Snow. Snow is a four-letter word. And I’m not a fan. To me, snow means cold and gray days. It means the hassle of wearing hats and gloves and coats and scarves. It means difficult driving conditions, car accidents and shoveling injuries that can wreak havoc in lives.
But snow is often considered a magical part of Christmas—a
white Christmas conjures images of old-fashioned sleigh rides, frosty snowmen,
and beautifully dusted pine trees.
Okay, I grant you that snow can be pretty. A snow-covered winter
wonderland with ice crystals on the windows is a lovely sight when I’m curled
up inside with a book and a warm beverage. Here in the Midwest, there’s no
avoiding snow, so of course, I’ve made snowmen (and other assorted
snow-figures) with my kids. I’ve done sledding and snow angels. I’ve gone snow
skiing. And I know a lot of people love those things.
I know a lot of people, kids in particular, long to wake up
on Christmas morning to at least a dusting of the white stuff. Playing in the
snow gives kids something to do on Christmas Day after the stockings are
investigated, the packages are ripped open, and the grownups are watching
football or chatting in the kitchen. And I get it, kids seem to be immune to
the cold. But as an adult, I know too well that snow adds stress and difficulty
for those who have to work on the holiday—doctors and nurses, police and fire
personnel, airport staff, etc.
I love Christmas. In fact, it’s my favorite holiday. Gifting
is my love language. I enjoy finding the perfect gifts and wrapping them. I
love decorating our Christmas tree and holiday-themed sugar cookies. There’s
nothing better than lounging in the living room with my husband and the kids
after the frenzy of gift-opening. But as soon as the holiday is over, I’m ready
for spring—ready to toss the winter boots and sweaters, ready for longer days
and warmer temps.
That said, I’m perfectly fine with a fictional
snowstorm! Believe it or not, a mountain
ski resort is the setting for my holiday romance Christmas at Tall Pines. Turns
out there’s a lot an author can do with a snowstorm—two people forced into
close proximity, trapped inside a lodge. Power outages and the need to find
warmth some other way, candlelight, a roaring fire…sounds romantic, right? Add
all the Christmas festivities like holiday movies, beautiful decorations, hot
mugs of cider, and gingerbread houses, then combine them with two former high
school “friends” and watch for the flame to ignite!
What about you? If you live in an area with snow, are you
delighted to see it on Christmas? If you live where snow doesn’t happen, do you
wish it did?
Either way, enjoy the holiday season, and happy reading to
all!
Darlene
-- Melanie Beck is searching for an idyllic Christmas like
the ones her small family used to have. Traveling solo and still grieving the
loss of her parents, she’s counting on cozy Tall Pines Lodge tucked into the
mountains of Utah to provide the elusive holiday feels with merry music,
stunning decorations and traditional Christmas feast in a beautiful frosty
setting.
But a blizzard turns the winter wonderland into a hazard,
and a chance encounter with a now-famous high school crush has her reeling with
emotions she’s never quite gotten over.
Tyler Shaw, a Hollywood heartthrob and silver screen star,
is so over a grueling film schedule and persistent paparazzi. In disguise and
using a fake name, he comes to Tall Pines to escape the spotlight and get some
much-needed rest. He’s hoping the adrenaline rush of downhill skiing at the
nearby slopes will give him the reboot he’s looking for.
Instead, he’s stuck at the lodge and is shocked to run into
an old high school friend that he left behind more than a decade ago. He’s even
more surprised to discover how much he’s missed her.
Cookie Collision
Before she can let up and enjoy some holiday cheer, real
estate agent Alana Drake has work to do. With Christmas moving in fast, she has
clients to meet with, houses to show, and cookies to bake. Every open house
deserves her special touch—homemade and hand-decorated sugar cookies for a warm
welcome. And she needs several dozen for upcoming holiday events and open
houses.
But a poorly timed stop at the grocery store could upend
more than her bag of groceries. Running into Doctor Justin
Teague—literally—shakes up Alana's tidy world. The chance encounter leaves her
with a bum ankle, forces her to reconsider some dating ideals, and reveals new
information about a longtime nemesis.
When all she wanted was to bake some cookies…
Darlene Deluca writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction, and likes to explore relationships – what brings people together or keeps them apart.
Her intent is to bring to life interesting characters that
readers can relate to in real-life situations that combine a little fun, plenty
of drama (with perhaps a tear or two), and big helpings of friendship, love and
self-discovery, and will leave you either cheering or sighing with a satisfied
smile as you turn the final page. She enjoys reading, a little dark chocolate,
a glass of fresh-brewed tropical tea and a warm, sunny day!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BK1TP381/
https://books.apple.com/us/book/christmas-at-tall-pines/id6443949366
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-at-tall-pines-darlene-deluca/1142549099?ean=2940165952432
https://books.apple.com/us/book/cookie-collision/id1585465393
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cookie-collision-darlene-deluca/1140147032?ean=2940162321422
Thanks for being here today, Darlene!
ReplyDeleteFor someone who is not a huge fan of snow, you have embraced the great storylines the white stuff can give you. Your stories sound enchanting. I myself am a fan of the snow, but as a Northeasterner, I like that it "melts into spring."
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting me today, Liz! It'll be fun to see who enjoys the snow and who doesn't! And it's always fun to connect with readers!
ReplyDeleteIce should be an ingredient, not a weather! Hahaha! Love your Christmas books, and on the inevitable snow day, I will just hunker down in my cozy cottage and read them again.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree -- ice is for beverages! Thanks for stopping by. Happy reading! :-)
DeleteI'm a big fan of snow now. After many years, I've learned that we don't need to "get out there" after snow covers the roads near as much as we think we do. Most often we could stay inside and wait, enjoy the snow and maybe go for a walk in the white stuff.
ReplyDelete