reached out, picking up on her presence, and read her, allowing himself to feel what she did. As her emotions surrounded him, he was surprised to find her angry. As he walked down the block, she came into view. Her small back faced him. She wasn’t alone; she was talking to a male, a mere mortal. He realized it wasn’t the same man who had been with her at the bar and jealousy flooded his veins.
He shouldn’t be surprised. She was a young, gorgeous, kind woman; she would attract loads of men. He could feel her anger, so maybe he shouldn’t be so worried about this one, but still his jealousy was fueled by the desire he’d felt for centuries in his dreams.
He held his breath while listening to Jenna’s words and the man’s.
“You need to believe me. We belong together,” the male said, seemingly unaffected by her anger.
“It’s over,” she nearly shouted. “You cheated. You are just like the rest of them. I could never forgive you.”
She turned to walk up the steps to her apartment, when the man roughly grabbed her by her arm forcing her to turn back towards him.
Lucas sprang into action. He moved so quickly the male had no idea where he’d come from. He grabbed the man by his neck, lifting him a foot off of the ground. Lucas had every intention of killing the bastard for laying a hand on his woman. The man let go of Jenna and reached for Lucas’ hand, attempting to loosen Lucas’ grip, but he couldn’t.
“Don’t you ever touch her,” Lucas growled.
Jenna’s eyes widened. “Lucas? Let him go,” she said. “This isn’t necessary.”
Lucas forced himself to release his hold on the mortal. The man slumped to the ground and looked up at Lucas.
“Who the hell are you?” he said between coughs, as he rubbed his neck. “Let me guess,” he focused on Jenna. “Your new boyfriend?”
Lucas’ anger rose, his face plagued with a look of sheer menacing hatred. Jenna lightly put her hand on his chest, and he felt the warmth of her touch radiating through him, soothing him.
“Who he is, is none of your business. Just as I am none of your business,” she retorted. “Leave.”
Lucas stared at the mortal until he was a block away then turned to face Jenna. She was already glaring in his direction and didn’t appear as happy to see him as he was to see her.
“What are you doing here? I can take care of myself,” she said, frustrated. “I don’t need you or Clyde or anyone else to take care of me.”
Lucas was taken aback. How could she think that she could protect herself from danger? The mortal was just a mortal, but he was stronger than she was. “You expected me to stand there and let him manhandle you?” he said, raising his voice.
“Why not? I wouldn’t be the first or the last woman to be.”
Lucas stepped toward her, a mere inch from her face. “I couldn’t stand there and let him. I couldn’t have stopped myself even if I had tried. My hands were wrapped around his neck before I realized what I was doing.”
Her expression softened. “I’m sorry. I truly am. I was frustrated with Fabian, not you—”
He couldn’t resist; he leaned closer and took her mouth in a sensual kiss before she’d finished her last word. Her full lips were soft, and she opened her mouth to receive him. She tasted sweet and smelled of vanilla. He felt his heart shudder. It was better than in his dreams. It was real; she was here, and he’d never felt as empowered as he did now. As he wrapped his arms around her to deepen the kiss, she placed her hands on his chest. Her warmth permeated through his shirt and he felt it on his skin.
It was hard to stop kissing her, especially now that he knew what he’d been missing, but he didn’t want her to think he’d come here to seduce her.
“I guess it’s my turn to apologize,” he said. “I didn’t mean to do that…actually I did mean to. I just couldn’t help myself.”
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 12, 2013
Fall Into Romance Blog Hop
I love fall! So, this Fall Into Romance Blog Hop is perfect for me. I will be giving away 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 this post on Facebook (there’s a link on the bottom of the post)
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!
That’s it!
Here’s a taste of the ebook you have a chance to win! It’s my medieval romance, A Knight of Honor. The heroine, Taylor Sullivan, is a fiesty sword wielding mercenary who gives the hero, Sir Slane Donovan, many sleepless nights!
Here’s a short excerpt to wet your appetite!
Slane plunged his face into the water, trying to douse his growing rage, but the heat of the water only seemed to inflame his anger. When I find that accursed woman, I will wring her neck. She’ll learn the true meaning of respect. Slane pulled his head out of the water, and as several streams of the warm liquid trailed down his face, he felt a slow grin form on his lips. He saw himself teaching her the proper way to treat a knight of the realm.
Suddenly, a dark shape shifted in the shadows across the room and Slane felt his body stiffen. Somebody was in his room! He glanced quickly to his right, at the sword still secured in its scabbard, leaning against a chair leg on the other side of the room. Damn. Too far.
“I would have given my payment back to see the look on your face when you got my note,” a feminine voice said, its owner stepping out of the shadows to stand at the side of the tub.
Even though she was clothed in a dark brown robe, a hood half concealing her face, Slane recognized her immediately. “You…” he muttered, his voice an unbelieving whisper. The Sullivan woman! His fingers dug into the edge of the basin; he could feel his nails sink into the wood. His eyes narrowed to thin slits as his mind transformed the wood into the soft flesh of her neck. What in God’s blood was she doing here?
“Are you happy to see me?” she wondered, laughter in her voice. She grabbed a chair from the bed side and slid it over to the tub so its back was near his hand. She threw her leg over it, straddling it. “I heard you were looking for me.”
Slane sat motionless. Here she was, the woman he had been searching for, sitting in a chair not more than a foot from him, and all he could do was stare dumbfounded at her. In the flickering candlelight the bruised and battered face he remembered was gone, replaced by a cheek so smoothly rounded that he found himself entranced by its perfection. He caught the scent of lavender about her as a soft breeze brushed past the open shutters and circled the room, blanketing him in the delicate aroma. It’s just a woman’s cheek, Slane derided himself. You’ve seen hundreds of them before.
He watched her lips turn down in a slight pout before she threw back the hood. Her dark hair tumbled wildly over her shoulders as the material slipped away from her head. He immediately noticed the perfect fullness of her lips; the earlier swelling that had disfigured them was completely gone.
“Were you looking for me or have my sources been wrong?”
Slane felt the throbbing in his loins increase tenfold. He slunk lower into the tub, draping his arm casually between his thighs. She was an absolutely stunning creature. How could he have known that hiding behind those bruises was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen? He forced himself to look away. She deserved his contempt for what she had done to him, not his lust. “You know damn well I’ve been looking for you,” he retorted. “Have you come here to ridicule me for failing to find you?”
“Well…” she teased, laughter still in her voice, a smile on her face.
Damn her. Slane studied her reflection in the smooth water of the bath. “Why are you here?” he gritted, thinking again of his sword lying uselessly on the other side of the room.
“Cut to the point, eh, Slane? Well, all right.” Her face lost all its humor. “Why were you looking for me?”
“Why ask me? Didn’t your ‘sources’ tell you?” Slane drawled, his voice thick with acrimony.
“Slane Donovan,” she mused and he was startled by the tenderness in her voice. “I used to hear about you all the time when I was young. You were a hero. Slane Donovan this, Slane Donovan that. You were the best gossip around.”
Slane raised his eyes to meet hers. He was surprised by the warmth he saw in those bright green gems… and was that admiration? Then the wall slammed down and the glimpse of her soul was gone.
“Are you going to try to kill me?” she asked.
Slane bridled. He was a knight; he did not cut down women… even if they wielded a sword. “If you really thought I was hunting you down to kill you, you wouldn’t be sitting a foot from me and flitting your hair about like some tavern wench looking for a fresh bed,” Slane said. The comment was harsher than he had intended and he saw the anger ignite in her eyes. Again, he wondered why she had come back to reveal herself to him. She had to have some ulterior motive. She must need me for something, Slane realized. He knew she wouldn’t risk exposing herself for any other reason. Now why would this little scrapper of a woman need me? Curiosity loomed larger in his thoughts.
“Well, believe me, if I needed a bed to sleep in, it wouldn’t be yours!” she snapped, jumping from the chair. “If you won’t tell me what I want to know, I’ll find someone who will.” She moved to leave.
Slane rose out of the water like the ancient god Poseidon, the liquid sliding off his body in thick sheets. His expression was grim, his mouth tight, his teeth clenched. He seized Taylor’s wrist in his strong fingers and squeezed tightly. “You ran away from me once,” he growled. “You shall not do it again.”
Please click on the Fall Into Romance Hop button below to visit the next site.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 9, 2013
I’ve been Interviewed!
I’m visiting with Sarah Hoss today at Heart of Romance and answering a few questions about writing and life. Drop by!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 8, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #32 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “There is more inside you than you dare think.” – David Brower
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 5, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Unearthed by Jerri Drennen
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Jerri Drennen, author of paranormal romance Unearthed. Welcome Jerri! Here’s the first kiss between Jack Trader and Lila Monclair.
Lila wiped the last of the kitchen counters and tucked the towel onto a rack, then released a heavy sigh. She was finished with everything that needed to be done here.
After Jack and Cody ate, she thought it best to stay out of their way. She planned to treat them like any other guest at the inn, and that meant making sure their rooms were up to par.
She walked to the dining room. Cody was at the table, watching the feed on their computer. She smiled at him on her way to the front room.
On the staircase, she checked to make sure there weren’t any new puddles. She didn’t need anyone falling. At the top of the stairs, her gaze was drawn to the closed door of the room Jack had chosen. He must be inside.
What was he doing?
She walked over and leaned in to listen. She could hear water running. He must be taking a shower. Just the thought of the man standing naked in the stall sent a rush of heat across her body.
She shook her head, angry she allowed herself to spy on the man yet again.
Lila sprinted to Cody’s room and quickly stripped the bedding from the mattress. She piled the linens outside the door and retrieved an extra set of sheets from the closet in the hallway. She made up the bed, then went to the bathroom and cleaned the sink and toilet. Before leaving, she restocked the towels and piled the wet ones on top of the sheets near the door.
She grabbed all the dirty laundry and descended the steps. She’d take them to the basement, then return to do the same with Jack’s room. Hopefully when she came back, he’d be finished with his shower.
The minute she opened the cellar door, she sneezed. It never failed. Every single time she came down to the basement. She must have some kind of allergy to the mold and dankness.
As quick as she could, she placed the bedding and towels into the washing machine. She wouldn’t start the load yet. She’d wait for the other room’s linens first.
She raced up the stairs, leery of spending time in the basement after her confrontation with the dark-headed woman. Stupid, really, she chided herself.
Are you going to avoid the pantry as well?
She returned upstairs and was disappointed to find Jack’s door still closed.
As she turned to leave, the door creaked open and Jack stepped out, his hair wet from his shower, a curl in its texture that gave him a somewhat boyish appearance.
What she wouldn’t give to run her hands through the stuff.
“Did you need something?” The low timbre of his voice set off a vibration in her belly.
Lila tried to say something, but words refused to come out of her mouth.
“Are you okay?” He stepped closer and, yet again, that wonderful piney, sandalwood scent enveloped her. Everything about Jack Trader spoke to her in one form or another.
His hands cupped her shoulders, and Lila experienced something she never had before, a quiver that left her weak in the knees.
“Lila?” Worry lines furrowed his forehead. “What’s wrong?”
An urge to kiss him overwhelmed her, and she reached around his neck to pull his head down, smashing her lips to his. Lila had barely ever touched a man, let alone kissed one with so much abandon. A strange sensation built inside her, and she craved more. She didn’t even mind the roughness of his beard next to her skin—it only managed to heighten her awareness of him.
His grip on her shoulder tightened for an instant before he thrust her away.
The second her lips lost contact with his, Lila felt as if her world had ended.
She swallowed and looked up at him, his eyes now narrow slits.
Oh my God. What have I done?
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
September 1, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #31 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “What you do matters. All you need is to do it.” – Judy Grahn
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
August 31, 2013
August 29, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Battle-Tested Love by Lynda Bailey
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Lynda Bailey, author of contemporary romance Battle-Tested Love. Welcome back, Lynda! Here’s the first kiss between Darcy Williams and Ben Gallagher. Thanks for giving us a sneak peek!
Thanks so much to Laurel for hosting me today on Friday’s First Kiss! This “First Kiss” is from my upcoming book, BATTLE-TESTED LOVE. The second story in my Battle for Love series, set for release in mid-September.
BLURB:
All she wanted was a little adventure…
Darcy Williams is desperate for some relief from her ho-hum life, but getting kidnapped by an outrageously handsome man isn’t at all what she had in mind. She needs to keep it together long enough to escape. Because escape is what she wants, right?
He’s a nice guy doing a bad thing for a really good reason…
Ben Gallagher loves his baby sister, Ana, more than anything. So, when she’s date raped by the mayor’s nephew, Ben has no problem sending said nephew to the ER. Now Ana’s gone missing and Ben will stop at nothing, nothing, to find his sister and ensure her safety—even if that means carjacking and kidnapping an innocent woman.
Things spiral from bad to worse…
When Ben is injured protecting Darcy from some thugs, he has to trust her if he’s going to get to Ana. And he has to ignore the passion Darcy stirs in him. Darcy learns Ben is actually a good man, one she’s starting to have feelings for. Can their fledging relationship stand the test of time —and the law?
EXCERPT:
It wasn’t a kiss. Far from it. While it was neither angry nor punishing, the contact had zero passion. Just a meeting of lips.
The voices grew louder, now catcall whistles and lewd remarks. The group stopped several feet from them. From the angle of their approach, the Dumpster hid Spencer’s body. Plus they were too busy eying what Hottie was doing to her to care about anything else.
“Yo, dude. Wanna share?”
“Yeah, man. We could help you plug all her holes.”
Raucous laughter broke out. Hottie’s hold changed. His grip became less domineering and more protective. He turned Darcy so his back was completely to the alley and raised his head a half a millimeter from hers, his body tense, like he was preparing for a fight.
Logic dictated that she scream her bloody head off. Instinct told her to keep her mouth shut. The guy holding her might be bad, but those others would be worse.
The revelers soon tired of the game and continued on their way. She waited for Hottie to back away. He didn’t. Rather, his large hands cradled her face, tilting her head, and he kissed her again. Really kissed her.
For the second time, Darcy did nothing. She didn’t turn her head. Didn’t ram her knee into his groin. Didn’t do anything expect allow him to caress his lips against hers.
In the stupid section of her brain, she wondered if the police would be interested in her description of Hottie’s lips. Firm and sensual. Slightly moist, tasting a bit like a s’more.
She couldn’t remember her ex-almost-fiancé, Justin, ever kissing her like this. His body had never planed itself against hers nor had bristly stubble ever teased her skin. No. Justin’s body wasn’t nearly as unyielding as Hottie’s and to leave the house without a baby-butt-smooth face was the highest of sins for one Justin DuPont, MD.
A primal urge to send her tongue into Hottie’s mouth flashed down Darcy’s spine. But before she could act on that stupid temptation, Hottie broke the kiss. With his hand on the back of her head, he kept her face tucked to his shoulder in a firm but not suffocating hug. He slid her purse off her shoulder then he eased away enough to cover her mouth with his hand.
He leaned down to within a frog’s hair of her face. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he warned. “But I will if you don’t do exactly as I say. Understand?”
Check out my website for a sneak peek of the cover. www.lyndabailey.net. I’d love to know whatcha think. J
Thanks again, Laurel, for letting me hang out today!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
August 25, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! Twisted Sayings #4
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! This will be the last twisted saying for the year. Hope you enjoyed them! ”If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.” I saw you smile!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
August 23, 2013
Almost Here!
Coming September 1st! Not to be missed.
4 Medieval Romance Novels
4 Award Winning Authors
99 cents for a limited time!
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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