Cute Mouse

I love the images I've been designing, mixing animals and flowers.

This cute little mouse is adorable as he poses in front of a small bouquet of roses.

Jess's Blueberry Muffins and An Interview

This post was a combination of a recipe and a short interview highlighted on Dish The Pie on January 29, 2026.

In Secret Recipe, Jess has to prove her baking skills, but for someone whose previous attempts at baking ended in the trash can, she attempts to make blueberry muffins. 

Jess’s Blueberry Muffins 

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1-1/2 cups blueberries

Baking Tip - Jess added a teaspoon of vanilla to her mixture, which is highly recommended!

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the butter with the sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time and then add the vanilla. Gradually stir in milk (mixture may appear curdled). Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid mixture, and stir until moistened. Gently fold in blueberries. Spoon into large paper-lined or well-greased muffin cups, filling to the top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until tops are firm to the touch.

 
Did Jesse pass the baking test and get the job? You’ll have to read Secret Recipe to find out.

Interview

Q: Do you like desserts? What is your favorite?
Darlene: I LOVE dessert. My favorite is strawberry shortcake, but I’m a big fan of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, too.

 
Q: Have you ever eaten pie for breakfast? If so, what was it?
A: I have never had pie for breakfast. I’m a ‘start the day with a bowl of cereal’ kind of girl, but if I were to have pie, it would be apple for sure.

Q: Are you married? How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? How long have you been together?
Darlene: My husband and I met in May of 1991. We were set up by friends (a guy he worked with dated a girl I worked with). He proposed six months later by the waterfront with roses. We married the following May (1992). He told his family that he didn’t need more time to know I was the ‘one’.

 
Q: Which season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) is your favorite and why?
Darlene: My favorite season was summer because I love sunshine and warmth, but the past few years, the humidity has been getting worse, so much that you can’t sit outside. I don’t enjoy the cold winter, and spring tends to be the wet season, so I’m leaning more toward fall these days.

#Q: What is your idea of an ideal vacation?
Darlene: Southern Italy. We haven’t been there yet, but hopefully someday. Until then, we like a lakefront cottage where we can sit on the deck with a drink in hand and watch the loons and birds fly by.

Q: What’s your idea of comfortable clothing?
Darlene: T-shirt and jogging pants. Not only are they comfortable, but I have two large dogs that drool…a lot, so wearing anything dressy is a waste of time.

Why Does Winter Feel So Long?

This post is very fitting since we were hit with a Nor'easter on Monday that dropped 25-29cm of snow. And this is on top of the huge mountains of snow we already have. We had to shovel tunnels through the snow in the yard so the dogs wouldn't climb the snow mountains and walk over the fence. The snow needs to be done because we're running out of space to put it.

This post was originally a spotlight during Secret Recipe's book tour on Journeys with Jana on January 30, 2026.

Why Does Winter Feel So Long? 

Winter has a way of stretching time, turning weeks into what feels like entire chapters. It’s not just the cold or the snow, though both certainly play their part.

I celebrated a milestone birthday recently, one of those big ones that should feel momentous. And it did for a moment. Then winter swallowed it whole, tucking it into a season that moves at its own slow pace. Even as we gain a few extra minutes of daylight each day, the evenings still arrive early, and the mornings take their time waking up. 

Maybe winter feels endless because it’s layered over icy sidewalks and frozen windshields. But winter isn’t just long; it lingers. And maybe that’s why it feels so long, because it’s the one season that refuses to be rushed.

Rediscovering the Secret Recipe

This is part two of my plot rewrite to a story once titled, A Recipe For Forever, which became Secret Recipe.

This post was originally on Darlene Deluca's blog on January 27, 2026

When Rewriting a Book Feels Like Rediscovering It 

There’s a moment in every writer’s journey when a story you thought you knew suddenly surprises you. That’s what happened when I sat down to rewrite Secret Recipe. I expected revisions, sure. Maybe a few tweaks, a few new scenes, and perhaps a deeper look at Jess’s past. What I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to unspool a story I’d already told and stitch it back together. 

Rewriting turned out to be far more challenging than writing the original draft. Some days it felt like wrestling with a ghost of the book that used to be. But somewhere in that messy, complicated process, something magical happened. The more I pushed through the difficult parts, the more the new version revealed itself. And now that it’s finished, I’m genuinely in love with how it turned out. The struggle was worth it. The story is stronger, and Jess is stronger. 

Sometimes rewriting isn’t just revising a book. It’s rediscovering it and remembering why you wrote it in the first place.

The Mystery In Writing Secret Recipe

I'm currently busy finalizing edits on Legacy Lies Loyalty and didn't have time to create new posts for my blog this week, so I thought I'd share the posts I wrote during the book tour for Secret Recipe. 

This post appeared on Window Over The Sink on January 26, 2026. 

The Mystery In Writing

Some readers may remember Secret Recipe’s earlier incarnations: Nothing to Lose and A Recipe for Forever. Both versions were heartfelt romances about a girl down on her luck, searching for love and a fresh start. I adored the core of that story, but something in my gut kept whispering that Jess deserved more. More depth. More secrets simmering beneath the surface. So, when I regained the rights to the book, I finally had the freedom to explore that instinct. Jess’s world opened up. Her past became more complicated, and her future more uncertain.

This shift reflects where my writing is headed. I’m leaning into stories that mix romance with intrigue, where love and suspense intertwine, and every character has something they’re not ready to reveal. Reimagining Secret Recipe reminded me that stories grow just like we do. Sometimes they need time, distance, and a fresh perspective to become what they were always meant to be. 

And Jess? She finally has the story she deserved.

5+ Stars for Broken Branches

Broken Branches received 5+ Stars from N.N. Light's Book Heaven!

Full review...

"Broken Branches is an emotional romance I couldn’t put down. Grief and tragedy give way to second chances and love in Broken Branches. From the start, I connected with both Maripier and Tyler. The townsfolk are helpful and colorful. The descriptive narration is immersive and had me whipping through the pages. But it’s the second chance romance which makes this story unputdownable. Emotions are high as the past collides with the present. Maripier is not the same woman she once was. She’s now a strong, independent woman who’s returned home. Tension is high but with the help of a furry rabbit matchmaker, love heals. Addictive to read, Broken Branches will appeal to readers of Brittainy C. Cherry, Corinne Michaels and Renee Carlino." My Rating: 5+ stars.

https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookheaven/p-188404437

Paperbacks Arrived

My paperbacks arrived yesterday!

As an author, there is nothing quite like receiving the print copies of your books in the mail AND to holding them in your hands.

I ordered a new copy of Cherry Red, my award-winning novel (I will never get tired of typing those words, lol) with a glossy cover. I had a matte copy, but the glossy cover is much better.

I was going to wait until all seven book were published in my Redford Falls series before ordering the paperbacks, but I couldn't wait. I had to see what they looked like. They are beautiful! The series looks cohesive and each cover is stunning. I designed these covers, so to see them 'in person' was the greatest feeling.

All the hard work a writer puts into a story is definitely rewarded when the paperback arrives and you get to flip through the pages. Sigh...

King Keefer

On this Family/Heritage Day, I thought I would share a family photo.

The mountains of snow in our yard were getting so high, I was concerned the dogs might jump over the fence. So, with the sun shining yesterday, my husband went out and cleared the snow along the fence. But he left a mountain in the middle because the dogs love to climb and dig in the snow. As soon as I let the dogs out, King Keefer immediately went on his mountain snow throne.

Photo compliments of my daughter.

Cover Reveal - Legacy Lies Loyalty

Legacy Lies Loyalty

A Redford Falls Story - Book 5

When loyalty is tested and lies run deep,

the legacy they inherit could cost them everything.

 COMING SOON!

 (Previously published as Finding Home Again 2022)

Sneak Peek Excerpts

Want to know what my books are all about? 

Want a sneak peek inside my books?

Read an excerpt! 

Excerpts now on my website. http://www.darlenefredette.com/

Why I'm A Writer #3

This week's 'why I'm a writer' is a fun one!

Yes, writers have imaginary friends, and with every new story, our imaginary circle of friends grows. Do they become real as they enter the pages within the book? Some might say they don't, but I disagree. Those imaginary friends, begin to evolve. They have real personalities, real problems, and their lives become real. And not just to the writer. They make friends with the reader.

I have to write a new scene, so if you have any questions about this post, please direct them to my imaginary friends.

Playful Puppy Jack

This is Jack and he is part of my playful puppies art collection.

My playful puppy collection was designed not long after I received my iPad and I got lost in the world of digital art. As I go through my art files to post here on my blog and my art site, I am finding myself eager to get back to some of those original design and to create something else with them.

I think Jack might return soon!

One Sweet Christmas Sizzle Reel

A sizzle reel for the adaptation of my holiday novel, One Sweet Christmas.

#OneSweetChristmas #RomCom #ContemporaryRomance #Chocolate #SecondChances #Small-TownRomance

Cherry Red Sizzle Reel

A sizzle reel for the adaptation of my award winning novel, Cherry Red.

#CherryRed #RomCom #ContemporaryRomance #FireFighter #IceCream #FakeDating

Marshmallow-Cupcake-Lollipop Design

My marshmallow-cupcake-lollipop design.

I need to make some of my designs into transfers and have them placed on T-shirts and cups!

Dogs in Snow

I didn't want to say the W or S words today, but it is still Winter and we did have Snow, so I can't escape them.

A few centimeters of snow fell overnight and left the roads in a mess this morning. So, no walk with the dogs. But after shoveling the driveway, I took the them in the yard and let them play for an hour. I think they actually get more exercise jumping and running in the snow than they do on a walk. I got their rubber stick out and let them play tug. With two large dogs that have a lot of strength, I don't know how that toy hasn't ripped in half. 

They love a good game of tug. And as picture two shows, Rambler won that round.

#YellowLab #ItalianMastiff #DogsPlayingInSnow

February #OneWriteWord - Strength

My word for February is STRENGTH.

First, and most important, I'll need plenty of strength just get through this winter. The light dusting we received at Christmas was pretty and added to the magic of the season. Well, the mountains of snow we now have, are not pretty and the magic has long worn off.

Second, I am channeling strength to have the last two books in my Redford Falls series published. One this month and the last in March. Fingers crossed.

And last, but equally important, I need strength to overcome my fears to move forward with a particular writing project. I was told that I let fear get in my way and it stops me from achieving my goals. So, I'm trying my best to push aside that fear and take that step forward.

January Wrap-Up

The snow and cold dominated most of January. Way below normal temperatures and a polar vortex, and snowstorms three weeks in a row. I spent a lot of time shoveling and plowing snow, and once that was done, I let the dogs have fun running through mountains of snow.

I celebrated a milestone birthday, which came and went. After clearing all that snow, I felt even older than the candles on my cake claimed I am.

I created a couple new art designs. I thought my artistic muse was hibernating for the winter, but I'm glad to have my creativity back.

Secret Recipe was published and now available on Amazon. I 'm so happy with the changes the plot went through. It's a much stronger story, and it has already received rave reviews.

I also edited a screenplay, which like Secret Recipe, is much stronger than its original work. Now I need to find a home for it.

I even managed to begin edits on Legacy Lies Loyalty. Stay tuned for more on that project.

Overall, I think it was a productive January...even if the weather dominated most of it.

Tired of Winter

Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of winter?

January was winter wrapped up in one month. It was cold with below normal temperatures. Add in a Polar Vortex. And if the cold wasn't enough, the snow seemed to never stop. If it wasn't flurries, it was a snowfall of several centimeters. The past three Sunday nights have had snowstorms. Today thankfully, we dodged the expected 30cm they were predicting and only got about half that amount. But the high winds caused drifts up to my waist. However, the photo of the snow reaching my front deck railing isn't a drift. It's the actual accumulation of snow from the past three weeks. And there's a layer of ice underneath.

I'm not a winter sports enthusiast, so the season does nothing for me. I can't even get out to walk the dogs. There's either a windchill of -21c...or higher, or the roads are too icy, or there's too much salt on the roads...which is not good for dogs to walk on.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm tired of winter, and I'm hoping for an early spring...or at least a mild February.