Derailed Hearts Book Review from N.N. Light's Book Heaven

This review for Derailed Hearts made my day!

"Derailed Hearts is a delightful contemporary romance which takes place on a train. Falling in love on a train is so romantic, especially when there is a sweet little girl playing matchmaker. What makes Derailed Hearts such a wonderful romance are the characters and the fact it’s forced proximity aka on a train. Ethan captured my heart from the opening scene with him talking on the phone with my matchmaking grandmother. He’s a single dad who’s dealing with a heartbreaking scenario with his young daughter. Tears formed in my eyes almost from the get-go. Jenn is also a tortured soul. My heart broke for her as well. The descriptive narration is also very emotional and tugged at my heartstrings. The setting is a train ride across Canada. Darlene Fredette nails the world-building and the train ride. It brought me back to when my husband and I took the train to the East Coast almost twenty years ago. The romance is slow-burn with some much emotion. I couldn’t read fast enough. One of my favorites in the series, Derailed Hearts will steal your heart."

My Rating: 5++ stars. Reviewed by Nancy.

Full review from N.N. Light's Book Heaven Substack

https://nnlightsbookheaven.substack.com/p/book-review-derailed-hearts-a-redford

Mourning Dove

Last Sunday afternoon, while washing the dishes, I heard cooing and immediately recognized the sound as the mourning dove. I knew they were close, and I knew it was a couple because they are always together. When I went to the dining room window, there it was! Perched on the deck gate. After a few snapshots of the back of its head, it finally turned and looked at the window.

The mourning doves are such sweet birds. The are beautiful and have a distinctive cooing sound. We have a couple that return every year. With many trees surrounding our property, they have their pick of which one to nest in. This year, I think they have selected the spruce tree close to the deck. They have been flying in and out of that tree, and that's where its mate was cooing from while this one said hello from the gate.

The spring weather hasn't been great, but last Sunday we had a rare sunny day with above normal temperatures, which I'm sure all the birds appreciated as  much as we did.

A Splash of Lilacs

 

It's still too cold here for my lilac tree produce flower buds or even a leaf, but I wanted to create an art piece to portray their beauty, and to help promote their growth.

Lilacs were my mother's favorite flower. I used to cut several branches of blooms and bring them to her on mother's day. Seeing the lilacs, and smelling their amazing fragrant scent, always makes me think fondly of my mother.

In this artwork, I matched the colors of the lilacs and leaves to create a fun splash background.

I'll share a photo when the real lilacs are in bloom.

Monday Moments - The Power of Small Steps

A Monday Moment from Still Moments Magazine

The Power of Small Steps

There’s something almost magical about beginnings. Not the grand, cinematic kind. The quiet ones. The tiny ones. The ones that don’t look like much until you realize they’ve carried you somewhere you didn’t think you could go.

We tend to glamorize big leaps: the dramatic transformation, the overnight success, the bold decision that changes everything. But most real progress doesn’t arrive with fireworks. It begins with a single small step. One that’s so manageable you can’t talk yourself out of it.

Small steps build momentum because they’re doable. They bypass perfectionism and the pressure to ‘go big or go home’. They remind us that consistency beats intensity, and that beginnings don’t need to be impressive to matter. They just need to happen.

Take a small moment and let your Monday be a gentle nudge instead of a hard push. Because small starts don’t stay small. They grow. They compound. They carry you forward. And one day, you’ll look back and realize that the little step you took today was the moment everything quietly shifted.

Legacy Lies Loyalty Book Review from N.N. Light's Book Heaven

"A Redford Falls Story by Darlene Fredette, perfect for readers who enjoy reading cozy romantic suspense and small-town romance.

Legacy Lies Loyalty is a cozy romantic suspense I couldn’t put down. This is book five in the Redford Falls series. I love the small-town vibes in this book. The characters are quirky and will make you also fall in love with this town. I connected with both Jordan and Logan. They are wonderfully written and will steal a piece of your heart. The descriptive narration is immersive. The romance and suspense vie for your attention but are balanced. The plot progression is flawless. I read late into the night because I couldn’t stop thinking about this book. Take my advice and read Legacy Lies Loyalty. 5+ stars."

- N.N. Light's Bok Heaven

Review from N.N. Light's Book Heaven Substack

https://nnlightsbookheaven.substack.com/p/book-review-legacy-lies-loyalty-a

Puzzling Limits

In the evenings or weekends, I like to decompress with a good puzzle. I've been piecing together puzzles since I was a child. My parents always seemed to have one on the dining room table. I hadn't picked up a puzzle for a long time, until after a visit with my sister-in-law and she showed me some of the puzzles she bought. She gave me one, and I've been hooked ever since.

I have a few completed puzzles taped and hanging on my office wall as artwork, and other puzzles are in a puzzle portfolio - yes, such a thing exists. 

There has yet to be a puzzle I haven't been able to complete...but I wasn't so sure after receiving this one from my daughter on my birthday. I thought the blending colors of trees and flowers were going to have me bunching up the pieces and putting them back in the box. But I left it alone for a while then tried again.

Just last night, I finished it! Was it a challenge - hell yes. Was it satisfying to finish - hell yes. I think my daughter was testing my puzzle limits, lol. I also think I need a puzzle break after this one.

Monday Moments - Looking Ahead While Reflecting Back

A Monday Moment from Still Moments Magazine

Looking Ahead While Reflecting Back

As we step into a new week, our minds often race with lists — things to do, goals to reach, plans to make. We set expectations high, sometimes so high that the weight of them overshadows the joy of simply moving forward. But is it realistic to accomplish everything at once? Maybe not. And maybe that’s okay.

Instead of chasing every task simultaneously, let’s pause and take a breath. Reflect on the weekend that just passed — the small victories, the quiet moments, the laughter, the rest. Those are achievements too. They remind us that progress isn’t only measured by productivity, but by balance and renewal.

So as you look ahead, set goals that feel attainable. Celebrate what’s already been done. Reward yourself for the effort, not just the outcome.

Take a small moment to move forward — with intention, grace, and the confidence that every step counts.

Saturdays - Sneak Peek

When I finished edits on Derailed Hearts, I didn't know where to take my next writing step. Should I start edits on one of the three stories I received the rights back so they can return to the publishing world, or should I pick up one of several manuscripts already started?

Back in January, I had a reading done with Oracle cards and three of my manuscripts were highlighted. A family drama, a murder mystery, and a new story in my small-town series. While I'd love to return to Redford Falls...and to find out who the villain is in the mystery...the family drama won. The oracle cards claimed I would have a busy spring and it pointed to the family drama.

I blew the dust off the manuscript I started in 2015. I had a lot of new ideas about the story and opened a notebook to add the changes I wanted to make. My writing has progressed in the last eleven years, so I edited the prologued, and polished the first three chapters with tighter and new scenes. I then sent those pages to my beta readers and received wonderful feedback. They are both excited that I returned to this story and can't wait to read more.

This story is demanding to be finished, and I'm inspired to write it and to see it transform into a world of its own.

This is the first sneak peek. It has a new title, but I am only sharing it as 'Saturdays'. 

I'll share more sneak peeks as the story evolves

Secret Recipe Book Review from N.N. Light's Book Heaven

Love this awesome book review for Secret Recipe!

"Perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a bit of suspense and lots of chemistry. An emotional romance about second chances, instant chemistry, and finding a place to call home. My Review: Jess thought she was in the clear but one phone call from her father and she’s back in the game. Con game, that is. While her father is rotting away in prison, he’s begging her to retrieve a bag of stolen jewels from a small-town bakery. A bakery? There’s no security to speak of and it should be easy-peasy to find the bag. Only, from the moment she’s hired, she feels like she’s come home. Travis and his mom take her under their wing and make her feel so special. Conflict rages in her heart while passion lights her body on fire. When danger walks through the door and puts everything Jess cares for at risk, will she come clean to Travis? Jess knows the secret recipe for love…but will Travis accept her for who she is? 

Secret Recipe is an emotional romance about second chances, instant chemistry, and finding a place to call home. This is, hands down, my favorite book in the Redford Falls series. From the moment I started reading, I connected with Jess. She’s a woman with a dark past, one that won’t stay buried. I also connected with Travis. He’s a firefighter who also is gifted as a baker. He’s a cinnamon roll hero through and through. The chemistry between these two is hot yet sweet at the same time. Emotions run high which had me whipping through the pages. The sprinkling of mystery and intrigue adds a nice touch to this romance. The setting inside the kitchen had me craving baked goods. Trust me, don’t read while hungry. 

Darlene Fredette has penned a flawless romance you won’t be able to put down. Fans of Shelley Shepard Gray and Maggie C. Gates will want to read Secret Recipe."

My Rating: 5++ stars. Reviewed by: Nancy

Full review from N.N. Light's Book Heaven Substack

https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookheaven/p-194200598

A Snack While Reading

On the weekend, while the pizza was cooking in the oven, I designed this piece of some books, flowers, a cupcake, and a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows...some of my favourite things.

I watched an art tutorial from an artist I follow on YouTube on how to make a sticker background. Her instructions were so easy to follow, that I mastered it within a few tries. I can now transfer a lot of my art pieces into stickers. :-)

Derailed Hearts - Word Search

My word search for Legacy Lies Loyalty was such a hit, I decided to create one for Derailed Hearts.

Put your search skills to the test and find the following words:

Derailed, Hearts, Railway, Scenic, Adventure, Mountains, Prairies, Ocean.

Derailed Hearts - Q & A

Grab a ticket and board the train!

A rare author's peek behind the story with Nana Marley's Q&A for Derailed Hearts.

Q: What inspired the idea for Derailed Hearts? 

A: I wanted to write a story that blended emotional depth with a sense of adventure. A cross Canada train ride felt like the perfect backdrop. Romantic, scenic, and full of possibility. Trains are the perfect romance setting with close quarters, gorgeous views, and absolutely nowhere to run when feelings show up uninvited. 

Q: This is your first book featuring a single parent. What drew you to that dynamic? 

A: I loved the idea of exploring love through the lens of someone who’s already carrying so much responsibility. It adds tenderness, vulnerability, and a different kind of courage to the journey. 

Q: There’s a touch of sign language in the story. Why include that? 

A: Like Jenn, I learned to sign the alphabet when I was younger, and it stayed with me. Adding that detail felt like a quiet, meaningful way to connect my own past to the characters. 

Q: Have you ever taken the train trip across Canada like your characters do?

A: Not yet, but it’s high on my bucket list. Until I can see the country from coast to coast myself, I’m living the dream through my characters. 

Q: What’s one thing or vibe you hope readers feel when they finish the book? 

A: A sense of warmth, hope, and maybe tempted to book a train ticket. Love and adventure make a pretty irresistible combination.

Be My Guest - Amber Daulton

Today, I'm pleased to welcome fellow author, Amber Daulton, who's new book Corrupting His Wife, just released yesterday! Let's get to know a little about Amber and book three in her Lozano Cartel series.

Redemption through Corruption 

When we think of a mafia or cartel romance, we usually expect power struggles and gunfire. But in my latest release, Corrupting His Wife, the war isn’t happening just on the streets. It’s also happening behind closed doors between two people who were never supposed to belong to each other. If you’re looking for a story where the chemistry is so thick you can feel it, and the hero’s possessiveness is matched only by the heroine’s awakening, this is the book you’ve been waiting for. Enrique Briceño isn’t a knight in shining armor. He’s the second-in-command of the Lozano Cartel, a man who lives in the shadows and takes what he wants. When he abducts Lourdes, he claims it’s to save her from a forced marriage, but his true mission is far more intimate: he wants to corrupt her. He wants to be the man who shows her exactly how well a woman deserves to be treated and how much pleasure her body can handle. Lourdes Villegas has spent her life being a pawn, so she’s used to men who use force and mockery. When Enrique claims her, she expects another monster. Instead, she finds a lover who offers her something she’s never had: agency in and out of the bedroom. In a world built on violence, Enrique and Lourdes find their sanctuary in each other’s arms. The romance in Corrupting His Wife excels in tension and trust despite the darker themes. While Enrique is the one who took her, he’s also the first man to step back and let Lourdes take the lead. The dark romance genre isn’t for everyone, but if you can look past the danger and deceit, you’ll find love worth fighting for.

Corrupting His Wife
Series: Lozano Cartel (book 3)
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Genre: Dark Romance
Five Flames Heat Rating
Tagline: When his abduction scheme goes awry, he’ll have to prove himself worthy of the woman he craves.
Blurb:
    Kidnapping a reluctant bride is easy. Staying off her jilted fiancé’s radar is tough.
     As the second-in-command of the Lozano Cartel, Enrique Briceño always gets what he wants. So when Lourdes’s father demands she marry another man, Enrique makes his move—abduction. Vowing to corrupt his sweet little captive in every wicked way imaginable, he doesn’t expect her to fight him with fire.
    Cartel princess Lourdes Villegas longs for peace. Freedom. A chance to let her artist soul breathe. Yet once again, a man is pulling her strings. In Enrique’s arms, she trades one ruthless capo for another. His touch sets her ablaze, but she’s already plotting her escape.
    As political alliances crumble and the streets run red, Enrique must prove he’s more than just another monster in Lourdes’s life. Because this time, love might be the most dangerous thing of all.

Book three in the dark romance series, the Lozano Cartel. All the books can be read as a standalone, but are part of an interconnected series. – Scenes featuring kidnapping, violence, and miscarriage (discussed) may be uncomfortable for some readers. – No cheating. HEA guaranteed!

Excerpt:
    We need to be married. She heard his unspoken words loud and clear.
    Manipulated into one marriage after another. Why couldn’t she choose who she wanted, or better yet, stay single? The four years she’d spent under Jacobo’s thumb were enough to last a lifetime. Only, would she have such a terrible fate as Enrique’s wife? Even though he’d kidnapped her, he hadn’t technically hurt her. Terrorized and angered her, sure. But that was the extent of his cruelty. If he were Jacobo or Diego, he probably would’ve assaulted her by now.
    Of course. Now she’s rationalizing Enrique’s male-chauvinistic actions just as she had Jacobo’s when he hit her while drunk. She was stronger than this. No matter what happened, she couldn’t lose herself in fear and self-pity as she had before. Whether she married Diego, Enrique, or someone else, she had to be strong and resilient. She had to survive.
    Lourdes pulled from his grasp. Enrique’s heart was in the right place, though he was going about saving her all wrong. She had to protect him from his foolishness. Somehow, she had to escape and beg her father to grant him mercy.
    “If I had the chance to go back in time and stop myself from doing this, I wouldn’t.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Give me time, Lourdes. You’ll see I’m right. I will make you happy.”
    Happiness, hope, love—those were dangerous words. Everything she’d ever wanted.
    Too bad it wasn’t meant to be.

Only 99 cents for a limited time!

Universal: https://books2read.com/CorruptingHisWife
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3H7ssPi
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/corrupting-his-wife-amber-daulton/1148037918?ean=2940184521732
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/corrupting-his-wife

About the Author
Amber Daulton is the author of the Lozano Cartel, the Arresting Onyx, the Embracing You, and the Ramseys in Time series, as well as several standalone novellas. Her books are available in ebook and print on demand while select titles are also in audio and foreign language formats. She lives in North Carolina, USA, with her husband and demanding cats.

Social Media Links
https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton
Daulton Publishing: https://amberdaulton.com
Sign up for my Exclusive Newsletter (free ebook to new subscribers): https://amberdaulton.com/newsletter-signup/

Praise for Derailed Hearts

Reviews are pouring in for Derailed Hearts!

Here's what NanasBookReviews had to say on Goodreads...

    Derailed Hearts by Darlene Fredette is the sixth book in the Redford Falls series.
    Ethan Marley is an ER doctor and a single father to his five-year-old daughter, Avery. Wanting a fresh start, he decides to move back to his hometown, Redford Falls. During their train journey, he meets a beautiful woman who instantly takes his breath away.

    Jenn Martini is a fashion designer traveling to the same destination to visit her father. The three of them end up spending a lot of time together during the ride, and their connection grows naturally. At first, Ethan only wants friendship, but that quickly changes. Seeing how wonderful Jenn is with Avery completely melts his heart. And of course… is Thumper about to work his magic again?

    This was such a beautiful story. It includes some of my favorite tropes: single father, close proximity, and a touch of insta-love. It’s a fast-paced romance that somehow doesn’t feel rushed at all. I really loved how the romance blends with the emotional healing two of the characters go through after their past struggles.

    The train scenes were especially cozy and heartfelt, almost like they were already a little family. And that scene near the end? It genuinely brought tears to my eyes. My favorite moment, though, was the one with Avery and Jenn in the forest… so soft and special.

    If you enjoy single-parent romances, this is definitely one you don’t want to miss.

Mischievous Bunnies

On this Easter Monday, I thought I would share a design I created not long after I discovered digital art work and dove into learning all the fun techniques.

I really enjoyed designing this piece of two mischievous bunnies being playful with a dreamcatcher.

Spring Bunny

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

My art muse has finally returned. I've been wanting to design new graphics for a while now, but my art muse just wasn't feeling inspired. Lots of ideas have been spiraling in my mind and yesterday, I brought a design to life. This cute little bunny sitting in a wheelbarrow filled with flowers.

I also designed a new art logo for my art site: Paint Pencil Pixel. I no longer have to put my initials in a heart and apply it to every design to for copyright to prevent someone from stealing my art. 

All digital art posts will now include my art logo, the background banner from my art website, and watermarks.

I'm excited to see where inspiration takes me this weekend.

Derailed Hearts - In The Beginning

It all starts with a rabbit and a wish…

Before the romance even gets rolling in Derailed Hearts, Ethan’s grandmother is already plotting—with the help of a rabbit. In the prologue, she has a very serious chat with Thumber, a mysterious bunny who may or may not have matchmaking powers. Her mission? Find her grandson a soulmate, preferably before he notices she’s meddling again.

It’s a delightfully chaotic kickoff that proves one thing...when Grandma and a magical rabbit team up, nobody’s love life is safe.

Derailed Hearts

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0GV3BRJJL

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0GV3BRJJL