It’s All Part of The Plan

April 21, 2015 No Comments

The Posse is a book and a story very special to me. It was my first adult book after The King Series, when I wasn’t sure I could actually handle writing for the adult market. I love Jude and Logan and the whole posse, and I love Crystal Cove.

Of course, you know The Posse was supposed to be a stand-alone, but then the rest of the posse didn’t find love in that book . . . at least Cooper didn’t. And then there was poor Emmy Carter, Jude’s weekend night manager, who was all by herself. And Abby, who came into town to run the bed and breakfast . . .

Clearly, there are more stories in the Cove.

So even though it’s not coming out for TWO more months–two!–today’s Teaser Tuesday is from The Plan. I want you to get ready to fall in love with Crystal Cove all over again.

***

I carried the fries to Cooper and hunted on the shelf under the bar for a bottle of barbecue sauce that I set down next to the plate. He cocked his head.

“You knew about the scotch. And now the barbecue sauce. How did you know that’s what I eat with my fries?”

I hoped my face wasn’t turning red. “I’m gifted at remembering customers’ preference. It’s part of the bartender code. I can’t tell you anything else, or again, I’d have to kill you.”

Cooper laughed. “Like with the pie crust recipe? You, Emmy Carter, are a woman of many secrets.”

Now I was certain I was blushing. “Yep, that’s me. Woman of mystery.”

He picked up one fry and dragged it through a puddle of barbecue sauce. “Tell me, woman of mystery, where are your kids tonight?”

My heart thudded against my ribcage, but I kept my voice cool. “They spend the weekends with my mom and dad. I dropped them off after school today, and I’ll pick them up Sunday morning when I wake up.”

Cooper nodded. “It’s great that you have your folks to help.”

“Yeah.” I couldn’t agree more. “I never would’ve made it this far without them. Well, and Jude and Daniel.”

“Bullshit, Em.” Cooper’s words were heated, but his tone was mild. “You pull your own weight. I’ve seen it. Yeah, you’ve had some people give you a hand, but you’d have made it even without that. You’re strong.”

I blinked back an unexpected rise of moisture in my eyes. I never cried. It was a weakness I couldn’t afford. “Maybe. But I’m glad I never had to test that theory yet.” I wiped the bar down, careful to keep my focus on the rag. “Why’d you want to know about the kids? Were you going to call child protective services on me if I’d left them at home to fend for themselves?”

“No.” Cooper spoke low, and I stopped moving so that I could hear him. “I wanted to know if your house was empty. And if maybe . . . you’d like some company after you finish here.”

THE PLAN

Coming June 29th

iBooks/Amazon/Nook

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Music in Progress

April 20, 2015 No Comments

I’m writing The Plan at the moment. It’s the second book in The Crystal Cove series, coming after The Posse, and the main story revolves around Emmy Carter and Cooper Davis, both of whom we met in The Posse.

Careful readers of The Posse will remember that Jude and Emmy differed on their musical preferences. Jude loves her 80’s tunes, and Emmy favors country. As it happens Cooper likes rock, so he and Emmy are reconciling that difference, too . . .

Their working playlist includes songs from Florida-Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Billy Joel and others. I’m excited to share their story–both musical and otherwise!–with you in June.

Stay tuned!

(Placeholder cover–reveal coming soon)

Teaser Tuesday

The Only One Trailer

April 14, 2015 No Comments

This teaser #Tuesday is brought to you by the extraordinarily beautiful trailer for The Only One, made by Olivia Hardin. I am totally and completely in love with these piece. . .the music, the images, the words. . .it’s all perfect.

If you haven’t read The One Trilogy yet, you’re missing out on some smokin’ hot couples, some sweet love and some funny characters, all living in the small town of Burton, Georgia. And you don’t want to miss all that.

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Musical Muse

April 13, 2015 1 Comment

Over the last few months, I’ve shared with you all the playlists for my books and why each one is the way it is. I hope you’ve gotten some insight into how music affects my process.

But how does a playlist come about? This is a question we discussed at Coastal Magic February at the panel on the same topic. I was fascinated that so many of us who write so differently come upon our musical muses in the same way.

For me, the type of music a character enjoys is part of his or her definition. In The King Series, Tasmyn enjoyed alt rock while Michael liked oldies. Rafe’s musical taste was closer to Tasmyn’s; it was one of many things the two had in common, which frustrated Rafe to no end. He felt that their similarities should’ve given him an edge over Michael. Sadly for him, he was wrong.

In The Posse, Jude adores her 80’s tunes. In The One Trilogy, Sam uses sweet country music to woo Meghan, who is decidedly not a fan before her time in Burton. In Just Desserts, Frank Sinatra is the theme of the day.

So that’s where the playlists begin. One character and one style of music. I usually start off a new book with a huge list of songs, and I listen to it almost constantly while writing–and even while not actively writing. I also try to tune in to stations on Spotify or iTunes radio that dovetail with the same genre, so that I can possibly find new songs that fit the storyline.

As the plot develops and refines, I’ll nix some songs and add others. And the ones that are particularly compelling or poignant end up on replay. A lot.

In this way, the music not only inspires me; it also gives me insight into characters and situation I might not be able to quite wrap my mind around until I hear a lyric or a stanza. And in the years that follow, hearing that lyric takes me right back to that story. . .and those characters.

Crystal Cove Romances, Love in a Small Town Series, Promotion and Publicity, Teaser Tuesday

Release Day!

April 7, 2015 No Comments

The Only One is available now!

The anticipated final book in The One Trilogy

is finally here!

Rilla’s a good girl who’s ready for a change.

Mason’s a tough guy who’s afraid to love again.

Sometimes love isn’t the easy choice.

Sometimes it’s the only one.

***

Amazon/iBooks/BN/Kobo

Mason Wallace left his hometown to live his dream: he had the perfect career, a gorgeous wife and a beautiful baby girl. He was on top of the world, until it all shattered with the sudden death of his wife. Now he’s back in Georgia, running his bar and trying to take care of his family. And he needs all the help he can get.

Rilla Grant’s never been farther than twenty miles from her family’s farm. Her overprotective father wants her to marry their church’s youth pastor and settle down into the life he’s chosen for her, but she’s not sure that’s what she wants anymore. Rilla’s chafing to make her own choices, and that includes starting her own PR business and maybe even moving off the farm, no matter how much her dad hates it.

When Mason asks Rilla to work on some promotion for his bar, she’s both excited and terrified. Excited, because it’s just the opportunity she’s wanted, and terrified because Mason, with his intriguing hazel eyes and drool-worthy body, is the kind of guy who makes her knees weak and her heart pound. He’s the only one who’s ever tempted Rilla to defy her family, and when she does just that by moving in to help take care of his daughter, they’re both forced to make a decision that’ll change their lives forever.

Sometimes love isn’t the easy choice. Sometimes it’s the only one.

***

Don’t miss the first two books in The One Trilogy!

The familiarity of home, the warmth of family ties, the sweet sensation of being wrapped in the arms of THE ONE love that meant everything. . .each story is a remarkable package of all this and more.

–Olivia Hardin
USA Today Best Selling Romance Author

The Last One

The One Trilogy Book 1

Meghan Hawthorne is restless. The last year has been a roller coaster: her widowed mother just married a long-time family friend. Her younger brother unexpectedly became a father and a husband. Everyone’s life is changing. . .except for hers. As she begins her final summer of college, Meghan’s looking for excitement and maybe a little romance. Nothing serious; this girl just wants to have fun.

But the only man for Meghan turns out to be the last one she expects.

Sam Reynolds doesn’t need excitement, and he doesn’t want romance. Fun is out of the question. He’s been the steady, responsible one since his parents were killed, and serious is his way of life.

When Sam rescues Meghan alongside a dark Georgia backroad, she falls hard for his deep brown eyes and slow drawl. But making him see her as more than just a party girl won’t be easy. Sam’s tempted by the fiery young artist, even as he realizes that giving into his feelings will mean radical change. . .maybe more than he can handle.

Nobody ever said love was simple.

“As an almost strictly paranormal romance reader, it takes a certain type of author to convince me to dive into straight romance. Tawdra Kandle is one of the few authors I will make an exception for. Her writing style is so easy and relaxing that I have to really keep an eye on the time or I’ll stay up all night to finish one of her books.” Carrie Williams, Goodreads Reviewer

“Wow. Talk about romance with an edge. From the beginning the characters were so real that I was completely invested in them. The sexual tension woven into the story added so much value to the relationships. I will be reading this book many times just so I can spend more time with Meghan and Sam.” Cheryl Garrett, Goodreads Reviewer

“I’m in love with this book!!” Leah Fennick, Goodreads Reviewer

Buy it now at Amazon/iBooks/Barnes and Noble/Kobo/Google Play

Free for a limited time

Watch the trailer here!

The First One

The One Trilogy Book 2

Ali and Flynn were high school sweethearts. Eager to see the world and leave behind their small Georgia hometown, they’d planned for an exciting new life together after they finished school.

But on graduation day, only one of them hit the road.

Eight years down that road, an unexpected loss brings Flynn home again. He’s a big-shot photo journalist, and he’s made most of his plans reality. But he’s done it alone. Is it too late for his biggest dream to come true?

Ali’s spent those years working hard, raising a daughter and helping her brother keep their family farm alive. Thinking about Flynn and what might have been is a pain she tries to avoid. . .even when it’s impossible to forget.

Flynn’s return brings back feelings Ali thought were long dead and hopes she’d abandoned. Finding their way back to each other will change them forever, opening old wounds and stirring up memories.

Can first love be the one to last forever?

“Tawdra Kandle knows how to weave a story that is both steamy and heartfelt. I cannot even tell you how many times I was brought to tears while I read The First One. I’ve been waiting for Ali’s story ever since I finished reading The Last One, and I was not disappointed.” Melissa at Reading It All

“This was a beautifully executed romance that managed to change around all my preconceived notions about Flynn and Ali from the previous book. I started the book determined to hate Flynn all the way through for abandoning his family, but somewhere along the line I began to hope for happiness between these two. Amazing!” Carrie Williams, Goodread reviewer

Buy it now at Amazon/iBooks/Barnes and Noble/Kobo/Google Play

Watch the trailer here!

Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books run from YA paranormal romance (THE KING SERIES), through NA paranormal and contemporary romance (THE SERENDIPITY DUET, PERFECT DISH DUO, THE ONE TRILOGY) to adult contemporary and paramystery romance (CRYSTAL COVE BOOKS and RECIPE FOR DEATH SERIES). She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair.