A Year of Big Events and New Novels!

So, 2013 comes to a close. What a year it’s been for me. It started off with a bang – I became a published author!

Last January, I published my first novel, Unexpected Legacy. How fun, after months of writing, editing, agonizing over cover options and formatting the thing, to finally hold the finished product in my hands!

The novel didn’t skyrocket to the top of the NY Times Bestseller list, but it made it through a few rounds of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition. It got some great reviews, and got some positive feedback from both adults and teens, broadening its audience base. All good things.

In March, I published book number two, a clean contemporary romance titled Meetings of Chance.

Then a couple of big events happened that had nothing to do with writing. My husband and I celebrated our thirtieth wedding anniversary (why, yes, I was a child bride!), and we got to see our daughter graduate with honors from Cornell University. That was a very proud mama moment!

I watched a lot of tennis, and saw my son win second place in the state doubles championship. More parental pride.

Then I switched gears a bit, and launched a new novel in a new genre. The Storm Within was my third novel published in 2013. It’s women’s fiction, which meant I had to reach out and connect with a different kind of reader.

Which brings me to Marketing – the biggest challenge of 2013, and I expect that will continue into the new year. I’ve met a lot of other authors and readers along the way, and that has been much fun. I’ve gained friends and fans and followers, and learned a lot.

So what’s on the agenda for 2014? More of the same! More marketing, of course, and more writing. Hoping to publish at least two new books, the second in the Women of Whitfield series, and at least one contemporary romance.

My son will graduate from high school and start college. My daughter will launch her career and perhaps a PhD program. I’ve no doubt it will be another busy year.

As I ponder 2014, I’m thinking about all the unfinished manuscripts I have, and the stories I want to write.

I’ve said before that writing is making me a hermit, and it’s true. Sure, I see friends, go to lunch, etc. But, as others are planning their New Year’s Eve parties, dinners and festivities, I’m wondering if I can ring in the new year by finishing a book. :-)

When gift-giving is like math . . .

I’ve finally started wrapping the Christmas presents. It’s something I enjoy, but the math part is kind of stressful this year. Math, you say? Yep. I have two children. And I want to be fair. That means, they need to have approximately the same number of gifts, and the gifts need to equal roughly the same amount of money. So I spread everything out, and I’m adding, I’m combining. If I put this with that, then it’s only one present to unwrap. When the kids open their gifts on Christmas morning, I don’t want one to be opening a whole stack of bags and boxes while the other is done in seconds.

One kid wants cash. How many bills, in what denominations and number of boxes will it take to equal the gifts for the other kid? I don’t know . . . it sounds too much like a college algebra problem to me. I’m a writer. I don’t do numbers. I do words!

But I also do gifts. I really like to give presents, and to watch people open them. On Christmas, I don’t want to rip through all the presents in one big, chaotic frenzy. I want to savor the unwrapping. I like to delight the recipient. I want to see their face, and know that I’ve chosen well. At parties with a round-robin gift exchange, I’m always disappointed if my gift isn’t one that’s coveted, and “stolen” by others.

I think I did a pretty good job this year! So if I’m a little off on my math, hopefully everyone will be too busy enjoying their awesome gifts to notice!

It's Cookie Time

I’m not a cook, but I do like cookies. Often people mistake me for a cook because I also like to make cookies. The sad fact is, it’s the one and only culinary talent I possess.

At holidays, especially Christmas, I make anywhere from eight to twelve dozen sugar cookies – the kind you chill, then roll out and cut and bake, then frost and decorate. It’s kind of a long process, three days, minimum, with many frosting sessions.

The baked cookies can be frozen, but once they’ve been frosted, freezing isn’t an option. That means I have to carefully schedule when I frost the cookies for each person or event I’m taking them to. I actually write this down, which is probably one of the reasons people can’t believe that when it comes to writing I’m a “pantser” rather than a “plotter.” (meaning I don’t outline and sketch out the entire story before writing it)

Baking holiday cookies is actually a little creative outlet for me, too. Each one (well, some, anyway) is a tiny piece of edible art. I’ve been told they’re too pretty to eat. But then, I haven’t seen too many people having trouble eating them!

Happy holidays, everyone! Wishing you fun times with family and friends, good books –and, of course, cookies!

Jingle Bell Virtual Book Fair

Hello dear readers!
Thanks for stopping by! Today, and for the next three days, I invite you to visit a Facebook event. It's the Jingle Bell Book Fair. Dozens of authors have joined together to present excerpts of their books, discount offers, and giveaways. This is a great way to sample new authors and material. You just might find a new favorite, or two! Hope to see you there!
Here's the link to the event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/663323370357638/663973250292650/?notif_t=event_mall_comment

You can also go directly to the excerpts for my novels by visiting my website at www.threewritersofromance.com.

Happy reading!

A Little Christmas Excerpt

Christmas is in the air! So far, I've attended a holiday concert, bought all the ingredients for starting on sugar cookies, bought gifts, and got the tree! In honor of the season, thought I'd share a short Christmas excerpt from my sweet contemporary romance, Meetings of Chance. Merry, merry!

When Julie opened the oven door, Megan caught a sharp whiff of cinnamon. “Mmm, that smells wonderful,” Megan said. “What’s in there?”
Tom turned back to them. “Mom’s famous pumpkin pie. A Christmas tradition.”

Hands on his hips, he looked around. “So, Mom, speaking of traditions, where’s the mistletoe?” Tom demanded. “The one year I could use some mistletoe and you don’t have any?”
“Sorry. Guess I forgot that little detail.”
Tom’s dad turned from the television. “Kiss her anyway, son. It’s all right.”
“If you insist.”

Before Megan could object, Tom took her hand, pulled her off the bar stool, and twirled her around. Dipping her backward as if they were dancing, he planted a firm kiss on her lips. Then he grabbed his mother, and swung her around, too.
“My two favorite ladies . . .”
Julie laughed, patting down her hair. “My goodness. What’s gotten into you?”
He grinned at her, and spun Megan again, whispering in her ear, “I’m in love.”

Bookstore Shopping is Fun Shopping!

Well, darn. I couldn’t get all of my Christmas shopping done at bookstores. But it was close! Had to break down and buy a couple today at your basic shops like Macy’s and Eddie Bauer. Unfortunately, that required a trek to the Mall. Happily, though, while I was there, I also bought two gifts from Barnes & Noble. 

So I have now purchased multiple items from three local bookstores, and I got really good stuff. I love these bookstores that carry cool office supplies, cute kids’ crafts and games, note cards, picture frames, calendars, stocking stuffers, puzzles, etc. It’s amazing how many gifts you can knock out in one awesome bookstore! 

If you haven’t finished your shopping (and, really, who has?), don’t forget that books make great gifts, but most bookstores these days offer a whole lot more as well! Shop local, and let’s keep our wonderful bookstores in business! And just think, while you're there, you get to browse shelf after shelf of books! What's not to like about that?!

Let's Take a Break!

There’s been a lot of talk this week about Black Friday and the upcoming shopping frenzy.  There’s also been talk of shopping on Thanksgiving Day. Yep, on Thanksgiving Day. 

Have you seen the visual that says Only in America do we trample each other to get a deal the day after we’re thankful for everything we already have? (or something to that effect).

Yesterday I saw another one that raised the question about retail stores being open on Thanksgiving Day. The gist was that if I’m shopping, someone else is working.

That’s what’s sad about the current trend to open earlier and earlier, and finally, to encroach on the holiday itself.

The holiday. Thanksgiving is a national holiday. A tradition. It’s a day when people should feel proud of the Pilgrim spirit and their ability to feel thankful in the face of incredible struggle and hardship. It’s a day to celebrate the year’s bounty. For most people that doesn’t mean crops. It means a day to be thankful for what you’ve got – whatever that may be.

Most of the people I know would put family and friends at the top of their list of things to be thankful for. So, the question is, do you want to be with your friends and family members on Thanksgiving? And now the big ah-ha: so does everyone else!

Retail hours suck. In many cases, retail jobs suck. They are often low paying, lots of hours on your feet, dealing with masses of people. Not in the dream-job category for most of us.

Do the people in those jobs really need to work on Thanksgiving Day? Not for me, that’s for sure. I love that Thanksgiving has traditionally been a day to relax, to shut off from the rest of the world. Even on years when we’re not getting together with the whole fam, I relish a day to wind down, stay inside, and avoid the hustle, bustle, rush, multi-task frenzy of everyday life.

Of course, there are people who really do have to work on the holiday. Fire crews, hospital personnel, etc. People in those kinds of jobs are essential. (Hey, there’s another thing to be thankful for!)  But for the rest of us . . . take a break, peeps! Relax. The stores aren’t going anywhere. Isn’t five a.m. Friday morning soon enough?

I pledge not to shop on Thanksgiving Day, and I hope retailers will not crumple under any competitive pressure to open their doors. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

In Good Company

Can't stop smiling. Saw my books on the shelf at a local bookstore over the weekend, and the placement is so awesome. There sit all three Darlene Deluca novels sandwiched between Barbara Delinsky and Jude Deveraux. Not a bad place to be!
I confess that when I chose the pen name of Deluca, the thought did cross my mind that I could be near one of my favorite authors, and could possibly be seen by readers who enjoy her work. I couldn't ask for a better location. Now, I hope that the book covers entice those readers to pick up the novels and read about them. And I hope the descriptions will be of interest to readers who enjoy multiple story lines about friendship, family relationships, real-life situations and in some cases, a little romance. Happy reading to all!

The Waiting Game

I’m always in a hurry to get from November to April. I hate winter, hate being cold and having to deal with hats, coats, gloves, etc. Not a fan of ice or snow, either. By January, I’m desperately in need of sunshine – not the clear sun of a sharp winter day, but warm, skin-toasting rays of summer sun.

This year, however, I have another reason to rush to April. I need information. My family and I will be in limbo through these cold winter months. We’ll be waiting for news of college acceptances, coach’s decisions, financial aid packages, NSF grants and PhD programs.

There’s a lot on the line. For example, will I be able to start the kitchen project we’ve talked about for years, or will that be pushed to the back burner for another four years? Will our kids be living on opposite sides of the country for the next few years? Will our daughter still be in school, or will she get a job and begin the no-vacation phase of life? How much support will she need?

We won’t know the answers to these questions until April.

Patience has never been my strong suit, so months of waiting sounds like pure torture to me. I’m thinking the bears have the right idea. I’d like to stuff myself on a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, second helpings of pecan pie for good measure, and then drift into hibernation for four months. I’d love to enjoy a long, deep sleep then wake to spring sunshine and all the answers to the questions that will determine the course of our lives for the next several years!

Teen Readers Rock!

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking with three groups of high school teens, mostly young women, during their book club discussion. To my delight, they read my novel Unexpected Legacy for their group read in October. It’s mainstream fiction with romantic elements that crosses over to young adult.
It was wonderful to hear that they liked my book, and thought it was engaging and realistic, with characters they could relate to. It was a nice little ego boost.

But what really struck me in the two hours I spent at the school, was how many of the students are reading and writing for pleasure, are interested in the writing and publishing process, and are active on Goodreads. A few of them were even planning to participate in NaNoWriMo. One young woman said she would stay up until midnight on Halloween night so that she could begin writing!

During our discussion, we talked about self-publishing and writing habits. They wanted to know about scene selection, and where ideas come from. They asked great questions about character development and dialog that showed they’d really put some thought into reading and analyzing the book.

I’m thrilled that my kids’ high school librarian is sponsoring a book club. And making it cool. She wrote a proposal, and was granted funds from the school's education foundation to purchase Nooks for the book club and a budget for purchasing ebooks. The students simply check out the Nooks for book club. It’s a great way to foster a love of reading, and to bring together young readers in a support/discussion group.

I know the young adult genre has exploded in the last several years thanks to series such as Harry Potter and Twilight. Still, this is the age of too many activities to choose from, iPhones, and downloadable everything. So I’m really happy to see the kids choosing reading and writing as a pastime. And especially happy to be a part of promoting a love for reading!

No farting, please . . . I can smell again!

So this morning I’m brushing my teeth, and I kept thinking I was getting a funky taste. Puzzled, I checked the toothpaste tube and the toothbrush trying to figure out what strange substance I was ingesting. Took me a minute to realize it wasn’t a taste at all – it was a scent. And I smelled it!!

This may seem a strange topic, but it’s been months since I’ve smelled anything! You see, I’m plagued with sinus issues. I’ve had surgery, but this fall has been rough. For a couple of weeks I couldn’t breathe, let alone smell. I wasn’t particularly concerned about the smell part. But I do like to sleep, and it’s hard to get sleep when you can’t breathe.

Thank you, Prednisone.

After a few days of drug therapy, the polyps have shrunk, and I’ve regained a little sense of smell. But I have to say, in some respects I did not mind not smelling. When my sister and I were driving back from Colorado a couple of months ago and there was a dead skunk on the side of the road, she nearly gagged, while I was completely oblivious. And when my son and I had to park behind a restaurant and then walk past the dumpsters? He made fake choking sounds and complained as if the stench was going to be the end of him. I was unfazed.

Yes, I missed being able to smell coffee and tea and other good stuff. I was shopping with a friend last week, and she kept holding out jars of tea and candles for me to smell. Nope. Nada. Of course, I’m old enough to know what things smell like. I know I like the scent of vanilla and grapefruit, so I can still buy a candle or body lotion and know what I’m getting.

Unfortunately, there are pros and cons. Yes, I can now smell my morning tea and my lotion, but I can also smell . . . the trash, pizza left in a box overnight, son’s sweaty socks, and yes, farts. Oh, the farts. Don’t even get me started . . .

I love parent/teacher conferences!

Parent/Teacher Conferences. Do you enjoy them? Dread them? Ignore them?

I just got home from what was most likely my last parent/teacher conference ever. Yes! *pumps fist.

I’ve not missed any conferences for either of my kids. It’s not that they have a lot of problems or need help, or I really need to discuss some issue with their teachers. In fact, my son brought home a straight-A report card a few days ago.

So why would I bother going to conferences? Because it’s nice to hear the good stuff. It’s nice to hear from seven different teachers that he’s a great kid, that he’s polite and respectful, that he participates in class and makes their jobs more enjoyable. Why wouldn’t I want to hear that?!

What gets me is how many parents don’t go to conferences. Of course, some people will have a conflict, but some parents simply choose not to go. Once the kids are in high school there really aren’t that many opportunities for face-time with teachers. I’m not hanging around at the school. There aren’t room parents anymore. I just don’t have a reason to be there, so I don’t get to see my kid in action in a classroom or see how he interacts with other students and teachers.

The fact is, it’s great to get the validation that my kid is well-liked and that even though he’s a slob at home or giving me teenaged attitude, at school he’s someone I can be proud of. I love getting confirmation that he really is growing into a mature, thoughtful, decent human being! Whew! Plus, I don’t want my only interaction with a teacher to be a complaint or a problem. If a problem does arise, and we’ve already met and chatted informally, it seems that it’d be much easier to resolve the issue if some rapport has already been established.

In our district, we have conferences only two times a year, once in fall semester, and once in the spring. But he’s a senior this year. By the time conferences roll around second semester, he’s almost out of there. Colleges have already made their decisions. And we’ll probably all have a serious case of senioritis. I’m thinking I can skip spring conferences. That’s the plan. But as I write this, I wonder . . . Will I miss an opportunity? Will I regret missing that last chance to hear how great my kid is? Will I need that boost to calm my nerves before sending him off to college?

We’ll see. Maybe I’ll keep that date on the calendar. Just in case.

Beyond my Blog!

That last post was picked up by Digital Book Today and featured on their site! Check there if you want to join the conversation about book clubs! http://digitalbooktoday.com/2013/09/28/book-club-dos-donts/#comment-34348

Book Club Dos and Don'ts

Dos and don’ts for book club? Rules for book club? Really?

Well, I use the term “rules” loosely. But still, there has to be some understanding among members, right? You need a little structure. After all, someone has to bring the chocolate, and someone has to bring the wine. Munchies? Of course.

You’ve probably seen beverage napkins that joke about the wine and conversation being more important than reading a book, right? Oh, wait. Was that a joke?

In my book club, we actually do try to read a book every month. And often, it’s a book outside of my comfort zone – outside of my typical genre and possibly written by someone I’ve never even heard of. Our little group is made up of friends of friends, an eclectic assortment of women from different backgrounds, careers, socio-economic levels, life stages, etc. We take turns choosing a book that appeals to us personally. And that makes it interesting.

My favorite type of book is slice-of-life fiction. But some members prefer non-fiction. Some like mysteries, or classics, or historical fiction. Because we have diverse interests, I’ve read books I never would’ve picked up, books that never would’ve piqued my interest if left to my own devices. The funny thing is, I’ve liked many of them. Sure, there’ve been a few dogs. I admit, on more than one occasion I simply couldn’t slog through the book. Ahem, another glass of wine, please.

But overall, I love that we each enjoy different types of books, and that we all give them a try. That’s one of the rules. It makes us stretch. I’ve learned a thing or two. I don’t often read non-fiction, but I found myself completely absorbed in “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” I had no idea that nearly all cancer research can be traced back to the cells of this one woman. One month we read “Silence” by Shusaku Endo, a book about the persecution of Christians in Japan during the early 1600s. Say what? Yep. Pass the chocolate, please.

Another rule? If you choose the book (which also involves some background, discussion questions and research on the author), then someone else hosts book club at their house. That spreads the work around. Of course, that brings me to yet another rule – no dusting required. We come. We chat. We eat and drink. We don’t mind a little dust. The important thing is, we’re talking books. And having fun.

Cheers to friends, books, wine and chocolate. Happy reading!

So Sad about Summer

Labor Day weekend. It’s generally accepted as the end of summer, even though the calendar officially says Sept. 21st.

The pools close, the boats are put away, cabins are closed, kids go back to school, and I get a little depressed. Because I know what’s coming. Some people look forward to the cool breezes and crisp air of autumn. Some of that is okay. It’s nice that the humidity subsides. But the real problem is that I know what’s coming after that. Fall is usually a short blip around here. And then Old Man Winter settles in for a long and tedious visit.

Winters can – and often do – last six months around here. Ugh.

I think I’ll say that again. Ugh. It gets cold and dark. It snows. We get ice storms. Did I mention the cold? I guess for me, winter just makes things more difficult: Keeping track of coats and scarves and gloves. Cleaning up after snow, the mud, the salt, the drips. It’s harder to see at night. Driving is more dangerous. People withdraw into their houses.

For six long months I wait for spring, for warmer temperatures and longer days – when a day really lasts all day, not just until 5 p.m.  People seem happier in the summer. Blue skies and sunny days have a way of cheering things up. The neighbors are out, patios are used, flowers color the landscape. There’s a sense of having more time. Summers don’t seem to slow down for us. There’s too much to do. But it’s easier to do those things. So much more pleasant to be able to step outside without coats and all the winter accessories. I so much prefer to be greeted by warm sunshine than arctic wind. As winter looms before me, I just hope I’ve soaked up enough sunshine to get me through the days ahead.

Sigh. It’s Labor Day weekend. Bye-bye, summer. You’ll be missed.

New Release!!

Very excited to announce that my new women's fiction novel, The Storm Within, is now available in both print and digital formats!
The Storm Within is a story about friends, family and community. It's about facing life's challenges, and moving forward even when you don't know where you're going.
Here's what reviewers are saying about The Storm Within:

-- "I started and finished it in one sitting because I could not stop reading...the story had me that engaged."

-- "I experienced so many emotions-- fear, anger, disappointment, anguish, happiness and triumph -- all in one book!"

-- "Never have I been so emotionally invested in a book before."

You can read the complete reviews at: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18243319-the-storm-within#other_reviews



Introducing The Storm Within . . .

They say 'lightning doesn’t strike twice.' But they’re wrong.

Claire Stapleton is living proof. First, she loses her beloved son to war. Then, her husband to another woman. As the life she’s known implodes, she struggles to pick up the pieces – to fit in. And in a small community like Whitfield, that’s harder than she ever dreamed.

Overnight, Claire falls from toast of the town to talk of the town. Long-time friends rally around, but confused and off-balance, Claire finds herself traveling a lonely, unfamiliar road without a map. And there are no detour signs to help her get back on the right track. Spiraling on a self-destructive path, Claire fights to find her way – and a reason to start over.

They say, ‘what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.’ Could they be right?

The Storm Within is available for purchase at
Amazon.com
Barnesandnoble.com
Smashwords.com
Kobobooks.com
Apple.com
and . . .
Watermark Books, 4701 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS
Reader's World, 983 NE Rice Rd, Lee's Summit, MO

Find me other places

Hi everyone,
I started this blog back when I was just starting to write, and going it alone. I check it periodically, and still post items now and then. But my bigger online presence is on the blog/website I share with my critique partners and on Facebook. Hope you'll come say hello!

Website: http://www.threewritersofromance.com/all-about-darlene.html

Twitter: https://twitter.com/darlene_deluca1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darlene-Deluca/282385088481413?ref=ts&fref=ts

Would always love to have more friends, fans and followers!

Favorite Fictional Fathers

Hi everyone! In honor of Father’s Day this weekend, thought I’d take a few minutes to reflect on some fictitious dads. When I started thinking about it, I realized that dads play a key role in both of my published novels.

Can you imagine being introduced to parenting when your kid is sixteen? Talk about trial by fire! That’s exactly what happens to Matt in Unexpected Legacy. He learns he has a sixteen-year-old son after the kid is seriously injured in a car accident. The mom has long-since checked out, and the grandparents who raised the boy are overwhelmed. What Brady needs, they decide, is a dad. They turn to Matt for help. And what a guy – he steps up to the plate and gives it a shot without even knowing the rules of the game.

He may have missed his son’s first baby step, but he’s there for him when he takes his first step on an artificial limb. In admirable fashion, Matt takes on the challenge and turns the focus of his life to gaining his son’s trust and respect while helping him regain his self-esteem and recover from the trauma of the accident. You’ll be cheering along with Matt when he finally gets to hear that one word he’s been waiting for from Brady’s lips – Dad.
                                                                                **

Or how about suddenly having to worry that your dad is a chick magnet or the target of a scheme to invest in a local research project? That’s what happens to Megan, the heroine in Meetings of Chance, when her mother dies, and her grief-stricken father is befriended by a questionable new neighbor. And when Dad gets the flirtatious attentions of a bank employee? Well, that’s a little awkward.

Megan’s grieving, too. Plus she has the added stress of managing the household and the business without her mother who was also her biz partner. Trying to protect her father, Megan sees threat all around her. Sheesh. Who want to babysit their dad?

Do you have a favorite fictional father? Please share!

One of my favorite fictional dads is Mr. Bennet of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Love his humorous remarks! Are you not diverted?

Fashion frustration

So I finally broke down and bought a pair of “skinny” jeans (which, of course, means that baggy bell-bottoms will be all the rage next year, ladies).

I’ve resisted them because they look so, well, skinny. And tight. And uncomfortable. Something for teenagers, not middle-aged women.

But I’ve been seeing a some of my friends wearing them, fashionably tucked inside boots or with cute little mary-jane-type flats and no socks.

So, I took the plunge. Plunked down my credit card and brought a pair home.

Turns out, I actually kind of like them. They’re warm! And the fabric, even on the ones that look like jeans, is stretchy so they aren’t as restrictive as I thought they’d be. I’ve worn them tucked inside boots and with the ballet slipper flats. They’re cute. And here’s the big flash – when I’m wearing them I feel pretty stylish. Now that hasn’t happened in a while.

Sometime in the last few years, the styles have changed, and my body has changed so that shopping for new clothes is tedious and confusing. Seriously, there are days when I look through the racks of women’s garments and wonder, what the hell do you do with that? And more often than not, I walk (or run screaming) out of the store empty-handed. Or, just as likely, I end up buying something for my twenty-one-year-old daughter because all that cute clingy stuff might actually look good on her.

Okay, I’m over the skinny jeans, but really, does everything have to be skin-tight? I guess lace is in, and I’d love to have a few more lacey items in my wardrobe, but it seems that all the lace is stretched over some Spandex-type fabric. I tried on a darling shirt the other day, with a flower-like lace design on the front. Loved it. Until I turned around! The three-way mirror said it all. The back of the shirt had no lace – just a clingy layer of fabric so thin it was practically transparent. Sigh. Empty-handed again.

so peculiar

So I’m driving down the highway the other day, and there’s this town called Peculiar. And that got me to thinking about the word peculiar. Say peculiar a couple of times. It’s kind of funny. Well, that got me to thinking about the word funny.

In the English language we have several words that basically mean peculiar. There’s weird. There’s odd. There’s strange. Now wouldn’t you think with those four very capable descriptive words, we wouldn’t need to take another word and change its meaning so that it pretty much says the same thing as odd or strange or weird or peculiar?

But that’s what we’ve done with the word funny. How often do you say ‘that’s funny’ and not really mean that’s humorous? Funny is supposed to be about humor, about making you laugh. Now, granted some things that are funny are also weird or odd or peculiar. But generally, I’d say most things that are odd or weird are not also funny, and when we say, ‘that’s funny,’ we don’t mean humorous at all.

I suppose it’s one of the things that make learning the English language difficult for foreigners. It’s a little confusing. Perhaps, even, peculiar.

Now published!

It's official!
My debut novel, Unexpected Legacy, is now available in digital or print version! It's been a long journey, and putting it out there for public purchase and viewing makes me a little nervous. But it's a huge, exciting milestone, as well.
The finished product represents a leap of faith that something good can come from being laid off after 21 years in corporate America. I hope you'll check it out! Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Legacy-Darlene-Deluca/dp/1481021737/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357491425&sr=1-4&keywords=Unexpected+Legacy

Also up and running are my Facebook, Amazon and Goodreads author pages, as well as my website http://www.threewritersofromance.com.
Would love to have you as fan/friend/follower!