Tag Archives: Tara Randel

Spotlight on Contemporary Romance — The Hometown Cop’s Forever Family

8 May
The Hometown Cop's Forever Familly JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Hometown Cop’s Forever Family by Tara Randel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

The Hometown Cop's Forever Family

Title: The Hometown Cop’s Forever Family
Series: A Golden, Georgia Romance #3
Author: Tara Randel
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Wholesome Contemporary Romance

Solving crimes

And falling in love!

Charming, small-town Golden, Georgia, has everything Briana Connelly needs—her four-year-old daughter, her family, and her job as a police officer. When her former best friend, Jackson Walker, returns suddenly and is made her partner at work, she’s forced to face the events that drove them apart. With a mysterious theft to investigate, spending time with Jax is unavoidable…and easier than she’d like. Especially when his effortless warmth wins over her precious daughter. As a deeper connection grows between them, he starts to feel like a part of Briana’s little family. But if overcoming the past means admitting their true feelings—that might be the biggest risk of all.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.


Excerpt

“Right on time,” her boss, Police Chief Brady Davis, said as he exited his office with a file folder in hand. “Follow me to the conference room.”

His request could only mean one thing. The identity of the newest addition to the PD was about to be revealed.

After Briana’s partner had left to work with fire and rescue as a paramedic, it had been a hush-hush process to find a replacement, which was over the top for Brady. 

“I still don’t understand why you haven’t told me who it is,” Briana griped.

“I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. It took a lot of back-and-forth negotiations to get him to uproot his life and move here.”

So, it was a guy.

Brady pointed in the direction of the conference room. “Besides, you were off for a few days when I confirmed the hire.”

True. She’d taken a long weekend to spend quality time with her daughter. Most days she juggled a hectic schedule and from time to time took a long weekend to focus on Cami. 

Since her daughter was only four, Briana didn’t want to miss any milestones, a worry that came with working long hours and being a single mom. Brady did his best to accommodate her schedule, instilling his philosophy that a happy home life made for more productive officers.

Briana dropped her bag by her desk and hurried to catch up with Brady who was striding across the room. “He’s finally here?”

“Yes,” Brady said over his shoulder. “That’s why I want you to join me.”

More curious than ever, a trait that made her good at her job but often got her into trouble, Briana caught up and followed Brady into the room. She stopped short when a tall, dark-haired man rose from the chair. His piercing blue eyes, so very familiar to Briana, shone with an intensity she’d never admit she missed.

“Briana.”

Her mouth dropped open, but she quickly regrouped to save face.

“Jackson?” she asked, trying to moderate her tone so the higher pitch didn’t reach into the frequency only dogs heard.

“This isn’t going to be awkward, is it?” Brady asked in a serious tone, a tone he rarely used unless he meant business. His gaze moved between the two.

She’d answer if she could find her voice.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

About The Author

Tara Randel

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of 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 and beautiful weather inspire the creation of heartwarming stories. Tara has received the Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Connect with Tara by visiting tararandel.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a prize bundle which includes a $25 Amazon Gift Card, bookish tote bag, booklover’s keychain, bookmark and 2 autographed books by the author!

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

The Hometown Cop's Forever Family blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 4, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 11, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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Spotlight on Contemporary Romance — The Single Mom’s Second Chance

4 Feb
The Single Mom's Second Chance JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Single Mom’s Second Chance by Tara Randel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

The Single Mom's Second Chance

Title: The Single Mom’s Second Chance
Series: A Golden, Georgia Romance #2
Author: Tara Randel
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Wholesome Romance

A fresh start…

Then an unexpected curveball

When Addie Lane returns to Golden, Georgia, to open her own fitness center, she’s surprised to find her late husband’s best friend, professional baseball player Nolan Travers, offering to invest. Recovering from an injury, Nolan finds solace in helping a friend—and coaching her son Jacob’s baseball team. As the summer continues, their close bond threatens to be undone by Nolan’s expected return to pro ball and Addie’s challenging relationships with her mother and sisters. Only time will tell if their separate paths will pull them apart—or if Addie and Nolan can hit their love out of the park together.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

Excerpt


Without turning from her chore, Addie heard Jacob’s voice. “You’re coming to my practice, right?”

“Couldn’t keep me away.”

Addie didn’t miss the yearning in Nolan’s tone. Staying away from the team for the season was tough on him. He was faithful about his regular physical therapy, but Addie wondered if he was at his wit’s end with all the free time. Perhaps that was why he was here. To put some distance between himself and the game he loved.

“Mom’s our coach. She’s pretty good for a mom,” Jacob announced.

Her hand froze in midwipe.

“Really.” Nolan held out the word, interest oozing from his tone.

She lowered the cloth and turned to face them. “Only temporarily.”

Humor laced Nolan’s tone. “Because…?”

“Mr. Landry has to work nights and bowed out as coach. He asked a parent to fill the position. No one volunteered and I was already the assistant coach, so…”

“And since you love baseball so much,” Nolan teased, his voice warm. Which made Addie’s heart pick up its pace again.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

About The Author

Tara Randel

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of 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 and beautiful weather inspire the creation of heartwarming stories. Tara has received the Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Connect with Tara by visiting tararandel.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a reading journal, ‘It’s a good day to read’ tote bag and three autographed print books by the author!

(1) winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card!

The Single Mom's Second Chance blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 2, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 9, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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Spotlight on Contemporary Romance — The Surprise Next Door

3 Jun

The Surprise Next Door JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Surprise Next Door by Tara Randel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

The Surprise Next Door

Title: The Surprise Next Door
Series: A Golden, Georgia Romance #1
Author: Tara Randel
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Should they take a chance…

On unexpected love?

Chasing her escape-artist rescue dog, Gus, into the neighbor’s yard wasn’t on Nicole Connelly’s agenda for her first day back in her hometown. Especially when Gus’s antics bring her under the suspicious gaze of the gorgeous single dad next door. Staying on the move has kept her heart safe for twelve years. But veterinarian Ethan Price and his adorable daughter make Nicole wonder if staying in Golden might be worth the risk. Is she ready to overcome the past and find her forever home with a loving instant family?

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

Excerpt

The charged air had nothing to do with snowflakes falling around them, or children laughing, or even the idea of an early winter. No, it had everything to do with the beautiful woman whose mouth was inches from his.

And despite his fears of her eventually leaving, he leaned in to capture her waiting lips.

He brushed over the softness, once, twice, until she scooted closer. He reached over to cup the back of her head with his hand, his fingers tangling in her lush hair. Her hands landed on his shoulders, squeezing as she held on. The machine grumbled, but he could hear her surprise as the kiss deepened. Angling his mouth, he soundly kissed her like he’d never kissed before, his heart aching with a tenderness for this special woman.

Not sure how much time had gone by, he suddenly heard Holly calling him. He shook his head, breaking the trance just as Nicole seemed to realize where they were. Their gazes met and held.

Ethan straightened, holding his hand out to Nicole. The jolt that occurred whenever they touched returned. As soon as she was upright, she removed her hand from his.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

His Small Town Dream Her Surprise Hometown Match

About The Author

Tara Randel

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of 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 and beautiful weather inspire the creation of heartwarming stories. Tara has received the Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Connect with Tara by visiting tararandel.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, a bookish tote bag, 2 autographed books by Tara Randel, and a bookmark!

(1) additional winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

The Surprise Next Door JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 3, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 10, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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Top 10 Tuesday — Non-Book Hobbies

3 Nov

This week, Top 10 Tuesday is talking about Non-Book Hobbies. Is there such a thing? 😉 I admit to books being just about everything in my spare time. I do crochet a bit and I enjoy the outdoors at our north Georgia cabin and I play at baking, but I don’t have a green thumb, I am not a gourmet, travel is at a standstill now, and my mom’s hobby — housecleaning — doesn’t appeal. So, there you have it! Makes for a boring blog post.

I decided to feature a few books that would appeal to a range of hobbyists. Hope you find one that fits into your extrabookular activities.

 

Top Non-Book Hobbies Books!

Art

A Fool And His Monet by Sandra Orchard

Serena Jones has a passion for recovering lost and stolen art — one that’s surpassed only by her zeal to uncover the truth about the art thief who murdered her grandfather. She’s joined the FBI Art Crime Team with the secret hope that one of her cases will lead to his killer. Now, despite her mother’s pleas to do something safer –like get married — Serena’s learning how to go undercover to catch thieves and black market traders.

When a local museum discovers an irreplaceable Monet missing, Jones leaps into action. The clues point in different directions, and her boss orders her to cease investigating her most promising suspect. But determined to solve the case and perhaps discover another clue in her grandfather’s murder, she pushes ahead, regardless of the danger.

Baking

All’s Fair in Love And Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.
But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself — her — is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

Collecting

Lady of A Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd

Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities, trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud. But with her father’s passing and her uncle’s decline into dementia, the family business is at risk. In the Victorian era, unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers alone.

The death of a longtime client, Baron Lydney, offers an unexpected complication when Eleanor is appointed the temporary trustee of the baron’s legendary collection. She must choose whether to donate the priceless treasures to a museum or allow them to pass to the baron’s only living son, Harry — the man who broke Eleanor’s heart.

Eleanor distrusts the baron’s motives and her own ability to be unbiased regarding Harry’s future. Harry claims to still love her and Eleanor yearns to believe him, but his mysterious comments and actions fuel her doubts. When she learns an Italian beauty accompanied him on his return to England, her lingering hope for a future with Harry dims.

With the threat of debtor’s prison closing in, Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection would win her favor among potential clients, saving Sheffield Brothers. But the more time she spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows. Might Harry be worthy of his inheritance, and her heart, after all? As pressures mount and time runs out, Eleanor must decide whom she can trust — who in her life is false or true, brass or gold — and what is meant to be treasured.

Gardening

Like A Watered Garden by Patti Hill

“I received a box of flowers from my dead husband.”

Life has stalled for Colorado garden designer Mibby Garrett after losing her husband in a bicycle accident six months ago. Mibby devotes herself to avoiding “whammies o’ grief,” the painful and sudden reminders of her former life. But for her son, she’s willing to face anything. With the support of the indomitable Louise, friend and neighbor, and her faithful gardening clients, Mibby even considers romance with a too-good-to-be-true widower. Then comes the biggest whammy of all, a stranger with a claim to her husband’s heart. Will Mibby retreat or sound the charge on life?

Music

Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti

Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they’re committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. While Charlie retired early, Lucy is devoted to a long-term career . . . until the day she has no choice.

Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her from the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith’s song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.

When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees — and hears — everything.

Quilting

Rival Hearts by Tara Randel

They both want the promotion. But will they find out that it is worth the cost?

Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter’s Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests. Can girly-girl Molly survive the outdoor adventures that Ben has planned? Can Ben navigate the perils of the social dynamics of quilting events without destroying a valuable quilt in one short month? More importantly, in this he-said, she-said situation, will Molly and Ben give in to their attraction and fall in love, no matter who wins?

Writing

Ghost Writer by Rene Gutteridge

Jonathan Harper is a fiction editor at a publishing house who devotes all of his time to work, and is slowly drifting away from his family. While proof reading a story about a serial killer written by his best friend and father figure Clyde, he begins to receive a story from an anonymous source that is eerily similar to his own life. It contains details no one else could possibly know, details about his childhood and his marriage. As the suspense builds, Jonathan is forced to confront the demons in his own life as he seeks to understand the mystery behind the story.

 

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Book Review: Rival Hearts

24 Jun

Rival-HeartsThey both want the promotion. But will they find out that it is worth the cost?

Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter’s Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests. Can girly-girl Molly survive the outdoor adventures that Ben has planned? Can Ben navigate the perils of the social dynamics of quilting events without destroying a valuable quilt in one short month? More importantly, in this he-said, she-said situation, will Molly and Ben give in to their attraction and fall in love, no matter who wins?

 

taraTara Randel is the author of five romance novels including Lasting Love, Melody of Love and This Time Love. A member of ACFW, Tara is also the lead author of the new Annie’s Mysteries series (see AnniesMysteries.com). Tara lives in New Port Richey, Florida.

 

My Impressions:

Rival Hearts by Tara Randel is another book in Abingdon’s Quilts of Love series. The tagline for this series is Every Quilt Has A Story and it is the quilt in this novel that really takes center stage. A contemporary romance with an opposites attract plot, Rival Hearts will appeal to romance lovers and avid quilters.

Molly Henderson is the 30-something editor of the quilting magazine, Quilter’s Heart. Dedicated to her job, she longs for the recognition her hard work and determination deserve. But when Ben Weaver, editor of Outdoor Adventures is pitted against her for a promotion, Molly puts aside her feelings of inadequacy and goes for the prize. Ben is surprised by Molly’s tenacity and competitive spirit and his growing attraction to her. Both want the big promotion, but is it worth the cost of friendship and possibly love?

Rival Hearts is a sweet love story featuring a stay inside gal and a daring outdoorsman — seemingly opposites in every way. But both have feelings of unconnectedness and loneliness. Though they go about their lives and the turn-about competition from different directions, they ultimately come to the same conclusion – love is worth the work and the vulnerability. Molly’s selfless and caring nature and Ben’s fear of loss and rejection make these characters very real and relatable. There is some humor and a little bit of mystery in this book as well. The featured quilt, though, was my favorite element of the book. I loved the idea of taking scraps of fabric from women’s lives, many with heartfelt stories attached, and joining them into a beautiful quilt that would benefit other women in need.

If you like your romance sweet or if you love quilting, be sure to check out Rival Hearts by Tara Randel.

Recommended.

For more reviews, click HERE.

(Thanks to LitFuse and Abingdon Press for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

Celebrate June’s release by entering to win a summer camping kit (grill, tent, and camp chairs) from Quilts of Love.

Quilts of Love Tara Randel Rival Hearts

One winner will receive:
A Coleman grill, tent, and camp chairs
A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga
A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson
Rival Hearts by Tara Randel
Hurry, the giveaway ends on July 13. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog.

SPREAD THE WORD—TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY VIA FACEBOOK OR TWITTER AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

 

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