Tara Taylor Quinn's Blog

The life of a writer is not normal. It's just not. At least not for this writer. I walk around with people talking to me all day long - not in a schizophrenic way - they don't take over my thoughts - they just talk to me. Constantly. Kind of like having your friend sitting down with you and filling you in on what's going on in her life. Only I have a lot of friends doing that. These days, different types of friends, even. With varying types of stories.

So to give you a day in ttq-land. I start each morning with my diet coke and taking a moment to smell the roses. I kid you not. I specifically planted this bush so that every morning I could step out my door and take a moment to smell the roses. Because it's vitally important to tend to your soul. To remember what matters.

I came screeching in late today, to talk to Heartwarmers on the Harlequin Heartwarming blog. I'm late because I've been on the phone with a family member. And because I had to do promotional work for the Superromance that is out this month.

Love By Association

I have a Super out in May, too. His First Choice

And another one in July - The Promise He Made her.

After spending the morning talking about the Super series that is out - books seven, eight, and nine in my Where Secrets Are Safe series, I will finish this blog and then get back to work on the book that's due April 10th. It's a Heartwarming novel. The third in my new series - Family Secrets. It doesn't have a name yet...

Wait. I had to stop. I had to email with the person whose managing my six month cyber tour.

Back now. The first book in this new Heartwarming series, For Love Or Money, is out in August. The second, just got a name a few days ago - after more emails - Her Soldier's Baby and is out in October. I have a love/hate relationship with the title at the moment. But I love the book.

Stop again. Checking email. Because I'm also working on a special project - a huge project. I spent all day yesterday doing edits on it. It's a suspense novel. Not romance. My agent and editor both have it this morning. I can't help wondering...

Oh, and I had a phone call last night. Found out that my first grandchild, who is due this summer, is a girl! My only child, my baby girl, is having a girl. Wow.

In the meantime, I'm getting notices at the side of my screen from twitter - telling me about re-tweets. I have a sale going on - Harlequin has one of my MIRA novels and one of my older Supers that has been re-packaged, on sale for .99.

I have two Superromances due this summer. And a novella for an independent Heartwarming project. But...today, I just have to finish this blog. Write pages. Meet my husband for lunch. Check in with Facebook and Twitter. Write more pages. And...finding another silver lining...Family Secrets revolves around a reality cooking show - people compete with secret family recipes - so I can plan dinner while I'm writing!

So...there you have it. A few minutes in ttq-land! It's not normal for some. It's normal for me. And I'm good with that.

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

A Sweet & Spicy Holiday
with Tara Taylor Quinn

Tara is sharing  some fabulous holiday recipes along with  her holiday Superromance books in conjunction with Harlequin's A Sweet & Spicy Holiday.

Tour Schedule
December 8th: Cherry Mischievous - Merry Christmas, Babies & TTQ Cucumber and Onion Wrap
December 9th: Brooke Blogs - Excerpt from The Holiday Visitor & Golden Tassies
December 10th: Book Munchies - The Heart of Christmas & Chocolate Pixies
December 11th :  Grand Finale

A Holiday Message & Recipe

I love Christmas time.  I always have.  I love the lights and the bustle.  The decorations and presents under the tree.  But most of all, I love the Heart of it all.  I love how people open their hearts a little more, forgive a little more, look at the good in people more than they focus on the bad.  With shopping and gift giving, we are forced out of our own heads and daily grind, forced to think about the people in our lives.  To buy for them instead of for ourselves.  To think about who they are, what they’re in to, what they’d like.  Christmas is about giving, not taking.  And the more we give, the more the world is filled with goodness.  Christmas celebrates the existence of hope.  The celebration takes that spark of hope in each of us and kindles it into a blaze.  I love it that Christmas helps us tap into the heart of ourselves.  It reminds us of our softer sides.  It is my prayer and my hope that this year, we can all grasp hold of that softer side.  Hang on to it and bring it with us into the new year – not packed away with the Christmas decorations to be brought out again next December.  But open, out, active, a part of our days and nights, our relationships and our choices, throughout the entire year.

And now for a special TTQ recipe:

Party Casserole

Party casserole has been in my family my whole life.  I don't even know where it originated.  But anytime there is a particularly festive special occasion, it's party casserole time.  When new friends enter our circle, they get party casserole.  I've never served anyone who didn't like it!

1 lb. ground beef
2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
1# egg noodles, cooked to package directions
1 package cream cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
1 bunch green onion, finely chopped
1 T butter, melted

Brown ground beef.  Add tomato sauce.  Simmer for ten minutes.

While ground beef is simmering mix cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, green onion and butter in large bowl until fully combined.

In three quart casserole dish lightly cover bottom with small amount of ground beef mixture.  Layer 1/2 of the noodles, 1/2 cheese mixture, 1/2 of ground beef and repeat.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Great as a leftover, too!

— Tara

Holiday Superromance Books

Merry Christmas, Babies
Adult Contemporary Romance
ebook, 296 pages
November 1st 2006 by Harlequin Books


Business hotshot Elise Richardson is successful, beautiful, single... and her biological clock is clanging like a church bell. So independent Elise takes matters into her own hands and now she's pregnant--with quadruplets! Her business partner and best friend, Joe Bennett, can't believe she's going to be a mom--times four! There's no way he's ready for the chaos of parenthood. Being one of seven children has taught him that much. But now that Elise's doctor says she shouldn't be home alone, Joe's ready to move in. Strictly as a friend, of course. At least until Christmas...

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

The Heart of Christmas
Adult Contemporary Romance
ebook, 304 pages
July 15th 2011 by Harlequin Treasury - Harlequin Superromance


This Christmas, she's got her very own St. Nick!

With her business sold and her family out of reach, Abby Hayden's at loose ends.

But if Abby doesn't have enough to occupy her time, Dr. Nick McIntrye has too much. So many people rely on him for help and guidance.... No wonder Abby calls him "St. Nick."

Nick has a proposition for Abby, one he thinks will benefit them both. He persuades her to work at a home he's established for pregnant teens, girls who'll be giving up their babies for adoption.

That's where Abby learns she has a special gift: she knows how to make these girls feel loved and valued, despite their mistakes, despite their fears and lost confidence. And she receives a special gift herself--her very own St. Nick. Not just this Christmas, but for all the Christmases to come!

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin - iTunes

For the Children
Adult Contemporary Romance
ebook, 304 pages
December 1st 2003 by Harlequin Books


Kirk Chandler and Valerie Simms--two people who'll do anything for children

Valerie is a juvenile court judge. She spends her days helping troubled kids--including her own fatherless twin boys.

Through her sons, she meets Kirk Chandler. Kirk's given up a successful corporate career and dedicated himself to helping the children in his Phoenix community...as a basketball coach, as a crossing guard, as an adult who encourages them to strive for the best.

Kirk becomes an increasingly important part of her family's life, even spending Christmas with Valerie and her twins. And Valerie discovers that she and Kirk not only share a commitment to protecting children, they share a deep attraction--and a personal connection that shocks them both.

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

The Promise of Christmas
Adult Contemporary Romance
ebook, 304 pages
November 1st 2005 by Harlequin Special Releases


Leslie Sanderson's brother, Cal, is dead--and he's left behind two children no one knew he had. She and Kip Webster, Cal's closest friend, "inherit" these secret kids.

As they form their makeshift family, Leslie and Kip decide to share a house. And that leads to other kinds of sharing.... One night, just before Christmas, Leslie tells him about the devastating thing that happened when she was young--something she's kept secret all this time.

Because in Kip, she finds the promise of safety, acceptance and love. The promise of what family should be. The promise of Christmas....

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

The Holiday Visitor
(Cover used from to-be reissued paperback.)
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 256 pages
April 1st 2008 by Harlequin Special Releases


Marybeth Lawson has the life she's always wanted. And it all revolves around her cozy bed-and-breakfast. As busy as it keeps her, there is no room for romance, which is fine with her. Then one Christmas, the very good-looking Craig McKellips reserves a room--and everything changes. The attraction between them is intense and instant.

With each visit, the connection between them deepens and Marybeth marvels as the wall around her heart crumbles. Could Craig be the one? Then he reveals a shocking secret that threatens their relationship. Now Marybeth must pick up the pieces and discover what it means to really know someone...and love them anyway.

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

Praise for Tara Taylor Quinn

Her writing is dramatic, her characters realistic, her stories involving. 
—#1 New York Times Bestseller, Debbie Macomber

One of the skills that has served Quinn best...has been her ability to explore edgier subjects. 
—Publisher's Weekly

Quinn writes touching stories about real people that transcend plot type or sub-genre.
—Rachel Potter, All About Romance

Tara Taylor Quinn's deeply felt stories of romance and family will warm your heart.
—Jennifer Crusie, New York Times Bestseller Author

Tara Taylor Quinn's attention to craft is exquisitely fine-tuned.  Ms. Quinn intertwines captivating characters, emotional fervor and compelling conflict into a poignant love story.
—Romantic Times Magazine

Character-driven suspense at its best with rapid-fire pacing that makes you feel as if the pages are turning themselves. I inhaled it in two sittings.
—Hallie Ephron, reviewer, Boston Globe

About the Author

The author of more than 70 original novels, in twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn  is a USA Today bestseller with over six million copies sold. A 2015 RITA finalist Tara appears frequently on bestseller lists, including #1 placement on Amazon lists, and multiple showings on the Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller list. She has appeared on national and local TV across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning.

Tara is a supporter of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you know might be a victim of domestic violence in the United States, please contact 1-800-799-7233.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook 
Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram

Tour-Wide Giveaway

$10 VISA Gift Card (US only)
2 ebook Winner's: Wife by Design, Once a Family, and Husband by Choice (open internationally)
Ends December 15th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

Harlequin is celebrating 10 years of Hearlequin Series ebooks with a huge sale! Eligible ebooks can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google (US only). Tara Taylor Quinn has 40+ romance titles available for this sale! Check them out below (each cover links to Amazon):

Where Secrets are Safe Series
   
   

Shelter Valley Stories
   
   
   
     

Comfort Cove Series
   

Harlequin Treasury
 
   
   

Other Romance Titles
   
   
   
    

I saw my life in the balance this week. I was in a truck. On the side of a mountain. The drop off was a couple of thousand feet. There were inches between our vehicle and the drop-off. No guard rail. No wall. Just...inches. The road was washboard dirt - and loose sand. And one lane. With occasional vehicles in both directions. It was steep up followed by a hairpin turn and steep down followed by a hair pin turn. Every time you put on your breaks, you slid. Steep down, followed by hair pin turn and if you put on your breaks you slide. Just wanted to make sure I painted that picture clearly.

It took us almost three hours to go twenty-two miles. Three hours of sheer terror. Of hanging on to the door, staring at the mountain wall on one side of us rather than the drop off on the other. Three hours of facing that fact that I might die that day.

We were driving on pavement one minute, exploring, and suddenly the pavement ended and there we were. Trapped. There was no way to turn around. A chance we took, a choice we made put us on the road to hell. We had to ride it or die.

At one point I announced that I had to get out and walk. We were about halfway into the twenty-two miles. At that point I was fairly certain that my chances of walking 12 miles in 106 degree heat with two small bottles of water were better than being in that vehicle another second. Tim told me not to be ridiculous and didn't stop.

I was terrified. He was...pissed. Really pissed. Seriously pissed. I've come to realize getting angry is the guy version of fear.

The second we hit pavement I burst into tears. Tim pulled off and I got out. Immediately. I looked around me and saw the most incredibly beautiful sight. I was on top of the world. I could see for miles. Beautiful mountains that went on forever. And below me, a crystal clear lake that also went on as far as I could see.

And then I realized that I'd just been given another gift. Another chance to know and understand. Sometimes we have to do all we can do and then...trust. Sometimes life is out of our hands and that's when we hang on and ride. Sometimes we make bad choices, but we can still come out on top. Sometimes it seems as though the road to hell is never ending but it's really the road to heaven.

I promised offers and I have a few of them:

1. For the next few days, enter to win more than fifty prizes, including a Kindle fire, offered by more than fifty Harlequin authors. http://www.perrytalebooks.com/perry-t...


2. Review The Friendship Pact, by ttq, on Amazon and receive a free e-copy of Wife By Design. Email staff@tarataylorquinn.com for your free copy.

3. Like or follow ttq on Facebook and Twitter by July 20th and be entered to win a year of ttq books. All likes and follows between June 20th and July 20th are automatically entered.

4. Join the open #Friendship board on Pinterest, http://www.pinterest.com/tarataylorqu... post your own friendship pictures, and receive a moment of feel good. Take a chance on gaining a reason to smile.

It’s been a busy week on the Friendship front! We’re running a special until July 20th. Post a review of The Friendship Pact on Amazon and receive a free e-copy of Wife By Design completely free. Wife By Design is Book One in the Where Secrets Are Safe Series, featuring The Lemonade Stand – a very unique women’s shelter off the coast of California. Once A Family, Book Two, is on sale now. Book Three is coming in September. Reviews are popping up on other sites as well. I wanted to share some of them with you. This one was just posted last night on Amazon: “This was an intense and emotional story. It delves deep into women’s friendships but also looks at the complications when men, women and children enter the picture. The author took risks with this book but in my opinion the risks paid off.”

Library Journal said: “Not a typical Quinn novel and unlike its romance kin (In Plain Sight; Hidden), The Friendship Pact focuses on the ties between women and how important those relationships are throughout life. Marriage is only the subplot here as readers follow Kora and Bailey through heartache and heartbreak, yet the women are always able to find their way back to each other. Be warned romance readers: this celebratory tale reveals an ending with some unexpected twists. Get ready!”

Debbie Haupt at The Reading Frenzy said this: “Tara Taylor Quinn’s latest release is a mix of women’s fiction, romance and suspense, a haunting, heartbreaking page-turner and a one sitting non-stop angst filled read. Starring two incredibly strong, caring and genuine women with a fine cast of co-stars that will fill in blanks and add depth and meaning. Her narrative flows with edge of your seat intensity, honesty that’s often brutal, and loyalty that’s pure. Its a prime example of literature imitating life because its based on and dedicated to the author’s own special BFF. Her story within a story is complex and rife with life-changing obstacles, tragedies and triumphs. And as I neared the end all I wanted was more. Tara you have taken me on some incredible journeys before but none can compare to the passion of this one. I can’t wait to see where you take me next.”

Romantic Times Magazine just posted as well: ”Readers who enjoy dramatic stories of the heart that center around strong friendships will not be able to put this book down.”

From the HarlequinJunkie blog: “The Friendship Pact is a moving, complicated, but ultimately heartwarming journey that I will definitely be reading again. Highly recommended.”

I’m hosting a Friendship Celebration over the next several months with new free offers posted randomly. Follow me on Facebook or Twitter, post friend pictures of your own and tag me, or join my open Friendship board on Pinterest to join in! I’d love to see your friend pictures and quotes!