Sit Down Saturday with Tara Randel

Today we’re celebrating the release of The Bridal Bouquet.

So, Tara, where did you get the idea for this novel?

I have an ongoing series, The Business of Weddings, featuring wedding professionals, so of course a florist was a must. I knew I wanted the hero, Dylan, to be in some sort of law enforcement. Turned out to be the DEA. I also knew I wanted the heroine, Kady, to be in a floral competition at a convention, so when I sat down to the plot the book, it all fell together. Showing characters in the midst of their jobs is always so interesting to me. I also love stories with a suspense element and this is the first Heartwarming story I’ve added that layer.

 

In looking at the cover, if you could add a caption or captions, what would they say?

I’m getting married!

 

 How long did it take you to write?

The book took about four months. I so enjoyed the characters and had a such a clear vision of how the story was progressing, it didn’t take long.

What is your favorite scene?

I have so many! Spoken like a true author.

There is one scene in the book where Dylan’s mother ( Kady’s competition nemesis) asks him to pick up props for her floral lecture. He ends up dragging a full-sized Cupid cut-out to the workshop, along with bags of candy and flowers. Did his masculinity take a hit? No way. Sure, he didn’t hear the end of it from his brothers after his mother sent them pictures, but he fulfilled his mission. The fact that Dylan would do this for his mother made him swoon-worthy in my eyes.

After pulling out her notebook, Kady waited for the lecture to start. Jasmine seemed preoccupied. What was going on? She was just about to ask the woman sitting next to her when a commotion sounded from the back of the room. She turned, catching sight of Dylan dragging something down the aisle while balancing local store bags hanging from either arm.

He met his mother and she whispered in his ear. His head dropped and Kady got the distinct impression he didn’t like what his mother said. She sat back, enjoying the show. Her afternoon was looking up.

He placed the bags on the long table behind the podium and wrestled with the big thing he’d dragged in. As he righted the object, Kady realized it was a life-size cutout of Cupid. Arrows and all. Just then Dylan looked up. His gaze scanned the room and finally collided with hers. He stopped, and she could have sworn his ears turned pink. She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing out loud as Dylan moved to help his mother empty the shopping bags.

He looked at her again, his metal-colored eyes warning her not to say a word. Oh, she would, but later, when she had him at her mercy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dylan was a different hero for me. He had vengeance on his mind and would go to great lengths to avenge his partner, who was killed by a drug dealer.  His protective nature, and loyalty to his family, made him a multi-layered character.

This is your fourth book in The Business of Weddings series for Heartwarming. Exactly what does that mean to you?

I absolutely love writing books including weddings. There’s so much joy and drama! Perfect for fiction. My next Heartwarming will focus on music, so of course there will be a wedding band. The next will feature a photographer.

What do you plan to work on next?

I’m working on a Christmas novella right now and after that, a mystery, then back into another Heartwarming.

What are you reading for pleasure right now?

Reading for pleasure? Is there such a thing? LOL. My TBR stack is growing taller, but I can’t wait to dive into other Heartwarming books I’ve been collecting.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA TODAY bestselling author of twelve novels. 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. This is her fourth book for Harlequin Heartwarming. Visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at Tara Randel Books