Guest Blog and Giveaway!

Two more days to sign up for a chance to win a digital copy of my newest contemporary romance, "Something Good."  All you have to do is visit Storeybook reviews where I'm guest blogging about how books have played a significant role in my life. See you there!

http://storeybookreviews.com/2014/08/the-circle-of-my-life-in-books-by-darlene-deluca-giveaway-darlene_deluca1/

Crime in Literature

Was looking through some reading lists the other day, and was reminded of one of my all-time favorite college courses – Crime in Literature. English was one of my concentrations in college, and this was an elective. We read some awesome books that stick with me to this day (uh, yeah, that was a while back).

I can’t remember the whole list, but here are some:

The Godfather

Crime and Punishment

All The Kings Men

Red Harvest

The Onion Field

I wish I had the full list and the syllabus for the class. And I’d love to know how the list has changed in the past twenty-some years. Couldn’t find that same class in the university course book, though.

What would you put on such a list? Can you think of crime novels (not mysteries) that made a lasting impression? I know I’ve read Murder on The Orient Express, but I can’t recall if it was for this class. Possibly. It’s another good one.

The two of these that stand out the most for me are The Godfather and Crime and Punishment. Oh, my. There’s something about reading The Godfather that makes it even more horrific than the movie. I thought I would never get that scene with the man and the head of his dead horse out of my mind.

And I can remember silently screaming at Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment not to do it, and later being fascinated by the psychology at play in his guilt and ultimate incrimination of himself.

Some of these are still read in colleges and high schools. The Godfather is probably more well known as a movie. All are worth reading and discussing. If I were choosing today, I'd add The Shawshank Redemption.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

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. :-)

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!

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?!