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…
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!
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.
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….
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.
Praise for Tara Taylor Quinn
—Hallie Ephron, reviewer, Boston Globe
Excerpt from The Holiday Visitor
December 17, 1998
Dear Candy,
It’s going to be a hard Christmas for both of us. Would that I could send a hug through a letter, my sweet friend, for you would surely have one now and anytime you opened an envelope from me.
Hard to believe that our parents both passed in the same year. And so young. I guess it’s true that someone can die of a broken heart. I watched mom slowly dwindle over the years, losing whatever zest she’d once had for life. It seemed as though she had the energy to see me raised, but once I left for college, it was as though she had no reason left to live.
Much like you say it was for your father.
In answer to your question, no, I won’t be alone for Christmas. I was very glad to hear that you wouldn’t be as well. I picture you surrounded by people you care about.
I agree with what you said about heart – that it is the only true source that we can trust to guide us through life.
At the same time, the whole heart thing has me perplexed. If it’s damaged by life’s trials and tribulations, how much can we trust it? How much does it control us and how much can we control it?
Will I ever be able to open up and fully feel my heart, fully give it, or did the ‘incident’ irrevocably change my ability to experience love on the deepest levels? Will I always be as I am now, moving through life without ever being fully engaged? Is there something I’m doing that keeps me trapped? Am I sabotaging myself? Or is this just the inevitable result to what happened and a way of life for me that I can do nothing about – much like if I’d been in a skiing accident and lost a leg.
Tough questions. I look forward to your thoughts on this one.
In the meantime, know that I will be thinking about you through the season.
Yours,
James
And now for a TTQ recipe…
Golden Tassies
This is my mother’s signature Christmas cookie recipe. She’s made these every year of my whole life, and at 78 continues to do so!
3 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups light corn syrup
2 T butter, melted
1 t. vanilla
dash salt
1 cup chopped pecans (more or less to your liking)
2 3oz. packages cream cheese, softened
2 cups flour
2 sticks butter, softened
Miniature muffin/cupcake tins (miniature cupcake size, not miniature tins!)
Mix eggs, corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla and dash of salt, set aside.
Mix cream cheese and stick butter. Stir in flour. Roll into small balls about a quarter size diameter drop into miniature cupcake tin. Press open and around tin opening to make a miniature pie crust.
Sprinkle chopped pecans in bottom of each crust. Fill with corn syrup mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Let cool before eating!
— Tara
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.
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Tara Taylor Quinn
Brooke,
Thanks for hosting me! So weird…during the holidays I wear holiday clothes every day and coordinate everything, socks, sweater, shirt, earrings – and today, it’s snowflakes!! Love the snowflakes on your site!!
Karen M.
I enjoyed the excerpt and recipe. My favorite “sweet” thing about the holidays is watching my kitties play with the wrapping paper and bows on Christmas.