Darci Ann Baker

@dabakerauthor

Romance Author, Scorpio, sailor, animal lover, professional shower, Chicago North Romance Writers, she/her 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 Separation Game: Secrets We Keep: Website: darciannbaker.com

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Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jul 11

Beautiful harbor sunset off Lake Michigan

Vivid orange sunset reflecting off water. Sailboats and docks in the foreground

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jul 10

#fridayspark | pool So many instances of pool in Separation Game, now 50% off until the end of the month. (Oh, and Cynthia's book should be out by the end of the year––fingers crossed) books2read.com/separationgame #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #separationgame

Blue background with white text bubble. “Anything more? What have you done so far?”
I let out a slow exhale, my shoulders slumping. I gave the confused doorman an apologetic smile and pulled Cynthia forward toward the open door.
“My pool guy. God, Cyn. I don’t even want to talk about it,” I whispered.
Cynthia screamed, doubling over with laughter. I covered my face with my hand and shushed her. Not that it did any good.
“Your pool guy? You didn’t,” she whispered back while giggling. “Is this why you’re limping? Oh God, I need details. You have to tell me fucking everything.”
Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jul 10

#fridayfling | vehicle This one's from Secrets We Keep. An emotional (almost) rockstar romance, on sale for 50% off until the end of the month. www.books2read.com/readsecretsw... #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #secretswekeep

Halfway down the street, he stops next to a vintage Mustang Fastback, black and sexy. Now that school’s out for the day the streets are empty; it’s the only car around. But even if every parking spot had been taken, I’d know it’s his. Zane just isn’t a Honda guy.
Secrets we keep

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jul 1

www.books2read.com/readsecretsw... Domestic abuse survivor, Lyric, has sworn off men. Classically-trained musician, Zane, is determined to help Lyric recover from her past. -learning to trust -found families -loyal canine -fun banter

Black background with silver fireworks. Text: Now on sale everywhere for $2.49 from July 1 - July 31 ebook only. Book cover: attractive blonde staring straight ahead with a apprehensive expression and her left hand draped over her right shoulder. Underneath her is the outline of a concert crowd, hands raised, and stage lights. Secrets We Keep

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jul 1

www.books2read.com/separationgame I had it all. That was until my politician husband asked for a quiet divorce. But as the saying goes, don't get mad, get even. -older characters -snarky bff -revenge -secret liaisons -set in Chicago

blue sky background with white and red heart-shaped balloons. Text: Now on sale everywhere for $2.49 usd from July 1 - July 31. *ebook only
Cover: shirtless bearded man in jeans holding blond woman wearing white button down, faces not shown above the chins.
Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jun 26

#fridayspark | fool Nicki's introduction back into the single world is more intimidating than she thought. buy link: books2read.com/separationgame #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #separationgame

I paused, the feeling of being completely out of my element urging me to turn around. Get the hell out of there before I made a fool of myself among those young and hip patrons. What was Cynthia thinking?
People turned to stare from the middle of the long, high table, lit by some industrial fixture consisting of rusty pipes and Edison bulbs, spanning the full length of the room—or maybe it was my self-consciousness that made me feel as if I was the center of attention.
Did they even use the word hip anymore? God, I felt old.
Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jun 26

#fridayfling | jaw Could he be more attractive? I don't think so:) buy link: books2read.com/readsecretsw... #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #secretswekeep

I watch as he pulls down another bottle, taking a moment to appreciate my grocery-store hero. The combination of his warm, woodsy cologne and the rugged scent of his worn leather jacket waft around me. His chiseled cheekbones and unshaven jaw are a killer combination, even without those pretty blue eyes. And the way his dark jeans mold around his thighs—not that I’m gawking or anything—but seriously? Could this guy be any more attractive?
Secrets We Keep

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jun 19

#fridayspark | kick Once again Nicki finds herself the victim of her impulsivity. buy link: www.books2read.com/separationgame #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #separationgame

“Trent is on his way over. I may have given him the distinct impression I would be waiting naked in the pool.” My voice squeaked out the final words. Just saying it out loud caused my heart to kick into a gallop. “Oh God, Cyn. What do I do now?”
Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jun 19

#fridayfling | confuse Can a health-food nut and a chocoholic fall in love? buy link: books2read.com/readsecretsw... #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #rolmancelandia #romancereader #secretswekeep

My eyes widen in shock when a box of cocoa crisps lands on top of his whole-wheat pasta.
“Yes! I knew you had a dark side.” Pulling away, I point at him, laughing, while Quarterflash warns me to harden my heart.
His brows lower in confusion. “Dark side?”
“This healthy stuff you’re throwing in your cart. It was driving me crazy. Finally, something nutritionally barren.” I point to the cereal. “I knew you couldn’t be that perfect.”
Secrets We Keep

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Jun 5

#fridayfling | concern Is this the start of an inciting event? I think it might be. books2read.com/separationgame #booksky #writesky #writercommunity #romancelandia #romancereader

My skin heated uncomfortably. Unlike my daughter, I'd grown impervious to Gabriel's good looks over the past five years. But up close? Nothing could prepare me for the full attention of his dark blue eyes creased with concern. Or the heat radiating off his deeply tanned skin. And lord help me, the way his crisp white T-shirt stretched across his muscled chest, forming to every ripple in his stomach?
Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· May 29

#fridayspark | chance Pretty sure I'd be mixing up my idioms as well Buy link: books2read.com/separationgame #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #separationgame

I clutched my phone like a talisman, silently begging Cynthia to arrive and save me. This place was a meat market and I was chum in the water. And yes, I was mixing my idioms, but I was twenty-some years out of practice at this sort of social encounter. And as my kids liked to point out, I wouldn't know cool if I googled it.
CHANCEs were I was about to embarrass myself again. Only this time it would be in a packed bar instead of my backyard.
Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· May 29

#fridayfling | mine He's 'almost' kissing her Buy link: books2read.com/readsecretsw... #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #secretswekeep

She lifts her long blonde hair from her neck and fans herself with her hand. Her face is dewy from her exertions on the dance floor. A bead of sweat trickles down her neck, and I imagine the salty taste on my tongue.
Instead of acting on impulse, I hand her my beer, then watch as her lips cover the glass on the same place MINE were a second ago. She thanks me and hands it back. I thake another sip and slide the glass back to her. It's as close as I'm going to get to kissing this girl, or anything else tonight, but I'll take it.

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· May 15

#fridayspark | glass Love a good makeover scene buy link www.books2read.com/separationgame #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandja #romancereader

It was too beautiful a day to be sitting inside wallowing in self-pity. A glass of wine by the pool sounded like a better option.
Pulling the sedate one-piece swimsuit out of my drawer, I blanched.
Was this why Derek didn’t want me anymore? Over the past fifteen years of campaigns he had molded me into someone I didn’t even recognize. Frumpy clothes, frumpy hairstyles, even frumpy underwear and bathing suits. Well, I took care of the frumpy underwear this morning. And the hair.
Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· May 15

#fridayfling | contradiction the best I could do for today's word is deny buy link: www.books2read.com/readsecretsw... #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader

He squeezes my hand, turning in his seat to face me. My mouth dries and my skin prickles with awareness. Without even looking, I can feel the weight of his gaze, and the expectation building as the seconds tick by. Shit, he’s going to kiss me. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date—there’s no use denying this is a date—but I remember enough to know this is definitely the part where the kissing happens.
Secrets We Keep

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· May 11

books2read.com/separationgame Because everyone seems to like tropes these days, here are a few you will find in Separation Game! #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #seasonedromance

Tropes for Separation Game. Denim blue background, ebook cover of a man and woman embracing, tan text boxes with black Bitter font:
Starting over at Forty-three, Revenge never felt so good, Hush-hush divorce, secret Liaisons, Badass BFF, Chicago Vibes

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· May 4

There's a hot new ebook cover in town! www.books2read.com/separationgame #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader

background image of Chicago River and high-rise buildings. Book cover in front. Separation Game by Darci Ann Baker, image of a woman in a white button-down shirt being held by a man in jeans.

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· May 1

#fridayspark | hungry He's no saint;) www.books2read.com/readsecretsw... #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #secretswekeep

"You're certifiable," I tell Zane.
Probably. I'm also hungry. How about I go back into the bathroom and get dressed, and you do the same. 'Cause if I have to watch you running around in this..." He rubs the lapel of my thin robe between his thumb and fingers. His breath rushes out and his eyes meet mine, a sliver of blue swallowed in a sea of black. "I promised not to touch you, but Jesus, Lyric, I'm no saint."
Secrets We Keep

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· May 1

#fridayfling | unique Happy May friends! I'm going with strange for this week's prompt. www.books2read.com/separationgame #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader #separationgame

“Trent was hot. More than hot. I saw him slip you his card. You definitely need to call him.”
“No way, Cyn. The last thing Derek said before he left was to keep this quiet.” I had shoved Trent’s card to the bottom of my purse without even a glance. The thing was doomed to mingle with all the other bits of my disorganized life. The next time I pulled out that small bit of card stock it would likely be covered in lint, sticky candy wrappers, and exploded pen ink. “I’m pretty sure picking up strange men in bars doesn’t fall under keep this quiet.”
Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Apr 24

#fridayspark | plant This clip is from my wip Promises We Break, second chance story, and a stand-alone follow-up to Secrets We Keep, due out before the end of the year. Fingers crossed. #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader

I turn to watch her take a picture of the big oleander bush just off the path. Then the hibiscus. Then several of the bamboo, that would grow everywhere if left to its own. She's taking pictures of bamboo for fuck's sake. Mika's passed a dozen well mannered flowers without giving them a second look, but for some reason the most annoying, invasive plant in the garden deserves her attention.
Damn, I love her.

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Apr 24

#fridayfling | march I love the chemistry between Lyric and Zane so much:) buy link: books2read.com/readsecretsw... #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader

“Sacha’s about to go through the window wondering who’s out here.” I tip my head toward the house and swallow down my reservations. “Come in. I'll tell you.”
He comes around to open my car door, smug smile firmly in place. I shove my finger in his face. “But there will be no sex.”
I march past him, ignoring his unhinged laugh as if what I said is somehow funny.
Secrets We Keep

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Apr 17

#fridayspark| doubt Think Nicki should listen to that little voice screaming in her head? #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader books2read.com/separationgame

Gabriel gently stood me on the plush carpet. I pulled him down, fitting his hungry mouth to mine, ignoring the doubts screaming in my head, shoving my uncertainty out in the hall, and then slamming the heavy bedroom door with my hip for good measure. This was happening and I looked forward to seeing the expression on Derek’s face when I confessed my sins.
Someday.

Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Apr 17

#fridayfling | whisper Darn that door 😱 #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader books2read.com/readsecretsw...

Water spotted aqua background

#Fridayfling

Sacha jumps down off the bed and, before I can stop her, noses open the bathroom door and wanders in. The volume of the water splashing against the shower walls increases without the barrier of the door.
“Shit!” I whisper yell, my eyes going wide as I take in the steam-filled room where Zane is showering. Naked and wet. Goddamn me for not fixing that latch. “No, Sacha. Come here, baby.”
I creep to the edge of the door and kneel, peeking around the corner.
Secrets We Keep

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Apr 13

books2read.com/separationgame Available wide, and free with Kobo Plus and at your local library! #marketingmonday #romancelandia #booksky #romancereaders #writesky #seasonedromance

Ebook and paperback book set on a gold and dark brown chessboard. Cover depicts a black queen chess piece standing over a fallen white king and a set of gold wedding rings. Separation Game a seasoned romance by Darci Ann Baker

Text: Why did I have to obey the fucking rules when my cheating husband got to break them?

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Apr 10

#fridayfling | tears This scene always makes me shiver! #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader www.books2read.com/separationgame

My body shivered the second my bare feet hit the icy wood planks of the small balcony just off my bedroom. The cold lake breeze stung against my cheeks and brought tears to my eyes. At least I was willing to blame the wind on my tears, not the heartbreaking view in front of me. Why would I cry about majestic oaks and dappled sunlight, or the diamond-tipped waves crashing against the rocks on our shoreline?

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Apr 10

#fridayspark | box A little grocery store fun this Friday:) #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader www.books2read.com/readsecretsw...

Zane stops me with a finger to his lips and a motion of his eyes.
“Adorable toddler on your four o’clock. Watch.” He leans back against a stack of bagged potatoes, arms crossed.
“Is this what you do when you’re not accosting women?” I whisper, watching the mother of a toddler negotiate over a box of cookies the tiny boy brought over from the bakery.
He shoots me a scowl at my accusation. “Socializing, not accosting. Grocery stores are the perfect microcosm of life. I find inspiration in watching people.”
The mom lifts the little boy and lets him set the cookies into the cart.
I can’t stop smiling. At the scene in front of us, and that Zane would be interested in such things. This man has way more layers than I first suspected. “Okay, that was adorable.”

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Apr 3

#fridayspark | name Poor Zane. This meetcute isn't going the way he planned. #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader www.books2read.com/readsecretsw...

Hot pink border decorated with fun squiggles and circles. Secrets We Keep

Text:
“Wait. Aren’t you going to tell me your name?”
Halfway down the store aisle he’s at my side, his interest obvious. This time I offer him no polite smile with my answer, just a withering glance that says go away, along with a stern “No.”
He stumbles to a stop, confusion clouding his expression. I pause for only a moment, then head toward the front of the store. The sooner I’m out of here the better.
“But… but I told you mine.”

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Mar 27

#fridayspark | sharp #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader www.books2read.com/readsecretsw...

“Zane. Brody.” Her lips twist into something unpleasant, pulling me out of my fantasy. She gives me her back, her attention shifting to Grace. “Is this a joke? Some kind of setup?”

“What?” Grace frowns, her eyes darting between us.

“He’s tequila guy.” She points a finger at me, her glare hot enough to melt me to the floor.

“What?” Grace lets out a quick, sharp laugh that morphs into a cough, shooting me an accusing scowl. Aaron shakes his head in a silent I told you so.

Secrets We Keep

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Mar 27

#fridayfling | score #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader books2read.com/separationgame

I laughed. “Fifteen minutes of conversation with the guy told you that?”

“More like twenty minutes. In that time he offered me his seat, bought me a drink—top shelf, mind you—and even though most of the conversation was between him and me, he couldn’t keep his eyes off you. Any idiot could see I was the easier score, but Trent wasn’t interested in just scoring.”

“I’m not used to that kind of attention, Cyn. The way he looked at me, all dark and… and intense.” My skin flamed and my stomach dropped just thinking about the way his forest green eyes penetrated mine.

Cynthia chuckled. “Like he wanted to spread you on the bar and make a banquet out of you? Get used to it.”

Separation Game

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Mar 22

A gorgeous Saturday by the Calumet River. Spring is here! #chicago

View of a rusty old lift bridge with triangular supports spanning the turquoise-blue waters of the Calumet River on the Southside of Chicago. Pale blue sky and not quite ready to leaf out bushes and trees in the foreground.

Darci Ann Baker@dabakerauthor· Mar 20

#fridayfling | fascinate No fascinate, but I have interest. #writesky #writercommunity #booksky #romancelandia #romancereader