Today, Darlene Fredette (author of One Sweet Christmas) stops by to share with us why she writes romances and to give us a sneak peek at her new book. Just like its title, it’s a sweet little story about second chances and lost love. At under 100 pages, it’s the perfect size to give you a little break from all of the holiday madness and relax.
Check out the details below!
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One Sweet Christmas Excerpt:
She let her guard down and he swooped in like an eagle after its prey. She should have pushed him away, told him to stop, but she couldn’t. The man she loved with every inch of her being was kissing her. Making her toes curl with desire she never knew existed.
Why I Write Romance
by Darlene Fredette
“Why do you write romance?”
“Have you thought about writing another genre?”
I’ve been asked those questions several times and while my answer now comes easily, at one time I had to think about a response.
I’ve been reading romance books since I was in high school (a long time ago), and wanted to write stories just as good as those books I couldn’t put down until the last page.
Every young girl wants to find that perfect someone—a hero who sweeps them off their feet and makes their dreams come true. There’s so much evil intent in this world, I don’t want to read or write about more of it. We need to embrace love and romance, and find happily-ever-after.
As an author who writes romance stories, be it contemporary, historical, or western, I want my readers to be immersed in my captivating characters, breathtaking settings, and engaging story lines. I want my readers to laugh and cry, while reading into the wee hours of the morning.
Romance and love are the ultimate emotions. They make you smile, your pulse race, your heart skip a beat, and your toes curl. That’s why I write romance!
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One Sweet Christmas
by Darlene Fredette
Blurb:
It’s going to take more than a few pieces of chocolate to fill this Scrooge’s heart with Christmas cheer. Luckily Candice Cane 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 it’s left Jackson standing, angry and looking for answers, 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’s 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.
Buy Links:
B&N. – http://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-sweet-christmas-darlene-fredette/1117368711?ean=9780857991058
Escape Publishing – http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/product/9780857991058
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Excerpt:
‘You’re late.’ She shoved the bag at him. ‘Here’s your suit.’
He stepped back. ‘Wait, you don’t actually think I’m going through with this.’
‘If you ever want to be single again, you’ll take this bag and get changed in the washroom — now.’ The children were waiting, and lack of sleep made Candi in no mood to argue.
He stood still for several seconds and then, without warning, he closed the door behind him. Jackson grabbed the bag from her hands and tossed it on the counter.
Candi held a breath.
His eyes filled with longing. His chest expanded, as if he attempted to control his breathing. Every nerve in her body tingled in anticipation. The voice in her head demanded she flee, yet her feet remained cemented to the floor. She waited — hoping Jackson would pull her into his arms.
Children’s laughter echoed from the shop and broke his advance.
‘You and I need to clear a few things that are screwy in my head but, apparently, I have a job to do first.’ Jackson shrugged out of his coat and unzipped the bag.
‘You can change…’ Candi stopped. Did he have no modesty? Jackson whisked his blue, long-sleeved shirt over his head and stepped from his dark trousers. He stood in front of her in only a black T-shirt and matching boxers.
Candi’s cheeks burned, but she couldn’t look away. He was beautiful, even more than she remembered. The thin T-shirt stretched across the planes of his chest. His legs were long and muscled. If Jackson meant to embarrass her, his plan worked. Unable to tear her gaze away, she watched as he stepped into the red pants and slipped his arms into the coat. He strapped on the pillow-stuffed belly bag and fumbled with the buttons through the fake fur trim.
The pants were a bit short, but nothing the boots wouldn’t hide. The coat fit snug across his broad shoulders and the pants clung nicely to his butt. Candi sucked in a breath and passed him a wig and fluffy, white beard. Jackson rolled his eyes, donning the fake hair, and topped off the disguise with a floppy red hat.
‘How do I look?’
He would definitely win over the children, but a sinking feeling washed through her stomach when she envisioned the youngsters fighting their mothers to see who first sat on Santa’s lap. ‘Just like jolly old Saint Nick,’ she said. But much hotter!
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About the Author:
An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to put a pencil to paper and plot out stories of her own. Her writing is a combination of contemporary romance with chick lit flare, and a main focus as a plot-driven page-turner. When Darlene isn’t writing, editing, or reading she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab.
Web Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarleneLF
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarleneLF
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Giveaway:
Darlene will be giving away a piece of Homemade Jewelry and a free PDF copy of her title One Sweet Christmas. Enter at:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c7458f10/
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While One Sweet Christmas is short, it tells a complete story in its small number of pages. I thought Jackson and Candice were cute together, and I really enjoyed seeing them get to know each other again … and of course fall in love all over again. I’ve said it before – I absolutely love these childhood-friends/second-chance-at-love stories. Add in a little Christmas miracle/Scrooge storyline and I’m hooked.
Although some might find One Sweet Christmas a little cheesy or predictable, that’s one of the things I like best about holiday romances. You can get away with being overly sentimental or emotional or sappy – that’s the kind of mood I get in at the end of the year (I embrace it whole heartedly) and I’m sure I’m not alone. It’s why those Hallmark, made-for-tv Christmas movies are so popular, right? And Fredette’s latest is the perfect choice for those who are looking to take just a short break and enjoy a little of that romantic holiday cheer.
Romantic Reads and Such 