Please welcome my guest, author Darlene Fredette. Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada where the summers are too short, and the winters are too long. She writes contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners. When not working on her next book, she can be found with her husband, her daughter, and her yellow Labrador.

Darlene has graciously allowed me to interview today so we'll get started.

Tell us something about yourself both writing and non-writing related.

I enjoy writing stories in small towns, but not too far from the busy city. I enjoy visiting a small town just an hour away. It’s very relaxing from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Do you have a writing routine or ritual that you do before you start writing?

I always have the house cleaned and a thirty-minute walk with my dog before writing.

Why do you write in the genre/sub-genre that you do? Any plans in the future to write in a different one?

I write what I am familiar with – contemporary romances, but I am soon going to venture out of my comfort zone to write a western/time travel and a fantasy.

How do you stay motivated when writer’s block hits or your muse won’t cooperate?

I step away from the computer to reflect on the scene. Usually, the time away has me coming up with a better idea. A fresh perspective is best.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research?

Writing contemporary romances doesn’t result in a lot of strange research, but definitely interesting. I’ve researched different places, and details for my characters’ careers. I learned a lot about bipolar disorder for the mother of a lead character. And most recently, ice cream recipes!

What’s the best writing advice you were ever given?

Don’t compare yourself to other writers. Write in your own voice.

What do you like to do in your leisure time?

Hang out with my family, day visits to the valley, read, and listen to music.

Tell us about your current or upcoming release in a couple of sentences.

Carly Redd is focused on her career and has no time for a relationship, until she is coerced into attending her ex-boyfriend’s engagement party with a pretend boyfriend.

Can you tell us a little about your next project?

I am currently writing the last chapter of book six in my Redford Falls series, but this particular book is part of a series (The Marleys of Redford Falls), which focuses on the five Marley brothers in Redford Falls.

Anything else you’d like readers to know?

I hope visitors enjoyed getting to know a bit about me and Cherry Red. Your interview was fun. Thank you for hosting me today!

Check out the blurb and excerpt for Cherry Red below.

This summer, ice cream entrepreneur Carly Redd's only focus is expanding her business—until she's coerced into attending her ex's engagement party. Showing up without a date is unthinkable. She reluctantly agrees to be escorted by her brother’s co-worker, although doing so breaks her rule of not dating firefighters.

The daughter of the town’s fire chief should wear a Do Not Touch sign, but firefighter Noah Harding's interest blazed the moment he saw Carly. Agreeing to be her fake boyfriend is a no-brainer, but convincing Carly to trust him with her heart is harder than extinguishing a fire.

Overstepping the platonic-only rule is as dangerous as fire and ice swirling into a tempting combustion.

Excerpt:

“This might seem like a strange question, especially since we’ve just met, but would you be interested in going out for a coffee? Or an ice cream?” Noah rested an arm on the bar.

Carly glanced down at her jeans and black T-shirt embroidered with the company name and logo…a cluster of red cherries. In a room full of women all dolled up in fancy—and some a bit scanty—dresses, why would this incredibly handsome man ask her on a date? “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested…”

Noah raised a brow. “I know you like ice cream, so is it the coffee, or me?”

“What? No. I mean, yes.” She took a second to collect her scrambled thoughts. “I like coffee. I just don’t hang out with firefighters.” Not that he was a real firefighter. Did impersonators count in her rules of men to avoid? She never dated a stripper, but she wasn’t sure she could have a relationship with a guy who was paid to take off his clothes and have other women fawn over him. Not that the guy asked her on a date…just a simple coffee. His frown made her feel badly. “I’m sorry. It’s nothing personal.”

“Burnt in the past? No pun intended.” He smiled.

She couldn’t help but smile back. “Something like that.”

The universal link below will bring you to Darlene's website which has links to all distributing sites for her books.

Universal Purchase Link: http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/2021/04/my-books-purchase-links.html

Social Media Links:

Author Web Site: http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Fredette/e/B005NAF660/