The
Cupcake Diaries
Sweet
On You, Recipe for Love, Taste of Romance
By: Darlene Panzera
The
Cupcake Diaries Book One: SWEET ON YOU
(Avon
Impulse; on-sale May 7th, 2013; e-book ISBN: 9780062242662)
Fans of
Debbie Macomber will love THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: Sweet on You, the
first in the new and exciting three-book romantic comedy, by Darlene Panzera.
Set in the small seaport town of Astoria, Oregon, Sweet on You begins the
delicious and charming mini-series with Andi Burke’s adventure through love and
cupcakes.
Sisters Andi and Kim, along with best friend
Rachel, haven’t had the best luck in recent months: unemployment, divorce, and
heartbreak. After so many disappointments, what can the trio do to change
things around? Open up a much needed gourmet cupcake shop of course!
Andi has always had a dream—a kitchen big enough
to bake and dance in, while still being able to support her dear daughter Mia,
and hopefully find true love (one day). Could opening up a cupcake shop make it
all a reality?
Together, the best friends are determined to
open up Creative Cupcakes. But, with no business experience or money to finance
the project it seems their dream won’t come true. Until, Jake Hartman, the
hunky Astoria Sun reporter, offers to partner up with them.
Trying to hold it together as a single mom
hasn’t been easy, and the thought of dating hasn’t crossed Andi’s mind since
her divorce. But, the way Jake keeps looking at her might change her mind.
After all, what could go wrong?
Plenty! There's a shady tattoo parlor behind
their shop and a crowd of crazy Zumba dancers out front—ready to ruin them. The
trio is forced to think quick to counter the attacks from Zumba fanatic Pat,
while still finding a way to bring in business. It seems the only thing that’s
going right is Andi's blooming romance with Jake. As if things weren’t hard
enough, Jake’s media crew captures a story that could shut them both down
forever.
(Avon
Impulse; on-sale May 14th, 2013; e-book ISBN: 9780062242686)
For fans of Debbie Macomber comes Recipe for Love, the second installment
in the Cupcake Diaries series Relationships can be tricky, but will Mike the
magician convince Rachel to break her two-date rule? Rachel Donovan believes
first dates are fabulous, second dates are fun, but third dates? She never sees
a guy three times in a row for fear he'll break her heart, but she's tempted to
make an exception when her coworkers, Andi and Kim, hire Mike Palmer to drive
their Cupcake Mobile. Mike meets Rachel when he's wearing his black-masked
magician costume at a Creative Cupcakes birthday party and then tries to saw
her in half. He draws closer while helping Rachel devise promotion plans to
outsmart the arrogant new French pastry chef threatening to put the shop out of
business. When a rat runs through the middle of her glitzy promo party and the
video is uploaded to YouTube, Rachel fears she won't be able to save the shop,
help her mother pay for her grandfather's medical treatment, or win back the
heart of the one guy she's come to love . . . or will she?
(Avon
Impulse; on-sale May 21st, 2013; e-book ISBN: 9780062242839)
For fans of Debbie Macomber comes Taste of Romance, the third installment
in the Cupcake Diaries series. Kimberly Burke has avoided all types of risk
since her mother's deadly plane crash—including risky relationships. Seems like
everyone is always leaving her behind: her ex-boyfriend, her mother, and now
her sister Andi and best friend Rachel—who have each found the man of her
dreams. Then she meets Nathaniel when she mistakes his backyard for the new
community park. He loves her passion, and when he learns of her wistful desire
to travel, he takes her up in a hot air balloon, hoping to overcome her fear of
flying so that she can accompany him abroad. But before he leaves, they must
catch the Cupcake Bandit and replace the money stolen from Creative Cupcakes
before the shop is shut down. Will discovering the thief's identity persuade
Kim to take a risk on love ... or will she stay behind and let Nathaniel fly
off without her?
About the Author
Darlene Panzera is the winner of the “Make Your
Dreams Come True” contest sponsored by Avon Books. The win led her novella, The
Bet, to be published with Debbie Macomber’s Family Affair. The award-winning novella
(chosen in a blind-read by Debbie Macomber) was then published as a full length
novel retitled, Bet You’ll Marry Me. Born and raised in New Jersey, Darlene is
now a resident of the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and
three children. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, two
horses, and loves: camping, hiking, photography, and lazy days at the lake.
Author Links
@DarlenePanzera
https://twitter.com/DarlenePanzera
Thanks
for having me here today!
1) Do you plan all your characters out before
you start a story or do they develop as you write? I
start with a vague stereotyped idea in my head. Then as I write the details
come out as a result of the scene and they become more developed
three-dimensional people.
2)
One of your favorite quotes.
"The
future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -
Eleanor Roosevelt
I
would like to encourage everyone to pursue their dreams and never give up!
3) Who
are your dream dinner party guests?
In
my house it would have to be the full cast of The Lord of the Rings in full
costume and Captain Jack Sparrow from
Pirates of the Caribbean.
4) How
did you get the idea for this particular novel?
The
idea actually came from my editor at Avon Books, Lucia Macro. She asked if I'd
be interested in writing a story about a cupcake shop. Of course I said,
"Yes! I'd love to!" She gave me just 3 things to work with: 3 women,
a cupcake shop (in a small town), and romance. From there I brainstormed story
ideas and put together the outlines for all 3 novellas. I had just taken a trip
to the Crab, Seafood, and Wine festival (featured in Recipe for Love), and knew
Astoria, Oregon would be the perfect setting for this story.
5) What
is your favorite scene in your new release?
Besides
all the humorous scenes where each of the three women meet their 'hero,' I
really had a good time during the first book of THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: Sweet on You where Andi, Rachel, and Kim are
brainstorming names for their cupcake shop. Or maybe my favorite scene is when
the girls try to convince Andi to go steal the hero's cupcake...?
Flirting Questions
Which actor or book character do you have a crush on?
I am a big fan of Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (who isn't?) and I
have a poster of Robin of Sherwood (Robin Hood) in my closet from the 80's
Showtime series - which I absolutely loved.
What’s
your favorite body part of the opposite sex?
Because
I write wholesome, sweet romance, I would have to say the eyes. My copy editor
keeps telling me I have too many references to my character's eyes, but I
believe the eyes are the lamp to the body. Who a person is and what they really
think and feel are all revealed through their eyes.
How
did you meet your significant other?
We
were the trouble-makers at 4H camp. Once when a bunch of us were chasing each
other through the cabins, my guy took a fire hydrant canister and sprayed me
with water.
What’s
your idea of a perfect date?
Lately,
I have had a real desire to have a champagne picnic up in a hot air balloon,
much like my characters Kim and Nathaniel in THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: Taste of
Romance!
Do
you believe in love at first sight?
Yes,
I believe there are some people you meet that you feel an inexplicable
connection to that has nothing to do with the physical aspect of a
relationship.
Flirting Quickies:
Facial hair or clean
shaven? Some facial hair - like a five o'clock shadow
Alpha or Beta? Alpha
White wine or red? White
Sleep in or get up
early? Sleep in
Laptop
or desktop? Laptop
Beach or
mountains? It's a tie!
Twilight
or Fifty Shades? Twilight
City or
Country? Country
Clubbing
or candlelight dinner? Candlelight dinner
Christmas
or Halloween? Christmas!!!!
Here come THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: Christmas Special this November!
Thank you for hosting today!
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me here as a guest today!
ReplyDeleteDarlene, what a fun interview -- I especially like the mental image of you two as little hellions during 4H camp. Who would've guessed?
ReplyDeleteLaurie, amazed that Astoria is real because I thought you'd just made up a perfect spot!