Darlene Franklin – Fictional Romance – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Inspirational romance author, Darlene Franklin shares how her characters meet in her novella, Merry Christmas with Love. Comment for a chance to win a copy of  Postmark: Christmas, a 4 in 1 novella collection including Christmas romances by Darlene and 3 other authors. Deadline: Nov 10, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Darlene:

Merry Christmas With Love is the story of war widow Randi Pearson and retired Major Troy Brennan.
Single mother Randi Pearson began sending Christmas cards to soldiers after her husband’s death almost a decade ago. Year by year her list has grown to several thousand names; now the youth group helps with the annual project, before taking the cards to the Christmas, Florida post office, to be postmarked “Merry Christmas, Christmas, Florida.”
Over the years, she has begun corresponding with a few of the soldiers on a regular basis, including one Major Troy Brennan. She has “known” Troy for several years, although they have never seen each other face-to-face. He doesn’t even know her real name. She signs the cards as “Aranda H,” her given name and the initial from her maiden name.
When Troy retires from the army, he lets Aranda know he wants to meet her, because she has stolen his heart with her letters. Randi has no desire for romance and doesn’t respond.  He still comes to Postmark and volunteers at the post office, where Randi’s mother is postmaster. They meet on his first day at work; Randi knows immediately who Troy is, and why he is in Christmas. All that Troy knows is that Randi is the postmaster’s daughter. 
Will Randi reveal her identity? Can Troy break down the barriers Randi has erected around her heart?
About the novella collection — Postmark: Christmas – The holidays are stamped for love in Christmas, Florida. While keeping her eye open for her next job lead, will nomadic event planner Stella find romance instead? How will one retired major change war widow Randi’s postcard-sending mission? Can photographer David Levine draw shy Gabi Archer out of her shell? Will retired police officer Rick Stanton be able to steal postmistress Edie Hathaway’s heart?
About Darlene: Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin lives in Oklahoma near her son’s family.  
Darlene loves music, needlework, reading, and reality TV. She has published twenty titles with including her two latest releases, A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas, and Merry Christmas, With Love, in Postmark: Christmas. She has also written two books in the Texas Trails series with RiverNorth Fiction, Lone Star Trail and A Ranger’s Trail. She’s a member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers.
Come back Oct 31st for Catherine West!