Tag Archives: reunion

Upcoming release–Dulcina

Dulcina cover_final

On November 15, Dulcina , my first contribution to the Widows of Wildcat Ridge multi-author series,  will release. On pre-order now.

The series is set in 1884 Utah Territory and involves the widows left behind after a gold mine disaster. Each story follows one of the widows as she rebuilds her life in the fictional town of Wildcat Ridge in the northeastern part of the territory.

BLURB

Left widowed following a Utah mining disaster, Dulcina Crass faces running a saloon on her own when her previous contribution was solely as the singer. She struggles to learn the necessary tasks but her heart isn’t in being a saloon keeper. All she ever wanted was to be a famous singer. Will asking Gabriel Magnus, a neighbor from her New Mexico hometown, bring the help she needs or a new kind of trouble?

Gabriel Magnus isn’t fulfilled by his role as ranch hand on the family’s New Mexico sheep ranch. What he wants is the chance to prove his boot making skills are good enough to start his own business. When he receives a letter from recent widow Dulcina offering a partnership in the Last Chance Saloon, he recognizes the chance to come to the rescue of the vivacious girl he wanted to court a decade earlier. Upon his arrival, he presents her with a demand–her answer could decide both of their fates.

AMAZON link

EXCERPT

“Ceremony?” Her eyes shot wide. “You intend us to be married today?”

“I do, and I’ll not marry a woman wearing mourning black.” The drab color did nothing to highlight her natural beauty. “You look fit to join the circle of viudas in the Questa marketplace.”

Lips pinched, she glanced around the immediate area. “But, Gabriel, I have been in mourning for Stuart since the mine disaster.”

He bristled at the mention of that man’s name but kept his expression calm. “A status that ends now. Stuart is gone, never to return in this lifetime.” When he spotted her lower lip quiver, he braced himself. The way their life would be structured moving forward had to be laid out. “Today will be the first day of our marriage, yours and mine, and he will not come between us. I will proclaim my vows next to a woman who looks to the future, not one who still clutches the past.” He stepped back to gather his luggage then carried it to where she stood. “Please show me to the saloon, where I assume you also live.”

“Oh.” She dropped her gaze and pulled at the strings on her reticule. “I thought you’d book a room in the hotel while we get reacquainted.”

If she thought she was the one making decisions, she’d been on her own too long. Maybe her late husband allowed that behavior. She might as well learn that he would not. He narrowed his eyes. “We will get reacquainted while living under the same roof.” The words “and in the same bed” remained unspoken. He didn’t think she was ready to hear his opinion of how the arrangement would play out.

“But Wildcat Ridge has no minister. Poor Reverend Bainum was lost in—”

“I know.” His voice snapped sharper than he intended. He held up a hand. “The mine collapse. The town can only be saved if you stop looking at what you lost and focus on what can be gained.” Realizing other people paid too close attention to their conversation, he clasped her hand and guided her to a nearby bench. “I am sorry, Dulcina. I do understand you have been through a loss. But that tragedy is not my experience. I see new opportunities, and I aim to grab them.” He smiled. “The best one is you.”

Her eyes shot wide. “I’d planned for us to take a day trip to Curdy’s Crossing on Saturday after the horse-related business is concluded. The church there is run by Minister Stone, and other widows have had him perform their wedding ceremonies. I thought we could marry after services on Sunday.” She ducked her head. “The marriage that is supposed to be only a formality.”

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.

perf5.000x8.000.indd

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!