Showing posts with label Tara Randel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tara Randel. Show all posts

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Book Tour Grand Finale: His One and Only Bride by Tara Randel

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for
His One and Only Bride
By Tara Randel

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Greetings everyone! I hope you’re settling into the new year. It’s a great time of expectation, hope and looking forward to the surprises and adventures 2018 will bring. I’m excited about the release of my newest Harlequin Heartwarming book, His One and Only Bride. If ever there was a story about fresh starts, this is it.

. . . Hopefully, you’ll enjoy Mitch and Zoe’s journey as they discover what is really important in life.

Happy reading!

— Tara


“Do you remember where our lockers were?” Mitch asked, thankfully changing the subject.

“I haven’t thought about high school in years.” She looked around to get her bearings. “Down this hallway?”

“Looks right.”

She ran her fingers over the cold metal of the lockers, could still make out the numbers on the doors despite the limited light. “Twenty-three, twenty-four…Here we go. Twenty-five. My old number.”

“Wonder if the combination is the same.”

“Who even recalls those numbers?”

“I do. Yours was ten-fourteen-one.”

She stared at him, incredulous. “How, after all this time, can you rattle off my combination?”

“Certain things are imprinted on my memory.”

It's All About the Romance - Your Wedding Day…and the Photographer


In His One and Only Bride, Mitch is an injured photojournalist back in the small town where he started his career. He reluctantly embraces the role as the town photographer, covering weddings, family events and studio shots. He quickly discovers he loves weddings and soon becomes the go-to guy in town.

An important and memorable aspect to the overall wedding experience are the pictures commemorating the event. A photographer’s job is to catch the overall joy of the ceremony and the fun of the reception. Much weight is placed on the photographer to catch all these special moments. So as a wedding professional, what are some of the tips of the trade? . . .

Becky on Books - Review

"Finally, an HEA for Zoe! . . .

Though it was frustrating at times to read about the walls these two put up between themselves, both before and during the novel, it did serve to make their ending that much sweeter. A heartwarming side romance between secondary characters and Zoe and Mitch’s absolutely adorable one-year-old son really added to the experience."


Mitch expected his wife’s surprise. After all, to her, he’d risen from the dead.

His hand gripped the cane that had become his lifeline. He wanted to heave it over the railing, but that meant lifting an arm that still needed rehab to function properly. Instead of cataloging his injuries, he focused on his shell-shocked wife.

“I don’t understand. We were told…I thought you were…”

“Dead?”

She reached out to place her palms on the deck railing.

“The report was mistaken.”

“But…How…Why?”


"This is a very predictable story but very well-written in a smooth, flowing manor. The characters are easily connected with and the scenes easily visualized.

There were a few twists." - LAWonder10

"I really enjoyed reading this book. It has suspense, romance and a lot of other fun happenings. . .

I would highly recommend this book to other readers." - Vickie

Book Lover in Florida - Tips for Choosing a Wedding Photographer


The wedding day can be stressful, but if you plan in advance and cover your bases, the day can go off without a hitch. Here are some tips when hiring a photographer.

The Search

Start your search by getting a list of local photographers and reading reviews from recent newlyweds. Review websites and blogs to check out photos of other weddings they’ve shot, which will give you an idea of their style. Visit their social media pages. Look for feedback from previous clients. . . .


"This was such a fun story to read. . . . But in this story, there was so much more to their separation, not just his job. And that is what makes this story so great. . .

There’s a tenderness you start to see between Zoe and Mitch as the story moves on, and it really does give the reader hope that even amongst the greatest conflict in our lives, there really is a chance to make it all okay. I think romance readers will want to dive right in and see how these characters come together."

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

“Come see your son.”

Leaning on the cane, he made his legs move forward. When he came to the side of the crib, he gazed down at the sleeping boy, who had one thumb brushed up against his lips. Mitch’s breath caught and completely left him for a moment.

Zoe moved to give him better access. He stepped closer. Leo’s chest rose as he inhaled and exhaled. Mitch stared, then began taking inventory, like he imagined a father would upon the delivery of his child. Ten fingers and toes. Light colored hair, standing on end. Chunky little legs. Rosy skin. Spiky eyelashes caressing his cheek.

A longing, unlike any he’d ever experienced before in his life, pummeled him. This was his son. His flesh and blood. A miracle.


"His One and Only Bride is part of The Business of Weddings series and my first introduction to Tara Randel’s writing. I thought it was pretty good. It is full of drama and sweetness, with a little bit of mystery. I loved seeing Mitch and Zoe together and kept wondering what would happen next. Such a good heartwarming story."

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"I enjoyed the emotions in the book. I felt like it captured the characters thoughts and the angst of their relationship. . .

. . . The book has mystery! That is a wonderful bonus for a reader.

If you love second chance romance with a bit of mystery you should pick this one up."


“So, what do you think?” she asked.

“I think I can’t wait to get to know him.”

The frown again.

“What?”

“I just can’t picture you staying in Cypress Pointe long enough for any quality time with Leo.”

“My priorities will change.”

“Really?” Disbelief tinged her voice. “For how long?”

Remembrancy - Review

"My second favorite trope in the romance genre (just behind the friends to more theme) is second chance at love. And boy, oh boy, does His One and Only Bride hit that nail on the head. . .

Though this book is the finale of a series, it’s the first one I’ve read and, while I was curious about the supporting cast, I was never taken out of Zoe and Mitch’s search for their true HEA."


"I quite literally moved through this novel with all the emotions stitched inside it - you even get a jolt of an alert realising there is a dearly dangerous 'suspense' element lingering just out of sight for you to grasp and hold a breath to see how it will resolve! Meanwhile, the solidarity of the friendships, the humbleness of the character's journey towards redemption, forgiveness and a second chance at starting over their lives is what grounds you into the background. You want to rally behind these characters because of how earnestly their attempting to right the wrongs of the past whilst owning to the realities of their futures. This is what makes Contemporary Rom engaging as it feels more like a slice of our reality knitted into the foreground of a modern fictional setting."

I Am A Reader - It All Leads Up To a Day


Weddings are a beautiful event. The dress. The flowers. The reception. But it doesn’t just materialize out of nowhere. So what goes in to planning a wedding? . . .


"His One and Only Bride by Tara Randel is beautifully written with a sweet message & layered characters. Zoe’s hesitancy to welcome Mitch back with open arms is believable and sincere, as is Mitch’s struggle to adjust to life back home with a host of injuries and regret. If you want to renew your belief in the power of love and authentic forgiveness, this is a great choice for your TBR pile!"


Zoe glanced at Mitch’s handsome face. Despite the paleness and general look of exhaustion, she saw real humor light his eyes for the first time since he’d been home.

“I always imagined I’d have to keep an eye on you two. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of don’t-tell-Mom moments in my future.”

“Does that mean you won’t fight me about being active in Leo’s life?”

“Not unless something happens to warrant it.”

Zoe reached out to touch his arm, then pulled back. Touching probably wouldn’t be a good idea. Not yet.


"There’s a little mystery, a lot of romance and a precious baby named, Leo that made this an enjoyable read. This is the first book that I’ve read by Ms. Randel and I was impressed with her writing. I look forward to reading more of her work. This is a clean romance that can be read in a short time."


"A presumed dead resurrection is always a drama-filled subject that we don’t get to read all that often, so the turmoil it brought forth in this latest book in the Business of Weddings series really packed a punch.

. . . Overall, an emotional read with relatable characters and a strong storyline!"

The Bookworm Chronicles - The Big Event-The History of Weddings


How did this special day of joining yourself to the love of your life come about? Today, we see huge weddings on televisions and in magazines, but how did many of the traditions we love today come about? . . .

Paulette's Papers - Excerpt

They’d taken a few steps when Mitch stopped.

“Something wrong?”

“This is the place we shared our first kiss.”

Her stomach fluttered. He was right.

With the life-altering events of the past week and watching Mitch’s near-meltdown just a short while ago, Zoe had forgotten. How could she have failed to recall such a momentous event?

“It was junior year.” Mitch grinned at her. “We’d been flirting and I was determined to make us a couple. When I suggested it here, you got all teary, said yes and then I kissed you.”

Okay, if she were truthful, maybe she didn’t want to remember that night. The sweet memory brought a pinch of pain in the vicinity of her heart.

“That was a long time ago.”

“Doesn’t make it any less memorable.”


"The emotional turmoil of this book had me from the first chapter. I had to know what happened next. Mitch and Zoe have been through so much. This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster. The depth of this book is so unreal. The mindset of these characters will take your breath away."

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

http://amzn.to/2FUJT10
His One and Only Bride
(The Business of Weddings #5)
Tara Randel
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
January 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

He never thought he’d see her again!

After being reported missing, presumed dead, globe-hopping photojournalist Mitch Simmons never thought he’d see his estranged wife, Zoe, again. Yet here he is back in their coastal Florida town, where Zoe is mayor. Turns out she isn’t the only one he left behind.

Discovering he has a baby son awakens thrilling new emotions in Mitch. And there are his still-powerful feelings for the high school sweetheart he vowed to love and honor forever. Thankfully, they’ll have the chance to find the love that was always there…

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleHarlequin

Other Books in the Series


About the Author


USA Today Bestselling Author Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. Family values, mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery.


Tour Giveaway


- US PRIZE PACK: Signed copies of Rival HeartsThe Bridal Bouquet and The Wedding March, a Harlequin Heartwarming tote bag, a 2018 appointment planner and a $25 Amazon gift card
- US residents only
- Ends January 31st

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!





Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: His One and Only Bride by Tara Randel


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

http://amzn.to/2FUJT10
His One and Only Bride
(The Business of Weddings #5)
Tara Randel
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
January 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

He never thought he’d see her again!

After being reported missing, presumed dead, globe-hopping photojournalist Mitch Simmons never thought he’d see his estranged wife, Zoe, again. Yet here he is back in their coastal Florida town, where Zoe is mayor. Turns out she isn’t the only one he left behind.

Discovering he has a baby son awakens thrilling new emotions in Mitch. And there are his still-powerful feelings for the high school sweetheart he vowed to love and honor forever. Thankfully, they’ll have the chance to find the love that was always there…

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleHarlequin

Excerpt

Zoe stood beside a crib. From across the room, he could see her leaning over. Attending to the 
baby? She looked at him, the fierce love etched on her face stopping him from moving. He’d 
always thought Zoe was pretty, but now, she took his breath away. Becoming a mother had 
transformed her. She was no longer just his high school sweetheart. Before him stood a 
full-grown woman, a mother, who had become more beautiful in the time he’d been away.
“Come see your son.”
Leaning on the cane, he made his legs move forward. When he came to the side of the crib, he 
gazed down at the sleeping boy, who had one thumb brushed up against his lips. Mitch’s breath 
caught and completely left him for a moment.
Zoe moved to give him better access. He stepped closer. Leo’s chest rose as he inhaled and 
exhaled. Mitch stared, then began taking inventory, like he imagined a father would upon the 
delivery of his child. Ten fingers and toes. Light colored hair, standing on end. Chunky little 
legs. Rosy skin. Spiky eyelashes caressing his cheek.
A longing, unlike any he’d ever experienced before in his life, pummeled him. This was his 
son. His flesh and blood. A miracle.
“He’s so small.”
Mitch tilted his head to get a different view. “What color are his eyes?”
“Blue.”
He swallowed against the sudden thickness in his throat.
With halting fingers, he reached out. He barely touched his son’s arm, so soft and plump, then 
moved to Leo’s face where the tips of his fingers brushed his cheek. When Leo shifted in his 
sleep, Mitch jerked his hand back to his side.
“He’s okay,” Zoe said in a low tone. “Just resettling.”
Right. People moved in their sleep. Even babies.
She gently pushed Leo’s thumb from the proximity of his mouth. “He never took to a pacifier, 
so I have to keep his thumb away from his mouth.”
Mitch didn’t know what to say. Taking care of a baby was completely foreign to him.
“I’ll give you a few minutes.” She pointed to a white radio-looking thing on the dresser. 
“The monitor is on. Call if you need anything.”
As she walked away, Mitch gazed down at his son. His chest swelled. Was this what pride 
felt like?
“Hey, buddy,” he whispered.


Other Books in the Series


About the Author


USA Today Bestselling Author Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. Family values, mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery.

- US PRIZE PACK: Signed copies of Rival HeartsThe Bridal Bouquet and The Wedding March, a Harlequin Heartwarming tote bag, a 2018 appointment planner and a $25 Amazon gift card
- US residents only
- Ends January 31st

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!





Sunday, March 19, 2017

Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Wedding March by Tara Randel


On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

The Wedding March
(The Business of Weddings #4)
Tara Randel
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
March 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

The help only he can offer…

Cypress Pointe, Florida, is a long way from LA, where pop singer Cassie Branford needs a hit to prove she's not a two album wonder. But her case of writer's block could be over when the struggling songwriter meets Luke Hastings at a family wedding.

The legendary musician walked away from success at the height of his career. Yet Luke is already inspiring Cassie with his dedication to building a permanent community outreach center for troubled teens. Volunteering to help bring music into these kids' lives is also bringing her and Luke closer. Maybe they're not as different as he thinks…

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleHarlequin

Excerpt

“We aren’t talking about me.”
“Maybe we should.”
Her steady gaze held his. His heart pounded. This close, he could see the distinctive shade of green mocking his words. She knew, maybe even better than he did.
“Talent like yours doesn’t go away,” she echoed.
“Maybe it should.”
The words hung between them. Time stilled as his blood raced. How had she managed to resurrect this one painful aspect of his life? How had she focused on the fact that while he said he wouldn’t write again, the ability had never turned off? His brain still formed tempos and lyrics, even though he ruthlessly pushed them away every time they surfaced. For two years he’d lived without admitting the truth to himself. And now, by encouraging Cassie to deal with her fears, he was forced to confront his own.
This was why he hadn’t wanted to make a deal with her. Yet at the same time, was secretly glad he did.
With so little space between them, he looked down at her lips. What would she do if he crossed the line? Kissed her as a way of changing the subject.
Find out, his inner voice taunted.
He moved that last fraction closer, his lips hovering over hers. And still she stayed put, as if waiting to see if he would carry out his intentions. So he did.
His lips covered hers, silencing her gasp. He moved slowly, savoring the unexpected delight. The air around them grew heavy as he coaxed a trembling response from her. Adrenaline buzzed through his system, much like the feeling he experienced when a melody came together. Only this wasn’t a song. This was Cassie. Alive and in the flesh. Returning his kiss now with the enthusiasm he’d seen when she performed on stage. A passion he couldn’t deny. Or fight.
One of her hands moved over his, satiny soft as she twined their fingers together. The kiss continued. Slow and unhurried. Until a shout from the gym reminded him that his office door was wide open. Everyone and their brother could get a gander of him kissing the pop artist who’d come to the Klub to volunteer her time to the kids, not him.
He snapped back to his senses, jerking away from her.
Smooth, Hastings.
 Other Books in the Series

  

About the Author


USA Today Bestselling Author Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. Family values, mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery.


Tour Schedule

March 12th: Launch

Tour Giveaway


- US PRIZE PACK: Signed copies of the first three books in The Business of Weddings series by Tara Randel, a $25 gift card for Dunkin’ Donuts, a coffee mug with an inspirational message: "Something beautiful is on the horizon," and a Harlequin Heartwarming tote bag. (US only)
- $25 Amazon eCard (open internationally)
- Ends March 28th





Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Review: An Unexpected Gift by Tara Randel from A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances


 Heidi Reads... An Unexpected Gift by Tara Randel from A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

This holiday season, warm your heart with 12 connected sweet holiday romances set in Christmas Town from 12 Harlequin Heartwarming authors who are USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors.

There are four connected books in A Heartwarming Christmas. That means each set of three novellas shares characters and storylines! This collection of PG-rated holiday romances are all set in Christmas Town, a location introduced in the 2014 Harlequin Heartwarming release Christmas, Actually. A Heartwarming Christmas will bring you laughter, tears, and happily-ever-afters (no cliffhangers), for more than 1200 pages. Foreword by small town lover and New York Times bestseller Kristan Higgins.


My Review


I received a copy of the novella An Unexpected Gift by Tara Randel to read and review (I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the collection as well!) In this story, Faith is stuck working in her parent's Christmas shop since her father is not doing well, and she doesn't feel she will ever be able to spread her wings and explore the world. Drew recently discovered that he was adopted and is searching to find his birth mother who used to work at the Christmas shop. There is an instant connection between the two, and as they learn each other's stories, they feel sympathy and do their best to help. Faith provides encouragement and leads for Drew to follow, and they draw close as they search for answers to his mystery. The emotions of the characters are more told than shown so I didn't feel a real connection to them, but it is a pleasant story. I was a little turned off by how Faith was just feeling sorry for herself without really trying to do anything to change her situation, but at least Drew inspired her to take her life in her own hands.

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)