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#Review of For Joy’s Sake (Where Secrets are Safe #12) by Tara Taylor Quinn w/a rafflecopter giveaway! @PrismBookTours @HarlequinBooks #HarlequinMyRewards


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For Joy’s Sake
(Where Secrets Are Safe #12)

by Tara Taylor Quinn
Adult Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
August 1st 2017 by Harlequin Superromance

There’s something about Julie

Hunter Rafferty is committed to two things: his bachelor lifestyle and his career as an event planner. But working with Julie Fairbanks on a fund-raising gala is quickly becoming the best part of his day. He can’t stop thinking about the mysterious beauty—despite her refusals to have dinner with him.

Everything changes when seven-year-old Joy comes to The Lemonade Stand, a shelter for victims of abuse. To help Joy overcome her trauma and the mystery surrounding it, Hunter and Julie push beyond their boundaries, confronting their own past pain…and feelings for each other.

EXCERPT:

CHAPTER TWO, Part 3

“I hope you consider all of us here your friends,” Lila said, finally picking up her cup of tea and sipping. “But I’m not just talking about friends. Look at Sara and Lynn—” full-time counselor and resident nurse at the Stand “—they’re both committed to this place and have personal lives, too. They have spouses and children.”

“You don’t.” Even as she let the words loose, Julie knew they came from her defensiveness. Not the right reason at all.

“I’m fifty-three years old,” Lila said, appearing completely unflappable. “Past my childbearing years.”

“I’m not opposed to having a future,” Julie said slowly, trying her best not to be defensive. Lila wasn’t completely wrong to have concerns. Julie’d had similar conversations with Dr. Larson.

“But you haven’t been on a single date since high school.”

“That’s right.” Not that she hadn’t been asked—and fairly often, too. Until just over a year ago, she hadn’t set foot out of her house for any kind of social function. And not for a business one, either, if it was at night. Except on rare occasions when she’d gone somewhere with Colin—having vetted the guest list to know who would not be present.

“From what I understand, you haven’t been out with girlfriends, either. Other than for lunch.”

“No. But only because, as you said, they all have lives, families…” Which had come about during the years Julie had been holed up in her suite in the Fairbanks mansion.

Lila nodded. “So what do you say to a girls’ night out? You and Sara and Lynn and I? We can go wherever you’d like, do whatever you want, the only caveat being that we don’t discuss The Lemonade Stand, our residents or our work for the entire evening.”

What? Lila was asking her to do something socially? Not trying to gently tell her she was nuttier than she’d realized? She hadn’t seen that coming.

“I’ve already spoken to them. They’re both in.”

Julie was confused again. Lila wasn’t reprimanding her? “But…why?”

“You’re a strong, talented, giving woman, Julie. We all like you and enjoy your sense of humor. We thought it would be fun.”

A mental flash of her studio called to her. She needed her easel. Needed a pencil and paper—time to create the simple stories that always helped her see more clearly.

“Why?” she asked again. Was Colin behind this? He’d promised her he’d back off, that he’d let her take charge of her own healing.

“Because we want to show you that you aren’t alone.”

I’ve just been waiting for this book since book #7 featuring Julie’s brother, Colin.  Yes, I’m a patient person but lordy, I read 4 more books in the series before hers.  I’m glad that I waited.  It was also nice to see Chantel and Colin again and getting caught up with them.  🙂  I also knew that this book was going to be dealing more with Julie’s issues than anything else.  I still wish that her tormentor got more than what he got.  He’s vile, evil, and for the whole town to cover it up?  Trust me, it will make you mad in ways you never thought.  Just think “white privilege” and I’ll leave it just like that.

Anyway, I really liked Julie but man, I figured that she wouldn’t be a scared as she was in the beginning.  I loved how Hunter was persistent but not a clinger.  He respected her wishes and was honest with her.  Julie never had to worry about where she was in Hunter’s life and what she meant to him.  I also liked that little seed of doubt near the end of the book.  Everyone has doubts but to see it through the eyes of children’s book was priceless.  Speaking of which, the thread with Joy, Edward, Mary and her parents…I wish I had more closure with that but I’m sure that more will be explained in the next book.  Joy and Edward’s story isn’t finished.

One of the best scenes in the book was the pool scene at Julie’s house with Hunter.  I had to chuckle a bit when Colin and Chantel showed up and spoiled it.  Trust me, it was touching but also funny.  Poor Hunter didn’t know what hit him.  Hunter is a dream.  He’s honest with Julie and he totally didn’t deserve what happened to him towards the end of the book.  Grrr…

Julie’s love story was a long time coming but for me, it ended as an HFN.  True, the 3 little words were spoken and I feel the connection between them but I would have liked a bit more intimacy between them.  I know, I know…she has issues but after the pool scene at Hunter’s house, I felt like the book ended too soon.  I needed more, much more.

Overall, Julie’s story is good.  And I’m glad that Hunter is her man.  But I just felt the ending was a bit rushed and seemed incomplete.  Otherwise, another awesome installment revolving around The Lemonade Stand.

 

Other Books in the Where Secrets Are Safe Series
(Books released as of July 2017. Each can be read as a standalone.)

About the Author

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.

WebsiteGoodreadsAmazonFacebookTwitterPinterestInstagramWattpad

Domestic Violence Shelter Drive

As Tara supports speaking out against domestic violence and supporting those who have been abused, both through her books and in her community, she would love for you to join her in donating items to a shelter in your area. Find out more here.

Tour Schedule

August 5th: Launch
August 6th:
Angels with Attitude Book Reviews
Nicole’s Book Musings
August 7th:
Beck Valley Books
Thoughts of a Blonde
August 8th:
Brooke Blogs
deal sharing aunt
EskieMama & Dragon Lady Reads
August 9th:
Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader
Becky on Books
August 10th:
underneath the covers
Book Lover in Florida
Harlie’s Books
August 11th:
Colorimetry
Harlequin Junkie
August 12th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaways

1ST RAFFLECOPTER:
1 winner will receive ebooks of Where Secrets are Safe series books 1 – 13 (open internationally)
1 winner (per the four tour segments) will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)

2ND RAFFLECOPTER:
1 winner will receive 25,000 Harelquin My Rewards Points, equivalent to 5 books (US and CAN only)
1 winner will receive 5,000 Harelquin My Rewards Points, equivalent to 1 book (US and CAN only)

Both Rafflecopter giveaways end November 30th, 2017

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6 thoughts on “#Review of For Joy’s Sake (Where Secrets are Safe #12) by Tara Taylor Quinn w/a rafflecopter giveaway! @PrismBookTours @HarlequinBooks #HarlequinMyRewards

  1. OMG!!!
    So many books! And they all seem great 🙂
    Contratulations, Tara!!!

    Harlie, what’s your favorite book?
    Thanks for the review ;*

    1. Probably Colin and Caitlin’s book. Love by Association. 🙂

      The whole series revolving around The Lemonade Stand is great.

      Harlie

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