Friday Five: Darlene Fredette

2230Author: Darlene Fredette
First published with Escape: December 2013
Favourite romance trope: Returning Home
Ideal hero (in three words): Strong, Charismatic, Dependable
Ideal heroine (in three words): Determined, Feisty, Independent
Latest book: Winter’s Kiss

What began your romance writing career? Why do you write romance?

In my teenage years, I read Harlequin romance novels, and I was hooked. From that point, characters came to life in my head and demanded to have their own stories told.

How did your latest book come to life? What was your eureka moment?

I’m currently stranded in a small town called Redford Falls, but loving every moment. The residents in this town make the stories real. Winter’s Kiss was created for the guy who didn’t get the girl in One Sweet Christmas. The cold and snowy theme was the perfect setting for him to get his happy-ever-after.

What do you do when you’re stuck with a scene?

I stop and take a breath or two, or three. Doing house work always give me my ‘ah-ha’ moment. By the time the house is clean; the scene has unravelled and is as clear as the glass tabletop.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar? Do you have one already? 

I love all animals, especially dogs. So my mascot would definitely be a dog. Their strength and loyalty goes above and beyond. I have a Yellow Labrador Retriever who is my shadow. He follows me everywhere, and when I’m sitting at my desk writing, he’s close by, lying at my feet.

DarleneFredetteYellowLab

Besides writing, what is something else that you’re really good at?

I enjoy painting, and people have said I’m good at it. I paint for the enjoyment and the escape it allows. I can’t replicate another drawing or painting because my own style needs to be released. I take the image and turn my own spin on it.

DarleneFredettePainting


30327Return to beautiful Redford Falls: a woman who knows what she wants and a man who knows what he needs…

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.

iBooks, Booktopia, Nook, Kobo, Google, Amazon AU, Amazon UK, Amazon US

Find that Christmas Spirit!

Check out these holiday-themed romance novels from Escape, on sale for $0.99!

29693

Sometimes Santa doesn’t give you what you want — he gives you what you need. Three sexy-sweet novellas for that Christmas spirit!

iBooks, Booktopia, Nook, Google, Kobo, Amazon AU, Amazon UK, Amazon US


22839 (1)

A beautiful, uplifting holiday story from bestselling author Juliet Madison about a lonely writer, her grandmother’s ghost, a road trip, and twelve different Daves.

iBooks, Booktopia, Nook, Kobo, Google, Amazon AU, Amazon US, Amazon UK


22581 (1)

What began as an impersonal-but-cheerful holiday gift for a soldier far from home becomes so much more…

iBooks, Booktopia, Nook, Kobo, Google, Amazon AU, Amazon UK, Amazon US


19723

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…

iBooks, Booktopia, Nook, Google, Kobo, Amazon AU, Amazon UK, Amazon US


25629

For a man called Chris Kringle, Christmas is the most magical time of the year.  But this year, there’s something about a certain elf that’s grabbed his attention in the best of ways. 

iBooks, Booktopia, Nook, Kobo, Play, Amazon AU, Amazon UK, Amazon US

Return Home: Christmas edition

by Darlene Fredette

 However far we wonder, where ever we may roam, our thoughts will still be turning to those we love at home. Author Unknown

Tropes like ‘Return Home’ are popular in romance stories, however every author must apply their own spin to make the trope their own and create a memorable storyline.

Returning home can be a mixed bag of emotion, with fun, but also conflict and tension.

In One Sweet Christmas, there’s a teaspoon of best friend’s sister and a tablespoon of a reunion. But the main focus is the cup of returning home; it’s a tasty recipe you just might find in Cane’s Chocolate Shop.

Jackson does not return to Redford Falls willingly. He is forced by a mere piece of paper. Upon his first step into the snow, emotion, conflict and tension erupt. Jackson not only has to face the past he left behind, but a family he has rarely spoken to, and the woman who holds his heart. There’s a lot at stake when he begins to wonder why he left, and whether a future is possible in the town he once couldn’t wait to leave.

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


xmas

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…

Christmas Titles

If you love them, we’ve got them!

Contemporary Christmas!

We can recommend all of Rhian Cahill’s holiday titles, but her latest is super fun.

25629

For a man called Chris Kringle, Christmas is the most magical time of the year.  But this year, there’s something about a certain elf that’s grabbed his attention in the best of ways. 


Christmas Magic!

Like your Christmas with a bit of sparkle? Try this funny, sweet story about a ghost, 12 Daves, and true love…

22839

A beautiful, uplifting holiday story from bestselling author Juliet Madison about a lonely writer, her grandmother’s ghost, a road trip, and twelve different Daves.


Country Christmas!

The small town of Swallow’s Fall will make you feel the Christmas spirit, even if they have to force it upon you…

22819

From the author of the internationally bestselling The House on Burra Burra Lane comes a Christmas story — country style.


Heart-warming Christmas

Not everyone gets to spend Christmas with their loved ones, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be special…

22581

What began as an impersonal-but-cheerful holiday gift for a soldier far from home becomes so much more…


Sweet Christmas

Because what’s Christmas without a special treat?

19723

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…


Christmas that’s out of this world

For SFF fans – we haven’t forgotten you!

19729

What if your only chance at survival was to seduce the man who broke your heart?

 

 

 

December Recipes – Candy Cane Vanilla Fudge

by Darlene Fredette

Here’s a recipe for the Christmas fun – it’s a recipe my heroine makes in my novella, One Sweet Christmas.

 

Candy Cane Vanilla Fudge

Ingredients:

  • 1 package vanilla milk chips
  • 1 can of Pillsbury Vanilla Creamy Supreme Icing
  • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 4 drops red food colouring
  • 2 tablespoons of peppermint candy canes (chopped)

Directions:

Place vanilla chips in a pot on the stove at medium heat. Stir until the chips have melted.

Add icing to the pot and continue stirring.

Remove from heat and add peppermint extract until dissolved.

Pour mixture into a pan.

Add one drop of food coloring in each corner of pan.

Use a butter knife to swirl the food coloring into the fudge for a swirl effect (don’t overdo it).

Add chopped peppermint pieces to the top of fudge.

Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until the fudge has hardened.

Cut into small pieces.


19723

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…

Available Now!

‘Tis the Season – for Sweet Christmas!

o-EASY-CHRISTMAS-COOKIES-facebookToday, we go walking in a winter wonderland with Darlene Fredette.

1. Give us a Twitter-length description of your Christmas title, One Sweet Christmas.

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

2. Why did you set your story at Christmas?

The theme is wintery and sweet, and many of the characters in One Sweet Christmas have names reflecting the Wintery/Christmas season.

3. What is your favourite thing about Christmas time?

I love the beauty and magic of the Christmas season. Hearts are filled with love and kindness.

4. What do you hope Santa will leave you under the tree this year?

I’m hoping he leaves a new pair of slippers. They must be warm to keep my toes comfy through the long and cold winter months.

5. Finally, are your characters naughty or nice?

There’s a sprinkle of naughty in both Jackson and Candi, and a heaping spoonful of nice.


19723It’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.

Jackson wants nothing to do with his small town past, but Candice shows him what he didn’t even know he’d been missing. Can a bit of Christmas magic heal old wounds and offer up a future neither saw coming?

 

Happy Canada Day!

canadadayHappy Canada day wishes to all our Canadian readers, and a special shout-out to our Canadian Escape Artists:

21184Auralee Wallace!

19723Darlene Fredette!

20835Daniel De Lorne! (who’s actually an Aussie, but currently living in Canada, so gets the love too!)

Maple syrup and pancakes for everyone!

Chill Out

As Australia swelters under a heat wave, may we humbly offer some refreshingly cool stories to help while away the time as you huddle in front of the air conditioner with the curtains drawn and the lights off?

19909Jane O’Reilly’s The Holiday Survival Guide features winter camping. That’s right – there’s snow, there’s a tent, there’s even potential frost bite.

19723Sure, it may be a little out-of-season, but is that any reason to turn down One Sweet Christmas from Darlene Fredette, a story about a snowy small town with ski hills?

8879Our Canadian hero in this sweet story teaches our Australian hero how to ice skate during a snowy Calgary winter – Finding Elizabeth from Louise Forster.

19729Nothing like some ice vampires to chill your blood! Ros Baxter’s White Christmas.

18615A snowball fight plays a crucial scene in Not Your Average Joe, a Cinderella-style romance from Nell Carson.

9505And, finally, last but not least, One Hot Winter’s Night from Serenity Woods features an ice hotel. Think about that, while trying to sleep tonight, when even the linen seems to be a heat source!

 

What’s your favourite ‘cool’ story? We’d love to hear any and all suggestions. *wipes sweaty brows*