Welcome back to my First Kiss Friday blog. Today I have my dear friend and returning guest author Rue Allyn who has another excerpt from her upcoming release Cursed. Take it away Rue!
The First, First Kiss in Cursed
Several weeks ago, on Jan. 29, 2026, on this blog, I shared with you the first kiss between Cursed’s hero, Lucien Flynn, and the heroine, Grace Thibodaux. Being a story about curses and perhaps reincarnation I feel I must explain that before Luc and Grace ever met there as another first kiss. That kiss, described below, was shared by Lucien and the woman he loved—before he was cursed—Grainne Tirlan. The kiss, told from Grainne’s point of view, is bittersweet because it happens just after Grainne tells Luc she cannot marry him but must marry another man in order to help her family.
Excerpt:
“You would sacrifice our love for ease and comfort?” His handsome face was wrought with pain.
Anger rushed to the fore. “How dare you accuse me of such.” Her hands fisted, and she stomped her foot. “I sacrifice nothing, save myself. I love you, now. I always will. You’ll carry my heart forever more. However, I must take care of my family. They gave me life. They gave me time, and the ability to know true love with you.” Her chin lifted. “I owe them, and ’tis time to pay my debt.”
“You break my heart, Grainne, and I give you every shattered piece, save the one I need to stay alive. Perhaps someday you’ll find a use for those pieces. Now I’ll say farewell. I’ll leave Ireland. You’ll not see me again.”
She wiped away her tears. “Then kiss me one time for memory’s sake.”
“Aye for memory’s sake.”
Luc took her in his arms, caressed her cheek. “Don’t cry, my darling love. I understand, even though it costs me more than you can imagine.”
She pressed her lips to his and opened when his tongue touched the seam. She submerged herself in the sweet passion he offered. Too soon he stepped back, releasing her. He bowed, turned, then walked away. Grainne watched her heart disappear down the path around the hills that led to the grand house where he and his mother lived. Then she made her way home and told her parents to accept the squire’s proposal.
Cursed: A Cosair’s Tale
By Rue Allyn
Releases March 26, 2026
He’s been cursed to remain a specter until he earns the love of a heartless woman. Is she the one?
Privateer or pirate? Lucien Flynn never makes promises to any woman. Then a scorned lover curses him to live the life of a specter. Decades pass, and Luc abandons love. When he meets a woman he cannot resist, a woman with too much heart, he knows he may never be set free. Can he avoid loving her, or will he give her his heart and be cursed forever?
Grace Thibodaux is a woman driven to escape her own demons. Hurt beyond hope of healing, she protects her tender heart, refusing to allow anyone, man or woman, close. However, she can’t escape the man who haunts her dreams and her life. Is he as cursed as he claims, or is she simply falling for another, heart-breaking rogue?
Buy Links:
E-book: Available for pre-order now for the sale price of $2.99 at Amazon–https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G54FPMRY
And Books2Read–https://books2read.com/u/bwpVMO
Price increases March 23, 2026
Print edition: Available Now
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GBBV71HB
About Rue Allyn:
Award winning romance author, Rue Allyn has a life long passion for happy ever after. She lives south of the border with her husband of more than forty years and their cat, Tanto. She has two sons and is a proud veteran of the US Navy. She writes heart melting romance in all sub-genres, but her favorite is historical romance, especially medieval. Subscribe to Rue’s News where you may learn more about Rue and receive a FREE download. https://www.rueallyn.com/subscriber-entered-from-online-profile/
Join Rue’s Daring Damsels
Rue’s facebook group is called Rue Allyn’s Daring Damsels. We gather to party, chat, and spread the word far and wide about great books, mine and other authors. Active members can have a lot of fun, reap rewards and gain prizes, all for free (and a little bit of your FB time). Here’s the link toRue Allyn’s Daring Damsels. She can’t wait to meet you.
Other places to find Rue Allyn:
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rue-allyn
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rue-Allyn/author/B00AUBF3NI