Adele Downs's Blog, page 40

HOOK ME UP by Adele Downs, Coming Soon-INTO THE FLAMES Box Set!

HOOK ME UP by Adele Downs

Pre-order September 7, 2015!

Available September 29, 2015!

A contemporary firefighter romance novella inside the INTO THE FLAMES multi-author box set anthology. Eight sizzling novellas from eight New York Times, USA Today, best-selling and award-winning authors.

Introductory price of only .99!

INTO THE FLAMES box set cover reveal coming soon!

Pre-order your copy of INTO THE FLAMES September 7, 2015 on Amazon, iTunes, All Romance eBooks, or Kobo and receive HOOK ME UP plus seven other scintillating firefighter romance stories for only .99/

Available September 29, 2015 at Amazon, iTunes, All Romance eBooks, Kobo, B&N, D2D.

More firefighter titles by Adele Downs:

   

Buy books by Adele Downs on Amazon!

Filed under: .99 Kindle Book, .99 Novella, Anthology, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Firefighters, First Responders, Kindle Book, New Release, Romance, Romance Fiction, Romance Novella, Romantic Fiction Tagged: .99 box set anthology, award-winning authors, hot stories about firefighters, multi-author book bundle, new firefighter novella by Adele Downs, romantic stories about firefighters

Author Terri Brisbin Visits Ireland–Photos and Travelogue @SignetEclipse @DiscoverIreland

Please welcome my author friend Terri Brisbin to Down To Earth Romance. I invited Terri to tell us about her recent trip to Ireland because she researched her exciting new series in a place I’ve always wanted to visit. I’ve been told by others who have been to the Emerald Isle that, in addition to living in a beautiful country, the Irish are the friendliest people in the world. I hope you enjoy Terri’s travelogue and will leave a comment for her.

Best–Adele Downs

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‘Twill Do Ye No Good!  Or My Trip to Ireland with Writers

by Terri Brisbin

The title of this blog post refers to the scene in THE QUIET MAN when someone asks for directions and the resulting confusion and humor.

I was lucky enough to get the chance to travel to Ireland this past May and even luckier to go with some wonderful writers. Eileen had been there before and she was our leader and main driver. I served as backup driver and navigator. Laurie was the keymaster because they use actual keys for hotel rooms and cars there and she kept them safe for us! And Loralee was our scribe, taking notes and adding commentary through the trip.

And it was grand! Brilliant! Lovely! (those three words are the Irish triumvirate!) We began calling it the 50-shades-of-green tour because we did see more shades of the color green than I’d ever thought possible. Around every turn a new vista spread before us and we drove through hills and mountains, along the sea and lakes and through farmland.  We met up in Dublin and spent some time there before renting a car and going off on the real adventure.

I had two purposes for the trip—the main one was researching. The last book in my Novels of the Stone Circles series takes place in Ireland and I needed to visit some possible locations to see if it would all work the way I wanted it to. So, I headed over early and sought out the Neolithic sites on the northwest coast – Knocknarea and the Megalithic cemetery and stones of Carrowmore.  These are ancient and magical places, built centuries ago for some purposes that remain lost in time. Knocknarea is the site of Maeve’s cairn where the powerful queen in the Irish mythology is believed to be buried…or honored. Though I could not make the climb to the cairn, I spent time scouring the landscape of Carrowmore. It’s amazing how all the tombs and cairns and stones align at certain times of the year.

The other magical place for me was the Drombeg stone circle on the southeast coast. It is where the final battle between good and evil will happen in my story and I was physically affected when I approached it. I could not breathe. I could not go near it. Until I walked around the circle several times, I felt a barrier keeping me out. Then, when I could at last enter, I could not stop from crying. Strange? Oh yes, but there was something there, something more, something different and ancient there. It is a place of great power.

Dublin was great—I visited Trinity College and saw the Book of Kells. Since I’d visited Iona where the book is believed to have been created before, it was great to see where it ended its journey. Dublinia – the Viking center of Dublin – was an interesting place and we did get into trouble there…not the first nor the last time during the trip!

And lost!

We got lost every single time we got into the car (well, with a very few exceptions to that!). No part of our journey around Ireland did not include backtracking and missing signs and turns. And that was in spite of a GPS, a half-dozen ordinance-style maps and iPhones with maps! I now believe that maps and guidebooks are just part of the infamous Irish storytelling! Seriously, maps included roads that either a) do not exist, or b) are no longer there! And though US roads that are odd numbered generally go north-south and even numbered ones go east-west, Irish roads circle around several times and end whenever they want and disappear when they decide to!

Of course, the best part of getting lost is asking for directions and that’s the part of the trip that really showed the Irish people’s gift of storytelling. I have never laughed so much in my life as the times during the trip that involved asking directions – my favorite happened while I was there alone and in Ennis. I stopped there to pick up some basic supplies for my solo part of the trip and got completely lost. So, I asked an older couple how to get to the road to the Cliffs of Moher.  Honestly, I struggled not to laugh when the husband got to the part –“this road ends in a T-intersection, do you know what that is? Grand! So you go to the T, but make sure to take the left turn before you reach the T…”  No, really, those were the directions! Then his wife stepped in and said he’d gotten it all wrong and told me another completely different way to go. Lost, I tell you. Lost!

Our trip ended on the Dingle peninsula where we rented a ‘cottage’ just yards away from the westernmost spot in Ireland and Europe for a week—and that was the second purpose of the trip—writing. We’d planned a week of writing there but with so much history around us we didn’t stay put. The highlight of the week was the chance to meet with Isabel Bennett, a leading archeologist of the Dingle area! It happened through serendipity – a chat in a bar with someone and a suggestion that if I was interested in standing stones, she was the woman to talk to.  The others, writers through and through, came along and we all had questions for Ms. Bennett and she answered them – and gave us directions to the Arda Mór standing stones! You can guess how that all went? LOL – lost, but in the highest places around Dingle with lots of cows and with spectacular views.

So, Ireland was magical and mystical and green! The people were wonderful and friendly and the places beautiful and breathtaking. I found lots of inspiration for my current and future projects and made 2 new friends. And I laughed more than I think I ever have. Grand! Brilliant! If you get the chance to go, do it! For whatever reason, go! You will not regret it ever….and make sure you have lots of batteries for your cameras…you’ll need them!

Terri Brisbin is the author of more than 35 historical, paranormal and fantasy romances and her next release- RAGING SEA – will hit the shelves on October 6, 2015.

Visit her website – www.terribrisbin.com – for lots of info about her, her books, events and more.

“Like” her on FB – www.facebook.com/terribrisbinauthor  or be her friend at www.facebook.com/terribrisbin.

Filed under: Fantasy Romance, Fiction, For Writers, Kindle Book, New Release, Norse mythology, Original Photography, Paranormal Romance, Photography, Romance, Romance Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Seasons of the Year, Travel Tagged: author travels to Ireland, blog post about an author's recent trip to Ireland, from the USA to Ireland, research Ireland

Lady Jane’s Salon Philly, Sept.10! Join Us! @LadyJanesPhilly

Join Us!

September 10, 2015

7 PM- 9 PM

Main Point Books, Bryn Mawr, PA

Bring a friend and enjoy an evening of romance with four best-selling authors as they read excerpts from their new releases. Light refreshments will be served and signed books will be available for sale. Price of admission to Lady Jane’s is a $5 donation to benefit the Philadelphia Center for Literacy, Inc. or a gently used book. We hope to see you at Lady Jane’s Salon Philadelphia!

Participating Romance Authors:

Mariah Stewart

Adele Downs

Judi Fennell

Susan Scott Shelley

Adele Downs will read from her new release LIP SERVICE.

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Filed under: Book Lovers Event, Contemporary Romance, For Writers, Independent Bookstore, Places in Pennsylvania, Romance Fiction, Romantic Fiction Tagged: an evening at an independent bookstore, evening of contemporary romance, excerpts of new releases, main line philadelphia

Henry David Thoreau Cabin in The Woods @TylerArboretum

My husband and I spent a beautiful summer day at the Tyler Arboretum in Media, Pennsylvania, and during our walk along the trails, came upon this cabin hidden in the woods.

The arboretum staff recreated an exact replica of American poet Henry David Thoreau‘s tiny home beside Walden Pond in Massachusetts.

Thoreau lived simply for two years and two months (1845-1847) in the one-room cabin he built himself, to write without distractions, on land owned by his good friend Ralph Waldo Emerson. If you look closely at the bottom right of this photo you’ll notice a spot of blue–the pond behind the cabin.

One room with a fireplace, a bench to sit on, and a loft above him to sleep. This single room was re-recreated in the exact dimensions and style of the original home on Walden Pond. I imagine there was a table inside too, but little room for anything else. When I took this photo, I was standing inside the open doorway.

Sleeping loft after a day of writing.

I think all writers look for a sanctuary in which to write. Though my romance novels couldn’t be more different from the writings of Thoreau, I felt a connection to his cabin and its surroundings because I understood his need for solitude. The cabin in the woods at Walden Pond was the highlight of my visit to the Tyler Arboretum and a place I’ll always remember.

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Thoreau wrote:

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Filed under: Craft of Writing, Historical Sites in Pennsylvania, Museums, Original Photography, Places in Pennsylvania, Places to Visit in the USA, Tools for Writers Tagged: a cabin in the woods, a quiet place to write, On Walden Pond, writer's retreat

Book Bingo in Delaware with Author Lisa Unger @lisaunger

 

(Pictured from top left: Lisa Unger with her newest release, Adele Downs and Lisa Unger, the book bingo game card, Hockessin Book Shelf, Lynn Kellan being her usual fun self, and Lynn posing with Lisa’s husband.)

My good friend, author Lynn Kellan, and I spent a totally fun book nerd night at the Hockessin Book Shelf in Hockessin, Delaware, for an evening with my favorite thriller writer, NYT best-selling author Lisa Unger. We were there to buy her new release CRAZY LOVE YOU in special edition paperback, and play book bingo. Only book lovers can appreciate a competition in which the well-read answer trivia questions about books in order to win prizes of more books (I won two games!) and Hershey’s kisses act as game pieces.

As a romance author, I spend most of my time writing stories and posting to social media. At night before bed I relax with a book. There’s a special joy in reading that has never waned for me, and spending an evening as a reader, enjoying a total fan girl experience with an author I admire, reinforced why books have been such an important part of my life. For a few hours I was able to relax and have book related fun for the simple pleasure of the experience.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Dining in New York after the Workshops #RWA15

Socializing after all-day workshops highlighted my experience at the Romance Writers of America 2015 conference.

Boroughs Publishing Group authors pictured clockwise at Becco on 46th street’s famous restaurant row, left to right: Paula Millhouse, Adele Downs, Christine Ashworth, Alanna Lucas, Jane Lynne Daniels, and Lyn Austin.

Multo bene!

We had the best table in Becco–which included a skylight view. Mouth-watering traditional Italian cuisine and great company created the perfect evening after a long day of meetings, learning, and networking.

Dinner on the rooftop of Lattanzi Ristorante Italiano on New York’s famous 46th street restaurant row was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I’ll never forget. The open air level was decorated with flowers and lit with candles and each table was accented with tapers. The Jewish-Italian style food was unique and delicious, and the service impeccable. I ♥ New York.

Boroughs Publishing Group authors pictured clockwise, left to right: Teresa Carpenter, Nancy Sartor, Marilyn Baxter, Adele Downs.

The rooftop was reserved just for Boroughs authors. Who could forget rooftop dining in the heart of Manhattan? Not me. Ever.

See you soon New York, I hope. Until then, I’ll be in my office, writing.

Best–Adele

Filed under: Food and Fun, Places to Visit in the USA, Romance, Romance Fiction, Romance Writers of America, Writers' Conference Tagged: after the #RWA15 workshops, authors dining out, fine dining in New York, Italian restaurants on 46th street, Manhattan's restaurant row, New York at night

Every woman needs a man that… #RWA15

Returned from the RWA (Romance Writers of America) national conference in New York City both energized and zombie-like. It’s a strange sensation to be simultaneously exhausted but raring to go.

This is my favorite conference souvenir. My publisher got this exactly right, wouldn’t you agree?

During off hours, author friends from my publishing house and I walked around Times Square and watched the street performers. For a price, visitors could gather around break dancers, or have their pictures taken with costumed cartoon characters and actors dressed as the Statue of Liberty. A production company was filming a music video and the crowd was invited to sit in a section of bleachers and act as extras. We watched actors in tuxedos complete a scene for the film.

The most interesting photo-op for hire was the naked young woman wearing only a thong, painted head to toe in red, white and blue in front, and I ♥ New York on her butt cheeks. I couldn’t help but wonder how much money she made a night. Her so-called boyfriend tried to persuade me to take a picture with her, but I declined. I wanted to cover her with my cardigan and call her mother, instead.

More mainstream performers pitched Broadway shows in places like the Marriott Marquis on 46th and Broadway, where Romance Writers of America held their conference. These women danced and posed in the hotel lobby to promote the musical, “Chicago.”

I might be a country girl from rural Pennsylvania, but I love visiting New York.

More soon about my trip to the RWA national conference.

Best–Adele

Filed under: Romance Writers of America, Romantic Fiction, Writers' Conference Tagged: nighttime in Times Square

On My Way: New York City, RWA 2015 Conference #RWA15

This country girl is on her way to New York by train for the annual conference of Romance Writers of America. Though I love living in rural Pennsylvania, I enjoy my trips to Manhattan. I’ll share photos and news about the 35th Anniversary conference when I return.

In addition to the writing workshops, there are fun networking events on my conference schedule. A group of Boroughs Publishing authors have reservations for dinner at Becco, a restaurant owned by renowned Italian chef Lidia Bastianich (Lidia’s Italy on PBS) and her son. I love Becco and can hardly wait for my return visit. The food comes straight from heaven. The next time you’re in New York, be sure to put Becco on your must-try list. It’s a short walk to the restaurant from Times Square.

Other conference events include an invitation-only meet and greet hosted by Entangled Publishing, a Boroughs Publishing Group author mixer, a Boroughs Publishing Group Open House, and a private Boroughs author dinner. (Management has kept the restaurant name a secret. Can’t wait to find out where they’re taking us.) A couple of meetings will cap the trip and then I’ll take Amtrak home.

I’ll be back with news of a hot September 15 release! (Hint: Ready for more firefighters?)

Best–Adele

Filed under: Romance Fiction, Romance Writers of America, Romantic Fiction, Writers' Conference Tagged: annual Romance Writers of America conference, networking at the RWA conference, writer's workshops

Christmas in July-Hot Cowboys and Firemen!

Celebrating Christmas in July with fireman Jamey Tucker and cowboy Treymont Woods!

Sweet but sassy short story reads to beat the heat and keep your Christmas spirit burning all year.

Buy your copies of SANTA TO THE RESCUE and HER CHRISTMAS COWBOY for only .99 each!

SANTA TO THE RESCUE. Only .99!

Reader’s Choice Award Winner at Loves Romance Café. Best Man in Uniform.

HER CHRISTMAS COWBOY. Only .99!

The standalone sequel to KISSING HER COWBOY.

An Amazon Top 100 Western, Western Romance, Short Romance.

KISSING HER COWBOY. Only .99!

An Amazon Top 100 Western, Western Romance, Short Romance.

Merry Christmas in July!

Filed under: .99 Kindle Book, .99 Novella, .99 short story, Amazon Top 100 Best-Seller, Christmas Book, Christmas in July, Christmas Novella, Contemporary Romance, Cowboys, Fiction, Firefighters, Kindle Book, Lasting Love, Romance, Romance Fiction, Romance Novella, Romantic Fiction, Seasons of the Year, Western Novels, Western Romance Tagged: .99 short Christmas reads, Award-winning short Christmas stories, hot cowboys, hot firemen, What could be hotter than Christmas in July?

LIP SERVICE by Adele Downs, Blog Tour Contest Winners!

Congratulations to the prize winners of Adele Downs’ LIP SERVICE blog tour hosted by Bewitching Book Tours. We had over 2,500 Rafflecopter entries for the contest and appreciate your support. Thank you!

Each winner will receive an email regarding prize distribution.

If you haven’t picked up your copy of LIP SERVICE by Adele Downs, what are you waiting for?

Here are the prize winners:

$10 Amazon Gift Card

Serena S

Linen tea towel with a saying meant especially for readers.

Anne

(2) ecopies of Kissing Her Cowboy

KISSING HER COWBOY

An Amazon Top 100 Western, Western Romance, and Short Romance.

Winners are:

Dan D

Salena HS

(2) ecopies of Naturally Yours

NATURALLY YOURS is a 2015 Award of Excellence finalist.

Winners are:

Marissa

Jolanda L

Filed under: Contemporary Romance, Contest, Paranormal Romance, Prizes, Romance Fiction, Romantic Fiction Tagged: Bewitching Book Tours, Contest Results, Lip Service Blog Tour, Lip Service by Adele Downs