Rival Hearts by Tara Randel - REVIEWED

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Rival Hearts Abingdon Press (June 17, 2014) by Tara Randel

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. After finding Romantic Times magazine in a bookstore many years ago, she found information about writing organizations. Soon after, she joined Romance Writers of America. She located the local RWA chapter and immediately attended her first meeting. There was no stopping her after that!

Through Tampa Area Romance Authors, Tara learned all about the business of publishing, starting with the craft of writing to behind the scenes of publishing. She served as contest coordinator for four years and served as President for one year, enjoying the organization and the lasting friendships made there.

When not writing, Tara owns a business with her husband and stays busy with her two daughters. She lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE BOOK

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?

My Thoughts:

“The human heart withstood so much of life’s victories and disappointments.  The shared experiences of life would be the focal point, the heart and soul of the quilt.”  (p.55)

This statement truly captures the heart and soul of Tara Randel’s addition to the Quilts of Love series - Rival Hearts.  Both Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have experienced many victories and disappointments before being placed as rivals for the position of editor and chief of Master’s Publisher’s newest magazine endeavor.  Neither knew each other well enough to know that their month-long rivalry would teach them a lot about each other and their own hearts.  Even though relationship begins to blossom between them, they are both stubborn enough to resist that pull toward each other.  That pull ceases to exist entirely once Molly’s quilt is stolen just prior to the exhibition!

This was my first exposure to Tara Randel’s writing, and I have to say I was really drawn to her characters and her story!  The Quilts of Love series has offered a huge variety of stories along the way, and Rival Hearts is an especially sweet addition.  I think readers will enjoy the rivalry between the two main characters – especially as they begin to realize that they are aware of their growing attraction to one another. The contrast creates a tension that drives the story forward.

The conclusion to the rivalry is both realistic and satisfying.  I look forward to reading more of Randel’s work! 

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rival Hearts, go HERE.