Lip Service by Adele Downs (Top 10 movie kiss list, excerpt, review and GIVEAWAY)

Adele Downs, the author of Lip Service shares her...

Top 10 Movie Kisses

The hottest movie kisses I’ve ever seen were between Jude Law and Nicole Kidman in Cold Mountain before he goes off to war. O.M.G.

Anything with Brad Pitt--especially Thelma and Louise, Legends of The Fall, Meet Joe Black, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Brad Pitt kisses Geena Davis, Julia Ormond, Claire Forlani, Angelina Jolie.

From Here to Eternity---Burt Lancaster and Debra Kerr

Crazy, Stupid, Love—Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone

The Notebook—Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams

Ghost—Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore

Titanic—Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet

Original Sin—Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie

Pretty Woman—Richard Gere and Julia Roberts

Casablanca—Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman

 

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BOOK INFORMATION


TITLE – Lip Service

AUTHOR – Adele Downs

GENRE – Contemporary Romance

PUBLICATION DATE – April 28, 2015

LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – Short Novel 40,550

PUBLISHER – Boroughs Publishing Group

 

Synopsis:
 
Some ghosts won’t take “yes” for an answer.

Jack Harris has loved Legs Anderson since they were kids. Now that he has her in his bed, he has no intention of letting her go. Aunt Ada has other ideas, even from the grave.

GETTING BETWEEN JACK…

Orphaned at a young age, Legs Anderson owes her Aunt Ada everything. The stoic old lady raised her, and Ada’s warnings about men—and the Harris boys in particular—have stuck, even after her death. Of course, that could be because Ada stuck around, too.

…AND HIS LEGS

Patience is not one of Jack Harris’s virtues, and he’s waited too long to start a life with the woman he’s loved since childhood instead of them just knocking boots. Now Ada is interfering from beyond the grave, haunting the old Victorian house she bequeathed to her niece and reinforcing Legs’s fears of commitment. But Jack won’t give up. No matter what trouble may follow, the house will be renovated, Ada will learn to let go, Legs will put her money where her mouth is…and then Jack’ll put his lips everywhere else.

EXCERPT

The roar of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Rachel’s block and the rev of a throttle in her driveway announced Jack’s arrival. Legs tried to appear nonchalant when he walked through the poolside gate, but the sight of his sun-streaked hair and tanned, muscular good looks nearly knocked her off her seat. She eased her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose to get a better look.

When he stepped into the pool area dressed in black jeans, black biker boots, and a white muscle shirt that framed his pumped-up shoulders and biceps, she caught her breath. Everyone in the group said “hey” and Rachel offered him a cold drink, but his focus had remained on her. He slid his sunglasses on top of his head and nodded in her direction.

Legs remembered his gaze meeting hers before his attention strayed to her gold and black bikini then savored every inch of her skin. An appreciative smirk curled his lips and desire flashed in his beautiful blue eyes. He took a long pull of the soft drink someone handed him and then set the can down on the patio table. He looked her way and said, “Want to go for a ride?” The invitation came out like a dare.

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE US – SMASHWORDS – GOODREADS – All Romance eBooks

AUTHOR BIO

Adele Downs writes contemporary romance novels, some with a touch of magic, 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 a past-president. She has written several articles for RWR magazine (Romance Writers Report) and has presented workshops for writers.

When Adele isn’t working on her current project, she can be found riding in her convertible or reading a book on the nearest beach.

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – PINTEREST – TUMBLR – GOODREADS – TSU Join Adele’s Facebook Street Team, The Convertible Crew

GIVEAWAY PRIZES

$10 Starbucks Gift Card $10 Amazon Gift Card 2 eCopies NATURALLY YOURS by Adele Downs 2 eCopies KISSING HER COWBOY by Adele Downs

(from ELF:  My apologies to those, who like me, don't use FB!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My review:

3.5 stars

Lip Service by Adele Downs is a sexy contemporary romance with paranormal elements that centers around Linda “Legs” Anderson and her complicated relationship with Jack Harris.  Despite a sizzling sexual connection, they can’t seem to deepen the relationship into anything more permanent, not only because of Legs’ fear of commitment but also because of her Aunt Ada’s opposition…that is continuing from beyond the grave.  Jack is going to have to use all of his considerable inventiveness to win the woman he has been in love with for most of his life, but even that may not be enough, because who can fight a determined ghost?

This is a quick read that has a great sense of small town life, some nice twists, lots of heat, and poignant moments. The characters frustrated me a bit because they continue to vacillate between following up on what they theoretically felt from the very beginning of their relationship and complying with other people’s wishes so I wasn’t convinced of their dedication to each other at first, and they don’t always behave in a manner that would be logical to me, but there are definitely spicy scenes to remind one that these two are on the same page when it comes to their intimate encounters (like bringing new meaning to idea of stenciling on one’s walls).  If you’re looking for a fast sexy read with an unusual antagonist throwing obstacles in the path of two lovers, this is the story for you.

A copy of the title was provided to me for my honest review

Kissing Her Cowboy by Adele Downs (spotlight, excerpt, review)

KISSING HER COWBOY by Adele Downs
A Lunchbox Romance Short Story
Only .99 from Boroughs Publishing!
Buy Link

A cowboy with a fractured back and a cop with a broken spirit heal on a Texas ranch with the help of a stallion named Big Blue.

Summary:
Treymont Woods is forced to take light duty work around Breezy Meadows Ranch after a rodeo accident. While Trey’s body heals, he offers riding lessons to Houston locals on the greatest horse that ever lived, Big Blue. When police officer Daisy Phillips arrives for her first session, sparks fly. But her invisible wounds run deep, making it hard for her to form connections. KISSING HER COWBOY is the story of two broken people who heal on the road to their happily ever after.


Excerpt:
“Oh, Lord.” Treymont Woods kicked up dust on his boots as he sauntered from the stables to the woman who just had to be his new riding student. Her flaming red hair swooshed from one side of her shoulders to the other as she watched his stallion, Big Blue, canter inside the corral. Her hands, knuckles white, clutched the fence and every muscle in her tall, slim figure looked tighter than rail posts. Before he could get to her, she pivoted toward the parking area, moving her feet like she was fixin’ to run.
“Hey there!” He called out as a distraction. By the time Trey reached the woman’s side, he could hear her breathing like she’d raced a Texas mile. Before he could introduce himself, she turned to him with wide green eyes and shouted, “He’s huge!” Pink splotches bloomed under the freckles on her pale skin.
She licked her bottom lip and shook her head. “No, no, no, no….” and started backing away. “I can’t do this. Keep my deposit. I’ll figure something else out.”
Trey lifted his hands in mock surrender. “Okay. No problem. You don’t have to ride if you don’t want to.”  Her jeans looked too tight for riding, anyway, and that white blouse would be smudged inside five minutes. Hadn’t the woman ever been to a ranch before? 
She stopped moving then and frowned at him, causing twin lines to form above her nose. Her adorable nose, now that he’d gotten a decent look. In fact, everything about the woman seemed downright appealing, despite her reaction to Big Blue. Who in their right mind wouldn’t love the greatest horse that ever lived, on sight?


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
Like Adele Downs on Facebook! 
Buy Link


Review:

3 3/4 out of 5 stars

“Kissing Her Cowboy” by Adele Downs is a contemporary romance short story that introduces a police officer, Daisy Phillips, who has moved to Houston looking for a new start.  Treymont Woods survived a serious rodeo accident and is rebuilding his life by teaching others to ride while he works on regaining his own ability to do so.  They each have formidable obstacles to overcome and may learn to help each other navigate them.

This is an entertaining but all too short story that whets one’s appetite for more.  The challenges that each of the pair must overcome requires that a traumatic experience must be put behind them and I think that is a bit glossed over but this is undoubtedly due to the strictures imposed by the length of the story.  This is a great beginning and hopefully will be expanded at some point.

A copy of this title was provided to me in exchange for an honest review

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
Like Adele Downs on Facebook!
Follow Adele Downs on Twitter!


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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.