Dish the Pie with Monique & Guest Darlene Fredette--author of contemporary women's fiction romance mystery

Dish the Pie with Monique & Darlene Fredette

Hi, guys! I'm happy to be hosting Darlene Fredette today. She's here to share the recipe for Jess's Blueberry Muffin and to dish the pie on her new romantic mystery release--Secret Recipe, book 4 in her Redford Falls series. Darlene is a multi-published author of contemporary women’s fiction. I can't wait to get to know her better. Please help me welcome Darlene to Dish the Pie.   

Welcome, Darlene! I'm so happy you’re here to dish the pie with me! The first question I always ask my guests is: Do you like desserts? 

Darlene: I LOVE dessert.

Monique: You're in good company here! What is your favourite?

Darlene: My favourite is strawberry shortcake, but I’m a big fan of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, too.

Monique: Yumbo! You promised to share the recipe for Jess's Blueberry Muffin. tell us more about this.

Darlene: In Secret Recipe, Jess has to prove her baking skills, but for someone whose previous attempts at baking ended in the trash can, she attempts to make blueberry muffins.

Jess’s Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup milk

1-1/2 cups blueberries

Baking Tip - Jess added a teaspoon of vanilla to her mixture, which is highly recommended!

Directions

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl, cream the butter with the sugar.

Beat in eggs one at a time and then add the vanilla. 

Gradually stir in milk (mixture may appear curdled). 

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid mixture, and stir until moistened. 

Gently fold in blueberries.

Spoon into large paper-lined or well-greased muffin cups, filling to the top. 

Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until tops are firm to the touch.

Monique: Did Jesse pass the baking test and get the job? 

Darlene: You’ll have to read Secret Recipe to find out.

Monique: I think I'll do that! Have you ever eaten pie for breakfast?

Darlene: I have never had pie for breakfast. I’m a ‘start the day with a bowl of cereal’ kind of girl, but if I were to have pie, it would be apple for sure.

Monique: Some people might argue that certain types of cereal are on par with pie for breakfast😁. Are you married, Darlene?

Darlene: Yes, I am. My husband and I met in May of 1991.

Monique: How did you meet?

Darlene:  We were set up by friends (a guy he worked with dated a girl I worked with). He proposed six months later by the waterfront with roses. We married the following May (1992). He told his family that he didn’t need more time to know I was the ‘one’.

Monique: That's a wonderful story. Clearly, your hubs is a decisive man. I like that. Which season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) is your favourite and why?

Darlene: My favourite season was summer because I love sunshine and warmth, but the past few years, the humidity has been getting worse, so much that you can’t sit outside. I don’t enjoy the cold winter, and spring tends to be the wet season, so I’m leaning more toward fall these days.

Monique: Summer is a favourite for sure, but autumn/fall is pretty cool, too...no pun intended 😆. What is your idea of an ideal vacation?

Darlene: Southern Italy. We haven’t been there yet, but hopefully someday. Until then, we like a lakefront cottage where we can sit on the deck with a drink in hand and watch the loons and birds fly by.

Monique: Sounds blissful! What’s your idea of comfortable clothing? 

Darlene: T-shirt and jogging pants. Not only are they comfortable, but I have two large dogs that drool…a lot, so wearing anything dressy is a waste of time.

Monique: 😆 I love dogs! Thank you so much for hanging out with me, Darlene. We'd love to hear more about Secret Recipe. Would you share the blurb and an excerpt with us?

SECRET RECIPE

A Redford Falls Story – Book 4

By Darlene Fredette

All Rights Reserved

In the heat of the kitchen, one woman’s secret recipe blends danger, deception, and desire.

Jess Robinson is desperate for a fresh start, but an unexpected call drags her back
into the dangerous world she thought she’d escaped. With a missing bag of stolen jewels at stake, Jess must execute the perfect con.

Between two jobs and family obligations, firefighter Travis Cooper is stretched too thin. The last thing he needs is an unqualified baker who stirs up more questions than answers. Something about Jess feels familiar, and while Travis is drawn to her, he’s convinced she’s hiding more than a few secrets.

As drama simmers and danger closes in, Jess and Travis are caught in a game where every move could cost them everything.

    Travis pulled Jess into a hug. She molded perfectly against him. Her soft hair brushed his chin, and her hands warmed his chest where they rested.

    Her stare dropped to his lips.

    He lowered his head until a loud boom rattled his sanity. He released her and walked to the counter, creating distance. “Congratulations on a job well done.”

    Her widened eyes met his, and her cheeks flushed. “Thank you.”

    The thunder returned, louder than before.

    He shook his head, trying to erase the memory of her in his arms. What got into me? He wasn’t a touchy-feely guy. Hugs were usually reserved for his mother.    “Would you like to join me for a bite to eat?” What the…? Did those words just come out of my mouth? “My way of thanking you for a great first week.” More unfiltered words tumbled out.

    Jess stuffed her hands into her apron pockets. Her lips formed a tight line. “Sure.”

    She accepted? Part of Travis had hoped she’d decline. The other half was elated. He needed time to locate his missing common sense.

    “Do you have a restaurant in mind?” she asked.

    I’m not thinking. He gripped the counter’s edge. “Have you ever been to Kringle’s Lounge?”

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Darlene Fredette is a multi-published author of contemporary women’s fiction that celebrates resilience, romance, and the small-town magic woven into ordinary days. Step inside her world for heartfelt stories, character-driven moments, a touch of charm, wit, twists, and just enough intrigue to keep you turning the page. Residing on Canada’s scenic Atlantic Coast, where summers are too short and winters too long, she finds inspiration from family, nature, and the quiet moments that ignite the imagination, and enjoys life with her husband, daughter, and two oversized, loveable dogs.

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