It takes courage to choose love...
Internet security expert Michael Valentine knows his place in Kacey Hamilton’s life. The soap opera star lives in two worlds: glamorous Hollywood and small town Santa Raquel, where she volunteers with him at The Lemonade Stand women’s shelter. The key to their friendship is maintaining boundaries. And after an accident years ago left him badly scarred, he won’t expect anything more. But when threats against Kacey escalate, Michael will stop at nothing to protect her. Even if his investigation means confronting more than just her attacker as Kacey’s interest in him starts to go deeper than friendship...
A friend. He was a friend.
“I’ve got your back completely on the photo thing, Kace,” he ended up saying. “I’ll be watching every day.” Multiple times a day. He’d set up email notifications for additions to the thread on the site where the photos had been posted, but was cruising the broader internet, as well.
“I know that. And I’m here, anytime. Even when I’m at home. If you need me, you call. If I’m on set, I’ll return your call as soon as I’m alone.”
Two things she’d said hit him at once. Home. And alone. Santa Raquel was not home to her. Beverly Hills was. And when she was there, she was rarely alone.
His friendship with her might appear to be close, to be growing closer, more intimate, but in reality, he wasn’t a part of her life.
He was only her vacation.
I’m so glad you’re joining us at The Lemonade Stand. It’s a place where secrets really are safe. Life is filled with choices. It’s odd, though, that the time in our lives when we have to make the choices that will shape our entire lives is when we’re too young to know what we need to know to make the best choices...
Growing up in front of a camera, Kacey Hamilton was certain she wanted to spend her life in front of it. She loves the bright lights and being “on.” She’s good at it. And yet...she finds herself thirty years old and alone. Kacey always has an entourage...a list of suitors. She never has to worry about getting a date or a party invitation. But all the glitz and glamour can’t cover up the emptiness. She’s doing the only thing she ever wanted to do. She’s happy doing it. And yet it’s not enough.
If you’ve never read a ttq novel before, you’re just on the cusp of getting your first introduction. I love glitz and glamour, but it’s not enough for me. My stories look behind the larger-than-life. They go deep into the messy part of living. The feelings that we all experience but so often shy away from. The emotions that are confusing. Sometimes threatening. And yet...if we can find a safe place to explore them, we can oftentimes find that elusive happiness we’ve been seeking.
The Lemonade Stand is Kacey’s safe place. I hope my books can be one of yours.
I love to hear from my readers. Please find me at Facebook.com/tarataylorquinn and on Twitter, @tarataylorquinn. Or join my open Friendship board on Pinterest, Pinterest.com/tarataylorquinn/friendship!
All the best,
Tara
Her Secret Life
Tara Taylor Quinn
Having written over eighty novels, TARA TAYLOR QUINN is a USA TODAY bestselling author with more than seven million copies sold. She is known for delivering intense, emotional fiction. Tara is a past president of Romance Writers of America. She has won a Readers’ Choice Award and is a five-time finalist for an RWA RITA® Award, a finalist for a Reviewers’ Choice Award and a Booksellers’ Best Award. She has also appeared on TV across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning. She supports 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.
MILLS & BOON
Before you start reading, why not sign up?
Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!
Or simply visit
Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.
For Rachel,
Your life introduced me to bright lights. And to the strength of love that rests quietly beneath. Memories really do help seeing “us” through. I love you forever.
Contents