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For the 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.
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.
- GenresRomanceM F Romance
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2003
1 person is currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Tara Taylor Quinn
378 books1,458 followersTara Taylor Quinn began her love affair with Harlequin when she was fourteen years old and picked up a free promotional copy of a Harlequin Romance in a hometown grocery store. The relationship was solidified the year she was suspended from her high school typing class for hiding a Harlequin Romance behind the keys of her electric typewriter. Unaware that her instructor loomed close by, Ms. Quinn read blissfully on with one finger resting on the automatic repeating period key. She finished the book in the principal’s office. Forced to leave her romances in her locker after that, Ms. Quinn’s typing skills improved - a fact for which she is eternally grateful.
With over 80 original novels, published in more than twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn is a USA Today bestselling author with more than seven million copies sold. She is a winner of the 2008 National Reader's Choice Award, four time finalist for the RWA Rita Award, a finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award, the Bookseller’s Best Award, the Holt Medallion and appears regularly on the Waldenbooks bestsellers list. Ms. Quinn writes for Harlequin and MIRA Books. Reviewer, Cindy Penn, wordweaving.com says, “Amazing character development is the hallmark of author Tara Taylor Quinn’s work. Indeed, Taylor’s profound observations of human nature and intimate understanding of values and priorities lends extraordinary psychological depth to all her work.”
Tara Taylor Quinn was born and raised in Ohio. Though she wrote her first story at the age of seven, her professional writing career began ten years later when she was hired as a stringer with the Dayton Daily News in Dayton, Ohio. She attended Wright State University and graduated from Harding College in Arkansas with a degree in English and Journalism. She published several magazine articles before turning to writing as a full-time occupation.
Ms. Quinn is a Past President of the Romance Writers of America and served for eight years on the Board of Directors of that association. She has a wide range of experience as a public speaker and workshop presenter for writers groups around the country.
When she’s not home with her owners, Jerry Lee and Taylor Marie, or fulfilling speaking engagements, Tara loves to travel with her husband, stopping wherever the spirit takes them. They’ve been spotted in casinos and quaint little small town antique shops all across the country..
With over 80 original novels, published in more than twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn is a USA Today bestselling author with more than seven million copies sold. She is a winner of the 2008 National Reader's Choice Award, four time finalist for the RWA Rita Award, a finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award, the Bookseller’s Best Award, the Holt Medallion and appears regularly on the Waldenbooks bestsellers list. Ms. Quinn writes for Harlequin and MIRA Books. Reviewer, Cindy Penn, wordweaving.com says, “Amazing character development is the hallmark of author Tara Taylor Quinn’s work. Indeed, Taylor’s profound observations of human nature and intimate understanding of values and priorities lends extraordinary psychological depth to all her work.”
Tara Taylor Quinn was born and raised in Ohio. Though she wrote her first story at the age of seven, her professional writing career began ten years later when she was hired as a stringer with the Dayton Daily News in Dayton, Ohio. She attended Wright State University and graduated from Harding College in Arkansas with a degree in English and Journalism. She published several magazine articles before turning to writing as a full-time occupation.
Ms. Quinn is a Past President of the Romance Writers of America and served for eight years on the Board of Directors of that association. She has a wide range of experience as a public speaker and workshop presenter for writers groups around the country.
When she’s not home with her owners, Jerry Lee and Taylor Marie, or fulfilling speaking engagements, Tara loves to travel with her husband, stopping wherever the spirit takes them. They’ve been spotted in casinos and quaint little small town antique shops all across the country..
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 14, 2019
Nice angsty story about a widowed family court judge with junior-high age twin boys, and the ex-businessman crossing guard and basketball coach who helps her boys. They have issues from their dad's death and his behavior before then. One of the boys who comes before her court also has issues. The romance part slides in between them dealing with issues. It's nicely done and a good read.
June 22, 2015
I'm not sure what to say about this book. I can't tell if I liked it or not, even. It's kind of an even split, with a number of good points and some less-enjoyable aspects.
I liked the fact that the characters were deeply flawed and conflicted people, and the situation was different from most romances. However, perhaps the flaws ran a little too deep, because I never warmed up to the hero (who was rather sexist and obsessive, and a lot broken), and the heroine seemed rather incompetent and passive for a judge.
Everyone had a ton of problems, which gave the book a depressing, busy feel. Further, the author places us in the POV of at least six different characters throughout the book, which made me feel distant from the romance. I don't think the romance ever really blossomed. The story often felt rushed, to me, as if it should have been longer.
I felt the hero's epiphany at the end was rather sudden, and therefore unrealistic. A lot of amazing coincidences ran through the book, as well as a few contradictions, which interfered with my enjoyment somewhat.
However, the book certainly held my interest - not so much as a romance, but as an engaging slice of drama that was generally well-written, with interesting characters and ambiguous moral dilemmas.
As a side note, despite the Christmas tree on the cover, this book is not a holiday romance - which was good. It really takes place over half a school year, with only one Christmas chapter, which is a bit more realistic for the kinds of problems the main characters face.
It sustained my interest throughout, and I found it entertaining.
I liked the fact that the characters were deeply flawed and conflicted people, and the situation was different from most romances. However, perhaps the flaws ran a little too deep, because I never warmed up to the hero (who was rather sexist and obsessive, and a lot broken), and the heroine seemed rather incompetent and passive for a judge.
Everyone had a ton of problems, which gave the book a depressing, busy feel. Further, the author places us in the POV of at least six different characters throughout the book, which made me feel distant from the romance. I don't think the romance ever really blossomed. The story often felt rushed, to me, as if it should have been longer.
I felt the hero's epiphany at the end was rather sudden, and therefore unrealistic. A lot of amazing coincidences ran through the book, as well as a few contradictions, which interfered with my enjoyment somewhat.
However, the book certainly held my interest - not so much as a romance, but as an engaging slice of drama that was generally well-written, with interesting characters and ambiguous moral dilemmas.
As a side note, despite the Christmas tree on the cover, this book is not a holiday romance - which was good. It really takes place over half a school year, with only one Christmas chapter, which is a bit more realistic for the kinds of problems the main characters face.
It sustained my interest throughout, and I found it entertaining.
August 16, 2016
I did like this book but it was more about the problems than about the romance. I felt the quick ending was tossed in because if the author wrote any more it would be women's fiction not a Harlequin romance. The real struggles both the hero and heroine faced felt true to life and gave life to the story where I found myself hoping the children were able to move past their own problems. I don't think I'd have been able to get past the hero's lies or his super ego as fast as the heroine does. All in all a good read and a bit different that most romance stories.
March 12, 2013
It was very good & heart warming.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews