Tag Archives: Sweet Contemporary Romance

50% off holiday sale until January 1

Just in time to fill those new Kindles or Nooks…

The following titles are on sale only at Smashwords through Sunday (versions for all type of readers)

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A Year of Romance, books 1-4 in the “Dorado, Texas” sweet historical series

A collection of the first four novellas in the “Dorado, Texas” series. Dorado is a small town on the central Texas prairie first visited by an ex-Texas Ranger looking for a job where he’ll have shelter during the upcoming winter, but he finds a mystery to solve (Wandering Home). Close to Christmas, a rescue from a runaway horse provides the formal introduction of a writer to a shy ranch hand she’s noticed from afar (Storybook Hero).  Causing an injury to a boarding house client  forces an adventurous woman into the role of escorting a visiting ranch hand on his quest to secure cattle for a drive north (My Heart Knew). A taciturn blacksmith finally has an opportunity to speak with the boarding house cook he’s been keen on meeting (Sparked by Love).

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/767505

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Anything But Flowers, book 3 in the “Sugar & Spice Bakery” sweet contemporary series

Single mother Farah Mayhew has her life under control–barely. When her car breaks down, she’s forced to accept help from a Texas charmer. She likes things done her way, but garage owner Gil Fremont has his own ideas about everything. Divorcée Farah Mayhew is determined to make her own way, but will she relinquish control when Gil Fremont races to the rescue and sweeps into her life?

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/767515

2017 Highway Cafe Blog Tour–Meet Twinkle-Toes

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Hi, everyone, Twinkle-Toes here, I’m so happy to be involved in this year’s blog hop because I love to dance and meet new people. I tie jingle bells to the curled toes of my slippers so I make music every time I walk. My favorite song that I sing often around the toy-making barn is “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” because I want everyone to get excited about the coming celebrations.

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Another one of my favorite fun things to do is to decorate presents. A special shelf in Santa’s workshop holds last year’s Christmas cards. I grab down a few and find images to cut out, like a tree or a sleigh or a group of carolers or a star. If I’m careful, I can find two images from each card. By writing names on the back side, that cutout becomes a gift tag. I use a yard needle to poke a hole near the top and thread ribbon through or, if I don’t want to ruin the image, I tape the top to the wrapped package. Recycling makes me feel warm inside.

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As a special thanks to you for visiting my blog, I’m giving away two ebook copies of A Year of Romance, an anthology of historical romance stories set around Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Fourth of July. These stories comprise the first four titles in my Dorado, Texas series. Leave a comment to be eligible to win. If you have a favorite recycling tip, please share because I giggle when I find new ways to reuse.

Blurbs:

Wandering Home

Will a justice-seeking wanderer find solace on a ranch with a stubborn widow determined to protect what is hers?

Storybook Hero

Can a starry-eyed dreamer’s search for adventure overcome a taciturn man’s belief he has nothing to offer?

My Heart Knew

Will falling in love with a strong-willed cowboy be the adventure a tomboy maid has been seeking?

Sparked By Fire

Can a wounded soul find solace in the attentions from a cook who nurtures through her culinary creations?

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I’ll pick the name of the winners and post an announcement here on December 11th.

2017  Garden Gourmet

Because this season is the time for giving, I want to tell you about a free book created by authors of one of my publishers. The 2017 The Wild Rose Press Garden Gourmet-A Holiday of Hacks includes helpful time-saving tips related to cooking and chores around the house. Get your copy here.

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As a special stocking stuffer, here’s the link to a free story. Gingerbread Wishes is a contemporary romance set at Christmas and is the first title is my Sugar and Spice Bakery series.

You’ll want to meet my elf friends so be sure to hop on over to the other blog posts.

December 4

Holland Rae – https://hollandrae.com/

Susanne Matthews – https://mhsusannematthews.wordpress.com/

Sorchia DuBois – www.sorchiadubois.com

December 5

Tena Stetler – http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/

Maureen Bonatch – http://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/

Peggy Jaeger – https://peggyjaeger.com/

Barbara Burke – https://barbaraburkeauthor.wordpress.com/

 

December 6

Kelly Kalmanson – http://kkweil.blogspot.com

M.S. Spencer – http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com

Hywela Lyn – www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com

Reggi Allder – https://reggiallder.blogspot.com/

December 7

Denyse Bridger – http://www.fantasypages.ca

Karen Blake-Hall – https://kaydenclaremont.wordpress.com/ 

Clair de Lune – https://clairdelunebooks.co.uk/

Casi McLean – http://casimclean.com/a-christmas-to-remember/

December 8

Darlene Fredette – http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com

Daryl Devore – http://daryldevore.blogspot.ca

Gini Rifkin – http://ginirifkin.blogspot.com

OR see what’s happening at the Highway Cafe

 

New Release Promotion–Sweet Inspiration

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BLURB

Dependable Cadence Wills yearns for excitement. The owner of a yarn business, she is pulled in every direction by her demanding family. Haunting dulcimer notes draw her to a practice for the musical festival, and she spies an intriguing stranger.

Musician Rafe Frasco is a rover, bouncing from one competition to the next. Interest ignites at his first glance at the woman who is enthralled by his music. He is drawn to Cadence whose heart seems big enough to encompass everyone within her reach.

A fantastic opportunity for Rafe presents Cadence with a major problem—is she strong enough to negotiate the business deal that will take him away…maybe forever?

BUY LINKS

Amazon

Smashwords

Giveaway Information:

roane feb giveaway

$25 Roane Publishing Gift Card, Bracelet with charm from Sweet Inspiration, Hot cocoa mixes and mug from The Crimson Curse
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Or enter at the Rafflecopter website

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fe3b506750/?

EXCERPT

Unmarried and approaching thirty in a small town branded her as ready and willing to meet every unattached man who set foot inside the city limits. A sigh escaped. Like last week when Espe called Trent Sullivan over to their table at El Tres Amigos and then suddenly remembered an important errand. What Espe hadn’t known was Cadence and Trent already had been set up on blind dates—twice—by well-meaning friends.

Nothing had clicked between them. Cadence craved someone with a mysterious past like in her beloved romantic suspense novels. A dark, shadowy figure who knew how to excite a woman with a molten look or a lingering touch. A man who fought to hide his pain and almost succeeded. Not someone like Trent—a guy whose high-school accomplishments she could probably recite.

Sweet plaintive notes of a stringed instrument floated on the breeze. Cadence strained to recognize the tune. A person didn’t grow up surrounded by folk music without knowing just about every ballad that could be plucked.

But this one eluded her. The twanging strings cried with a soulful sadness that grabbed her by the throat. Her thoughts were washed in loneliness, and she turned toward the sound, past the Heritage Herb Garden. A part of Cadence that couldn’t resist helping others had to see who was expressing such need.

She lifted the hem of her long skirt and hurried toward the haunting sound, as if the notes pulled her feet along the path. Abreast of the groundhog pottery kiln, she slowed and peered toward the outdoor stage.

On the platform, several musicians gathered—some unpacking instruments, others adjusting microphones. Off to one side, a dark-haired man sat in a straight-backed chair, one foot braced on a scratched case. He leaned forward and strummed a dulcimer, the light wood instrument cradled on denim-covered thighs.

Cadence studied the talented player. His too-long hair was tied back, his shoulders were broad inside his western-cut shirt, and his legs were long and lean. Scuffed boots, faded jeans and a worn Harley-Davidson tee-shirt composed his attire. Definitely more attractive than her own outfit. Even from this distance, she spotted a posture that meant the man had an attitude…or was mysterious. A thrill ran over her skin.

Who was this guy? He’d definitely swagger when he walked. Yummy. At the thought, she stepped closer, wanting nothing between her and the performance.

Long fingers picked the strings in a heated crescendo—note on teasing note, twang on shivery twang, strum on driving strum. He ended the song with a flourish, right hand arcing upward as the last note hung on the early morning air.

How did he know exactly how she felt on nights when everyone in Mountain View either had a date or was home curled next to a spouse? The isolation of being solo at the drive-in or enduring the knowing smile of a sympathetic waitress. His song wrapped all those feelings tight around her heart and squeezed.

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Guest Interview–Darlene Fredette

Welcome today to Darlene Fredette, an author friend from The Wild Rose press. Let’s get chatting…

What’s the logline that describes your writing?

Heartwarming contemporary romance.

What are your hobbies away from the computer?

Hanging out with my family, reading, BBQs, sitting by the fire-pit on a warm summer evening, and day-visits to the Valley.

Do you start a new story with the plot or characters first?

The plot will enter my thoughts first, usually while cleaning the house. By the time the house is cleaned, I have a whole story plotted in my head. The characters are developed through the plot.

If you use music while writing, name your favorite types.

I don’t listen to music while writing because I end up singing more than writing, lol. But the characters in most of my stories are usually listening to music at some point. In my Christmas novella, my heroine loves listening to Christmas songs by Elvis, and in other stories, music by Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Michael Bublé, and The Rolling Stones will be playing.

Have you traveled to any locations that appear in your books?

In my Christmas novella, One Sweet Christmas, the fictional town of Redford Falls was created with pieces of a few local areas we like to visit.

Describe a normal writing day (or period, if you have other employment obligations).

I’m a full-time writer, but my day doesn’t consist of just writing. When I get up in the morning, I get my daughter off to school and then start housework. Once the house is clean, I’m off to walk the dog. We’re generally gone for a half hour. Upon returning, I check emails and social media. I then write until lunch. I take a quick break for lunch and another short break outside with the dog. The rest of the afternoon is spent writing until my husband arrives home from work. As a rule, I don’t generally write in the evenings anymore because I was having a hard time falling asleep. The story kept continuing in my head even though my fingers weren’t typing, lol.

What’s your dream vacation destination?

Australia and Arizona. There’s a reason behind these choices, other than starting with the letter A. They are both warm locations, lol!

Do you use visual aids (storyboards, Pintrest, collages) when plotting or writing?

I create collages for each story to use as a visual for my main characters and key elements of the story. I also have a note-board with a list of character names and places. If I happen to forget a secondary character’s name, the note-board is an excellent reference. It has also come in handy for follow-up books because the information used in book one is at my fingertips.

What resources do you use for picking character names?

I generally use names that I like. Also, if I’m watching a television show and a character is appealing (lol), I may use their name in an upcoming story. If I’m stumped for a name, I seek out my daughter, who always has great ideas for me.

Are you a pet person? If so, what do you have?

I love all animals, but dogs are my favorite. They love unconditionally. I have a Yellow Lab. He’s ninety-five pounds, but thinks he’s a lap dog.

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Released October 1, 2014 from The Wild Rose Press

BUY LINK:

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon

Blurb for Law Of Attraction:

Lawyer Christina Crawford has a successful career and stable financial future, but is it enough?  Her world is disrupted when a routine divorce case means working with a man she never expected—or wanted—to see again.  During their first meeting, she can’t deny a connection still exists.  Her head warns her to run, but her heart yearns to stay.

Steven Mitchell is ruthless in the court room, but outside those doors, his easy charm, good looks and unlimited stream of female companions gives him an unscrupulous reputation.  Six years ago Christina saw beyond his façade, but the emotions she evoked scared him and he pushed her away.  Now he wants a second chance and he is determined to get her back…even if he has to play dirty.

Excerpt:

Heart pounding in her chest, she closed the door behind him. Wearing her best business face, she returned to this disastrous meeting and sat. Christina drew in a deep breath, and a measure of control was restored. She picked up her pen and flipped open the case file. “So, according to these documents, your client is contesting the divorce?”

Steven reached across the table and snatched the pen from her hand. “What’s the rush, Christina? We haven’t seen each other in years. There’s a lot of catching up to do.”

She clenched her teeth together, barely parting her lips as she spoke. “We have nothing but this case to discuss.”

“Come on, don’t be like that.” He leaned back in his chair, frowning. “You’re not still holding a grudge, are you? What happened was so long ago. I hoped we could start fresh, as friends.”

“Are you freaking serious?” She glared an icy stare. Forget a slow death by high heel. She’d get more pleasure strangling him with her bare hands. “You accused me of misconduct, had me fired, and now you want to be friends?” Her heart thumped a rapid beat in her ears. “You’re out of your mind.”

 

About the Author:

An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to put a pencil to paper and plot out stories of her own. She writes heartwarming contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners. When Darlene isn’t writing, editing, or reading, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab.

Contact links:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarleneLF

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarleneLF

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DarleneLF

Giveaway Draw:

Be sure to drop by my web site during the month of October to enter an awesome giveaway to celebrate the release of Law of Attraction!