A Conversation with Tara Randel, Author of THE BRIDAL BOUQUET (The Business of Weddings #4–with a new release review and giveaway)

Welcome, Tara! What 5 things should readers know about you?

I love spending time with my husband and kids.

I love to read.

I love to travel.

My daughter and I have annual passes to Disney World. We’re kind of Disney geeks.

I love the Avengers movies. All of them.

The Avengers rule, it’s true!

Where did the inspiration for this book come from?

This is the fourth book in The Business of Weddings series. My editor and I discussed coming up with three wedding professionals for this book contract and the first one was a florist. I knew I wanted to have suspense elements in this story, so I plotted with this in mind. I love hunky, Alpha males and the DEA hero in this book fits the bill! Also, researching flowers was lovely. The history behind bouquets is quite interesting.

He certainly does fit the bill 🙂 

How long have you been writing, and what (or who) inspired you to start?

I’ve been writing for over twenty years. Not all of those years published!

A friend I worked with many years ago introduced me to romance novels. One day she decided we should write a book. Why not? I took the idea and ran with it, doing the research behind writing, coming up with an idea for a story (a historical because those were all the rage at the time) and finally started writing. Sadly, my friend lost interest, but the writing bug bit me and I continued learning more about craft and the industry. My husband has always been very supportive and encouraged me to keep after my dream.

Wow—great story! And twenty years; impressive!

What are you working on right now?

The fifth book in The Business of Weddings series. This story is about a pop artist who has writer’s block and is scheduled to record a new album. She enlists the help of a song writer who walked away from the business for personal reasons.

Sounds great!

What can readers look for from you in the next year?

Hopefully my next Heartwarming will be released later this year. I’m also part of a group of authors in a novella anthology entitled, A Heartwarming Holiday. These are connected stories set in Christmas Town, Maine, spanning the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays. I also have two mystery releases, part of The Amish Inn Mysteries, scheduled for next year, along with another Heartwarming, the sixth in the series.

Can’t wait!

If you had to “sell” your book in a single Tweet, what would you say?

The Bridal Bouquet. A fun summer read.

Short and sweet!

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA TODAY bestselling author of eleven novels. She is currently working on new stories for Harlequin Heartwarming, as well as books in a new series, Amish Inn Mysteries. Her next Heartwarming, part of The Business of Weddings series, will be released in June 2016. Visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at Tara Randel Books.

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A sweet romance with a touch of romantic suspense–a fun read!

I enjoyed Kady and Dylan’s story–a florist and a DEA agent don’t seem like an obvious couple, but they definitely worked! I liked watching them fall for each other–and really liked watching poor Dylan getting sucked into helping his mother and Kady at the big florist convention (especially when his mom takes pictures and sends them on to his three–three!–brothers! Poor guy :))

The suspense part was nicely plotted; things fall into place once a few key facts are revealed and there’s a few tense moments along the way. Kady was a little unreasonable about not knowing Dylan’s secret–really, it’s his job, and they really didn’t know each other all that long at that point, so he really had no choice–but fortunately she realizes it soon enough and they manage to get to their HEA anyway.

Now how about stories for Dylan’s three hunky brothers? 🙂

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tour Schedule

June 12th: Launch
June 13th: Rockin’ Book Reviews & underneath the covers
June 14th: Mel’s Shelves, Becky on Books & JoJo’s Corner
June 15th: Bookworm Lisa, EskieMama Reads & deal sharing aunt
June 16th: Christy’s Cozy Corners, Harlie’s Books & 23 Review Street
June 17th: Getting Your Read On, With Love for Books, Katie’s Clean Book Collection, Bloomfield of thoughts & Thoughts of a Blonde
June 19th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway