A Kiss to Build a Scene On with Audra Harders

by | Feb 23, 2010 | Fiction Book Reviews | 9 comments

Who doesn’t like a good celebration, right? Party!!! Let the music play, sweep someone into your arms, and mamba!!

Parties are great places for kisses too, btw. New Years Eve is a prime example. Gotta have some lips to lock onto to ring in the New Year?

Engagement parties better have some kisses going on. Anniversary parties too – one would hope. Especially if someone is willing to throw a party to celebrate 50 years, there’d better still be enough excited to grab a few kisses, with or without the pacemaker 😉

Kissing is a GREAT way to celebrate. So….

Newly published Steeple Hill author, Audra Harders, is going to celebrate her up and coming books with a kiss. Right, Audra? To learn more about her books, check out her website at www.audraharders.com or her blog at http://audraharders.blogspot.com.

So…with such great news, we’re gonna celebrate with her. Tip your glasses, grab a set of available lips, and find out what Audra has to say about kisses.

What makes a good kissing scene?

I love the first kiss, the moment that catches them both unawares. Nothing planned; nothing scheduled. The hero and heroine have no idea the moment is upon them until emotions they’ve both shoved into the back recesses of their respective minds declare, “that’s enough.” That kiss takes them through the gate of cautious consideration and into next level of unabashed awareness. Now, the kiss is all they can think of and the planning for the next kiss begins.

Isn’t it great?

And what delicious appetizer of a scene have you provided for us today, Audra?

This is an excerpt from my Steeple Hill Love Inspired January 2011 release, Rocky Mountain Hero. (What a zing of excitement to write those words, LOL!!)

Many nights she knew he left his office well past her bedtime. “That late?”

His shoulder lifted and he cocked his head. “Ranching by day; paperwork by night.”

“I thought you had help. The office is in your parents’ house.”

“The office has always been there, so why mess with a good thing? And besides, it gives me a change to finish up shop. On the walk over to my place, I leave the work behind. It’s a mental thing.”

“If you keep up this pace, you probably will go mental. Glad I was able to straighten up and file for you.” Pride filled her at the difference in the office space since she’d spent a few hours organizing. “Call me when things get out of hand.”

            “Promise you’ll come?”

            His quiet question wrapped around her heart. She glanced at him, finding it impossible to study his face as they moved. Her fingers strayed and touched his elbow. He took another step down the path and stopped, turning toward her until they stood face-to-face. He tipped his hat back and let the morning sunshine bathe his face in light.

            Melanie searched for dark circles under his rich brown eyes or evidence of strain around his lips. Instead, all she saw was a hint of stubble over a firm jaw line, a straight nose and well-drawn lips that twitched under her scrutiny. A tiny dimple appeared at the corner of his mouth.

            She was such a goner for his crooked smile.

            Insects buzzed around her in the warmth of the summer sun. The natter of ground squirrels blended with the whistles of the jays. His shallows breaths warmed her chin.

            He stood before her, watching her. Waiting for her answer.

            The gentle touch of his fingertips atop her head as she’d dozed beside him the night before sent a coil of need through her. She so wanted to touch her lips to his, to know safety and trust.

            He cleared his throat. His steady gaze seemed to plead with her. “Well?”

            Nothing came to mind as she slid her hand down his forearm. The air stilled around them as he drew closer and touched his lips to hers.

            Nothing prepared her for the tenderness that passed between them His palm cradled her cheek and she didn’t know whether to rub against the rough skin or move closer to deepen the kiss. In the end, she didn’t have to choose. Gabe drew back, his dark eyes locked on hers while his fingers wove through her hair.

            “I’m sorry, I should’ve asked first.” Gabe ran his finger down her cheek leaving a tingling trail across her hot skin. “I’ve wanted to do that for a while.”

            “I–” Melanie licked her lips and swallowed, grappling for adequate words. “I don’t want to complicate matters.”

            She caught her breath as he studied her, his eyes searching for something she hoped she had the right answer for.

            As if coming to a decision, he offered her a gentle smile. “I promise not to tell.”

YAHOOOOO!!!! And I don’t mean to check email either. What a sweet kiss, Audra. Hot and sweet, yum, just like fresh chocolate chip cookies. And congrats again on your wonderful news. I’m certain you can’t get too tired of those parties 😉 Thanks for being here and letting us share in the fun.

 

Kissing Quote for the Day:

“She felt like a chess player who, by the clever handling of his pieces, sees the game taking the course intended. Her eyes were bright and tender with a smile as they glanced up into his; and her lips looked hungry for the kiss which they invited.”
Kate Chopin

Inspirational Quote for the Day: 

A love with no borders. That is what God offers us. Romance is a lovely part of life, but even it can only temporarily satisfy. The hunger that drives a human soul is the hunger for a boundless love. A love beyond our faults. A love that will continue even when our darkest secrets, the shadows in our thoughts, the shrouded moments of our souls, are revealed. God will be there, and the glow of love on his face will not fade. He loved us…even when we were sinners. Our failures don’t surprise him. Never have and never will. So knowing this great love, here is a beautiful prayer:

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:18-20

9 Comments

  1. Melanie Dickerson

    Ooooo, that was really nice, Audra! Can’t wait to read MORE about MY NAMESAKE heroine!!!!!!!!!!!
    🙂

    Reply
    • Audra

      Hey Melanie! When you read Rocky Mountain Hero, January 2011 (shameless plug) tell me if I caught your sweet essence!

      Reply
  2. sherrinda

    Ooo-la-la! Very nice, indeed! I love it when they move in to kiss and then later he says he should have asked first! lol Oh, the fun of losing all thought in the heat of a kiss. Sigh…

    Reply
    • Audra

      Hi Sherrinda : ) Don’t you just love it when you get caught up in the moment?? Just do it and beg forgiveness later…if necessary : )

      Reply
  3. Audra

    LOL, Pepper! I read through your post, um my post, and thought, gee, I’d like to be kissed by this guy, too : ) What a hoot!

    Thanks for having me, today! I just love the stuff you do with this blog, Pepper!

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Oh Audra,
      After posting this last night, I was inspired to write a kissing scene myself. The lovely thought of sunlight rising over those Rockies just moved me into thinking of a certain scene in one of my wips.

      AND…
      I LOVE to celebrate. The news is fantastic. Definitely shout-worthy. Can’t wait to see it in print. Woohoo!

      Reply
  4. Julie

    Audra … oh, girlfriend, that was DEE-LISH!! And not just that warm tingle of a kiss, either. The whole scene was beautifully written … I mean I was THERE, breath suspended on a craggy path in the dawning light of a Rocky mountain morning!! I am chomping at the bit to read this book, my friend, because I can honestly say that this is one book I’ve waited to read for a long, long time!! You go, girl!

    And, Pep … “A love with no borders”?? What a beautiful thought. Great blog, as always!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    Reply
    • Audra

      Wow, Jules! …Craggy path in the dawning light of a Rocky mountain morning… I can’t wait to read YOUR version of my book! LOL! But honestly, you’re making me blush. Julie, that’s such a compliment coming from an author I respect so much!

      Pepper? How do you have time to put together all your wonderful posts???? Do tell this inquiring mind who wants to know : )

      Reply
      • pepperbasham

        Audra,
        You’re sweet to ask. Time? Hmm… it’s an abstract term 😉
        I guess we seem to find time to do what we really want to do, don’t we? Besides, my personality runs at about 90 mph all of the time, which suits me well – since I’m a mom of five, full-time college instructor, pastor’s wife, and aspiring writer. Every time I type that sentence I think – Who IS that crazy woman? 😉
        Somehow, in little snatches of moonlight, God gives me the time and energy. So I take those moments, and have grown to adore moonlight 😉
        Congrats again.

        Reply

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