| Set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, Boston, and Dubai, a dazzling romance comes to life. Can a storyteller win back the love of her life through tales sprinkled with faith and love. Boston-based Delphina Tulasi, a therapeutic storyteller, has shunned men. A year after a major betrayal, she accompanies her mother Lucia, a matchmaker, to Las Vegas to help her run an exclusive speed-dating event. Alexander O’Hara, a CFO with secrets of his own, accepts Lucia’s invitation to attend. He meets Delphina and becomes mesmerized. They go out on a date in Las Vegas and return to Boston, where their love blossoms. All goes well until Alex goes on a long business trip to Dubai. A visit from someone in her past confuses Delphina and lures her back to a previous relationship, prompting her to break up with Alex. After a few dates with her ex, Delphina recognizes the mistake she’s made and becomes determined to win Alex back. She uses her creativity, spins stories based on truth, and sends them in videos across the internet. Will it work? |  |
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 18, 2026
Release Date: February 18, 2026
Click here to get your copy!
Interview with Darlene
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
As a therapist who hears many stories about the world of dating, I wanted to write something incorporating therapy, storytelling, and tradition. We live in a world where anything goes, and I wanted something that acknowledges betrayal and wounds but honors the sacred.
As a therapist who hears many stories about the world of dating, I wanted to write something incorporating therapy, storytelling, and tradition. We live in a world where anything goes, and I wanted something that acknowledges betrayal and wounds but honors the sacred.
#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
Excluding the final editing with my editor, less than a year.
Excluding the final editing with my editor, less than a year.
#3. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
Again, I hear stories which are most disturbing about the dating world, so I wanted to write something clean that leads to a developing romance based on faith, honor, and personal responsibility.
Again, I hear stories which are most disturbing about the dating world, so I wanted to write something clean that leads to a developing romance based on faith, honor, and personal responsibility.
#4. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I love them all, but Delphina because she must use her wits to win back her love. A turned her into a modern-day, Christian-themed Scheherazade.
I love them all, but Delphina because she must use her wits to win back her love. A turned her into a modern-day, Christian-themed Scheherazade.
#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
In the beginning was the word, and the word
was with God, and the word was God.
John 1:1
More from Darlene
For all my life, I’ve been in love with the oral and written word.
And I imagine the same for you.
How many people do not enjoy reading or hearing a good tale?
And doesn’t it make sense?
Each of us has a story, our own book of life. How it unfold lays between God and us.
Although every novel involves a story, I decided to highlight a therapeutic storyteller.
Why therapeutic?
Because I’m a therapist and have listened to stories throughout my life. Also, I remember the story of Scheherazade, and with faith and modernity, I wove it into my novel. The protagonist spins tales to… Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
I hope you become mesmerized by Mesmerize.
And I imagine the same for you.
How many people do not enjoy reading or hearing a good tale?
And doesn’t it make sense?
Each of us has a story, our own book of life. How it unfold lays between God and us.
Although every novel involves a story, I decided to highlight a therapeutic storyteller.
Why therapeutic?
Because I’m a therapist and have listened to stories throughout my life. Also, I remember the story of Scheherazade, and with faith and modernity, I wove it into my novel. The protagonist spins tales to… Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
I hope you become mesmerized by Mesmerize.
 Darlene Corbett | Darlene Corbett has been serving others as a licensed psychotherapist for over thirty years. With her wealth of experience in human behavior, she decided to write down her thoughts to inspire a larger audience. This set the stage for her book, Stop Depriving The World of You, published by Sound Wisdom in 2018. She continued writing nonfiction until she heard God whisper again. And his call prompted her to take a risk and dip her toes into fiction. Visible, a women’s fiction about second chances, was published by WordCrafts Press in the spring of 2024, and in August, she won the 2024 Storytrade Book Awards for Christian Fiction in the Contemporary category. And right now? |
Her contemporary romance, Mesmerize, will be published in February of 2026 which has themes of a modern-day,
Christian Scheherazade story. Her writing continues with two romantic suspense novels. Enthralled, which takes
place in Mykenos, has been completed but needs editing. A Midnight Call, located in a small fictional town in
central Massachusetts, has almost reached the finishing line. When not writing or seeing clients, Darlene immerses
herself in a variety of novels and tries to support other authors of faith. In addition, she loves animals with dogs
being number one. Taking care of her beloved Shih Tzu, Stevie, puts a smile on her face. Being a life-long learner,
she’s attempting a second language and remains a nerd at heart. Staying fit, traveling, and connecting with her
inner circle also take priority. Darlene belongs to many organizations, including the ACFW, FHL-CW, and WFWA.
She lives in Central Massachusetts with Stevie, and remains excited about the next chapter of her life.
Christian Scheherazade story. Her writing continues with two romantic suspense novels. Enthralled, which takes
place in Mykenos, has been completed but needs editing. A Midnight Call, located in a small fictional town in
central Massachusetts, has almost reached the finishing line. When not writing or seeing clients, Darlene immerses
herself in a variety of novels and tries to support other authors of faith. In addition, she loves animals with dogs
being number one. Taking care of her beloved Shih Tzu, Stevie, puts a smile on her face. Being a life-long learner,
she’s attempting a second language and remains a nerd at heart. Staying fit, traveling, and connecting with her
inner circle also take priority. Darlene belongs to many organizations, including the ACFW, FHL-CW, and WFWA.
She lives in Central Massachusetts with Stevie, and remains excited about the next chapter of her life.
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Darlene is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Cover Lover Book Review, May 30
Simple Harvest Reads, May 31 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, June 1 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 1
Guild Master, June 2 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 3
Fiction Book Lover, June 4 (Author Interview)
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, June 5 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 6 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 7
For the Love of Literature, June 8 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 9 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, June 9
Blossoms and Blessings, June 10 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, June 11
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 12 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, May 31 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, June 1 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 1
Guild Master, June 2 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 3
Fiction Book Lover, June 4 (Author Interview)
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, June 5 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 6 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 7
For the Love of Literature, June 8 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 9 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, June 9
Blossoms and Blessings, June 10 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, June 11
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 12 (Author Interview)
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