“The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the night and the empty skies, my love”
Who remembers this lovely song? It was a romantic standard way long ago, made very popular by Roberta Flack in the early 70’s, and describes perfectly the way I felt the first time I met my future husband. To the rest of the world he was just a nice guy, a school teacher. That day, I knew one day I would marry this man. Mind you I didn’t say much to him until many years later, when we were having our pre-wedding interview with the pastor friend who had agreed to marry us. I don’t think I’d ever seen him smile so brightly before that meeting.
This is supposed to be about books as well as precious memories, and I thought for a while about what story first I wanted to share. I think first kisses are so important in our lives as well as the lives of our characters. Especially with such disparate characters as Kendra, the innocent young woman just learning her magic, and Mykhael, far too experienced in seduction, who is discovering the soul he forgot he possessed, in My Killer My Love
***
![front-cover-my-killer-my-love-first-try[1]](https://monicastoner.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/front-cover-my-killer-my-love-first-try15.jpg)
…He continued to brush her face, her neck, her shoulder with the merest hint of his touch. Until, at last, she gave in
and let herself settle against his shoulder, trusting her weight to the powerful arm behind her back. Replete with sensations, she let her eyes edge open and her head loll back. Immediately, she felt his fingers encircle her neck, sliding around and tunneling into her hair to support her head.
His face lowered to hers, the glitter in his eyes like the heart of the finest emerald. For the first time in her life, Kendra felt the brush of a man’s warm breath against her skin. Where he had touched her with his fingers he now used his mouth, nibbling and tasting, as though savoring the feel of her against his lips.
Not so cautious now of the link between them, Kendra let herself feel just a bit more of what Mykhael felt. A flood of sensations overtook her mind, including a raging arousal that shocked her out of her complacent stupor. Before she could do more than think about pulling away, he’d dropped a screen over that sensation.
Resting his face against the base of her neck, he held her, sheltering her from the world and himself. After a moment of feeling the security of his arms around her, Kendra dared greatly and lifted her arms to slide them around his waist. The shudder that raced through his body shook her—and seemed to affect the clearing around them.
The branches of the trees swayed in a slight wind, always managing to shade them from the sun as it tracked across the sky. Offering and receiving comfort, he held her close, and she felt the harmony grow between them.”
***
A tender scene, which helped build the trust they needed to fight an ultimate evil that had invaded this sacred place. And this wonderful blog hop is about more firsts, from so many talented writers. You need to check them out.
Click Here For More Firsts
My Killer My Love is available through Amazon, Black Opal Books, my publisher, and anywhere you indulge your love of reading. One lucky commenter will receive their own digital copy. Enjoy the hop, and many thanks to Kayelle and Krystin for making this happen. If you want to join me on Memory Lane, here’s Roberta Flack,
Mona Karel Author 
It’s a beautiful song, and brings back memories for me, too. I already own ‘My Killer My Love’
LikeLike
Thanks! Next contest I’ll be delving through my masses of jewelry for more goodies
LikeLike
Ooh, looks like a Vampire novel to add to my fast growing TBR list. 🙂
Nice song.
bidelia78@yahoo.com
LikeLike
Thanks, but not a vampire. Not a shifter. Something new and different
LikeLike
Love that song, Mona. Thanks for the memory.
LikeLike
Gotta Love Ms. Flack and Ms. Karel. Great excerpt
LikeLike
Thanks! An entirely different sort of music from what we hear today, isn’t it
LikeLike
Love that song 🙂 I promise I will have it in my head for the rest of the day!
dreammie_angel at yahoo dot com
LikeLike
While looking for the best version of First time, I also found a fabulous Killing Me Softly with pictures I’d love to use on a book cover
LikeLike
Good post. I like the idea of your novel.
LikeLike
finally a book not about a vampire or wolf! 🙂 Would love to read it.
jennirv4967 at gmail dot com
LikeLike
I don’t mind a good vampire story from time to time but I really don’t get the charm…except for maybe Angela Knight’s and they’re not “normal” vampires. I’m working on the sequel, since one of the characters slapped me upside the head one evening to get my attention. Hmmm
LikeLike
Great mind truly do think alike, Mona. Yes–I used MS Flack’s rendition of the song on my blog hop as well. It was written in 1957 but languished in obscurity until Roberta sang it and made it her own. Written by a Scot for his lady *sigh*
Congrats on My Killer, My Love.
Warm regards,
Christine London
LikeLike
Thanks and yes the story behind “First Time” is every bit as lovely as the music.
LikeLike
Haunting music. Lovely post, Mona!
LikeLike
Just wanted to stop by and say great job everyone. You all have done MFRW so proud!
LikeLike
Thanks! It was a lot of fun to put together
LikeLike
Loved this excerpt! Thanks for the giveaway!
LikeLike
Mona, I think at least three of us on this hop immediately thought of Roberta Flack’s lilting lovely song and used it (I actually put it in a teaser post). I agree that first kisses are important for us as well as our characters–kinda wish more hoppers had told personal tales. Next time! M. S.
LikeLike
I couldn’t not share a memory for a blog hop about firsts. It was just a matter of which first…and the look on my husband-to-be’s face when I shared that memory was so very precious
LikeLike
Very nice excerpt.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
LikeLike
I love this scene – so tender, and the connection – seems like a buy to me!
Marie (Marlie Bridges)
LikeLike
Love the song and your memory. Thanks for sharing
Lynda
LikeLike
Great post! Beautiful memory! Thanks for sharing! And thanks for the awesome hop and giveaway!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
One of my all-time favorite songs, too, Mona. I enjoyed the visit, and apologize for being tardy.
LikeLike
I’ll be choosing a winner later today. Wanted to let you know, if you’re on Goodreads, My Killer My Love, is available for review If you’re not on Goodreads, it’s super easy to join http://www.goodreads.com/group/show_book/56181-the-knights-of-the-round-table?group_book_id=775255
LikeLike
And we have our winner, thanks to Random.org. Thanks to everyone who participated. Marie, I’ve sent you a private e-mail. Have a GREAT weekend everyone
LikeLike
Well, OOPS. Marie says to let the book go to a reader, since she’s a writer (as Marlie Bridges, gonna have to check her out) Back to the randomizer…and it looks like Celina K is next up. Celina, I’ll be sending you a private e-mail.
LikeLike