Book Spotlight: The Hometown Cop's Forever Family by Tara Randel

Hello Bookworms!

This year my 45th birthday falls on Mother's Day. I was actually born on Mother's Day, so the years that it lands on that day are pretty cool. This year, my mom is in town for the first time in a long time, so I am eagerly anticipating getting to spend the weekend with so many of the most amazing women in my life while also celebrating another year of me.

I hope you enjoy today's spotlight and excerpt from this Wholesome Contemporary Romance and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Hometown Cop's Forever Family by Tara Randel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Hometown Cop's Forever Family
Series: A Golden, Georgia Romance #3
Author: Tara Randel
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Wholesome Contemporary Romance

Solving crimes

And falling in love!

Charming, small-town Golden, Georgia, has everything Briana Connelly needs—her four-year-old daughter, her family, and her job as a police officer. When her former best friend, Jackson Walker, returns suddenly and is made her partner at work, she’s forced to face the events that drove them apart. With a mysterious theft to investigate, spending time with Jax is unavoidable…and easier than she’d like. Especially when his effortless warmth wins over her precious daughter. As a deeper connection grows between them, he starts to feel like a part of Briana’s little family. But if overcoming the past means admitting their true feelings—that might be the biggest risk of all.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

Excerpt

“Okay. Let’s scoop the guts out,” Jax said, hands on his hips as he scrutinized the bright orange pumpkin on the kitchen table.
“Guts,” Cami said with a giggle. She was dressed in a sparkly yellow princess dress. When Jax had asked her if it was going to be her Halloween costume, she informed him that her trick-or-treating dress was a secret. The one she had on was for play.
Boy, did he have a lot to learn about little girls.
Brie glowered at him. “I prefer to call it pulp.”
“That’s not what we called it when we were kids,” he reminded her. He’d forgotten how much fun it was to tease her.
“Yeah, well, maybe I’m going in a different direction with my daughter.”
With that declaration she handed him a knife. Cami climbed atop a chair to see better. He sliced into the meaty skin to remove the lid. Then Brie used a large spoon to remove the insides.
Cami placed her palms on the table and leaned in to watch. “I can’t wait to tell Jacob that we took out the guts.”
Brie scowled at Jax. “Thanks.”
After each scoop, Brie dropped the stringy pulp into a large bowl. “Cami, why don’t you pick out the seeds and place them in the empty bowl.”
The little girl wrinkled her nose. “It smells funny.”
Jax was about to say it was because of the guts, but Brie’s warning frown cut him off.
“It’s just how a pumpkin smells. Kind of like a watery vegetable,” Brie said.
Cami nodded and started her task of picking out the seeds. “Mommy, what are we going to do with these?”
“We’ll rinse them off then put them in the oven to crisp up so we can eat them.”
“Can we eat the guts?”
“The pulp,” Jax corrected before he landed in the doghouse. “And you can, but I don’t know anyone who does.”
Cami seemed satisfied with his answer.
Brie continued scooping until the spoon slipped in her wet fingers, flew up and a blob of pulp landed on her cheek. Cami laughed like it was the funniest thing she’d ever seen.
“Ew. Ick,” Brie muttered as she brushed her hand over her face.
“Let me,” he said, using his thumb to remove the last bit of pulp. Her skin was soft under his touch. He met her gaze. She didn’t blink. He didn’t think he breathed. The tension between them rose.
“You got it,” Cami said, breaking the silent connection.
Jax pulled his hand back. “Better.”
“Right. Better.”
Everything was better with Brie.

About the Author

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. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets and beautiful weather inspire the creation of heartwarming stories. Tara has received the Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Connect with Tara by visiting tararandel.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a prize bundle which includes a $25 Amazon Gift Card, bookish tote bag, booklover's keychain, bookmark and 2 autographed books by the author!

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 4, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 11, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!