Snow - Magic or Havoc? by Darlene DeLuca

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

 I have two holiday stories—Christmas at Tall Pines is a full-length novel, and Cookie Collision is a novella. Both are perfect for settling into that holiday vibe.

Christmas at Tall Pines

-- 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.

As their past and present collide, can an old flame ignite some Christmas magic?—

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!

 Visit her website for more information!

www.darlenedeluca.com

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://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FXHKZDH?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_9&storeType=ebooks&qid=1635974281&sr=1-2

https://books.apple.com/us/book/cookie-collision/id1585465393

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cookie-collision-darlene-deluca/1140147032?ean=2940162321422

 

Fairy Tale Favorites by Darlene DeLuca

For our December meeting, my book club always has a special holiday edition. We call it the Salmon Feast, and we celebrate all the winter holidays, our friendship, and our bond in books. We add a fun gift exchange, complete with the opportunity to “steal” gifts. Sometimes I enjoy that aspect of the gift giving. Other years, not so much! And we often do something a little different than our usual someone-pick-a-book.

This year, we’ve decided to discuss fairy tales. Our assignment is to re-read our favorite fairy tale from childhood and compare how we see it/feel about it now that we’re, um, well into adulthood. :-)

At first, I kind of rolled my eyes, not excited about the idea of spending my time reading a fairy tale at this extra-busy time of year. I still have some gifts to wrap, cookies to frost and, of course, several more trips to the grocery store! I don’t mind re-reading books occasionally. In fact, I have several books I enjoy re-reading, but those are my all-time faves. I’ve also been known to re-read some childhood books, Trixie Belden and Laura Ingalls Wilder books included. I still have my complete set of Laura Ingalls Wilder books. That collection goes down as my best childhood Christmas present ever!

Being the good sport, I started thinking about which fairy tale is my favorite. Honestly, I don’t remember reading any when I was a kid. But I know all the stories, so obviously I read them or watched the movie/TV versions.

I do remember being outraged at the meanness of the queen in "Snow White," the threatening deceitfulness of the wolf in "Little Red Riding Hood," and the jealousy of the stepmother and stepsisters in "Cinderella." I think of all of them, "Cinderella" is my favorite. I love that she got her magical night out. Not so much concerned about getting the prince, but happy that in the end good triumphed, and the evil stepmother and stepsisters got their comeuppance!

Turns out today my reaction is the same. Whether I’m reading fairy tales or contemporary novels, I like good to triumph over evil. I want the nice guys to finish first. I want good deeds to be rewarded. And I like happy, hopeful endings. Those, by the way, are also what I write. My books are by no means fairy tales. The characters face real-life dilemmas. They deal with loss and heartache and disappointment. There are no princes or royal kingdoms or glass slippers. But in each one, there’s growth, second chances, friendship, and love.

One of the things I realized while contemplating their significance is that most of the fairy tales I like are love stories: Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel. These stories show that love conquers jealousy, greed, and hate. Love redeems. Love changes lives. And that seems like a great conversation for the holiday season. I’m looking forward to my book club discussion—and contributing my two cents’ worth—after all! Happy holidays to each of you!

I’d love to know: what’s your favorite fairy tale or childhood Christmas gift?

Speaking of love stories, my newest novel, Christmas at Tall Pines, is a sweet holiday romance set in a cozy lodge tucked into the snowy mountains of Utah. It’s a quest for holiday magic.

-- 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.

As their past and present collide, can an old flame ignite some Christmas magic?—

Buy links:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BK1TP381/

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1174660

https://books.apple.com/us/book/christmas-at-tall-pines/id6443949366

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/christmas-at-tall-pines

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-at-tall-pines-darlene-deluca/1142549099?ean=2940165952432

Darlene Deluca writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction that explores 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 readers either cheering or sighing with a satisfied smile as they turn the final page.

The Kansas City author enjoys getting lost in a good story with a glass of tea, a bit of dark chocolate and a warm, sunny beach.

To learn more about Darlene and her books, visit her website at https://darlenedeluca.com/ or find her on social media at:

https://www.instagram.com/darlenedelucaauthor/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/Darlene-Deluca-282385088481413/?ref=bookmarks