Europe, here I come…finally!

I can hardly believe it, but I’m going to France and Spain this year. For real. My husband and I have talked about going to Europe for years. Even got passports for us and the kids years ago. But the trip didn’t happen. Too much money. Too many details to plan. Too many days away from business, pets, etc.

But we have tickets booked to Paris this summer. We have hotel rooms. We made a down payment on excursions to Versailles and Giverny. We. Are. Going!!! 🙂

I’ve never been to Europe. Until last year, the only time I’d left the U.S. was to visit the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Since then, I’ve taken a couple of short cruises with my sister. I’m fortunate to have her as a travel agent and seasoned world traveler. With her help, I’m slowly getting out and about.

I’ve never put together a bucket list, but I love flowers, and a visit to Monet’s garden at Giverny has long been in my head. This year, finally, we’re able to go with our daughter who, though a little rusty at this point, can speak and read French! From Paris, we’ll take a train to Barcelona where my husband has a friend we can stay with who, of course, speaks Spanish! Yay! The language barrier has been a concern even though I’m assured that in those popular destinations, it’s no big deal.

The other concern is the long flight. We went to Hawaii for our twenty-fifth anniversary, and I really hated that six-hour flight. It made me feel kind of claustrophobic. But people do it all the time, right? I have a friend who has to travel to Japan to see her grandbaby! That’s about sixteen hours!! The flight to Paris is eight hours, only a couple more than Hawaii. I can do it! We’re planning to cram a lot of sights and activities into five days in Paris including the day trip to Giverny and Versailles and another one to Champagne. I can’t wait to see the museums and visit the cute cafes. I’m thinking lots of tea and pastries with awesome views! 🙂

Have you been to Europe? Is travel on your bucket list? Any tips for a beginner?

As a writer, I love this quote about traveling! Who knows? Maybe I’ll come back with a few new story ideas!

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

So far, my books all take place in the United States, and mostly the Midwest, which is what I know best. My women’s fiction trilogy “The Women of Whitfield” takes place in a fictional small Kansas town. It’s about three friends whose lives intertwine and overlap and how important the friendship is to sustain them through life’s ups and downs and curveballs.

A couple of my romances take place in Texas. I’ve never lived there, but have visited several times over the years, as my sister lived in Dallas for a long time. Others take place in California—I like warm areas!

A peek at Something Good:

Something Good is a heartwarming contemporary romance novel full of powerful chemistry, surprise twists, and tumultuous entanglements

She’s struggling to get by. He’s eager to make his fortune. With their hearts in the crossfire of business, will love go bankrupt?

Mandi Evans burns with regret. Haunted by a devastating loss, she’s working multiple jobs and studying online to escape Texas and start fresh. But when her trailer park is targeted for demolition by a devastatingly handsome urban planner, she’s torn between saving her beloved community… and giving in to their hot attraction.

Lane Whitmore is reeling from his cheating partner’s ugly double-cross. Determined to succeed in the real estate market by developing a rundown property, he never expected a stunning local to capture his passion. And as sparks fly between them and she opens his privileged eyes, he’s shocked to learn his plans could destroy the neighborhood’s spirit.

Slowly letting the man into her heart while also trying to save her world, Mandi courageously shares her tragic past and shameful mistakes. But when Lane discovers her secret and feels the familiar sting of betrayal, he tears himself away despite the burning emotions in his chest.

Will distrust and dollars drive a wedge into happily ever after?

—“This tale featuring a Texas waitress evolves into an absorbing story of redemption that’s hard to put down.” – Kirkus Reviews—

A quick snippet from the book:

Mandi rubbed her temples, willing the drugs to kick in. Lane’s words played through her mind in an endless loop. Battering her. Taunting her. A nice girl like her . . . Was it possible she looked like a “nice girl?” Was it possible she looked out of place at Jimmy’s? Maybe, years ago. But not now. The diner was so much a part of her now. The bad side of town was her home. It’s where she belonged.

At one time, she couldn’t have imagined being there. She would’ve graduated from college. Would’ve been with someone like Lane. If only they hadn’t moved to Texas. Mandi shook her head. If only she hadn’t put her brain in a closet.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=darlene+deluca&i=stripbooks&crid=3L8OUSMH1RPZX&sprefix=darlene+deluca%2Cstripbooks%2C258&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Pick your place and curl up with a romance that feels real or a heartfelt story of long-time friends. Happy reading to all!

Darlene

Books, France, Paris, setting, travel

7 Comments Add yours

joylennick says:

February 17, 2023 at 7:17 am

Hi! You are bound to love Paris…but France is more expensive than Spain. We retired to the Costa Blanca (best climate!) area 22 years ago, and we can still find many three-course restaurants and cafes for ten euros. We also fell in love with Barcelona – very atmospheric, but ingenious ‘pick-pockets’, so watch out…There is so much to see and do, both in France and Spain, you will want to return. Ole. Have fun! Cheers. x

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1. darlenedeluca says:
  
  February 17, 2023 at 10:14 am
  
  Oh, the pick-pocket thing is interesting! Thanks for the heads-up. I’m so glad we will have locals with us! Retiring to such a climate sounds wonderful! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and happy travels!
  
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Reggi Allder says:

February 17, 2023 at 10:43 am

Hi Darlene, your trip sounds wonderful. We have been to Hawaii , the UK and to Norway. the flight from California to Norway was the longest I’d been on and not a favorite memory. But it was well worth the flight. I bet there will be lots of ideas for new books. Enjoy!

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Marsha R. West says:

February 17, 2023 at 11:07 am

Hey, Darlene. Congrats. I’m excited for you getting to something on your bucket list. We’ve been to London, aeons ago. It was wonderful. The flight from DFW was scheduled for 12 hours, but took 13 as we sat on the runway with some delay. Well, worth the hours though. We drove into Canada from Maine one time, too. I’m not sure that counts. LOL I’m really more of a travel in the US kind of gal. It is difficult with our pup, though. Can’t wait to hear all about your trip. 🙂

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1. darlenedeluca says:
  
  February 17, 2023 at 11:54 am
  
  Yes, I love a good USA road trip! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
  
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Pat Amsden says:

February 17, 2023 at 12:09 pm

Sounds wonderful Darlene. I went to Europe for three weeks with my son the year he graduated college. We were a little more ambition goin to UK, Belgium, Germany, France and Italy. We had a blast but both agreed we would cover a little less ground if we did it again. Lots of fun anyway!

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1. darlenedeluca says:
  
  February 17, 2023 at 2:39 pm
  
  Oh, my! That’s a lot. I don’t think my feet could handle much more!
  
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