I love this entire series from the Wild Rose Press. Darlene Fredette is the latest author to pen one of these scrumptious stories in CHERRY RED, available now!
She creates ice cream. He radiates heat. Cherry Red (One Scoop or Two)
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.
“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.”
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 daytrips to the Valley to soak in the small-town feel.
My WILD ROSE PRESS sistah, TENA STETLER, has just added to the growing – and delicious – One Scoop or Two series with the publication of her novella CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY MAGIC.
Tena and her book’s hero, Paul, are stopping by today for a little chat…
Tena – take it away…..
Thanks for having us Peggy. Paul had a few minutes before he had to get to work. So here we are. Ask away.
Hero in Chocolate Raspberry Magic: Paul Thorpe
Tell us about the real you—
I was in the Special Forces for several years until the most recent assignment in the middle east went south. Most of us didn’t survive. Until recently, I wasn’t sure survivor was what you’d call me. My world consisted of flash backs, nightmares and PTSD. The VA’s prescription drugs were of little help. Self-medicating with alcohol wasn’t the answer either. Then one of my buddies hooked up with a place called Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehab. He claimed a the former Navy SEAL co-owned the place worked with veterans to help us cope with what happened to us and found jobs we fit in. That’s how I came to be security and computer support for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s a job I excel at and working with the traumatized animals is somehow soothing to me. They don’t judge, they listen, eventually they trust and get better and so do you.
How would people physically describe you?
Tall, muscled, shaggy straight black hair with startling blue eyes. My mom was Native American, my dad was of Irish descent. In a low voice, he said. Trinity likes my dimples. He shrugs.
What is the most inspirational thing you’ve ever done in your life?
I served my county for the right reasons, after that… I got kinda lost. Joined the ranks of Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and helped with the rescue and fund raising for Puffin Cove Rescue. Participating in things like that changes a person in ways you’ll never understand unless you’ve been there.
If you could map out the next five years of your life, what would that look like?
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I want the stable home, family and relationship in which we understand and support each other. I also plan to remain with the Salem Wildlife Sanctuary.
What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?
Not even going there. Next question.
What do you do for fun? Hiking with the pup I adopted. Spend time with Trinity. Oh she’s the assistant manager at Salem Sanctuary. We learned a lot about each other during the Puffin Cove rescue and fund raiser.
Life advice for the masses?
Believe in yourself and always be willing to help another human being. Never know when you’ll be the one needing help. Pay it forward.
Everyone is made up of both good and bad elements. What are your best qualities and what are your worst qualities?
Best – would be willing to help-out where needed. I’m very mechanically inclined. So there is very little that I can’ fix, design or build. Which comes in handy in my line of work.
Worst. – Way too many to mention. But coping with PTSD and my temper are the two main ones that come to mind. I’m working on both.
Lastly, tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your bed? Lots of dust bunnies.
Tena,Tell us a little about writing this story.
Chocolate Raspberry Magic was a blast to write. Who doesn’t love a hunky hero, a strong heroine, adorable animals, and a feel good tale? It’s kinda a continuation of HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC, but still a stand-alone. I knew Trinity and Paul would need their own story and tying it into where they met was just fun.
Do my characters act as I expect? Heaven’s no. Probably because I am a write by the seat of my pants author. LOL
Tell us about Chocolate Raspberry Magic:
Prim and proper Trinity Shiloh is the assistant manager for Salem’s Wildlife Sanctuary. She hasn’t had much luck in the boyfriend department, but the new employee Paul is different. Deep and brooding she sees something special hidden below the surface. Besides she has secrets of her own.
Paul Thorp is a wounded Special Forces veteran now working in security and computer support. He’s fought hard to keep his demons in check and for the first time feels he is ready for a real relationship.
When a fire breaks out at Puffin Cove Rescue, they are called in to help with the recovery and ice cream social fundraiser. Sometimes things are not what they seem, and neither are people. When magic is unleashed, will what they learn bring them closer together or push them apart?
A sneak peek between the pages of Chocolate Raspberry Magic:
As Trinity walked through the aftermath of the fire, she lifted the yellow and black caution tape and carefully stepped inside the building. Her gut clenched and that feeling of foreboding washed over her again. The farther she ventured into the burnt building the stronger the gut-wrenching feeling became. Something needs my help. This was a new sensation. She took a small flashlight out of her backpack, directed the beam over the scorched debris, and moved the rubble with her toe. Nothing.
One more sweep of the light and she’d return to the others. Probably not supposed to be here anyway. A weak squawk emanated from the far corner of the building. Picking up a scorched stick, she poked at the debris. A puff of smoke rose as she made her way to where the sound came from. Shining the light into the corner, she saw movement. She knelt down and carefully shifted the charred rubble. Laying on its side, head slightly raised, and using a wing in an attempt to right itself was a small parrot. Its little eyes locked on her for a moment before its head lowered to the ground.
Frantically, she glanced around, but there was no one in sight. How far had she ventured without telling anyone? The structure overhead groaned in warning. No time. “Okay little one, it’s you and me. I don’t have much experience at this, but I’ll do my best.” Shrugging out of her backpack, she unzipped it completely. “I’m going to scoop you up in my backpack and get help.” She didn’t raise her voice to call for help for fear of scaring the poor thing.
Clearing as much debris away from the bird as possible, she scooped up the parrot in her bag. Slowly she stood, so as not to jostle the little creature. Holding the bag gently against her chest, she picked her way across the downed wooden braces, charred remnants of cabinetry, and broken glass.
“Trinity, Trinity, where are you?” Paul’s worried voice pierced the air.
“Over here,” she called with relief directing the flashlight beam toward his voice. The wind shifted the burnt skeleton of the building emitting a squeeing sound of swaying twisted, wet wood. This section of the structure was in danger of collapsing.
Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance with an over-active imagination. She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. Colorado is home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Oh do I have a treat for you today!! My uber talented Wild Rose Press sistah, Sadira Stone, has a new novella dropping today!!. It’s part of the One Scoop or Two series the WRP has exploding all over the book reading world this summer. Gelato Surprise, Sadira’s entry, is a steamy contemporary romance novella set in a Washington State beach town. Forty-two-year-old divorcée Danielle Peters is determined to keep her kids’ lives as normal as possible. But her ex spoils their annual beach vacation by whisking the kids away for a surprise Disney trip, leaving her stuck with a two-week rental. Her friends convince her to take the trip solo, time to think about her next chapter. Skeptical and glum, Danielle heads for the beach alone—until she meets Matteo, a gorgeous young Italian gelato vendor. She agrees to be his date to thwart the matchmaking nonna mafia, but their first kiss flares into something much hotter than make-believe.
She came to the beach to find herself—and found him.
Forty-two-year-old divorcée Danielle Peters ends up alone on her family’s annual beach vacation. Maybe time to herself is exactly what she needs. That and gelato from her favorite ice cream shop. But when the owner’s intoxicating young nephew offers more than sweet treats, she’s tempted to indulge in a hot summer fling before returning home.
Thirty-one-year-old Matteo Verducci craved a fresh start to mend his broken heart, and he’s found almost perfection in Ocean View, where he scoops gelato by day and crafts furniture by night. But when a sexy older woman stops to sample his wares—Mamma mia! He only has two weeks to convince her their passion is more than a delicious surprise.
Excerpt
“Ciao, bella.” The unfamiliar voice snapped her reverie.
“Oh, uh.” She stammered at the gorgeous young man smiling behind the counter. Dark, curly hair, wide, lush-lipped mouth, cleft chin covered with dusky scruff, and espresso-brown eyes that twinkled with flirtatious mischief. Broad shoulders filled out his tight black T-shirt beautifully.
Like a scene from a Fellini movie, everything around her slowed and blurred as his gaze slid down her body before returning to her eyes. His glossy eyebrows flicked up, a flirtatious salute. “Welcome to Paradiso, signora. Tell me, how can I serve you today?” With his ice cream scoop, he waved toward the Italian ices. “Something tart to soothe the heat? Limone or mandarino? Or perhaps something richer.” He leaned onto the glass case and rested his perfect cleft chin on his fist. “Cioccolato fondente? Zabaglione? Tiramisu?” Rolling off his tongue, the words sounded far more like seductive foreplay than dessert options.
She swallowed hard, took a step back, and tugged her collar away from her suddenly sweaty chest. “Uh—so many choices. I can’t decide.”
His teasing smile widened, slow and sure. “Then place yourself in my hands. Just tell me how many scoops and let me surprise you.”
She was helpless to resist. “Okay. You choose. Two scoops, please.” She cleared her throat and found a bit of courage. “I place myself in your expert hands.”
Was that a blush darkening his sculpted cheekbones?
Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s been spinning steamy tales in her head. After leaving her teaching career in Germany, she finally tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance from her new home in Washington State, U.S.A. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, plays darts (pretty well), plays guitar (badly), and gobbles all the books. Visit Sadira at http://www.sadirastone.com .
I’d love to hear from you! Please visit me on all the socials ~ Sadira
A few final questions for Sadira…
Tell us about what you write (short stories, novellas, novels, non-fiction)?
I write steamy contemporary romance set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. My Book Nirvana series, published by The Wild Rose Press, centers around a quirky bookshop in Eugene, Oregon. All three books are full-length novels and can be read as standalones. Gelato Surprise is my first novella. Honestly, I thought keeping a love story that short would be nearly impossible, but it wasn’t that difficult.
Under my own name, I write cozy mysteries and creepy short stories—think The Twilight Zone—but so far only one creepy short has been published. I’ll get to the rest of them eventually, but right now I’m having too much fun writing romance!
What was your inspiration for Gelato Surprise?
My publisher, The Wild Rose Press, put out a call for beachy summer reads involving ice cream. I immediately remembered a scene from Würzburg, Germany, where I lived for seventeen years. There’s a lovely formal garden behind the Baroque palace, and in summer an old Italian gent sold gelato there. He’d always greet my daughter and me with a hearty “Ciao, bella!” He became the model for Salvatore Verducci, owner of a gelato shop in my fictional Washington State beach town, Ocean View. (I grew up on Verducci Drive.) Sal’s gorgeous Italian-American nephew Matteo is the love interest in Gelato Surprise.
For the setting, I had fun combining various Northwest beach towns—Ocean Shores, Long Beach, and Seaview WA, Cannon Beach, OR, and more. There’s something so endearing about a kitschy beach town with its go-kart tracks, mini-golf, arcades, fudge and saltwater taffy shops, cheesy souvenir shops—all that noise and flash contrasting with the broad, windswept beach. I even incorporated one of my husband’s favorite spots, Beard’s Hollow, near Seaview. In the book it appears is Ivan’s Hollow.
Any new projects on the horizon?
I’m working on my first indie project, a Christmas romance set in a neighborhood tavern in Tacoma, Washington, where I live—the town, not the tavern! This series will be my usual realistic, steamy contemporary romance, and each story will feature a holiday celebration in Bangers Tavern: St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, 4th of July, Halloween, etc.
Peggy here: wow! That’s something to look forward to! Thanks so much for visiting today, Sadira. Now, let’s all go get some ice cream….or gelato!!!
Summer is just exploding today on my blog!! I’ve got fellow Wild Rose Author and One Scoop Or Two contributor, Maria Imbalzano with me and she’s giving me a little peek at her addition to the series, THE BLUEBERRY SWIRL WALTZ. I’m in lovelovelove with this cover:
Here’s Maria with the research she did for the book – and I think you’re gonna love this story!!
This book came about when my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, put out a call to their authors for submissions for an ice cream themed novella to be published this summer, The rules were simple. The story must take place during the summer and center around or have something to do with an ice cream parlor/stand. It should take place near water, a beach, or a resort town, and the title had to contain an ice cream flavor.
Memories of my grandmother’s ice cream and confectionery shop in Roebling came to mind. Since I was only five or so when my grandmother sold the shop, my memories were vague. So I peppered my mother with questions and a new story was born.
Not only did I set the story at an ice cream and confectionery shop in Roebling in 1951, (before my time, and due to the year, this book is considered historical romance) I also based the heroine loosely on my mom, who was an Arthur Murray’s dance teacher for several years in the 50s.
This novella was a joy to write and I loved having my mother available to answer questions about the town of Roebling back then, the shop specifically, the Roebling Steel plant, and of course dance lessons.
To read the two interviews with my mother, here are the links.
After a family crisis, Katie Hathaway must return home to help out in the family’s ice cream shop. She leaves behind her dream job of teaching ballroom dance to spend her summer scooping ice cream and mixing milkshakes.
Chaz Hollander, Katie’s high school crush, has also returned to town to work in his family’s business. After Katie treats him to a blueberry swirl sundae, he invites her to the town’s upcoming dance. The only problem is he has two left feet.
When Katie starts giving Chaz dance lessons, their chemistry ignites, and the postponement of her dream doesn’t seem as ominous. But financial woes and a suspicious business deal cast a shadow on their budding relationship.
Maria Imbalzano is a retired matrimonial lawyer who now writes full time. Instead of drafting motions, legal memoranda, and briefs, although fascinating, she now spends her days creating memorable characters and taking them on their emotional journeys through her contemporary romance novels.
In addition to writing fiction, Maria is on the Friends of Thomas Edison State University Foundation Committee and is still involved with Dress for Success Central Jersey, having been a founding Board member. She also serves on the finance committee for The Present Day Club. She has received the distinguished Family of Edison Award for her work with The Thomas Edison State University Foundation, the Iron Mike Professional Achievement Award from Trenton Catholic Academy and was inducted into the Italian American National Hall of Fame.
Her novel, “Unchained Memories,” won the Wisconsin Romance Writers Write Touch Readers’ Award and the ACRA Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence Award. “Sworn to Forget,” the first of the four-book Sworn Sisters Series was a finalist for the illustrious RONE award as well as the Book Buyers Best Award.
I have to be honest: I wet my pants from laughing so hard when I read today’s topic/prompt: How I’d Fare in a zombie Apocalypse.
Pretty damn good, if I do say so.
First of all, I can shoot a gun, and I can move faster than a zombie so I’d be able to shoot their heads of before they got to me.
Second, I’m already a hermit and I live in the woods. My surrounding property would be boobytrapped so that any of the zombies stomping toward the light in my house would snap the trip wires and **BLAM** no more zombie.
Third, I’m smart. Scary smart. Zombies are…not.
Last, I’m a devotee of the Lara Croft school of defense.
Them zombies don’t stand a chance.
Let’s see what some of the other writers in this challenge think: L&SR
Until next time, zombie fighters ~ Peg
Hey, know what? My newest book released today!!!!!! Help me celebrate – and my celebrate I mean buy a copy ( heehee)
VANILLA WITH A TWIST is part of the One Scoop or Two summer series from the Wild Rose Press. All the books are stand-alones and involve ice cream in some way.
Tandy Blakemore spends her days running her New England ice cream parlor, single-parenting her teenage son, and trying to keep her head above financial water. No easy feat when the shop’s machinery is aging and her son is thinking about college. Tandy hasn’t had a day off in a decade and wonders if she’ll ever be able to live a worry-free life.
Engineer Deacon Withers is on an enforced vacation in the tiny seaside town of Beacher’s Cove. Overworked, stressed, and lonely, he walks into Tandy’s shop for a midday ice cream cone and gets embroiled in helping her fix a broken piece of equipment.
Can the budding friendship that follows lead to something everlasting?
As I continue to count down to the 5.20.2020 release of VANILLA WITH A TWIST, I’m stopping over at friends’ blogs to talk the book up and promote it in addition tot he 50,000 of things i need to do every day!)
In addition to all that book promo, I also helped ROMANCING THE GENRES celebrate their 10th anniversary on May 2 with a piece on the benefits of Independent bookstores.
It’s been a busy week and next week is even busier!
VANILLA WITH A TWIST is available for pre-order right now at the sale price of just #99cents. On 5.20.2020 when it releases, the price goes up so lock in this great price today, here: VWAT
Food plays such a big role in most of my books, my new release, VANILLA WITH A TWIST, no exception. In this little snippet, my hero, Deacon, brings take out forTandy – my heroine – from her favorite boardwalk restaurant. Who can resist a man who brings you your favorite food? I know I can’t. Tandy can’t seem to, either….
“This is nice.” Deacon pulled out a chair for her, something a man had never done before. That the gesture seemed as natural to him as breathing was, surprisingly, attractive. “Great view,” he said, taking a seat next to her instead of across, so they both faced the ocean. She shimmied her chair a bit away from him.
After he handed her utensils and napkins from the bag, he removed several containers.
“How hungry are you?” she asked, gaping at the enormous selection.
Her gaze dropped to his wide shoulders when he gave her a casual shrug. “I’ll bring any leftovers home with me. I haven’t gone food shopping since I’ve been here, and my supplies are low. Plus”—he grinned at her—“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I wanted to have an assortment.”
“You could feed a family of four with this assortment and still have leftovers.” She opened the container with the treasured garlic knots. The groan of pleasure as the scent of hot, yeasty bread, pungent garlic butter, and sea salt hit her senses had Deacon’s lips exploding into a grin.
“I ordered those because the aroma had me salivating. I’m glad you like them, too.”
She popped one into her mouth, the flavors exploding across her taste buds, and around it said, “I way more than like these. If I could let myself, I’d eat them every single day.” She swallowed and took a swig from the bottled water he’d brought for her. “I’ve tried to make them a couple of times over the years, and they never come out as good as the Trap’s. Ricky, the owner, refuses to share the recipe with anyone.”
“I don’t blame him. Keeping it close to the vest is smart from a business standpoint. You should understand that.” He cocked his head toward her shop. “I saw several flavors I’ve never heard of before listed on your menu board. I’m sure you don’t share your recipe blends for those specialty flavors, do you?”
“Nope. Proprietary is my middle name.”
Intrigued? You can preorder your copy now for just #99cents. On release day- 5.20.2020 – the price goes up, so why not save a few bucks now and preorder? Makes sense to me, heehee.
Tandy Blakemore spends her days running her New England ice cream parlor, single-parenting her teenaged son, and trying to keep her head above financial water. No easy feat when the shop’s machinery is aging and her son is thinking about college. Tandy hasn’t had a day off in a decade and wonders if she’ll ever be able to live a worry-free life.
Engineer Deacon Withers is on an enforced vacation in the tiny seaside town of Beacher’s Cove. Overworked, stressed, and lonely, he walks into Tandy’s shop for a midday ice cream cone and gets embroiled in helping her fix a broken piece of equipment.
Can the budding friendship that follows help fix their broken spirits and lead to love?
My good friend Nancy Fraser is not only a great writer, but a graphics gal, too! Here’s the book trailer she just made me for my upcoming 5.20.2020 release of Vanilla with a Twist, available for preorder right now at the sale price of just #99cents here: VWAT
What to know a little about the book? Check out this great trailer!
I am super excited because I just found out that my May 20,2020 release of VANILLA WITH A TWIST is ON SALE NOW – for #99cents – as PreOrder on Amazon.
Click here to preorder your Kindle Copy now because the price goes up on release day!!!
Tandy Blakemore spends her days running her New England ice cream parlor, single-parenting her teenage son, and trying to keep her head above financial water. No easy feat when the shop’s machinery is aging and her son is thinking about college. Tandy hasn’t had a day off in a decade and wonders if she’ll ever be able to live a worry-free life.
Engineer Deacon Withers is on an enforced vacation in the tiny seaside town of Beacher’s Cove. Overworked, stressed, and lonely, he walks into Tandy’s shop for a midday ice cream cone and gets embroiled in helping her fix a broken piece of equipment.
Can the budding friendship that follows lead to something everlasting?
Intrigued? Find out the answer to that question on MAY 20, 2020!
*****The ebook will be across all digital venues, but only available for preorder at 99cents on Amazon.
Peggy Jaeger, Author 