guest blog

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!

Darlene

Where to find Darlene Fredette:

Website: http://www.darlenefredette.com/

Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenefredette1/

Where to find SECRET RECIPE:

https://www.amazon.ca/Secret-Recipe-Redford-Falls-Story-ebook/dp/B0GHGS52XY

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Recipe-Redford-Falls-Story-ebook/dp/B0GHGS52XY

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!