Tara Taylor Quinn
Tara Taylor Quinn's love affair with Harlequin began 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.
Though she wrote her first story at the age of seven, Ms. Quinn's professional writing career didn't begin until ten years later when she was hired as a stringer with the Dayton Daily News in Dayton, Ohio. Ms. Quinn was certified to teach high school English and published several magazine articles before turning to writing as a full-time occupation. She sits at her keyboard ten hours at a stretch these days -- typing romances.
Harlequin Books published Ms. Quinn's first book, Yesterday's Secrets in October, 1993. It received two Reviewers choice nominations, and was a finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Long Contemporary. Her succeeding novels have continued to garner recognition and awards. April of 2001 marked the release of Ms. Quinn's first single title novel, Sheltered in His Arms, and May 2001 saw her debut on the USA Best Seller List. Most recently her works have been featured on the Waldenbooks bestsellers list and achieved finalist status in the National Readers' Choice Award, Holt Medallion, Bookseller's Best Award, as well as the RITA.
With more than 40 original sales over twelve years, Ms. Quinn's books are found worldwide, with many foreign translations and more than four million copies sold. In addition to her novels, the prolific author has written two novellas; two in a continuity series and the launch book for another; and an Internet story. She has had one of her books released in Rocketbook format. October of 2000 marked the debut of the Shelter Valley Stories, a Tara Taylor Quinn series set in the fictional town of Shelter Valley, Arizona. The series has grown to nine books.
Ms. Quinn began writing for MIRA books in 2003 and these emotionally gripping, character driven stories are keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Her most recent MIRA novel, Hidden, was released in July 2005 and the next, In Plain Sight, is due for release in October, 2006.
Tara, RWA Past President, served for eight years on the Board of Directors for Romance Writers of America.
When she's not writing or fulfilling speaking engagements, Ms. Quinn enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
