friendship

Fictional friends celebrate anniversaries, too!

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I can’t believe it’s been ten years since I introduced Dana to the women’s fiction community. My, how time flies! Second Wind is the second book in my Women of Whitfield trilogy about three friends living in a small Kansas town.

Dana is a caring, hard-working nurse and mother of three young- adult children who she’s trying to launch into the world. As a single mom with an elderly father to care for as well, her plate is full. So when a tornado rips through town and reduces her home to rubble, it throws her life into chaos.

For years, she’s focused on two things: her work and raising her kids. Her eldest son is graduated from college and successfully employed, and her daughter is about to graduate. Mission almost accomplished. Except that shortly before the tornado slams into Whitfield, her youngest son has dropped out of college and returned home. Big problem. Now, there’s no home.

In the midst of change and challenges, Dana is blindsided by ugly accusations against her youngest son. She knows in her heart they are untrue, but it’s one more thing, and she’s hurt that people she’s known forever would even question her son’s character. Shaken, Dana begins to question whether she can rebuild her life in her beloved hometown or if it’s time to move on.

But it’s a small town, and friends are fierce. Dana is part of close-knit group of steadfast friends who come to her aid, offering her moral support, meals and a place to stay while she figures out the challenges ahead.

The three novels in the series each focus on one of three friends as their main character. The books are perfect for curling up on a cold, winter night with a blanket and a warm beverage! Immerse yourself in small-town charm with a few life challenges, a little   family drama, and a lot of friendship!

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Second Wind, I’ve reduced the price of the ebook on Amazon. Take a look, and make some new friends!

Happy Reading!

Darlene

https://www.amazon.com/Second-Wind-Women-Whitfield-Book-ebook/dp/B00S1FWTDC/

Celebrate all the moms!

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Mother’s Day is right around the corner!  This year is a special one for me because it’s my first Mother’s Day as a grandmother!! So this year, in addition to celebrating me and my own mom, we’ll be celebrating my daughter as a new mom, too!

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While it’s kind of a mind-blowing new life stage for me, I love celebrating moms. Motherhood is a special role. I didn’t grow up thinking I couldn’t wait to be a mom the way some girls do. In fact, the hubs and I waited eight years after we were married. We just weren’t ready in the early years of our marriage. Kids change everything!!!

Becoming a mom to two amazing kids has been a constant source of joy and pride. I know this isn’t the case for everyone. And I don’t think every woman has to become a mom to have a great, rewarding life. Over the years, Mother’s Day has expanded to include people who are like-a-mom, stepmoms, aunts, good friends, caregivers, etc. And that’s awesome. Anyone who cares for kids should be celebrated! As a mom, I value those friends who would step in for me and be good to my kids, the friends who cheer when my kids have an accomplishment or special event, the friends who commiserate when life hands my kids a tough blow. I celebrate those women, too. It really does take a village!

A lot of the books I write include moms — both the women’s fiction and the romances. Most of them are wonderful moms who offer helping hands and support, and are full of love, compassion, and great advice. But, as always, I try to create realistic characters and storylines, so these are relatable women who have their fair share of angst with jobs, kids, and spouses. Some struggle with single parenting, others face challenges with adult children, and some are transitioning to the grandmother role.

Is your mom a reader? Introduce her to some new friends this year! My Women of Whitfield series is a trilogy about three small-town friends who are there for each other through parenting, loss, love and everything life throws at them.

The books are available in digital or paperback formats from most online book retailers. Here are a few “mom” excerpts:

Claire, The Storm Within– When the ice cream arrived, it was topped with whipped cream, covered in multi-colored candy sprinkles, and included a small chocolate-chip cookie tucked along the side. Claire couldn’t decide what was funnier – her daughter’s aghast expression or her grandson’s look of pure delight. The kid’s eyes were as round as his open mouth, and his fists clenched as they shook with excitement.

When Elise started to speak, Claire rested a hand on her daughter’s arm. “Let them have it, Elise. The look on Andy’s face is priceless. Just enjoy their joy this time, okay?”

Dana, Second Wind— “Be back at midnight,” Dana said. “That means no drinking, Chase. You can’t be on the highway if you’ve had even a few beers.”

“I can just spend the night there.”

“No. That’s not what I meant. I want you to come back, and to be sober. Period. You shouldn’t be drinking, anyway. You can’t afford a DUI. Also, I ran into Cameron Wade at the lost and found yesterday. He’s been driving around town picking up things that have landed all over the place. You can help him tomorrow morning. He said nine or ten. What about nine-thirty? That gives you plenty of time to sleep.”

Chase’s grunt was muffled by the closing of the door.

Dana watched her son’s car pull away from the curb and wondered where that adorable kid was who never left the house without saying “I love you.” What happened to the kid who would still allow her to grab his hand for a few moments even in high school? She missed him.

Mary, Barefoot Days– “Mom, you do realize that until two days ago I thought I was in love with someone else, right?” She pulled a top over her head and reached for her jeans.

Mary moved forward and ran a hand down Sara’s shoulder-length hair. “I do. I’m sorry. I’m not making light of that. But…well, maybe the best thing for getting over him is finding the real Mr. Right, hmm?”

“I have no idea what Evan is doing now, Mom. Heck, he could be married. I told you, we don’t talk anymore.”

“You would know, because I would know.”

“Whatever. Give it a rest, okay?”

“Fine, but for the record, I don’t think he’s dating anyone.” She leaned in, meeting Sara’s eyes in the mirror. “And I know he isn’t bringing anyone with him to the wedding.”

Darlene_Deluca_womens fiction

https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Within-Women-Whitfield-novel/dp/1490379231/

https://www.amazon.com/Second-Wind-Women-Whitfield-2/dp/1505681170/

https://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Days-Women-Whitfield-3/dp/1544984553/

Drum roll, please… It’s Release Day!

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Here it is! It’s finally done! It’s the end of a journey — it’s book three in a trilogy, the last installment in a heartfeltPageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00031] story of three friends in a small Kansas town.

The three stories in this series are companion books. They feature a trio of close-knit women who’ve been friends for a long time – each story focusing on one of the friends. The series will take you on a ride through their ups and downs as women, wives, mothers, bread winners and civic leaders. Through joy and pain, new love, longtime love and lost love, these women pull for each other, catch each other when they fall, and embrace life. You’ll wish these gals were your friends in real life!

Barefoot Days is Mary’s story — the story of a strong, beloved woman who suddenly faces fear and loss when her rock-solid world is shaken.

Available now in ebook or paperback!

Readers are saying:

  • Like in all of Darlene Deluca’s books, these characters seem very realistic and the reader really comes to care about them. I especially enjoyed hearing more about the characters that appeared in the first two books of this series, and seeing where life had taken them. The engaging characters, realistic dialog and compelling storylines make for another great book from Deluca!
  • There’s plenty of drama, romance, and a scary medical mystery, told with Deluca’s trademark honesty and sensitivity to real human issues and the ways that real people, like us and our own friends, try to cope with grace and kindness.
  • Barefoot Days is about how the bonds of friendship and love of family can turn despair to hope and fear to strength.

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00031]

Get Book Two

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00031]

Get Book One

Comment here or on my Facebook Author Page for a chance to win a digital copy of Barefoot Days or a $10 Amazon gift card now through Sunday, April 23!

 

 

Cover Reveal! Take a peek!

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Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00031]Ahhhh . . . doesn’t that image make you want to curl your toes in the grass? I’m so excited to share the cover of Barefoot Days, the final novel in my Women of Whitfield small town trilogy! Book three takes readers back to Whitfield and the lives of three women who share a special I’ve-got-your-back friendship.

Barefoot Days is Mary’s story.

Mary Logan believes in the goodness of people. She believes in grace under pressure. But when the ugliness of human nature touches her family, and a series of seismic events shake up her world, she’s put to the test again and again.

She and her husband are supposed to be enjoying the benefits of early retirement. Their nest is empty. It’s time to travel and re-focus. It’s their time. Then an alarming diagnosis and an unexpected announcement from their daughter change everything. Facing the possibility of heart-wrenching loss, Mary finds herself breaking commitments, forcing smiles, and keeping secrets.

Until now, her cup has always been half full. Will a positive outlook be enough to withstand the challenges ahead?

Though final edits are still under way, you can pre-order your digital copy of Barefoot Days now! Release date for both ebook and paperback is April 21, 2017.

Happy reading!

Launch Party!!

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P1040503Today’s the day!
Hello, everyone! So excited to share the big news — Second Wind is now available in both digital and paperback formats! It’s book two in my Women of Whitfield series about a group of longtime friends and their lives in a small, fictional town in Kansas. There’s a big dose of friendship, some drama, a little family angst, and a dash of romance — women’s fiction at its best!
I’m celebrating the release on my Facebook Author Page. Be sure to stop by for excerpts, info and giveaways! The more you like/comment/share, the better your chances of winning a copy of the book!
(click on the link to the right)

Here’s the cover blurb:
When a devastating tornado rips through the small town of Whitfield, Dana Gerard’s home is reduced to rubble and her well-ordered life to chaos. In the wake of the disaster, she finds herself in financial straits and confronted by challenges that test her limits.

With support from longtime friends, Dana begins the daunting task of rebuilding, but that’s not her only worry, and may be the least of her concerns. Change greets her from all directions – at work and within her own family. At a crossroads, Dana is forced to see her life with a new vision and to trust the one person she’s determined to push away.

Click here to purchase your copy of Second Wind!