I’m delighted to introduce you to debut author
Melissa Tagg
and her romantic comedy
Made to Last
Bethany
~~~~~~~~
Who’s Melissa?
Melissa Tagg is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies and daydreaming about her next book. She’s passionate about humor, grace and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at melissatagg.com.
~~~~~~~~
Made to Last
Miranda Woodruff, star of the homebuilding show From the Ground Up, will do anything to keep the job she loves. Due to a painful broken engagement and a faith she’s mostly forgotten, she’s let her entire identity become wrapped up in the Miranda everyone sees onscreen. So when she receives news that the network might cancel her program, she must do the very thing she fears most: let the spotlight shine on her closely guarded personal life. The only problem? She’s been living a lie–letting viewers believe she’s married–and now she’s called upon to play wife to a sweet, if a bit goofy, pretend husband to boost ratings.
Desperate to help his family and prove he’s not a total failure, reporter Matthew Knox is looking for a breakout story. When he’s offered the opportunity to do an online serial feature on Miranda Woodruff, he jumps at the chance, even if celebrity reporting isn’t really his thing. But as soon as he meets Miranda, he knows she’s keeping secrets.
When Miranda’s former fiance suddenly appears on the scene again, she doubts her life could get more complicated. Juggling three guys, an on-the-rocks 
television show, and the potential exposure of her deception is way more than she bargained for. Can the woman who makes things look so good onscreen admit it’s time to tell the truth about who she is? And if she does, will the life Miranda’s built come crashing down just as she’s finally found a love to last?
Here’s a glimpse of the story from Melissa ~ “This passage involves Miranda Woodruff, the main character, talking with both her manager (Brad Walsh) and her producer (Lincoln Nash) about the future of her TV show, From the Ground Up…”
Lincoln folded his arms over his black sweater, which matched his wide-rimmed glasses. “Okay, I’ll give it to you straight: Season four of From the Ground Up is on shaky ground.”
Just her or were those heavy clouds sagging even lower in the sky? “Well, we knew the network was looking at fiddling with our timeslot, right?”
Lincoln was shaking his head before she even finished. “I’m not talking a timeslot switch-up. We may be on the chopping block all together.”
Which explained the ripples of anxiety in her manager’s voice when he’d called about the interview this morning. Brad must have sensed this coming. “Doesn’t compute,” he said now. “The show’s done well for three seasons straight. Randi’s as popular with viewers as ever.”
“And we’re half-done filming season four,” Miranda added.
“I know it’s unpleasant to hear, but if you look at last season’s ratings and future projections, it’s not entirely unbelievable. But nothing’s certain. We have time to make our case to the network before they settle on the spring line-up. Which brings me to the good news.” Lincoln straightened his glasses and leaned forward. “I’ve had the best publicity brainwave of my life. I have a plan to save the show and up your celebrity status by the zillions, Randi, dear.”
Why did that sound more foreboding than hope-inspiring? “Whatcha going to do? Parade me in front of every grocery aisle tabloid?”
Lincoln’s smug smile stretched his cheeks. “Not just you.”
Brad’s sharp intake of breath signaled his realization. She met his eyes, read his “stay calm” expression. What had he just figured out that she hadn’t? “Who then?” A niggle of alarm slipped under her skin.
“Drum roll please. Your husband. You know, the unseen character on your show. The one who taught you all you know.” Lincoln’s words rushed like the breeze now rolling into a steady mountain wind.
Oh. Oh no. Disbelief crowded out the elation from only seconds earlier. He couldn’t be serious. Lincoln didn’t know what he was asking.
Except that he did. And somehow that made it worse. Miranda hugged her arms to her body. “That’s impossible. You know I’m not…never was.” Her voice dropped to a hush. “You know Robbie left before the wedding.” The one that would’ve happened three years ago today.
“What I know is you talk about him in every show.”
“Because of you, the audition, the pilot. Because all while we taped the first season, I naively believed I’d be married by the time it aired. Because my contract stipulates…” And then there was the little matter of her guilt. She shot Brad a pleading look, swallowing sour desperation. Say something!
But Lincoln spoke first. “Don’t tell me you haven’t seen the fan websites, tabloid headlines—‘Who is Randi Woodruff’s mystery man?’ You finally give people the peek they want, and you’ll save your show, be sure of it.”
“The only thing I’m sure of is…” Pain latched itself to her shell-shocked words. “I don’t have a husband.” She felt Brad’s palm on her arm, the chill of the coming storm.
Lincoln only shrugged. “So we get you one.” He checked his watch. “Gotta run. We’ll chat more.”
And before she could hurl even one of the arguments clogging her throat, Lincoln was off. “He’s dead serious, isn’t he?” She slumped against the island counter.
“Like Colonel Sanders in a chicken coop.” Brad’s eyes were pinned on Lincoln’s retreating form.
“And I’m the chick with her head on the chopping block.” As Brad placed his arm around her shoulder, grumbling clouds drew her gaze. And suddenly, all she wanted was escape. She itched for the comfort of the mountains, her workshop. The heady smell of sawdust, the feel of wood underneath her fingers, glass-smooth and waiting for her magic. Home.
Where her lies couldn’t find her.
Well, apparently, until today.
Connect with Melissa
Pre-order Made to Last at Amazon or
Koorong
July 9, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Great seeing Melissa featuring on RelzReviewz, means launch day isn’t far away.
July 10, 2013 at 8:17 am
Thanks for all your support, Ian! 🙂
July 10, 2013 at 12:14 am
So excited for the little sneak peek there! Can’t wait to dive right into this story!
Beth
July 10, 2013 at 8:17 am
Thanks so much, Beth!
July 10, 2013 at 12:25 am
Sounds like a great book. Randi’s story line reminds me a bit of Barbara Stanwyck’s in Christmas in Connecticut. Can’t wait to read it.
July 10, 2013 at 1:34 am
I love that you say that, Brittaney, because it just happens this story was totally inspired by Christmas in Connecticut…that and This Old House. 🙂
July 10, 2013 at 1:35 am
Thanks so much for highlighting Made to Last today, Rel. You are a blessing to authors everywhere. 🙂
July 10, 2013 at 4:30 am
Awesome excerpt! Now I want to read this book even more and I was already crazy excited for it! Thanks so much for the peek at the book!
July 10, 2013 at 8:17 am
Oh, your excitement makes me smile so much, Abbie. 🙂
July 10, 2013 at 6:15 am
Just a taste of Melissa’s debut novel is like opening a bag of my favorite potato chips — I want MORE!!
Love Melissa. Love her writing.
Thanks for highlighting her today, Rel!
July 10, 2013 at 8:18 am
And I love YOU, Beth, and YOUR writing. Also, now I really want some chips…
July 10, 2013 at 6:29 am
Hey, Melissa! *Waves* Great to see you around here tonight – though I shouldn’t be surprised. Christian fiction is blessed to have her.
CANNOT wait for ‘Made to Last.’ Glad it’s almost here. 🙂
Thanks for spotlighting this book, Rel. Been curious about it ever since first finding the talent of Melissa’s blog.
July 10, 2013 at 8:18 am
Yay, waving back at your, Rissi. Thanks bunches for being so supportive. 🙂
July 10, 2013 at 9:35 am
It’s my pleasure, Melissa! Love your style and the genre of your book. I’ve a feeling ‘Made to Last’ will be full of good things.
July 10, 2013 at 9:34 am
…clearly I cannot form coherent sentences. Obviously, I should have said: “Christian fiction *is* blessed to have Rel.”
This is just me pointing out my awkwardness. 😉
July 11, 2013 at 1:08 am
Well! As if I wasn’t looking forward to the book anyway, you have to go and make me more curious and excited. ;D Sounds intriguing so far. Looking forward to it! Yay Melissa!
July 13, 2013 at 12:10 am
I.Am.So.Excited. About your book. Just preordered it so I will be sure to have it release day!!