This year I’m so excited about my first Christmas story with Harlequin Heartwarming, Her Christmastime Family. Love, family, friendships and community are important components in this line of books and what better time than Christmas to bring them all together? And the cover? I think it captures the joy and wonder of Christmas.

Traditions are very important and I try to maintain as many as possible during the holidays. So when single mom, Faith Harper is determined to create new traditions for her young children, I got to go overboard by bringing them to life on the page. When Faith joins forces with neighbor Roan Donovan, who is struggling to make the season merry for his two girls, the parents bond over the love for their children. Isn’t that what the spirit of Christmas is all about?

A holiday match…
For a lifetime of love!

Creating new Christmas traditions is a priority for single mom Faith Harper. But the handsome widower next door, police officer Roan Donovan, is struggling to make the season merry for his two girls. Sunny Faith could brighten the holiday for Roan. And the way he protects his daughters touches her heart. Will facing their challenges together unite their families…and build a love to weather all seasons?

Read an excerpt:

“Can we get a picture, Dad?”

“Right now?”

Kaylie frowned at him and mouthed, You promised. So he had.  He extracted his phone from his jacket pocket and held it out to Deke. “Mind doing the honors?”

“My pleasure,” Deke said as he took the phone. Kaylie led him and Emmie to the tree.

“Smile,” Kaylie instructed softly.

Roan complied. Before he knew it, the Harpers joined in. After shuffling around, flashes of light captured the kids, mugging for the camera. Then Deke and Grace, beaming at the camera. Wanda Sue, Mrs. M. and Alveda posed, as well.

Mrs. M. pushed him forward. “One more,” she said, somehow with his phone in her hands. Wanda Sue nudged Faith over and Mrs. M. cried out, “Smile.”

Roan and Faith exchanged a glance before facing forward. A hint of her floral perfume hung in the air. Her arm brushed against his, and he had to hold his breath for a few seconds in order not to react to her closeness. Or—rephrase that—in order for no one else to notice his reaction to her standing by his side. Her laugh charmed him, and when John ran forward to take Faith’s hand, he had to contain his regret.

“There’s hot cocoa, Mama.”

Faith inched away from him. Roan had to admit, the impromptu photo session had been fun. But then, he was learning that Faith made everything fun. Maybe no harm would come from Kaylie’s request that he make Christmas merry after all.

Here’s wishing you a beautiful Christmas season. With all the shopping, preparations for family and friends, parties and whatever else you do to celebrate, let’s never forget the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus.

Her Christmastime Family is available now.

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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. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter