A Secret Recipe of Danger, Deception, and Desire…

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!