Title: A Question of Courage Author: Megan Magill ISBN: 1935053248 Publisher: Regal Crest Enterprises Available At: Bella Books Price: $16.95 Pages: 201 Genre: Romantic Mystery/Drama

Jess Maddocks hasn’t even recovered from her last traumatic experience and she’s already headed for another round.  Out of a job and depressed about her weight, the only thing Jess has going for her is that Grace, whom she rescued in A Question of Integrity, is now her housemate and her love interest; however, because of the aforementioned body issues, she feels unworthy of Grace and hasn’t let her know how she feels.

In A Question of Courage, Jessie is confronted with more than bad guys.  While dealing with a possible ring of child abductors, she must face down her own demons and learn to accept herself.  The most difficult thing proves to be allowing those she loves to help her.

The object of her affection, Grace Willoughby, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, is now a permanent roommate, much to Jess’s delight.  Grace is also interested in pursuing a relationship with Jess, but the two just don’t seem to be able to communicate their mutual interest.

When Jess takes a temporary position at a children’s camp, teaching archery, more to help ease her brother’s concerns for his own welfare and employment than for the money, the siblings stumble into some shady business involving foreign children.  They soon fear the kids are being trafficked in illegal adoptions.  As trouble unfolds, Jess and her brother Nick find it difficult to discern who their friends at the camp really are.  Jess ends up on the wrong end of too many incidents and is left wondering if she’s dealing with friend or foe.

As Jess and Grace each examine their feelings for each another and Jess deals with her self-esteem issues and body image, we see that Jess’s courage goes well beyond throwing herself into solving the mystery of disappearing children.  And, although Jess finds it hard to accept, Grace exhibits courage of her own, wanting to support Jess in dealing with her personal problems, in addition to being willing to help her try to solve the mystery.

A Question of Courage continues the story of Jess and Grace begun in A Question of Integrity.  This second offering stands alone, having just enough explanation of what went on before for the reader to be easily engaged.  Since Magill hails from the UK, an occasional nuance of speech in the story may elude US readers, but the mystery is a page turner with Jess and Grace as first-class heroines.  The supporting players make us wonder whose side they’re really on until the very last.  Hopefully, there is more to come of tales of Jess and Grace.
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Reviewed by Anna Furtado

Title: A Question of Courage Author: Megan Magill ISBN: 1935053248 Publisher: Regal Crest Available At: Bella Books Price: $16.95 Pages: 201 Genre: Romantic Mystery/Drama

A Question of Courage picks up the story of Jess Maddocks where it left off in Magill's earlier novel A Question of Integrity.  Because Jess refused to help her employer commit a fraud, she's now out of work.  Her friend Grace, who is a veterinarian, is living in Jess's house, which puts stress on Jess.  She would like Grace to be more than a friend, but Jess feels that she is too fat and undesirable to be attractive to someone as wonderful as Grace.  If she could just lose enough weight, even though people say she doesn't need to, maybe Grace would love her. 

Jess's brother Nick provides the answer to several problems when he asks her to come investigate the disappearances of several children from the camp where he has been working.  Jess will be employed as the archery teacher and she'll be in an isolated setting where she can control her food and stick to one of her dangerous diets.  All she has to do is poke around a little and find out what is going on.  She's about to experience two threats to her health, one from people who don't want her investigating the children and the other from her foolish eating habits. Meanwhile, Grace is going to try to convince the woman she already loves that she needs to be more careful about a lot of things. 

The best way to describe this book is as a mystery wrapped in a bigger message.  The situation at the camp carries the story from scene to scene, but the really interesting study is Jess herself.  She is a classic example of a woman with low self esteem who fails to see the strengths that others seen in her and instead focuses on an imaginary flaw.  As she progresses to more and more extreme behavior, the reader is given a good picture of the spiral people can put themselves into without knowing it.  The pain that her friends and brother experience as they watch her waste away is very apparent.  The situation at the camp is interesting, but what is happening to Jess is like watching a train wreck in progress.  The question is if she'll solve the mystery before she does irreversible damage to herself.

A Question of Courage is a good sequel, but it also stands alone, so the reader doesn't have to have read the first book.  It's fine for several hours of reading, but occasional pauses may be necessary to keep from screaming in frustration at Jess and what she does to herself.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Best Lesbian Romance 2011 Author: Edited by Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman ISBN: 10: 1573444278  13: 978-1573444279 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available At: Bold Strokes Books Price: $14.95 Pages: 256 Genre: Erotica

The authors in this collection hail from all over: Australia and Ireland (Cheyenne Blue), New York City (Kathleen Warnock), California (Clifford Henderson and Jamie Schaeffner), England and Yugoslavia (Rebecca S. Buck). There are also first time published authors (Theda Hudson), Lambda Literary Winners (Colette Moody), and authors we have come to know (Catherine Lundoff, Sacchi Green, and Rachel Kramer Bussel).

The editor has selected stories with a "panoply of emotions: euphoria, despair, exhilaration, the thrill of sexual awakening, the excitement of new beginnings and the quiet contentment of the familiar."

I was so delighted to read each of these selections over a long weekend - they are all memorable.

I loved the fabulous and funny "Mother Knows Best." "Hearts and Flowers" solves the question what do do on your first anniversary. "Twelfth Night" will be a special treat for theater goers. Gardeners will enjoy the journey of 24-year-old Penny in "Boiled Peas" (that title made me laugh). "I Think I Will Love You" is a very dear story.

"Camellias" is a poolside story that tugs at your heart. "Panacea" was like a perfect cup of coffee. Lost luggage leads to romance in "Lost and Found." "A Witchy Woman Called My Name" was wolfishly sexy and romantic. "Get The Girl" is standout wonderful, set in Portland Oregon and flashes me right back to 1980.

The super sexy "Rebound" has Bingo, church ladies, and Facebook all on the first page! "Things I Missed" was intriguing. "Dirty Laundry" takes your breath away with its powerful story well told.

Set in Provincetown Massachusetts, "The Game" is especially nice for anyone who has been to that town. "The Gift" is a Christmas present set in war torn Afghanistan. "Rock Palace" touched every spot in my heart. Radclyffe writing as L.L. Raand in "When Hearts Run Free" is a can't miss story for anyone who has read the novel The Midnight Hunt.
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Reviewed by Elaine Mulligan

Title: Blind Bet Author: Tracey Richardson ISBN: 13: 978-1-59493-211-3 Publisher: Bella Books Available At: Bella Books Price: $14.95 Pages: 250 Genre: Romance

Ellen Turcotte is a college professor in Toronto, Canada.  Her calm life exploded the day she came home early and caught her wife wrapped in another woman's legs.  Courtney Langford is a computer game expert in Seattle, WA.  Her world completely changed when she missed her flight, and thus avoided death in a deadly plane crash.

Ellen and Courtney both chose to escape from their private disasters with a trip to Vancouver, Canada.  When their paths cross, each woman finds the other different, interesting, and exciting.  Courtney takes Ellen out of her comfort zone with rides on her motorcycle up to Whistler Mountain, zip lining, and  blackjack tables.  Each woman, though, is still fighting her own personal demons.  What follows is an extremely sexy love story as Ellen and Courtney each fight their own battles to see if victory will bring happiness.

 Richardson shows wonderful character development as Ellen and Courtney each search deeply within themselves to find the truth behind their traumas.  Each woman emerges stronger as she fights to not become one of the walking wounded.  Blind Bet is a funny enjoyable love story as well as a story of personal growth and understanding.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: Breathless: Tales of Celebration Edited by Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman ISBN:13: 978-1-60282-207-8 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available At: Bold Strokes Books Price: $14.95 Pages: 240 Genre: Romance Short Stories

I am always wanting a little more after the story ends in favorite novels, so this collection from Bold Strokes Books is a KEEPER that will always be on my bookshelf.

Winter Pennington's "Harvest Sins" opens the collection and follows the characters from Raven Mask; Book 2 in the Kassandra Lyall Series published last September. The second story brings Annie Heaphy and Victoria of Toothpick House to a holiday gathering with the crew from Sweet Creek, with one surprise guest, the story is a personal favorite of mine, for many reasons, "The Top" is by Lee Lynch.

Nell Stark and Trinity Tam's "The Twelve Days of Courtship" features Valentine and Alexa from everafter. Jen & Aly are in the next story "Miss December." They were in the 2010 novel Truths by Rebecca S. Buck.

Erin Dutton's passionate "Homemade" features Jori and Sawyer from her 2008 novel A Place to Rest. Elena and Grady from Riverwalker are in the sweet story "Luminaria Light ," from the always fabulous Cate Culpepper.

D. Jackson Leigh's sexy "Reindeer Roundup " bring Leah and Tory back from 2010's Long Shot. "Dreams: A Promise Kept" have Madison and Karlie from Dreams of Bali by C.J. Harte.

Gun Brooke's "Through the Eyes of a Child" brings us the totally awesome Carolyn and Analie from Course of Action. Katherine aand Devon are back in "A Christmas Wish" first seen in From This Moment On by the entertaining author PJ Trebelhorn.

Lesley Davis' delightful characters Pagan and Erith are back from her novel Truth Behind the Mask in "Christmas in Chastilian" "Holiday Gnomosexuals" (really, do I need to say more?) brings us more from 2009's The Middle of Somewhere by Clifford Henderson.

MJ Williamz is always entertaining, in "Making New Memories " where Kayla and Echo from the 2008 Shots Fired have a very Merry Christmas. "A Ghost of Christmas Past" brings back the characters from Carly's Sound and is a gift to us all who have lost someone; a big thanks to author Ali Vali .

Lisa Girolami's "Beautiful Burden" is a a very dear followup with Beth and Mary from her 2008 novel Run to Me. Morgan and Parker (still sexy and newly in love) return from It Should Be A Crime in "Love Is the Key " by Carsen Taite.

Bobbi Marolt bring us "Merry Christmas from Down Under" a one of a kind story that had me burst out laughing in surprise. I am really looking forward to reading her new novel Loving Liz. "The Afterparty" with Carly and Ray from Battlescars is as sexy as you come to expect from author Meghan O'Brien.

Radclyffe brings us back Rooke and Adrian from Secrets in the Stone and Leslie and Dev from When Dreams Tremble; make sure you are in a warm place when you read "Ice Castles."

The collection concludes with a heart-pounding "Come Back to Me," by Julie Cannon, the followup to her novel from 2007 Come and Get Me.
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Reviewed by Elaine Mulligan

Title: Carrie and Hope Author: Joy Argento ASIN: B004VWLMKU Publisher: Ride the Rainbow Books e-Book Available At: Amazon Price: $6.99 Size: 235 KB Genre: Lesbian Romance

Hope Garret and Carrie Martin go to a grief support group for very different reasons, but leave for the same one. They don’t belong there. Carrie Martin is grieving over her grandmother, who is not dead, but in a coma. Hope Garret is NOT grieving like her family thinks she should be.

After slipping out of the meeting, they agree to go for a drink. Over their drinks, they each explain why they went to the support group, and why it just wasn’t for them. As they get to know one another, Carrie tells of her passion for painting and her need of a model. After giving it some thought, Hope agrees to pose for Carrie.

A bond forms quickly between the two women as they get to know each other.  There is a closeness that Carrie has never experienced and one that Hope ran away from once before. Carrie has never had a feeling like this for anyone, let alone another woman, and the one person that she is used to sharing everything with is still in a coma. This is something that Carrie will have to figure out on her own. Will she have the courage to tell Hope that she is feeling more than just friendship for her?

This is Joy Argento’s debut novel and what a pleasure it was to read. It was a very sweet and tender romance, without all the contrived angst that seems to be very popular.

Her main characters are real down-to-earth people that you can easily relate to. Her humor is fantastic, and the sassy repartee between Carrie and Hope kept me smiling throughout the book.

Argento writes beautifully about the reality of them slowly falling in love and the shared first kiss. As in any relationship, it has a few snags, but they weren’t long drawn out angst-ridden affairs. They were handled with real emotions and actions.

Argento has a refreshing way with the written word, and I look forward to reading more from her.
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Reviewed by Nanc K.

Title: Conflict of Interest Author: Jae ISBN: 10: 1934889407  13: 978-1934889404 Publisher: L-Book ePublishers Available At: L-Book Price: $20.48 Pages: 470 Genre: Romance Crime

The book cover describes the novel as a romance crime novel. I am a romance reader first and also very much enjoy thrillers and mysteries and crime novels.

The book opens in October in Portland, Oregon and gives the reader a nice flavour of the city.

Dawn is a twenty-eight-year-old psychologist whose brother and father were police officers. She meets Aiden, a sex crimes police detective who looks as fabulous in a dress as a uniform, in the first chapter. Aiden attends a lecture given by Dawn dealing with male rape victims which Aiden describes as "informative, practice-oriented and witty."

They meet up again in a local grocer's (turns out they live near each other) that is robbed while they are there. Dawn and Aiden save the day and go back to Dawn's place for a coffee. Things are going nicely when Dawn asks Aiden to speak to group of rape survivors impregnated by the rapists, Aiden is visibly upset and leaves (great story line follows this throughout the book).

This book is unique in that one of the two central characters is raped by a stranger in her home at the beginning of the book (chapter 3).

The rest of the novel involves the support by friends, family and the local police force, the apprehension of the criminal and the trail.

Saying more would give away too much of the story. I can say that even though each character has had relationships in her past, they are not explored in detail nor are they intimate with anyone else in the book.

At 464 pages this is a substantial crime novel with a terrific number of characters that you get to know more than you would in a shorter novel.

The primary plots are resolved by the end of the book but enough story remains that the author created a followup book Next of Kin.
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Reviewed by Elaine Mulligan

Title: Deadly Intersections Author: Ann Roberts ISBN: 13: 978-1-59493-224-3 Publisher: Bella Books Available At: Bella Books Price: $14.95 Pages: 205 Genre: Mystery

Deadly Intersections is an Ari Adams Mystery.  Ari is a realtor whose father is Big Jack Adams, a well known retired cop, and whose girl friend is Detective Molly Adams.  Roberts has given her reader a wild roller coaster ride in a plot filled with dead bodies, intrigue, lies and corruption.  Her characters are very real with flaws and baggage, and very likeable.  Set in Phoenix, Arizona, Deadly Intersections juxtaposes the bright sunlight with the very dark underbelly of the city.  This is a book full of surprises with an exciting cliff hanger of an ending. 
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: Desire by Starlight Author: Radclyffe ISBN: 10: 1-60282-188-7 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available At: Bold Strokes Books Price: $16.95 Pages: 261 Genre: Romance

Radclyffe has given her fans another spellbinding romantic story.  Author Jenna Hardy is poles apart from veterinarian/coroner Gardner Davis.  Jenna, who writes under the pseudonym of Cassandra Hart, is a best selling author who is on the road promoting her books whenever she's not actively writing.  Gard lives in the back country of Vermont.  Their paths cross when Jenna collapses and is ordered to rest.  Happily, that is just when she receives a call from a Vermont coroner that her great aunt has died and that she is the heir.

Jenna meets Gard in her role of county coroner and is quickly attracted to the enigmatic doctor.  As for Gard, Jenna's pale, tired appearance brings forth all of her tenderness.  While sexual tension flashes, both women are very guarded.  Each has a background they would like to keep buried, and each has a very low trust level. 

Radclyffe has done a wonderful job of describing the life of a rural vet, as well as the frantic pace of a best selling author.  She surrounded her principals with delightful characters, including a very hot sheriff and a loveable dog named Bean.  This is a beautifully written story with great sex and good humor.  I found myself reading some of the funny sections aloud!  It's the perfect summer read.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: Elena Undone Author: Nicole Conn ISBN: 10: 1594932549 13: 978-1594932540 Publisher: Bella Books Available At: Bella Books Price: $16.95 Pages: 280 Genre: Romance

Elena Winters has never been in love with her husband.  She’s supported the man who fathered her son in a moment of youthful passion that had nothing to do with love and everything to do with rebellion against Elena’s old-world upbringing and Asian-Indian heritage.  The couple has been married for fifteen years and Elena has supported Barry as he has transferred his unaccomplished acting career to role of Pastor at the Holy Church of Light.  Their son, Nash, the result of that night of fervor, is entering into a rebellious stage himself, as he realizes his father’s hypocrisy and his mother’s own insincerity.  The pillar of good sense among this rag-tag family of characters seems to be Nash’s girlfriend, who is the unlikely voice of reason within the family when things start to go awry.

Peyton Lombard is a successful writer who struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a bunch of guilt about her aging mother, a strong desire for “family,” and a girlfriend who has no sympathy for Peyton regarding most of her issues.

Elena and Peyton meet at an adoption agency.  Elena wants to adopt to fill the chasm left by the loss of a child years before.  Peyton also wants to adopt, but more to fill the hole left by a mother who has been unloving and unsympathetic to her daughter all her life.  As soon as the two women meet, it is clear that there is something between them.  The sum of their other relationships can’t even remotely compare.

For Peyton, pursuing a relationship with Elena seems out of the question.  After all, she’s “straight” and married.  Against each woman’s better judgment, the pull of their longing brings them together, and it is the usually docile and submissive Elena who unexpectedly breaches the need they both feel whenever they are together—and most of the time they’re apart.  As Elena devotes less and less time to her family and the church, so she and Peyton can spend time together, she blossoms as a person and Peyton suffers from the angst that comes with loving someone who is tied to another.

Elena Undone is a spellbinding tale, a page turner, not only for the clandestine meetings and the manipulations that must go on in Elena’s life just for her to eke out some time with the love of her life, but also for the beautiful renditions of their love-making when they do come together.

In the end, everyone is hurt by Elena’s actions, but all must find a way to stop living the lie that has been a hallmark for most of their lives.
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Reviewed by Anna Furtado

Title: Ghosts of Winter Author: Rebecca S. Buck ISBN: 10: 1-60282-219-0 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available At: Bold Strokes Books Price: $16.95 Pages: 288 Genre: Victory Series

Ghosts of Winter  gives readers two very disparate women.  Roz Wynne has lost everything: her lover, her mother, and her career.  She has, however, inherited Winter Manor, an English country home dating back to 1746, and the money to restore it.  Anna Everest is an architect who specializes in historic properties.  Anna was hired to see Roz through the restoration of Winter Manor.  She dresses impeccably, and is cool and unflappable, just the opposite of Roz.  Buck takes readers through the first year of the restoration, showing the progress of the manor, the developing relationship of Roz and Anna, and each woman coming to terms with her life experiences.

Ghosts of Winter is set in a beautiful area of England.  The story is primarily told through the voice of Roz, with chapters interspersed which tell the story of early inhabitants of the house.  Roz is not from this part of England, so readers get to know the countryside through her eyes. 

Buck has given her readers a charming love story filled with humor, sex, and a sense of place in history.  Her characters are likeable, fun, and filled with optimism.
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Reviewed by RLynne

Title: Hanging Offense Author: Cleo Dare ISBN: 978-1-935053-11-8 Publisher: Quest Books - Regal Crest Enterprises Available At: Bella Books Price: $15.95 Pages: 204 Genre: Mystery/Romance

Mandy Barnes, a twenty-seven-year-old adult education teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is at an all time low. Her husband has snookered all their friends from their church out of most of their savings (think Bernie Madoff). She has taken a summer job at the national park in Utah to regroup and recover.

Jo Reynolds, a twenty-eight-year-old high school biology teacher in San Bernadino, California, has been a seasonal Park Ranger since she was eighteen.

The national park has lodges for single women and Jo and Mandy share a lodge with several other women.

I really enjoyed many aspects of the novel. You get to learn a great deal about the National Park system and Bryce Canyon. You get to learn about the local community that serves the park community as well as the visitors. I learned a great deal about the local Mormon community circa 1980.

Lots of interesting characters, from Geronimo (nickname of the female park security officer) to Orville to Archie to Carlotta to Luisa to Judith to Mr. Andersen; however, the actions of the group of women seemed more likely to be that of younger women, age 20-22 - lots of drama and gossip.

A really neat side story are flashbacks Mandy has to a crime committed 100 years ago.

Glad I didn't miss this read.
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Reviewed by Elaine Mulligan

Title: Like Lovers Do Author: Lori L. Lake ISBN: 10: 1935053663; 13: 978-1935053668 Publisher: Regal Crest Enterprises - Yellow Rose Books Available at: Bella Books; Rainbow eBooks Price: $16.95 Pages: 216 Genre: Romance

Like Lovers Do is a wonderful new romance by Lori L. Lake. The story is centered around Kennie McClain and the Allen Arms apartment building in northeast Portland. After the death of her partner three years ago, Kennie had moved from upstate New York to heal her heart and start a new life. She spends her days as the front desk security guard and her after hours refurbishing the old but sturdy seven story building. What the tenants don't know is that she actually owns the building.

One tenant in particular catches her eye, Lily Gordon, a beautiful artist who lives in the penthouse. When she notices Lily is flirting with her, she begins to think her broken heart has mended enough for her to look forward to a future with someone else. After an amazing date with Lily, Kennie is shattered to find things aren't what they seem and she has to find both the strength to overcome betrayal and the self-confidence to reach for happiness.

As well as Kennie and Lily, Lake has written a lovely cast of supporting characters that add so much depth and humor to the story. Max, a teenager whom Kennie saves from a beating, moves into the Allen Arms, and unexpectedly, into Kennie's heart. Her life has amazing similarities to Kennie's teenage years, and by helping her, Kennie is given the opportunity to grow herself.

Lake's writing is always a joy to read and Like Lovers Do is no exception. It's a beautifully written romance that enthralled me from the first page to the last and the wonderful cast of characters stayed with me long after I had finished.
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Reviewed by Jodie Atkinson

Title: Murder Takes to the Hills Author: Jessica Thomas ISBN: 10: 9781594931789  13: 978-1594931789 Publisher: Bella Books Available At: Bella Books; Moon Horse Books; Barnes and Noble; Amazon Price: $14.95 ebook $11.95 Pages: 264 Genre: Mystery

Nothing creates havoc in a couple’s life like a home remodeling project.  Even though Alex Peres, Private Investigator, and the love of her life, Cindy, have an escape cottage only a few miles away from home, tensions still abound.  When Cindy starts to freak out because someone is following her, friends and family encourage them to get away from it all.  After a great deal of coaxing, the PI and her banker partner pack up their dog, Fargo, and “take to the hills.”  They’re looking forward to the break, traveling to Cindy’s politician cousin’s cabin in the hills of Tennessee.

What they don’t realize is that peril follows them – in the form of murder and mayhem, with the couple forced to sleuth in order to find out exactly who is doing what to whom and why.  However, after poking their noses into one too many bushes, they become the object of the local sheriff’s suspicious eye.  Only by calling in reinforcements that include Alex’s brother and Cindy’s cousin can the mystery finally be sorted out.

Usually, Alex manages to get into enough trouble on her own in Provincetown, but taking a so-called vacation brings trouble for Alex and her partner as they stay in the cabin lent by Cindy’s cousin.  Their time there proves to be less than relaxing and the two can’t wait to escape back to stalkers and kidnappers—a cakewalk compared to the killing and mayhem they’ve experienced in Tennessee.

All the usual Provincetown suspects are there.  Alex’s brother, her mom and aunt, the local color, and especially, the town paranoid, Harmond, who sees drug dealers and criminals of every ilk around every corner.  Alex’s dog, Fargo, is his jaunty self, and once the women get out of their jam, Alex recovers and returns to Provincetown with her sense of humor intact.

Told in the witty, unique voice of the Provincetown PI, this new installment of the series fulfills the Thomas promise of a good read.  Over the series, Thomas’ writing and plots have gotten more complex and sophisticated.  Murder Takes to the Hills might easily have been two separate books; however, the story is interesting and the characters don’t disappoint.  An entertaining read with some laugh-out-loud moments that only Alex can give us, it’s a Thomas mystery that makes a good read..
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Reviewed by Anna Furtado

Title: Murder Takes to the Hills Author: Jessica Thomas ISBN: 10: 9781594931789  13: 978-1594931789 Publisher: Bella Books Available At: Bella Books; Moon Horse Books; Barnes and Noble; Amazon Price: $14.95 ebook $11.95 Pages: 264 Genre: Mystery

The latest installment in the Alex Peres mystery series finds Alex trying to solve mysteries in Provincetown and the hills of Tennessee.  Alex and her lover, Cindy, are having their house remodeled, which is putting a strain on both of them.  That increases when Cindy believes that someone is stalking her, and Alex believes that Cindy is being set up by some shady characters to be involved in a dangerous operation with her plane.  The strain becomes so great on them and the people around them that the pair decide what they need to do is get away for awhile.

Cindy's cousin owns a cabin in Tennessee, which seems perfect, except that they walk right into the middle of a controversy there also.  A developer is trying to change the town in ways that many people resent and the company's enforcer is threatening people.  When the man turns up dead, Alex finds herself involved in solving a mystery anyway.  Seems there's no rest for the nosy.

Murder Takes to the Hills is a fairly snappy mystery.  Thomas has developed a formula for her series that makes the books entertaining and populated with eccentric and sometimes funny characters.  For people who try to avoid trouble, Alex and Cindy just can't seem to make that work.  People who have read the other books will find old friends and a new group who have a Southern flavor to them.  Not only does Thomas throw in distracters to keep the secrets from revealing too soon, but she runs three situations at once.  This book is very busy.

If someone is looking for a light, easy to read, entertaining story, then this book will suit the bill.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Next of Kin Author: Jae ISBN: 10: 9781934889428 13: 978-1934889428 Publisher: L-Book ePublishers Available At: L-Book Price: $21.95 Pages: 542 Genre: Romance Crime

Next of Kin takes place six months after the start of the novel Conflict of Interest. Twenty-eight-year-old psychologist Dawn, a divorcée, is seeing Aiden, a sex crimes police detective in Portland, Oregon. One big surprise enters their new life together and takes most of the novel to work out.

Also as main characters are twenty-nine-year-old Kade Matheson, the deputy district attorney; and Lieutenant Del Vasquez. Del was Aiden's father's partner on the police force years ago. Kade has a history with Aiden. Del is smitten by Kade and while Kade is drawn to Del, Kade has built emotional walls that prevent them getting together easily.

At 540 pages this is a substantial book where the author is allowed to explore the characters and story lines in depth. A creepy plot line appears and the author handles the suspense well and resolves the story nicely.

I would say this story has more emotional angst than romance and reads more like a crime novel to me, but your view may be different.

The references to Xena and Star Trek were a lot of fun.
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Reviewed by Elaine Mulligan

Title: Playing Passion's Game Author: Lesley Davis ISBN: 13: 978-1-60282-223-8 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available At: Bold Strokes Books Price: $16.95 Pages: 240 Genre: Romance

I was excited to read Playing Passion's Game by Lesley Davis as I've totally enjoyed all her previous books; they all get a regular showing in my re-read list. However, I wondered if I'd like this one as much, considering there were no super heroes or magic or witchcraft or ghosts. The answer is a resounding, you bet I did!

The story is set in the world of gamers. Trent Williams lives for games - they're a constant in her life and don't leave much time for anything else, especially love. Not that she's looking, having kept herself closed off after an incident in her teenage years. She's happy with her games, playing them, working with them and competing in games tournaments with a close group of gaming friends. It's while setting up a hall for a games meeting with her best friend, boss and gaming team captain, Elton, that she meets 10 year old Kayleigh Sullivan.

Saving Kayleigh from a group of boys and walking her home is about to change Trent's life completely. Change comes in the form of Kayleigh's big sister Juliet. Her beauty instantly captures Trent's attention and has her longing for more than a quick fling. But the question is, can she overcome a lifetime of guarding her heart and risk it for a chance at happiness. Juliet just may be worth the risk.

This was a lovely sweet romance. Trent is wonderfully strong, gentle and kind, but with an inner fragility that is endearing and draws Juliet to her. I really liked how sensitive Juliet was and how gently she handled Trent, yet there was still wonderfully hot passion between them. The supporting characters of Trent's friend Elton and Juliet's friend Monica were great and added a wonderful touch to the story, as did all the other minor characters. Playing Passion's Game is a wonderful romance that I thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to reading again.
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Reviewed by Jodie Atkinson

Title: River Walker Author: Cate Culpepper ISBN: 10: 1-60282-189-5  13: 978-1-60282-189-7 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available At: Bold Strokes Books; Bella Books; Moon Horse Books; Barnes and Noble; Amazon Price: $16.95 ebook $11.99 Pages: 231 Genre: Supernatural/Urban Fantasy/Romance

This may be the perfect book.  It's told in a beautifully straight-forward manner with no wasted scenes or distractions, the characters are compelling and there are no typographical or editing errors.

Two women are linked by the type of grief that kills the soul and one woman is determined to save them both.  Grady Wrenn is a cultural anthropologist who has come to New Mexico State University to teach.  Grady is haunted by her past and takes long walks along the Rio Grande at night when she can't sleep.  On one of these walks she has two startling encounters.  She meets a woman lying naked in the water and she hears the unbearable sound of another woman moaning and screeching in great pain. 

Grady eventually learns that the woman is Elena Montalva, a local spiritual healer, and the suffering soul is a mythical creature known as La Llorona who wanders rivers looking for her lost children and preying on abusive men.  Only these men should be able to hear La Llorona, but because Grady can, Elena sees this as the opportunity she's been looking for to cure the spirit and stop the murderous rampage that always accompanies her visits.  While trying to find a way to confront the ghost, Grady and Elena must deal with hostile people in the town who blame the deaths on Elena and her mother.  If Elena can work the right magic, she can heal both Grady and La Llorona and try to provide a happy ending for all of them.

This is a supernatural story that doesn't feel supernatural.  The story is told so subtly and with such excellent character development that it's easy to believe that all of these individuals actually exist.  The reader is gradually drawn into the story and the spell it weaves becomes as powerful for the reader as for the characters.  The suspense mounts gradually, so that this never becomes a horror story, but there is a sense of horror around what happens to the women and the spirit. 

Culpepper uses an interesting technique in contrasting Elena, who believes totally in the spiritual world, with Grady, who has lost her belief in just about everything.  Grady struggles to remain a scientist in the face of something that she can't avoid and she can't resist how Elena makes her feel.  The love story develops slowly and realistically instead of being a mad dash into a bedroom that so often occurs.

River Walker is a story that is simply pleasurable to read.  Even people who may not usually enjoy supernatural stories will find this one is hard to put down.
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Reviewed by  Lynne Pierce

Title: River Walker Author: Cate Culpepper ISBN: 10: 1-60282-189-5  13: 978-1-60282-189-7 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available At: Bold Strokes Books; Bella Books; Moon Horse Books; Barnes and Noble; Amazon Price: $16.95 ebook $11.99 Pages: 231 Genre: Supernatural/Urban Fantasy/Romance

After a personal tragedy, Grady Wrenn, a cultural anthropologist, accepts a teaching job at New Mexico State University. Anxious to learn more of the local legends and folklore as she teaches her summer undergraduate seminar, she has her class do a paper on La Llorona, the River Walker.

Elena Montalvo, a curandera, or spiritual healer, is also interested in the River Walker, but for more personal reasons.

Together these two women go up against the River Walker. Grady, having no belief in any God, must put aside her doubts and beliefs in order to help Elena stop the River Walker.

River Walker is a paranormal romance that, unlike most, does not deal with vampires or werewolves. It was refreshing to delve into the world of folklore and legends.

Setting the story in New Mexico, Cate Culpepper describes rich landscapes and beautiful desert views with such vividness you can picture them in your mind. She also describes the actions and consequences of mixing fear and small minds in a tiny community. Believing the stories they were told as children were only tales told to scare them, they laughed them off as adults, but the seed was planted in their minds. When unexplained events happen, the seed grows, and the community reacts in fear by lashing out at the ones they believe are responsible. An innocent woman was blamed over 100 years ago, and now her descendants are being blamed for the same things.

Culpepper takes the reader on an enjoyable trip. She shows how fear turns someone, who just yesterday was a friend, into someone willing to go to any length to stop what they don’t understand. The strength of Elena, still believing in her friends and town even as they turn viciously against her, is amazing.  Culpepper also shows the slow transformation of Grady, who held no beliefs at all, but turns into someone who can start to truly believe. 

Culpepper’s characters were very well written and complete, as were the secondary characters. She has a rich assortment of characters that only added to my enjoyment of the story. This book WILL go on your stack of books to be read again.
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Reviewed by  Nanc K.

Title: Sea of Grass Author: Kate Sweeney ISBN: 10: 1935216155  13: 978-1935216155 Publisher: Intaglio Publications Available At: Bella Books Price: $16.95 Pages: 230 Genre: Romance

This is the movie It's A Wonderful Life and John Wayne's McLintock! rolled into one epic book.

We have forty-nine-year-old Tess returning to the ranch that has been in her family since the 1800s. She is a tenured professor in Agriculture at UC Berkeley. Her brother and heir to the ranch died two years ago. Her widowed father is getting older and would love to have Tess take over the day-to-day ranching, and even more would love for a grandson. Tess has never had a serious relationship since grad school. Will Tess want the job?

Warren Telford is the Mr. Potter of the town. He wants to take over most of the commerce in town and most of the ranches outside town for his own purposes and will use any means to achieve it.

Into the mix arrives Claire Redman, usually referred to in westerns as a tenderfoot, and her son Jack.

A wonderful roller coaster of a book ensues with an ending that will leave the reader grinning from ear to ear.

If you enjoyed this book don't miss the author's novels Winds of Heaven and The O'Malley Legacy.
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Reviewed by Elaine Mulligan

Title: Something to Believe Author: Robbi McCoy ISBN: 978-1-59493-214-4 Publisher: Bella Books Available at: Bella Books; Moon Horse Books; Barnes and Noble; Amazon Price: Paper - $14.95; eBook - $11.95 Pages: 275 Genre: Romance

In a book about mature relationships and dealing with people honorably, Robbi McCoy has created one of the most appealing characters to come out of lesbian fiction. Faith is the partner and lover that every woman hopes to find. She's the friend that everyone wishes they had.

Something to Believe opens ten years ago when Faith, who is an anthropologist, is on a cruise in China with her partner Lauren to see the Yangtze River before the dam project is completed and many cultural sites are flooded. On the ship they meet Cassie and Jennifer who are on vacation. They quickly become friends, especially Lauren and Cassie, who find they are attracted to each other. Though they try to maintain a friendship, both come to accept that their attraction is too great a temptation to violate the relationships they have and they lose contact with each other.

Ten years later Lauren, now a widow, and Cassie meet by accident and decide to renew their friendship. Lauren is mourning the loss of Faith and tortured by something she discovered after Faith's death that has shaken her belief in everything. Cassie, now single and a successful lawyer, is still trying to resolve issues with the son she has been estranged from for many years. Though neither is looking for a relationship, they will have to reassess everything as they become reacquainted. Cassie knows how she has felt for years, but she has to convince Lauren that it is possible to love two people equally.

The nice thing about this book is that it shows an established relationship the way it ought to be. Faith and Lauren not only experience a profound love, but they respect and complement each other in every way that makes a partnership work. Though they are both tempted, they have the intelligence and maturity to realize that what they have is more important than a momentary indulgence. Too often in lesbian literature the characters seem consumed with making a connection and getting into bed and then worrying about something deeper later. It's refreshing to see a couple who knows how to behave properly and to set their priorities correctly. Even after Faith is gone, Lauren knows that no other relationship will work until she achieves an appropriate conclusion to the one she had with Faith.

Faith is the character who makes this book work. She establishes the tone of the first part of the book and she's a commanding presence after she departs the story physically. The irony of her is that, despite her name and the fact that she studies burial practices of various cultures, she has no belief herself in a higher power or afterlife. It's her theory of life that makes her stand out: "This is my one shot and I try to make the best of it. Live every day with determination to make it a good one. I'm grateful to be alive, every day." She is not overbearing, but the way she conducts herself is a lesson she teaches by example. She presents an optimistic attitude that is grounded in reality. Faith sets a high standard for anyone to live by, but she represents the kind of person you can trust implicitly and wish you were more like.

Robbie McCoy is establishing herself as one of the finest of the lesbian romance authors by building a body of work that stands above the crowd. Something to Believe is an excellent addition to the list.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: The Cruel Ever After Author: Ellen Hart ISBN: 10: 9780312614768 13: 978-0212614768 Publisher: Bella Books Available At: Bella Books Price: $25.99 Pages: 336 Genre: Mystery

In the most thrilling installment of the Jane Lawless series, The Cruel Ever After gives us a glimpse into Jane’s past when her ex-husband, Chester (“Chess”) Garrity, turns up.  He’s hawking an ancient Middle-Eastern artifact called the Winged Bull of Nimrud that seems to bring nothing but danger in its wake—and almost everyone Jane knows is sucked into the lies and manipulations that surround the iniquitous object.

As a result of Chess’ bumbling cover-up attempts and his desire for illegal gains, Jane’s father is forced to defend Chess against accusations of murder, Jane’s ex-girlfriend, Julia, stands to lose a fortune when she tries to use the Bull to impress Jane; Jane’s brother and his family are swept into its wake when his young daughter disappears; and Jane herself discovers that her past connections to Chess are not as completely severed as she’s been led to believe.  Even Jane’s well-intentioned, inquisitive ways can’t easily help her out of the jam she finds herself in this time.

Murder, kidnapping, underhanded thugs and more than one unstable girlfriend all contribute to the chaos swirling around Jane, threatening her and her friends and family.  Even Jane’s private eye on-again-off-again partner, Nolan, becomes entangled, to his detriment.

This is, perhaps, the most trouble Jane has ever been in during her amateur sleuthing episodes.  Hart gives us a complex plot with heart-stopping action with plenty of “don’t-do-it-Jane” moments.  Duplicity, exploitation, delusions, and red herrings abound.  Don’t miss this ultimate work of deception and intrigue.
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Reviewed by Anna Furtado

Title: The Midnight Hunt Author: L.L. Raand ISBN: 10: 1-60282-140-2 13: 978-1-60282-140-8 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available At: Bold Strokes Books; Bella Books; Amazon Price: $16.95 Pages: 288 Genre: Paranormal Midnight Hunters Series

Sylvan has inherited from her parents the title of Alpha of the Adirondack Timberwolf Pack. Her base of power is located in and around Albany, New York. She is single by choice. Because she has not bonded with another werewolf, those in her Pack can be thrown into turmoil as her emotions are always at the surface and physically affect all in her Pack. Sylvan herself is torn; she knows she should find a mate but has not found the right person. She is perhaps afraid of finding the right person as she saw how heartbroken her own father was at the death of her mother.

Only recently has the presence of Werewolves, Vampires, Mages, Psi, and Fae become public knowledge, and while accepted as a fact (they have existed for millenia), they are currently fighting for their rights. Not only is Sylvan the Alpha of her Pack, she also is the Preatern coalition leader using their economic power to influence change.

For some reason this novel reminded me of the movie Bladerunner. There is darkness and danger around every chapter. Whether it be political (is the power elite of the vampire coalition looking to overthrow Sylvan?), or within the coalition of werewolf packs (who is looking to overthrow the Adirondack pack?).

Enter the story a rich cast of characters. Drake McKennan is immediately drawn to Sylvan even though she is not a werewolf herself. Sylvan herself finds Drake compelling but knows that she can only mate with someone from her pack. Detective Jody Gates, an undead Vampire, is investigating recent crimes against young werewolves and Becca Land from the Albany Gazette is looking for a story. The beautiful master vampire Francesca is the owner of Club Nocturne where anything goes.

Throw in kidnappings and overwhelming sexual desires, and you have an explosive thrill ride of a novel.

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Reviewed by Elaine Mulligan

Title: The Side Door Author: Jan Donley ISBN: 978-1-935226-12-3 Publisher: Spinsters Ink Available At: Bella Books; Moon Horse Books; Barnes and Noble; Amazon Price: $14.95  ebook $11.95 Pages: 234 Genre: Drama

New Moon Falls is a place where people like conformity and secrets are to be kept.  Fifteen-year-old Melrose Bird has trouble with all of that.  With her bristle haircut, baggy cargo pants and androgynous appearance, Mel certainly doesn't conform to the image most people have of a girl and there's a secret she just won't leave alone. 

On her first day of high school she sees the mother of Alex Weber sitting on a bench just staring at the school.  Alex hanged himself five years before, but no one in the town wants to talk about it.  Mel and her friend Frank become obsessed with Alex, his grave, and why no one seems to care about what happened to him.  As Mel and Frank struggle to come to an awareness of themselves, they come to expect little help from their peers or the adults who surround them.

The Side Door is a well-written story because it captures the way a fifteen-year-old sees the world with great accuracy.  Mel has the conviction of someone with a limited world view because of her age.  From her perspective, she is the only one who is seeking the truth; anyone who disagrees with her is wrong; anyone who won't help her is a coward.  She faces situations with great bravery, but also with a total disregard of the feelings of other people, just like a fifteen-year-old.  No one will keep Mel from doing what she thinks is needed, even if she's wrong.

This book isn't a typical coming out story.  Mel doesn't find her true love and experience her first sexual encounter.  Instead it's a picture of kids discovering the uglier side of being gay, trying to change that against great odds and being partially successful.  It also has an interesting contrasting character in a teacher Mel turns to for support.  She represents a generation of women who created the atmosphere where Mel can be herself, but didn't experience it themselves.  The book misses a real chance to be richer by exploring that character a little more.

The Side Door is not the type of book to give to teenagers to help them figure out why they feel different and it doesn't speak to the experiences of all young gay people.  Instead, it's a book that might help an adult understand better what it means to be one type of those kids and how adults appear through their eyes.
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Reviewed by Lynne Pierce

Title: Trauma Alert Author: Radclyffe ISBN: 10: 1-60282-157-7  13: 978-1-60282-157-6 Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Available At: Bold Strokes; Bella Books; Amazon e-Book Available At: Bold Strokes Books; Bella Books; Amazon Price: $16.95 Pages: 320 Genre: Romance - A First Responders Novel

Twenty-eight-year-old Beau Cross is a paramedic in the Philadelphia Fire Department. She exudes confidence and is magnetically attractive. She can have her pick of romance partners but prefers to keep things light and commitment has no attraction for her - she is young and wants to have fun. She loves the thrills and the dangerous challenges her job affords her.

Ali Torveau is the thirty-something Trauma Surgeon at University Hospital in downtown Philadelphia. She too loves her job and has never lacked for her pick of romances. None have worked out and she is OK with that. She has a happy home life close to the hospital. Her renter, Ralph, is like family, her dog Victor keeps her company, and her best friend she sees at the hospital every day. Beau is everything Ali has avoided in her personal life, so why can't she stop thinking about her?

Beau has never been in a serious relationship and is not looking, so why is she completely smitten with Dr. Torveau?

Add in some thrilling ER action, tense rescues, delving deep into what makes these women who they are, two very complex backgrounds and some gorgeous writing, where you can actually feel the November air, this is a book you want to start on a weekend and not put down until done.

At 300 pages the author gives the reader a fully realized romance.
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Reviewed by Elaine Mulligan

Title: Wildfire Author: Lynn James ISBN: 13: 978-1-59493-191-8 Publisher: Bella Books Available At: Bella Books Price: $14.95 Pages: 207 Genre: Romance

WildFire is set in the beautiful Cascade Mountains of Washington State.  Its protagonists, ranger Elaine Thomas and botanist Dr. Devon McKinney, share a love of the flora and fauna of the wilderness.  Their paths cross when an assignment takes Elaine to a rural cabin in the Cascade National Forest.  Poachers have been wantonly killing mammals and Elaine plans to catch them.  She has just broken up with her girl friend and hopes some alone time will help heal her heart.  Devon is camping in the forest to research the recovery of plant life from a toxic spill.  She's on a deadline to complete her research in time to get back for her pregnant sister's delivery date. 

Elaine and Devon are both bright, successful women and when they meet, sparks fly.  Part wilderness adventure, part hot love story, WildFire offers plenty of excitement in the woods along with humor and passionate sex.  Elaine and Devon are funny and enjoyable heroines.  Edited by Karin Kallmaker, this novel has all the ingredients necessary to become a well-read, well-loved favorite. It's a great first novel.
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Reviewed by RLynne