motherhood

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!

IMG_1691(1)

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/

blog orchid It’s Mother’s Day! The day to honor all of the loving, hard-working moms in our lives. As a daughter, of course, I reflect on the relationship with my mom, so fortunate that she’s still with me and in good health. As a mom, I’m grateful for the joy that my two awesome kids bring to my life. And as a writer, I can’t help thinking about all the mothers in my novels.

Here’s just a quick introduction to a few of them:

There’s Dana, the single mother in Second Wind, who works diligently to provide for her kids, give them a stable home environment, and send them to college. She’s a steadfast encourager who does all she can to give support and direction to her children.

“Chase, like I’ve said a million times, you have so much potential. You can do whatever you want. You need to believe in yourself.”

“Yeah? What good does that do if no one else will?”

“Chase.” She waited until his eyes met hers. “I believe in you.”

In Unexpected Legacy, Grace, the hero’s mother, unconditionally accepts the 16-year-old grandson she didn’t know she had.

She got up from her chair and in three quick steps threw her arms around Matt. “Of course we’ll help,” she said as she hugged him tightly. “I want to meet this boy.”

His mother was a slight woman, a good foot shorter than him, but those were the most comforting arms he’d ever been wrapped in.

In Something Good, Mandi’s mother plays a supporting role – a steady presence primarily in the background. While Mandi’s relationship with her father is a little rocky, her mother is rock-solid.

Mandi punched in her mother’s number.

“Mom?”

“Mandi? Is something wrong?”

The worry in her mother’s voice tugged at Mandi. She didn’t always see eye-to-eye with her parents, but she could always count on them. They were her safety net, and tonight she wanted to feel safe.

“Yeah, there is. I don’t want to go home tonight. Can I come there?”

“Of course. Are you all right? Where are you? Do you need us to come get you?”

“No. I’ve got my car. I’m leaving the diner now. I’ll tell you about it when I get there.”

“I’ll wait up.”

Light spilled onto the porch, and the front door opened before Mandi stepped out of her car. She hurried up the stairs to the welcoming entryway of her parents’ house, and stumbled into her mother’s arms.

The mother/daughter relationship in The Storm Within is complicated. Claire struggles to accept the death of her son and forge a closer relationship with her daughter who’s always played second fiddle. While they haven’t been close, Elise refuses to give up on her mother.

Claire’s fingers grazed the small trinkets.

“You’re not upset that I took Ben’s things and put them in here, are you?”

“Of course not. I love it. And I love that I can still take them out and touch them. It’s very thoughtful, Elise.”

She swallowed hard, and took Elise’s hand. “This has been a tough year for both of us. I know I put you through some bad times. I’m sorry for that.”

When tears spilled down Elise’s cheeks, Claire wiped them away, Ben’s words echoing in her ears again. It’s gonna be okay. “No more tears,” she whispered. She gathered her daughter into her arms. “I love you, honey.”

“Love you, too, Mom.”

Though Elise’s words were muffled, Claire understood each one.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms who love and support unconditionally!