Down to Earth Romance

Posts tagged ‘novella about an Iraq war veteran’

The Most Delicious Banana Bread You’ll Ever Bake

Amanda’s Homemade Banana Bread (Recipe borrowed from her neighbor, Adele Downs)

Amanda Greer is a master chef and the heroine of my award-winning novella NATURALLY YOURS. In the story, she serves banana bread to the hero (yes, there’s a private joke there), and my favorite recipe for banana bread is included in the back of the book. For those of you who haven’t read NATURALLY YOURS (And I hope you will), I thought you might enjoy trying this delicious recipe for your holiday guests. I guarantee everyone will love it.

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Homemade Banana Bread:

This is the most delicious, moist banana bread I’ve ever tasted and I hope you love it too. The secret to its wonderful texture is the plain yogurt. The bread is easy to make, rich and satisfying. Organic ingredients without chemicals and preservatives are always best to use. Be sure to follow the mixing method exactly for best results. After the loaf has cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar for a decorative touch.

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups organic sugar                   1 ½ cups flour

½ cup organic butter, softened       4 tablespoons plain whole yogurt

2 eggs                                             2 ripe organic bananas, mashed

1 teaspoon baking soda                  1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium-sized bowl, cream sugar and softened butter using a hand mixer. Add baking soda to the center of the contents. Place the yogurt on top of the baking soda and hand-stir. Add the two eggs, slightly beaten. Next, add the mashed bananas, flour, and vanilla. Mix all ingredients together well.

Place batter in a standard size non-stick loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Relax and visit Adele Downs at http://adeledowns.com while the bread bakes. Let cool and enjoy for breakfast or dessert.

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Love Under the Harvest Moon, NATURALLY YOURS

Not quite ready for Christmas reading, but want to relax with a story set in autumn? The hero and heroine of my award-winning novella NATURALLY YOURS fall in love under the Harvest Moon. This book has received 100% positive reviews and numerous 5 stars from book bloggers. Give NATURALLY YOURS a try this weekend.

“I read this wonderful book in one sitting and I enjoyed every word.”5★ ~Jodie’s W.I.N.E List

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NATURALLY YOURS by Adele Downs

Who will save a man who saves the world?

Paramedic Mickey Kendall hasn’t slept a full night Finalist Medallion-Novellasince his return from Iraq. He rescues victims by day and protects the innocent after dark. Mickey doesn’t do it for glory; he wants absolution, not admiration. He lives by the rule: No personal contact after a rescue. That code meets the ultimate test when Mickey saves a child’s life on a roadside and declines the parents’ invitation to dinner at their upscale restaurant.

Master chef Amanda Greer lives by the principle that delicious food and good company build bridges. When she learns Mickey has refused her business partners’ hospitality, she persuades him to change his mind. The handsome paramedic visits her restaurant and Amanda joins him at his table. Their unexpected chemistry turns kinetic and leads to a passionate kiss.

In Amanda’s arms, Mickey finds relief from the stressors that haunt him, but resists falling in love. When Amanda challenges him to face his demons and accept the love she offers, Mickey arrives at a crossroad. The war-weary paramedic must first save himself to claim the woman who reignites his passion for living and revives his wounded heart.

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Excerpt:

“They called you a hero in the press.” Her dark lashes lowered and lifted and she smiled at him with admiration shining in her eyes. “They were right, of course. What you did for Jack can never be repaid.”

Mickey winced at the hero reference. “I hate to disappoint you, but I only did what I’m trained to do.”

Amanda made sounds of disagreement low in her throat. “Elena told me at least a hundred and fifty cars passed her on the highway. Every one of them ignored her cries for help. Of all those people, don’t you think one might have been medically trained? Or at least cared enough to respond? No. You stopped. Only you.”

Oh. He hadn’t thought of that.

She pointed a finger at his chest. “There’s a difference between you and other people. There’s no other way to explain what happened on that roadway. Elena is convinced you’re special, and I never doubt her perceptions. That’s another reason why I wanted to meet you.”

Mickey stared into Amanda’s eyes and her pupils dilated. Her lips parted, ever so slightly, as if to welcome a kiss. Her tongue touched the inside of her bottom lip and disappeared. Mickey knew then, she felt it too. Synergy. Chemistry. An attraction so powerful it turned kinetic on contact.

Some called it love at first sight.

Amanda. Even her name was beautiful.

She took a sip of her drink and he watched her mouth and throat work the liquid. When she set down the tumbler, she wiped a droplet from the corner of her mouth with a trimmed, unpolished fingertip. Mickey wished he could have swiped the bead away with his tongue.

Amanda leaned closer and pressed a hand to his wrist. “Trained or not, you were the only stranger on that highway who had a heart.”

Mickey laid his hand over hers and she let him keep it there. Until now, he wasn’t sure he still had a heart. His had been chipped away, piece by piece, like a block of ice since the war. He’d considered it long gone, with his soul. In mere minutes, what was left had thawed in the center, leaving him raw and exposed.

Amanda continued to speak; clearly unaware she’d stripped away another layer. “I love Jack like he’s my own son. He’s a terrific kid. I’ve helped take care of him since the day the Martins and I started this restaurant. When you saved him, you saved us all.” Amanda leaned in and pressed a quick, sweet kiss against Mickey’s jaw.

Their gazes locked when she sat back in her chair. The gravity of her words and her straightforward kiss humbled him into speechlessness. He’d been thanked many times before, but this woman had gotten to him like no one else. He squeezed her hand and then downed the rest of his drink. Amanda took another sip of hers and set the glass on the table before retreating into silence. She turned the tumbler slowly in her hands.

Mickey looked back at her and tapped two fingers against the menu’s leather cover. “Nothing here is what I expected.”

Amanda returned a quiet smile, either assuming he meant food choices, or pretending he had. She tucked her arms beneath her breasts and leaned forward against the edge of the table, lifting perfect white swells above the neckline of her blouse. “Organic means untouched by artificiality. Grown and consumed in its natural state. We eat only healthy foods unspoiled by chemicals, preservatives, hormones, steroids, antibiotics, and genetically modified seeds or cells. Pure.”

Pure. Mickey gazed at the stunning woman by his side. The texture of her skin looked smooth as cream and welcoming to the touch. He longed to run his hands along her thighs, imagining sleek roads leading to heaven at their apex. “I like the sound of that.” The way she looked back at him while he studied her face made him wonder if she’d read his mind.

The one that had gone dirty.

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Buy The Book on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Yours-Adele-Downs-ebook/dp/B00O8YLZZ8/

All Romance eBooks:

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-naturallyyours-1644351-149.html

Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/482463

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For more information about books by Adele Downs visit http://adeledowns.com

NATURALLY YOURS by Adele Downs an Award of Excellence Finalist!

I’m very pleased to announce that my book NATURALLY YOURS is a finalist in the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence contest for published authors in the novella category.

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Have you picked up your copy of NATURALLY YOURS? If not, what are you waiting for?

If you read and enjoyed the book, I’d greatly appreciate your review on Amazon.

Here’s what book bloggers who reviewed NATURALLY YOURS had to say:

“Once again, Downs delivers. Brava!” 5 Stars! ~Words, Words, Words

“Loved this book.” 5 Stars! ~Long and Short Reviews

“I had to read in one sitting because I didn’t want to let go.” 5 Stars! ~BeanieBrainReader

“I loved it! From the start up to the last, there’s no dull moment. Ms. Adele did an amazing job.” 5 Stars! ~Ms.Me28

“This little book took me by surprise. I read this wonderful book in one sitting and I enjoyed every word.” 5 Stars! ~Jodie’s W.I.N.E List

“Another well written story by Adele Downs. Well done, I loved it.” 5 Stars! ~ Will Work For Books

“Ms. Downs sure knows how to pull a reader into her stories. This is an emotional read that will tug at your heart but also make your realize that sometimes real acceptance comes in all forms… I fell in love with Amanda and Mickey from the first page.” 5 Harlies and a Recommended Read! ~Harlie’s Book Blog

For more information, and your choice of formats and sales outlets including Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, All Romance eBooks, Kobo, iTunes, visit Boroughs Publishing Group

Buy The Book on Amazon!

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