Broken Rules by Addison Paisley (Alison Pinsonneault)

Publisher:              iUniverse


Abby Grant works in her father's design company in Lansing, Michigan and lives her private life by a set of strict rules. She doesn't form attachments to anyone and she never spends more than one night with a woman. There are plenty of women out there willing to share her company and she doesn't see any need to make a commitment. Her mother certainly didn't when she ran off and abandoned Abby and her father. 

A trip to Los Angeles to receive an award from a design association turns her life upside down. Erin Davis owns a lesbian club named ED's. She's just come out of a relationship that ended painfully and hasn't healed from that, but, when Abby walks into her club, there is an immediate attraction. Erin recognizes Abby for a "player" though and doesn't want to have her heart broken again. Abby is completely floored by how she reacts to Erin and contemplates breaking her own rules. The stress of that relationship and the shock of meeting her mother and learning that she's been wrong about many things sends Abby fleeing back to Lansing. 

Both Abby and Erin try to forget each other and find relationships with other women, but they can't forget the sparks they felt between them. The final question is whether Abbey can break some of her rules in order to find a meaningful relationship with Erin.

Broken Rules is a predictable, but enjoyable story. It's well written and flows from point to point. The characters are fully developed and there is enough tension in the story to keep it interesting. There's nothing surprising or challenging in the story that makes it unique, but that shouldn't be considered a negative. It will make a good way to pass some time.

Absolute Forgiveness by Addison Paisley (Alison Pinsonneault)

Publisher:             iUniverse

Andrea Reynolds and Heather Johnson were childhood friends, but were separated when Andrea's mother is killed by her father and she goes away to live with other family members.  Years later Andrea is sent back to her hometown by her employer to set up a new production line at a plant.  Since she will only be in town for a limited time, she decides to rent a room in a house, then is stunned to discover that it's Heather's house.  Both women harbor difficult feelings from what occurred between them before and they struggle to come to terms with those.  Heather's ex-girl friend Robin does everything she can to keep them apart.  Not only do they have to deal with the past, but they have to establish trust in the present.  Caring for each other becomes quite easy, but being able to forgive each other will hold the answer to whether or not they can establish a closer relationship.  

Some people avoid self-published books because their quality can be questionable.  That's not a consideration in this case.  Paisley tells a fairly good story with no grammar or printing problems.  Any weaknesses in the book are due to issues with the plot, not the set up.  This is a straight forward romance that follows the typical formula.  The plot is a little contrived, but it works.

Absolute Forgiveness tells an interesting story with likable characters.  The plot is predictable, but entertaining.  The book is short, so it won't take long to read it.