Always by Nicola Griffith
ISBN 978-1-59448-935-8
Review by Mary Griggs

The third novel of Aud Torvingen by Nicola Griffith is as strong The Blue Place and Stay. Our heroine travels to Seattle this time and finds more than her money at risk. We get to visit again with her mother and her new husband, reacquaint ourselves with Dornan, and meet a new cast of characters as Aud hurtles herself in between danger and those whom she loves. Some of what Aud faces won’t take her strength of body to make right but will call on her wounded heart to open, forgive and to love again.

Nicola is an artist who, with a few bold strokes, can paint a portrait of exquisite detail. Her characters (including the cities where her novel’s take place) are deftly drawn. Their failings are laid bare and they are even more appealing for their flaws.

Lady Knight by L-J Baker
ISBN 978-1-933110-75-2
Review by Mary Griggs

Lady Knight is one of the few fantasy novels that tackle the medieval time with any accuracy. Too many speculative fiction books wish away inconvenient truths in the search for a good story. In this novel, there is no shrinking from facts. There is filth and blood and a realism about the few rights afforded women. The book does not fail with such honesty Rather, because of that well built foundation, it was a pleasure to lose myself within the pages.

The background for the story is a buildup to war as seen through the eyes of three players. There is the Lady Riannon. She is an outcast daughter who earned her knighthood in battle. She killed the son of a foreign Emperor and so, earned the title Vahldomne. Her cousin, Aveline, is sister to the queen and is rising quickly in the ranks as high priest to her Goddess. Her ambition, while clothed in piety, turns all around her into tools for the greater good. There is also Eleanor, who was twice widowed and the rarest of women with her ability to read, write and manage her estates with success. She travels to offer payment to the queen to go another year without having to have a husband to rule her or over her people. Little does she know that she is about to be caught between the fiery Knight and the ruthless Priest.

Grave Silence by Rose Beecham
2005 Bold Stroke Books
ISBN: 1-933110-25-2
Review by Mary Griggs

I finished reading Grave Silence by Rose Beecham and can definitely recommend this title to readers of lesbian fiction. This isn't just your run of the mill mystery, nor is it a typical romance. Her descriptions of the land are vibrant and evocative but it is the characters that make this such a good read.

Jude Devine is a sheriff's detective who must solve the mystery of a murdered teenager. Her search takes her into the secret world of a Mormon fundamentalist sect and into a sexual relationship, both of which cause her plenty of disquiet. As she gets closer to the truth, the tension increases and a Waco like siege situation results.

Plural marriage, the ages of many of the women being forced into it and the crimes against women within it, are all very deep issues and the author handles them well. The characters have an authenticity that is usually lacking in the treatment of cults and extremists. When I found out that the author had gone undercover to research for this book, I was duly impressed.

After finishing this title, I remained fascinated by the topic and so I read Jon Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven. Not lesbian, not fiction but an astounding bit of reporting. If you want further reading on a particularly American brand of religious fanaticism, this is a good place to start.

Tristaine Rises by Cate Culpepper
Review by Mary Griggs

The third title in the Tristaine series is as exciting a read as the previous two. It is the continuing story of the Amazon women as they head into the wilderness to escape the oppression of the City. Their flight leads them to an abandoned village where the Clan faces their toughest challenge yet. They are being stalked by an evil that will pit them against each other and their sisters from the past.

The author has a deft touch with characterization and populates her novel with the authentic voices of many diverse women. I like how she employs Brenna as an outsider and seer to help narrate the plot. I also enjoyed the deepening relationship between Jess and Brenna. The book is fast paced and gives the readers plenty of twists and turns before the final page. It also begs for another title in the series (hint, hint).

The first two titles (The Clinic and Battle for Tristaine) are available in new editions put out by Bold Stroke Books. They have the benefit of tighter editing and additional back-story to several of the characters. I would recommend them as well.

Various
Reviews by Mary Griggs

I had the great pleasure of attending the Golden Crown Literary Conference in Atlanta earlier this month. I purchased so many books that I’m not going to be able to buy groceries until after the next paycheck.

Some of the ones I’ve just finished:

Home for the Holidays by Mavis Applewater (ISBN 0-9770318-4-5). A very steamy romance with Mavis’ usual deft touch with the sex scenes (and there are plenty) and the humor. This is the story of two lovers lost to each other, who find their way back with the help of their very supportive families.

The Feel of Forever by Lyn Denison (ISBN 1-59493-073-2). A heart-warming story of two women, parted by prejudice and their own fears who rekindled their love. It is very similar to Lyn’s other work but still a good read for anyone who likes a little angst with their romance.

Sugar by Karin Kallmaker (ISBN 1-59493-001-5). A well crafted tale by the Queen of Romance herself. A fire in her oven brings three powerful and different women into Sugar’s life. After taking each for a taste test, she finds the one who is just right. Funny and passionate.