Notes From Nancy: RAINBOW SPRINKLES by Author D. V. Stone

Welcome to April! Today it’s my pleasure to welcome Author D. V. Stone to Notes From a Romantic’s Heart. D.V. is here to tell us more about her book Rainbow Sprinkles from The Wild Rose Press.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Is your book based on real-life experience or a figment of your imagination?

The story of Rainbow Sprinkles is based on my real-life experience owning an ice cream parlor. One year, in particular, we experienced what was called the 100 years flood. More than 14 inches of rain fell in a small area of northeastern Sussex and northwestern Morris County in New Jersey during August 11-14, 2000. Some of these were the highest ever recorded. About 2,700 homes and businesses in Sussex, Morris,

Warren, and Hunterdon Counties were flooded. Many bridges, dams, and roads were damaged or destroyed. We worried through the power outage and luckily didn’t suffer losses like many others did.

Is the setting for your book real? If so, have you been there? If it’s fictitious, is there somewhere real that you’ve used as a model?

Lake Unami, the setting for Gloriana and Nathan’s story, is a composite of several lakes in Sussex County, NJ. Much of the scenery is based on the area. Not usually what many think of as the Garden State. We have rolling hills within an hour’s drive and be in NYC, the Poconos, or the fabulous Jersey Shore. Anyone familiar with summers in NJ totally understands the three Hs from the book—hazy, hot, and humid. They can also relate to the Taylor, egg, and cheese vs Pork roll, egg, and cheese discussed in the book.

Do you like to read in the genre in which you write? Or, are you adventurous?

Rainbow Sprinkles is a second chance romance with light paranormal elements.

Romance is my go-to, particularly fantasy and paranormal. But often, I read contemporary or binge some sci-fi. I love mature or, as Nathan described, Seasoned Adults. But I’m also a fan of YA fantasy. One of my favorites The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. I can never get too much of dragons. The thing I love most about romance is the happily ever after. Too much of life is so serious that when I read, I want to escape. I also love when the bad guys get their comeuppance.

~ ~ ~

About the Book

Retired and widowed Gloriana Jones is forging on with the plans she and her late husband dreamed of—bringing joy and happiness, one ice cream cone at a time, to Lake Unami. But bad weather is drowning her dream.

A trip to Upstate NY is bittersweet for Nathan James. He is excited to see his first granddaughter but without his wife he's lonely. When his car breaks down, he heads to the only light he can see, an ice cream shop.

With aid from a heavenly source, electricity sparks, but will the two weather the summer storms and find love a second time? Or will their hopes and dreams melt away?

~ ~ ~

Read an Excerpt

“Do you mind if I wait until the tow truck gets here?” He plucked the wet shirt away from his chest with the long fingers of one tanned hand. “It must be electrical, even the radio stopped working.”

“No, you're welcome to hang around as long as you need.” Gloriana riffled through a cardboard box under the counter, pulled out an extra-large t-shirt, and tossed it to him. “Here you go. The restroom is through there.”

Mr. Gorgeous beamed a perfect toothy smile. “Thanks. I'll be right back.”

When he disappeared into the hallway, and the door clicked shut, Gloriana fanned her face. What the hot fudge was wrong with her? “Coffee. Make coffee.”

~ ~ ~

About the Author

Hi, my name is D. V. Stone. I am a multi-genre author of two independently published books. Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar is a fantasy romance. Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake is a mid-grade paranormal. Recently, Rock House Grill was released by Wild Rose Press. Rainbow Sprinkles, a novella released on July 8th. I also host Welcome to the Campfire and A Peek Through the Window, both weekly blogs. Here’s a little more about me.

Born in Brooklyn, D.V. Stone has moved around a bit and even lived for a time on a dairy farm in Minnesota before moving back east. Throughout her wandering, she always considered herself a Jersey Girl. She met and married the love of her life, Pete—a lifelong Jersey Man, and moved this time to Sussex County. They live with Hali, a mixed breed from the local shelter, and their cat Baby.

D.V.’s career path varied from working with the disabled to become a volunteer EMT, which in turn led to working in hospital emergency rooms and then in a women’s state prison. After a few years, she took a break from medicine and became the owner of Heavenly Brew, a specialty coffee shop in Sparta, NJ, and a small restaurant in Lafayette. Life handed some setbacks. She ended up back in the medical field, but this time in a veterinary emergency hospital.

“Thank you for taking the time to read about me. Each time you open the pages to one of my books, I hope you’ll be swept away by the story and find encouragement in your own life, never to give up on hope.”

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Bookbub ~ Goodreads