Laurel O'Donnell's Blog, page 92
April 12, 2012
First Kiss Friday – Intrusion by Cynthia Justlin
Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Cynthia Justlin, author of romantic suspense Intrusion. Welcome Cynthia! Here’s the first kiss between Cam and Audra.
Audra prided herself on her level head, but when it came to Cam, logic danced out the window. He’d thrown down a gauntlet and instead of walking away she’d snatched it up. How could she let someone so…so infuriating get under her skin?
Something told her Cam loved messy, complicated relationships. It was the way he had of looking at her, like—like he couldn’t think of anything better to do than tie her into knots.
Her stomach fluttered. What had vulnerability ever done for her? She did not want to get tangled up with Cam. He would force her to reveal parts of herself she had no desire to unlock.
She meant to step back, but the air between them suddenly sizzled, and when she caught the scent of Cam’s skin—a heady combination of sandalwood and warm male—she couldn’t resist leaning into him.
He tensed and the fluorescent light cast a sallow hue on the scratches along his cheekbone, reminding her, once again, of all he’d risked. For her.
“How did you find me?” She tipped her head to meet his eyes. “I mean, why come after me at all? You don’t need me. Not really.”
He cupped her cheek in his palm. “Cell phone records and a little GPS know how are powerful things.”
She stiffened. “You went through my cell phone—”
“Invasion of privacy doesn’t apply to damsels in distress.” His thumb brushed her skin sending pulses of heat through her. “It’s one of those unspoken rules. Along with the one about not mixing business with pleasure.”
“That’s a good one.” She sucked in a ragged breath.
His lips curved into a grin. “Is it?”
“Of course. You can’t remain objective when all you’re thinking about is…”
Her fingers took on a life of their own and fisted into Cam’s t-shirt. Her gaze slid down to his mouth. One kiss. What could it hurt? No strings attached, no baring of souls. Nothing but a meeting of mouths to satisfy her curiosity. A scientific experiment of sorts. Would his hard, chiseled mouth soften against hers? Did he taste of the same danger and self-assurance he wore with such blatant abandon?
She pressed into his touch. The space between them evaporated, their mouths met with the slightest bit of pressure—
Cam stumbled backward, breaking the fleeting connection as his knee collapsed out from under him. He lunged for the counter, a vicious curse followed in the wake of the abrupt movement.
She reached for him. “Let me—”
“I got it.” He pulled himself up and turned his back on her, but the mirror gave away the heightened color in his cheeks.
“Are you okay?”
He brushed past her. “Hey listen, do you mind if I grab a shower first?”
“Cam—”
“Because if you do, I can wait.” He went to his bag, unzipped it, and started rummaging around inside.
“Hold on just a minute—”
His shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Yeah, okay, if you’d rather go first, then go ahead.”
She clenched her teeth. “No, it’s not that—
“So, you don’t want to go first?”
“Damn it, why are you deliberately misunderstanding me.” She closed the distance between them and pressed a hand to his back, trying to get him to turn around. But he resisted. “I don’t care about going first. Your knee—”
“Is perfect,” he hissed.
“Would you just…look at me for a minute?”
He spun to face her, a neatly folded pile of clothes in one fist and a small bag in the other. His steely eyes narrowed, daring her to press further.
Go ahead. Ask.
She opened her mouth, but the question wouldn’t come. If she insisted on probing his demons, he’d take it as an open invitation to delve into hers. Nothing good ever came of that kind of give and take.
His lips twisted in a mirthless smile. Chicken.
He pushed the items into her hands. “Go on. Get your shower.”
April 11, 2012
Find Me at the RT Convention!
I'm gearing up for the RT Convention in Chicago tomorrow! What does that mean for you? Well, for those that are attending the convention, that means if you find me, I have a free novella for you. That's right! I'm giving away my urban fantasy novella, Lost Souls: Resurrection to all those that find me. Hint – I'll be at the ebook signing on Thursday night from 4 – 6. I'll also be attending various workshops. So, please find me and say hi.
Also, I'll have trading cards from my novels, The Angel and The Prince and Midnight Shadow, for those that are interested.
It's my first RT convention and I'm really looking forward to it. Hope to see you there!
April 9, 2012
Inspirational Quote Monday! #12 of 2012
Here's the quote for the week – "It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars." – Richard Evans
April 6, 2012
The Bride and the Brute – Featured on Kobo
The Bride and the Brute is currently a featured Free eBook on Kobo.com
We're excited by the recognition. A hearty thanks to our friends at Kobo!
April 5, 2012
First Kiss Friday – Back at Your Door by Jasmine Aherne
Today's First Kiss Friday featured guest is Jasmine Aherne, author of Back At Your Door. Welcome Jasmine! Here's the first kiss between Anton and Laila.
"Exactly." Anton reached across the bed and took her hand, entwining their fingers. "I just got my best friend back. I want more, I want more so much it hurts, but I don't ever want to lose our friendship."
Laila held his hand tight. "Me, neither. I…" She scooted closer to him, and he broke their hand-hold to put his arm around her. "I don't want you to just be the rebound guy."
"Me neither."
Their faces were very close now. Laila looked up into Anton's toffee-brown eyes. I want him to kiss me. But hadn't they just agreed that he shouldn't be her rebound guy, or anything else, for now?
"Laila…" he breathed her name, and it sounded so sexy in that James-Bond British accent.
She recognised the pause and knew she could back off now, and nothing would happen. She could pull away and make some quip about dinner and then everything would continue as normal.
But she didn't. As soon as he'd held her hand she'd known something would happen.
Her heart jack-hammering excitedly inside her chest, she closed her eyes.
Anton's lips brushed hers, so gently, like the caress of butterfly wings. Sensation, heat and desire rushed into her body and she pressed herself against him. She'd craved his kiss for so long that she didn't think she'd be able to move even if she was being physically pulled away.
She leaned into him, kissing him back, lifting her hand and threading it through his thick, soft dark hair. He smelled of coffee and some spicy, woodsy aftershave. When he touched his tongue to hers, she heard herself moan, encouraging him on.
He deepened the kiss, pressing her closer, his hand stroking up and down her back, sending rivers of sensation snaking all over her skin under the t-shirt she wore.
Laila slid her hand down his neck and on to his chest, feeling his heart beating under her palm. His skin felt warm and she wanted to unbutton his shirt and feel him, skin to skin.
She remembered the times they'd kissed as teenagers, so frantic and exciting. This was different – deeper, more passionate.
Abruptly Anton broke the kiss. "Laila. We shouldn't."
But I want to, a little voice inside her clamoured. "I know," she said instead.
He kept his arm around her, not letting her pull away. "Don't think I don't want you. But it wouldn't be just sex, You know that."
A Knight of Honor for the Kobo eReader
Just another update to an older post. We are now publishing directly with Kobo, so we just needed to update a few links, pointing books to their new landing pages on Kobo.com. This post updates the Kobo link for A Knight of Honor.
A Knight of Honor is now available for the Kobo eReader!
A Knight of Honor is an award winning medieval romance novel written by Laurel O'Donnell.
April 2, 2012
Champion of the Heart now available on Kobo for the Kobo eReader Touch
Champion of the Heart by Laurel O'Donnell
Just an update to a previous post. We had to update the link to Champion of the Heart on Kobo since we are now working with Kobo and publishing our books directly with them.
Champion of the Heart is now available on Kobo.
If you have the Kobo eReader Touch, you can now enjoy the medieval romance novel Champion of the Heart in the comfort of your own castle. So throw another log on the fire, curl up in your own Great Hall, and enjoy.
Inspirational Quote Monday! #11 of 2012
Here's the quote for the week – "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." – Plato
March 22, 2012
First Kiss Friday – Wild For You by Sophia Knightly
Today's First Kiss Friday featured guest is Sophia Knightly, author of contemporary romance suspense Wild For You. Welcome Sophia! Here's the first kiss between Marisol Calderon and Clay Blackthorne.
Marisol lunged backward and stomped on his instep with her spiked heel. Several items hit the floor as she spun around and found Clay hunched over, clutching his foot.
"What the hell—" he roared.
"You!" she yelled and pushed his shoulder.
Clay teetered and reached for Marisol to steady himself, but she shook him off and they both toppled to the ground. Braced on his elbows above her, Clay's infuriated face hovered a few inches from hers. "Why did you do that?"
"You scared me!" she cried.
"I only asked you to read the message," he muttered, staring at her mouth.
Her heart pounded. "I thought you were the stalker! Did you send those roses?" Of course he hadn't, but she couldn't think of anything else to say as she licked her lips nervously.
"What do you think?" His blazing eyes bored into hers and then returned to gaze at her moist mouth.
"I guess not." Her breathing turned shallow and erratic when she saw the blatant desire in Clay's midnight eyes. Stay right there, she ordered silently, savoring the heavy weight of his body pressed against hers. Breathless, she didn't move a muscle when his callused thumb stroked her cheek.
"I'm sorry I stomped on you, but your deep voice startled me," she whispered, wondering if he could hear her heart beating wildly beneath him.
Kiss me, she urged silently, gazing into his eyes.
"It's the only voice I have. By now you should be familiar with it," he said gruffly, easing onto his side and bringing her with him. He cradled her body and slanted his mouth over hers without further hesitation. Marisol wrapped her arms around his neck and melted into the kiss, welcoming the pressure of his velvet soft lips on her mouth. She closed her eyes and sighed, as he held her face steady and made love to her mouth, tasting her thoroughly, deliberately. A sweet ache built inside her as she writhed under Clay's solid weight, inviting his tender assault.
Marisol thrust her fingers in his hair and returned his hungry kisses, vaguely aware of the groceries scattered around them and the fact that her skirt had risen indecently. She was conscious only of his hard-muscled chest resting against her ultra sensitive breasts and his jean-clad thigh wedged between her bare legs. Clay's firm hand stroked her from nape to buttocks, learning her curves as he kissed her with bold intent. When she felt the thick evidence of his arousal pressed against her thigh, she closed her eyes and moaned, lost to everything but him and the sexual heat he radiated.
March 15, 2012
First Kiss Friday – Duty Calls by Sandra McGregor
Today's First Kiss Friday featured guest is Sandra McGregor, author of contemporary series romance Duty Calls. Welcome Sandra! Here's the first kiss between Lt. Col Dale Mitchlen and Alyson Sanders.
Set up: Alyson is widowed and caring for her single-parent sister's two-year old daughter, Katie, while the sister is on active duty with the Air Force in Afghanistan.
When the sister is killed in action, a letter in her personal effects reveals the name of the father. Now Alyson must find him and let him know that he's a father.
A couple of months after finding him…..
*****
He allowed her plenty of time to resist–plenty of time to tell him to stop, but she didn't want him to stop. Oh God, never let him stop. She wanted him to be concerned about her and to hold her. Since her husband died, being held in a man's arms was one of the things she missed most. She burrowed her face into his chest, breathing in the musky scent of his soap and deodorant. When he pulled back slightly, she wanted to groan, but when his finger gently lifted her chin, her eyes opened to look up as he bent closer. As his lips gently touched hers, her eyes closed and her arms reached up to encircle his neck even as he wrapped his arms around her to pull her closer and deepen the kiss. Just as quickly, he released her and took a step back when Katie called out from her room. "Da da da!"
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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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