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?”

AmazonCA | AmazonUS | AmazonUK

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.

Website | Blog | Instagram | BlueSky 

Cover Reveal: Guarded by the Sheriff

I thought you might like to see my shiny new Love Inspired Suspense cover! This time last year, I didn't even dream I would write a Harlequin book and have it on pre-order this year! 

In fact, this time last year, I was caring for my dad, whom we'd brought to live with us in October the previous year. He was ill and we--as a family--believed he'd recover and be back to normal. What we hadn't realised was that when we phoned to check in with him, he'd been fooling us. Telling us what we wanted to hear--that he was great, cooking all sorts of fantastic dinners, gardening, and even redecorating. The reality was that he was extremely ill and didn't tell us. By the time we discovered the real deal, it was too late to turn things around. He passed in mid-February last year. I did not take it all that well. 

But, somehow, I don't even know how it happened, but in March, my CP emailed me to tell me Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense was running their Great Love Inspired Author Search 2025. It had already been going since January and had two weeks left before the deadline was up. I sat down, came up with an idea, wrote the first chapter, and submitted it a week before the deadline. 

I got a quick response for the full--which was due on August 1st. I wrote the book and submitted it at the end of May. The following week, I received an email from my now editor asking to arrange a time to call me. You can read more about it in this post: A Harlequin Dream Come True: From Rejections to Contract.

I'm still trying to make myself believe that I finally got signed by Harlequin. It's been a long road, and I'm glad the tons of times I gave up on the dream didn't stick!

So, here is my cover for GUARDED BY THE SHERIFF, out June 2026, but you can pre-order your copy now.

HARLEQUIN | AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA  | AMAZON AU

Release Day! How to Write Compelling Romance Novels Is Here!

I’m absolutely thrilled to share that my brand-new craft book, How to Write Compelling Romance Novels: The must-have guide to creating page-turning love stories, is officially available in ebook today!

And—because of your incredible support—it has already hit #1 New Release in Words & Language Reference on Amazon. I couldn’t be more grateful or excited to finally place this guidebook into your hands.

Why I Wrote This Book

Whether you’re crafting your very first love story or polishing your fiftieth, writing romance is one of the most rewarding and emotionally rich journeys a writer can take. Over the past thirty years, I’ve studied story structure, emotional craft, conflict, chemistry, character transformation, and the art of making readers feel.

This book brings together the very best of what I’ve learned in clear guidance, emotional insight, and tools you can apply immediately to strengthen your storytelling.

What’s Inside

How to Write Compelling Romance Novels is packed with practical lessons and step-by-step breakdowns, including:

❤️ How to create powerful emotional beats

❤️ How to build sexual tension that's organic and character-driven

❤️ How to craft internal and external conflict that keeps readers turning pages

❤️ How to write deep emotional intimacy and chemistry

❤️ How to use subtext to enrich dialogue and amplify emotion

❤️ How to raise emotional stakes in a way that grips readers

❤️ And so much more, including examples I've written exclusively for this guidebook

My goal is to help you write the kind of romance stories readers devour in one sitting—and remember long after they finish.

For Writers at Every Level

No matter where you are in your writing journey, this book is designed to meet you there. If you’re just starting out, you’ll find clear, actionable steps that demystify the process. If you’re an experienced author, you’ll gain new tools and insights to elevate your craft.

Thank You

Thank you to every writer, reader, and friend who has supported this book’s release. Seeing it launch as a #1 New Release is an absolute dream come true, and I hope this guide becomes a treasured companion on your writing journey.

If you’re ready to take your romance writing to the next level, you can grab your copy today and start building stories full of emotion.

How to Write Compelling Romance Novels is available in eBook, Paperback, & Hardback. 

Grab your copy today!

AmazonUS | AmazonUK | Amazon CA | AmazonAU

Happy writing—and here’s to crafting love stories your readers will never forget! 

Free for a Limited Time: DILLON: Her Rule Breaker. Book 2 in the Pleasure Flights RomCom Series

I’m so excited to share this with you! For a few days only, you can grab DILLON: Her Rule Breaker—Book 2 in my Pleasure Flights romantic comedy series—absolutely FREE on Kindle!

Free Dates: December 2-6
Series: Pleasure Flights Book 2

Tropes you’ll love:

• Best friend’s little sister

• Best friend's brother

• Old crush rekindled

• Across-the-hall neighbors

• Mischief-making cat

• Slow burn with sizzle

• Laugh-out-loud romantic chaos

Breaking the rules with his best friend’s sister has never felt so right!

After eight years in the UK, Renée Swank is back in sunny California, ready to launch her chic lingerie boutique. But right across the hall is Dillon Matthews—the rebel from her teenage diaries and, awkwardly, her brother’s best friend. As if that isn’t enough, her kleptomaniac cat keeps stealing her panties and dropping them in his apartment. The last thing she needs is daily run-ins with her old crush… but how can she refuse his help to get her secret project off the ground?

Dillon Rule Breaker Matthews is a helicopter pilot by day and a carpenter by night, and he’s always had Renée firmly in the “hands-off” category. Watching over his buddy’s little sister should be simple—until her mischievous cat starts sabotaging his love life. What starts as fixing up her boutique quickly sparks into stolen kisses, and before long, the shop isn’t the only secret they’re keeping.

As boundaries blur and passion ignites, they’re forced to confront the ultimate question: is love the ultimate reason for breaking the rules?

DILLON: Her Rule Breaker

by Monique DeVere

All Rights Reserved

    She opened the door. “Kip, I’m so sorry. My cat—”

    “Is about to lose all nine of his lives.” The shirtless man standing opposite her with a red satin-and-lace thong dangling from his crooked index finger was not Kip. 

    Even with the hard edge to his deep voice, he still managed to send warm, delicious shivers up and down her spine. Or perhaps fear for her cat caused the shivers. 

    He stepped forward. 

    Ren braced a straight-armed palm against his bare chest, ignored the zingy tingles shooting up her arm, and snatched her panties from his fingers with her other hand. She didn’t believe for a second that Dillon would really hurt her cat, but she’d never seen him this mad. Usually, when her underwear showed up at his place, he’d return it with a dimpled smile then head back to his apartment without a word of conversation. 

    But not this time. 

    This time, he looked ready to make good on his threat. 

    “Dillon, you can’t kill my cat.”

    “You sure about that?” He pressed forward, forcing Ren to use both hands to hold him back.

    “Yes!” More tingles zinged and zapped her entire body, melting places that had no business melting until much later with Kip. “I’m pretty sure Animal Rights would take exception to you offing a cat because he brought you a pair of panties.”

    “How about if I killed him for ruining my sex life?” Dillon’s gaze cut from hers to focus on an object over her left shoulder, his eyes narrowed and he tightened his jaw. “Raggy, you’ve stolen your last pair of panties.”

Why You’ll Love It

If you enjoy:

• A feisty heroine 

• A protective, irresistible rule-breaker of a hero

• Witty banter and sizzling chemistry

• A mischievous cat 

• Feel-good, flirty fun with a swoony payoff

…this story will absolutely delight you!

Don’t Miss This Freebie!

If you’re reading your way through the Pleasure Flights series, or you just want a fun, warm, romantic escape, now is the perfect time to snag DILLON: Her Rule Breaker.

Grab it FREE on AmazonUS | AmazonUK | AmazonCA | AmazonAU

And when you’ve enjoyed Dillon and Renée's story, a quick review on Amazon or Goodreads would mean the world. Reviews help other romance readers discover these sexy-sweet rom-com adventures!

Thanks for flying with Pleasure Flights! Happy reading!

Love & Hugs!

Dish the Pie with Monique and Guest Judythe Morgan

Dish the Pie with Monique & Judythe Morgan

Today, my guest on Dish the Pie is Judythe Morgan. She’s here to dish the pie on her new release—The Iron Bed—a second chance romance, and to share her family recipe for Chocolate Chess Pie. Please help me welcome Judythe.

Welcome, Judythe! 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? 

Judythe: I love dessert. In my opinion, no meal is complete without a taste of something sweet. 

Monique: I’m right there with you. In fact, I’d happily pass on the meal and just eat the dessert! What is your favourite dessert?

Judythe: My favourite dessert around the holidays is Chocolate Chess Pie—sweet and chocolatey. The perfect mix. 

Monique: I’ve never heard of chess pie. Would you share the recipe with us?

Judythe: It’s a special recipe handed down from my grandmother, written on a small tablet. Every year during the holidays, chess pie is on the menu around our house. And there’s never any leftovers. 

Here’s my grandmother’s recipe: 

In case you can’t read the handwriting:

Ingredients 

Chocolate Chess Pie

½ stick (4 Tablespoons) of oleo, melted

3 ½ Tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs beaten

5 oz of evaporated milk [half a large can]

Pinch of salt

Directions

Mix sugar, cocoa, milk and blend with melted oleo. Pour into unbaked pie shell.

Cook at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes. The top should be crisp and the inside soft. Use a pie tester to check. 

Monique: A nice, easy dessert. Have you ever eaten pie for breakfast? 

Judythe: I don’t remember eating pie for breakfast. 

Monique: What’s your favourite food?

Judythe: My favorite food—not sure I have one, except I never pass up potatoes cooked any way, especially Irish Colcannon potatoes.  

Monique: Ah, you’re a potato girl. Are you married? 

Judythe: I was a teenage bride. 

Monique: Snap! So was I. How did you meet your husband? How long have you been together?

Judythe: The summer before I went to high school, I met my husband at the local supermarket where my mother shopped. He worked a cash register. Turned out we went to the same high school, and one day he met me at my locker wearing a yellow plaid shirt and a big smile that I can still see. To wear a yellow shirt back in our day was gutsy, and that smile melted my heart. I knew he was the one.

A short time later, he asked me out, and three children, eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and nine granddogs later, we’re still together. 

He's the reason I write romance. I know love works.

Monique: Awww, what a sweet story. What do you love most about your husband?

Judythe: I love his smile. It hooked me all those years ago. My heart still melts when he smiles at me. 

Monique: A true happily-ever-after romance. Where would you be more at home? The countryside, suburbia, the city, or beach? 

Judythe: Being a military brat, then an Army wife, I learned to plant roots wherever I landed.  Not counting military quarters, I’ve lived in sixteen different homes, including one in South Korea. Some homes were on the urban East Coast. Others in the south. We settled in a small town called Rosehill in Texas. 

Every place I lived, whether for years or weeks or months, felt like home. One of my favorites was our cabin in the Rocky Mountain National Forest, sheltered far away from society with the bears, coyotes, turkeys, etc. Peaceful and quiet—it made for great writing time. 

Monique: Sounds bliss, Judythe. Would you tell us about The Iron Bed?

She left her past behind to find herself.

And found something she hadn’t even been looking for.

Pregnant and married at sixteen, Eden had a fairytale life with her high school boyfriend. But when he dies unexpectedly, she’s swallowed in grief. Determined to rebuild her life, she leaves her memory-filled home in Connecticut to start anew at her cousin’s interior design firm in Texas—where she discovers an independent version of herself that she never imagined. 

Then she meets Travis Taylor, her cousin’s rugged, emotionally guarded business partner. Sparks fly, and their chemistry is undeniable. 

Only Eden fears slipping back into dependency. And Travis—burned by a bitter first marriage—has sworn off love. Yet he finds himself going to any lengths to win Eden’s love. 

When an antique iron bed from his past ties their lives together, both must decide if second chance love might just be worth the risk.

The Iron Bed

by Judythe Morgan

All Rights Reserved

In the sales office, Eden listened to an overzealous salesman. He stopped mid-sentence and tilted his head toward the front door. “Boss is here.”

The man walking with Nicole was not the Travis Taylor Eden remembered. Splashes of gray peeped through his thick, brown hair. His athletic body, outlined by the black polo, projected authority that the younger man she’d met on her visits to Texas with Clay hadn’t. Smoky gray eyes locked magnetically with hers.

“I’m sure you two remember one another,” Nicole said.

A slow, easy Texas smile lifted his lips as he reached out and captured her hand with a warm, firm grip. “Glad to see you again, Eden. Sorry to hear about your husband.”

 “Thank you, and nice to see you again.” Long forgotten sensations shimmed up Eden’s arm at his touch.

Nicole’s voice broke her trance. “If I’d known that you’d be interested in one of these homes, I’d have brought you out sooner.” 

“It’s a hard place to resist. The trees and foliage remind me of Connecticut. Max’ll love it too.”

Travis raised an eyebrow. “Max?”

“Her dog. An Old English sheepdog about the size of a small horse,” Nicole answered.

“Aren’t they mostly hair?” The sales manager asked.

“Mostly.” Eden chuckled.

Travis sent the salesman off to help another couple. 

Nicole hugged Eden and flashed a thumbs-up to Travis. “Good luck. I’m heading back to the model.”

Travis guided Eden toward his office, where he pulled up the site map. After choosing a few plots, they walked around each lot. Eden selected one. They returned to his office where Travis went through the contract with her, promising priority handling for quick occupancy. She was signing the contract when Nicole reappeared.

“You found something?”

“I did. A corner lot with yard space for Max.”

Nicole looped her arm around Eden’s shoulders and squeezed. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Travis thinks he can have it ready in three or four months.” 

“If the weather and deliveries cooperate,” he emphasized.

“Then we’ll all pray for clear skies and on-time deliveries. Let’s head to Sandy’s and celebrate,” Nicole said. 

“Sounds great to me,” Travis answered. “I can meet you there.”

Eden hesitated. “Wait. The Larson’s party—I promised your mom.”

“I already called and told her what was going on. She’s fine with it. You know you didn’t want to go to that thing anyway. Sandy’s will be lots more fun.”

Eden ground her back teeth. She wouldn’t start an argument here in front of Travis. Later, she’d speak to Nicole about making decisions for her without checking first. “Alright. Let’s go.”

*

Sitting at the picnic tables behind the 1950s-style drive-in diner on Austin’s Town Lake, Travis served up milkshakes, hamburgers the size of dessert plates, and crispy French fries. Taking the last shake for himself, he raised it. “To Eden’s new home.”

“Hear, hear.” Nicole tapped her paper cup to his.

Smiling, Eden lifted her cup to theirs. “My new home.”

While Nicole and Eden discussed interior flooring, Travis studied Eden. Nicole had described her aura of melancholy like Pigpen’s black cloud perfectly. Relaxed as she was now, he saw a soft, feminine side. A side worth exploring. Nicole’s idea to liberate Eden Hill from her self-imposed exile might be the best project the two of them ever partnered on.

Especially since Nicole told him Eden wasn’t any more interested in a long-term relationship than he was.

“No tile. Has to be wood,” Eden said.

“Carpet?”

“Not with Max. I’d be cleaning all the time.”

“So, hire a maid,” Nicole countered.

Travis leaned in, a playful grin tugging at his lips. “Whoa, you two always argue like this?”

“Only when she won’t listen.” Nicole gave Eden a playful punch.

“You know, she uses the same tactics with me. What do you say we gang up on her? Two against one.”

Eden extended her hand. “You got a deal.”

He brushed his thumb across the back of her hand. Her skin soft to his calloused thumb.

His cell phone vibrated. Glancing at the number, he stood. “I have to take this. I’ll have a crew at your site first thing tomorrow morning.”

Eden watched his retreat, her pulse still racing from his touch. Her gaze shifted to Nicole’s amused grin. “What?”

“Nothing.” Nicole dipped a French fry in her ketchup cup. “He never remarried, you know.”

Eden took a deep breath. “I’m not interested.”

“You two would be great together.” Nicole popped the fry in her mouth.

“Never.” Eden sipped the last of her milkshake with a deliberate slurping sound.

Nicole winked. “You know what they say about ‘never’.”

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Judythe Morgan is an award-winning, multi-published author who believes stories should offer escape from real life, with strong characters and engaging plots, and satisfying endings, without explicit content.

A lifelong wanderer as an Air Force daughter then an Army wife, Judythe now lives in a small Texas town north of Houston with her husband and their Old English Sheepdog, Finnegan MacCool. They enjoy a busy life with three grown children, eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and nine granddogs who keep their lives filled with fun and laughter. 

When she isn’t writing, you’ll likely find her on the porch swing with a glass of sweet tea, reading a book.

Stay connected by subscribing to her free newsletter with subscriber-only sneak peeks at https://judythemorgan.com/contact/ or her blog at https://judythewriter.com

 

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | BookBub | Goodreads

Thank you so much for hanging out with me on Dish the Pie, Judythe. It’s been a pleasure spending time with you.