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The Ivory Nation #2
Behind Closed Doors
Closing the door doesn't always keep you safe--
Laura Elizabeth Clark saw herself as a peacemaker. Until the day she went against her parents' wishes and married Harry Kendall, a brilliant history professor who happens to be black. But happily-ever-after goes horribly wrong one night when an intruder forces his way into their bedroom and commits an unthinkable crime. The police say it was a random act of violence, but Harry will never forget those words whispered in the darkness: 'White should stay with white.' Seeking justice means confronting a group of white supremacists--the Ivory Nation--with its hush-hush ties to political power. Suddenly, opening the door on truth could threaten not just Harry and Laura's love, but their lives--.
Laura Elizabeth Clark saw herself as a peacemaker. Until the day she went against her parents' wishes and married Harry Kendall, a brilliant history professor who happens to be black. But happily-ever-after goes horribly wrong one night when an intruder forces his way into their bedroom and commits an unthinkable crime. The police say it was a random act of violence, but Harry will never forget those words whispered in the darkness: 'White should stay with white.' Seeking justice means confronting a group of white supremacists--the Ivory Nation--with its hush-hush ties to political power. Suddenly, opening the door on truth could threaten not just Harry and Laura's love, but their lives--.
375 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
8 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Tara Taylor Quinn
379 books1,458 followersTara 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..
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..
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 19, 2019
Behind Closed Doors is the second book in the Ivory Nation series by American author, Tara Taylor Quinn. When two hooded men break into Harry and Laura Kendall’s bedroom, overpower Harry and clinically rape Laura, life for the mixed-race couple changes dramatically. Laura is determined not to allow fear to rule her life, but what he heard during the attack convinces Harry that the crime is racially motivated, and will not rest until the men are brought to justice.
Detective Daniel Boyd has good reason to be a dedicated sex crimes unit member, even if is has cost him his marriage. But no matter how hard he works, it isn’t enough for Harry Kendall, who takes matters into his own hands. In the wings are family, friends, students and colleagues, some of whom turn out to be untrustworthy. And a young woman endures semi-captivity as part of a plan to regain her baby son.
Taylor Quinn gives the reader a fairly believable plot that features white supremacist groups, their fund-raising methods and their criminal activities. Many of the characters need Losec, if their reaction to stress is any indication. The pace is slow, the dialogue often rather repetitive, and it is more suspense than romance, but it does have a gripping climax. Perhaps the pace will pick up in book #3, At Close Range, but this series does seem to be written to a formula, three books of exactly the same length, so perhaps not.
Detective Daniel Boyd has good reason to be a dedicated sex crimes unit member, even if is has cost him his marriage. But no matter how hard he works, it isn’t enough for Harry Kendall, who takes matters into his own hands. In the wings are family, friends, students and colleagues, some of whom turn out to be untrustworthy. And a young woman endures semi-captivity as part of a plan to regain her baby son.
Taylor Quinn gives the reader a fairly believable plot that features white supremacist groups, their fund-raising methods and their criminal activities. Many of the characters need Losec, if their reaction to stress is any indication. The pace is slow, the dialogue often rather repetitive, and it is more suspense than romance, but it does have a gripping climax. Perhaps the pace will pick up in book #3, At Close Range, but this series does seem to be written to a formula, three books of exactly the same length, so perhaps not.
December 13, 2009
Laura and Harry Kendall are a happily married interracial couple. Until one night of terror shatters their happiness. Twp men invade their home and make it clear that the incident is racially motivated. An act that helps to fuel the argument from her conservative parents on the subject of marrying a black man. Laura is in denial that this was not a random incident. Harry sees the reality in front of him and vows to bring the two men to justice no matter what the cost. Even if that cost is his own life. Harry's obsession and the emotional backlash of such an incident keeps pulling Laura and Harry farther apart. Harry sends Laura to her parents to keep her safe. They may have never approved of him but they all can agree on Laura's safety. Detective Daniel Boyd, a man faced with his own demons, is determined to close the case. Together Harry and Daniel fit together the puzzle pieces. Pieces that bring them closer to the Ivory Nation, a white supremacist group. One that Laura's parents may actually be linked to.
Remarkably written. Exquisitely captures the stark reality of power and fear driven hate that is still very much alive. Brings to light the deep emotion of an individual who is going through such events. Fast paced page turner that will keep you on edge trying to put the whole puzzle together. You will not want to put this book down.
Remarkably written. Exquisitely captures the stark reality of power and fear driven hate that is still very much alive. Brings to light the deep emotion of an individual who is going through such events. Fast paced page turner that will keep you on edge trying to put the whole puzzle together. You will not want to put this book down.
January 2, 2010
A successful interracial couple are attacked in their own home. The wife and police feel it was a crime of opportunity. The husband, Harry believes it was a hate crime. As they try to put their life together, Harry begins investigating Neo-nazi groups in the area. Soon his investigations hit very close to home. I enjoyed this suspense novel. I devoured it in two sittings. I am going to look for more novels by this author.
October 12, 2020
Behind Closed Doors by Tara Taylor Quinn is a love/crime/mystery about a mixed-race couple whose love will with stand all odds. I give this book a 4 star.
Some highlights I made throughout the book:
Chapter 13 Page 182 “You have the right to your opinion,” “You're certainly going to draw your own conclusions and can disagree with about every aspect of the situation except---one. Only I can say what I'm thinking and feeling. Only I know that.” “And on this matter, here is what I think. Your body hurts. Your spirit hurts. And in the end, I love you. I signed on for life, not just who you were the moment I married you.” “Look how much we've both changed in the years since we got married. I'm a lot more compassionate and aware of others and their feelings. We've both gained at least five pounds.” “Yes, seeing you hurt is painful. “
Chapter 16 page 221 oblivious to all the people coming and going, nothing had ever felt better than Laura's arms around him, her body against his.
Chapter 17 page 235 “Honey, whatever you need to do, we'll do. I'm here if you need to talk, we'll talk. If you aren't sure what to do, we'll find an answer together. The main thing is that you understand you aren't alone in this. From beginning to end, I'm with you.
Page 236 “Don't you ever, ever think you've done anything wrong here. You loved me. That's it. The sum total of your crimes. Even if everything in life goes downhill from here, I will still die a happy man, knowing I had that.”
Some highlights I made throughout the book:
Chapter 13 Page 182 “You have the right to your opinion,” “You're certainly going to draw your own conclusions and can disagree with about every aspect of the situation except---one. Only I can say what I'm thinking and feeling. Only I know that.” “And on this matter, here is what I think. Your body hurts. Your spirit hurts. And in the end, I love you. I signed on for life, not just who you were the moment I married you.” “Look how much we've both changed in the years since we got married. I'm a lot more compassionate and aware of others and their feelings. We've both gained at least five pounds.” “Yes, seeing you hurt is painful. “
Chapter 16 page 221 oblivious to all the people coming and going, nothing had ever felt better than Laura's arms around him, her body against his.
Chapter 17 page 235 “Honey, whatever you need to do, we'll do. I'm here if you need to talk, we'll talk. If you aren't sure what to do, we'll find an answer together. The main thing is that you understand you aren't alone in this. From beginning to end, I'm with you.
Page 236 “Don't you ever, ever think you've done anything wrong here. You loved me. That's it. The sum total of your crimes. Even if everything in life goes downhill from here, I will still die a happy man, knowing I had that.”
March 18, 2017
loved it
November 16, 2017
First off was this a mystery or a religious book of white supremacy? I do found at times it strayed from a main story line
Read
October 26, 2008This story is about hate crimes. A mixed race-couple is being targeted by a neo-nazi type group and this is their story of love and survival.
The wife is raped and the husband is forced to watch. The book is about their reactions and actions after that horrific night. As horrible as the story is, it is also a love story and I am a sucker for a love story.
The wife is raped and the husband is forced to watch. The book is about their reactions and actions after that horrific night. As horrible as the story is, it is also a love story and I am a sucker for a love story.
October 6, 2009
This book is written by a local writer. She does a great job of telling the story. So good in fact that I had to put it down several times because I was so disturbed by what was happening to the main characters.
December 31, 2013
Interesting plot , liked the style of writing too. Got a good feel for the characters but it might have been a more effective story if the true ugliness of the white supremacists was more evident. Those characters should have been played out a bit more.
June 22, 2008
rather confusing. predictable
March 12, 2009
Interesting, but disturbing story about a mixed-race couple who become victims of a violent hate crime.
July 21, 2009
Very good.
May 20, 2012
This book is really good, but also extremely disturbing.
September 30, 2013
I was disappointed with this one. It had potential to be a really powerful story about a hate crime but the characters felt so wooden to me.
June 1, 2015
Good story line.
April 19, 2016
Although it was a horrid crime the unfolding kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down!
Read
January 22, 2017I didn't get past the first few chapters. Just too grim for me.
August 25, 2016
This book is the worst book I have ever read don,t let anyone read this book
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews