Adele Downs's Blog, page 33
March 30, 2016
Mornings By The Bay: Living To 100
The woman who sold her beach house to Steve and me is 100 years old. Although her age is remarkable, even more impressive is that she lived alone until the day we made settlement, took daily walks around our bay community, and grew all her own vegetables in her backyard garden. She painted the kitchen and powder room at age 99, did all her own laundry and cooking, mowed her own lawn, and raked her own leaves. At 100, she finally decided to retire to an assisted living community, and my husband and I were lucky enough to cross her path when that decision was made.
We asked to what she attributed her long life and astonishing good health, and her answer was not surprising. She exercised every day, ate only organic foods, and cooked and consumed the vegetables she grew herself. “You can’t trust what’s in the food these days,” she said simply, and we believed her. Little did she know she’d sold her house to other organics foodies. It must be kismet.
Spring is greening the grass and the daffodils have bloomed around our modest beach home. The vegetable garden behind our little house is almost ready for planting. We can hardly wait to see what grows there. Like the home’s previous owner, we intend to grow organic vegetables, take long walks around the bay, and enjoy our days in the sun. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll live to be 100 too.
Photo copyright Adele Downs 2016
Filed under: Beach Life, Exercise and Wellness, Family and Home, Organic Foods and Cooking, Original Photography, Photography Tagged: living to be 100, retirement at the beach, wellness at the beach








March 28, 2016
HOOK ME UP – Another Great Review
Readers say they love my sweet but sexy firefighter romance HOOK ME UP.
The novella received another wonderful review; this one from Nina’s Literary Escape. Book blogger Nina said HOOK ME UP is “perfectly paced and each scene flowed seamlessly into the other.” The story “will satisfy any reader.”
Do you have your copy yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Only .99!
Firemen don’t free cats from trees anymore—until a pretty schoolteacher gets trapped on a limb with her kitten and the county’s hottest firefighter comes to their rescue.
Praise for Hook Me Up:
“Hook Me Up by Adele Downs warmed my heart. Being a cat lover lol I couldn’t pass up the chance to read about the ‘damsel in distress with her kitten’ to be rescued by the hottest fireman in the city. How can you go wrong with kitties and a handsome hero?”
5 Stars! ~ Ravannah Rayne
“I was hooked from the start. There was *hand over mouth ‘O’ my gawd I would be so embarrassed, to grabbing tissues, to laughing out loud in this book. If you’re looking for sex scenes and erotica you aren’t going to find that anywhere in this book. But the author has done such a phenomenal job building the chemistry between Knox and Lexi you don’t need it. The story is excellent without it. You will need your own fire hydrant to put out the flames that Knox and Lexi create in this story.” 5 Stars! ~My Family’s Heart Reviews
“Hook Me Up – This story had a little bit of everything I look for when I’m reading a story. Good pacing, some humor and a hot hero. Knox is a complex man. He had a lot of depth and it was nice to see that he wasn’t perfect. His flaws and his issues made him more real, which I appreciated. And even though the way they met was very unconventional, the pair make it work. A sweet story with a satisfying ending. I’ll definitely be checking out what else Adele Downs has to offer.” 5 Stars! ~Z Shaw
“This book is marvelous, it cracked me up at the very first page…This is truly a sweet, touching and funny romance! If I could give it more than five stars I would! It is a must must read book!” 5 Stars! ~ Roxie’s Reviews
“Adele Downs writes with wit and emotion. Her characters are always lovable and HOT! She makes you want more.” 5 Stars! ~Will Work For Books
“Hook Me Up (Adele Downs) is a really quick story – it starts off with our heroine stuck in a tree! Of course, the sexy firefighter arrives to save the day! I loved the chemistry between these two – and the whole story just made me smile.” 4.5 Stars! ~ Cat’s Reviews
Buy The Book on Amazon! Only .99!
Also available wherever ebooks are sold.
Filed under: .99 Kindle Book, .99 Novella, Firefighters, First Responders, Kindle Book, Romance Fiction, Romance Novella, Romantic Fiction Tagged: .99 Kindle story, .99 Novella, contemporary romance, new firefighter novella by Adele Downs, similar to Chicago Fire








March 25, 2016
Butterfly Landing by Adele Downs #Foto_Friday
Photo copyright Adele Downs
Filed under: Foto_Friday, Original Photography, Photography, Places in Pennsylvania, Places to Visit in the USA, Seasons of the Year Tagged: Adele Downs original photographs








New Day by Adele Downs #Foto_Friday
Photo copyright Adele Downs 2016
Filed under: Foto_Friday, Original Photography, Photography, Places in Pennsylvania Tagged: Adele Downs original photographs








March 21, 2016
Beach House Dream Come True
My husband and I finally did it. After years of dreaming, hoping, saving, and keeping our fingers crossed for just the right deal in the beach community we wanted, we found our piece of heaven. We made settlement on our second home at a Delaware beach, my favorite place in the world.
I’m still pinching myself.
We thought we’d need the Property Brothers to help us find a fixer-upper vacation spot, but found a cream puff in our price range, instead. Fresh paint and new siding will make our dream home look like new. We’ve been picking out colors and moving furniture. By summer, we’ll be ready.
I just pinched myself again.
My plans for the upcoming months include working on my next novel in my Florida room. I’ll read books on the beach or by the pool, or surf fish with my husband. My camera will go with me everywhere, and I’ll get the regular exercise I need. I can almost smell the ocean breezes as I write this, imagining walking along the boardwalk with the other early morning walkers and joggers.
Wish me well, and please be happy for me, because a lifetime of saving and planning has finally come to fruition.
Never give up your dreams, dear readers. Keep working toward your goals, whatever they might be. I finally found the right opportunity, and a place to enjoy the rest of my life.
Best~ Adele
Filed under: Beach Life, Beach Photographs, Environment, Exercise and Wellness, Original Photography, Photography, Seasons of the Year, Travel Tagged: delaware beaches, summertime on the eastern shore, Vacation home at the beach








March 18, 2016
Crying Bird by Adele Downs #Foto_Friday
Photo copyright Adele Downs
Filed under: Foto_Friday, Original Photography, Photography, Places in Pennsylvania, Places to Visit in the USA, Seasons of the Year Tagged: Adele Downs original photographs








March 17, 2016
My Lucky Shamrock
Do you believe that shamrocks bring good luck? According to legend, they do, especially if found accidentally. A genuine four leaf clover comes from the white clover plant, with one leaf growing smaller than the others. The leaves represent faith, hope, love, and luck.
I found this four-leaf clover by chance on my lawn many years ago, and have kept it sealed in plastic and stored inside a book since then. Its color has faded, but I do feel lucky to have found something in nature that’s truly rare. Only one in 10,000 clover grow four leaves.
Wishing you the luck of the Irish and a happy St. Patrick’s day!
Filed under: Flowers and Gardens Tagged: luck of the irish, St. Patrick's Day shamrock








March 15, 2016
HER IMMORTAL VIKING Gets More Great Reviews
For authors, great reviews are like fuel to an engine. I’m thankful to have received two wonderful new reviews for HER IMMORTAL VIKING, a fun fantasy romance novella based on Norse mythology, that was a joy to write. Many thanks to The Geek Girl Project and Cat’s Meow Reviews for asking to read my story. The links to their reviews are posted below.
Buy HER IMMORTAL VIKING on Amazon!
Filed under: Amazon Top 100 Best-Seller, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy Romance, Kindle Book, Norse mythology, Romance Fiction, Romance Novella, Romantic Fiction Tagged: Fantasy Contemporary Romance, Her Immortal Viking by Adele Downs, hot Viking, Viking romance








March 11, 2016
Yellow Orchids by Adele Downs #Foto_Friday
Photo copyright Adele Downs 2016
Filed under: Foto_Friday, Original Photography, Photography, Places in Pennsylvania Tagged: Adele Downs original photographs








March 8, 2016
Aspiring or Published Romance Authors-The Sheila Contest Opening for Entries
Are you an aspiring romance author or a published author who’d like feedback on a new manuscript? The Sheila Contest, hosted by Valley Forge Romance Writers, can help.
On the path to publication of my novel LUXURY MODEL WIFE, releasing May 2016, I entered The Sheila Contest with an early draft of the manuscript under a different title, and finaled in the competition. Though I was happy to have scored high enough to make the cut and win a finalist badge, I didn’t win my category, or even take one of the top three spots.
Fueled by the desire to make my book a winner, I took the feedback I received from the judges to heart and revised the entire manuscript. After revisions, I polished the book again. And again. And again. I changed the title to LUXURY MODEL WIFE, and when I thought the manuscript was ready, pitched the rags to riches story to my publisher. Within a week I received an email with the magic words “love the book” and a contract arrived soon after.
If you’d like feedback on a work in progress or the opening of a completed novel, The Sheila Contest opens for entries March 13. You do not have to be a member of Romance Writers of America to enter.
The Sheila Contest 2016
Sponsor: Valley Forge Romance Writers
Fee: $25 for VFRW members, $30 for non-members
Opens for Entries: March 13, 2016
Deadline: April 16, 2016
Eligibility: Participation is open to all romance writers who are unpublished, self-published, and published. Entry must be the author’s original unpublished work and not under contract.
Entry: First 20 pages of manuscript and up to 5 page unjudged synopsis.(25 page total)
First Round Judges: Three (3) qualified, trained judges, including: General, PRO and PAN members.
Categories and Final Judges:
Single Title: Junessa Viloria, Penguin Random House
Historical: Stephany Evans, Fine Print Literary Management
Erotic: Sara Megibow, KT Literary
Romantic Suspense: Alicia Condon, Kensington Publishing
Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal: Nicole Resciniti, The Seymour Agency.
Best of the Best – 1st place winners from the final round will move on to the Best of the Best round, judged by Best Selling Authors and Booksellers:
Madeline Hunter – New York Times & USA Today Best Selling Author
Mariah Stewart – New York Times & USA Today Best Selling Author
Terri Brisbin – USA Today Best Selling Author
Joan Silvestro – Indie Bookseller, Hamilton Book Trader
Heather Soligo – Traditional Bookseller, Barnes & Noble, Christiana Mall
Grand Prize for Best of the Best: $100
Top Prizes: Certificates, and the 1st through 4th place winners will be printed in RWR Magazine. (Romance Writers Report is the trade magazine of Romance Writers of America.)
For more information please visit our website: http://www.vfrw.com
Filed under: Book Lovers Event, Contest, Craft of Writing, For Writers, Romance Fiction, Romance Writers of America, Romantic Fiction, Tools for Writers, Valley Forge Romance Writers, Writing Competition, Writing Contest Tagged: feedback for your romance novel from the pros.







