Hey, readers! Happy weekend! Just a heads-up: Today is the final day of the Smashwords Read an Ebook Sale. It’s a great opportunity to find new authors and get hundred of books at discount prices! Join the fun and stock up! You might as well get ready for summer and pick up a few beach reads! 🙂
My newest romance, PAINTED DREAMS, is on sale for 99 cents!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1816549
Happy Reading to all!
Darlene
Today, I have the pleasure of hosting author Liz Flaherty to the blog. Liz writes engaging stories of life on the lake full of small-town charm, friendship and community. Enjoy this peek at her newest book, “Pieces of Blue.” Welcome, Liz!
Pieces of Blue and Why I Write Lake Stories
I think I could release an anthology entitled Liz Flaherty’s Lake Stories. I’ve written a bunch of them. Three Harlequin Heartwarmings took place on Lake Miniagua. The three-book New Season series was set at Cooper Lake on the edge of Fallen Soldier, Pennsylvania. Banjo Creek (not a lake!) ran through Life’s too Short for White Walls. The Girls of Tonsil Lake wasn’t really set at the lake, but we spent some time there anyway, remembering how the Girls grew up, and then they went to an island off Maine for a long girlfriend vacation.
I’ve never lived on a lake, although I’ve camped near them. I don’t know how to swim. I love visiting friends who do live on lakes or who, like my friend Nan Reinhardt, have cottages where they spend soul-saving time.
But one day my husband and I meandered to small, rural Town Lake, just south of Akron, Indiana, turning around at the end of the dead end road that gives access to it. That visit gave me Harper Loch. Not everything in Pieces of Blue happens there—there are only 86 people on the lake, one store, one church, and one beauty salon, after all—but Placer, the town closest to it, strongly resembles Akron.
Akron is where my doctor’s office is, where I go to church, where two of my nieces live, where I used to sit at the drugstore counter and drink a small coke and talk to friends. My first bra and many pairs of stockings came from Eber’s Five & Ten. The town has a great 4th of July parade and a pretty little park like the one you’ll read about in Maggie’s story. Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill is a real—and delicious—place to go.
As I’ve wandered through this post, I think I figured out why I use lake settings so often. It is for the sense of community so many people find in them. Nan and her husband and friends look after each other. They have a good time. That’s what happens with Harper Loch’s residents, too.
I hope you enjoy meeting them in Pieces of Blue.
Life comes in shades of blue…
Self-imposed loner, Maggie North, has worked for bestselling author Trilby Winterroad her entire adult life, starting as simply his assistant and ending up as his ghost writer. Through ups and downs–including a divorce from an abusive husband–he has been the one person on whom she could always rely. So when Trilby dies suddenly, Maggie finds herself adrift, not sure what she’ll do or where she belongs in the world any longer. And the confusion continues when she discovers he’s not only left her his beloved dachshund, Chloe, but a house she knew nothing about, on a lake she’s never heard of.
It only takes one visit for Maggie to fall in love with both the house and the small lakeside community. The longer she’s there, the safer she feels and the more her life begins to expand…as do her feelings toward her friend and Trilby’s attorney, Sam Eldridge.
But is she really safe? Or are the glistening pieces of her new life about to shatter as an old danger returns?
Excerpt:
I think I’m more all right than I’ve been in years, which I feel bad thinking so close to the time of Trilby’s dying, but I also know about honeymoon periods. I understand that I’m enthralled by the newness of the Burl specifically and Harper Loch in general, but I would tire of the smallness soon enough if I stayed. I’d mind having to drive a half hour to find the ingredients I want for a recipe that falls outside the norm of rural central Michigan. I’d miss Muskegon’s library and its parks and going to the Black Dog with Ellie. I’d miss Ellie, too, and Sam.
I had to admit, though, that it was fun seeing them here. I’d loved discovering Placer with Ellie, and Sam fit into this house as if he belonged here.
Maybe he did.
“So, tell me about the Burl,” I requested. “My mind’s been busy enough that it’s kept my curiosity on the back burner. But you know this house, the lake, some of the people here. How is it that in all the years we’ve known each other, you’ve never mentioned Harper Loch?”
“We’ve known each other, but only in relation to Trilby. You were his assistant, I was his lawyer, and we both loved him. Although you and I saw each other enough that we became friends, we leaned more toward just being acquaintances. Sometimes it was strictly professional, too. I was your lawyer. You helped my office staff sometimes if they were swamped.”
I was unexpectedly hurt by being thought of as a mere acquaintance, but he was right. I frowned at him. “You’re not answering my question.” Realizing I sounded grumpy and he couldn’t possibly know why, I stretched my hand across the table. “Hello. My name’s Maggie North. I’d like to be friends.”
When he took my hand, I understood what I’d read in romance novels about frissons—isn’t that a cool word?—of feeling going right up my arm. I’d read a few where that particular shudder of feeling was an open invitation into bed. That wasn’t happening, but still…a frisson is a frisson and I was going to enjoy it. And remember it.
Bio: Liz Flaherty has spent the past several years enjoying not working a day job, making terrible crafts, and writing stories in which the people aren’t young, brilliant, or even beautiful. She’s decided (and has to re-decide most every day) that the definition of success is having a good time. Along with her husband of lo, these many years, kids, grands, friends, and the occasional cat, she’s doing just that. Find her on Facebook or her blog, Window Over the Sink. A girl just can’t have too many friends! https://linktr.ee/lizflaherty
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Liz. Loved meeting the cast of “Pieces of Blue!” I’ve never lived on a lake either, but I know people who do, and I enjoy their peaceful photos of dreamy sunsets and beautiful nature scenes.
Happy reading, everyone!
Find “Pieces of Blue”
Amazon: https://a.co/d/0ixtBrUq
I’m getting a cool new car today. Well, new to me. It’s a few years old. Most people think that’s a glad occasion. Woo-hoo! A new car!
I suppose I should be excited, smiling, happy. But I’m sad. I’ve been driving my current car for a long time. It’s just a few months shy of twenty years old. My now-married son was only ten years old when I upgraded from a minivan to a Lexus RX350.
It’s been a great run. It’s been a great car. It fits me. I can see out of it. It’s comfy. It has all the features I need – most significantly, an arm rest that moves WITH THE SEAT. No humongous center console. It has a place for my purse between the two front seats. It has lovely light gray interior. It has heated seats and a CD player for my personal music combinations.
Maybe I’ll get used to the big console that makes me feel a little penned in. I’m sure I can learn how to load a playlist with the bluetooth technology. I suppose the driver assist camera will come in handy. In the summer, ventilated seats will be nice (except there’s that black steering wheel). The new car also has pretty gray interior, so that’s a plus. In my opinion, it’s the most attractive car on the market today. It has the required get-up-and-go.
But I’m going to miss the car that’s been part of my identity for so long! That car has taken my kids to school, carried their sports gear and musical instruments. Taken them to band camp and tennis tournaments in other cities. It’s taken them to school hundreds of miles away. It’s carried us miles and miles on some awesome road trips. It’s been to some amazing places like Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. It’s driven across Kansas to the mountains of Colorado dozens of times. It’s gone from Texas to Michigan and from L.A. to New York. Taken us year after year to holiday gatherings and family vacations.
So why am I getting a new car?
It’s traveled the roads for 268,000 miles. The last year was tough on it. Some inconsiderate jerk in a big blue truck hit it in a parking lot (there was a witness who let me know, but she didn’t get the license plate number). The hubs had a little fender bender when changing lanes a few months ago. Black tape on the dash is hiding a few cracks and missing bits of material. There’s a little rust spot above one of the back wheels that’s starting to eat through the metal.
Those are cosmetic, and though annoying, not really deal breakers. But we’ve kept a tray of cat little under the car to catch little leaks for a few years now—the multi-thousand-dollar fix not really justifiable. The slow leak was something to be checked at every service interval. But a few months ago, things took a turn. The alternator failed. More leaking. The cost to fix all the leaks running into the thousands. We paid for a “Band-Aid” fix to get me by until we were ready to get serious about a new car. Well, I’m not ready, but it’s time. I’m starting to feel nervous about getting stranded on the highway. I need to feel confident in driving distances by myself.
If anyone works for Lexus or knows a designer there, please pass this along. I would’ve bought a new one just like mine in a heartbeat. But they’ve changed the style so drastically, the new models aren’t even close. They’re big and chunky. They have hard lines with sharp angles that look angry. Couldn’t do it. While the reliability is solid, I like a softer look. And the car needs to fit in my garage!
So today, I say a fond farewell to a companion that I’ve relied on for nearly twenty years. I remember the good times and wish there could’ve been more!
Happy weekend!
Hello, Readers!
Isn’t that a great headline?! Grab a beverage, curl up in a favorite spot, and keep reading to see what it’s all about! Today, I’m happy to host author Darlene Fredette on the blog.
Darlene is a multi-published author of contemporary women’s fiction that celebrates resilience, romance, and the small-town magic woven into ordinary days. Step inside her world for heartfelt stories, character-driven moments, a touch of charm, wit, twists, and just enough intrigue to keep you turning the page. Residing on Canada’s scenic Atlantic Coast, where summers are too short and winters too long, she finds inspiration from family, nature, and the quiet moments that ignite the imagination, and enjoys life with her husband, daughter, and two oversized, loveable dogs.
Today, she’s celebrating the release of her new novel, SECRET RECIPE. It’s Book Four in her Redford Falls Series.
Here’s a peek:
Jess Robinson is desperate for a fresh start, but an unexpected call drags her back into the dangerous world she thought she’d escaped. With a missing bag of stolen jewels at stake, Jess must execute the perfect con.
Between two jobs and family obligations, firefighter Travis Cooper is stretched too thin. The last thing he needs is an unqualified baker who stirs up more questions than answers. Something about Jess feels familiar, and while Travis is drawn to her, he’s convinced she’s hiding more than a few secrets.
As drama simmers and danger closes in, Jess and Travis are caught in a game where every move could cost them everything.
I love this awkward will-they-or-won’t-they moment in the story when the characters aren’t sure where they stand:
Travis pulled Jess into a hug. She molded perfectly against him. Her soft hair brushed his chin, and her hands warmed his chest where they rested.
Her stare dropped to his lips.
He lowered his head until a loud boom rattled his sanity. He released her and walked to the counter, creating distance. “Congratulations on a job well done.”
Her widened eyes met his, and her cheeks flushed. “Thank you.”
The thunder returned, louder than before.
He shook his head, trying to erase the memory of her in his arms. What got into me? He wasn’t a touchy-feely guy. Hugs were usually reserved for his mother. “Would you like to join me for a bite to eat?” What the…? Did those words just come out of my mouth? “My way of thanking you for a great first week.” More unfiltered words tumbled out.
Jess stuffed her hands into her apron pockets. Her lips formed a tight line. “Sure.”
She accepted? Part of Travis had hoped she’d decline. The other half was elated. He needed time to locate his missing common sense.
“Do you have a restaurant in mind?” she asked.
I’m not thinking. He gripped the counter’s edge. “Have you ever been to Kringle’s Lounge?”
As an author, I can relate to Darlene’s write, edit, put it away, rewrite, edit some more journey. Sometimes, a story needs to percolate. Sometimes, it needs a fresh perspective and some new scenes. Sometimes, a new version captures the magic perfectly!
When Rewriting a Book Feels Like Rediscovering It
There’s a moment in every writer’s journey when a story you thought you knew suddenly surprises you. That’s what happened when I sat down to rewrite Secret Recipe. I expected revisions, sure. Maybe a few tweaks, a few new scenes, and perhaps a deeper look at Jess’s past. What I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to unspool a story I’d already told and stitch it back together.
Rewriting turned out to be far more challenging than writing the original draft. Some days it felt like wrestling with a ghost of the book that used to be. But somewhere in that messy, complicated process, something magical happened. The more I pushed through the difficult parts, the more the new version revealed itself. And now that it’s finished, I’m genuinely in love with how it turned out. The struggle was worth it. The story is stronger, and Jess is stronger.
Sometimes rewriting isn’t just revising a book. It’s rediscovering it and remembering why you wrote it in the first place.
Exactly! Thanks for sharing with us today, Darlene. Always fun to get insight into an author’s process and to discover new books! Congratulations and best wishes on the new release!
Happy reading, everyone!
Where to find Darlene Fredette:
Website: http://www.darlenefredette.com/
Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenefredette1/
Where to find SECRET RECIPE:
https://www.amazon.ca/Secret-Recipe-Redford-Falls-Story-ebook/dp/B0GHGS52XY
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Recipe-Redford-Falls-Story-ebook/dp/B0GHGS52XY
darlene deluca 