Santa to the Rescue (Recipe, excerpt, review and Contest!)

                                     


SANTA SAVES CHRISTMAS!

SANTA TO THE RESCUE
  by Adele Downs
  New Release!



Jamey Tucker and Heather Longhurst, the hero and heroine of SANTA TO THE RESCUE, baked Mexican Cinnamon Cookies for a Christmas party hosted by one of Heather's co-workers; another pediatric nurse at County Hospital. Heather wanted to prove to Jamey that chocolate chip cookies aren’t the only cookies worth serving at Christmastime! She hopes you agree these cinnamon cookies are a delicious addition to your holiday table. Enjoy!


Here’s the recipe, courtesy of Sauza® Tequila. Posted with permission.

Mexican Cinnamon Cookies: (Photo via Flickr: Missy Corley)

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
 1 large egg
 1 tsp. vanilla
 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
 1 1/2 tsps. Mexican Cinnamon
 1 tsp. baking powder
 1/4 tsp. salt
 Cinnamon Sugar (1/2 cup sugar + 2 tsp. cinnamon)

To Make:

In a large mixing bowl, cream together sugar and butter; beat in egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and blend well. Cover the dough and refrigerate about an hour, or until firm enough to roll into balls. When you are ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Shape the dough into small balls just less than an inch in size. Roll in cinnamon and sugar mix to coat. Set cookies 1 inch apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake until edges are lightly browned, about 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly on the pan and then remove to rack to cool completely.

For more Sauza® Tequila recipes, visit http://us.sauzatequila.com/


       


SANTA TO THE RESCUE
by Adele Downs

A sweet firefighter contemporary romance novella
New Release! From Entangled Publishing

Summary:

Firefighter Jamey Tucker knows three things in life to be true: An honorable man doesn't go back on his word, never hurts a woman, and lasting love isn't a myth. But with his recent move to a new job at the Appleton Fire station, the long hours don't offer hope of finding the love he’s looking for.

When Jamey meets beautiful pediatric nurse Heather Longhurst after hearing her sing Santa Baby in a supermarket aisle, he offers her a promise he discovers he can't keep. Heather has been betrayed by men in the past, making it hard for Jamey to gain her trust. Determined to find a way to win her heart, Jamey uses firefighter engine-uity and Heather's favorite song to prove he's got Christmas spirit she can believe in all year.

What a bargain!  Only .99!
Santa to the Rescue (Amazon link)
 
Only .99! B&N Nook Buy Link:

Excerpt:

     She laughed out loud this time, and the sound of her voice rang through the air, pure and clear. He could listen to that voice for hours. “These are for my kids at the hospital. I’m an R.N. at County. We’re decorating the pediatric ward. And spoiling the children too, a bit. I’m baking cookies for our holiday party on Saturday.”
     She held out her hand for a handshake. “I’m Heather Longhurst.”
     Jamey introduced himself and took her hand. He told her what he did and where he worked. Her skin felt soft against his palm, though her grasp conveyed confidence and strength.
     He cocked his chin. “What kind of cookies?”
     “Chocolate chip, of course. Is there any other kind?”
     Jamey shook his head. He could almost taste melted dark chocolate and smell the aromas of fresh baked flour, eggs and sugar filling her kitchen. His mouth watered. He hoped she couldn’t hear his stomach rumble. He hadn’t eaten in over fourteen hours.     “No ma’am.”
     Heather returned a lopsided grin. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
     “Southern Indiana, born and raised.”
     She moved out of the way of an elderly couple trying to pass with their half-filled shopping cart. Jamey moved too and they strolled together toward the exit. “I’ll make a plate of cookies for you, if you stop by the hospital to pick it up,” she said.
     Jamey smiled at her, his heart lifting at the turnaround in his day. “That’s the best offer I’ve had since I moved to Appleton.”
     “You’re new in town?”
     “Been here almost three months.”
     “Glad to meet you, Jamey Tucker. See you about one o’clock?”
     “I’ll be there. Count on it.”
     “I will.” She smiled back and their gazes locked. His mood soared with the realization she was flirting with him. The day had definitely taken a turn for the better.


My review:

This contemporary romance is a delicious quick read that combines a hot fireman, new to town and learning to be part of the team, and the cute nurse who captures his eye with her good looks and his heart with her sweet nature.  I love the way the goodwill of the season is conjured up even as we get a glimpse of the lifestyle and challenges faced by our brave firefighters and the reminder that even small acts can have a positive benefit on those around us.  A sweet story that hopefully will be an appetizer for an even longer tale involving these characters and a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

About Adele Downs:

Adele Downs writes contemporary romance inside the office of her rural Pennsylvania home. She is a former journalist, published in newspapers and magazines inside the USA, UK, and Caribbean.

Adele is an active member of Romance Writers of America and her local RWA chapter where she serves as past-president. She has written several articles for RWR magazine (Romance Writers Report), the trade journal of Romance Writers of America, and has presented workshops for writers. When she isn’t working on her current project, she can be found riding in her convertible or reading a book on the nearest beach.

Visit Adele Downs at her website
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--CONTEST ALERT! --

Leave a comment for author Adele Downs about your favorite Christmas treat to eat along with a valid e-mail address and be automatically entered to win a firefighter themed Christmas ornament for the holidays. USA and Canada mailing addresses please.

Follow Adele’s blog tour for multiple chances to win.

Weekly winners announced on Adele’s blog Saturdays through December.