Friday Feast Celebration | #NewRelease "Trickster" by Darlene Fredette with #Recipe and #Giveaway
Welcome to a special Friday Feast in the tavern! I'm delighted to have the lovely Darlene Fredette here today! She's chatting about her new book release, Trickster, part of the Mortar & Pestle series. In addition, she's sharing a delicious chocolate recipe and giveaway with us! Grab a glass of apple cider or cup of mead, and let's hear what Darlene has to say about her new story...
How well do you work with others?
That’s a tricky question. See what I did there…tricky…trickster, lol.
Seriously though, I work well with others. I’m also okay working alone. As a writer/author, I’ve always worked alone. But one day, in early 2022, I received an email from an author. She wanted to know if I was interested in joining a group of six writers to discuss the highs and lows of writing. I was hesitant, thinking about what could I bring to this group, but she convinced me it would be fun, so I joined. We met via Zoom and chatted about the publishing world. As an introvert, I didn’t say much at first but soon grew comfortable with this small group of women.
Suddenly someone threw a curveball at my comfort zone with the suggestion we should write a self-published series together, each book a stand-alone, but having a common object traveling from one book to another. No, I said. I’m a slow writer, I said. I can’t do this, I said. They were persistent and dragged me into the deep waters. I screamed internally, but a part of me was excited about this project. Fast forward a year, and here I am, celebrating the release of Trickster!
Would I do a collaboration like this again? I don’t think so, as I’m considering retiring my writing cap…but never say never. Just don’t tell the other authors I said that last part, lol.
I’ve learned a great deal (some of it went over my head) from this experience and today, my healer heroine and my trickster hero are friends with selkies, vikings, pirates, sea hunters, vampires, and artists. And I made six new special friendships that have grown beyond writing.
Can she heal the trickster before he breaks her heart?
Working for a top modeling agency is Jade Parsons’s dream job until her boss suffers a heart attack, and his son temporarily fills his position. Eric’s push-pull approach fuels her frustration. While anticipating the troublemaker’s imminent departure, Jade’s destiny is revealed through a magical mortar and pestle, leaving her heart tormented by whispers of a different fate.
World-renowned photographer Eric Martini returns home to restore his relationship with his estranged father, but wounds from the past haunt him. Enchanted by his father’s feisty assistant, he masks his heart and refuses to give in to desire. Convinced his destined future is already written in the stars—and doesn’t include Jade, Eric’s only choice is to walk away.
Will Jade and Eric find the courage to trust the mythical and smokey signs before their paths are severed forever?
Sneak preview from Trickster ~
Two weeks ago, Eric had aired his family’s dirty laundry. Probably unintentional on his part, but he revealed the reason behind his frustration toward his father, and Jade gave her unwelcomed input.
Today she exposed her secret, which felt exhilarating. “I only wanted you to understand you have to let go of the past to be present in the future.”
“And I’m trying. My father and I are on a good path to rebuilding our relationship and for that, I thank you. You forced me to see the error of my ways. I’m sorry for taking out my problems on you. You didn’t deserve my grouchy moods. I was rude and obnoxious.” He raised a brow. “Can you forgive me? Can we start over?”
Smiling, she squinted. “Who are you?”
He strode forward and held out a hand. “I’m Eric Martini. Nice to meet you.”
“No.” Jade pointed a finger. “You, sir, are a trickster.”
“Excuse me?”
“A trickster is someone who has many sides. Disruptive and helpful, troublemaker and hero. I know the man in the office. But I don’t know the man standing in front of me.” She clasped his hand, and a flurry of tingles surged the length of her arm. Warmth flushed her cheeks. Without thinking, she leaned up on her toes and kissed Eric’s cheek. “Thank you for being my hero today.”
Trickster on Amazon HERE!
Meet the Author
Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada where the summers are too short, and the winters are too long. Retired from a career as Director of Administration and Marketing, she now has eleven published contemporary romance books and is an artist at heart. When she isn’t researching her next book or having a pencil, paintbrush, or a cup of hot chocolate in her hand, she’s with her husband, daughter, and one-hundred-pound yellow Labrador.
Connect with Darlene here ~
GIVEAWAY!
But wait! There’s more! I’m giving away a free PDF copy of The Mortar and Pestle Preview. This preview document is similar to the free prequel offered in Book Funnel, but the preview has tons of additional fun stuff – more graphics, book teasers, an inside look at how the series came to life, and much more! To get this free preview, pop over to my author website http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/ and send me a note using the Contact Form on the left sidebar. No rafflecopter, no contest, and no drawing of names. Just send me a note through the secure Contact Form. It’s that easy!
Chocolate Chip Bread
Ingredients
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 orange, grated (save juice)
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 oz. package chocolate chips
Directions
Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, cream well. Add orange rind, chocolate chips, and vanilla. Add four alternately with orange juice and water to make 3/4 cup liquid. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
