Tara Taylor Quinn | A Ninth and a First

The first, first. Last week delivered to my door, in five boxes, were my copies of my first, first printing hardcover. It's not wholly mine. It's an anthology of work by five authors. But my name is on the cover. My story is inside. I've had two other books in hardcover. One was a foreign edition. The other was a subsidiary sale to Thorndike Press who prints mostly for libraries. Both were cool.

This is cooler.

The book, More Than Words Volume 5 is due out in April. Heather Graham, a woman I've known and admired for years, is the headliner. I'm honored to be in the volume with her.

Even more meaningful than being out in Hardcover, or being published with Heather, is having been a part of the work itself. More Than Words is a project that Harlequin started several years ago. Throughout the year, the company solicits applications from private women's charities. Five are chosen. Each of the five authors, who are hand chosen by the publisher, are given one of the charities. I was given Sandra Ramos, founder of Strengthen our Sisters. Sandra founded the very first battered women's shelter in the United States. She's an amazing amazing woman. I spent a couple of days reading about Sandra, speaking with her, getting to know her. And then I wrote a fictional story inspired by all that I had learned. Each of the other four authors in the anthology did the same with their charity founders.

All proceeds for the book go to the five charities.

My story is called The Mechanics of Love. It's the story of a young woman who grew up far too quickly in her father's car repair garage. A woman who didn't shed a tear when her father died. She's a mechanic now, partner in a national chain of car repair shops. She financially supports her mother and younger siblings. She can handle anything. Except a relationship. Sandra Ramos read this story. Approved it. Even had praise for it!

My prayer is that the story, the book, will make a difference in the lives of the women who need our charities. I hope that my work will be able to help Sandra's women. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon.com and Barne's & Noble.com. It will be for sale next month whereever Harlequin books are sold.

And now for the ninth - which was also a FIRST! I have another book out - available now. It's called Sophie's Secret. I've had the cover of this book as my background on my computer for over a month. This book is special for several reasons. Several years ago I created a town in Arizona called Shelter Valley. I loved that town. It was everything I wanted a town to be. Originally the project was going to consist of three books. I wrote the three. They had special cover treatment. Special stories. I loved the people. Loved living my days in Shelter Valley even if I had to leave the place when I left my office every day. Everyone who came into contact with me inevitably heard about Shelter Valley. After the success of those first three books my publisher asked me to write another. And another. We ended up with eight Shelter Valley Stories. And this past year, my editor once again asked for a Shelter Valley story. It'd been three years since I visited and I was very very glad to go back. The result of that trip back was Sophie's Choice. (Ha! Ha! I have to leave that there, but my assistant just pointed out that that isn't the name of the book. It's Sophie's Secret! My title was Sophie's Choice. 'They' changed it. I guess this proves it will always be Sophie's Choice to me! But if you want to read it, look for Sophie's Secret on the cover.) The ninth Shelter Valley story. I hope everyone who enjoyed this town a few years ago find Sophie. And I hope that she'll bring new visitors to Shelter Valley as well. Each of the books stand on their own. They don't have to be read in any certain order. They're just all set in the greatest town on earth.

Sophie's special for another reason. A few years ago, when she was a student of one of Shelter Valley's heros, she had an eating disorder. The teacher and his wife helped her overcome her illness. In Sophie's Secret we see her all grown up. With challenges that emulate her past issues. I can relate to Sophie. When I'm struggling, I have a hard time eating, too.

And Sophie's Secret, and Shelter Valley, have taken on all new importance. An all new first for TTQ. Sophie debuted two weeks ago. And her first day on Amazon.com happened like this:

#1 in

Books > Romance > Series > Harlequin Superromance.

It's not NYT. But it's the highest accolade a Harlequin series book is going to get on it's first day out! This ranking does not just include current releases, but all Supers for sale at Amazon. Debbie Macomber, and many other bestsellers are there for sale, and in that moment, beneath Sophie.

Go Sophie! You rock, girl!!!

So today I give you reading choices. I love to read. Have just been reminded how much as I am in the middle of judging eight novels for the RITA award. And I love writing. I love what we do here, readers and writers. We might have a quiet love in our love of books, but when you stop and look at how many people we reach, how many lives we intertwine and bring together as we share stories, I'd say we make a heck of a lot of noise where noise counts. We help each other live happier more successful lives. If you can, please pick up a copy of More Than Words Volume 5. You'll get five great stories, inspired by real life women - and you'll be a part of a great movement where every dime goes to helping women in need.