Shelter Valley Stories

Series · 12

books · 2000-2013

By Tara Taylor Quinn

Books in series

Becca's Baby

2000

Meet Will and Becca Parsons, who've lived in Shelter Valley, Arizona, all their lives. Shelter Valley means everything to them. Home. Family. Security. Love. Everything that matters is right there in that town. Will and Becca have been married for 20 years. It's a good marriage—a contented marriage—marred by only one disappointment: their inability to have children. But their dream of a baby has gradually been replaced by other interests, other goals. In any case, Will and Becca are in their 40s now. It's too late for babies. Except it's not. Because Becca's pregnant. And that reality throws their carefully ordered lives into complete disarray. A baby—after all these years.

White Picket Fences

2000

White Picket Fences by Tara Taylor Quinn released on Nov 24, 2000 is available now for purchase.

Sheltered in His Arms

2001

Ten years after leaving Shelter Valley, Sam Montford, a direct descendant of the town's original founder, returns, accompanied by a troubled young girl, and is reunited with his ex-wife, Cassie Tate. Original.

Just Around The Corner

2001

Phyllis Langford is everybody's friend and nobody's lover. Until she succumbs to the unexpected temptation of Matt Sheffield—and soon after, discovers she's pregnant. Matt's a loner, a man who hides from the possibility of love and family. Just as well, in Phyllis' opinion, since she doesn't want or need anything from him. Not one single thing. But Matt can't quite leave it at that.... Matt and Phyllis arrive at an agreement—he'll help her out. That's all. He'll drive her to the doctor, take care of her household chores. But this agreement gradually leads them to a bigger involvement in each other's lives, and by New Year's Eve, they're ready for the biggest involvement of all: marriage. Which is a good thing, because as it turns out there are two babies waiting just around the corner. Happy New Year, Phyllis, Matt and twins-to-be!

The Sheriff Of Shelter Valley

2002

Who is Beth Allen? And who—or what—is she running from? Beth only wishes she knew. Six months ago, she woke up in a shabby Arizona hotel room with no memory of her past. What she did have was a bruised face, $2,000 in cash—and a little boy who called her "Mama." What's her real name? Is she a victim or a criminal? The child's savior or his kidnapper? Until her memory returns and she can answer those questions, Beth knows she has to hide. She's chosen Shelter Valley as her sanctuary. The town welcomed her, as it welcomes all others, and Beth has begun to fashion a new life for herself and her child. But when she falls in love with Greg Richards, her sense of sanctuary is threatened. Because Greg's the sheriff of Shelter Valley—the one man who could uncover the truth about her past, a truth that might destroy the woman she's become.

Born In The Valley

2003

Born In The Valley by Tara Taylor Quinn released on May 23, 2003 is available now for purchase.

Nothing Sacred

2004

There's something happening in Shelter Valley… Shelter Valley, Arizona, is the kind of place where everyone wants to live. Martha Moore, divorced mother of four, has spent her whole life here and can't imagine being anywhere else. But something frightening has happened, and it affects Martha and her children. It also touches David Cole Marks, the new minister in town. Martha's a woman without faith, still bitter about a husband's betrayal. And David's a minister with secrets, a past that haunts him. But they have to put these burdens aside to work together, to make a difference to Shelter Valley. And each other?

Somebody's Baby

2005

Discovering she has a twin in Arizona, Caroline Prater leaves her hometown, her family and her farm and drives west She’ll try to connect with her sister Phyllis, and she’ll seek out John Strickland, the father of her baby—if only to let him know. John, like Caroline, is widowed. Arriving in Shelter Valley it’s not long before Caroline becomes part of the town’s life. And while she’s waiting for the right moment to approach Phyllis, her relationship with John is growing deeper—but that’s just for the baby’s sake. Or is it?

#10

Sophie's Secret

2009

Sophie Curtis lives a big secret. She's been having an affair with Duane Koch. Their days—and nights—together are their own oasis away from the world. It's unconventional but, given the difference in their ages and her troubled past, it works for them.Then Duane is asked to step into the political ring—an opportunity he's been waiting for. Too bad about the timing, though. Because Sophie's just found out she's pregnant, and an instant family—with her—could ruin his chances. The right thing would be for her to bow out of his life. But when he surprises her with a proposal, will she have the strength to walk away from the man she loves?

#11

Full Contact

2011

From good to great...to forever Ellen Moore has a good life. But she wants a great one. One that's full, not just safe. That means stepping outside her comfort zone to take a risk. And it doesn't get much riskier than Jay Billingsley. He has all the trappings of a rebel—the leather, the motorcycle, the restlessness. Every instinct tells her to run in the opposite direction—fast. Yet when she's with him, she feels something very different. Emotions this intense have to be right. She senses he could hold the key to helping her put that last piece of her great life into place. But first, she has to change his mind about leaving Shelter Valley.

#12

It's Never Too Late

2013

In the shelter of this town…Mark Heber accepts a mysterious scholarship to a prominent college in Shelter Valley, Arizona. Being a mature student is a big change from his hardscrabble life in the mountains of West Virginia, one that could transform his whole future. For attorney Adrianna Keller, Shelter Valley is the scene of a childhood tragedy and she returns for one reason only—her loyalty to college president Will Parsons. Somebody's blackmailing him. Adrianna agrees to investigate discreetly, posing as a student named Adele Kennedy. "Adele" and newcomer Mark become neighbors and develop a friendship that quickly becomes something more. In fact, Adrianna begins to envision a life with him. But maybe it's too late. Because her secret—and the shocking discovery she makes—could destroy Mark's future. And her own….

#13

Second Time's the Charm

2013

Can you ever escape your past? Jon Swartz is an adult recipient—the second one—of a scholarship awarded by an anonymous donor. A single father, he comes to Shelter Valley, Arizona, to begin his life anew. He's a man with a secret past, a past he has to hide to protect both himself and his two-year-old son, Abe. Lillie Henderson, a child life specialist, has her own history of loss and betrayal. She and Jon are brought together by Abe—and by an attraction they can't deny. They have to decide not to let the emotions…and mistakes…of the past sabotage their hopes for the future. Abe's happiness depends on it. And so does theirs!

Author

Tara Taylor Quinn

Author · 86 books

Tara 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..