Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 74
March 10, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #10 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
March 7, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Because of Rebecca by Leanne Tyler
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Leanne Tyler, author of historical romance Because of Rebecca. Welcome Leanne! Here’s the first kiss between Rebecca Davis and Jared Hollingsworth. Because of Rebecca will be free on Amazon from March 19th – March 23rd!
Rebecca felt her cheeks flush warm and she looked away lest he see the effect his touch, both physical and visual, had on her. She didn’t understand the perplexing effect he had on her either. Sometimes she felt as if she’d burn to an ember on the inside from an innocent touch or glance.
Jared pushed his chair away from the table.
“Would you like to have a tour of the house?”
“Yes,” she said far too eagerly, but she…they…needed a distraction, if he felt anything like she did when they were alone.
She waited as he stood, pulled back her chair, and offered her his arm before leading her into the foyer.
His golden hair still hung in wet curls around the collar of his crisp white shirt. Standing this lose she could not help but inhale the clean, spiced soap scent and heat threatened to flame her cheeks once more as she imagined him in his bath.
“Let’s start upstairs. I’d like to show you the library. It was my mother’s favorite room in the house. She loved to read. The shelves are stocked with all her first editions of the classics.”
Rebecca smiled, her heart beating faster with each step. She naughtily thought about him bathing, water glistening on his rock hard body. Even though he was dressed, she couldn’t stop sneaking a look at him. She imagined his skin was just as tanned underneath his clothing as above. He no doubt removed his shirt when working in the hot fields, letting the sun bake him. Her desire to touch him was strong. Her mouth felt dry and her heart beat a little faster.
She missed her footing on the next step and stumbled forward, but he caught her, helping her right herself.
“Are you all right?” he asked when they reached the landing.
Embarrassed, she looked away and nodded. She didn’t understand what made her lose all propriety when she was around him. They’d just met, but she’d simply die if he didn’t feel anything for her. She felt like a silly goose allowing herself to hope that he did. She stepped closer to him and laid her hand on his chest.
He blinked and she saw the surprise in his eyes that she’d touched him.
“Do you like me, Jared?”
Her unexpected touch seared his flesh and he hesitated a moment trying to read her thoughts before he answered. “Yes. I like you. Why do you ask?” He could feel the rise and fall of her breasts as she stood so close to him. Her emerald eyes were dark and her lips were pink, inviting him to taste them if he dared.
My God yes, I like you. Inwardly he groaned, but did he dare to confess his desire to her? “Come with me.” He entwined his fingers with hers and led her quickly into the library past the many bookshelves of leather bound volumes. He walked over to an alcove for privacy. Turning around, he pulled her close until she was pressed against him. “I like you far more than I should for the time I’ve known you, Rebecca.”
She swallowed. “You do?”
With his free hand he cupped her cheek, caressing it gently. He rubbed the pad of his rough thumb over her lips. They trembled in response and he lowered his head, nibbling at her mouth with small kisses until she responded in kind. Without warning, he parted her lips with his tongue and captured her mouth, exploring its depths.
Her hand crept up his arm to his neck, holding his head so he couldn’t pull away. Her fingers speared through his damp hair, sending shivers down his spine.
His body hardened and he groaned, pulling away before he lost his head completely. He walked toward the French doors on the opposite side of the library afraid she might see what had started out as an innocent kiss had done to him. He didn’t want to frighten her, or make her think he was on the verge of losing control.
Startled by her reckless behavior, Rebecca didn’t know what had gotten into her asking such a question.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
The Angel and the Prince Audiobook is coming soon
The audiobook production of The Angel and the Prince is coming soon! It is currently under review by the fine folks at ACX. Once it passes their quality control process, it will be available to purchase on Amazon.com, Audible.com and on iTunes.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
March 5, 2013
Rewrites – A Thing to Fear?
I once went to my daughter’s class and spoke about writing. When I asked the teacher what I should cover, specifically, she said rewrites. Apparently, the children thought you wrote a book once and were done! Ha!
Today, I’m going to talk a little bit about rewriting. What I do when I rewrite. I’ve gone through my novel and wrote it all. Beginning, middle, end. For me, a rewrite is the physical returning to the manuscript to make it better, give it that extra special magic that will make the reader fall in love with it.
I know some of you dread rewrites. It is not my favorite part of writing, either. Why? Because I’ve written the manuscript already. I’ve created the characters and the plot and the twists. The manuscript holds no surprises in the rewrite. In the rewrite, the real work begins. I add depth to my descriptions (which is always my weak point J), sometimes I have to flesh out a scene. When something doesn’t work, I have to fix it.
Rewriting is the backbone of writing. I usually rewrite my full length novels no less then five times, making sure words aren’t overused, the characters motivation is solid, continuity is there (you don’t want your heroine in a red dress at the beginning of the scene and blue at the end; or how about eye color changing?).
Rewrites are a chore. But an important chore, not to be feared, but to be accomplished with pride so that you can sit back when you are done, sigh and say that was the book you meant to write!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
March 3, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #9 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week for all my writer/creative friends out there – “Creativity exists in the spaces between ideas.” – David Wescott
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
2013 Read an Ebook Promotion – Save 50%!
Smashwords is having a special Read an Ebook promotion on their website from March 3 through March 9, 2013. During this special promotion you can save 50% on three great medieval romance novels written by Laurel O’Donnell. Use Coupon Code REW50 to save 50%. This offer is good only on the Smashwords website.
Save 50% on A Knight of Honor at Smashwords
Save 50% on Midnight Shadow at Smashwords
Save 50% on Champion of the Heart on Smashwords
Offer only good from March 3, 2013 through March 9, 2013
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
February 28, 2013
First Kiss Friday – Loving Leonardo by Rose Anderson
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Rose Anderson, author of Victorian polyamorous romance Loving Leonardo. Welcome Rose! Here’s the first kiss between Nicolas and Ellie.
After days of travel, newlyweds Nicolas and Ellie share their first kiss as man and wife
My wife came out of the bedroom looking absolutely beautiful wearing a gauzy gown with a low yoke of fine lace. With the pink tint of her skin visible through the lacework, it brought to mind the little light-filled windows for which Johannes Vermeer was noted. The view being enhanced by her cloud of undone cinnamon curls, I found it all rather enticing. Who would have thought? I handed her a glass and she raised a brow.
“Champagne?”
I chuckled. “When I thought about an after-dinner drink, I found it far less obnoxious than the idea of brandy.”
I loved it that she laughed. In truth I wasn’t sure how to recapture our earlier encounter and thought a milder drink might relax us and open us to any eventuality, whether we came together again tonight or not. But to her, I said, “I thought we’d toast to our new beginnings as man and wife.”
The blush pinked her cheeks. Ah, the green sapling. We clinked our glasses and sipped. I could see a question forming in the blue depths of her eyes. But it wasn’t there for long. She refilled our champagne, then in her typical fashion launched right to it.
“I must admit, I’m confused by what occurred between us earlier. I know you’d made it clear that afternoon in your townhome that one day we’d have to figure something out. You know, procuring an heir for your family and all… but am I wrong to believe your desire was for me today… desire for me, a woman… and not because you’d remembered fondly Jerone’s actions of the night before?”
Not in all my years did I meet such a forthright woman as this intriguing wife of mine. I thought how to answer this question, the answer for which contradicted a decade of my sexual practice. Meeting her eyes, I couldn’t help but notice she had the slightest worry in her brow. She wanted me to want her. And I did. I wanted her more than anything in that moment. I took her empty glass and set it with mine. Leading her to our bed, I sat with her there, holding her hands for a time; more to steady mine than hers, truth be told.
Seeing she needed an answer from me, I brushed back her curls and took her face between my hands. Drawing close, I kissed her. It began as a tentative touch of my lips to hers. But her mouth was soft and pliant and, unlike my male lovers, her chin and upper lip were void of rasping whiskers. This discovery alone caused my kiss to firm. I pressed into it wanting it all. Slanting over her, I dragged my kiss back and forth forcing her mouth to open to me. Her sweet champagne tongue coiled with mine hesitantly at first, but this grew bolder the more familiar our lips and tongues became.
For all our restrained beginnings, I could tell in her return that kissing wasn’t new to her. She knew how to kiss a man, god yes, she did. I craved to know this enigma, craved to comprehend this contradiction I was fastly discovering Ellie to be. She was both neophyte and temptress. It was her shyness that confused me. It came and went like waves lapping on the shore. Her hands covered mine as her body melted against me, the leverage gained deepened her kiss as she plunged her tongue and forced mine to chase it.
In ebook and paperback on http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009LS3H6Q
Loving Leonardo: The Quest – Coming Soon!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
February 24, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! #8 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “He who angers you conquers you.” - Elizabeth Kenny
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
February 21, 2013
First Kiss Friday – My Fallen by Ashlyn Mathews
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Ashlyn Mathews, author of paranormal romance My Fallen. Welcome Ashlyn! Here’s the first kiss between Elise Castle and Xavier.
“Seventy-two hours, maybe less. Then you can find yourself a woman who doesn’t mind Fallens.”
“I want you.”
“Like your kinds, you want a challenge,” she said in frustration. “I won’t be that to you or any man.”
“But Drake was at your place just two days ago.”
He dug his fingers into her hips before he reached up and covered her hands with his. He brought her knuckles to his lips and bit. Elise tugged her hands out of his hold. His bite had hurt and aroused.
“My point of contact sent me the images of Drake leaving your apartment. In your sleep, you spoke his name. Yet you said the two of you never hooked up. Tell me your connection to him, and I’ll triple the amount I’ll be paying your brother.”
Elise pushed him aside and shoved off the counter. She couldn’t understand X’s fixation on her friendship with Drake. “You can’t sway me with money.”
Xavier moved and blocked her exit. “Even to save your brother’s company?”
Her loyalty to Sam and Drake was equal, and they had earned it through their blood and tears. “The price you’re paying is enough.”
“It might be, but one word from me and Midas won’t get any more clients. Then what?”
Elise smiled sweetly and said, “Then I take up Drake’s offer and marry him.” It was a lie, but he had pushed her too far with his threat.
He stepped aside, his eyes hot with fury. “A premature congrats and good luck to the happy couple.” He smirked. “And may Drake die a painful death while deep inside you.”
Quiet and polite couldn’t hold her back any longer at his spite. She pounded at his chest with her fists. He stood and took her hits, the expression on his face daring her to do what would ease her angst, her restlessness.
Grabbing him by the back of his neck, she fisted her other hand in his hair and brought his mouth to hers. Her first kiss in two years should’ve been tender, but she didn’t want tenderness from this man. She wanted him for who he was—a man full of power and danger, a man who could hurt her so badly she’d be scarred for life. As he grabbed her ass and brought her against his erection, Elise tightened her hold on his hair and kissed him long and hard.
“The bedroom, Xavier.”
He laughed, slung her over his shoulder, and had her on the bed in a few seconds flat. He tugged off her pajama pants while she yanked off her tank top.
“Slow but far from casual,” he said. “And everything but the finale.”
“You believe me?”
“Call it crazy, but yes.”
“I want to hear you say the words.”
“Elise Castle, I believe I can possibly die, with pleasure mind you,” he said and waggled his eyebrows, “if I go all the way with you, sweet thing.”
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
February 17, 2013
Inspirational Quote Monday! – #7 of 2013
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all
memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.” – Author Unknown
Hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day!
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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