Great news! Contemporary romance author Darlene Fredette is back with a wonderful new series to share with the world. The first book, His Candy Christmas, was published by The Wild Rose Press on August 31, and the next three will be published in September, October, and November, respectively. Read on to learn a bit about Darlene, her Redford Falls series, her intriguing backlist, and much more. (Her response to my question “If you could bring a fictitious character to life…who would it be?” is the best ever!)
Welcome, Darlene! Tell us about your new Redford Falls series.
When I came up with the idea for a story to take place in my “imaginary” Redford Falls, the town came alive. As I was writing the first story, His Candy Christmas, there were secondary characters that said “Hey, write a story about me.” In each book I wrote, another character shouted the same thing. The only challenge I face in writing this series is to get the secondary characters to wait for their turn in the spotlight.
Who’s your favorite character from your Redford Series?
My daughter has read my books and her favourite character is Jackson Frost, but I don’t really have a particular favourite. I am fond of Andrew and Danielle (Kissed By Winter) because of their fun interaction. But I enjoy all my characters.
How many books will be in the Redford Falls series, and when we can we expect to see the next one?
So far there are four books with book four releasing on November 30. I am currently writing book five, and I have several more characters demanding a story. So, I expect Redford Falls to be around for at least another four or five books…maybe more, lol.
You have an intriguing backlist. Give us a one-sentence summary of each of those books.
Law of Attraction - Determined to win back Christina, Steven will take the law into his own hands...even if he has to play dirty.
Twist of Faith - One twist of Faith can change everything.
Hershey’s Choice - When Hershey takes the lead, going to the park is never the same.
How did you get interested in writing fiction?
I’ve always loved reading and one day I thought Maybe I could write a story. From that point, stories would pop into my head and demand to be written.
How old were you when you wrote your first story?
I started writing a young adult story in my teens, but I didn’t finish it, and I believe it got shredded during a cleaning blitz. My first book, a contemporary romance, was published in 2011.
How many hours a week do you write?
I don’t set writing hours as daily life tends to get in the way. I am a slow writer, so I write when I can—usually a few hours in the morning then a couple after lunch.
Are you an outliner or a pantser?
Definitely an outliner. I need to know the story’s plot line from start to finish and maybe add in a few scenes along the way.
What is your favorite part, and least favorite part, of the publishing journey?
My favourite part is writing the end of the story, seeing the characters reach their happy-ever-after. I also enjoy receiving the cover. For me, as an author, there is nothing better than seeing your story come to life on a cover. The “waiting” is my least favourite part. There are a lot of steps to be completed after writing “the end.” Patience is a big part of being an author.
How do you deal with reviews, both positive and negative?
Reviews are great when a reader loves your story. Writing comes with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, so when you hear someone enjoyed your book it’s the reward at the end of all your hard work. Negative reviews are a downer, but I do my best to not take them too seriously because not everyone is going to like your book or your style of writing. Thankfully, the majority of my books’ reviews have been positive.
What are you currently working on?
After taking a year off from writing to work on other projects, I’m currently writing the fifth book in my Redford Falls series. Book five is a lot of fun to write and this story has returned my drive to write. This story has a several mysterious twists and turns.
What are you reading right now?
An Alaskan Proposal by Beth Carpenter.
What kinds of books do you like to read?
Contemporary romances.
How will you go about choosing the next book that you read?
I am also a book reviewer, so I have many books in my reading schedule, but I’m deep into a few series right now and they are currently my go-to reading.
Who is your favorite author?
That’s a tough question because I enjoy reading so many authors’ books. Though, the first author that hooked me on reading her books was Penny Jordan.
If you could bring a fictitious character to life and become friends with that person, who would it be?
Snoopy!
What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Picking out Christmas trees with my father.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Read, diamond art crafts, and play Farm Heros.
What’s your favorite place to visit?
The valley, which consists of several small towns an hour or two out of the city.
If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead, who would it be?
Carol Burnett
What’s your favorite guilty-pleasure TV show?
Survivor
Would you rather…
Travel back in time or visit a far-off planet of highly intelligent, benevolent beings?
Travel in time
Be able to teleport or read minds?
Read minds
Lie on a beach or hike in the woods?
Both
Be an amazing artist or a brilliant mathematician?
Artist
Be able to fly or able to breathe underwater?
Fly
About Darlene Fredette
Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada where the summers are too short and the winters are too long. An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to develop the many stories coming to life in her head. 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’s favourite pastime is taking summer day-trips to the Valley to soak in the small-town feel.
Author Links
Author Web Site: http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarleneLF
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarleneLF
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Fredette/e/B005NAF660/
The Wild Rose Press Author Page: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/authors/darlene-fredette
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Darlene%20Fredette%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall
Tag Lines for the Redford Falls Story:
His Candy Christmas ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 1
Who knew returning home would contain a cool nip in the air, irresistible chocolate, and a Santa suit?
Kissed By Winter ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 2
A woman who knows what she wants and a man who knows what he needs.
Under The Apple Blossoms ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 3
This spring the blossoms aren’t the only thing blooming in Redford Falls.
A Recipe for Forever ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 4
She has one last hope – a small, family-run bakery that might just be baking up second chances.
Back Cover Blurbs
His Candy Christmas ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 1
It’s going to take more than a few pieces of chocolate to fill this Scrooge’s heart with Christmas cheer. Luckily Candy has a whole shop full.
Candice Cane is not proud of the way she acted after her last encounter with Jackson Frost. Sure revenge was fun, but now Jackson is angry and looking for answers, and standing on the welcome mat in her chocolate shop. Now he's after some revenge of his own.
Jackson returned to his small hometown for one reason and one reason only. So, he's not sure how he ended up in a Santa suit in the middle of a chocolate shop, at the behest of its beautiful owner, instead of high-tailing it back to the city as fast as he can.
Kissed By Winter ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 2
She's been on a flight from hell for over eight hours, lost four hours of daylight, and arrived in temperatures twenty degrees lower than accustomed to. Disliking winter for a reason she refuses to discuss, Danielle Lerato would rather be anywhere than in Redford Falls. She needs to get the job done and return home before getting caught up in the small town's charm—and the arms of the handsome, brown-eyed restaurant owner.
Andrew Bailey's first encounter with the buttery blonde didn't go so well, and he well-remembers the chill of the glass of water she dumped over his head. Now, nine months later, a raging storm drops Danielle back into his life. She's determined to leave, but he'll do whatever it takes to convince her to fall in love with Redford Falls…and him.
Under The Apple Blossoms ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 3
A tragic accident tore them apart. She left him behind and broke his heart. Is he strong enough to risk it again?
Police officer, Tyler Kringle, keeps his heart locked behind bars. His first and only love, Maripier Nadeau, left Redford Falls many years ago after a family tragedy. She moved on, leaving him to pick up the shattered pieces of his heart. But now Maripier is home to care for her father and to attend a dedication ceremony in her mother’s honour. Her return rattles Tyler’s cage, causing old emotions to resurface. Once he discovers the truth from the past, can he reclaim the love of his life and lock-down their future before she leaves again?
A Recipe For Forever ~ A Redford Falls Story ~ Book 4
Dwindling finances has Jess Robinson running out of options. With a past filled with failures, she longs for a new beginning. Applying for a job she isn’t qualified for may be another crazy mistake, but at this point Jess has nothing to lose.
Juggling two jobs, Travis Cooper has absolutely no time for a relationship and isn’t looking for one. But when his mother hires an unqualified baker, he has more to worry about than three-tiered wedding cakes and fighting fires. Will he break his own no-dating-employees rule and make a little room in his life for love?