Title: Heartsong Author: Lynn Ames ISBN 10: 1-933133-74-X - ISBN-13: 978-1933113-74-6 Publisher: Intaglio Publications Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz Price: $16.95 Pages: 288 Genre: Romance/Lesbian

Heartsong starts off with a bang, literally, since the story begins with the heroic efforts of the beautiful Danica Warren, former senator turned motivational speaker, to extricate herself from her own tomb, created by an avalanche, so that she could go on to rescue other mountaineers in her party. The heart-pounding account of the avalanche and Danica’s efforts to free herself are superbly descriptive and put the reader right there beside the character in her struggle. However, this horrific event proves to be nothing compared to the earth-shattering experience that Danica is about to have when she meets Chase Crosely.

The two embark on a roller-coaster ride that almost proves to be their undoing as Danica struggles to overcome guilt about finally finding a new love after the death of her long-time partner, and Chase struggles against an illness that may be so serious that she will never be able to realize her dream of spending the rest of her life with her newfound love.

From the opening paragraph, Heartsong grabbed me by the heartstrings and wouldn’t let go. Ames has created a masterful romantic page-turner that the reader may find difficult to put down. Whatever number of stars, diamonds, or triangles any rating system has, this one merits them all.
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Reviewed by Anna Furtado

Title: Heartsong Author: Lynn Ames ISBN 10: 1-933133-74-X - ISBN-13: 978-1933113-74-6 Publisher: Intaglio Publications Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz Price: $16.95 Pages: 288 Genre: Romance/Lesbian

How much should one person have to endure to find love? Why are some people asked to shoulder what seems to be more than their fair share of heartache?

Most people see Danica Warren as a hero. After all, the former crusading Senator and now motivational speaker managed to dig herself and three other people out of an avalanche that should have killed them. Her book about her experience is a best seller and a hit movie has been made from it. However, Danica doesn't agree with them because the only person she couldn’t save that day was her long-time partner. That was three years ago and Dani hasn't gotten over what happened yet.

Chase Crosley is the CEO of a credit union organization and all she needs is to see Dani one time at a convention to know that her life is about to change. Once the women begin spending time together, they realize they have a special relationship, but there are obstacles. Dani has to overcome her feelings of guilt about the accident and accept that she isn't betraying an old love. Just as Dani seems comfortable with what is happening, Chase becomes seriously ill. Can Dani pursue love knowing that she might lose it again? Does Chase have the right to ask her to?

It would have been easy to make Heartsong the story of Danica trying to get over her survivor guilt and deciding that it was "OK" to love again. That story has been told before and is familiar. Ames instead gives the book a real-life twist. Danica does have the guilt, but just as she's convincing herself that she has a right to move on with her life, she faces the possibility of losing the new love.

How many people know someone who seems to move from crisis to crisis, enduring unbelievable heartache, while everyone else goes on living somewhat normal lives? There is that universal question about why some people seem doomed to suffer while others live easier lives. However, what starts out seeming to be the story of Danica turns out to be more the story of Chase. She's not used to opening up to another person and has finally seemed to win that struggle when she confronts a health crisis that could change everything. Heartsong then takes on the task of dealing with a relationship that may be on a short timeline. The resolution is not exactly what a reader might expect, but it's very appropriate.

Lynn Ames seems to be a writer who is willing to stretch to improve her writing. Instead of producing the same book time after time, her plots have gotten progressively more complex. She still writes a pretty standard romance, but there are little twists that are refreshing and show a greater depth of story development. While her stories feel familiar, there are nuances that hold the reader's attention. Heartsong is worth spending an afternoon or evening with.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Heart Trouble Author: Jane Vollbrecht ISBN-10: 1932300589 - ISBN-13: 978-1932300581 Publisher: Regal Crest Enterprises Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz Price: $15.95 Pages: 190 Genre: Fiction/Lesbian

When Jackie Frackman meets Beth Novatny while working as a consultant doing human resources training, she has no idea the Heart Trouble she is in for. She falls head over heels for Beth, in spite of herself, and even when red flags start to appear all over the place, Jackie hopes against hope that things will work out for the pair.

One of those red flags comes in the form of Sharon Chisholm, who proves to be just a bit of a loose cannon helping to form a very discordant triad. Still, Jackie continues to believe that everything will fall into place and that she and Beth will be able to be together, living in perfect harmony, even as she removes another red flag from blocking her vision as it blows in her face. Will Jackie ever figure out what’s really going on?

Her one consolation in all of this is the friendship she’s formed with Beth’s manager, Amanda Arner (“mother Arner,” as Jackie comes to call Amanda with affection). When Amanda reveals that she, also, is gay, Jackie is just a little bit surprised, but Amanda proves to be a loyal friend and does everything she can to support the two women in their fledgling relationship.

Throughout this story there are lots of questions about what’s going on with the main characters. Their relationship, at times, will make the reader squirm with discomfort. The characters just don’t seem to be able to mesh quite right; however, it’s not because the writing is poorly done—just the opposite. Vollbrecht has perfectly portrayed the uneasiness of a relationship that doesn’t seem to be falling into place. She also skillfully portrays a frightening, disgruntled woman-scorned and a patient, kindhearted friend who knows when to hold her tongue rather than burst any bubbles.

The reader may find herself wondering whether or not everyone will ever figure out what they really want out of life. She may ask how the pieces will ever finally fall into place for these characters. In the end, resolution comes in rather unconventional ways and Heart Trouble is worth a good read for a different approach to relationships.
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Reviewed by Anna Furtado

Title: House of Clouds Author: KI Thompson ISBN-10: 1-933110-94-5 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz; and Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com Price: $15.95 Pages: 377 Genre: Historical Romance/Lesbian

House of Clouds is a very impressive first novel from KI Thompson. It has wonderful characters, intrigue, history, and superb writing. Thompson is an artist with language, carefully choosing each word and weaving it into the fabric of her sentences. Her protagonists, Laura and Jordan, show the emotions and frustrations of the time, as well as displaying wit, compassion, and courage.

Laura, the elder daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, is trapped in a culture that dictates her future. She is expected to marry a man of her mother's choosing and to become his property. Jordan, raised with her brother by her widowed father, has been encouraged to think for herself, and to be independent. An accomplished actress, she has performed in Washington, Richmond, and Philadelphia.

Jordan and Laura each have a brother attending West Point. The brothers, Tyler and Ransom, are the best of friends. When Tyler introduces Jordan to Ransom, the Southern gentleman promptly invites her to his parents' home in Richmond. Jordan has two reasons for traveling to Richmond: the first is to perform in a play, the second is to spy for the Union. Hired by Allan Pinkerton, Jordan is to use her ability to mix socially with the elite of Southern society, to listen, learn. and relay the plans of the South.

Laura is fascinated by Jordan's freedom. A steadfast Southerner, she enjoys showing Jordan the beauties of the South, and arguing for states' rights. Jordan, an ardent Unionist, is charmed by Laura, at the same time as she is repulsed by Laura's lifestyle. As the two women spend time together, they come to respect and to care for each other. Their friendship is threatened when Jordan is arrested for spying.

House of Clouds has many exciting twists and turns. Thompson gives the reader a story which takes place from late 1860 to late 1861. The story opens with the election of Abraham Lincoln and ends with the war still being fought. Through this year, battles are fought, lives are lost, and lives are forever changed. It all makes for a long, wonderful read!
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Review by RLynne

Title: Mine Author: Georgia Beers ISBN-10: 1-933110-95-3 - ISBN-13: 978-1-933110-95-0 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, Inc., www.boldstrokesbooks.com Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz; and www.bellabooks.com Price: $15.95 Pages: 224 Genre: Romance

From the eye-catching cover, appropriately named title, to the last word, Georgia Beers’ Mine is captivating, thought-provoking, and satisfying. Like a deep red, smooth-tasting, and expensive merlot, Mine goes down easy even though Beers explores tough topics. There’s no question that losing the love of your life is a difficult journey.

In the book's Acknowledgments, of the many people that Beers thanks, two women stand out. First is her friend Erin, who “gave me free rein to pick her brain as well as her heart so I could try to understand the issues, emotional roadblocks, and internal doubts and questions a young widow must face.” She also thanks Sue “for all the insight, information, and education on bereavement groups, what they do, and how they’re run.” Beers weaves her romance around these issues by creating the character Courtney McAllister, who learns firsthand that widowhood is hard and unfair and that grieving goes through many phases. Initially she is trapped in the past and paralyzed with her dead wife’s memory, but she struggles toward healing. Mine explores Courtney’s hopes and fears in rich detail. It is cathartic to go through the process with her because, even if you have never experienced it, you can empathize with the pain and suffering of those left behind.

Beers balances this rather untraditional subject matter for a romance with the more familiar theme that life does go on. While selling her dream home, Courtney meets the ice queen realtor Rachel Hart, “Million Dollar Producer.” Rachel is a control freak and a savvy businesswoman. In order to sustain her perfectly ordered life, she is meticulous in every way. Keeping up appearances and maintaining her distance let her avoid dealing with raw emotions or hurt feelings about her past. Both women have a lot of baggage, and it is instructive to watch as they empty their suitcases one item at a time.

The novel ends happily, as all romances do, but Beers’ exploration of the grieving process adds a depth that is unusual in this genre. I enjoyed the witty dialogue. In this example, Rachel takes Courtney to an animal shelter and is hardly aware of the double meaning behind her words:

“It must be hard,” Courtney grimaced, “seeing all the strays and animals people have abandoned.”
"It is. It can be horrific. Believe me, there are times when I just want to beat the crap out of some people. But Happy Acres has a no-kill policy, which is very unusual, so if nothing else, I don’t worry that these animals here have time limits” (p. 99).

The strong supporting cast and spot-on characterizations further enhance the story. Courtney’s best friend, Amelia, is smart and sassy and essentially helps her friend to live again. Mark, Theresa’s brother, is Courtney’s rock and vice versa because they share the loss but gain strength from each other. Even Lisa from the bereavement group has a place in this novel where secondary and tertiary characters count but don’t overshadow the main characters. Rachel has Jeff to help her discover what she already knows. Beers throws in a couple of surprises to keep you on your toes and is clever at exploring more than one type of healing.

This is more than simply a feel-good romance; it’s a romance with substance. Georgia Beers won the 2006 Lambda Literary Foundation Award for Lesbian Romance and the 2007 Golden Crown Literary Society Award for Fresh Tracks. In this novel, you will make Mine yours and achieve a better understanding of the issues, emotional turmoil, and inner conflicts that a young widow faces. You will also be enriched because you did.
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Reviewed by Cheri Rosenberg

Title: O, Mistress Mine Author: Sarah Aldridge ISBN: 0-9646648-5-2 Publisher: A&M Books (originally from Naiad) Distributed by A&M Books (www.fayjacobs.com) Price: $12.00 Pages: 307 Genre: Fiction/Lesbian

O, Mistress Mine is the final Sarah Aldridge story, published in 2003. It is an emphatic punctuation mark on a fascinating body of work.

Dr. Joan Etheridge comes to the conservative, close-knit community of Allington College to teach. The chancellor recognizes her talent and hopes to infuse the school with new blood. Joan, for her part, believes that Allington will give her the support she needs to continue her academic growth and success; however, she also believes that her life will remain status quo. She is a lesbian, but she is not very far out of the closet. Nor does she believe in causes, which creates problems when a woman named Analiese comes to town and tries to get her involved in civil rights protests. Joan is not the kind of person to want to stand in the limelight of controversial topics.

Alice Winkler resembles two earlier characters of Aldridge’s. Nina (of Nina in the Wilderness) and Tottie (of the book by the same name). Alice has been through a traumatic experience, as have the other two characters, and is precariously balanced on the edge of newfound independence. To some, Alice seems only minimally competent and carries some sort of guilt for a crime she was not involved in, simply by association with those who did perpetrate it. Yet, the strange, otherworldly character of Alice possesses an ability to overcome what others perceive her to be.

When Alice meets Joan, she identifies her as someone she both needs and wants in her life, and Joan is taken off guard by her feelings for Alice. Yet Alice is determined to get what she wants, including Joan. The story line takes an interesting turn when we find that Alice is involved in an experiment with the clinic where she is employed.

The calm and vaporous Alice creates chaos in Joan’s life, the likes of which Joan could never have imagined. However, in the end, it seems that Alice had the right idea all along in bringing Joan into her plans and dreams and it is the character of Joan Etheridge who changes while Alice remains very much as she was from the beginning.

Aldridge’s characters in this final story seem to bring her work full circle. In addition to the similarities already mentioned regarding the character of Alice, Joan Etheridge resembles the character of Phillipa in The Latecomer, Aldridge’s first novel. However, both Alice and Joan are much more fully developed and emotionally complex than earlier characters. Aldridge’s choice of subjects used as story fodder hints at a woman whose interests continued to stay current and whose horizons continued to expand. Fourteen novels is a great testimony to an icon of lesbian literature and the vast expanse of topics that those novels address is equally as revealing of the amazing woman that was Sarah Aldridge.
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Reviewed by Anna Furtado

Title: Solving for X Author: Sandi Glauser ISBN: 0595394272 Publisher: iUniverse Available at: http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore; Amazon.com; Barnes & Noble Price: $18.95 Pages: 299 Genre: Romance

Casey Grainger is a famous television star who has been the darling of the public since she was a young teenager. She's still the lead in a top-rated show, but the viewing audience has been slipping away and she faces the possibility of cancellation. Casey knows that, as an actress on the verge of forty, she may have trouble finding roles, so the best action to take is to try and save the show.

Alexis "Lexie" Constantine is well known as a writer, a "script doctor," who can punch up story lines and bring excitement to programs that have been beginning to lag. When Lexie is brought in to write scripts for Casey, the women begin a friendship that slowly takes on a deeper meaning that presents difficulties for both of them. Casey hasn't been attracted to another woman before, but she begins to realize that her marriage to her late husband was more about friendship than passion. She has a connection to Lexie that she's never felt before and feels a sense of excitement around her that she's never experienced with a man. A lesbian relationship could ruin her career however and how would she explain it to her sons?

Lexie is also worried about her career, but she's more worried about her own emotions. Though she admitted her lesbianism years before, she doesn't announce it and has never told her family. She's kept a low profile in the lesbian community, though she has had lovers. Her biggest worry, she thinks, is that she's been hurt before and doesn't want to repeat that. To complicate matters, Casey's older son Michael develops an attraction for Lexie. He's sure that, in the proper relationship, she'll realize she never was a lesbian. Casey and Lexie work their ways through complex feelings as the story develops. Casey has to decide what is more important to her, her career or her personal happiness. Lexie has to confront the possibility that the reason she hasn't found someone to share her life with is that she's been ashamed of being a lesbian. Both of them have to decide if the answers they seek are in each other.

Sandi Glauser has written an interesting book. The issue of a lesbian being ashamed of that status isn't one that is normally dealt with in the literature and it gives the story a depth and "real" feeling that is often missing. Many women can relate to those feelings of discovering who they are and not being sure they are comfortable with the discovery for numerous reasons. Lexie's scenes of self realization are some of the most powerful in the book. Likewise, Casey represents another issue, the woman who discovers late in life that she's been misinterpreting her own body's signals.

This is a story that is frequently heard, especially among older women today. It can be very confusing when you finally realize that you've never "fit in" because you don't want what society considers "normal." Glauser doesn't gloss over these issues and easily dismiss them or solve them simply either. She has both women explore their issues in detail, including having them separate from each other for an extended period to do so. That also rings true. Sometimes you have to get away from the truth to see it clearly.

The interesting twist is when Glauser explores the relationship between Michael and Lexie, the feelings that evokes in Casey and particularly the fact that Lexie considers the possibility of it, at least briefly, as an answer to her own inner doubts. A nice part of the story is that Michael does not become the "heavy." He's not typical of the males who show up in many lesbian novels thinking they are the answer to every lesbian's dilemma and can solve their "problem." Michael sincerely cares for Lexie and wonders if she has really understood herself properly. His role in the book plays on her own doubts perfectly.

The reader should have no doubt that this is a novel AND a romance. The book is not preachy, nor revolutionary, but it does explore topics that aren't often addressed in lesbian literature and that makes it worth reading. This is a very promising novel and could indicate the arrival of a new talent in the field. The reader can only hope.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: The Choice Author: Maria V. Ciletti ISBN: 9781560236382 Publisher: Harrington Park Press Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz Price: $16.95 Pages: 209 Genre: Romance

What do you do when you finally figure out that you've been living a lie all of your life? And how do you fix it without hurting the people who have loved you? This is the theme of The Choice, Maria Ciletti's first book.

Mina Thomas has a comfortable life. She enjoys being a nurse at a retirement home and taking care of the residents. She and her husband, Sean, are best friends and have a stable marriage. Mina realizes that there isn't any passion on her part for the relationship, but she loves Sean, he's a good man and they are comfortable together. She doesn't realize she should expect any more until she meets a new nurse at the home.

Regan Martin causes feelings in Mina that she never knew existed. As the women work together, they begin a friendship that has ramifications that neither of them expects. When Sean is sent away by his job to a training session that lasts several weeks, the women have a chance to become closer and then intimate. Mina discovers emotions she's never had with Sean and she realizes what has been missing from her life, but she also experiences greater turmoil than she has ever felt.

How does a person change a pattern of her life that she has always followed and to a way that many in society condemn? How can she face her family with this revelation? What will this mean to her career if it becomes known? Can she depend on Regan who, while participating in the situation, has made it clear that she has no intention of declaring herself a lesbian and living that lifestyle in the open? And the biggest issue of all, how can she do this to Sean? She still loves him and he loves her without realizing there is a problem. How can she destroy what they've spent years developing? What right does she have to disrupt his happiness and hurt someone that she still cares deeply for? Does she continue to live a satisfactory, but passionless life, or does she go after what her emotions tell her she needs? This is the choice that Mina is faced with making. The answer, like real life, is not that simple or obvious.

Ciletti has created an intense tale of a woman going through a situation that many people find themselves in. After living their lives in a conventional way and repressing their inner feelings, they reach the point where they can no longer deny their emotions and their homosexuality. Accepting this reality can be fraught with conflicting decisions though. It's not that easy to stand up in the face of society and live an alternative lifestyle, especially when it means hurting and/or losing people you really care about. Ciletti uses Mina to show how difficult that process can be for everyone involved. The characters are well drawn and the reader will feel the turmoil that Mina goes through as she tries to decide what choice is correct for her. The Choice is an excellent first novel. People who don't understand how wrenching this situation can be for a person need to read this book.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: The Cottage Author: Gerri Hill ISBN: 9781594930966 Publisher: Bella Books Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz; and Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com Cost: $13.95 Pages: 175 Genre: Romance

Most likely, The Cottage will have you weeping by the end of the book. Whether it's from joy or despair will depend on your personal experiences.

Jill and Carrie have a lot in common. Both are married, have teenage children and love the local park. Both of their marriages also have been in trouble for a long time before they meet. Jill likes to spend her lunch hour eating in the park, watching the people and enjoying being totally alone. One day she notices Carrie sketching and finds that she is compelled to go see what she is doing. That begins a relationship that barely lasts a year, yet changes their lives tremendously. The women feel an instant connection, as if they have always known each other, though they have never met. They think alike, they feel alike, they love alike and they soon realize that they love each other. These are mature women however who understand that they have obligations to their families that complicate everything. Despite the fact that both of their husbands basically ignore them and their children are living independent lives, Jill and Carrie hesitate to cause disruptions in everyone's lives. Ultimately, they come to realize that no one can be happy around them if they are personally unhappy and it's clear what needs to be done. But what if the decision is made too late?

This is not a typical Gerri Hill novel, nor for that matter a typical lesbian romance. Anyone who is using fiction as an escape mechanism from the real world won't find that here. What the reader will find is a well-crafted exploration of two women who discover things about themselves. The story is told from Jill's perspective, so you get a good sense of the irrelevancy she feels in her marriage and her confusion when she realizes that Carrie is beginning to mean more to her than a casual friendship. The stress that she feels from dealing with her husband, daughter and mother-in-law can be felt from the pages. Likewise, the emotion and peace that she shares with Carrie is just as strong. Carrie is less well drawn, but the warmth of her personality and her feelings for Jill are very clear.

Jill and Carrie's story asks the reader to believe in the concept of "soul mates," souls that travel together, reappearing and being drawn to each other in multiple lifetimes. Souls that are linked in time may appear to each other in any form or relationship, but they cannot avoid each other. These women, who have had no reason to believe until now that they have any lesbian tendencies, also know that they are meant to be together regardless of what society says is proper. Some people would say the book has a "sad" ending, but, if you believe in the concept, then the resolution of their story is also "hopeful." That is where the reader's experiences will come into play.

The Cottage is a well-told story with a very personal feel to it. It can easily be read in one sitting, but the emotions it brings up will probably linger with the reader for a long time. Hill has proven in previous novels that she can write by the formulas so popular in lesbian fiction. This book proves that she can also move outside of the formula to tell a different kind of tale.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: The Heart's Strength Author: Anna Furtado ISBN: 9781932300932 Publisher: Yellow Rose Books - Regal Crest Enterprises Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz Cost: $16.95 Pages: 213 Genre: Historical Fiction

The Heart's Strength is the sequel to Anna Furtado's earlier book, The Heart's Desire. It returns to Renaissance England to pick up the story of Catherine Hawkins and Lady Lydia Wellington more than twenty years later and introduces new characters who become central to the story.

Life at Briarcrest has settled into a comfortable pattern for the ladies who are admired and respected by all who know them. Everything seems ideal until word arrives from the town of Willowglen that Cate Pritchard, the women's goddaughter, is about to give birth to a child out of wedlock and Catherine rushes to help with the delivery. What she finds is bigger trouble than the neighbors gossiping about the circumstances of the child's birth. Two strange priests have appeared in the town claiming to represent the officials of the Inquisition and they are determined to burn someone for witchcraft. As everyone tries to save Cate and her baby from a terrible fate, Lydia suddenly finds herself in particular danger from one of the clergymen, an old enemy the women have failed to recognize. Catherine and her newfound friend Fiona Smith, who has grown attached to Cate, will plan a rescue mission to save the women they love, but it will be a race against time to reach them before they succumb to the flames of the Inquisition fire.

Furtado has written a historical novel that is generally accurate. The Inquisition actually arrived much later in England and had a limited impact, but that is an issue only a history buff would probably notice. The reluctance of the English people to participate in what these priests are trying to do is very true and lends authenticity to the book. The tone of the book feels right and reflects English society at that time. The women possess an assertiveness that isn't normally associated with females in that period, but there are numerous true examples that prove it was possible; besides, this is fiction and bending reality a little is permissible.

A reference is made early in the book to how the Roman Catholic Church was waging war on women healers as "witches" and it might have been interesting to see this angle based on reality explored, but the majority of the action shifts away from Catherine and Lydia to tell the story of Cate and Fiona. This contributes to the generational feel of The Heart's Strength and, since the book is subtitled Book Two of the Briarcrest Chronicles, there is an indication that the books are really about Briarcrest and the generations of women who live there, instead of the continuing story of one couple. If this is what is intended, there could be many more chronicles as Briarcrest passes through time and women.

Overall, this is a pleasing romance with a touch of history included. There is suspense, drama and a hair-raising rescue attempt at the end. The characters, especially Fiona, are appealing and draw the reader into their stories, making the reader want to know what happens to them. Not a bad way at all to spend an afternoon or evening. ____
Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: The Heart's Strength Author: Anna Furtado ISBN: 9781932300932 Publisher: Yellow Rose Books - Regal Crest Enterprises Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz Cost: $16.95 Pages: 213 Genre: Historical Fiction

The Heart's Strength is the second novel in The Briarcrest Chronicles. Set in England, in 1482, it brings back the characters of Catherine, Lydia, and the despicable Father Isadore two decades after the conclusion of The Heart's Desire. Catherine has been warned that trouble is brewing and to stay away from Willowglen, the bustling market town that is a day's journey from Briarcrest. Headstrong and stubborn, the warning is enough to send Catherine to Willowglen, where her godchild is expecting her first child.

Catherine finds the town under control of two Spanish priests who, claiming the authority of the Inquisition, have sworn to root out wickedness. She also encounters Fiona, the daughter of an old friend. Fiona is enlisted to help Cate, Catherine's godchild, who has come to the attention of the Spanish priests. Catherine, Lydia, Cate and Fiona become engaged in a dangerous struggle with the two despots who could easily burn all four of them at the stake!

Furtado has done her homework. She brings springtime in the early Renaissance period of England to life. Her wonderful descriptions of the hustle and bustle of Willowglen, the smell of new grass in the country, and baths in the cold waters of Willow River wake all of the reader's senses. She also shows how easily people can be swayed and controlled by those in power, and how quickly those who step outside the norm can be condemned. Her characters are well drawn, likeable, and with motives that are understandable to twenty-first-century women. They also cross generational lines, making them interesting to readers in different age groups.

The Heart's Strength is an exciting read, and although not a "bodice ripper," it definitely has some delightful love scenes, as well as some clanging of swords. While it is the second book in the series, it stands alone on its own merit. There is a third book in the works, which I'm eagerly looking forward to reading.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: Thin Fire Author: Nanci Little ISBN: 0963082248 Publisher: Madwoman Press Available at: Amazon.com; This book is out of print, but may be found on used book sites for lower prices) Pages: 227 Price: $9.95 Genre: Romance

"Don't ask, don't tell." But suppose you didn't know you had anything to tell.

Elen McNally thought the Army would be the chance for her to escape her miserable childhood hometown, but she makes the mistake of thinking that she can compensate for her past by sleeping her way through the male personnel of Ft. Hood. After a violent confrontation with one man, she finds herself turning to her roommate, Nikki Cole, for solace and her commanding officer, Major Kare Dillinger, as a mentor. This is when she makes the surprising discovery that she would rather form an emotional and physical tie with a woman, an idea that had never occurred to her before.

As time passes, she finds herself drawn more and more to Kare, who is a rising star in the Army, a woman who is slated to wear the stars of a general on her collar, if she's careful. Eventually, Elen and Kare cannot deny their feelings for each other and embark on a difficult and clandestine relationship. Fate intervenes though and their choices send them in different directions, Kare pursuing her stars and Elen returning home to resume her education and plan a career.

Kare's career soars and Elen finds acceptance from her parents and her niche in the academic world, while also experiencing a wrenching tragedy. Thin fire runs through both of the women however and planning their futures without each other may be impossible …or imperative.

Thin Fire is a well-written novel that tells a detailed and full story. The characters are allowed to develop as the tale slowly unfolds, so this isn't one of the books where the characters take one look at each other, instantly know they're in love and everything else is anticlimactic. The plot is intricate as the women realize their feelings, then have to deal with the realistic problems of being in the Army.

The theme for the book comes from a line of poetry by the lesbian poetess Sappho: "My tongue is broken and thin fire runs like a thief through my body." The women can't reveal their feelings for each other to anyone, yet their passion runs deep and can't be ignored. Watching them deal with the conflicting parts of their lives is sometimes painful, but it rings true to life.

Plot twists keep the story from being totally predictable and leave the resolution of the situation unknown until almost the last page. The reader will feel that she knows Elen and Kare, especially Elen, and what they decide is important. At the end of the book, there is a feeling that you've definitely read a complete story, though more details about Kare's life would have added more to the picture of the women.

This novel has been out of print for several years, but searching for a copy of it will be worth the time that is spent looking for it.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Winds of Fortune Author: Radclyffe ISBN 10: 1-933110-93-7 - ISBN 13: 978-1-933110-93-6 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, Inc. Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz; Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com; and libertas.co.uk Price: $15.95 Pages: 270 Genre: Romance

Radclyffe has added another wonderful read to her Provincetown Tales collection. Her fans will get to check in on many of the characters from her previous books, including Sheriff Reese Conlon and Dr. Tory King, as well as getting to know two new characters, Dr. Nita Burgoyne and contractor Deo Camara.

Dr. Burgoyne has come to work at the East End Health Clinic. During the tourist season, the clinic is open seven days a week, and with emergencies common, Nita has hired on to share Tory's load. Newly exiled from her family, Nita is enjoying the anonymity of living in a town where she knows very few people. Burned and disillusioned by her ex, Nita wants no part of a close relationship.

Deo's immediate family has also failed to give her the support she needs. Sexy and gorgeous, she finds warmth in the arms of women who demand nothing more than good sex. Her aunts and cousins provide all the family she needs. Deo is introduced to Nita when she brings her cousin Joey into the clinic with an injured hand. There are immediate sparks between Nita and Deo: sparks of lust, and sparks of anger. Deo is attracted and challenged by Nita's coolness. Nita finds Deo's beauty and presence all too reminiscent of her ex.

Nita has purchased a three-story Victorian house which needs modernizing. Deo is the best restoration contractor around. As the two women share their visions for the house, they also share a dance of attraction and fear of betrayal.

Reese has returned from Iraq scarred physically and emotionally. As a Marine, she is haunted by those who were permanately left behind. The daughter of a Marine, she is struggling with a need to return to Iraq and the need to be with her family. For Tory, having Reese fight and be captured was unbelieveably frightening. All she wants now is to be there for Reese and to help to chase away the shadows.

Reese, Tory, Nita, Deo, and the rest of the town are put on a red alert by an approaching hurricane. Hurricanes normally never come as far north as Provincetown. When they do, the low lying areas are flooded, and the area is cut off from all help. The pending storm makes a dramatic climax to an exciting read.

Few writers do as well with sex scenes as Radclyffe. Her ability to get inside her characters' heads as well as their bodies is exceptional. Undertanding how each character is feeling, and what drives them, makes her people step off the pages and into the lives of her readers. We know these people, we care about them, and we welcome the continuity her series' provide.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: Winds of Fortune Author: Radclyffe ISBN 10: 1-933110-93-7 - ISBN 13: 978-1-933110-93-6 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, Inc. Available From: StarCrossed Productions, www.SCP-inc.biz; Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com; and libertas.co.uk Price: $15.95 Pages: 270 Genre: Romance

If it’s more than sizzling sex that you’re after; more than getting intimate with three dynamic couples you’ll absolutely love and admire; more than pure escapism just for the joy of it; more than character journeys that help make sense of the world; and more than a truly engaging story that makes you feel like you’re home; then Winds of Fortune by Radclyffe is the book that will fuel your desire like a bonfire.

Provincetown Sheriff Reese Conlon is back from serving as a Marine in Iraq and is a little more than shell-shocked. Her partner, Dr. Tory King, is grateful to have her back even if they both have to figure out how to cope in the aftermath of Reese’s tour of duty. Police Officer Bri Parker and her partner, Carolyn, are as tight and adorable together as ever. And the new kids on the block, Tory’s new associate, Dr. Nita Burgoyne, and construction company owner, Deo Camara, will blow you away.

Deo is a player who can have any woman she wants except Nita. Watching them dance around courtship as each woman discards her baggage one layer at a time before hopefully making the mutual sacrifice, is truly something to see, and is more than reason enough to read Winds of Fortune. But for me, the real reason to read anything written by Radclyffe is way deeper than girl gets girl. I marvel at how deeply devoted these women are to each other; how much they care; and how truly protective and supportive they are for their chosen family. It would make anyone, gay or straight, long for such profound love and commitment in their life. Radclyffe shows how one’s gender has nothing to do with it, and that being human and needing love to survive does.

Winds of Fortune is the fifth novel in the Provincetown series and it’s a wonder how Radclyffe can write so many sex scenes, so many novels in each of her series, and still keep it hot, fresh and so alive that the scenes radiate off the page and you can’t wait for the next date. Find out how Reese, Tory, Bri, Carolyn, Deo and Nita weather the storm. Read Winds of Fortune to catch up with some of your favorite characters, who feel more like friends than fiction. Experience women who love women in every sense of the word in an affirming and uplifting manner that will warm your heart. Radclyffe delivers this and more. For a fast-paced, erotic romance that will stimulate every nerve in your body, Winds of Fortune is for you. Don't miss it.
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Reviewed by Cheri Rosenberg