July | 2025 | darlene deluca

Cheers to summer! Cheers to good books! And cheers to the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale that just happens to coincide with Christmas in July!

Is it hot where you are? Whether you enjoy the summer heat or can’t wait for fall, this is a perfect time to grab a beverage and get away to the snowy mountains of Utah – for just 99 cents! 🙂

Christmas at Tall Pines, a sweet holiday romance, will take you on a festive holiday getaway. It has all the feels — from cozy Christmas decor, to jolly holiday music, to a surprise reunion with a high school crush!

The Smashwords Sale has something for everyone! Don’t miss out on the deals and great summer reads!

click to browse

Christmas at Tall Pines

Melanie Beck is searching for an idyllic Christmas like the ones her small family used to have. Traveling solo and still grieving the loss of her parents, she’s counting on cozy Tall Pines Lodge tucked into the mountains of Utah to provide the elusive holiday feels with merry music, stunning decorations and traditional Christmas feast in a beautiful frosty setting.

But a blizzard turns the winter wonderland into a hazard, and a chance encounter with a now-famous high school crush has her reeling with emotions she’s never quite gotten over.

Tyler Shaw, a Hollywood heartthrob and silver screen star, is so over a grueling film schedule and persistent paparazzi. In disguise and using a fake name, he comes to Tall Pines to escape the spotlight and get some much-needed rest. He’s hoping the adrenaline rush of downhill skiing at the nearby slopes will give him the reboot he’s looking for.

Instead, he’s stuck at the lodge and is shocked to run into an old high school friend that he left behind more than a decade ago. He’s even more surprised to discover how much he’s missed her.

As their past and present collide, can an old flame ignite some Christmas magic?

I hope you’re enjoying the summer and some good books! Happy reading to all!

Darlene

It’s always a fun day when I can shout about a new book! Today I’m revealing the cover for Painted Dreams, a contemporary romance that releases Aug. 1.

Need a new book boyfriend? Like insta-attraction? Family drama? Cheering for the good guy? Put this one on your list! Painted Dreams in the first in a new series featuring artists and characters in art-related fields. . . jewelry designers, art dealers, painters, and more.

Here’s a peek:

Katlyn Andrews is a talented artist on her way to fulfilling a dream—her own show at a New York City gallery. Focused on her career, she’s ditched her hometown of Denver for the bright lights of the Big Apple. When she’s drawn back to check on her beloved grandmother, she finds a surprise—Nick Summers, a woodworker bidding on a job at her parents’ upscale home. Nick’s gorgeous smile and easy-going manner charm Kat. Too bad he lives in Colorado.

Nick adores the mountains of Colorado, but NYC is on his radar. He’s auditioning to be a guest host on a home-builders network there. Since that’s a long shot, he’s still pounding the pavement closer to home to secure jobs like the high-end Andrews project. Meeting his client’s intriguing daughter has his thoughts going in other directions. Too bad she lives in New York.

But distance can’t dim their undeniable attraction. Unfortunately, it turns out dreams can be shattered. While Nick’s career is on an upward trajectory, Kat’s unexpectedly takes a big hit. Devastated, she struggles to find a path forward. Nick fears her family’s status and wealth keep her from seeing reality—is she reaching for the stars before paying her dues?

In her heart, Kat knows he’s wrong about her…but could her heart be wrong about him?

I enjoyed writing the entire cast of this one — from the fun best-friend sidekick to the smarmy, arrogant bad guy. There’s the high-brow mom and the sweet-but-sassy grandmother along with a hero and heroine you’ll be rooting for!

Watch my social media pages for quotes, reviews and giveaways!

https://www.instagram.com/darlenedelucaauthor/?hl=en

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Happy reading to all!