Title: Ancestral Magic Author: Moondancer Drake ISBN: 13) 978-1933720-54-8; 10) 1-933720-54-9 Publisher: P.D. Publishing, Inc., http://www.pdpublishing.com Available at: SCP Books, www.SCPbooks.com Price: $16.99 Pages: 176 Genre: Romance/ Supernatural

What if everyone knows you have a secret except you?

Life hasn't been easy for Sky. She's struggling to pay the bills on her waitress salary and her son Drake is blind. When she hears she's inherited a large house from a relative she doesn't remember, she thinks her fortunes might be turning around. The whole situation is very mysterious, so she invites her best friend Meg to move with them. Meg has secretly loved Sky for years, but has watched her move from one bad relationship to another. Meg doesn't believe Sky will ever love her as a partner, but she'll do anything for this woman and her son.

When they arrive in Green Grove they are bombarded with surprises. Sky comes from an ancient family with magic in their blood and her new home is a portal which she is destined to protect. A dark magic group called the Sect is trying to take it over and Sky has to muster all of the forces she remembers nothing about to fight them off. All is not hopeless because Sky begins to realize what exactly she feels for Meg. All they have to do is survive to enjoy their new relationship.

Ancestral Magic is light entertaining reading that features a good story and strong characters. Sky is a strong woman who is buffeted by situations she doesn't want to be part of, but can't control. The reader can sympathize with her as she struggles to understand how the pieces of her life are finally fitting together. Meg's struggle to be the "best friend" to the woman she loves can have a familiar ring to women who think they can't reveal how they truly feel to their straight friends. The atmosphere of Green Grove rolls off of the pages, drawing the reader in and casting a spell that will make you wish there is going to be a sequel to this story.

Ancestral Magic is a quick easy read for someone looking to pass a few hours. The supernatural part will appeal to fans of that genre, but there's also a decent romance for other people. Anyone into wizards, witches, Druids and such will like this book.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Beautiful Journey Author: Kenna White ISBN 978-1-59493-128-4 Publisher: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com Available from: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com; and SCP Books, www.SCPbooks.com Price: $13.95 - Pages: 276 Genre: Historical novel

In Beautiful Journey Kenna White has given her readers an impressive look at the women of the British Women's Air Transport Auxiliary. Long before America entered the Second World War, these women were ferrying airplanes that needed repair, as well as new airplanes. As bombs were being dropped all over England, the WATA provided a dangerous and much needed service. American Lt. Kit Anderson is a squadron leader at one of the smaller airfields. Fearless, calm, and capable of flying almost any plane, Kit is both loved and trusted by the women in her squad. What Kit had not counted on was the daughter of her landlady, the attractive and abrasive Emily Mills, nor the sparks which fly between them.

Beautiful Journey offers readers plenty of action, both on and off the airfield. It also provides a look into a little known part of history. Kenna White's mother was one of these pilots, giving the author inside knowledge of the working conditions under which they served. This is an intelligent, savvy read with perfectly drawn characters.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: Best Lesbian Romance, 2010 Editor: Radclyffe ISBN 978-1-57344-376-0 Publisher: Cleis Press Inc., www.cleispress.com Available from: Cleis Press Inc., www.cleispress.com Price: $14.95 Pages: 194 Genre: Romance

Best Lesbian Romance, 2010 contains sixteen short stories which cover the spectrum in lesbian romance. Evan Mora begins the journey with "When We Almost Met", a story about meeting 'the one', while Radclyffe completes it with "All In", a story about the affects of war on relationships. In between are a variety of stories which include break ups, college love, two butches, making up, hot, racy sex, and a western, among the topics. These are stories which will touch many hearts, as well as bring on knowing nods and smiles.

The section about the authors is quite impressive. The writers are from a variety of locales and backgrounds, and they bring proven expertise to their writing. Best Lesbian Romance, 2010 contains stories chosen to please women who enjoy reading about all of the nuances in love between women.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: Breaking the Ice Author: Kim Baldwin ISBN: 10) 1-60282-087-2; 13) 978-1-60282-087-6 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, www.boldstrokesbooks.com Available at: Bold Strokes Books, www.boldstrokesbooks.com; and SCP Books, www.SCPbooks.com Price: $16.95 - Pages: 243 Genre: Romance

Karla Edwards suffers two staggering losses within a short time. First, her lover Abby walks out of what Karla thought was a satisfying relationship and then her mother dies suddenly in her sleep. The events leave Karla in a stupor wandering around her apartment in her pajamas unable to eat, bathe or communicate with the friends who are very worried about her. As she is going through her mother's belongings, she makes a startling discovery. Karla has a sister she never knew about. When she discovers that she lives in Alaska, Karla takes a leave of absence from her job as an ER nurse in Atlanta and heads north to meet the only family she has left.

Bryson Faulkner is a bush pilot in Alaska just like her father before her. She loves her isolated cabin, the surrounding wilderness and the excitement that her job brings her, but sometimes she does get lonely. The problem is she can't imagine herself living anywhere but where she is and she also can't imagine another woman being willing to settle for her kind of life. When she meets Karla, the sister of her best friend, that seems about to change, but Karla has a deeply wounded soul and finds it difficult to trust anyone. When Karla volunteers to stay with her sister to help her with the pending delivery of her baby, it gives her a chance to get to know Bryson and to fall in love with Alaska. What she has to decide is if she's willing to give up her job, friends and lifestyle in Atlanta for a harsh climate, wild creatures and a woman who might not come back sometime from a dangerous flight.

Kim Baldwin is skilled at taking a typical love story and turning it into something a little more. She writes realistic situations with interesting characters. That makes Breaking the Ice not just a romance, but also an adventure story. The descriptions of Alaska and the conditions there are vivid. The reader can feel the excitement of skimming over a glacier or the fear of wandering alone through a wilderness where the next thing around the bend might be a confrontation with a grizzly bear. The tone draws the reader into the story and the pace allows the characters to develop gradually, giving the reader a chance to feel she "knows" these people.

Breaking the Ice is a good book to spend a few hours with in an afternoon or evening when you want to be entertained
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Family Affair Author: Saxon Bennett ISBN 978-1-59493-150-5 Publisher: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com Available from: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com Price: $14.95 Pages: 279 Genre: Romantic Comedy

Saxon Bennett is known for writing books that contain zany characters and putting them into outrageous situations that she makes seem almost normal. This book exceeds her normal quotient.

Family Affair opens with Chase Banter in an upset state because her partner Gitana went to the doctor to get a pap smear and came home pregnant. He mixed up the charts and accidently artificially inseminated her. Chase likes their life living in the middle of nowhere and not having to deal with people. She focuses on her successful career writing lesbian romances, which she calls "moist mound" stories, and Gitana runs a nursery. A child is going to upset everything. Once it's clear that Gitana wants to keep the baby, Chase sets herself on a program of becoming a more responsible and serious person, in other words, an adult. She is determined that "Bud" the baby will have a totally normal upbringing, a full life and a successful career.

Once you meet the people in Chase and Gitana's life you realize what a task she's set for herself. Gitana's twin sister Graciela, also a lesbian, is sleeping her way through the community, for which their mother Jacinda refers to her as "The Demon" and keeps trying to drown her in holy water. Chase's best friend Lacey James is sleeping her way through the men until she discovers she wants to try a lesbian affair. Chase encourages her and says she wants a new toaster oven if Lacey converts. Instead she receives a toaster oven, refrigerator and dishwasher – all stainless steel. It was quite a conversion.

And then there is Addison whom Chase meets when she starts attending parenting classes. Addison is 9 years old going on 60, refers to herself as a "pre-adult" and ends up being a mentor to Chase. Chase struggles to grow up while dealing with a mother who wants to be a detective, a writing group with quirky personalities, and shocking revelations from her friends, including instructions about some interesting things you can do with a mango. As the days pass and "Bud's" arrival gets ever closer Chase has to hurry to remake herself into the woman-father she wants to become.

This is a funny book. Chase would be entertaining enough as she tries to learn how to deal with adults and children, eat the right foods, not curse and to dress properly. Her attempts to be a mature parent are hilarious. Bennett can't stop at that however. She has to include two dogs that are constantly bowling people over, an amazing number of friends who keep discovering that they are suddenly lesbians and numerous situations that will have you laughing. Underneath it all there is a serious story though. Just what is a family? What decides who will be the people closest to you? Is blood more important than friendship? Why shouldn't a woman in her late thirties find that the person who truly understands her is a 9 year old and that they like to do things together? If people care about and take care of you as you do for them, isn't that what family is really about?

Family Affair is a light entertaining story that ends up delivering a more serious lesson. If you're looking for a formulaic romance, you'll have to look elsewhere, but you won't find one that shows any more clearly the power of love.|
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Magic of the Heart Author: C.J. Harte ISBN-13: 978-1-60282-131-6 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, www.boldstrokesbooks.com Available From: Bold Strokes Books, www.boldstrokesbooks.com; and SCP Books, www.SCPbooks.com Price: $16.95 - Pages: 226 Genre: Romance

Harte has brought her readers two irresistible protagonists: Susan Hettinger and Maggie "MJ" Carson. Susan and Maggie are seated next to each other on a plane trip across the country. Susan is a very buttoned down financial executive. She lives a quiet life in Florida with her mother and young daughter. A bit of a control freak, Susan thrives on order and detail.

Maggie is an impulsive rock star who is married to a football star, and has two children. What their fans don't know is that both Maggie and her husband are closeted gays. As MJ, Maggie has been used by so many people that her trust level is at zero, and with fans following her everywhere, her high visibility guarantees a total lack of privacy.

As Susan and Maggie endure the long flight, they find they are magically drawn to each other. Once back in Florida, the magic is still there, but its sparkle is dampened by the media, schedules, work, and notoriety. Magic of the Heart offers a great behind-the-scenes look and a plot which takes the reader across the country and back again, while the twists and turns of the story keep us glued to the pages.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: Mephisto Aria Author: Justine Saracen ISBN-13: 978-1-60282-139-2 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, www.boldstrokesbooks.com Available From: Bold Strokes Books, www.boldstrokesbooks.com; and SCP Books, www.SCPbooks.com Price: $16.95 - Pages: 263 Genre: Romantic thriller

Katherina Marow's operatic career is ascending. Thrilled with her success, she is shocked to learn of her father's suicide. This is the opening scene of this gripping, intense novel. What follows is the present interspersed with the past as Katherina reads her father's journals and strives to understand his secrets and his role in history.

Saracen has given her readers a book, set in Germany and Austria, that draws us into the bitter Second World War, while it also teaches us about the joys and romance of opera. Quite a combination. Saracen's wonderfully descriptive writing is a joy to the eye and the ear, as scenes play out on the page, and almost audibly as well.

The characters are extremely well drawn, with suave villains, and lovely heroines. There are also wonderful romances, a heart-stopping plot, and wonderful love scenes. Mephisto Aria is a great read.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: No Rules of Engagement Author: Tracey Richardson ISBN 978-1-59493-159-8 Publisher: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com Available From: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com; and SCP Books, www.SCPbooks.com Price: $14.95 - Pages: 237 Genre: Romance

No Rules of Engagement takes the reader to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Jillian Knight is an award winning photo-journalist on assignment to cover the medical units stationed there. In the words of the author, "War. Such an abstract concept until you've lived it." For two weeks Jillian and her assistant live on base, following the enigmatic Dr. Logan Sharp as she treats the wounded. Richardson shows the work of the multi-national medical team as they go into villages to give children polio shots, serve on forward operating bases, and duck missiles at the air field. She also describes life on the base with its complete lack of privacy, and all encompassing heat.

Jillian is determined to show the grit and dedication of the doctors. She's also determined to become friends with Logan. Logan is a "by the rules" doctor, who keeps her feelings to herself. War has a curious way of forming bonds between comrades. In spite of themselves, Jillian and Logan are drawn to each other.

Richardson has written an engrossing book which is difficult to put down. Her characters are real as are her observations on life in Afghanistan. No Rules of Engagement is a relevant, meaty read!
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: No Rules of Engagement Author: Tracey Richardson ISBN: 10) 1-59493-159-3; 13) 978-1-59493-159-8 Publisher: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com Available From: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com; and SCP Books, www.SCPbooks.com Price: $14.95 - Pages: 237 Genre: Romance

Tracey Richardson is one of those writers who has a knack for taking an item from the front page of the newspaper and turning into a personal, dramatic story. No Rules of Engagement falls squarely in that category.

Jillian Knight is an award winning photographer who has been hired by National Geographic Magazine to do a photo spread showing what happens at a medical unit stationed in Afghanistan. Major Logan Sharp's assignment, when she's not functioning as a doctor, is to provide Jillian with whatever help she needs and to keep her safe.

War can confuse or clarify many things, especially in an area where every square inch of soil is a battlefield and death can strike from anywhere. Jillian is forced to confront the problems of the relationship she left in Detroit and Logan has to figure out what to do with her life when her tour is over. The intensity of the danger they face causes the women to drop walls faster than they usually would and they discover an attraction.

Jillian's commitment to her relationship and Logan's sense of honor won't allow either of them to pursue their feelings, but destiny conspires to bring them together over a year later and much has changed. Now the obstruction is an emotional wound that Logan carries from years before. Jillian isn't sure she can break through Logan's defenses in a battle where there are no rules of engagement, but she's willing to try.

It could be dangerous to set a book in the midst of the situation in Iraq/Afghanistan because of the dissension over what is happening there, but Richardson manages to avoid those problems. There are no politics in this book, just a straightforward story about the difficulties for anyone functioning within a war zone, plus a romance. The book is actually in two parts that have different points of focus. In the first half the reader deals with the charged atmosphere in the daily life of war-torn Afghanistan. There is a scene where Jillian goes on a mission to an outer base and the tension can be felt by the reader as the events unfold.

The second half of the book involves a totally different scenario. Now that the women have returned to their homes they have to deal with their emotions, their pasts and their potential future. Richardson provides for a break in the action that covers a number of months and that allows the reader to deal separately with the two situations, yet understand the overlap that ties them together.

No Rules of Engagement is a well-written book that is entertaining. While it's basically a romance, it's also extremely pertinent to what is going on in the world today. Richardson continues to deliver interesting books that cause the readers to look forward to her next one.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: No Strings Author: Gerri Hill ISBN: 10) 1-59493-147-x; 13) 978-1-59493-147-5 Publisher: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com Available at: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com Price: $14.95 Pages: 233 Genre: Romance

Gerri Hill delivers one of her better crafted stories in No Strings.

Forest Ranger M.Z. Morgan has come to love life in tiny Lake City, Colorado. Sure, everyone knows everything that is going on in her life, but, except for the deep snows in the winter, the people and quiet life there suit her nature completely. Being the only lesbian in town means her social life is limited to when the tourists arrive for the summer, but she finds that easier to deal with than the fact that the entire town is trying to find her a woman to settle down with.

When Reese Daniels arrives to be the interim sheriff for a year the rumor mill kicks into high gear. To the local people the fact that there are now two lesbians seems to work out perfectly, even though Morgan and Reese don't exactly hit it off at first. Reese takes her job very seriously and makes it clear that she views this as a period in exile for certain "indiscretions." Her stay will not be extended any longer than necessary. Eventually the women find themselves becoming friends and decide to form a relationship as "friends with benefits." Why not take care of each other's physical needs for a while as long as they both understand there are "no strings attached”? The winter is long and cold and the comfort is nice. Great in fact. Really, really great. The coming spring may melt more than just the snow and there may be strings that they didn't anticipate.

In No Strings, Hill demonstrates some of her stronger abilities in crafting a story. The characters of Morgan and Reese are feisty and well developed. The sparring that goes on between them reveals deeper aspects of their personalities instead of the reader just being "told" about them.

The atmosphere in the town flows off of the pages and the quirkiness of the people adds to the story. One of the better parts of the book is the struggle Reese goes through trying to adapt her professional standards to a small town and its oddities. The supporting characters are totally believable and help to add depth and humor to the situations. This is a standard romance with girls meeting and coming together, but the characters are a little more engaging than usual. There is an interesting tension that runs between the environment, the people and the situations and makes this more than just a romance.

Gerri Hill's die-hard fans will enjoy this book, but readers who might have found some of her recent books lackluster should find that she has returned to her stronger style. No Strings will certainly provide a few hours of satisfying entertainment.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Possessing Morgan Author: Erica Lawson ISB N: 978-0-9822858-2-4 Publisher: Blue Feather Books, Ltd., www.bluefeatherbooks.com Available at: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com, also in ebook Price: $19.99 Pages: 306 Genre: Mystery

Detective Morgan O'Callaghan isn't happy. New York City appears to have gone on holiday for the summer and that means she's stuck doing paperwork, something she really hates. When she finally gets a case it involves a famous financier who may have murdered a member of his household staff. It also brings her in contact with the new Assistant District Attorney Andrea “Andy” Worthington. Morgan immediately dismisses Andrea as a straight spoiled Southern rich girl, but she's powerfully drawn to her. Their work on the case is distracted by more than one attempt on Andy's life and Morgan finds herself trying to solve two mysteries at once. Or, are the cases connected somehow? Whatever the truth, Morgan and Andy come to realize that they are facing deadly forces and quickly solving one puzzle may lead to the solution of the other.

Meanwhile, both women find themselves facing personal challenges. Morgan must overcome her past and learn to trust another person while Andy struggles to free herself from the domination of her family and the future they think is appropriate for her. Ultimately, they have to decide if they are the answer to each other's situation

Possessing Morgan is Erica Lawson's first book, but she shows more ability in her writing than most first time authors. The characters are well developed and complex without being stereotypical. The plot flows smoothly and has enough twists to keep the reader wondering what really is going on in the story. Lawson has created a strong cast of supporting characters, including Morgan's detective partner and his family and a police detective who is thoroughly unlikeable in his bigotry and arrogance. The hardest characters to write must be the ones you know the reader won't like, so the author has to make them more believable than any others. Lawson achieves that. There are some parts of the story that are somewhat contrived. At the end the two mysteries come together in a way that hardly seems possible in a city the size of New York, but this is fiction. Lawson ties together several strands to create a very enjoyable book.

Possessing Morgan is an excellent first effort. The book is engaging and the type that you want to keep reading. It certainly should generate interest in Erica Lawson's next book whenever it comes out.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Stepping Stone Author: Karin Kallmaker ISBN: 10: 1-59493-160-7; 13: 978-1-59493-160-4 Publisher: Bella Books Available at: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com; SCP Books, www.scpbooks.com Price: $14.95 - Pages: 243 Genre: Romance

Stepping Stone steps into the world of Hollywood to show the behind the scenes maneuvering that can make or break careers.

Selena Ryan is a successful movie producer who has a reputation for being tough but fair. She's putting together the most important movie she's ever worked on and the casting has to be just right. Selena is being besieged by people who want to audition, including her ex-lover Jennifer Lamont, who happens to be the major reason she's suspicious of people and their motives.

Gail Welles is a typical Hollywood story. She's waitressing in a restaurant until she can get her big break. She has no idea when she accidently dumps a tray of food on a woman that she will be the producer who holds the key to her future. Fortunately, Gail the actress doesn't look like Gail the waitress, so she gets the part before Selena can make the connection.

Gail is everything that Selena has come to not believe in – talented, kind to those around her and a pleasure to work with. That's where the problems start. Since both women are serious about their work and reputations as professionals, a relationship would be highly improper, but their growing attraction is hard to deny. When Selena is forced to cast Jennifer as one of the leads and Gail begins to outshine her in a supporting role, the situation becomes more complicated. Selena has to handle everything very carefully to make sure Jennifer doesn't destroy Gail's chances to be successful, but she can't be seen as favoring Gail either. Gail isn't quite sure what to make of the situation, but would very much like to pursue something more with Selena if she can just get the producer to go against her experience and trust her.

Kallmaker has written an exceptionally strong and convincing story. She obviously knows quite a bit about how things work behind the scenes in movie production and that information adds depth and believability to the plot. As usual for her the characters are multidimensional and draw the reader into the story. Jennifer Lamont is typical of so many "starlets" who would rather be famous than known for the quality of their work. In Gail Welles it's easy to see the roots of a young Meryl Streep, someone who is just the opposite of Jennifer. This is a thoroughly entertaining book.

There is one serious drawback to the product. The editors at Bella must have all taken a nap or gone on vacation when this book came through the system. There are numerous mistakes, practically one on every page. Words are left out, run on sentences frequently appear and the misuse of commas is routine. At one point even the name of the character is changed from Selena to Serena. It's a shame that what is such a good story is damaged by such poor mechanics.

This is a good book. If the reader can overlook the mistakes, then it should be entirely enjoyable. If that kind of thing bothers you, be prepared to put the book down occasionally to clear your head, but you'll come back for the story.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: The Clash Between the Minds Author: Nann Dunne ISBN: 978-1-935216-10-0 Publisher: Intaglio Publications, www.intagliopub.com Available From: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com; and SCP Books, www.SCPbooks.com Price: $16.95 - Pages: 230 Genre: Historical Romance

The Clash Between the Minds continues the story told in The War Between the Hearts. Sarah-Bren Coulter has had her share of suffering, but she also knows the deep love of a good woman in Faith Pruitt. In this post-civil war era story, Sarah and Faith are still together, living with Faith’s son, Benjamin, who is now fourteen and quickly growing into a young man. The three have settled into a happy life together, with Faith teaching school and Sarah writing and illustrating her stories for publication. However, trouble nips at Sarah’s heels again when she befriends a black man and his family who are down on their luck in an intolerant town. Certain townspeople don’t like anyone who’s different, and the women’s reward for helping the young Negro family causes Sarah and Faith to make decisions they would otherwise never make.

When Sarah discovers that the Ku Klux Klan is spreading---and with them their lies and their prejudice—her concerns become reality. The young family they have helped becomes the focus of the Klan’s animosity, causing Sarah to act to protect them and her family. However, Faith and Sarah have very different ways of dealing with the difficulties. The problem is compounded when Faith starts taking advice and considering advances from the town’s doctor, Joel Litchfield. And while Faith struggles with a decision that will help keep them all safe, Sarah strikes out into the unknown for a similar reason. She takes up with a brother and sister in Wyoming Territory and must make some decisions of her own.

The two women struggle to do what they think is best to combat prejudice while keeping each of them and Benjamin safe. Too bad each one doesn’t understand the other’s motivations. Misunderstandings lead to heartbreak as the two agonize over what they should do in the midst of the adversity and prejudice heaped upon them by certain members of their community.

Sarah-Bren Coulter is a strong, flawed character, easily likeable. Faith Pruitt is a strong-willed, equally flawed partner. Although surrounded by friends who care for them, they must battle the forces against them in their own way to try to overcome and find a way to continue their lives together.

Dunne’s writing gets to the heart of the matter with incisive clarity and exposes the deep-seated feelings apparent in the post-civil war South. Strong characterization and stirring plot keep us engaged throughout the story of the lives of these two resilient women. The Clash Between the Minds is an inspiring read.
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Reviewed by Anna Furtado

Title: The Clash Between the Minds Author: Nann Dunne ISBN: 978-1-935216-10-0 Publisher: Intaglio Publications, www.intagliopub.com Available From: Bella Books, www.bellabooks.com; and SCP Books, www.SCPbooks.com Price: $16.95 - Pages: 230 Genre: Historical Romance

A "stand alone" novel, The Clash Between the Minds is a sequel to The War Between the Hearts. It takes place at the end of the Civil War in the border state of Missouri. Sarah-Bren Coulter, Faith Pruitt, and Faith's son, Benjamin are trying to live a quiet life. Unfortunately, the KKK has taken root in their community, bringing turmoil and fear. Sarah, having survived the horrors of war, is not about to back down to bullies. When Benjamin, with Sarah, gets involved in some of the violence, Faith is appalled and starts questioning their relationship.

Dunne takes her readers with Sarah as she travels in search of a home away from danger. Her journey takes her all the way to the gold mines of Wyoming, with highwaymen and train robbers adding to the mix. This is a gripping, fast-paced read that I could not put down. It has sharp writing with well-drawn characters. Sarah will grab your heart and not let go.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: The Heart’s Longing Author: Anna Furtado ISBN: 978-1-935053-26-2 Publisher: Yellow Rose Books, Regal Crest, www.regalcrest.biz Available From: Allied Crest Editions, www.rcedirect.com Price: $17.95 Pages: 223 Genre: Lesbian Fiction/Romance

Anna Furtado’s third and newest installment in The Briarcrest Chronicles is The Heart’s Longing, a delightful tale that sets the past and the present on a collision course that will keeps the reader on the edge of her seat.

Trinn Wells, last known heir to Briarcrest, is a pastry chef in Boston who is disgruntled with her job and her life there. Sidney Wycombe is a prestigious London solicitor trying valiantly to preserve the memory of Briarcrest, but she desperately needs Trinn’s help. Trinn accepts the challenge to help save Briarcrest from a greedy developer, and hops a flight to London. Upon hearing the history of Briarcrest from Sidney, Trinn’s dreams — dreams from 1500’s Britain, suddenly begin to make sense. While the two women try to unlock the secrets of the past, they battle their growing feelings for one another – feelings that neither one of them is prepared to deal with initially, but in the end cannot deny.

Furtado’s book, a fantasy story chock full of suspense, intrigue, and passionate, sensitive characters, is a real page-turner. The writing style is descriptive and flows well, effortlessly engaging the reader in the story. And what a story! The Heart’s Longing weaves together two parallel existences, one of Briarcrest’s glorious past and its colorful characters, and the other the present day battle to preserve what’s left of the estate. Of course, simmering on every page is the undeniable attraction between Trinn and Sidney.

Furtado is a marvelous storyteller and I found myself flying through page after page, getting hooked in and rooting for the characters — both from yesterday and today.
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Reviewed by Tracey Richardson

Title: The Heart’s Longing Author: Anna Furtado ISBN: 978-1-935053-26-2 Publisher: Yellow Rose Books, Regal Crest, www.regalcrest.biz Available From: Allied Crest Editions, www.rcedirect.com Price: $17.95 Pages: 223 Genre: Lesbian Fiction/Romance

The Heart's Longing is book three of The Briarcrest Chronicles. It brings the story up to the present day and introduces Trinn Wells and Sidney Wycombe. Trinn is an award winning cook employed by a prestigious restaurant in Boston. Unfortunately, her life is miserable. Her ex girl friend has left her deeply in dept, and her boss is a tyrant. She feels trapped.

Sidney Wycombe is a London solicitor who is also the last "keeper of the memory of Briarcrest". Ill and overburdened, Sidney has sought the heir to Briarcrest, in hopes of turning over some of the responsibility and decision making.

When Trinn and Sidney meet in London, sparks fly and magic happens. The rest of the story is told partly in the present and partly through the eyes of Trinn as she visits an alternate reality. What follows is an imagination gripping page turner which holds the reader to the last satisfying page.

Furtado's characters are very real and quite likeable. Trinn has a wonderful innocence as she experiences the wonders of "high end" London. Sidney, trying to balance her successful law practice, deal with her health issues, and solve the mystery of Briarcrest appeals to all readers who are multi-taskers.

The Heart's Longing has it all: a good story, creepy villains, and a good romance.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: The Mirror and the Mask Author: Ellen Hart ISBN-10: 0312375271 ISBN-13: 978-0312375270 Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Minotaur Books Available From: http://us.macmillan.com/themirrorandthemask Price: $25.99 (Hardback and ebook) - Pages: 320 Genre: Mystery/Lesbian

The Mirror and the Mask is Ellen Hart’s seventeenth Jane Lawless mystery. In this story, Jane seems to be lost without her long-distance lover, Kenzie, since the two had a falling out in the last tale. However, when Jane meets Annie Archer, the earth moves for her. The younger woman shows up just in time for Jane to put her to work and Jane gets involved when Annie asks for help to try to find her father. From this point on in the story, an ever more tangled web is spun, catching each of the characters who touch Annie’s life in some way. When the man Annie believes is her father is finally found, his wife dies under suspicious circumstances and red herrings abound. Lies and deceptions tumble around them all. Jane has trouble discerning what information about Annie is true and what is false. And her judgment may be a little off, anyway, because of her attraction to Annie, who appears to be attracted to someone else—and a man at that.

Jane’s friend, Cordelia Thorn, is back with her funky style and blustering ways. She’s still in mourning for the loss of her beloved niece—still in mourning—and still fantasizing about how to get her back from her inattentive mother. In this tale, we’ll find out if little Hattie’s stepfather is friend or foe to Cordelia. But in the meantime, Cordelia’s focus is to get Jane to include her in solving the mystery in which she’s become entangled.

Hart gives us a complex story with diverse characters. We feel comfortable with old friends and tentative about most of the new people we meet until they reveal their true selves. Questions abound as we turn page after page. It’s hard to tell who the bad guys are—or just how bad the bad guys really are. This suspense-filled story tops every Jane Lawless that Hart has given us to date. The wonderful story telling we have come to expect just gets better and better.
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Reviewed by Anna Furtado