New Release & Excerpt – Painted Dreams by Darlene Deluca

Synopsis
Katlyn Andrews is a talented artist on her way to fulfilling a dream—her own show at a New York City gallery. Focused on her career, she’s ditched her hometown of Denver for the bright lights of the Big Apple. When she’s drawn back to check on her beloved grandmother, she finds a surprise—Nick Summers, a woodworker bidding on a job at her parents’ upscale home. Nick’s gorgeous smile and easy-going manner charm Kat. Too bad he lives in Colorado.
Nick adores the mountains of Colorado, but NYC is on his radar. He’s auditioning to be a guest host on a home-builders network there. Since that’s a long shot, he’s still pounding the pavement closer to home to secure jobs like the high-end Andrews project. Meeting his client’s intriguing daughter has his thoughts going in other directions. Too bad she lives in New York.
But distance can’t dim their undeniable attraction. Unfortunately, it turns out dreams can be shattered. While Nick’s career is on an upward trajectory, Kat’s unexpectedly takes a big hit. Devastated, she struggles to find a path forward. Nick fears her family’s status and wealth keep her from seeing reality—is she reaching for the stars before paying her dues?
In her heart, Kat knows he’s wrong about her…but could her heart be wrong about him?
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Excerpt
The study? He almost laughed. Was that what wealthy people called a home office? Nick was about to decline again, but those gray-blue eyes were compelling. Up close, he could see a smattering of light freckles across her pink cheeks. Her hair blew across them in the breeze, and he— Oh, jeez. He was acting like a clod letting her stand out in the cold waiting on him to make up his mind.
“Thanks. If you’re sure I won’t be in the way.”
“Not at all. Come on.”
Feeling ridiculous, he grabbed his computer bag and followed Kat back to the house.
“No sense sitting out there freezing,” she told him. “Do you drink coffee? I’m sure Mom has some made.”
Yeah, he’d smelled the brew earlier. “I do. Just black, thanks.” He hovered between the kitchen and family room while she filled a mug. He had no idea how to find the study.
“We could sit here, if you like.” She handed him the mug then gestured toward the seating area. “I mean, unless you need to work.”
Blood rushed to his head. We? The pretty little rich girl wanted to keep him company? Or did she think he might run off with the silver candlesticks?
His eyes met hers, and he admitted a tightening in his chest. He stared at Kat a moment and checked his attitude. Her smile seemed genuine. She might be from a wealthy family, but he had the feeling she was naturally warm and friendly—certainly more so than her intense mother. And that sounded like a better offer than the study.
About the Author
Darlene Deluca writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction that explores relationships – what brings people together or keeps them apart.
Her intent is to bring to life interesting characters that readers can relate to in real-life situations that combine a little fun, plenty of drama (with perhaps a tear or two), and big helpings of friendship, love, and self-discovery, and will leave readers either cheering or sighing with a satisfied smile as they turn the final page.
The Kansas City author enjoys getting lost in a good story with a glass of tea, a bit of dark chocolate and a warm, sunny beach.
darlenedeluca
Thanks so much for the post, Leslie! So fun to share a book birthday with readers!