Pirate Web Sites

There is a discussion on Facebook about a site that is offering people's books for download free. We're not talking about older books that have been around and probably run through the bulk of their sales. Authors are finding their books that have just been released on these sites. No one is posting the site, I don't blame them, and I won't either. YOU know if you've been downloading books for free though.

This reminds me of when they started offering downloaded music and people thought they were "clever" because they were getting music free. This isn't right, folks. I know some of us have limited funds and books, even some ebooks, can be expensive, but taking a person's work for free is just plain theft. It's the same thing as me finding out you're not home and forgot to lock your front door, so I go in and clean out your refrigerator because I can. It's the same as your neighbor finding a way to tap into your cable or whatever and getting internet, phone and TV services free while you pay the bill.

If you want to read books and your money is seriously limited, there are things you can do:

1. Ask your local library to order the books.

2. Many authors give away free books all of the time.

   Enter their drawings or whatever they're doing.

3. Borrow books from friends you know who buy them.

4. Many of the book publishers and different groups have

   ways of helping you get some books. Ask them.

5. Join one of the many online groups and see if there is

   someone there who will share with you or give you some

   books free. That doesn't get the author a sale, but

   someone paid for the book at one point.

Please don't take free books from any site "just because you can." Most of these authors don't make that much money to begin with. Don't drive them out of the business just so you can put something over on someone.

Besides, it's just not fair.

Worlds Collide by Moondancer Drake

Publisher:      P. D. Publishing

Moondancer Drake continues her story about the extended family of shape shifters from her first book Natural Order.  In this book, Rune Nqumayo is a veterinary student in Madison, Wisconsin, and the leader of her local pack.  Rune runs her life by a strict code of honor and duty, but she’s facing a number of challenges.  A rogue group of vampires is threatening the lives of humans and shape shifters in the area, then, after a serious attack, she finds herself depending on the help of vampires.  Everything she has been taught tells her that Nara is a disgusting creature, but neither she nor her people match the stereotypes by which Rune has been taught to live.  If she is going to bring peace and safety to her people and the humans, Rune may have to risk being ostracized by her own clan.

Worlds Collide is another of those books that takes an alternative view of vampires (some of them), werewolves and other supernatural creatures.  This is becoming a common theme in literature, probably due partially to the success of the Twilight series, but it doesn’t make the story any less enjoyable.  The book is short and could have contained more detail, but it basically contains a good story.  There is a classic battle between good and evil and a hero who stands out by her strength.  The book has entertainment appeal.

For those who like a book that is quick to read and features paranormal creatures, Worlds Collide fits the bill.  It’s fine for a little escapism.

On the Air by Geonn Cannon

Publisher:       P. D. Publishing

Nadine Butler is a popular radio disc jockey called “the Pixie” at a small station on Squire’s Isle in Washington.  She and her girlfriend Amy, who is a reporter for the local newspaper, are deeply in the closet until Nadine unintentionally outs herself at a town meeting.  Amy then reports on the incident and turns it into front page news.  When Nadine learns her job is threatened, she seizes control of the radio station and tries to start a gay revolution on the island.

There are a number of problems with this book.  The entire premise is silly and improbable.  When Nadine seizes the radio station, the police not only don’t try to stop her, but end up helping her.  The reader is supposed to believe that Nadine is closeted because of the community, but gay people erupt out of everywhere once she comes forward.  The love scenes are flat and most damning of all, the characters just aren’t interesting.  The whole story is superficial and rushed.  The quality of the book as a product isn’t good.  The laminated cover refuses to hold its shape and curls away from the book.

Anyone looking for a few hours of mindless reading may find On the Air suitable.  Unfortunately, this is a book that will be remembered more for its mistakes than its plot.

Once by L.T Smith

Publisher:              P.D. Publishing

Relationships can be very damaging.  If your partner tells you you're unattractive and leaves you for someone else, it tends to make you believe her words.   

Beth Chambers knows exactly how that feels, only her experience was worse because she found her lover having sex with another woman as if to emphasize the point.  Beth isn't sure she'll ever trust another woman, but that's OK because she has Dudley.  Beth may have no self confidence, but she knows Dudley loves her unconditionally.  After all, that's what dogs do.  Which is why, when Dudley gets away from her one day during his walk and Beth is sure he's chased his ball right into the river, she doesn't hesitate to plunge into the icy water fully clothed to save her friend.  That's where Amy Fletcher finds her.  Standing in the middle of the river, soaked to the skin, crying desperately as if her world has come to an end.  Amy has only gone there because the handsome little dog with the ball in his mouth that ran into the café where she was having coffee was insistent that she follow him.   

In Beth's eyes, Amy has it all, beauty, personality, a good job, she's everything that Beth isn't.  They might be friends, but nothing else could ever come from them spending time together.  Even when the friendship begins to show signs of something else, Beth can't believe that she's worthy of someone like Amy or ready to trust herself in another relationship.  What she doesn't know is that Amy has been hurt also and needs Beth just as much.  It begins to look doubtful that the women will realize what is happening between them, but never underestimate the power of Dudley.

Once is a nice story about two women trying to learn how to trust again.  It has a lot of natural humor in it, which makes its biggest weakness stand out even more.  At times Smith tries to push the humor too much, Beth comes off as being almost too "cute" to the point of irritating.  Smith needs to let her characters tell their stories and go with the natural flow of the tale without forcing it.  When she does that, she's quite successful.  Developing Amy's background more would have given her character more depth, but the book is definitely supposed to be predominantly about Beth.   

This is a story many women will be able to relate to.  They have been hurt by the actions of someone they thought they were close to and looked for some fault in themselves to blame.  Beth and Amy are sympathetic characters and their struggle to believe in each other has a ring of reality to it.  They almost lose everything because they are afraid to say what they feel and take a risk, which is a situation many have experienced.

Once isn't a romance loaded with sex scenes, but it can be an enjoyable afternoon or evening spent watching these women work out their feelings.  And then there's Dudley the scene stealer.  Two lesbians and a cute dog.  It's pretty difficult to go wrong with that.

Water Witch by Nene Adams

Publisher:              P.D. Publishing


Swashbuckling pirates – supernatural occurrences – lost treasure – lusty lovers – adventure on the land and seas – what more could anyone possibly want from a book?

Bess O'Bedlam, known as the Water Witch, has been hunting for years to discover the legendary treasure left behind by Fancy Tom Carew, who killed his whole crew so that he wouldn't have to share his hoard of gold, silver and jewels. As she has led her fleet of five pirate ships on raids around the Caribbean, her goal has been to follow the clues leading to the last resting place of Carew's loot laden ship, the “Deceiver.” On the island of Antigua she discovers the most intriguing clue of all, a tattoo on the shoulder of the fiery and beautiful Marguerite De Vries.

Margo is an accomplished thief who has no interest in going to sea, but Bess is a pirate who has no problem with kidnapping and keeping her a prisoner. Despite tumultuous fights, the two find themselves drawn to the vibrancy that radiates from each woman. What follows is a string of adventures including battles at sea, incantations and spirit visitations, and a wild Spanish woman with a nasty temper and quick dagger. All of this serves to bring the women closer together and the treasure hunt eventually turns into a race against time when Bess and Margo realize there is more at stake than just finding the riches. The charmed tattoo draws them to an island where all of their dreams should be fulfilled, but instead a nightmare begins to unfurl, culminating in a race across the water and a battle that is nothing short of epic and mystical. Whether or not Bess and Margo can have a future together literally becomes a fight between life and death.

Nene Adams has crafted a story that reeks of authenticity, including the fact that there were a number of famous female pirates who successfully prowled the Caribbean area in the 17th and 18th centuries. She uses so many terms and sayings from the period that she includes a glossary at the back of the book to explain them.
When Bess is standing on her quarterdeck preparing her ship for battle, you can almost smell the salt water and envision what the crew looks like as they go about their duties. The supernatural scenes which might make a reader think that the book is a fantasy are done so realistically and with such skill, that it becomes totally possible to believe they are happening. 

The supporting cast is as riveting as the leading ladies. Solomon Lovelock, who ultimately proves what true loyalty is; Dunn, the first mate, and his lover the blademaster Levalier who provide lessons in seamanship and fighting techniques; Mistress Glasspoole, who provides a wealth of information about using herbs and natural items to treat wounds and illness; and towering above them all, quite literally, is Captain Letty Speedwell. If Bess O'Bedlam wasn't such a dynamic character, her best friend Letty could easily dominate the book, but Adams strikes a perfect balance between the two. There is a scene in the final battle where Speedwell will make the reader want to sit up and shout at her performance. There are many other characters and scenes which enhance the story and will stick in the reader's mind.

Adams obviously did extensive research for this book. Besides the language, the details in the clothing, food and geography, plus the extensive knowledge of the medical lore and supernatural beliefs, give this book the texture that all historical novels should have. It puts to shame those books that twist history so that it can't be recognized in reality. At the end it's a disappointment to remember that these people did not really exist. 

Water Witch: The Deceiver's Grave is a book that deserves to be read and enjoyed.

Turning Point by Lara Zielinsky

Publisher:                 P. D. Publishing


Lara Zielinsky's work is familiar to many people who like to read online fan fiction. Now, she brings her first novel, Turning Point, to print. Fans of the program "Star Trek: Voyager" will see where she got much of her inspiration.

Turning Point is set in Hollywood and centers around the cast of a sci-fi series called "Time Trails." The show's long time star Brenna Lanigan has had a trying year because the producers brought a new character into the show to ramp up the sex appeal of the program. Cassidy Hyland admires Brenna for being a consummate professional and highly skilled actor, but she's spent the last year getting nothing but the cold shoulder from her co-star. All of that begins to change when Brenna uncharacteristically accepts an invitation to a birthday party for Cassidy's young son. The party gives both women a chance to show aspects of their personalities that have been hidden from each other.


From that tentative beginning comes a friendship based on shared experiences and emotions and before long Brenna and Cassidy find themselves being drawn into a deeper relationship that neither had anticipated. Meanwhile, they also have to deal with the stresses of the final season of their show, planning for the future and difficulties with the other people in their lives. Ultimately, the question becomes if the women can have very public careers and the type of love that they truly want.

For those who feel that plots of books are often rushed to completion without good character development, this book will be a welcome change. It spends considerable time letting the reader get to know the characters and study the development of their relationship. There are numerous and varied scenes showing them interacting with other characters and the reader can develop a sense of what is going on in these women's heads. 

Not only does the book contain more pages than the average lesbian novel, but it's printed in the larger size book and in a smaller than usual font, so there is a lot on each page. The font size is the biggest drawback to this book. It is one way to get more story in while not having to increase the number of pages, but for those who have difficulty with print size, this book may be beyond the limits of their toleration. 

Another distracting aspect is that, since it's based on people from a well-known TV show, the reader can't help but visualize Kate Mulgrew and Jeri Ryan in the two main characters. That isn't necessarily a detriment to the story, but readers who like to conjure up images of characters for themselves may have a problem with this. On the whole this is a well written book and, though some scenes might have been eliminated to shorten the book, the story moves at a good pace and keeps the reader engrossed. It's a standard romance and worth the reading time.

Turn For Home by Lara Zielinsky

Publisher:               P.D. Publishing

Turn For Home is the sequel to Turning Point and picks up the story of actresses Brenna Lanigan and Cassidy Hyland as they are trying to decide how public to make their relationship.  Their sons are divided in their support and Brenna is going through a divorce, so keeping things quite seems best.  As the stars of a popular TV show and actresses who are in demand for other jobs, they have a lot at risk professionally.  The issue is taken out of their hands when a violent attack against Cassidy by her ex-husband brings everything out into the open.  The women find out just who their friends are and how much the entertainment world will support.  Brenna is also in for some surprises from her sons.

Like any sequel, there is a comfortable feeling about this book.  It provides an opportunity to catch up with characters the reader may already be familiar with and see how their lives are progressing.  It covers a brief, but traumatic period in the women's relationship.  There are few books that describe a physical attack as vividly as Zielinsky does in this one.  Besides the issue of abuse, the book also delves into the difficulty that partners can have with the health care system when they have no legal rights and the parents of one of them tries to seize control of the situation.

Turn For Home has a weakness.  It's really necessary that the first book has been read.  A new reader will definitely feel like she's walked into the middle of what is going on and won't have much frame of reference for how these women reached the point where the story picks up.  Adding more back story to this book would have resolved the problem.

This book is good for a couple of hours of entertaining reading.  It should be particularly appealing to those who enjoyed Turning Point.

 

Threads of Destiny by J.P. Mercer

Publisher:              P. D. Publishing


The idea of reading the second edition of a book I was already familiar with never made much sense in the past. If you already know the story, what is the point? However, word was that there were significant changes in this new edition, both through new words and a thorough editing, so I decided I should read it and I learned a valuable lesson. When an author revisits her work and teams up with a talented editor, a good book can be made even better and show more depth than before.

Threads of Destiny is the story of Cara Cipriano, a lawyer and vintner in Santa Barbara, and Jake Biscayne, a leading FBI forensic pathologist and profiler. Mercer and Nancy Hill first introduced their story in Incommunicado; however, through a skillful use of flashbacks and inventive dialogue, Mercer provides enough of the original story in this volume that it is not necessary to have read the first book to follow the action. The women fell in love while they were working together to solve a string of brutal murders along the Mexican border, only to have their relationship ripped apart by a tragedy that Cara could not cope with and Jake knew nothing about.  
Threads of Destiny reunites them a year later when Cara returns to take over as padrone of the family vineyard and discovers that someone is using the business to smuggle drugs across the border. When she asks the government for help, she and Jake are brought together in an uncomfortable situation while they try to solve the crime. Two stories then unfold in the book. One is a mystery and adventure story about the drug running that eventually includes kidnapping and a dramatic conclusion. Simultaneously, Cara and Jake struggle to deal with their emotions and whether or not they can rebuild the relationship they once had. Not until the very last page is that question answered and the reader cannot be certain of the answer until then.

There are a number of things to like about Mercer's writing. Even though it is fiction, the characters ring true as actual people. Women usually don't fall in love immediately in life and they sometimes hurt each other. Jake can't forgive Cara immediately for deserting her even after she learns the reason for Cara's actions, and she shouldn't. You almost find yourself hoping that Jake will fall for a new interest, McKenzie, even though you know the pain that Cara suffers because of her actions. The frustration of Jake, the despair of Cara, and the pure evil of Sandro the drug runner/murderer come off of the pages powerfully. Mercer is very deft at keeping you on the edge of just not being sure how these stories will resolve themselves until they are finished. The dialogue from other languages, with no translations, shows the respect that Mercer has for her reader being able to infer the meaning from the story. The knowledge of the wine making process, forensic details, and the inside dealing of the cocaine trade indicate a book that was thoroughly researched.

Mercer's writing is very tight. No wasted scenes or words distract the reader from the action and emotion that drive the stories. Secondary characters add color and dimension to the book, like Cara's childhood friend and would be lover, Maggie; Matt Peyson, the Federal agent who loves Jake, but knows he has to look elsewhere for happiness; McKenzie, the alluring woman who has feelings for both Cara and Jake; and Sandro, evil incarnate, the childhood friend of Jake and Matt who has betrayed their love for him and who is the killer determined to make Cara pay for interfering in his business. They combine to create a world that feels all too real. Mercer has created one of those books that is hard to put down once you have started it.

The original version of Threads of Destiny had a very short life in the bookstores, so P.D. Publishing has done readers a service in bringing it back in an improved form. Now readers will have the chance to discover a book that deserves their notice.

The Veil of Sorrow by Crystal Michallet-Romero

Publisher:            P. D. Publishing

Cecilia Dupuin has had a fortunate life.  Though born an orphan, an anonymous benefactor paid for her to attend an exclusive girls school and now she has been hired to work for a wealthy woman who needs someone to help her record her memoirs.  Cecilia finds herself living in a beautiful chateau with some odd people.  Her employer is a charming elderly woman who has a harrowing tale to tell, but it’s when she meets the true mistress of the mansion that Cecilia comprehends the darkness into which she has stumbled.  Cecilia is forced to confront what she has been told about vampires as opposed to the woman she meets and the woman who loves her.  Ultimately, she must decide how much of their story she wants to be part of.

The Veil of Sorrow is written in the style of the Gothic novel with brooding characters, a suspenseful mood, supernatural events and high emotion.  It departs from the usual formula by making the threatening presence a female, but that’s what makes it lesbian fiction.  The book has a modern aspect in that the vampire is more misunderstood than evil, perhaps too much so.  Cecilia doesn’t seem startled at all to find herself the guest of a vampire and, instead of contemplating fleeing from the situation, she’s more interested in transcribing the stories that are being told to her and getting to know the women.  Although there is an occasional show of the beast, most of the time the vampire and her servants are model citizens.  Part of what draws the reader in is the way that vampirism is handled as so “normal,” comparable to having a chronic illness.  If the reader is a fan of more traditional vampire novels, this one may seem very tame; however, it is a lesbian novel told in a different style and mood.  It’s a couple of hours of escapist reading.

Penetrate by Kathleen Kelly

Publisher:    1st ed - Cavalier Press; 2nd ed - P.D. Publishing


Penetrate features two characters who couldn't be more different in their personalities and histories. Kali is a ruthless modern-day pirate in the Amazon region, world weary and able to kill as effortlessly as most people breathe. Her loyalty and efficiency can be bought and her personal relationships are limited to what is necessary. Maddie is an academic, a sheltered PhD who has come to the rainforest to study the environment and effects of global warming. She hasn't seen much of the world and knows even less about people. Their worlds literally collide when their ships run into each other on the Amazon River. Kali is on an assassination mission and Maddie becomes her unfortunate captive. Despite what her logic tells her, Kali doesn't immediately kill Maddie and finds herself dealing with her conflicting feelings about that, while she flees from the wrath of the cartel for her failed mission. As they race for their lives through the Brazilian rainforest, Maddie finds herself drawn to the strange woman while facing the fact that she can never be sure that Kali isn't going to kill her the next minute. 

The most interesting character in the book is Kali. She is tough on the outside and tough on the inside. Yet, her story is revealed in a way to almost, but not quite, make her a sympathetic figure. She isn't a redeemed character, but she is brash, intelligent and daring. Maddie's character is less well drawn or perhaps less admirable, in an odd sort of way. Her naivete` is almost irritating, but she develops a loyalty to Kali that strengthens her and she is able to understand Kali for who she truly is.

Kelly has produced an excellent adventure story. It's full of drama and suspense that keeps the pages turning and the fact that her characters are lesbians is incidental to the story. The story would be just as interesting if the women were not drawn to each other in a sexual context. By the end of the book it is clear that they do love each other, but it is refreshing in that it shows that love doesn't always have a "happy" ending.  

Penetrate stands out as a good example of fiction writing. The lesbian characters are simply a bonus for the reader. This book has been out of print for a while, but it is worth the hunt to find a copy.

Storm by Kim Pritekel

Publisher:            P.D. Publishing


Merryn and Cara are two women on the run – on the run from the Black Death and from the brutal forces of King Edward III of England. Merryn is used to fighting for survival, whether as an orphan at the mercy of the nuns or as a thief on the road. Cara's existence was happier until the plague arrived. She lived quietly in a village with her mother and sister where her reputation as a healer was beginning to grow. Now, as the disease wipes out significant portions of the population, the women find themselves trying to survive on the road against roaming bandits, soldiers from the king who are scouring the countryside looking for new servants to replace the ones who have died or fled, and the constant threat of becoming ill themselves. 

Although Merryn is reluctant to take Cara with her at first, they quickly become dependent on each other. Society begins to break apart under the stresses of the time and tragedy separates Merryn from Cara. Merryn goes on to become a great warrior and leader of a mighty empire, but there is always a sadness in her that no one can reach until one day she is wounded in battle and someone comes into her life that may have a chance to heal all of her wounds.

Kim Pritekel knows how to tell a good story. Her characters are fully developed and believable. Cara is especially well drawn as a woman who has a gift that causes her to walk a fine line. She lives in a time where her natural talent for healing could have her branded as a witch by the Roman Catholic Church and she knows the danger that surrounds her, where she could be honored in one village and stoned in the next. 

Merryn represents the abject poverty of the majority of the English people of the 14th century who found themselves scratching out the merest of existences while the landed nobility lived in undeserved luxury. By setting the book in this period, Pritekel takes advantage of the dramatic changes caused by the bubonic plague and she shows the evidence of her research in her knowledge of the customs of the time. 

The social revolution that Merryn leads did in fact try to occur, but it failed, and that is the only true negative of the book. Pritekel alters real history. She sets her story in the reign of an actual king and gives him a fate that never occurred so that she can turn this into a Conqueror story. Events that never happened are manufactured. The true period is so rich in events and details that she could have written about that manufacturing events wasn't necessary, or she could have set it in an imaginary place without creating these distracting plot points. The inaccuracies in history probably will not bother the average reader however and certainly are not serious enough to keep anyone from reading what is otherwise a very good book. Read Storm and suspend reality for a while.

Sometimes Quickly by Anne Laughlin

Publisher:                P.D. Publishing


Sometimes Quickly is the story of five women, four of them searching for greater meaning in their lives and one who is intent on disrupting them. Peg Ryan is a recovering alcoholic and a prominent attorney, who made a mistake many years ago, but now her life has stabilized and she's ready to share it with someone. She meets Allison Mitchell, the head of a real estate firm, by accident – literally. Peg runs into the rear end of a car being driven by Camille Bardon and Allison is the passenger. The attraction between Peg and Allison is instantaneous, a fact which doesn't please Camille at all.
Meanwhile, Peg's best friend Morgan, a police detective, meets Laura, the head of a company that is developing innovative software that will allow the FDA to approve drugs more quickly. Morgan is trying to establish a relationship with Laura who can only focus on the problems her company is having. 

Camille is the bane of all of them. She stalks Allison, launches a blackmail scheme against Peg and her company, which specializes in industrial espionage, and is slowly destroying Laura's chances of receiving approval of its program by the FDA. The mystery is whether the other women will realize who is at the root of all of their problems before she has a chance to destroy them.

Sometimes Quickly is an appropriate name for this book because everything happens at a rapid pace, perhaps a little too rapid. The story moves from peak to peak with very little action in between that would allow the reader to digest what is happening. The result of this is a book that holds the reader's attention, but has a rushed feel to it. The incidents could have been fleshed out more, which would have made the book longer and kept it from feeling like things were developing too fast. 

However, at its heart, Sometimes Quickly has a good story with strong personalities. Allison comes off as the surprising character when she shows a strength that isn't anticipated and Morgan is inspiring in her determination to find out what is going on at Laura's company. Even the evil Camille comes across very clearly, although the reader will easily conclude that she has some serious mental health issues.

Laughlin has mastered the skill of character development. Now she needs to work on developing her plot more fully. The end of this book indicates that there will be another one, so she should get a chance to correct the weaknesses.

Sometimes Quickly is an excellent fast read.

Renegade by Cheyne Curry

Publisher:                P. D. Publishing

Trace Sheridan is a dirty cop who decides to go straight, but there is a crime family after her, so she risks trying out the time travel machine that a friend has been working on.  That is how she finds herself in the old West in 1879 and involved with Rachel Young.  Rachel is trying to hold out on her ranch against the most powerful family in Sagebrush, the Cranes.  The Cranes run the town and Ben Crane is determined to force Rachel to marry him. Trace decides to work on the ranch to try and help Rachel and she begins to stir up the town against the Cranes.  The Cranes have literally never met anyone like Trace and neither has Rachel.  Eventually the women establish a partnership to bring down the Cranes, but it ends up meaning much more.

Cheyne Curry has created a very enjoyable book that reads quickly.  Once you get past the implausibility of time travel, the story takes on a real tone of the old West.  Trace Sheridan becomes a likeable character as she tries to help Rachel and in doing so, redeems herself for her past life.  The historic aspects of the book are accurate enough to pass for the truth.  Unlike some novels, Trace and Rachel don't present themselves as two women having a relationship in front of the whole town and expect the local people to accept that in a time when they would more likely be hung or run out of town.  Trace plays her part as a man and maintains that image in an accurate manner.  The fact that Rachel is willing to help her maintain the charade when she discovers the truth adds reality to the situation.

Renegade is a rousing story of the Old West where the villains are truly bad, the damsel is in distress and the hero is a square-jawed straight shooter, except that he's a woman.  It combines adventure with romance to provide an enjoyable book.

Our Reunion by Jenah Watson

Publisher:            P. D. Publishing


Jenah Watson says in her acknowledgements that it took her five years to write her book. The quality of the book and its story would say that it was five years well spent. 

Our Reunion is about two women who reconnect at a high school reunion. Samantha Whitewell plays in her older sister Lisa's band and they are providing the entertainment for the event because Lisa is a member of the class, which is reuniting after twenty-five years. The news that Christina (Tina) Mellekas will be attending the dance immediately interests Sam who remembers the attractive woman from when Tina was on the track team with her sister. Sam spent many afternoons sitting in the bleachers waiting for Lisa and watching the team practice…specifically watching Tina practice. Tina has become something of a mystery figure for the class since a tragic automobile accident years before when she was injured and her brother was killed. When Sam and Tina are reintroduced, Sam feels herself immediately drawn to the older woman and senses in her a profound sadness. That is enough to convince Sam that what Tina needs is a friend and that she can fill the role perfectly. Tina however feels she has led a dark life and that she isn't the proper type of person to be forming a friendship or anything else with a kind and charming woman like Sam. As the story unfolds the two women struggle to find a foundation for this friendship and then to deal with emotions that draw them into a much deeper relationship. Sam at times trusts too much and Tina has difficulty trusting at all. 

This is not a quick, easy description of two women who immediately fall in love and go off to live happily ever after. It is an unfolding of how real relationships develop and the stresses and triumphs that are usually experienced in that process.  Many books seem to rush through the story to get to an end. You may enjoy the trip, but you miss a lot because everything is happening so quickly. Our Reunion takes the time to develop the characters and to explore why they behave as they do. The reader is allowed to develop an empathy for Tina's fears and an appreciation for Sam's frustration. By the end of the book you feel as if you really know these women. This is not a slow-paced book however. The reading progresses very quickly, but the length of the story gives you the time to appreciate what is happening. This is one of those books that you almost hate to see end.

As a final plus, this book is put together well. Having read a book just before this one that was less than half as long, but full of typographical and grammatical errors, it was a pleasure to read a book that was well edited and devoid of mistakes. The cover is attractive and the book is sturdy. This book feels worth the price that is paid for it.

On Azrael's Wings by D. Jordan Redhawk

Publisher:             P. D. Publishing


D. Jordan Redhawk's book On Azrael's Wings follows in the vein she is known for, a story with some historical reference and some fantasy worked in. 

In Middle Eastern theology, Azrael is the angel of death. How appropriate that this is the name of General Azrael of the Third Army. She is the enforcer for her brother, King Shonal, and she does it with brutal efficiency. When she is sent on a mission to destroy a village of dissidents, she does a thorough job. However, Azrael does have a code of honor and she expects her troops to adhere to it, so when she finds three soldiers trying to rape a woman, her punishment is swift and deadly. 

As a slave, Ursula understands that she has no value, which is why she is surprised when Azrael not only saves her, but takes her as a body slave. What starts out as a relationship based on fear grows into one of mutual trust and Ursula discovers the woman who lives behind the hard façade is more complex than her legend represents. For her part, Azrael can't understand the feelings she has for Ursula, but she knows they can be dangerous for both of them. Her society doesn't tolerate the idea of royalty and slaves mixing, but she can't deny her growing feelings for Ursula. Azrael also learns she has a problem when rumors reach her that her brother doesn't trust her and suspects she wants his throne. Azrael would like to retire to her estates and enjoy life there with Ursula, but things come to a head when King Shonal seizes Ursula and claims her as his property. Azrael has to decide which comes first: loyalty to duty or loyalty to love.

On Azrael's Wings is not true history, but it has the feel of a story about times in early Europe or Asia. The fantasy comes from the idea that an army in that time would accept a woman general to lead it, but it works in the book.  The story flows well and is an entertaining romance with a little adventure thrown in. It would have easily made one of the old swashbuckling stories from 1930's movies, except that both stars would be women. The characters are well developed, not complex, but likeable. This book isn’t a bad way to spend a few hours.

The Curse of the Jade Dragon by Nene Adams

Publisher:             P. D. Publishing

The Curse of the Jade Dragon is a period mystery set in London.  It's another book in the series featuring Lady Evangeline St. Claire and her partner Rhiannon Moore, who are the female counterparts to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, if the gentlemen were gay.

When Lina treats Rhiannon to a variety show that features a famous "Chinese" magician, they witness his murder in front of the entire audience.  Lina's natural curiosity has her already involved in the case before she is approached by a government official who wants her to conduct  a top secret investigation into what might really have happened.  Things are not what they seem and espionage between Britain and Russia is at the heart of the matter.  There will be kidnappings, murder attempts and all sorts of shady characters as Lina uses disguises and contacts to engage in the types of activities that thrill her and scare Rhiannon to death.  They have to outwit spies and government agents to discover who is manipulating the game before someone has the opportunity to kill them.

Sherlock Holmes fans will recognize the setting and feel of this novel.  It's rich in Victorian geography and culture.  Nene Adams is known for the meticulous research she does for her books and that allows her to create stories that are extremely accurate in their details.  There is the occasional reference to a word, object or attitude that is unique to the period and allows the reader to submerge herself in that time and separate from the present world.  The influence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is obvious in the work and maintains the same sort of suspense yet fun that his stories are known for.  It's not so much a matter of figuring out "who" the solution to the mystery is as it is about how Lina and Rhiannon will prove what they know to be true.  The two characters reflect their role models perfectly, but with a feminine twist.

The Curse of the Jade Dragon is a quick mystery to read, perfect for an afternoon or evening of escapism.  There is a series of these stories available, so the reader may want to check them out also.

The Path Taken by Koda Graystone

Publisher:               P. D. Publishing

Nicky McCloud's husband is dead, which is actually a good thing for her.  He was abusive and secretly gay, but he was also the mayor of Seattle and her entire identity was based around his position.  Now he's gone, her children are grown and Nicky feels lost inside her own life.  She decides to set herself a challenge and alter the course of her life.  The challenge will be to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada and it's going to change her life more than she expects.  On the trail she meets Jay Reisman and they agree to be hiking buddies.  Nicky has no way of knowing that Jay has been stalking her.  Jay blames Nicky's husband for giving her brother AIDS and she's determined to get evidence that Nicky knew about it so that Jay's family can sue her and her husband's estate for damages.  As they hike, enjoy the scenery and encounter various "adventures," Jay comes to realize two things.  Nicky was a victim of her husband also and she loves her.  By the end of the trail the women come to realize that they can't return to the lives they left behind months later, but what kind of life can they have?

This is the first novel for Graystone and it shows real promise for any future books she may have published.  Her intricate knowledge of the culture of hikers shows a lot of research and her descriptions of the landscape are spectacular.  By the end of the book the reader may want to run out and hike the trail herself.  She also creates characters that are extremely likeable.  Even when it's revealed that Jay is not being honest, she's presented in a way that the reader can't hold her behavior against her.

There are some drawbacks to the book however.  The story loses focus because there are too many topics squeezed into what is going on – conflict with children and in-laws, AIDS, abusive marriage, values for women and a murderer on the rampage.  This would have been an excellent story about the hike alone without some of these issues cluttering the book.  The dialogue needed some work and the final climatic scene between Nicky and her father-in-law didn't stay true to his character in the rest of the book.  These flaws are easily outweighed however by the atmosphere and beauty of the setting plus the knowledge that is imparted about the hiking culture.

This is a good first effort for Graystone.  The story flows easily and the details about the hiking culture make it interesting.  Her descriptions of the country add warmth to the love story that develops between Nicky and Jay, so this is an enjoyable book to read. 

World On Fire by Geonn Cannon

Publisher:                 P. D. Publishing

From the time when she was a little girl and a firefighter saved her that was the only career that Alexandra Crawford ever wanted.  She enjoys the excitement of fighting the fires and the camaraderie that she shares with the other members of the department.  Her busy schedule doesn't leave her much time for a social life, but that changes when a minor injury takes her to the emergency room and she's treated by Dr. Rachel Tom.  The women feel an immediate attraction and try to set up dates, but are interrupted more than once by a surprising rash of fires that breaks out.  It quickly becomes apparent that an arsonist is on the loose and that firefighters are his specific target.  Through grief and fear the bond between Alex and Rachel grows stronger and becomes something to fight for as the killer turns them into his special target.

This is a fairly routine story.  While the characters are pleasant enough, there is still the feeling that they're not remarkable.  The reader will not find any surprises or twists in this story and can probably anticipate most of the plot peaks before much has been read.  The fires add a little excitement to the story, but they also follow a predictable route.  The book can be read quickly in a few hours and will provide some entertainment, but nothing about World on Fire makes it stand out from other stories about firefighters and their world.

If you're looking for a book that will entertain you for a couple of hours, World on Fire will do.  This is one that can be interrupted by other chores and you'll have no trouble following the story when you go back to it.

Natural Order by Moondancer Drake

Publisher:               P. D. Publishing

If the measure of a book is the opening scene, Natural Order starts off as a success.

Beth Crew and her partner Dusty are fleeing from people who want to kill them and  Dusty buys safety for Beth and their unborn child by paying with her life.  Just before she dies, Dusty makes Beth promise that she'll go to live with Dusty's family at their compound in Wisconsin.  Since Beth doesn't know what to do with her life and she wants to escape the turmoil being stirred up in Chicago by the GLBT community over what it perceives as a hate crime, she packs up everything and goes to live with a family that she hardly knows.  She finds herself plunged into a community that practices an alternative religion, organic farming and holistic medicine.  Beth isn't sure how she feels about all of this, but Dusty's family is very nice and it's only supposed to be until the baby arrives.  What Beth doesn't know is that there are secrets about Dusty's family that she's never been told and that make them the targets of a cult called the Imperium.  When it becomes clear that Beth and her baby are the real prize the Imperium is after, Isha is assigned as their protector and the women begin to fall in love.  Beth has a lot to learn about her new family and herself.  They are lessons that could mean life or death for Beth and the baby.

Natural Order combines aspects of several cultures to create its story.  The book is steeped in Native American culture and pre-Christian religion with information about natural healing and organic foods that seem to bring in New Age attitudes.  Then to make the blend truly unique Drake throws in a fanatical Christian cult and the fact that all of the women in the family are shape shifters.  Beth rises out of several tragedies to discover that she may be the most powerful of them all…..if she can survive.

Moondancer Drake has created a book that holds a sense of mystery throughout the story.  As more details are reviewed, the suspense grows as the reader tries to figure out why the Imperium has targeted this family and what role Beth plays in the scenario without realizing it.  Though this part of the story is concluded in this book, a lot of information is left hanging and needs to be answered.  If there isn't a sequel to this book, readers are going to be disappointed.

Chilling Tales of Horror and the Supernatural by Patty G. Henderson (editor)

Publisher:                  P. D. Publishing


Editor's Warning: The reading and enjoyment of this anthology will greatly increase your chances of terrifying nightmares, lack of sleep and fear of your own shadow.

That warning plus one look at the cover picture will tell the reader that this is not meant to be a typical lesbian anthology. No tender scenes of romance, unless you find someone biting your neck and sucking out all of your blood charming. No thrilling adventure, unless you find a monster out of hell chasing you to your death exciting. There is humor in a macabre sort of way. Some of the resolutions of the stories are such fitting punishments or so bizarre that the reader will probably laugh. If you don't chuckle at the end of the first story, you're already taking these stories too seriously.

Patty G. Henderson has brought together some of her stories with the work of Mark Apoapsis, Victor J. Banis, Barbara L. Clanton, Moondancer Drake, Amy J. Ira, Crystal Michallet-Romero, Paul Milliken, Rick R. Reed, Hayden Thorne, Fran Walker and MJ Williamz. Some of them, like Henderson, have had books and stories in print and others are using this as their way to break into the medium. The stories are written as "flash fiction," which puts an interesting constraint on the writer. The plot and characters have to be developed in 1000 words or less, which is just slightly more than two pages. Not much room is available, so the writer is forced to condense and intensify everything.

Some of the stories are more successful than others. Several of the stories are so short they're like the authors shouting "Boo" at you, only in a few more words. There are tales of vampires, ghosts and succubi; rotting bodies, boogeymen and inhuman behavior; lost loves and vengeful love. The stories are short enough that, if you just have a few minutes, you can read a couple and put the book down until later. The book's major drawback is the problem of all anthologies. The stories are not uniform in quality. Many are extremely well written with interesting characters or viewpoints, making the reader wish that a longer format had been used so that the story had gone on. Others are flat and not very inspired. Then there are the one or two that may make the reader glad that the author doesn't live next door.
 
Does the book live up to the Editor's Warning? The stories themselves are not particularly scary, although a couple of them may make the reader shiver. The real terror in the story usually comes from the fear the character is feeling as the horror unfolds or in realizing the evil that humans can unleash on each other. Some of the stories aren't frightening as much as they are poignant. However, the cover of the book is almost guaranteed to cause you some discomfort. It's meant to be a fun read and it is.