Sweet N Sexy Soulful Quotes

We're finally in the dog days of summer with the month of August showing no mercy amid its dry, sweltering temperatures. Luck for you, I have some equally hot historical romance reads for this month's segment.

The books I feature are from authors who were not afraid to be soulful, sappy, and/or suggestive when it came to their heroes. So, grab a seat, and pick up a pen and paper (or fire up your eReaders) so you can add these to your TBR collection.

Happy reading!

She nodded and turned toward the bed. They would both never fit on the small mattress. Perhaps if he was a normal sized man, but Magnus was a giant. “Well I intend to sleep fully clothed.”

“Whatever suits ye, lass.”

He was so close his voice startled her. Arbella whirled around to see that he stood a foot away from her—nude.

Her eyes glued to the muscles of his chest, the light sprinkling of hair, his shoulders and she dare not look further.

“I prefer to sleep in my skin.” He walked around her and she caught a glimpse of his sculpted arse.

Her mouth fell open, breath caught. She’d never seen a man’s arse before…and never dreamed it would look so…look so…nice. Arbella snatched back her wayward hand that had reached out to touch him.

~ Eliza Knight, The Highlander's Reward

"He drew close once more, kissed her softly and whispered, “You said my name. I like it on your lips.” He hesitated before adding, “I cannot stay away from you, Mary. And frankly, I don’t want to.”

He held her close, her head just under his chin. Her breasts rose and fell against his muscled chest. Fear gripped her at what he might be contemplating and all she was feeling; she had to guard her heart, and at this moment that seemed an impossible task. After all, hearts could give themselves away.

Suddenly, he stepped back, holding her out with his arms. Mary wanted to reach for him. Her whole body ached for him, yet she knew she should not.“I’ll take you back.” With those words, his face changed, as if he’d donned a mask. His dark eyes grew cold, and the longing and desire she had seen in them moments before vanished.

~Regan Walker, Racing With The Wind

"Sweetheart," he whispered with a raspy voice after he unlocked her fingers. He placed her hands over his erratic heart. "See what you do to me. I want to make love with you, but not now, not tonight."

"Declan, please, I don't understand. Why won't you stay with me?"

He touched the tip of his nose against hers, peering deep into her eyes. "Don't misunderstand, Amalie. My body aches for you. I want nothing more than making love with you right this moment, but I won't be able to walk away once we've shared a bed." He cupped his hand along her cheek and smiled at her with tenderness. "You are the only love for me, but if you don't feel the same way--" He ran kisses along the sensitive part of her neck up to her ear.

"I don't know how I feel, Declan, except scared." I know." He rested his forehead against hers. "I'm scared, too."
~ Paisley Kirkpatrick, Night Angel

A movement at the door caught his attention. Isobel, with the cowl over her head, squeezed out and the wind shoved the door closed again.

What the devil was she doing following him?

His lust surged to the forefront again, even though he knew there was no chance of taking her now. His body didn't care. What he couldn't remember from last night, his imagination filled in with spellbinding erotic imagery and sensations.

She strode toward him. "Dirk? Why did you walk out in such a way?"

How could she not understand? She knew little about men; that was why.

"Are you still angry with me?" she asked.

"Nay."

"But you don't trust me. That's clear."

"Aye. I do trust you. But I don't trust myself."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Clasping the icy stone before him, he shook his head. "Because—damnation, Isobel—I want you," he growled. "Can you not see that? I want… what we did last night… again."

Her eyes widening—in shock or interest—he couldn't be sure. She licked her lips and the action near drove him mad.

He squeezed his eyes closed against the luscious sight of her.

A second later, she touched his arm. His eyes sprang open and he glared at her. She was too close, her body practically against his.

"Isobel… go back inside." The chill wind snatched his words away, making them almost too low to hear.

She shook her head.

"Do as I say," he growled more sharply.

She bit her lip, looking unsure and vulnerable again.

"I'm not angry with you, lass," he said, trying to make his voice gentle. "I'm trying to protect you."

"I don't want to be protected from you."

Something fluttered and surged in his chest. Hell. He felt near senseless around her. As if his body and emotions were in control and his reasoning mind had abandoned him.

He breathed deeply of the cold air, but it would not dispel his hunger for her. She wanted him just as he wanted her. Her rosy lips lured him. He had to taste them one more time.

Letting go the bitter cold stone, he grabbed her to him. The flare of excitement in her eyes fueled his desires. Her lips were as cold as his, but the inside of her mouth was hot and sweet as he delved inside to taste her. His hands slid down her back to her waist to hold her close. Her fingers wove through his hair, pulling, but he didn't care. He wanted naught but to devour every last inch of her.

~ Vonda Sinclair, My Brave Highlander

Renee Vincent is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary romance.

Sweet N Sexy Soulful Quotes

Hello romance fans! Last month, I featured books from authors of my special interest RWA chapter, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Because of the popularity of that post (I think there are more Highlander/Celtic fans than we realize) I decided to give our CHRW authors another moment in the spotlight.

The books I feature are from authors who were not afraid to be soulful, sappy, and/or suggestive when it came to their heroes. So, grab a seat, and pick up a pen and paper (or fire up your eReaders) so you can add these to your TBR collection.

If you've never heard of Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, then you should know that this fabulous group focuses on the very popular Celtic genre. From hot Scots to irresistible Irish warriors (and everything else in between) this clan is one of my very favorites. I encourage you to check them out at the link above.

Happy reading!

Taggart chuckled, pulling her closer while edging them to a smoother patch of ground. “I never said healing was my only magic. I just told ye I could heal.”

“You . . .” Hannah licked her lips, her mouth suddenly very dry. The caress of his heartbeat tickled against her breasts. Her traitorous nipples tightened, straining toward him. Rebellious desire battled with her common sense. She wished he’d press her closer. No. I’m not going down that road again. She pushed against his chest. “You can let me go now. I won’t throw the rock and I’m sure I’ve got my balance.”

“Are ye certain, Hannah?” Taggart smoothed his hand up the middle of her back, pulling her closer as though he’d read her mind.

Damn his eyes. Hannah cursed their intense blue depths that fluctuated whenever he spoke. Hypnotic eyes ordered her to let him in, mesmerizing her into melting wherever he touched her. The rock slipped out of her hand and she raised her fingertips to stroke the stubble of his jaw. “No.”

“No?” Taggart trailed his hand along her arm and laced his fingers into her hair.

“Don’t let me go,” she whispered against his mouth while leaning her body into his. A gust of wind shoved against her back as though urging her to complete the kiss. Icy spray peppered across her body, but only heat surged through her veins. She opened to him. It had been too long. He tasted of ale, fresh air, and the sea. Hannah molded her body tight against the hardened length of him. Dear god, she risked bursting into flames.
~ Maeve Grayson, Eternity's Mark

Eyes widened, she turned around. Drostan pulled her into the warmth of his embrace and her entire body felt as though a weight had lifted. Her heart soared. He just had to say the words.

“Briana, the thought of ye staying here, I willnae lie, scares the hell out of me.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head and she heard his inhale of breath. “But what scares me more is never seeing ye again.”

Briana squeezed him tightly to her, lifted her face to look him in the eyes. “I feel the same way.”

“I have fallen for ye. I dinna ken how. Seems so fast but I have. I want to spend the rest of my days with ye. I want to ken ye more. I want to explore life with ye. I…I love ye.”
~ Eliza Knight, Highland Steam

"In any case, you cannot leave this room until you pay the penalty. And if you have a weapon, put it down," Lachlan said.

"I have no weapon," Angelique assured him.

"'Twill be the first time, then. You were not going to murder me and this imaginary woman you thought was in my bed?"

"Non."

His gaze trailed down over her. "'Haps I should search you to be sure. A man can never be too careful, especially when his wife has a fondness for daggers and pistols."

She took another step away from him and found her back against a wall. Surely he would not do as he suggested.

He cocked his head and watched her. "Come. I won't search you." He held out his hand. "I shall tell you a secret."

She shook her head, her pulse running away, as she wished to do. Heavens, she did not want to touch him. That would too easily distract her and give her those disturbing and frightening carnal urges again. He was so alluring, his deep voice rumbling gently over the words.

He moved in front of her and she committed the error of letting him trap her against the stone wall.

His seductive eyes darkened in the dimness and his lashes lowered. His tall body and the entrancing scent of masculinity enveloped her. She wondered if his tawny hair felt as silky as it looked.

He brushed his warm lips over her forehead, then kissed her there, an affectionate gesture such as she had not received in many years. She could not resist the persuasion of his fingers beneath her chin and did what they compelled her to do, lift her chin. He breathed hot against her mouth. Touched the corner with his. The shape and fullness of his lips aroused her, robbed her mind of rational thought. Her nipples tingled. He pressed his mouth fully to hers, tilted his head and flicked his tongue against her upper lip. A bolt of something dangerously sensuous shot through her. She opened, from shock or from obeying him, she didn't know. He stroked one finger along her cheek and slid his tongue briefly into her mouth. Excitement flowed through her like a searing river of sensation.

"Mmm. The secret is—" He kissed her again, his tongue sweeping into her mouth, wet and erotic, and toying with hers, then leaving before she was ready. "—you're the only one I want."

~ Vonda Sinclair, My Wild Highlander

“So you have experience then, helping people get over their fears.”

“Yes.”

“And what about getting over your own?”

Tara looked at him, her smile fading. “I’m working on that.”

“Is that what you’re doing here, then? Working on getting over your fears?”

“Maybe I am.”

“Or are you running away from them?”

Tara turned back to the stove and poured steaming water into two mugs. When she turned back around, she stiffened. Dominic had crossed the room, closing the distance between them.

“Tara.” Dominic took the mugs from her hands, setting them both down on the counter. “What are you running away from?”

When she said nothing, he reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I wish you would tell me. I might be able to help you.”

“I don’t need help,” she said, bracing when his fingers threaded into her hair.

“I think that you do,” he said quietly.

“What are you doing?” Tara asked, alarmed.

“I’m testing the limits of your fear,” he murmured, curving his other hand around her small waist.

“I—I’m not afraid.”

“No?” His hand settled on the back of her neck. The scent of the roses filled his lungs and he pulled her body against his. “I know you’re in some kind of trouble, Tara.” His voice as soft and gentle as the incoming waves. “I wish you would tell me what it is.”

“I told you.” Her nails bit into the counter. “I’m handling it.”

His gaze dropped to her mouth. “How?”

~ Sophie Moss, The Selkie Spell

Renee Vincent is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary romance.