Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 85
August 9, 2012
First Kiss Friday – The Sword and the Pen by Elysa Hendricks
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Elysa Hendricks, author of fantasy romance The Sword and The Pen. Welcome Elysa! Here’s the first kiss between Seri and Brandon.
“You’ll enjoy this more.” He handed her a hotdog smothered with all the fixings.
She took the offering and sniffed it. The aroma of grilled meat, onions, mustard and ketchup must have pleased her, because she took a bite. A look of delight spread over her face. In seconds she had devoured the hotdog and reached for a hamburger.
Fascinated by her appetite, he almost forgot to eat. Most women he’d known– his mother, Wanda and Hillary– merely nibbled at their food. They always claimed to be on diets, yet never seemed to lose any weight. His grandmother had been the exception. Until her death, she’d eaten anything and everything and never gained an ounce. She’d claimed magic kept her thin.
Seri ate with gusto and didn’t seem interested in counting calories or carbohydrates. Whatever she did in life she kept her body trim and fit. The pile of food diminished. She glanced at him. Her hand paused as she reached for the now melting ice cream.
“Why aren’t you eating?”
The sudden suspicion in her tone reminded him to tread carefully. He grabbed a handful of fries.
She relaxed and picked up the dish of ice cream. “What is this?”
“Chocolate ice cream. You’ll like it.”
“Mmmm,” she groaned around a mouthful. “This is astonishing. I think I could easily live on this alone.”
“It’s full of fat and sugar, and loaded with calories.”
“I know fat and sugar. But what are calories? Are they dangerous?” She gave the now empty container a wary glance.
“Only to your waistline.”
Understanding spread over her face. She grinned. “Ah, I see. You fear I’ll grow obese and lazy.”
“No, I didn’t mean that… I only meant…well, I…” He stumbled.
She leaned forward and placed her fingers over his lips. “I but tease. Only the very rich and powerful can afford to grow stout and indolent. And those that do so, soon lose their wealth and their power to those who are hungry.”
Slick from the fries and cool from the ice cream, the feel of her fingers against his lips sent a jolt of awareness straight to his groin. Without thinking, he sucked one finger into his mouth. The taste of salt and Seri exploded on his tongue.
Her voice trailed away. He pushed aside the tray with the remains of their lunch and leaned across the concrete table. She pulled her hand from his mouth and replaced it with her lips.
She tasted of chocolate, cool chocolate ice cream. The smell of grilled hotdogs and onion rings filled his nostrils. But the hunger inside Brandon wasn’t for food. Eager for the taste of the woman he kissed, he ran his tongue over her lips. They parted on a sigh and he delved within.
Hot and tangy, her flavor sucked him in. Heat burned away rational thought as he lost himself in the kiss. Their tongues thrust and parried, the tempo increasing with every breath. Not satisfied with the limited contact of their mouths, he put his hand around the back of her head. Soft red curls twined around his fingers.
Honk! Honk!
“Hey man! Get a room!” a loud voice rang out. Laughter followed, as a car filled with teenagers pulled into the lot.
Brandon jerked away. His elbow cracked against the stone table. Pain ran up his arm. He welcomed the distraction. Seri looked dazed as she settled back on her bench.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
August 5, 2012
Inspirational Quote Monday! #29 of 2012
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” – T.S. Eliot
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
August 2, 2012
First Kiss Friday – Kissed by Renee Field
“I know you.”
His gravelly, hard-edged voice left her wanting to rub a finger over his lips. She felt his warm, large hands span her waist to help keep her standing upright as she bent to dislodge her stuck boot.
The feel of his hands on her waist through the puffy confines of the feather-down jacket caused her body to hum all over. Not good, not good at all. Why couldn’t I have stumbled on an old man? Nope, I stumble across one drop-dead gorgeous hunk. Too bad he stinks to high heaven. Then again, that’s probably not a bad thing because I don’t know this man…a warning I should heed.
She laughed this time. “I don’t think so. We’ve never been introduced. Trust me, I’d remember.” Boot unstuck, she slipped it back onto her cold foot.
“You speak my language.”
Instinctively she stilled, frozen to the spot. He spoke her grandmother’s secret language. The lilt of his words flowed like a sensual stream off his tongue, evoking a sharp intake of breath on her behalf. A flash of a tall, angry, imposing man jumped into her mind. A thought that she should have run when she had the chance caused her heart to accelerate. But none of that mattered. She was nicely caught, held by tempting hands whose thumbs were stroking her jacket, distracting her earlier thoughts. “A bit,” she answered back in English.
“Well, well, well, my night just got better.”
He crushed her body up close and personal to his muscular frame and lowered his lips to her mouth before she could protest. She knew then she should scream. Instead her mind digested the taste of rum and something wild and exotic like the combined taste of cinnamon and cardamom. A part unknown within her urged her to yield to it. She fought with herself not to bend her body to his large, hard frame. Luckily all she could smell was skunk. But even that didn’t matter as much anymore.
What was happening to her had never happened before. Sure, she’d been kissed a few times, but not like this. Not by a man who knew what it meant to be a lover. Not by a man whose lips were molding her own to his, demanding she comply, willing her to open to her own passion. His tongue stroked her own, dancing and dueling with hers, forcing her mouth to yield to his skill. A skill that should have shocked her. Instead, she welcomed it, tilting her head, adjusting her stance without thought to accommodate his desires. Tasting, taking…feeling the rush of sexual power that fueled their mingled breaths. His powerful hands roamed up and under her coat to clutch her back. The heat of his flesh scorched her, fueling a rush of warmth below, causing her to want to rub her legs around his thighs. She whimpered, lust and need swamped her senses, making her dizzy.
“Ahh, that’s what I thought. There’s more of my kind in you than you know.”
His tone was quiet and mocking. Abruptly, he backed away. Tara shivered from his absence as the cold wind of the night brought common sense back to her.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
August 1, 2012
Congrats to the Winners!
Congratulations to the Hero Blog Hop Winners!
Kindle Fire Winner – Michele Ann O
$50 Amazon Gift Card – Daphne D
Swag Pack – Jan D
$20 Amazon Gift Card – Jessie L
Congrats to all the winners! Thank you everyone for commenting!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Hero’s Blog Hop
The Hero’s Blog Hop is now over. Thanks everyone for commenting! And good luck! I’ll post the winners later today.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
July 29, 2012
Inspirational Quote Monday! #28 of 2012
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “The rose is fairest when ‘t is budding new, and hope is brightest when it dawns from fears.” – Walter Scott
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
July 26, 2012
Damien, hero of Angel’s Assassin!
A Hero’s Blog Hop? I couldn’t believe it when I was asked to write something about myself. I’m no hero. The things I’ve done, the things I’ve been forced to do, are as far from a hero as you can get.
I’m Damien from Laurel O’Donnell’s Angel’s Assassin. I’m an assassin. I’ve killed without remorse, because my master ordered me to. Men, women, children. I lived life in darkness. Alone. Unworthy and unwanting of love. Nothing mattered to me. You can’t understand how dark I was, how lost. No one was safe from my blade. Until my master ordered me to kill Aurora of Acquitaine. She was so beautiful and so good. She was kind to everyone, even me. And she saw things in me, honor, loyalty… Qualities I had only when she was around.
I know you can’t understand how life was for me before Aurora came into my life. But maybe this scene from Angel’s Assassin can help you get a glimpse. Prologue from Angel’s Assassin
I don’t ask for your forgiveness. I just want you to realize that I’m changed now. I love Aurora. And, in loving her, I’ve found my redemption.
Check out my journey in the book Angel’s Assassin.
To qualify for the $20 Amazon gift card I’ll be giving away to one lucky reader as well as the 1st Grand Prize of A Kindle Fire or Nook Table, 2nd Grand Prize of a $50 Amazon or B&N Gift card or the 3rd Grand Prize of the Swag Pack, please leave a comment below and your email. Thanks for reading and good luck!
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
First Kiss Friday – Rock and a Hard Place by Angie Stanton
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Angie Stanton, author of young adult romance Rock and a Hard Place. Welcome Angie! Here’s the first kiss between Peter and Libby.
The instant the tour bus door opened, Peter flew out ignoring the steady rain that soaked the area. His footsteps sank into the soggy grass as he ran across the clearing and past the large oak where he had first met Libby. He made his way down the muddy path leading him closer to the stream. The slick ground slowed his progress. Please let her be here.
The rain came down in a constant stream, muffling sounds in the glen. Peter rounded a bend and spotted Libby. He paused and smiled. She grinned back. Then he laughed. She stood in the center of the large rock that hung over the stream. She wore a dark green windbreaker and jeans. One hand was tucked into her coat pocket the other held a huge blue and white faded umbrella. Its enormity dwarfed her. She looked like a cute little gnome who’d been left out in the rain.
Peter closed the distance in seconds. “You’re here!”
“So are you.” She grinned, her hair damp. Peter noticed several gaping holes in the umbrella, causing a constant flow of water onto her.
“I was so worried you wouldn’t be here, with the rain and all. Have you been waiting long?” He wanted to reach out and hug her, but didn’t quite know how to make it happen.
“No, not long at all.” A shiver racked her body.
“Liar. Your lips are turning blue.” Peter’s eyes settled on her trembling mouth.
“You’re getting soaked, come stand under the umbrella.” She lifted it enough to clear his height. In the process of tipping the umbrella, a sheet of cold water swooshed off the back and splashed their legs as it hit the rock.
“Oops, sorry,” she said with a giggle.
Peter crowded close under the umbrella. He gazed down at her smiling face. Rain drops clung to her eyelashes.
“What do you say we go somewhere we won’t get pummeled by rain?” He took the umbrella from Libby and wrapped his arm around her. She felt small, delicate and very wet. They moved off the rock and climbed to an area near the wall. Trees reached over the glen, blocking some of the rain. The constant downfall now sounded like a pitter patter.
Peter reached for her hand and held the oversized umbrella with his other. “Geez, your hand is freezing.”
“I’m not gonna lie, it was really cold out here, but I didn’t want to stand you up.” Her cheeks were chafed red from the cold. “So I hope you plan on making it worth my while,” she challenged him with a sly look.
“Now that you mention it, I did have something in mind.”
Libby’s eyes widened.
“Want to know what it is?” he teased, watching her reaction. He loved to see her off balance.
“Okay.” Now she looked less confident. Peter almost laughed.
“I have something for you.” He had moved heaven and earth to pull this together.
“You do?” Her eyes glittered in surprise.
“Yup. Close your eyes and hold out your hands.” He couldn’t wait to see what she thought. Libby obeyed. Her dark eyelashes lay against her rosy cheeks. His heart beat in anticipation. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a white plastic bag, then glanced up. Her closed eyes changed to little slits.
“Hey, stop peeking!”
Libby squeezed her eyes closed and laughed. She held out her hands and waited. Peter pulled the slim item out of the bag and placed it in her hands.
“Okay, look.”
She peered at the shiny device and then back at him in disbelief. “You gave me a cell phone?” She stared at the gift. “You gave me a cell phone!” This time she yelled it.
Her excitement touched him. “It seemed like a good idea. You didn’t have a phone number to give me, and I really missed you. It’s gonna get harder to see you. I thought this way we could stay in touch and actually talk whenever we want.”
She closed her hand around the precious phone and turned pensive.
“Is something wrong?” He wondered what could have upset her.
“I don’t know if I should accept this.” She gazed up at him with large doe eyes. He couldn’t believe this. She needed to take the phone.
“We barely know each other, and, well…” Mischief lit her face, and he wondered what she was up to. “We’ve never even kissed.”
Peter paused and took a good look at her. He’d been wondering how to sneak a kiss; she just made it simple.
He tossed the umbrella aside and pulled her close. He let his fingers tangle in her wet hair and lowered his mouth to hers. He kissed her long and slow, taking his sweet time. Cold rain trickled down his neck as he savored each moment. Startled at first, Libby now matched his kiss. He enjoyed each touch of her tender lips.
He slowly pulled away.
“Now can you take the phone?” His forehead rested against hers.
“Yeah, I think so,” she answered in a breathy voice.
“I’d better be sure.” Empowered by their perfect chemistry, he leaned in for more. Her body melted against him. He wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her close.
“Wow,” she whispered, her eyes dark and smoky.
“Haven’t you ever been kissed before?” His eyes searched hers.
“Not like that.”
“Good.”
Nothing like kissing a girl senseless to boost his confidence. “I think I’ll just stay here all day. The rain’s not so bad.” He caressed her damp cheek with his thumb.
“I’d like that.” She leaned her head back against the rock wall, gazing contently up into his eyes.
“The tour is overrated anyway.”
Libby leaned into him, eager for more. Everything about her brought Peter alive. His life was great; he had nothing to complain about. But this simple girl turned everything upside down. He couldn’t get enough. He wanted to sneak her onto the bus and take her with him.
They parted, breathless and aroused, secure in each other’s arms. Peter’s phone rang. His family was back.
“I should have sent them to Iowa for lunch.”
“You can’t leave me now.” She sighed, wanting to stay in Peter’s arms all day.
“I think I’ll have to kill them. With my bare hands. Except my hands are busy.” He emphasized, moving them down over her hips and back up.
“What are we going to do?” Disappointment colored her words.
They had opened a new door and complicated their lives. Neither wanted to walk away.
“We’re going to talk as often as possible and text in between.” He hoped to reassure her this was only the beginning.
“Okay, but when will I see you again?” she asked, the angst clear in her voice.
“I don’t know. We’re leaving the Midwest for a while.” Not knowing worried him too. “But that isn’t going stop us from being together. I’ll figure something out. I promise.” He meant it with every fiber of his being. They barely knew each other, but he would not let her go. The connection they shared was extraordinary.
Libby nodded, her trust in him absolute. His phone played music again.
“You’re ringing.”
“They can wait. I’m with them all the time. You’re special.”
He lowered his lips to hers once more, feeling neither the cold nor the rain.
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
Kindle Romance Novels
I’m over at Kindle Romance Novels with Angel’s Assassin today! Drop by!
http://www.kindleromancenovels.blogspot.com/
Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy
July 22, 2012
Inspirational Quote Monday! #27 of 2012
It’s Inspirational Quote Monday! Here’s the quote for the week – “Choice, not chance, determines one’s destiny.” – Unknown
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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