Holiday Archives - Page 4 of 9

Nov 17th Redford Falls Series by Darlene Fredette

Happy Holidays! Boy do I have a treat for you today. Darlene Fredette author of Redford Falls Series stopped by to talk about her series. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Darlene and her Redford Falls Series.

Why did you choose the cover concept you did?

I really like book covers that have a couple and a scene. The couple should have a romantic feel and the bottom should have something that reflects an element in the story. I also wanted ‘A Redford Falls Story’ to appear in the same spot on the covers to keep a similar theme within the series. I sent my cover artist two samples of what I was hoping for, and when she sent me the first cover design, I was thrilled! She hit the ball out of the ball park with that cover and the following three. The couples and the scenes couldn’t be more perfect. For me, as an author, there’s nothing more exciting than to receive your cover and see your story come to life in a picture.

Do you see yourself in your characters?

Oh, heck no. My characters definitely have more interesting lives, lol.

Where do your story ideas come from? If they come to you in the middle of the night, do you get up and write them all down?

My overactive imagination gives me a glimpse of a story idea, triggered from almost anything and out of nowhere. But it’s when I’m doing housework, where the magic begins. At the beginning of cleaning, the characters and plot take shape. By the end of cleaning, I have most of the story mapped out in my head. I try not to let new stories or current story ideas develop in the middle of the night, because I don’t get up to write them down, and by the time I get up, I’ve forgotten what I had been thinking about.

Do you find it easier to write from a male or female point of view? Why?

I like to write stories with both the male’s and female’s point of views, mainly because I enjoy reading books that are in both. I find it gives readers a look into the heads of both main characters and places the reader in the story.

Okay, you’re casting the movie version of your novel – who would you choose for the main characters? We’re talking dream cast.

The character visions for the first four books in my Redford Falls series were thought about quite a while ago, but here’s my dream cast for each one.

His Candy Christmas – Josh Duhamel and Rachel McAdams

Kissed By Winter – Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron

Under The Apple Blossoms – Colin O’Doughlin and Meghan Ory

A Recipe For Forever – Ryan Paevey and Evangeline Lilly

SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:

Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>

Favorite movie: The Notebook
Favorite book: Too many
Last book read: Montana Wishes
Favorite color: Blue
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Hot chocolate
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Ebook
Pencil or pen: Pencil

Favorite song: Too many

Streak or not: Not

Favorite dessert: Strawberries

Favorite junk food: Cookies

Favorite thing to do to relax: Read

Champagne or gin: Vodka

Paranormal or Historical: Paranormal

Wonder Woman or Top Model: Jaclyn Smith

Favorite TV show: Survivor

Hot or cold: Hot

POV: Both

I’d die if I don’t have: Milk

Review or Not: Review

Now tell us a little about the Redford Falls Series.

His Candy Christmas

A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 1

Who knew returning home would contain a cool nip in the air, irresistible chocolate, and a Santa suit?

It’s going to take more than a few pieces of chocolate to fill this Scrooge’s heart with Christmas cheer. Luckily Candy has a whole shop full.

Candice Cane is not proud of the way she acted after her last encounter with Jackson Frost. Sure revenge was fun, but now Jackson is angry and looking for answers, and standing on the welcome mat in her chocolate shop. Now he’s after some revenge of his own.

Jackson returned to his small hometown for one reason and one reason only. So, he’s not sure how he ended up in a Santa suit in the middle of a chocolate shop, at the behest of its beautiful owner, instead of high-tailing it back to the city as fast as he can.

Kissed By Winter ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 2

A woman who knows what she wants and a man who knows what he needs.

She’s been on a flight from hell for over eight hours, lost four hours of daylight, and arrived in temperatures twenty degrees lower than accustomed to. Disliking winter for a reason she refuses to discuss, Danielle Lerato would rather be anywhere than in Redford Falls. She needs to get the job done and return home before getting caught up in the small town’s charm—and the arms of the handsome, brown-eyed restaurant owner.

Andrew Bailey’s first encounter with the buttery blonde didn’t go so well, and he well-remembers the chill of the glass of water she dumped over his head. Now, nine months later, a raging storm drops Danielle back into his life. She’s determined to leave, but he’ll do whatever it takes to convince her to fall in love with Redford Falls…and him.

Under The Apple Blossoms ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 3

This spring the blossoms aren’t the only thing blooming in Redford Falls.

A tragic accident tore them apart. She left him behind and broke his heart. Is he strong enough to risk it again?

Police officer, Tyler Kringle, keeps his heart locked behind bars. His first and only love, Maripier Nadeau, left Redford Falls many years ago after a family tragedy. She moved on, leaving him to pick up the shattered pieces of his heart. But now Maripier is home to care for her father and to attend a dedication ceremony in her mother’s honour. Her return rattles Tyler’s cage, causing old emotions to resurface. Once he discovers the truth from the past, can he reclaim the love of his life and lock-down their future before she leaves again?

A Recipe For Forever ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 4

She has one last hope – a small, family-run bakery that might just be baking up second chances.

Dwindling finances has Jess Robinson running out of options. With a past filled with failures, she longs for a new beginning. Applying for a job she isn’t qualified for may be another crazy mistake, but at this point Jess has nothing to lose.

Juggling two jobs, Travis Cooper has absolutely no time for a relationship and isn’t looking for one. But when his mother hires an unqualified baker, he has more to worry about than three-tiered wedding cakes and fighting fires. Will he break his own no-dating-employees rule and make a little room in his life for love?

About the author:

Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada where the summers are too short and the winters are too long. An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to develop the many stories coming to life in her head. She writes contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners. When not working on her next book, she can be found with her husband, her daughter, and her yellow Labrador. Darlene’s favourite pastime is taking summer day-trips to the Valley to soak in the small-town feel.

Social Media Links

Author Web Site: http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com

Facebook,  Twitter, Amazon Author Page, The Wild Rose Press Author Page, Amazon.com, Amzon.ca, Barnes and Noble, Google Play

It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Redford Falls Series!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Recipe For Forever, Contemporary Romance, Darlene Fredette, His Candy Christmas, Holiday, Kissed by Winter, Redford Falls Series, Under the Apple Blossoms by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.

Sep 9th Hidden Gypsy Magic by Tena Stetler #MFRWHooks

For #MFRWhooks this week I’m so excited! My upcoming release, HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC , A Witch’s Journey Series, Book 3 (can be read as a stand alone) is available for preorder! Discover the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic! Share the magic, mystery, time-travel adventure Pre-Order your digital copy from Amazon at a special discounted price for only $3.99, limited time!

So pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Hidden Gypsy Magic! This week new hook and excerpt.

A little about Hidden Gypsy Magic:

Discover the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic!

The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor’s life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can’t help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.

The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen’s sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter’s lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.

Touring the only “non-haunted” house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family’s cabin uncovers a heritage he didn’t know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.

A sneak peek between the pages of Hidden Gypsy Magic: The hook.

He waved a hand toward the beach behind the cabin. “Our land stretches from where we turned onto the gravel road, all the way to the beach and several acres in both directions.” Spreading his arms wide, he motioned from side to side. “We can take a hike after we get settled.”

“I’d like that.” She jumped off the running board and opened the back door to the pickup tugging out her bag.

“Let me get that.” He rushed around the front of the truck.

Stubbornly she held onto the bag. “I’ve got it. You get yours and the door. We’ll have to come back out for the rest of the stuff.” She grinned up at him. “Since you do have the key.”

Suitcase in hand, he stopped to finger one of the gas lanterns, then sprinted to the door and opened it. Inside a little fire burned merrily in the fireplace, not a speck of dust in sight. The kitchen table was set for two and the aroma of lobster stew wafted through the air. “What the heck?”

Peering over his shoulder, Gwen gasped. “Someone expecting you?”

“Not that I know of. It’s been a couple of months since anyone has been here.” A warm feeling of family he remembered from childhood enveloped him as he closed the door behind Gwen. The polished golden oak floors shone as if Molly’s kids hadn’t been the last to tramp through here. Not that Molly wouldn’t have cleaned up after them, three boys, but…

Gwen put her bag on the floor and glanced around. “Who takes care of the cabin when no one is here?”

“Nobody as far as I know.” He made a mental note to call Molly and ask her. The door stood wide open a gentle breeze wafted through the cabin.

Gwen put her hand on her hips. “Someone does. It doesn’t magically stay this spotless. And who went to all this trouble to fix a delicious meal”

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

This is a blog hop! Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks – Your next GREAT read is waiting!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged #MFRWHooks, Hidden Gypsy Magic, Holiday, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Salem, Salem Witch Trials, Tena Stetler, Time travel, Witches by Tena Stetler with 3 comments.

Jun 10th Mystic Maples by Tena Stetler #MFRWHooks

This week. #MFRWhooks is the award winning Mystic Maples. When Mercy discovers the truth, Silvanus’ well-ordered life unravels and they’re catapulted into the past to right a wrong.

I had a blast writing this book. A bit of time-travel, mystery, and magic is the small town of Willow Springs makes for a fun romantic adventure and an escape for the reader. A captivating furbaby by the name of Rag-A-Muffin steals the story.

So pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Mystic Maples!

A peek between the pages of Mystic Maples: The hook.

Earth/Fire witch Mercy Rose’s insatiable curiosity always gets her in trouble. After a break-in at her Colorado flower shop, and a court battle that comes to a screeching halt in her favor, she arrives at Deerbourne Inn for a much-needed getaway. Looking for peace and quiet, she finds just the opposite in a startling handsome but mysterious man and his dog.

Silvanus Forrest’s gypsy/fae heritage is a double-edged sword. The land he inherited from his parents is rumored to be enchanted. But when Mercy discovers the truth, his well-ordered life unravels, and they’re catapulted into the past to right a wrong. Along the way their lives intertwine, and they discover the true meaning of family and love. Will they change the past in time to save their future?

A little more about Mystic Maples!

“Don’t touch that,” he barked. It was too late.

Her fingers stroked the rusted padlock. It sprang open. Puffs of dried soil sprinkled the carpet around the chest. He placed a restraining hand on her arm just as she tentatively dug her fingers into the soil. “This isn’t from your land. It’s —.” A swirl of colors sucked them in and a feeling of weightlessness surrounded her. She grabbed a hold of Sil’s arm. Then suddenly they were back inside the wagon.

Only something was amiss, the silence, the earthy smell wasn’t right. She shivered. What have I done? Taking a deep breath, she whirled around to face Sil.

“What the hell just happened?”

He shrugged. “You promised not to touch a thing. Lets get out of here.” Reaching for the vardo’s handle, he pushed down and the door opened into a small barn. He strode to the door, tugging Mercy along with him. When he shoved it open moonlight spread across an open field casting silvery shadows through the bordering trees. Off in the distance stood a ramshackle cabin.

A warm breeze swept her hair across her face. She stared unblinking. Nothing about the landscape was familiar except the stands of young trees. She bent as if to touch the soil.

His arm flew out and prevented her from reaching the ground. “Its true,” he murmured surveying the area. His lips set in a thin line, he rubbed his temples and stared. Mocking her. “I won’t touch a thing. Well… you did and now… we are not when we were.”

“Now what?” she whispered.

He sucked in a breath. With his hand at the small of her back, he urged her up the stairs of the vardo.”I think we better go back inside and talk.”

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

This is a blog hop! Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks – Your next GREAT read is waiting!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, Uncategorized and tagged #MFRWHooks, fourth of July, Gypsy, Holiday, magic, Mayple Syrup, Mystery, Mystic Maples, Paranormal Romance, Tena Stetler, Time travel, Vermont, Witches by Tena Stetler with 8 comments.

Dec 11th Welcome to #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge December 11, 2019, My Earliest Memory.

Welcome to #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge December 11, 2019, My Earliest Memory. Today because it is the Christmas Season, I’m taking the liberty of tweaking the topic just a bit to– My Earliest and Fondest Christmas Memory!

My Earliest and Fondest Christmas memory: The one and only year my mom decided to drive from Colorado to Iowa to spend Christmas with her family. I was only four or five-years-old and the only fear I had as we drove through a blinding blizzard and nearly got stuck in a huge snow drift was there was no way Santa would find me. Eventually we did make it safe and sound to Iowa. My uncle had to carry me and our luggage out of the car to the house because the snow had drifted up to my waist. This was the first and only year my mom and I spent Christmas away from home. It was so much fun with all my cousins, uncle’s and aunt’s all snowed in at my grandparent’s house. Looking back, I don’t imagine the adults thought it was all that much fun. It was a small house and boy was it crowded. When Christmas morning came, Santa had found all of us and the squeals of joy could be heard for miles.

Being the only child in a single parent home, I still remember sitting down for Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimming that year awed at the number of people seated at the big table, let alone the number of kids wriggling around the not much smaller kid table. Best Christmas ever.

Do you have a fond Christmas Memory? I’d love to hear about it. Tell me about your memory in the comments.

Alas, I need to get back to my writing cave where deadlines loom, so let’s see what other authors list as their Earliest Memory. L&SR

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

Squeal!! So excited! I’ve a new release, Charm Me Again. Please check it out. Pssst…. It makes a great Christmas gift. Just say’n.

Click on the cover to read more or purchase!

Teaser from CHARM ME AGAIN –

For several months a Scottish Highland Ghost has haunted Daylan, in his personal life, his professional life and at his forge. Yet, being a talented warlock, he is no closer to discovering what the ghost wants or why he chose Daylan. A trip to his estranged sister’s home in Colorado may have unforeseen consequences especially when family history leads him to a shocking discovery.

As his attraction blooms for Josie, a yoga instructor in his sister’s studio, he realizes there may be more to Josie than he can imagine. When an ancient rogue Fae Warrior set on revenge kidnaps her in an attempt to claim her as his own, a devastating curse comes to light.

Daylan’s world spirals out of control as he searches for Josie. Can he break the age old curse to save her and their future, or will she be lost to him forever?

Another Squeal-worthy event this week. Can you believe it? So this just happened. Yippee!! I’m so thrilled to announce that MYSTIC MAPLES has been chosen as a finalist in the Paranormal Romance category on N.N.Light’s Book Heaven awards! WOW!