Cheryl Harper | Falling for a Sweet Hero

In A MINUTE ON THE LIPS, my first sweet romance now available from Harlequin Heartwarming, very serious Sheriff Andrea Jackson has to find out who has broken into one of the restaurants in town, run for re-election, and definitely not fall for the clever and charming newspaper editor who manages to show up when she least expects it. I love to write everyday heroes. Vampires, billionaires, and many assorted bad boys are attractive, sure, but there's something satisfying about falling in book love with a guy you might actually meet in the produce section, the one who's good at his job, has a mother who overstays her welcome sometimes, and makes you believe he'll never let you down.

Mark Taylor, persistent newspaper man, is a guy who's found a new home in a small town after burnout forced him to make a change. He's settled in, made himself part of the scenery, and has given the cook-off champion a run for his money. Andi Jackson fits her old hometown like the square peg in the round hole and makes sure to let Mark know just exactly where he stands. Like many other charming, handsome men, he refuses to let her discourage him and his help is invaluable. I like Mark because he's the guy who will tease you into a smile after he makes you want to pull your hair out, and he's strong enough to lean on. Those are the heroes I love.

Some of my other other favorite sweet romantic heroes:

5. Gilbert Blythe. Teasing grins, showing off for the girls, and nicknames like "Carrots" followed up by sacrifice and encouragement and steady admiration...it's no wonder Anne-with-an-e Shirley fell for him.

4. Almanzo Wilder. My first book love. I don't know if I loved him before or after I met the Little House on the Prairie television version, Dean Butler, but I know steady Manly was my kind of hero.

3. Tom Hanks. Is this cheating? It's hard to say which version of sweet hero I love best, the Sleepless in Seattle single dad or the You've Got Mail F-O-X.

2. Colonel Brandon, the movie version. Not gonna lie, this one has a whole lot to do with Alan Rickman. Mature devotion doesn't hurt, but that voice...helpless, I tell you.

1. Fitzwilliam Darcy. You had a feeling this one was coming, right? The ultimate in awkward rich guy who sacrifices out of love instead of a desire for recognition. He loves his sister and has a very good way with words.

I've enjoyed spending my time with Mark, Andi, and the colorful characters of Tall Pines and I'd love to give away a signed print copy of the book (US only) so you can get to know them too. Please leave me a comment and let me know your favorite romantic hero. And if you'll be at Adventures in Fiction in Dallas on February 15, please stop by to say hello. I'll have a late Valentine just for you!

Excerpt

"He can't go to dinner because his mother's in town." Andi looked up as her phone beeped again. "So I'll see him tomorrow, find out if he has any new leads, and it'll be good." She smiled nonchalantly. Or tried to.

His answering text was one word: And?

Andi didn't know how to pass along rolling eyes in a text so she sent back, And what? Andi could picture his smirk when he got her message.

And you'll miss me until then, right? Andi snorted. Gram raised her eyebrows, but Andi didn't explain. She texted back, Not nearly as much as you'll miss me.

She dropped the phone on the couch cushion, satisfied that she'd gotten the last word in. When it beeped again, Andi shook her head. She liked that he texted. She liked that he spelled out words fully instead of relying on stupid strings of consonants. But he might be too smart. She'd probably never get the last word in.

When she read his answer, Andi decided she didn't care so much this time.

I'm afraid you may be absolutely right.

Bio:

Cheryl Harper, author of "Love Me Tender" in the Kiss Me anthology, Stuck on You, Can't Help Falling in Love, and Santa, Bring My Baby Back for Avon Impulse and A Minute on the Lips for Harlequin Heartwarming, discovered her love for books and words as a little girl, thanks to a mother who made countless library trips and an introduction to Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House stories. Now she spends her days searching for the right words while she stares out the window and her dog snoozes beside her. For more information (and giveaways!), please visit her website.

About the Book:

There are no secrets in Tall Pines...

Sheriff Andrea Jackson can't afford to become the subject of small-town gossip. With an election coming up and her job on the line, public opinion is crucial. That means keeping her distance from newspaper editor Mark Taylor.

Effortlessly handsome and dangerously charming, Mark is hard to resist, but his sudden interest makes Andi wonder if his dinner invitations are for business or pleasure. Andi has to admit she could use his help in solving a local theft, but working with Mark would make her the talk of the town, or worse...it could land her on the front page.

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Harlequin

One commenter will win a copy of A MINUTE ON THE LIPS