Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 69
July 7, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #27 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” – Paulo Coelho
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
July 4, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Playing For Keeps by Cynthia Owens
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Cynthia Owens, author of contemporary romance Playing For Keeps. Welcome Cynthia! Here’s the first kiss between Katie and Lucas.
“Katie—” he abruptly changed the subject—“do you have any idea how much I want to kiss you right now?”
She shook her head in confusion, a few stray curls blowing into her eyes. She smoothed them back with a trembling hand. “I…I don’t—”
“More than I’ve ever wanted to kiss anyone.”
“Lucas…I–”
“Will you let me?”
She stared at him for a long moment. He didn’t speak, didn’t move to touch her, though every inclination screamed out that he must have her now. Finally, she reached out to take his hand, curling her small fingers around his larger ones.
“Yes,” she said at last. “Yes, I’ll let you kiss me. I want that too.”
Her shy confession went straight to his heart, his head, his loins. He wanted to take her in his arms, crush her to him, devour her mouth with his own. But instinct warned him to go slowly. Katie wasn’t a woman to be rushed. She needed tenderness and consideration and caring.
With aching gentleness, he brushed his lips against the softness of her mouth. She made a small sound, a tiny murmur of satisfaction, and moved closer. She still held his hand, and her cool fingers against his heated palm sent a jolt of desire rocketing through him.
He pulled his mouth away just a tiny bit. “Katie.” He grasped her other hand and pulled her arms up and around his neck. “Kiss me, Katie.”
Her fingers stroked the back of his neck, his shoulders, exploring the contours and sending shudders of pure pleasure through him. He nudged her lips apart, and they blossomed under his mouth as naturally as a flower opens to the sun.
Passion exploded between them.
She was amazingly responsive. Wanting desperately to lose himself in her softness, he gave a low growl and molded her against him.
“You smell like flowers,” he murmured, his mouth a breath away from hers. “You taste like peaches and honey.” He traced her lips with his tongue, his hands caressing her hips, absorbing her startled shudders. “And you feel like heaven.”
He slipped his tongue inside her mouth and hesitated, gauging her reaction. She gave a low moan, shivering deliciously in his arms.
“Lucas,” she whispered, a moment before her tongue darted out to meet and mate with his.
Her fingers burned into his flesh like tender flames as she stroked him, caressed his nape and shoulders. Her hands moved over his back in little searching circles, urging him ever closer. He groaned as he reluctantly pulled his mouth away.
“Katie, you’re so sweet. The way you respond to me…” He shook his head in wonder. “It’s incredible. Your scent, the way you feel in my arms, the way you taste. I want to drown in your softness. I want to revel in your fire.”
Her cheeks flushed the color of a newly-opened rose. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with passion—a passion he longed to unleash. “Stop,” she whispered, even as her fingers stroked up and down his forearm, sending quivers of exquisite agony through every muscle. “I can’t think when you talk like that.”
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
July 1, 2013
The Medieval Jousting Tournament
The clash of jousting lance against steel shield. The anxious wait to see if one of the riders would be unhorsed. But what I have found in my research is that there is so much more to jousting then I have realized.
In my research for my new novel, I have come to understand what a grand spectacle a jousting tournament was. Tournaments during the Middle Ages could be a good source of revenue for a knight. Prize money could be substantial. The allure of a battle was what brought most of these hardened warriors together to prove their worth.
An announcement was sent via heralds to inform nobles when and where a jousting tournament was to be held. The announcement was spread from the castle to the towns and then the villages. It was always an exciting time. Banners of the knights were hung from windows where they were staying and by their supporters or fans.
During a Pas d’Arms, think of pass of arms, a knight would send out notice that he would take on all comers at a certain time and place.
A Joust a plaisance Tournament was held over several days and it consisted of a series of elimination rounds.
Medieval jousting tournaments were usually held on a field, close to a castle, called the lists. A grandstand, called a Berfrois, was sometimes built a full story above the lists. This housed the ladies and noble spectators, giving them a good seat to view the joust. Round, brightly colored tents called Pavilions were erected around the lists to accommodate the combatants and surgeons.
On the opening day of the joust, judges and a line of contestants rode in procession. The ceremony was called an Invocation.
On the second day, there would be a display of all the knight’s helms who had fought in the tournament. The ladies would inspect them and condemn acts of unchivalrous behavior.
On the last day of the tournament, the prizes would be given. When the tourney was over, all the combatants would gather in the center of the lists and embrace each other in a show of good sportsmanship. This still remains true today at the end of many of our sporting events. And finally, there was music and feasting on the last day.
Hope you enjoyed this little trip backward in time and learned a little bit more about jousting.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Golden Rose Winner!
Angel’s Assassin does it again! It won the Historical category in the Golden Rose Contest! Seriously, check it out if you haven’t already!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
June 30, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #26 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Then followed that beautiful season…Summer…. Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Enjoy your summer!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
June 27, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Her Unbridled Cowboy by Donna Michaels
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Donna Michaels, author of contemporary romance Her Unbridled Cowboy. Welcome Donna! Here’s the first kiss between Kerri Masters and Connor McCall.
(Set up: Kerri’s goaded by Connor into kissing him under the mistletoe at a party)
Ignoring everyone, Kerri sat right down on Connor’s lap causing him to unfold his arms and stare at her through startled eyes.
Good.
Unexpected move number one.
Aware that his arms were at his sides, and he appeared to deliberately refrain from touching her, Kerri decided her goal would be to make him touch her. Once he did, she could break the kiss.
Now, if only she knew how to make him touch her. She had no friggin’ clue. With the exception of Kevin, the last person she’d kissed didn’t even like women. How in the world to get a virile man like Connor to break his control was way out of her repertoire of experience, and exactly the challenge she needed.
Heart hammering in her chest, palms sweating, she told herself this kiss wasn’t about what Connor wanted her to do to him…it was about what she wanted to do to Connor.
Finding herself face to face with the potent man for the first time in her life, she felt less intimidated. He no longer towered over her. They were…equal.
She liked equal.
Clearly waiting for her next move, he sat still, spicy aftershave tickling her nose, and she was so close she could see every gold fleck dancing in his brown eyes as amusement sparked with heat. When the warmth of his exhale hit her face, a swarm of butterflies settled low in her belly. Massive ones. Huge. The size of mutants.
But she refused to lose her nerve. Raising her chin and ignoring the incessant beating of her heart, she removed his Stetson and handed it to Kevin.
“Here, hold this for Connor,” she said without looking at the dreamboat cowboy. “He doesn’t need it right now.”
Right now. Right. Because she was going to…what?
Lordy, what am I doing? She had no idea, but refused to panic. Go with your instincts.
Okay. Right. Instincts.
Her hands itched to touch him, so she palmed his chest and slowly ran her fingers upward to his shoulders, loving the feel of sinew and muscles rippling beneath. Darn man was walking testosterone wrapped in hard strength.
Even though he still hadn’t touched her, Connor’s eyes had darkened, so she took that as a sign she was doing something right. Please God, let me be doing this right. Using her need as a guide, Kerri ran a finger up the bare flesh of his neck, over his jaw then down to his chin.
Holy smokes, the man was hot. Heat emanated off the cowboy like an L.A. sidewalk in mid July. And she could feel him, all of him. She was very aware of the bulge poking her cradled butt.
The strangest urge to squirm and rock into him shook through Kerri. So she did.
He stiffened. “Kerri.” His sexy tone was too low for the others to hear, but she heard the warning.
Holy sugar, he made her want things…things she couldn’t name.
Completely unable to breathe, she ignored that minor annoyance and brushed her finger over his lower lip, watching, enthralled as his pupils grew large as she very slowly moved her face closer.
But he still made no move to touch her.
Didn’t matter. It was no longer about him. It was about her. She needed to taste him. Now.
Holding his chin in her hand, she lightly ran her tongue across the seal of his lips, and Alleluia, he growled.
Growled.
In an instant, she was crushed to him as one large hand spanned her shoulder blade and the other held the back of her head, breaking her clip like she’d broken his control.
If Kerri had been firing on all cylinders, she would’ve jumped to her feet and celebrated her victory. But her cylinders and brain cells, and even stark reality, shifted out of focus as he deepened the kiss.
Her whole body tingled and felt alive. She’d never been kissed like this before—like she was the most important thing in the universe. Worshipped. Needed. Desired. Connor’s mouth was hungry and firm, his tongue touching hers, and judging by the increase in the bulge she was now sitting on, the cowboy wasn’t as allergic to city girls as he claimed.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Reader’s Crown Finalist!
Angel’s Assassin, my medieval romance, is a finalist in RomCon’s Readers Crown contest in the Historical category! I’m thrilled and proud and honored! Take a look at this excellent romance.
“This is the quintessential historical romance–practically perfect in every way.”
-My Devotional Thoughts
“Angel’s Assassin is how Historical Romance is supposed to be.”
- Overflowing Bookshelves
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
June 23, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #25 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.” – Helen Keller
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
June 20, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Losing Penny (Rose Arbor) by Kristy Tate
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Kristy Tate, author of contemporary romance Losing Penny (Rose Arbor). Welcome Kristy! Here’s the first kiss between Penny Lee and Drake Islington.
They stood in the moonlight, Drake’s arms holding her against him. He looked down at her upturned face, his eyes as dark as the night sky. The thought of kissing Drake warmed her. She lifted her lips toward his, wanting to taste him, wanting him to want her.
She hadn’t thought of Drake like this until now, but somewhere on the drive home her feelings had turned. Things had changed for her, and she saw in his eyes that things had changed for him too. His lips brushed against hers.
A kiss would complicate things, because one kiss wouldn’t be enough—she knew that when his kiss deepened. There would have to be many, many kisses.
“Drake?” A female voice called out.
Drake flinched away from Penny like he had brushed against an open flame.
“Melinda?” Penny whispered, bringing her fingertips to her lips where she still tasted Drake’s kiss.
“Worse.” Drake shook his head, his eyes full of apology. He held her hand, but the distance between them gaped, and Penny shivered in the cold of his absence. “My mom.”
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
June 16, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #24 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “YOU! Yes you, the one reading this. You are beautiful, talented, amazing, and simply the best at being you.” – Unknown
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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