Blurb for Trickster

Can she heal a 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 into 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?

Excerpt 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.”

Since Trickster has elements of fantasy, I asked author Darlene Fredette to share her answers to three fantasy questions.

What would you do if…?

You have three hours alone. Sometimes, authors are super busy with kids and family. In this scenario, money and kid-sitting are not a worry.

No fun being alone – lol, so I would rent a lakefront cottage in the Valley, where me and my family could rest and relax. We’d swim and paddle board, but I’d also take some quiet time to lounge on the deck, listen to the birds in the trees, watch the loons fly over the lake, read, have a cool drink, and of course, watch my dog swim.

You win a cool million (still a respectable sum these days) what will you spend it on? You are NOT allowed to buy necessities/fund the kids’ college tuition. Spend it all. No investing.

If I won a million dollars, I would rent a lakefront cottage so my family and I could go every weekend!

With the wave of a magic wand, where will you go for dinner? Anywhere in the world?

There are so many places I would love to visit, but if dinner was the exclusive prize, I love pasta so I would go to Italy and indulge in their pasta cuisine.

Author Biography

Darlene lives with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab on the east coast of Canada. An avid reader since childhood, she loved to put a pencil to paper and plot out stories of her own. Her writing is a combination of heartwarming, contemporary romance and plot-driven page-turners. When Darlene isn’t writing, you’ll find her reading, visiting the the Valley, or sitting outside by the fire pit with her family on a warm summer evening.