Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 76

Inspirational Quote Monday! #4 of 2013

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “F@*# self-doubt. I despise it. I hold it in contempt, along with the hell-spawned ooze-pit of Resistance from which it crawled. I will NEVER back off. I will NEVER give the work anything less than 100%. If I go down in flames, so be it. I’ll be back.” – Steven Pressfield

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

First Kiss Friday – The Courageous Heart by Merry Farmer

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Merry Farmer, author of historical romance The Courageous Heart.  Welcome Merry!  Here’s the first kiss between Ethan Windale and Joanna Dunkirke.

Ethan was too cocky for his own good, but there she was, wishing he was telling the truth.  She set the scissors aside and reached for the bowl of water.  A cake of shaving soap rested at the bottom.  She worked it into a lather and spread it on Ethan’s face.

The line of his jaw, the feel of his skin, was as familiar to her as the shape of her own body.  He had always been bold, had always thought he could conquer the world.  He had been everything her young heart imagined a man should be.  But that meant nothing now.

She released his face, holding her breath and meeting his eyes.  She would not let herself be taken in by his bravado and his smile again.

She wiped her hands and took up the razor.  Slowly, carefully, she scraped it along the plane of his cheek.  Each stroke revealed smooth, pale skin, tinged pink with its first breath of air in who knew how long.

He lifted his chin, exposing his neck.  A lump caught in her throat and she fumbled the razor.  “You-”  The words caught in her throat.  “You have a scar here.”

The thin, raised white line crossed over the rapid pulse in his neck from his ear to his Adam’s apple.  It was straight and bright and new.

“I tried….”  His words trailed off.  Joanna pressed her lips together and begged him not to tell her.  “I didn’t know what to do,” he whispered.  “I didn’t know how to go on without him.  He did everything for me, was everything to me.  He reminded me so much of you.  I never realized.  I tried to….”  He caught himself a second time.  “I tried to shave myself, but I couldn’t.  That’s why I grew a beard.”

Joanna let out the breath she’d been holding, willing herself to believe his lie.  The scar was too long to be a shaving accident.  She summoned every ounce of courage she had to finish the job.

When at last all traces of Ethan’s beard were removed she took a rag that had been left on the table, dipped it in the shaving water, and wiped his face clean.  Her hands paused, cradling the sides of his smooth face.

Their eyes met.  He was there.  The Ethan she knew, the Ethan she had known for so many years.  Her brave knight.  He was there once more, nothing hidden from her.

His hands covered hers as she stood frozen, hardly breathing.  Then he moved them up the lines of her arms to her shoulders, pulling her close.  In silence, without a breath, he brought her mouth to his.  She closed her eyes and parted her lips, tasting the warmth of his kiss.  He was gentle, more tender than he had ever been.  The heat of him so close to her, the pressure of his mouth, suffused her with remembered passion.  She teased her tongue against his, inviting him to touch the part of her she had always longed to give to him.

It was complete madness.  His arms slipped around her, pulling her closer.  The more she struggled, the more she gave him.  His mouth slanted over hers, powerful, possessive, and so familiar it made her soul ache.  She sighed against him.  Her fingers stroked over the scar on his neck.  She couldn’t bear to live without him for one more day.

“Ah, there you are!”

David’s overloud voice shocked Joanna like a bolt of lightning.  She wrenched herself out of Ethan’s arms, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth.  Her chest heaved with restless shame.  Dear God, what had she been thinking?  She snapped to the table, grabbing the bowl of dirty shaving water and splashing it across her dress in her haste to clean up.

 

Links to buy TCH

 

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Z1AATQ

 

B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-courageous-heart-merry-farmer/1113712615?ean=2940015912661

 

Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/250038

 

 

And the link to my website is http://merryfarmer.net

 

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

Knighthood

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

When you think of knights, you probably think of the gallant plate armored man atop a beautiful steed.  Did you ever wonder what it took to become a knight?  It was no easy task.

It all started at a very young age, usually seven years old, when the child of a nobleman or knight would be sent to become a page.  There, he learned horsemanship, swordsmanship and performed other duties around the castle.  One of the games he would play would consist of fighting with wooden swords on piggy back.  This would teach him the balance and skills required in mounted combat.  Can you imagine sending your young seven year old son to another household to work?

Between ten years and fourteen years old, the boy would start his squire’s training and be attached to a knight.  It was during this age strength was developed, fitness encouraged and he was taught skill with weapons.  His duties also included caring for the knight’s horse and maintaining his weapons, as well as learning courtly manners.  It was during this time when his training became far more dangerous.  Injuries happened all the time, as well as deaths.  Squires were required to be on the battlefield with his knight, attending him and his horse.

Usually around the age of 21, the squire would be dubbed a knight through an elaborate ceremony.

It was possible for any free man to become a knight.  The process of training and equipping was very expensive.  Generally, knights came from a noble or wealthy family because they needed money and connections.  Lacking these, some men never reached knighthood.  However, they could prove themselves on the battlefield and be knighted that way.

Many heroes in my novels are either knights or fallen knights.  In my novel Angel’s Assassin, my hero Damien was trained much the same as a knight.  He was never a page, but when his master bought him, he began a grueling regiment of learning.  Damien was taught skills with a sword and hand to hand combat.  Failure was not an option.  It was a ruthless time in his life, a much darker training then that of the knights, to be sure.

In The Angel and the Prince, both my hero Bryce Princeton and my heroine, Ryen De Bouriez are knights.  This novel is set during the One Hundred Years war between England and France.

In A Knight of Honor, Slane Donovan, is a knight…of honor.

Please check out all my novels.  And next time you see a knight atop his valiant steed, remember all of the training he had to go through!

 

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

Inspirational Quote Monday! #3 of 2013

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying. “Here comes number seventy-one!” – Richard M. Devos

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

First Kiss Friday – The Heart of a Soiled Dove by Sarah Jae Foster

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Sarah Jae Foster, author of inspirational historical romance The Heart of a Soiled Dove.  Welcome Sarah Jae!  Here’s the first kiss between Aurora Young and Donovan Ramsey.

“Three hundred and fifty dollars.”

The air tingled, an uncertain shadow lingered, smothering everyone. Donovan’s deep voice carried an echo in the silence. Aurora swayed. His face was set. She could not read if this was a good sign or not. He would be sure to misunderstand this whole ordeal. She’d only ever wanted him, not to be auctioned off to just any man. Her face flamed as he and his fierce look splayed her body open with his heated observation of her.

Marshal LaSalle called out, “Four hundred.”

Donovan did not give him the time of day, keeping his gaze steady on Aurora. “Five hundred.”

She could no longer take it. “Stop it! Please!”

The Marshal held up his hand, “I know better than to go up against Donovan. You win.” He bowed out before Aurora, and shook Donovan’s hand. “Good luck man. She is a hard woman to earn affections from. Lord knows I’ve tried all winter.”

Aurora was stuck there, planted as if she had roots buried deep into the stage.

With a stopping heart, Aurora watched as Donovan made his way to her slowly, like she were prey. He said nothing, merely set her basket to the ground and led her away.

*** *** ***

It dawned on him where to take her, where the first voice of calm had visited them – eternity ago. She followed his lead. Soon they topped Aurora’s favorite hill, now cemetery. Donovan’s face pained when he noticed the burial plots. That was what she lived for, for these women. With gentleness, he pulled her down onto the dewy grass.

“You convict me.” Angst and contrite ebbed from him. His pride had been hurt.

“I don’t mean to… it’s not my place to.”

Grabbing her hands, he placed them to his chest and closed his eyes, as if he were wrapping them around his heart. “You live so selflessly. Without judgment. How can anyone measure up to you?”

“I am nothing.”

“You possess my thoughts, that can’t be nothing,” he said.

“And you possess mine.”

“I have fought falling in love with you Aurora. What you did in the past… I know that’s not who you are. In fact, it makes you stronger, much stronger than any one of us.”

In humility she said, “You shouldn’t compare me.”

He released his hold and stood, piercing her with hot eyes. “That’s what I’m talking about, you say you are nothing when…” he pointed to the meadow where the girls resided, “When you brought them here to start a new life!”

A smile curved on her, “It is never too late for anyone to change. Not even for you.” She rose to stand next to him. In a boldness which only Aurora could bring, she hooked the tips of her fingers against his. Time froze, all he need do is respond in kind and she would know.

It was his time to confess, “My ma prostituted herself for no reason other than she wanted to hurt my pa. He lost our money and she repaid him by robbing his dignity. He died in sorrow. It’s more than a man should have to take.”

“I am not your mother. I survived then, I’m surviving now. God has healed me, He can heal you too.”

His fingertips curled over hers. A warm rush filled him. “I want to find that healing you, Roman and the Reverend speak of,” he paused a moment. “You are something, Aurora Young.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Would you still have me call on you then?”

“On my honor I will never hurt you Donovan.”

“I already know that.”

They moved simultaneously and were in each other’s arms. Surrendering of thoughts and devoted love merged as his lips finally met hers.

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

Inspirational Quote Monday! #2 of 2013

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.” – Pope John XXIII

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

First Kiss Friday – The Promise by Dana D’Angelo

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Dana D’Angelo, author of medieval Christmas novella The Promise.  Welcome Dana!  Here’s the first kiss between Lady Estella de Leraye and Sir Gavin the Bold.

She stared at him as if she had never seen a half naked man before.

And maybe she never did. That thought intrigued him enough to make him pause, although it didn’t help matters.

He had never suspected that a woman could drive him mad like this. He tried to ignore it, but there was something about Estella that caused this primal desire to rise. He was sure that it wasn’t just lust, although that played a factor. Nay, there was something more and he couldn’t quite determine what it was. When he first saw her he had thought she was the least attractive of her sister, but looking at her now, he was wrong, dead wrong. There was intelligence in her eyes, but behind that intelligence was an earthy beauty.

Her long hair, the color of autumn leaves fell around her face, framing a finely structured countenance. Everything about her was delicate, from her pale ivory skin to her bluish green eyes. She had a small, straight nose, high cheek bones and a pointy, stubborn chin. But her lips were wide and generous, and on the rare occasion that he saw her smile, he noticed a dimple appear at the side of her mouth. And even though she was covered in heavy wool, he could imagine the curves on her body. His body pressed against hers too many times for him to overlook the soft curves and how nicely they molded against his.

He raised one eyebrow. “My lady?” he asked.

At the sound of his deep voice, she snapped out of her reverie. “I — I forgot to ask you whether you had soap to wash this grease from my hands,” she said, her voice sounding faint. Her eyes landed on his bare chest. The muscles spanned across wide shoulders. Her body tingled with awareness, the memories rushing in to remind her that she was crushed to that same chest only hours before. She swallowed. “’Tis not my intention to disturb your bath.”

She stood as still as if she was a fox cornered by a hunter, unable to move even as he came closer. There was no where for her to run, she realized. But did she truly want to run away from Gavin?

When he was a foot away, he reached over and stroked her soft skin, his calloused fingers lingering on her face. “You’re a lovely sight to behold,” he breathed. “If I’d known better I would think that you’re a wood nymph that’s come to tempt me.” Then taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he tilted her face as if to inspect for flaws and finding none.

She pressed a hand to her heart, trying to still the wild fluttering in her chest. His steely blue eyes never left hers. Slowly, he lowered his mouth, his lips barely touching hers. “I wanted to do this for some time now,” he whispered. Not waiting for her response, he captured her lips in an intoxicating kiss. And she felt herself reeling at the contact; her bones suddenly turned to liquid as she could no longer support herself. Heat and desire whirled in her body, growing and filling every corner of her being before settling in the juncture between her thighs.

And for once, she wanted to push away all reason and allow herself to savor the sweetness of what he offered.

And it was sweet. His mouth lingered on hers, his tongue sliding over her lips barely tracing it. But that small movement fanned the flames within her loins, and she yearned for more.

Through their own accord, her hands came up and rested flat against his muscular chest, marveling at the strength and power beneath her palms. She let out a sigh and fitted her body to his hardness, giving into the instinctual need to press up against his heat.

And as if he knew what she craved, he deepened the kiss, coaxing, teasing her lips until they parted slightly. And with that small sign of surrender, he took full advantage, driving, pushing his tongue inside, leaving no part of her mouth untouched…

 

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

First Kiss Friday – A Member of the Council by Lynn Cahoon

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Lynn Cahoon, author of paranormal romance A Member of the Council.  Welcome Lynn!  Here’s the first kiss between Ty Wallace and Parris McCall.

Ty ignored her question, glancing up at her, he took in a breath. The woman wasstunning. Being this close to her, he imagined taking her in his arms, pressing his lips hardagainst hers, tasting wine on her lips. A muscle in his jaw twitched as he tried to banish thevision.He wiped a drop of wine off her full, red lips with his thumb. “Is wishing your opponent loses the secret to your wins? Not very sporting, I have to say.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” Parris’ eyes darkened. Ty couldn’t tell if her reactionwas based in anger, or desire. He hoped the latter.

“And you didn’t answer mine.” Twisting in his stool to face her, he opened his legs andwithout thinking, pulled her close and kissed her. A kiss he’d wanted to take since he’d walkedin tonight. Parris didn’t resist, in fact, she melted toward him, her mouth hungrily seeking his,her body soft in all the right places, making him hard.

He abandoned her arms, instead caressing her back, strong, muscular. He circled aroundher body to find her breasts, soft and firm. Her mouth slackened as he held the round orbs in hishands, thumbs seeking nipples. At the right spot, she groaned.

Slowly, he pulled back. He dropped his hands to his sides, regretfully leaving her soft,luscious breasts. Pulling away, ending the kiss.

Parris stood in front of him, dazed. Quickly, she followed his lead, sitting on her stool.

She laughed a low, growly sound making him regret pulling back. “Wow, you could have justanswered my question.”

“Yeah, sorry about that.” Ty said words he didn’t mean.

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

New Year Book Extravaganza

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

 

The Angel and the Prince

In this exciting medieval romance, the French lady knight known as the Angel of

Death wages a battle of wills and desires against her dreaded enemy — the

English warrior known as the Prince of Darkness.

Ryen De Bouriez is a French warrior, dedicated to protecting her country

against the hated English. In place of glittering ball gowns, she wears shining

armor. Instead of practicing the gentler arts, she wields a sword. Those who

whisper her name in fear and awe call her the Angel of Death.

Bryce Princeton is the Prince of Darkness, an English knight sent by his king

to find and destroy their most hated adversary — the Angel of Death. Little

does he know that his enemy is no man at all, but a beautiful woman who will

challenge his heart and honor at every turn.

Forced to choose between love and honor, the Angel and the Prince wage a battle

of wills that challenge everything they have ever believed in.

Kindle

 

The Author

Laurel O’Donnell has won numerous awards for her works, including the Holt Medallion for A Knight of Honor , the Happily Ever After contest for Angel’s Assassin, and the Indiana’s Golden Opportunity contest for Immortal Death . The Angel and the Prince was nominated by the Romance Writers of America for their prestigious Golden Heart award. O’Donnell lives in Illinois with her four cherished children, her beloved husband and her five cats. She finds precious time every day to escape into the medieval world and bring her characters to life in her writing.












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Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

Winner of the $10 Amazon Gift Card!

Laurel O'Donnell - Author

Congrats to Maureen for being the winner of the $10 Amazon Gift Card from the New Year’s Blog Hop!

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy