Author: darlenedeluca

Going Home and Finding Love

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Hello, friends! Today I continue a series of holiday guest posts featuring talented authors who will share a little about themselves and their books. I asked them each to answer some holiday-related questions. Let’s get to know author Maria Imbalzano. Welcome, Maria!

–What’s your favorite holiday movie and why? I love “The Holiday” with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black. It’s a “swapping homes” story where two women, one a wealthy California producer who lives in a mansion and one an English journalist who lives in the countryside, find each other through a house exchange website. Each of them is nursing a heartbreak and want to get away for the Christmas holiday. And of course, each of them finds love in their home away from home. This movie has just the right amount of conflict, humor, tenderness, and spirit without being the normal fare we usually see around the holidays.

–What’s your holiday “specialty?”  I’m not much of a cook, but I do like to bake—probably because I’m addicted to sugar. Christmas cookies are my favorite, so I guess that’s my specialty, although I want to be clear that I really don’t belong in the kitchen. I always baked these treats with my mom, and now I do it with my daughters and granddaughters. Of course, they don’t come out as good as when my mom was involved.  The problem with my baking in general is that I’m a little casual with quantities. My mother, daughters and husband have all commented on my methods of measuring water, flour, sugar etc. My response: Is there really a difference between dry measuring cups and wet? And do the measurements actually have to be exact?

Despite my shortcomings, we make butterballs, kiefli, chocolate walnut, and recently added red velvet crinkles (in honor of my book). In my opinion, they are all delicious.

Maria Imbalzano is an award-winning contemporary author who writes about strong, independent women and the men who fall in love with them. She recently retired from the practice of law, but legal issues have a way of showing up in many of her novels.

Maria is a member of New Jersey Romance Writers and has received many honors and awards for her work including the Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence Award, the Write Touch Readers Award, The NEST (National Excellence In Story Telling) Award, the Carolyn Award, The Stiletto Reader’s Choice Award, Book Buyers Best Award, Long & Short Reviews Book of the Month Award, and Still Moments Magazine Reader’s Choice Award.

When not writing, she loves to travel both abroad and in the states.  Maria lives in Lawrenceville with her husband–not far from her two daughters and granddaughters.

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Book blurb:

Competitive, work-obsessed Bella Simonetti has just been fired from her high-paying job at a Manhattan law firm. At an all-time low, she returns home and helps her parents at their small-town gift shop, but the business is failing and may not make it past the Christmas holidays.

Successful landscape architect Dean Jackson is like a son to Bella’s parents. But he’s a persistent annoyance to her—he seems to have forgotten his unforgivable blunder thirteen years earlier.

When Bella transforms her parents’ gift shop into a cookie cottage, Dean’s generosity and magnetic smile are hard to resist, and those feelings of unrequited adolescent love come rushing back. But can Bella let go of the past and accept Dean for the man he is today?

A favorite line from the book: Some women fear the fire. Some simply become it.

Connect with Maria:  http://www.mariaimbalzano.com

https://books2read.com/u/38d09r

Thanks for joining us today, Maria! I also enjoy The Holiday and have already seen it a couple of times this season! And I love your quote from the book! Readers, what’s your favorite holiday movie?

Darlene

A Santa in need of a Gift

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Hello, friends! Today I continue a series of holiday guest posts featuring talented authors who will share a little about themselves and their books. I asked them each to answer some holiday-related questions. Let’s get to know author Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy. Welcome, Lee Ann!

–What’s your favorite holiday tradition and why? I love all the traditions but one of my favorites is choosing an ornament each year. Over the years, thanks to my mom’s idea the year I was born, I have a lovely collection of unique and special Christmas ornaments. I’ve continued the tradition with my children as well.

–What’s your holiday “specialty?” Cookies! I always bake several flavors of cookies. The tradition began one year when my mom was at a loss what to get my grandfather, Pop, for Christmas. She decided I could help bake cookies, including sugar cookie cutouts. Snickerdoodles are another favorite!

Food always figures into my novels. In The Scarred Santa, Rafe’s mom bakes snickerdoodles, one of my favorite cookies. Here’s the recipe to enjoy!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

 

Heat oven to 400°F.

Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in large bowl.

Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.

Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon.

Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy, author bio: I am a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, the former frontier town where the Pony Express began and outlaw Jesse James met his end. I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood as a third-generation American in a close-knit family. I am a widow with three grown children and spent much of my career in media, first in broadcast media (radio) and then newspapers. My first novel appeared in 2010 . I write primarily romance in all flavors from sweet to heat, from paranormal to suspense, from contemporary to historical.

scarred santa cover

Book blurb: Once handsome Rafe Sullivan is left scarred, injured, and with PTSD from his Marine Corps service in Afghanistan, returning to civilian life is far from smooth, and the burn scars on his right side are extensive. Although he lives close to family, he lives a solitary life and changes jobs more often than most people change their socks. A temporary job as Santa at the mall is presented, but Rafe first rebels, then relents. His Santa gig affects his PTSD. Then he meets Sheena Dunmore. When she doesn’t run from his scars or issues, she intrigues him. An unmasking by some rowdy children is a test of his stamina and spirit. His greatest fear is fire. Will Rafe conquer the fear so he can move forward into the new life he desires?

A favorite quote from the book: “You’re my hero and I love you, Angel Face,” Mike said when he released Rafe.

As soon as Mike spoke the nickname, the one their dad had put an end to long ago, his expression changed as he realized his error.

“Oh, man. I shouldn’t have used the old nickname. Rafe, I’m so sorry. I know it’s a sore spot now and…”

Rafe laughed. “It’s fine, Mike. I probably look more like a singed devil.”

Connect with Lee Ann: https://leeannsontheimer.blogspot.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Scarred-Santa-Lee-Sontheimer-Murphy-ebook/dp/B0CHG2JPKX

Thanks for being here, Lee Ann! Your book sounds heartwarming and the cookies sound amazing! I love snickerdoodles, but frosted sugar cookies are my specialty. Readers, what foods or desserts do you make for the holidays?

Darlene 

A Ghostly Christmas Honeymoon

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Hello, friends! Today please welcome author Randy Overbeck as part of my holiday guest series featuring talented authors who will share a little about themselves and their books. I asked them each to answer a few holiday-related questions. Let’s meet Randy!

–What’s your favorite holiday tradition and why? When I was in grade school, I attended a special “choir school” where we would prepare music for the church service as part of every school day. We sang at every holiday including Christmas, especially the Midnight Mass service. Even decades later, I still remember being in the choir loft, singing beautiful Christmas hymns with the church looking and smelling like Christmas. A few of my favorite Christmas carols we sang back then can still bring tears to my eyes even today.

–What’s your favorite holiday movie and why? I enjoy several of the classic movies, but I love Christmas on 42th Street, with its unbelieving child and Thanksgiving parade Santa. I’ve seen several versions of the movie and have enjoyed them all, just the child in me, I guess.

Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades. He has turned this experience into captivating fiction, authoring the bestselling series, the Haunted Shores Mysteries, winner of nine national awards. This past fall, the Wild Rose Press released his newest work, an atmospheric amateur sleuth mystery, CRUEL LESSONS, the first installment in a new series set in schools, “Lessons in Peril.” He is the host of the podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” which reveals the unusual and sometimes strange backstories of famous authors, directors and poets. He is also a speaker in much demand, sharing his multi-media presentations, “Things Still Go Bump in the Night,” “A Few Favorite Haunts,” and “Everything You Wanted to Know About Publishing” with audiences all over the country.

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Book blurb: All Darrell Henshaw wanted was to enjoy his honeymoon with his beautiful wife, Erin, in the charming town of Crystal River on the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida. Only a pair of ghosts decide to intrude on their celebration. And not just any ghosts, the spirits of two young Latino children. Unwilling at first to derail the honeymoon for yet another ghost hunt, Darrell finally concedes when a painting of the kids comes alive, weeping and pleading for his help.

When he and Erin track down the artist, they discover the children’s family were migrant workers the next county over. But when they travel there, their questions about the kids get their car shot up and Erin hospitalized. Torn between fear and rage, Darrell must decide how far he will go to get justice for two young children he never even knew.

A favorite line from the book:  “Remember Christmas is for the children…especially the two who need your help.”

Connect with Randy: http://www.authorrandyoverbeck.com

https://www.amazon.com/Scarlet-Crystal-Haunted-Shores-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B09B5Q2GQS

Thanks for sharing with us today, Randy! I’ve been known to get teary over Christmas tunes, too! Happy reading, everyone! Hope you’re enjoying my author guests! How is your holiday prep going?

Darlene

Heat is building in the wintry Minnesota woods

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Hello, friends! Today we have another guest visiting the blog. Throughout the next couple of weeks I’ll feature a series of holiday posts from authors who will share a little about themselves and their books. I asked them each to answer a few holiday-related questions. Let’s meet author Jana Richards. Welcome, Jana!

–What’s your favorite holiday movie and why? I love the old black and white version of A Christmas Carol from 1951. The special effects are cheesy, but for me, Alastair Sim is the quintessential Ebenezer Scrooge. He makes me believe he really is that character. He’s ruined me for all other Ebenezers!

–What’s your holiday “specialty?” I’ve got a couple of holiday specialties. Every year I make butter tarts, which are a sweet concoction of butter, brown sugar and raisins. I make them mostly because they’re my favorite and just so darn good. The other thing I make every year is a salad with cranberries, mandarin oranges, and pineapple, set in raspberry Jell-o. When I was a kid, jellied salads were very popular and we ate them all year long. Nowadays, this is the only jellied salad I make, and only at Christmas. It was my Mom’s recipe, and I guess it’s my way of paying tribute to her now that she’s gone.

Jana Richards writes romantic suspense, historicals set during WW2, and contemporary romance, including small town romance and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing better than peeling back the layers to see what makes a character tick.

When she’s not writing or keeping the dust bunnies at bay, she can be found reading a book. Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren.

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Book blurb: CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE

An emergency brings Drew Barnes to Solace Lake Lodge, an inn deep in the Minnesota woods owned by his aunt and uncle. He’s sure desperation is the only reason they’d allow him to fill in as their bookkeeper. No one in his family has believed in him since his mistake got him fired from his previous job. Soon after he arrives, Drew is disheartened to discover thefts and financial irregularities. The last thing he wants is to be put in the middle of another crime.

Sous chef Celeste Bishop has made a good life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter in the three years she’s worked, and lived, at Solace Lake Lodge. After being unfairly fired, this was the only job she could get, and she’s grateful her gamble on the lodge paid off. The only sticking point is the isolation since she never learned to drive. How can she show her daughter independence when she’s always relying on others?

Drew sees Celeste’s frustration and offers to teach her to drive. A powerful attraction ignites between them, and soon deeper, stronger emotions blossom. Drew is all in, but Celeste resists her feelings. She’s nine years older than Drew. An interracial relationship didn’t work for her parents. And loving Drew feels like a betrayal of her deceased husband.

As Christmas approaches, the thefts escalate. Can Drew stop the thief and redeem himself in his family’s eyes—and his own? And can he convince Celeste they deserve the gift of a happily ever after this Christmas?

A favorite quote from the book:

The wonder in her eyes, the relief and joy, made him smile. Though he’d promised himself not to touch her today, he simply couldn’t resist. He pulled off his glove and, leaning across the console, laid his hand on her soft cheek. Drew stared into her beautiful dark eyes. The intoxicating combination of her warm, welcoming scent and the silky feel of her skin made his heart soar and his body catch fire. The need to kiss her nearly overpowered him, but he held back, knowing it wasn’t what she wanted.

Connect with Jana:  https://www.janarichards.com

https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Solace-Lake-Love-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CH5DTYNS

Thanks for joining us, Jana. The book sounds amazing, and so does that Jell-o salad! Hey, readers, do you have a favorite holiday tradition? Please share!

Happy reading!

Darlene

Discover winter charm in a Crystal Castle!

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Hello, friends! Today kicks off a series of holiday guest posts featuring talented authors who will share a little about themselves and their books. I asked them each to answer a few holiday-related questions. Let’s get started with author Jennifer Ivy Walker. Welcome, Jennifer!

–What’s your favorite holiday tradition and why? I love making homemade Christmas Spice Cookies with my children—and now my grandchildren. I love sharing my own grandmother’s recipe and have been passing down this tradition for over thirty years now.

–What’s your favorite holiday movie and why? I love “It’s A Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. It’s poignant and emphasizes the value of love, family, and friendship, especially during the holidays.

–What’s your holiday “specialty?”  My holiday specialty is homemade pecan pie!

–A favorite holiday travel story to share? It’s always fun when out of state family members come to Florida for Christmas. We wear tank tops and go to the beach to enjoy the balmy weather!

    Enthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French.
     Her new release, “Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle,” is a steamy medieval romance between a flame-haired, fire-hearted French princess descended from Viking Valkyrie and the solitary, sullen knight who suffers an impossible love for her. Readers who enjoyed The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy will recognize several of the main characters in this new novel as well.
     Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.

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Book blurb:

Gabrielle is a flame haired, fire hearted French princess who dreams of becoming a Valkyrie warrior queen like her Viking ancestors from Normandy. Sent to Paris to learn the proper etiquette for a future French queen, she is called home to le Château de Beaufort for a forced marriage to a man she loathes when her father the king’s precarious health takes a sudden turn for the worse.

Chivalrous, solitary knight Sir Bastien de Landuc suffers an impossible love for Gabrielle, the unattainable princess he can never have. Without a title of nobility, he is ineligible to compete in the tournament for her hand in marriage, despite his unparalleled equestrian skills and inimitable swordsmanship.

Yet, Yuletide wishes for a wondrous winter solstice in the glorious Crystal Castle might make impossible dreams come true.

Can the valiant knight win the coveted hand of his Viking Valkyrie?

A favorite quote from the book:

“I shall be a warrior queen,” she’d told him, emerald eyes ablaze with fierce pride as she’d blocked and parried his blows. “A Valkyrie shield maiden, like my ancestor, Brunnhild.” Agile and graceful as a dancer, she’d spun with stunning elegance and surprising force, disarming him with a glorious, gloating grin. “And I shall defend this kingdom with my sword… thanks to you.”

Connect with Jennifer at https://jenniferivywalker.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Solstice-Crystal-Castle-Christmas-ebook/dp/B0CHG3ZQ8J/

Sounds enchanting, right? Tell us about your holiday traditions or books!

Happy reading, everyone!

Darlene

Make it a merry month!

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Hello to all and happy December! It’s officially holiday season! And I’m kicking it off with some guest bloggers talking about holiday traditions, recipes, books and more! Hope you’ll join us over the next couple of weeks and share your thoughts! We love to chat with readers!

On Dec. 21, I’ll draw a prize winner from everyone who’s commented or shared the holiday guest posts on this page! But first, I’m visiting author Liz Flaherty’s Kitchen Window blog today. Link is below. Stop on over and say hello!

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https://windowoverthesink.blogspot.com/2023/12/snow-magic-or-havoc-by-darlene-deluca.html

It’s such a fun season. And whatever holidays you celebrate, I hope you are surrounded by festivities and people you love! Hope to see you throughout this merriest month!

Darlene

 

Celebrate the small things!

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Sometimes, a small accomplishment can be just the thing a writer needs to keep writing even when sales are down, the words aren’t working, or a less-than-glowing review gets posted out there. I don’t often enter my books in contests. When I did, I found that what one judge loved another hated, making even the feedback unhelpful. Plus, the costs for entering can add up to a pretty significant amount.

But I really love the beginning of one of my works in progress, so I went ahead and entered the New York City RWA chapter’s Big Apple Award. And . . . Taa-Daaaa! I’m a finalist! I’m not done with the book, so it’ll still be a while before it’s published, but this was a nice surprise worth celebrating. Sometimes, the little things matter! Cheers and Happy Reading!

Darlene

Don’t miss out on Christmas in July!

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It’s almost over–Christmas in July, where Summer Sizzle meets Holiday Magic! Tomorrow is the final day for these great deals on great books and the N.N. Light Christmas in July giveaway!

Celebrate Christmas in July all month long at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven’s seventh annual Christmas in July Fête.. .We’ve gathered some of the best Christmas and holiday-themed books by award-winning, bestselling and top-rated authors which we will be featuring for the duration of the event. Below you will find the links to each book spotlight all July plus the Rafflecopter giveaway where one lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon gift card. 

Open internationally. Runs July 1 – 31, 2023. Drawing will be held on August 1, 2023.

Enter Here

Tall Pines Xmas in July

For the event, Christmas at Tall Pines is on sale. Grab your digital copy today! A sweet romance that’s perfect for escaping summer’s soaring temps while visiting the snowy mountains of Utah!

Book Blurb:

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?

Excerpt:

“Also, if you’re having an affair, keep that away from the camera.” His agent cleared his throat and hesitated a beat. “But if this woman is someone special, we can use that to our advantage. What’s the story?”

Tyler’s heart somersaulted. This woman. He’d talked to Aiden about women before, mostly to enlist his help when things went the way of a three-ring circus in the media. All of a sudden, the topic felt more personal, private. He should’ve hung up ten minutes ago. “I… She’s…” What story did he wanted to tell? Of course, she was someone special. Funny how crystal clear that was looking in the rearview mirror. Even in high school she’d been in a league of her own. The missed years weighed heavily on his mind. He had a feeling those years represented missed opportunities.

A low chuckle came across the line, and he wanted to kick himself for stammering around like an idiot.

“Well, well,” Aiden drawled. “This is an interesting development. Who is she?”

“We were friends in high school.”

“Uh-huh. And what are you now?”

Good question. And one he wasn’t sure how to answer. Friends? Potential lovers? A couple? As he considered the possibilities, his pulse skyrocketed.

“Don’t hold out on me, Shaw. I need to know what I’m dealing with.”

He let his glance wander to Annie’s book, and he lifted it from the table. Turning it over, he stared at her smiling face. Blood rushed to his head. He could definitely see himself spending more time with Annie. She was someone he’d be proud to be seen with in public, and someone he could relax with away from the prying public eyes. But he would not be “using her to his advantage.”

“Aiden,” he warned. “Leave her out of this.”

Happy reading to all!

Darlene