Wednesday, July 2, 2014

First Kisses

It is a pleasure to be on the Decadent blog again. I’ve been thinking a lot about dating recently, so I think that inspired today’s topic. I’m talking all about first kisses! When reading a romance novel the first kiss always makes my heart flutter. I think it is a very important moment in the story. Whether it is earth-shattering or a mere peck it brings the hero and heroine close together.
Perhaps the power in this moment is due to the fact it is a romance novel. I know that no matter the reaction is to the first kiss the characters will overcome their differences and challenges and live happily ever after. In real life, however, first kisses are often awkward. At least, it is that way for me. I do not give kisses freely. I have to start to have genuine feelings and I’m always afraid of rejection or maybe the kiss would go wrong. Is it true people with braces can get stuck together if they kiss? I’ve heard that and have wondered if it was true or a joke.
Here is the first kiss scene in my Civil War era romance, Soldier in HerLap. It isn’t just Sophia and Lucas’s first kiss, it is Sophia’s VERY FIRST kiss.

Excerpt:
Stepping closer to him, she inhaled his masculine scent of sweat and dirt and hay. It was so refreshing to be around a man without the stink of liquor on him. She ran her hand down his arm, feeling his lean muscle under his uniform.
“Thank you, Lucas.”
“No need to thank me.” He looked down at her with gentle eyes. “Any man would have done the same.”
She turned to completely face him. This close, his heart still pounded fast and his breath warmed her face. She tipped her head back, and her lips rose to meet his. Their mouths brushed in a chaste kiss. She didn’t know which one of them was holding back. Their touch kindled a fire in her belly. Her cheeks burned, bringing on a foolish grin. The lust in his eyes, as plain as the noonday sun, fanned the flames of her desire. He wanted her.
“Sophia,” Lucas said, “since your papa isn’t here, think we can eat at the table?”
The simple question cut through the sexual tension. “Yes, I reckon we can.”
Lucas hovered near her in the kitchen. She wasn’t used to anyone watching her cook, or watching her that carefully at all for that matter. Her heart palpitated. His heat-filled gaze bored into her backside. Her thighs clenched and she struggled to focus on stirring the stew. When you have feelings for a man, it is supposed to feel like this. Charlotte had explained her feelings toward Thomas, and Lucas made Sophia feel the same way.
Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer and turned around to face him. He leaned near her, their lips perilously close again. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him, away from the stove. Her chest pressed against his and their connection grew stronger. He claimed her lips, harder this time. Shutting her eyes, she mewled. His lips roamed down her neck and then back to her mouth, acting like he couldn’t kiss her enough. Did she taste as good as he did?
He caressed her back. It was wrong for him to touch her like that, she should tell him to stop, it wasn’t right, but she couldn’t.

Blurb:
Sophia Carpenter feels like Cinderella working the dirt farm for her alcoholic papa. After being wounded, Confederate soldier Lucas Grady jumps out of the ambulance wagon and deserts, making it to Sophia’s farm before collapsing. Will he turn out to be her prince charming or nothing but trouble?

Buy Links:

GIVEAWAY: Comment regarding your experience with a first kiss or your thoughts on first kisses in romance and you could win a copy of Soldier in Her Lap. Please remember to include your email addy.

About the Author:

Haley Whitehall lives in Washington state where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy.

#haleywhitehall, #decadentpub, #civilwarromance

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