Sit Down Saturday with Tara Randel

Today we’re celebrating the release of HIS HONOR, HER FAMILY.

She could be The One.

If he’ll let her in.

The rustic mountain town of Golden, Georgia, is the ideal place for crime scene investigator Deke Matthews to heal after a tragedy left him questioning everything. But there’s another reason he’s here, and moonlighting as an adventure guide provides the perfect cover. It doesn’t include falling for his boss. Attorney Grace Harper is back in Golden only long enough to save her family business. Just when Deke has found the woman to share his life with...  

This is book two in the Meet Me At The Altar series. The Matthews brothers are still hunting for information on the man their mother is dating. When a lead brings Deke to Golden, Georgia, he tumbles into more excitement than he ever expects.

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

Romance is in the air! I love a cover that creates the mood of the characters as they’re falling in love. This cover beautifully captures that moment.

What is your favorite scene?

I can’t honestly pick one scene because I enjoyed writing the entire book. The characters became so real to me that the words just flowed. 

EXCERPT

While she tidied up, Deke blew out a breath and rested his hip against the counter. With the worst part over, he now noticed his boss’s blond hair glow under the harsh kitchen lighting. Her fair skin attested to her not personally leading the outdoor tours. He was intrigued by the softness that was in direct contrast to her very take-control attitude.

“So,” he said, “you’re a nurse, too?”

“No, but after years of working with vacation clients, I know first aid.”

“Makes sense.” He lifted the towel, glad to see the bleeding was minimal. “Let’s get the bandage on now.”

Grace unwrapped the butterfly and within seconds had it secure. Blood seeped around it.

“Still needs pressure.”

Grabbing a box of gauze, she unrolled a long length and wrapped it around his palm with enough pressure to stanch any more blood flow. She tied it off, then looked up at him, a smile of victory curving her lips.

Their gazes met and held. A ripple of awareness took him by surprise. Yeah, he’d noticed how pretty his new boss was when he’d applied for the job, but this? This was a feeling he hadn’t felt in far too long. He blinked as he tried to get his wayward thoughts under control. Her smile faded and she slowly backed away.

“Um, that should do for now,” she said in a crisp tone as she packed away the supplies. “I suggest you see a doctor tomorrow.”

Thanks,” he said, striving to get his voice under control. “For everything.”

She nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He inhaled a decidedly floral scent. Cherry blossom? Even her perfume suited her.

“I should get going,” he finally said.

“Right.” Grace led him to the door. “Sorry about nearly clobbering you in the head. I thought you were a raccoon. Or worse, a burglar.”

“Serves me right for making a racket.”

She tilted her head. “You’re not very good at breaking and entering.”

He grinned and silence hovered between them again.

“I should probably go get settled,” he said again.

“Look, you don’t have to come in tomorrow,” she said, glancing down at his bandaged hand.

“It’s okay. I’d like to learn about the company and find out what kinds of tours you have scheduled.”

She nodded. “Then I’ll bring the coffee. It’s the least I can do.”

“Thanks, Miss Harper.”

“I think after tonight’s events, you can call me Grace.”

What drew you to these characters?

Deke and Grace are so different. I loved the way their personalities put them at odds, but also made them reexamine the direction of their lives.

 

Deke is serious and has to figure out how and why things work—including people. He’s in Golden because of his family, the people he would do anything for. Grace just wants to focus on her law career, but family ties keep pulling her back to the home town she couldn’t wait to escape. It takes getting to know each other for these two strong-minded characters to not only fall in love, but realize life doesn’t have to be so serious and helping family doesn’t have to a bad thing.

This is your eighth Heartwarming.  Exactly what does that mean to you?

I love writing for Heartwarming. Writing about family, friendship and love is a dream come true.

What do you plan to work on next?

I’ve finished the next book in the Meet Me At the Altar series. TRUSTING HER HEART will be an August 2019 release. I'm working on the final book in the Meet Me At the Altar series right now.

 

Stop by Prism Book Tours for the Grand Finale of the His Honor, Her Family. There you can enter a prize giveaway!

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. Visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.