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‘Tis the Season of Witches!

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As September slips away, I see fall decor everywhere, cider and pumpkins in the grocery stores, ads for sweaters and boots on all my social media sites, and pumpkin spice everything!  Fall-ish things take over the stores, greenhouses, and movie channels. So why not your TBR pile, too?!

Today, I’m featuring humor and romantasy author Ashlyn Chase. Ashlyn describes herself as an Almond Joy bar–a little nutty, a little flaky, but basically sweet, wanting only to give her readers a satisfying experience that leaves them smiling.
She earned a degree in behavioral sciences, worked with children with disabilities, then worked as a psychiatric RN for fifteen years, and spent four more years with the American Red Cross.

Her jobs were great for character building, both as a person and an author. Ashlyn has identified her “Author theme” as found families, where being different makes no difference, and characters who reinvent themselves. She is a multi-published, best-selling, award-winning author of humorous paranormal and contemporary romances. And she writes fantasy adventure/magical realism books for young adults and children as E. B. Lorow (Elisabeth Lorow.)

And she writes fun books about witches!!

Here’s a look:

Autumn L.A.W. Part 1

The Dangerous Duo

Sahara Nadir trusts history, logic, and ancient languages. Lioness Graves trusts visions, instincts, and whatever wild idea pops into her head next. Working together has never been their strong suit, but dark humor gets them through.

When a mysterious obelisk erupts beneath Central Park, the League of Amazing Witches discovers it isn’t just an artifact. It’s a prison, and something inside is trying to break free.

Sahara, with the help of an unshakably calm mage, and Lioness, with a fearless firefighter who insists on returning her life-saving protection, must put aside their differences before an ancient evil possesses a human host. The future may depend on the one thing they’ve never mastered: teamwork.

And then . . .

Autumn L.A.W. Part 2

Crossing the Wrong Witch

Victoria De La Fontaine is a glamorous witch, helicopter pilot, and proud member of the League of Amazing Witches… until a dry-cleaning dispute goes spectacularly wrong. One magical mishap later, she’s trapped in a stranger’s body, wearing stained sweatpants, while the thief runs around in her long legs and designer wardrobe.

Determined to reclaim her identity, Victoria sets out on a globe-trotting search for six rare spell reversal ingredients. Her ally is Duke Masterson, the league’s occult librarian with access to some of the world’s rarest magical secrets and a few mysteries of his own.

As the stakes grow higher, Victoria discovers that reversing an ancient curse and getting her body back may be only part of what she needs to do. Learning and liking who she really is could be the life-altering challenge.

Enjoy this excerpt!

The world lurched. Not a rumble. More of an honest-to-Goddess tremor that made the trees shiver and sent a flock of birds blasting upward like confetti out of a cannon.

Lioness stumbled forward, catching herself on the caution tape that she and Sahara had not been authorized to put up but did anyway. Her sketchbook slipped from her fingers and flopped onto the grass.

“Okay,” she said aloud, because sometimes narrating her life helped. “That was not normal. That was ‘something is waking up, and it’s out to get us’ levels of abnormal.”

The cracked earth in front of her split again. A sharp seam zigzagged across the ground like a lightning bolt.

“Lioness!” Sahara called, barreling toward her from the far side of the site, ponytail whipping. “Back up. Now.”

Lioness didn’t argue. Mostly because the ground was shifting under her boots and arguing required stability. She hopped backward just as the crack widened and released a gust of air so cold it slapped her across the face.

She reeled. “What the—? Did someone leave the door to Antarctica open?”

“No,” Sahara said, sliding to her side. “Worse. I think the obelisk seal ruptured.”

Before Lioness could respond, a spike of nausea slammed into her gut so hard she hunched over. Her vision blurred at the edges. Heat prickled across her skin. Hot, then cold, then hot again, like a thermostat having a seizure.

Sahara swayed beside her. “Lioness? Do you feel—”

Lioness didn’t hear the rest. A wave of dizziness crashed over her, sending her to her knees.

“Okay,” she gasped, “I officially feel like I’ve licked a subway pole.”

Sahara’s hand trembled as she pressed it to her forehead. “This isn’t a normal illness. Something is—”

She didn’t finish. Both witches were hit by a synchronized punch of ancient magic, sharp as stone, and it felt like breathing in electricity.

Lioness clutched the grass. “Am I dying? Don’t let me die looking like this. I haven’t fixed my brows for a month.”

“It’s a curse,” Sahara managed, voice tight. “An ancient Egyptian one. I can feel the glyphs vibrating under the soil.”

“Well, tell them to stop,” Lioness snapped, then immediately gagged, because she felt the world had tilted in a way physics never intended.

Sahara dropped to her knees beside her, breath shallow. “It’s not removable. Not without… not without the counter-glyphs.”

Lioness blinked hard. “And I’m guessing you don’t have those lying around in your Gucci bag?”

“No,” Sahara said weakly. “And I think whatever’s buried down there just woke up enough to sneeze on us.” Sahara collapsed onto her side. “Great. Cursed by dirt. My mother told me this was how it would end.”

A vibration rippled through the soil again. Deeper this time. Almost sentient. The ground pulsed like something beneath it had a heartbeat.

Lioness forced her head up and saw the crack widen one more inch. She screamed.

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Ashlyn! Happy Fall reading to all!

Darlene

To connect with Ashlyn:

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAshlynChase

http://www.instagram.com/ashlynlaughin/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H51WHVHH?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_3&storeType=ebooks

 

Celebrating the Cool Dads today!

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Can you imagine being introduced to parenting when your kid is sixteen? Talk about trial by fire! That’s exactly what happens to Matt in Unexpected Legacy. He learns he has a sixteen-year-old son after the kid is seriously injured in a car accident. The mom has long-since checked out, and the grandparents who raised the boy are overwhelmed. What Brady needs, they decide, is a dad. They turn to Matt for help. And what a guy – he steps up to the plate and gives it a shot without even knowing the rules of the game.

He may have missed his son’s first baby step, but he’s there for him when he takes his first step on an artificial limb. In admirable fashion, Matt takes on the challenge and turns the focus of his life to gaining his son’s trust and respect while helping him regain his self-esteem and recover from the trauma of the accident. You’ll be cheering along with Matt when he finally gets to hear that one word he’s been waiting for from Brady’s lips – Dad.

Or how about suddenly having to worry that your dad is a chick magnet or the target of a scheme to invest in a local research project? That’s what happens to Megan, the heroine in Meetings of Chance, when her mother dies, and her grief-stricken father is befriended by a questionable new neighbor. And when Dad gets the flirtatious attentions of a bank employee? Well, that’s a little awkward.

Megan’s grieving, too. Plus she has the added stress of caring for her dad, their home and the business without her mother who was also her partner. Trying to protect her father, Megan sees threat all around her. Sheesh. Who wants to babysit their dad?

This is the perfect time to read about some awesome dads. And Happy Father’s Day to them all!

Darlene

A Fond Farewell to an old “friend!”

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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.

Me back in the day driving the RX from the showroom! How time flies!

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!

Darlene

As one dream fades, will another take shape?

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Today’s the day!! After more than a year of writing, editing, and revising, Painted Dreams is available for your reading pleasure. 🙂

This sweet contemporary romance kicks off a series (Art from the Heart) that features artists and characters who work in art-related fields–talented painters, flashy jewelry designers, serious art dealers, hunky craftsmen, and more!

Bright City Lights or Rugged Rocky Mountains…

Is a long-distance romance destined to fizzle in the busy-ness of day-to-day life? For Kat, Facetime is a poor substitute for Nick’s warm embrace, the spontaneous squeeze of his hand, and shared moments. Will someone have to “give” to make this work?

–Excerpt:

“I’m going to miss you,” Nick whispered against her hair.

“I’ll miss you, too. Call me when you get home, okay?”

“Will do.” His lips met hers, and she closed her eyes, basking in the warmth.

Moments later, he stepped onto the airport shuttle. As suddenly as he’d popped into her life, he was gone again. With a chilly wind stinging her cheeks, she waved. The cold seeped into her veins. Already, winter felt more bleak and gray without Nick’s warm hands and electric smile. She watched the van drive away and wondered, given their long-distance situation, had they just ended something or started something?

Book Boyfriend ready to wrap you in all the feels…

Nick Summers = sweet dreams

–Excerpt:

Kat stopped short. Her mother sat at the long mahogany table nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with a handsome man in a black dress shirt and tie. His shirtsleeves were pushed up, revealing muscular arms. Kat was momentarily flustered as those gorgeous eyes locked onto hers.

Her mother began gathering papers, prompting Nick Summers to do the same. “Why don’t I take these with me and draw up some ideas for you to look at?”

Kat stared at him. She’d never heard such a distinctive voice—velvety rich and commanding. The kind of voice you’d recognize immediately. Interesting…

…Time to do a little research and see what the internet could reveal about the intriguing Nick Summers.

Only took a few seconds to discover he had a social media presence but didn’t post much. Still, what was there presented a nice glimpse. In one photo, he was hoisting lumber on his shoulder and wearing a Habitat for Humanity shirt. As she scrolled down, another photo stopped her. Looked like Nick and his family—mom, dad and maybe a sister on a hike. Another of them picnicking beside a creek. Normal family activities. Nick’s wide smile indicated enjoyment if not joy.

Moving on to other search results, Kat discovered Nick’s name in numerous news articles. She had no idea what the different letters behind his name meant. But it was obvious the man worked hard and participated in the arts community. By all accounts, Nick Summers appeared to be a local hero.

Painted Dreams

— 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?—

Get your copy at all the usual online retailers today! Happy Reading to all!

Darlene

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/painted-dreams/id6749023069

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/painted-dreams-darlene-deluca/1147882921?ean=2940181700840

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/painted-dreams-5

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJNJXGWT/

Revisiting a fave place and cast

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I’ve moved on and currently have a new book in the editing stage, a new book almost ready to release, and another book I’m writing. But I’m taking a little time to revisit and celebrate one of my faves! Today is the one-year publication anniversary of Sunset Ledge, a sweet later-in-life romance published by The Wild Rose Press.

It’s a stand-alone novel, but also a sequel to an earlier book, The Story Between Us. When I first wrote The Story Between Us, I hadn’t planned on a second novel, but the characters and the setting seemed to want more! And I have to say, I love these characters. It was fun to bring back a young boy who’d lost his parents and let readers see how he’d adjusted in his new life with his uncle as his dad. 

It was also fun to give the curmudgeonly grandpa from the first book his own story — to  dig deeper into his backstory and see if he could get unstuck and move to a better place. It just took the right woman to bring him back to life. 

Set on a fictional ranch in Texas, the landscape combines beautiful open fields with nature’s critters and stunning sunsets. It’s a place worthy of another visit! Happy anniversary to Jack, Caroline and all the cast of Sunset Ledge!

Darlene

Jack Armstrong lives like a recluse on his Texas ranch. In the difficult years after his wife’s death, he goes through the motions of life and wants to be left alone.

Caroline Tate, a widowed ecology professor, arrives at the ranch for a much-needed break and to take nature photos for her sabbatical project. But relaxing is a challenge when she finds herself at odds with the curmudgeonly cowboy who owns the place.

Jack generally steers clear of the guests, but this time, it’s not so easy. Vivacious Caroline doesn’t fade into the background. This city gal comes with pearls around her neck, a big red flower on her floppy hat, and way too many questions. Her self-assured, adventurous spirit gets under Jack’s skin, and she soon stirs feelings long dormant inside him.

Sunset Ledge is available at most online booksellers.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/…/sunset…/1145247176…

https://books.apple.com/us/book/sunset-ledge/id6497954022

Sunsets, a nature retreat, and cowboys . . . the perfect set-up for unexpected romance!

darlenedeluca A Writer's Life, Books, Uncategorized, What's New , , , , , , , ,

perf5.000x8.000.inddWoo-hoo! We’re only a week away from Release Day! Sunset Ledge is a sequel to my sweet romance The Story Between Us, but can be read as a stand-alone. It’s what we call a silver fox, or seasoned, romance because the primary characters are age 50-plus. They are characters who’ve seen a little of life. They’ve been around the block a time or two, and they might be a little set in their ways. They’ve accepted where they are in life, so when an unexpected attraction and opportunity for a romantic relationship arises, they’re hesitant, cautious and maybe a little nervous . . .

Jack Armstrong lives like a recluse on his Texas ranch. In the difficult years after his wife’s death, he goes through the motions of life and wants to be left alone.

Caroline Tate, a widowed ecology professor, arrives at the ranch for a much-needed break and to take nature photos for her sabbatical project. But relaxing is a challenge when she finds herself at odds with the curmudgeonly cowboy who owns the place.

Jack generally steers clear of the guests, but this time, it’s not so easy. Vivacious Caroline doesn’t fade into the background. This city gal comes with pearls around her neck, a big red flower on her floppy hat, and way too many questions. Her self-assured, adventurous spirit gets under Jack’s skin, and she soon stirs feelings long dormant inside him.

Be one of the first to read Sunset Ledge! The book, published by The Wild Rose Press, is now available to pre-order in digital or paperback formats from your favorite online retailer. Sunsets, cowboys, wide-open spaces, and characters you’ll love await!

Happy reading to all!

Darlene

Sunset pre-order

https://books.apple.com/us/book/sunset-ledge/id6497954022

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/…/sunset…/1145247176…

Amazon

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.

ChristmasAtSolaceLake_V1 (1) (2)

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

Celebrating a couple of fictional couples!

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In the past week, two of my romances have hit publishing anniversaries. Today, it’s my sweet romance Meetings of Chance. Ten years since Tom and Megan came to “life.” Launching a book into the world is a big event for any author. It’s the culmination, for me, of many months, maybe more than a year, of writing, researching and editing. Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00033](Okay, yes, there’s also the hand-wringing, tweaking, staring into space, critiquing, and head-banging.) For at least a year, I spend a lot of time with these characters, getting into their heads and personalities, trying to figure out how they would respond in any given situation. What would they do or say? So much so, that they really do seem to become real!

I love the  springy feel of this cover and that gorgeous rose! You can get a sneak peek by reading the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon or taking a look at my Pinterest storyboard. Meetings of Chance is a sweet romance with a hint of mystery. And, of course, a happy-ever-after. Here are a few of my favorite lines:

Standing in the parking lot, Tom shoved his hands into his pockets and watched her drive away. Part of him wanted to go after her. Was that what she wanted? Keep it friendly, she’d said. With no regard for the Italian leather loafers he wore, he kicked at the gravel under his feet. Friends didn’t kiss like that.

The other book that celebrated an anniversary a few days ago is Something Good. It’s a slightly steamier romance. Mandi is trying to recover from some mistakes and a tragedy while Lane is trying to make his mark in the field of urban planning and development. Problem is, Mandi lives in the trailer park Lane targets for demolition. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s way out of her league. Isn’t he? 

EBOOK-SomethingGoodAccording to Kirkus Reviews, it’s “an absorbing story of redemption that’s hard to put down.” And InD’Tale Magazine says, “With surprising plot twists and unique character conflict, Something Good more than lives up to its name!” 

A couple of lines:

–Her throat constricted. A sense of loyalty kept her at Jimmy’s. She’d stay there until she had enough money to blast out of Texas for good. The people there had helped her through the worst days of her life. She owed them. They’d covered for her through the times when she froze up, threw up or didn’t even show up.

–Lane Whitmore was too good to be true. Of course, she’d known it the first time she’d seen him. He was temporary – like an over-the-counter medication, he provided temporary relief from common aches and pains.

Both books are available in digital or paperback formats from all your favorite online retailers. You can also request them from your local library. Happy anniversary to Lane and Mandi and Tom and Megan. And happy reading to all!

Darlene

https://www.pinterest.com/darlenedelucaau/_saved/

https://www.amazon.com/Meetings-Chance-Darlene-Deluca-ebook/dp/B00C2IT3DS/

https://www.amazon.com/Something-Good-Darlene-Deluca-ebook/dp/B00J8UN1GI/