Celebrating a Book Birthday!

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Ta-dah! After months of writing and editing, numerous rough drafts and revisions, a book is born! Yesterday was the official release date for my new holiday romance Christmas at Tall Pines! Curl up with this heartwarming story for an early dose of holiday cheer!

–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. SomethingGood

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?–

Christmas at Tall Pines is available in digital and paperback formats from your favorite online retailer!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BK1TP381/

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1174660

https://books.apple.com/us/book/christmas-at-tall-pines/id6443949366

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/christmas-at-tall-pines

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-at-tall-pines-darlene-deluca/1142549099?ean=2940165952432

Christmas at Tall Pines already has two 5-star reviews!

— ‘Tis the season for holiday romance and this book will tug at your heartstrings. With emotions running high, a beautiful setting, and a festive ambiance, this romance will sweep you away. –N.N. Light’s Book Heaven

— This story was a delightful read. The setting, though storming, was charming inside the lodge from the decorations to the music and holiday cheer, as well as the fireside warmth. Melanie and Tyler have great chemistry. –Still Moments Magazine

Pick up your copy today! Happy reading to all!

Darlene

A Pretty Fall After All!

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A few weeks ago, I was concerned we would have a lackluster fall because it’s been so dry. Some wind took down leaves too early, but overall, it’s pretty out there!

In Kansas, we don’t have the beautiful expanses of fall color you see in places like New England. I miss the falls in the Finger Lakes region of New York why my daughter went to college. The colors are stunning.

Even so, we do have some fine specimens that include trees and shrubs around here. I have a maple in my yard, but I can’t remember the specific kind. I wish it turned a brilliant red, but, alas, it turns orange. Still a pretty sight!

I’ve been out with my camera this week, so here’s a sampling of lovely fall colors!

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Hope you are having a good autumn wherever you are!

Darlene

Want to be an early bird?!

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Woo-hoo! I have a new book to share with you!

Today, my new holiday romance, Christmas at Tall Pines, is live for pre-order. You can pre-order a digital copy at all the usual retailers, and the book will download to your reading device on Nov. 1, which is the official release date. Paperback copies also will be available on Nov. 1. Just in time to get in the holiday spirit! 🙂

SomethingGoodMelanie 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?

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/christmas-at-tall-pines

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1174660

https://books.apple.com/us/book/christmas-at-tall-pines/id6443949366

Click photo for Amazon link.

Happy reading to all!

Darlene

Wildflowers spread their cheer

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I love flowers. I like them in my yard. I like them as gifts. I like wandering through botanic gardens and arboretums when I travel. And I like photographing them. So today, I have a photo collection of wildflowers to share.

Wildflowers make me happy. It’s so fun to stumble across them. So often I struggle to grow flowers at home. To give them the right amount of sun and water and the right soil. To keep the rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks and insects from devouring them. But these little guys, they just pop up and thrive!

These are all images of wildflowers that I spotted along the walks and trails during a recent visit to Colorado. Except the little blue one—that one I grew from a seed! I’m hoping there are a lot more the next time I visit!

Hope you’re having a fabulous summer surrounded by the things you like best!

Darlene

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Happy New Year to All!

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Wow! That was a fast year! For me, it was full of ups and downs, but mostly ups. My daughter got married, and my son got engaged! We had showers and a bachelorette get-away and a fabulous wedding and reception. Lots of special memories were made.

I published a holiday novella with The Wild Rose Press and finished a full-length romance novel that’s now in the editing phase. Just completed the rough draft of a short story for an anthology, and getting back to a women’s fiction novel I started a few years ago. It promises to be a busy year ahead!

Of course not everything was rosy in 2021. I lost a brother-in-law to cancer. And we didn’t end the pandemic. We didn’t get to travel freely. To kick off the new year, I’m supposed to go on my first ever cruise this month. Sadly, that might not happen. While it’s frustrating, I’m trying to do my part to follow guidelines and science and get through this.

Come on, 2022! Let’s make it a good year!

Wishing you all a peaceful, prosperous and happy new year with books to read and time with all your favorite peeps in all your favorite places! Cheers!

Darlene