Celebrating a couple of fictional couples!

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

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

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

 

Watching happy-ever-after unfold

Word by Word

From the day they are born, we spend a lot of time watching our kids. And delighting in that activity. Who didn’t watch their kids sleep when they looked so peaceful and angelic?

Like most parents, when our daughter was young, we hovered constantly, watching her roll over, crawl, take that first step, etc. During the school days, we watched countless soccer games, band concerts, piano recitals and horseback riding lessons. We had so much fun watching our daughter discover nature – taking her to Sea World, aquariums and zoos all over the country. There were parties and dances and awards ceremonies where her fun, her accomplishments, were our entertainment and pleasure.

Those years whiz by, and then come the big events: Watching her receive her high school diploma and her college degrees. A couple of weeks ago we had the joy of watching her get married! Wow! What an…

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It’s all about the end!

TransCRW2015MapleLeafAwards EndingI love a good ending. It’s so annoying to spend my time on a book only to be disappointed at the end — loose ends, unrealistic twists, character death or an abrupt stop with no resolution. So I was especially excited yesterday when I received word that my novel Something Good received a Maple Leaf Award for “Best Ending!”

I won’t give away the end of the book, but I have to agree, it’s a good one. It takes place in one of my favorite places — Laguna Beach, California. Sunshine, beach, ocean, what’s not to love?!

Something Good also received Honorable Mentions for “Best Novel,” “Best Misty Moment,” and “Best Hero!”

The Maple Leaf Awards are sponsored annually by the TransCanada Romance Writers to recognize outstanding work by published authors.

Want to get your own copy of Something Good? Click here!

Happy reading!

Darlene