I sat down with Darlene to learn more about her life as a writer and her book, Winter’s Kiss!
When did you realize or decide you wanted to be a writer?
My English high school teacher told me I had a knack for writing good stories and I should write more, but I didn’t take her advice seriously until many, many years later. One day, I pulled out a notebook and started writing, and haven’t stopped.
What has been your best experience as an author so far?
First, writing the words, The End. To get a story out of your head and into print is the best feeling. Second, is hearing that a reader loved your book.
How do you research and plan your books? Do you find outlining helps or hinders your process?
An idea for a story will pop into my head, and from that point I outline the basic storyline. I’m currently writing a series, so I have to make sure each character, setting, and event is spot-on with the previous books.
What project are you currently working on?
I just finished writing book three in my Redford Falls series. I’ll spend two weeks going over the comments from my beta readers before a complete read from start to finish then send it into the hands of my editor. As soon as I hit the ‘send’ button, I’ll be starting book four.
Author Bio:
Darlene resides on the East Coast of Canada with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab. When not working on her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family. An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loves to develop the many stories swimming in her head. She writes heartwarming contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners.
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Tell us a little about your new release: Winter’s Kiss!
Nothing thaws the chill faster than a warm winter kiss.
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 Haley’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, two years 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.
Where did your inspiration for the book come from?
I wanted to follow-up from the first book in my Redford Falls series with a look at a secondary character. Andrew was a secondary character who lost the girl in One Sweet Christmas, but gets the girl in Winter’s Kiss.
What was your favorite part of working on this story? What was the most challenging?
I’m not a fan of winter, so making the season sound fun and beautiful was a bit of a challenge, lol.
What’s next for this story – is it part of a series? When does it come out?
Winter’s Kiss is part of my Redford Falls series and is now available!
Excerpt:
Danielle probably looked a hideous mess. Her hair had come loose from the clip on the top of her head. Sleep masked her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to wash her face and sterilize her hands from the airborne germs she encountered on the plane. “I’ve been on the flight from hell for over eight hours. I’ve lost four hours of daylight, and the temperature here is twenty degrees lower than where I live.” She pulled the straps of her leather jacket tight around her waist. “I have to rent a car and drive two hours to a small town where, if I blink I’ll miss it.” She waved a pointed finger in the air for dramatic effect. “I’d rather be anywhere but here.”
Thank you for the wonderful spotlight!
Thank you for your great words! I look forward to checking out the book!