The Big Day Is Here!

That's right, the big day is here! Today is the official release date of Orange Blossom Brides! I'm so excited! 

Writing for Harlequin Heartwarming is a thrill. I'm still pinching myself. With my beautiful cover and a wonderful story, how could I be any happier? If you are a fan of wholesome romance, this line is for you.

I encourage you to stop by Harlequin.com for ordering info on my book. And while you're there, check out the other three Heartwarming books available this month by very talented authors Muriel Jensen, Pamela Tracy and Syndi Powell.

Stop by www.tararandel.com for my book updates and heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com to read posts from our wonderful Heartwarming authors.

Have a blessed day! And after you've read Orange Blossom Brides, let me know what you think!

Just a few more days...

In less than a week, Orange Blossom Brides, my newest Harlequin Heartwarming release, will be available. I'm so excited.

Two weeks ago, at the RWA conference in Atlanta, the book cover was featured as an elevator wrap. I was able to take a road trip to see the wrap. How much fun is that?

I have to thank Harlequin for the beautiful cover and for promoting the  book at the conference.

On August 1st the book can be ordered. I hope you read the book and fall in love with the characters, just like I did!

Lastest News

    

Happy June everyone!



Lots of exciting news this month! First, here is the cover of my August Harlequin Heartwarming release, Orange Blossom Brides. I have to say, when I first saw the cover I hyperventilated, then I got tears in my eyes! It is gorgeous. Thank you Harlequin for creating such a beautiful book cover.



 The new Heartwarming line is available now, with two original releases among the four available in June. Starting in July, all four books will be original. And in August, you can get my book along with three other talented authors. I can't tell you what a privilege to is to be at the beginning of this amazing line of books.

I've also added the covers from my fellow authors for the month of August. Enjoy!

    

March Kindle Release

Amazon released another of my previous books, This Time Love, to Kindle. If you enjoy a romantic love story, a family who loves to be in everyone’s business and happily ever after, please check it out!

Lindsey was perfectly comfortable with her life--living on her parents' property in a quaint cottage and tending to her beloved niece, Dawn. But then, Gabe Banner moves back into town and with him come all the memories of her schoolgirl crush and the bitter disappointment she suffered that senior year of high school. For them, the timing has never been right, but now she realizes why no man has ever interested her since then and why she could never forgive the friend who deceived her. 

Suddenly, Lindsey's sister comes up with a crazy ultimatum for her to get legal custody of Dawn: she must find a husband by the night of her literacy program's big fundraising gala. Gabe ends up helping her, but along the way, she wonders whether it is out of convenience, pity, or real feelings. Now that Fate has brought them to this point again in their lives---without excuses or misunderstandings to hinder them---can they realize their love in time?

Upcoming Release

As any author knows, one of the exciting moments in publishing is when we receive the book title. I'm proud to announce that my August Harlequin Heartwarming release will be titled Orange Blossom Brides. I love the title and it goes so well with the story line. 

Orange blossoms were used in weddings because they signify good fortune. I'm taking that as a sign that readers will enjoy my book and ask for more. 

Writing this Heartwarming book was a labor of love and I have many more stories to set in Cypress Pointe. Lilli and Max have many friends who are calling out for their own love stories and I hope to make that happen. Plus, who can resist a bridal theme in the books? I know I can't and trust me, there are lots of bridal issues going on in this small town. 

On another good news front, I signed to write a book in the Quilts of Love series for Abingdon Press. The book will be released in June 2014 with the title TBA. Will keep you posted!

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

Welcome to the NEXT BIG THING Blog Hop.

What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them. I hope you'll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy. On this stop on the blog hop, you'll find a bit of information on me and one of my books and links to other authors you can explore!

Big thanks to Kimberly Llewellyn for tagging me! Please visit her blog.

Here we go. Have fun!

1: What is the working title of your book?

The title of the book is Orange Blossom Brides, due to be released in August 2013 by Harlequin Heartwarming. 

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

A good writer friend of mine, Kimberly Llewellyn, invited me to a wedding fashion show. As soon as I sat down, story ideas about weddings filled my head. I began to write it all down and the story of Lilli and Max took shape. By the time the event ended, I’d come up with a complete story idea.

3: What genre does your book come under?

Traditional contemporary romance.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Initially, I pictured Max as Gerard Butler in all his scruffy glory. It took me longer to pinpoint Lilli, but decided Jenna Fischer from The Office was a close fit. My hero, Max is more comfortable in T-shirts and jeans, while Lilli tends to be a little more fussy about her wardrobe. I had fun pitting these two against each other. 

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When prim and proper Lilli Barclay and rough and tumble Max Sanders are paired together for a local charity event, a wedding fashion show, no less, sparks fly.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

The book will be published by Harlequin for the new Heartwarming line. I have six previous books with other publishers. You can find out about them at www.tararandel.com. I am represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

About six months. I needed the time to come up with the small town, develop my characters and do research on weddings. Loved the research! It gave me an excuse to get all kinds of bridal magazines.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I would look for books from the more traditional romance lines like the new Harlequin Heartwarming line. Also, books by my previous publisher, Avalon Books, which are now Amazon Montlake Romance. 

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Once the characters formed in my mind, I knew I wanted to set the story in a small town. I love small town dynamics and have fun working with that. My plan is to have future books set in that same town. Also, once I started research about weddings, I became enthralled by everything that goes into planning that special day. 

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? 
As is the goal with all my books, I want readers to sit back, get caught up in the world I’ve created, feel for the characters and not worry about the real world for a while. The pressures of everyday life can weigh on us. Getting lost in a good book helps to keep life in perspective and gives all of us that much needed ‘me’ time we need to recharge our batteries.

Thank you for letting me share The Next Big Thing with you today!

Below you will find the author who will be joining me on The Next Big Thing blog hop next Wednesday. Be sure to bookmark and add her to your calendar for updates on their projects and new releases. Enjoy your day!

  

Karen Rock

Hello

Hi! I'm Tara Randel. I'm excited to join the world of blogging. With so many choices of material to read out there, I want to thank you for stopping by.

I have previously published five traditional romance novels for Avalon Books which were recently acquired by Amazon for Kindle. The Love Assignment is now available on Kindle. My other titles, which will be released on Kindle at a later date, are: Lasting Love, Melody of Love, This Time Love and Hidden Hearts. Also, The Lady in the Attic, is available at www.aniesmysteries.com. 

I recently signed with Harlequin to write for the Heartwarming line. I'm excited to take the themes I love to write about, love, family and small town values, to create stories I hope will touch your hearts.

Please visit my website: www.tararandel.com

Through the coming months I'll have updates on new books, visit with fellow authors and just have fun. Again, welcome!